A quick weekend away

After a week in Poland Chris worked from home Friday morning and after the kids got home from school at 12:00pm we hit the road and drove to Switzerland. After a short 1.5 hour drive we arrived in  Davos/ Klosters.

The hotel we stayed at had a pool and the kids were so excited to swim! I mean, really...what more do you need than a pool to keep kids happy?!?

We kept it simple and had dinner at the hotel Friday night so after swimming for a few hours we got showered and enjoyed a fantastic meal. We tried to put the kids to bed and hang out on the balcony for a bit but Mary and Emily weren't having it so that ended quickly. We usually have to get two rooms when we travel and if they're not adjoining rooms (which they're usually not) Chris and I have to split up and sleep in separate rooms with two kids each.

We woke up bright and early Saturday morning and headed to Madrisa to ski for the day. There were a bunch of different places we could ski, but this one was recommended by the hotel because it has a great kids area. The kids had a blast skiing and sledding all day. Things started going Soth a little before lunch and I thought I'd have to leave with Mary and Emily so they could nap but they rallied and we all stayed until 4:30pm.

Emily wasn't feeling the skiing so after two runs down the bunny hill (in tears) we went back to the rental shop and traded her skis for a sled ha!

Once we got back to the hotel the girls beelined it for the pool again! Needless to say they were all pretty pooped that night and Emily shoveled in her food as fast as she could then promptly sat back in her chair and started falling asleep! It was so funny! We moved her to a bench so she could sprawl out before finally taking her upstairs to bed. Homegirl was worn.out. We all were!!

Poor Michael (and subsequently Chris!!) had a rough night Saturday night and by Sunday morning Michael couldn't stop crying because his ear hurt so bad. SO not like Michael to complain...especially when there is skiing involved!! We were able to get him to a doctor in town before we left and get him started on some antibiotics. Our plan for Sunday was to ski a different spot but decided to just head home with Michael so miserable.

So our weekend was short but sweet. It felt so good to get away for a few nights, even when we have moments of cranky kids, meltdowns and sickness. That's just life, right?!? And it's always so worth it.

Life lately

I wanted to do a quick little update for everyone on what's new with the kiddos and how they're doing  now that we've been here for over a year and a half. Everyone is always so sweet and wanting to know how they are doing...

Allie

Oh my goodness friends, what this girl has been through and the amount of maturity she has developed over the past 18 months has made us so proud. She has by far had the most difficulty with this transition. We encourage her every day to meet each new challenge with a positive attitude and we PROMISE her that she will look back at this experience with nothing but positive memories. I want to respect Allie and her emotions and keep some things private, but she has been pushed in ways she never has before, and while she would happily jump on a plane right now to fly back to the States she has come SO. FAR. She has some of the sweetest friends and is (mostly) happy to go to school each day! She takes one dance class a week and is super excited for the weather to warm up and start going to the pool each day! Allie's excited to celebrate her 10th birthday later this month (can't believe it!!) and we're starting the process of looking at some schools for her to go to next year. Grundschule (or the elementary school here) only goes to 4th grade so children move to the next level of school for 5th grade...there are a few options so we're excited to check a few out and find the best fit for her.

Michael

Michael has gained SO MUCH CONFIDENCE since we've moved here!! This kid has always been our shy guy...even back when he was a baby he used to cover his eyes in the shopping cart when we were grocery shopping! ha! He's cruising through 2nd grade and having a great time doing it! You all know he's become a little ski bum, but he has also been playing soccer since we moved here. He's far from the best in the group, but he has so much fun and it's been so great to see him smiling, having fun and improving!! We practically had to push him onto the field a time or two at the beginning (this honestly isn't too far from an accurate portrayal) but he's been loving it! He has this stuffed soccer ball that we got at Ikea awhile ago and it travels around the house with him...it's hilarious! He dribbles that ball everywhere and it's awesome, it's especially awesome that it is a STUFFED soccer ball so it can't hurt anyone or really break anything. Can I get an Amen?!? He's still the worlds best brother and is more patient than anyone with all these girls around him.We just love this kid!

Mary

This sweet girl is living her best life right now...she will be 5 in April and I have to remind myself daily that she is still only 4!! She seems so much older to me sometimes.she is also super tall so I think that has a lot to do with it! ha! Mary goes to the kindergarten every day from 8:30am-12:00pm and has so much fun at school! We figured out last year in January that Mary couldn't hear very well (or actually like at all!) so after she had her adenoids out and tubes put in her ears in February 2017 her German language has exploded (and yes, it's way better than mine for sure!) She has little friends at school and just loves, loves, loves going every day!! She takes ballet (and counts down each week until can go again!!) She also has a very specific sense of style and will often change her clothes throughout the day...and her socks are ALWAYS pulled up over her socks. It's her signature style! ha! At home she is best buddies with Emily and they're usually upstairs playing Barbies. It's adorable.



                                                                 Emily 

Oh our littlest. She is something. You guys, this one keeps us on our toes! She is a true honey badger...I told Chris the other day that when I hear her wake up in the morning I take a deep breath and just kind of gear up for what she's got in store for me that day! ha! She is still adjusting to kindergarten but the past week she has been happy when I drop her off (woohooo!!!) ...even on the days she was sad when I dropped her off she would always be all smiles when I picked her up! She's not speaking much German yet but I'm sure it won't take her very long. She is in a different class than Mary at the kindergarten so she's really pushed to be independent, which is a good thing for her!



We've been so lucky to move into this amazing town of Wasserburg. The kids and parents have all been so welcoming to all of us...we feel like we could not be in a better place.

The support we've received the past 18 months has been just amazing...we've felt everyones love and prayers throughout this entire experience and just the overwhelming sense of this huge cheering section rooting for us and pulling for us as we navigate so many unknowns and new experiences. We are truly so, so thankful for all of our family and friends.