AJ's Belt Testing

Jackson has been working hard and learning all he can at his karate tech class two times a week. He has been working on perfecting his kata III and was so excited when the teacher said he was ready to test for his green belt. We have been so proud of Jackson in his determination to earn this belt. It has been such a good way for him to learn that when he pushes through the times when he gets frustrated, he sees how it pays off with a belt upgrade.

The students waiting to test. It ranged from white belt up to red belts.

The order of the belts are: white-yellow-orange-green-blue-red-brown-black

Jackson is just about halfway to a black belt!

Doing his kata III.

 Sparring with another student is another "test" he must pass.

 Look at that joy in his face as he is about to get his green belt!

 Jackson and his friend Aeden who also earned a green belt. They are in Frau Whitely's class together.

Professor George with Jackson

 We are so proud of him and how far he has come in just 3 years. It is always so fun to see him move up to a new belt. This one was so special because he now gets to retire the white gi and move up to a black one. Picture to come...

School Registration

Today was a big day for Grace. I registered her for kindergarten! Jackson is also very excited to be a 2nd grader. He told us that he wants to be called "AJ" next year. AJ was a name given to him from Daddy Don and stands for "action Jackson."
Hard to believe before too long both kids will be in school together. How time flies when you are having fun!

Riding Lessons

Grace has a love for horses! 

After having dinner with our neighbors Franz and Gerdwyn recently, we found out that Gerdwyn's daughter gives horse back riding lessons. We knew that Grace would love it so we started the lessons this past Saturday. 

After about a 20 minute drive to Bruchmuhlbach-Meisau we arrived at the stables. The stables are very nice and the horses looked like they are well taken care of. The best part is the lessons can be taken in a big enclosed barn during the rain and snow days.

Grace meeting her horse for the day, Landi.

Landi is 26 years old and perfect for this age to learn.

Julia was so good with Grace. Very patient and was able to get Grace to do some things on the horse that surprised me!

 Riding with her hands behind her back...

 Riding up on her knees..

 Riding with hands on her helmet...

 Riding with backwards with hands behind her back.

Julia would have Grace turn around while the horse was walking/trotting to get a feel of balance while the horse was moving.

 I had some other pictures, but they didn't turn out well. Julia asked Grace if she wanted to do a fast trot on Landi. Much to my surprise, Grace said yes and did amazing! She controlled herself well and followed each of the directions that Julia told her. I am so proud of Grace!

We will be heading back to the stables for more lessons on Wednesday. Grace can hardly contain herself!

Pioneer Princess

Grace wanted a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for lunch the other day. So being the "pionner princess" that she is, she did it herself!

You are probably asking what is a "pioneer princess?" A while back Jason read a book called Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters by Dr. Meg Meeker. In one section in the book it talks about how to raise your daughter to be pioneer or a princess. Jason tells Grace she will always be his princess...but...she has to learn how to be a pioneer. So came the name for her at times...pioneer princess.

Here is a little excerpt from the book:

A princess expects everything to be handed to her and everything to be done for her, and who gives nothing in return.  Her life is about her needs and wants.   A pioneer woman relies on herself and knows that any improvement in her life is from her own hard work.       

A princess is taught that she is the centre of the world – she needs constant affirmation, attention, and hand holding.  “TAKE TAKE TAKE” is the motto of the princess.  While a pioneer woman asks what she can ADD to the world.  Her self-esteem and confidence are increased through her work ethic and success.

A princess, along with a huge sense of entitlement, blames others when she fails.  She expects others to solve her problems and bail her out.   Her behaviour is almost laughable at times.  While the pioneer woman accepts responsibility and learns from her mistakes – her behaviour is constantly respected and admired.  

“I need, I want, I have to have” are the regular songs playing in the head of the princess, while the pioneer woman sings a different song – “I have, I will, and I can”.

The pioneer woman isn’t easily swayed by peer pressure and is less interested in fads and trends.  She is logical, ethical, and a problem solver.   To a pioneer woman, a flat-tire is a problem that can be solved, while it spells catastrophe for the helpless princess – the damsel in distress – in constant need of rescuing. 

She has made this a normal thing...and is pretty proud of herself!

An Early Spring Day!

Grace and I enjoyed the beautiful weather outside today. This is just a taste of what it will be like in the days to come.
(she insisted on wearing her pajamas on the bike ride)

Our Castle Road Trip

We took a long weekend road trip to Fussen where the Neuschwanstein and Hohenecken Castles are located. On the drive up Saturday we intended to go straight to the Linderhof Castle, but the traffic had other ideas. We spent a total of two hours in staus (stopping on the autobaun) along the way. There were really no other reasons as to why...no accidents or construction...it was just the simple fact that there were too many cars on the road. We learned when we arrived at our destination that the Netherlands were on their end of winter break and they all flock down to that area to ski.

On Sunday we started with the Neuschwanstein Castle because the weather was beautiful and we could get some great pictures. We got as many as we could outside because inside photographs are forbidden. 

The kids wanted to take the horse carriage ride up, so my mom joined them while me and Jason walked up to the castle.

A rare time of us enjoying the sunshine here in the winter.

Made for a beautiful castle photo.

This shot was taken from the castle looking over the lake.

 We heard that the path to St. Mary's bridge was closed, but people were still venturing there despite the gate being locked. It was a beautiful walk and view of the castle from a distance.

 The walk there was a picturesque winter scene. It was a bit icy, but nothing that was too dangerous.

 Here you can see the bridge in the distance from the castle.

 On the bridge. I have a little fear of heights so my heart was pumping "just a bit" faster than normal.

Our one group shot from the weekend. 

I tried to talk Grace into getting this hat, but she picked out a purse instead.

After the castles we went to a great restaurant for dinner. Love this photo of my mom and the kids!

On Monday before we headed home we walked around Fussen. It was yet another gorgeous day so we took advantage of it.

It was such a fun trip that I know we will remember for years to come. I am so glad we were able to take my mom there and show her another part of Germany. A few days later we said good-bye to with tears of sadness and happiness for the wonderful memories we made during her visit. We can't wait to have her (and my dad) back this summer!