New Kitchen!

As with many of things in the house, our kitchen was one of the rooms I really wanted to fix up. I wasn't crazy about the yellow wall, blue countertops and wallpaper. 

The first thing I did was change the handles on the cabinets and drawers and just that alone made a big difference. The next step was one I did not enjoy at all...taking down wallpaper. Why anyone in their right mind would put this stuff up on the walls is besides me. So after much spraying, scraping and more spraying and scraping...it was off! I knew I wanted the color red so that was easy to buy and start on. Little did I know that it would take 7 coats of red to get the color that I was looking for. I did the walls in stages because it was more time consuming than I realized. I still have to go back and fill in a few spaces that I missed, but for the most part the painting is officially done...whew!

I was super excited to get the countertops, sink, faucet and dishwasher. Our dishwasher was horrible! I could get them cleaner myself by hand.

So...here are a few pictures of the before and after. I LOVE my new kitchen and the clean feeling it has to it!

This is the kitchen when the previous owners lived there. You get the idea. ;-)

 This is after I painted, but before the new counters, sink, faucet and dishwasher.

And...the final result! Much better, don't you think?

 My favorite part is the big, black sink. And best of all it has a DISPOSAL!!! I haven't had one of these in 10 years. No more nasty gunk in my sink! My kitchen clean up just got easier.

(For some reason the Japanese and Germans don't use these, but I was determined no matter how much it cost I would have one.)

 Here is the other side to it.

 I am in love with it!

Fall Fest at FBP

Faith had their fall festival for the preschool. The 3 y/o and 4 y/o classes have been practicing for weeks to get it just right. Finally the day came and all the kids were so excited to sing in front of their mom's and dad's.

So proud of Grace as well as my class for doing a great job!

Grace back and center

 Grace was so excited to sing!

Preparing for Winter

With the weather getting colder and winter fast approaching it is that time of year to have wood delivered. We got a new kaminofen (pictured below) installed in the house and can't wait to use it.

Most german houses don't have fireplaces installed, but instead have a wood burning stove called a "kaminofen." Our house uses propane which is very expensive, so for expense purposes this is going to be so nice to have for many years to come.

The kids couldn't wait to help daddy with the wood. 

 Jason's original plan was to store the wood under the deck. But our neighbor Herr Lill came over and advised otherwise and spent most of the day building what you see below to store it on our back patio. We didn't ask him, he just came over and build the pieces in his wood shop in his barn. We are so thankful for such wonderful neighbors here.

 One side...

 and then the other. 

Our kaminofen.

Now we just need the chimney guy to come and inspect it so we can put it to use!

St. Martin's Lantern Procession

Jackson's german immersion class had a St. Martins lantern procession and sang songs at the school with the other G.I. classes. On St. Martin's day in Germany the children decorate homemade (or store bought) lanterns and parade through the streets. It usually ends up at a bonfire and pretzels, goose and kinder punch is served. But at the school we heard a few songs in german and watched them parade through the school without the bonfire. I volunteered one day last week and helped the kids with the lanterns. Grace made one as well and walked with the kids through the school while they sang songs. Frau Whitely was so sweet to include Grace.

Here is a little background on St. Martin's day, courtesy of Wikipedia:

St. Martin's Day, also known as the Feast of St. Martin, Martinstag or Martinmas, the Feast of St Martin of Tours or Martin le Miséricordieux, is a time for feasting celebrations. This is the time when autumn wheat seeding was completed, and the annual slaughter of fattened cattle produced "Martinmas beef". Historically, hiring fairs were held where farm laborers would seek new posts. November 11 is the feast day of St. Martin of Tours, who started out as a Roman soldier. He was baptized as an adult and became a monk. It is understood that he was a kind man who led a quiet and simple life. The most famous legend of his life is that he once cut his cloak in half to share with a beggar during a snowstorm, to save the beggar from dying of the cold. That night he dreamed that Jesus was wearing the half-cloak Martin had given away. Martin heard Jesus say to the angels: "Here is Martin, the Roman soldier who is not baptised; he has clothed me."

All the G.I. classes singing the lantern song. (Jackson is around the bottom to right corner.)

Jackson and Grace with their lanterns.

                                                   

Jackson loves to sing! We loved hearing him sing the songs in german and doing the motions. I am so thankful for this experience.

Small video of them singing the procession song. Sorry for the poor quality (as well as the girl coughing ;-)

I am still trying to upload a video of a longer song they sang, but our lovely internet isn't cooperating. Hopefully soon...

S.T.A.R Student

Jackson was a S.T.A.R. student at school today.

S:Studious

T: Thoughtful

A: Astonishing

R: Respectful

So proud of our first grader!

Tiny Dancer

Today was Grace's first day of ballet and tap. 

She loved it and and can't wait to go back next week!