Monday, December 11, 2017

Birthdays, Bears, Sushi and Santa

After a near-tears hour, I discovered it is actually super easy to get my pictures on here. I expect I can find and even easier way.

I decided Irene's birthday was a far back as I dare go in pictures, lest I open a box of summer, and that's just too much.

Right now I am sitting at the table with Agnes, looking out the window on a blustery 45 degree December day, watching the snow melt and the wind blow. This week is going to be full with church, concerts, rehearsals, caroling, and who knows what else, so it's nice to take a minute to stare out the window while Agnes is not crying and saying things to me I don't understand and then crying because I don't understand.




Irene surveying her birthday decorations. German flag colors.
6-Year-Old
 Birthday Friends
Painting is better with both hands. That French bulldog agrees.
4 seconds after crying me into putting on this backpack and helmet.
Irene is into counting. This was by her bed. No wonder she was so tired in the morning.
Evangeline reading a cat book to Loretta, who is eating the snack Evangeline brought her.
If I had ever imagined the first book Evangeline would check out at school, bring home, and read within a day, this would not have been it. But well done, Evangeline.
Irene stayed home for a few days with strep throat and scarlet fever. She didn't go blind.
Agnes assured me this wouldn't be too scary, and just cute.
Kyle got me a warm coat. It is my first one since we moved here, and when I wore it for the first time I thought "Hm. I'm not cold."
This failed Advent photo session took a really long time.
Evangeline's head as flame.
Extra mystery flame on Agnes.




Two pastors.
Irene: "Reindeer are Caribou. We could eat this"

I took Irene and Evangeline out for sushi/tempura/teriyaki after the Christkindlmarkt. Christmassy.



The chef was kind and sent us over some tempura oreos. I made sure they ate enough raw fish first.
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Friday, December 1, 2017

Happy Birthday To Me

Kyle got me a new computer for my birthday!

I still gotta figure some things out, like how to get my newest pictures, but here's to a new computer and a hopefully revived blog. Hooray!

I can even add captions again.

Monday, September 11, 2017

Some Stuff Happened!

Since I managed to post as recently as May 15, some things have happened...
Evangeline finished Kindergarten, lost some more teeth, and started 1st grade.
Irene "graduated" from pre-school, didn't lose any teeth yet, and started Kindergarten.
Agnes is as I write this standing in her diaper ransacking her sisters' things while they are at school, has gotten more teeth, and is talking A LOT.
Kyle and I went to England and Scotland!
We all had a wonderful summer and are watching the leaves turn yellow, and enjoying lots of rainbows since it has been raining a lot this fall.

Here are a few pictures. I cannot add captions because blah blah iPad blah blah.

















Monday, May 15, 2017

Evangeline recitals;Agnes twos.

Saturday was a busy day for the Mietzner girls (and the mom and dad). Irene and Evangeline went to school. While Kyle and Agnes were off collecting them, I put together a little birthday party for Agnes that was to be wedged in between getting home from school and Evangeline's ballet recital. We had a fine party with only the five of us in attendance (plus Loretta who later enjoyed the spoils of an unattended cake), some snacks and a cake the taller sisters picked out for Agnes. There were also lots of Cheetos and the like so really nothing could go wrong.

Agnes was thrilled with her wedged-in party, Evangeline gave a wonderful performance with her class, and she loved being on the big stage at the Performing Arts Center. I said "Merde" to her when I dropped her off backstage (which, after two dress rehearsals there, was proclaimed to not look as good as you think it should and there are too many pipes everywhere) and it turns out it is almost completely impossible to explain that to a seven year old.










Saturday, May 6, 2017

Irene Recitals

Irene displayed her brand new ballet skills in her recital this afternoon. She did a super job and definitely was the best at jumping over cones on one foot. Also, Agnes turns out to be a very savvy applauder (skill to list on future CV). Thanks to Grandma Becky and Baba for the wonderful Christmas gift.


Monday, May 1, 2017

Easter Triumph, Easter Joy! (Easter sicknesses...)

They all really love their dresses. Thanks Grandma Becky. 




We had a full house for Easter. My mom, dad and grandma were here. Dad had a shoulder replacement on the Tuesday before Easter, so he was still in Full Rest Mode by the time Easter Sunday got here so we had a small (just the household) Easter dinner planned. But, at the last minute, at church on Easter morning, Kyle and I both independently asked some people if they just wanted to stop over for a glass of wine or coffee sometime during the day and evening (this is largely due to an article about hospitality written by my friend Rosie). So we ended up having guests from around 3pm to almost 2 in the morning. We ate our Easter dinner of steak and scallops and lots of other good stuff and lemon pudding while we visited with friends either on the way to or arriving from their own Easter festivities. It was a wonderful day and so great to relax and visit with so many people.

Somewhere in the evening, Irene fell ill. I blamed it on too much Easter candy (probably a factor). She slept with me that night, Kyle got the couch. Easter Monday was spent taking care of Irene and then Agnes who was throwing up just a bit here and there (literally). Kyle took Evangeline out to lunch and visit some people while the rest of us did our own things--healing from surgery, taking care of throw-up kids, etc. By end of day, Irene was still sick, Agnes seemed a bit better, and everyone else was surviving just fine.

Tuesday. Kyle had a meeting in Sterling so mom and dad and grandma agreed to stay until he got back. We also had to get the tires on mom and dad's car changed. As dad couldn't drive, we all got in the car, sick or not, and headed out to the tire place. Irene seemed to be doing better, but Agnes threw up on the way there. Sick in the car...the worst? By the time all the grandparents left for home, Agnes was sick, Irene took a turn for the worse (sickness now very serious at both ends) and Kyle slept in the girls' room with Evangeline while Irene slept with me, and Agnes "slept" in her crib. Evangeline got sick at around 11.30pm.

Wednesday. Irene and Evangeline are sick, watching tv in our bed. Agnes seems ok except for some random throwing up. We all hobble through another night. This night has three girls in diapers :( and there are also three girls who will probably always feel a bit queasy around their purple "Frozen" Easter buckets for good reason. But they were so handy. Poor Anna and Elsa.

Thursday! Day five dawns to find all the girls still sick, and since Irene has a propensity for not being able to stop being sick once she is sick, I take her to the doctor once full promises are made that no shots will be gotten (this is a foolish promise as I did promise it once before when Irene had pneumonia, and she had to get two shots simultaneously. But no shots were administered this time, thankfully)  Get anti-nausea medication. Give it to all three girls when we get home. By dinner time, I dare to think that things are looking up. I make some chicken soup. Put out the whole saltine box, pour a little Gatorade. And before a bite is taken, Agnes vomits all over the table. Evangeline wisely says "this is why I'm afraid of throw-up sick kids!" and I even more wisely say "You are currently a throw-up sick kid." Then I tell Kyle I don't know if I can take this anymore. An hour later Agnes throws up down the front of my shirt. A lot.

Friday. Evangeline goes back to school, but has missed getting her Sprachmeister flag because of this dumb sickness. Irene is tender but better, and Agnes has many, many diaper changes. Everyone sleeps in their own beds.

Saturday...it is a week later, and this thing has finally gone. Kyle and I have remained healthy, if not a tad insane. We go over to friends' for dinner! We eat and drink and toast the end of a really bad time. The kids are happy and playing! Ah, life!

Sunday. I send Evangeline and Irene to church alone since I have been throwing up all night. The good news: Christ is Risen.

We are all ok now.

Sunday, April 9, 2017

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