Labelling the children

So we've been thinking about how to "label" the children while in Germany. Assuming one of them will get separated from us how should we best ensure their safety and our ability to reconnect? We have to admit we are vulnerable in this area. We've lost a kid in Walmart (twice) and on our last "big city" vacation we lost one in the Field Museum in Chicago. Poor parenting I know, but true. My usual Sharpie on the underarm method for Disney seems unrealistic for a three month time period. We found some ID bracelets that we can order from Amazon.de and that seems the easiest solution, we fill in our cell phone number and they wear them when we are out and about. These are designed for toddlers, but given our limited German I need something for all the kids. Its really scary to lose a kid, I can't imagine doing it in a foreign country. Yes, we did consider GPS. I wonder what they think of the "kid leash" in Europe??

Matthew's Birthday

Matthew is 8 years old!! It was the easiest cake prep thus far. He is easy to please. It was an ipod touch birthday as we both got refurbs for our birthday. He is enjoying it and looking forward to having it with him on the plane. I would enjoy mine if I ever got a turn. I have downloaded some books and am ready to read on the plane. It was our solution to the issue of books in Germany, I get books through various apps and the kids get games to play. Tim and I both have lost sleep this week playing solitaire!

Pics from Germany

A fellow faculty member and friend of Tim's visited our apartment in Germany last week and took pictures for us. This is where we will be staying this fall and we really appreciate him giving us the chance to see it before we leave. We think they will add a bed to the living area for Tim and me and swap out the crib for a bed for Katey. It is much more of a two floor arrangement than we'd understood so the kids will be able to sleep in the room upstairs while we are in the room downstairs. Best we can tell there is a half bath, living room/bedroom for us, full bathroom, kitchen, and kids bedroom/loft.

We are now on skype for video calling back to the US. So far that is the only phone setup we have going that we know will work. We'll email privately addresses and phone numbers so contact us if you'd like that info once we arrive.

Stairs up to the apartment



bathroom


washing machine


bedroom upstairs/loft


bedroom upstairs/loft - another angle


living room


fridge, yep, we'll shop everyday.


kitchen