Family Blog

Grace

She died today. Jonathans Gran, Marla and Lenis Great-Grandmother.
The funeral will be on the 31st. We are with her and the family in thoughts.

Christmas

There was sadnes, because of the distress Grace and the Brennans in Australia have to endure because of her ill health. On Christmas Day however Grace was as well as it was possible under the circumstances, we were told.
There was also joy, because Heidi and Uwe and later Christine had joined us for the holidays. Their company was a welcome distraction to our lifes.
We and especially the children enjoyed the 'big family' time a lot:
a goose feast, a home made Ginger Bread House, singing, 2 dancing queens, too much tv, a night out bowling, cold feet, hands and noses on the playgrounds of Queens Park and once Holland Park, a nice time with Michael, a visit from Penny and Tim, and even a spot of sale shopping for kids clothes.
Thank you all for spending time with us and for the lovely presents.
We were especially missing: the Australian family and Tante Petra.
We didn't have (and didn't miss): a hangover and a family fight.

It's back to the grindstone again. The accounts need our filing, the living room more filling, sanding and painting (The hall downstairs is done - we have more coathooks than you could shake a stick at!). Leni is teething ferociously and Marla needs a lot of assistance during her exhausing schedule of daily projects.

Apropos

Lenis birthday is coming up on the 5.January.

‘Dear Zoo’

Marla stared as a piglet in her nurseries Christmas play. The Story was loosely based on the children book story 'Dear Zoo' by Rod Campbell (if I remember correctly). It involved a lot of animals, one very realistic tiger, songs about animals and shouting 'Yes, they are!' - 'No, they are not!'
Needless to say, it was very sweet.
Marla knew all the songs and was the best piglet in the play - together with Elizabeth, the other piglet.
Leni was riveted.

Download file 'cg_play_finale.mpg'

Wieder gesund.

We are much better again after a stinker of a flu. Marla, Leni and me were all feverish and snotty. Jonathan was looking after us. Leni just wanted to be held. Marla was very poorly and for days with red cheeks and bleary eyes on the sofa. But I think we are through the worst. For this year anyway! We hope.

Next week will be busy for the children, the main events being on Wednesday the Christmas play ‘the Present’ at the nursery. Marla will be playing a pig. (I'll need to get some valium or similar or else we'll drown in my sobs). And on Friday the nursery will be taking the children on the train to see a play at the theatre.

Für unseren deutschen Freunde: das Müllmännerlied - und immer wenn man denkt, jetzt ist's aus, legen 'se nochmal zu. Halt bis der Dreck weg ist. Qualität!

Also today: ‘They've got 'im’ - what are they gona do with him? US troops have captured Saddam in his tiny ‘spider hole’.

Leni ist krank

Marla was feverish again on Saturday, feeling better on Sunday. Now it's Lenis turn. She's glowing like a little piece of coal and wants to be held all the time. Both are coughing.
It's gotten cold.

This is her after naptime when she's well:
Download file 'leni_wacht_auf'

HoHoHo

Christmas is coming.
Wir haben einen Schummelbaum. Home-made Christmas tree, home-made 'fristmas deco-ation'.

Tiger is preggars!

Parent Conference

Marlas keyworker (and favourite teacher) Ilse gave us a rundown on Marla's 'Performance', behaviour and general well-being at the nursery.

We were told, that Marla is a very balanced child, very secure and understanding. She listens to teachers and the other children, respects their space, is sometimes a little shy, learns songs and actions easily, has extraordinary body control. She can nearly write her name and hold a pen well, she can control scissors, can think maths, knows numbers and some letters, shapes and colours.
In short: She's very far developed for her age, well adjusted and 'lobley all ober'.
Aren't we lucky!

In the morning Marla had insisted on taking her Wiggles Cd in. When I went to pick her up after the conference, the place was jumping. Kids and teachers were dancing, singing and shouting along 'SHAKE YOUR SILLIES OUT'... Marla was beaming with excitement.