Home Alone

Well the last few weeks seem to have just rushed by without me updating my blog.
I took Steven to the paediatrician here in Alsfeld on the 11 April. He read the hospital report and advised that he did not have the required equipment needed for the 24 hours Blood pressure check on Steven. He suggested that I either go to Giesen for that or I could do it through the cardiologist that Steven had seen last year in Fulda. Gerard flew to S.Africa that evening and I was on my own with the kids. Luckily they were still on holiday, so I got to sleep in the last few days of it. On the 12th April, I picked Heidi up and we went to visit Roxy in Romrod. Roxy and Ryan are the new couple from S.A. that have replace Ryan and Zelda. It was the first time we had seen their house and at this stage they are camping out in it as their furniture hasn't arrived from S.A. yet. Marcelle left for South Africa that evening. I picked Roxy up on Friday and she spent time with me at home.
Gerard saw Roger and Kelly over the weekend but was quite involved with suppliers and Cliff from England. He stayed at Jack's corner in Richards Bay. On the Sunday, I took the kids for a walk around Liederbach as the weather was absolutely beautiful. We took a walk up to a much looked at and wondered about "gallows" which is in a field, in close proximity to our house.
The kids started school again on the 16th and it was quite a relief. I had Roxy with me for most of the day again. On Wednesday I picked Roxy up and we went to Heidi's to do a bit of sewing. Heidi was wanting to make a material "touch and feel" book for her grandchild, Roxy decided on a picture of Winnie the Pooh for her baby's nursery and I took along material to make cushion covers. We had a fun morning together.
Took the boys to light athletics which they thoroughly enjoyed and then Steven went onto soccer practice. We had another morning of sewing at Heidi's the very next day. Gerard arrived back from S.A. on Friday 20th. As he was asked by the company to bring two boxes back for Bauma, he was caught going through customs. He had to pay customs duties etc. which all delayed in him getting back home. But he did come home to see me first and it felt like Christmas all over again. He had brought a fair amount of stuff back for me which was really great.
We spent a lovely weekend together. We drove to Fulda on Saturday to get some things for Lara's birthday and on Sunday we walked through Alsfeld Altstadt because all the shops were open and there was a cheese market in the square. Alpine horn blowers were also the highlight of the day. It was such a beautiful day and there was a wonderful festive atmosphere in the square.
Gerard left for Munich in the early hours of Monday 23rd. Can you believe that this day is the Day of German Beer. This week was also a week of Eltern abends (parents evenings) which I had to attend. Young Jessica came and babysat while I spent time with a bunch of German people, trying to understand what they were trying to plan for the children. Roxy and I spent our week helping Heidi paint our her flat. She just felt that while Heinz was away at Bauma it was a good opportunity to do some much needed painting. We had great fun doing this and on Thursday night Heidi treated us to a wonderful home cooked supper. She made Nieder Gar which is cooking on very low temperatures. She cooked a roast beef for 3 hours on a temp of 70degrees and then had a delicious home made bernaise sauce to go with it. The meat is so soft it just melts in your mouth - delicious.
Gerard got back home on Friday night from Munich after a long hard week. On Saturday, we had organised a braai for our friends, to come and celebrate Lara's birthday. It was great to braai again and spend time with our friends.
Sunday was Lara's 5th birthday. I had made a cake the night before and I had to shape and ice it. It was to be a horse cake. It actually turned out very well and I was quite pleased at what I managed to accomplish. Lara has 3 friends join her at Halligalli and they all had a great time. Happy birthday Lara!!!!