Claudia--a.k.a. Mulan turns 4!!!

Our daughter, Claudia just turned 4. She keeps us in stitches because quite frankly you never know what is going to come out of her mouth. First of all, just before we left the U.S. she decided each day when she got out of bed that she was a certain princess. Every morning she would come down stairs and before even saying Good Morning, she would announce what princess she was that day. It started out with Sleeping Beauty which you think, okay I can see that--very blonde hair, with her beautiful milky white skin. Then all of the sudden she was intrigued with all of the dark headed princesses. Typical girl, always wanting what we don't have. But then finally it stuck--Mulan was the one! She was so intrigued with how she was not only a princess, but was tough too! She would go into these big involved stories of exactly what she would do if she were to face a bad guy.

Then we arrive in Berlin... We go to Craig's office, and before I can introduce my sweet Claudia to his colleagues, she comes out with it--"I'm Mulan". Well, I don't think there has ever been a time we've stopped by Daddy's office, that she's been addressed as anything but "Mulan". I truly wonder if they even remember her real name.

Currently, "Mulan" is not in school, but we are really enjoying our time together, as I know it is our last year before the bell will be ringing for her. Things she loves to do, is read books with Mom, which she is actually starting to put the sounds together on some simple words to try and read like big sister Paige. She also LOVES to play on the computer! She can figure just about anything out--I can't get over it! And of course she loves to play with Barbies--which is why we had a Barbie birthday party for her this year. We had 4 little girls here besides my 3, plus parents, another family and one of the guys from Craig's office.

Claudia loved the attention! We played games, had pizza, cake and ice cream and opened presents. Everyone that came was so good to Claudia! As a matter of fact, my friend Laura, recognized my state of helplessness still being in temporary quarters. Everyone knows I really enjoy making my kids birthday cakes. It is something I take great pride in. It may not always be the best looking, but I feel all that matters is the love and time that I put into it. Maybe one day they will look back at pictures and say "wow, mom that sure was an ugly cake--but thanks for trying to make my day!" :) Anyway, the fact that all my bakeware is still in storage I graciously accepted her offer, knowing that she adores my daughter and would make it awesome! Which of course she did! Wait to go Laura!!!! By the way, after the big day, Claudia started calling her "Princess Laura". See Laura, it was worth all the work! What a fun day!

We are trying to get Claudia into an activity, but haven't found the right place for her yet. She's at the very in between stage of not being young enough for a toddler play gym, but not being old enough for soccer, swimming, etc. (here they don't start these activities until age 5).

One place that she is involved and loves it is church. She is the youngest kid in her Sunday school class. We attend a very small church so the kids are grouped from age 5-8. She's allowed because they have seen her willingness to sit and listen and invited her in. Today she came out and told me that she prayed twice in Sunday School because none of the other kids wanted to. I loved that! She's bold and she's only 4! Following Sunday School this evening, they had AWANA, which is a super fun time of fellowship, games, learning bible verses, and having lessons. I had 3 teachers search me out to tell me a Claudia story. The first one was telling me how good she was and how well she was doing. The second one told me "She had a chocolate cookie, but don't worry, there is none on her hands, because we played duck, duck goose and now it's in everyone's hair!" Okay, funny, cute.... then the third one finds me and says "I may never be able to look at your husband again--your daughter was drawing a picture of your family and she drew Daddy naked, because he was getting out of the shower"! Who knows what kind of story followed that--trust me, I didn't bother to ask! As you can see, our little Claudia is a humorous one. She always keeps us guessing! All that aside, she is the sweetest, most loving, adorable, kind hearted little "princess" girl you have ever seen. Of course, that's my opinion! I'm her mother!

Frohe Ostern! (Happy Easter!)

Well, Easter here wasn't quite the same, but it is a very big deal here. First of all, most of the schools close down for at least 2 weeks, some even 3. All businesses (with the exception of a few restaurants and gas stations) close down not only Good Friday and Easter Sunday, but they also are closed on what they call Easter Monday. One can imagine the craziness at the markets and stores on Saturday in between. Many people choose to go out of town, on trips because there is really nothing to do except spend time with family. This of course made me really miss our families. Luckily we were able to spend some time with friends and then really relax and enjoy each other especially on Easter Sunday.

The girls were able to participate in a few egg hunts, the first of which was with all the kids from the Embassy. It was great fun for them to see lots of friends, and do a couple of games and crafts.

Easter Sunday brought many surprises and fun. First of all the visit from the Easter Bunny was very exciting, because they were a bit worried that he might not come to Germany. After all the excitement of checking out their treats, Daddy Craig informed them that on his way to take out the garbage he had noticed an egg outside that looked like one of the ones we had colored! He must have hidden our eggs! With much enthusiasm, they were off on another egg hunt. Later in the afternoon, we made our way to church (which meets at 2:30pm). I wish I could say we were in our beautiful Easter clothes, but it is STILL way to cold! It was a lovely service and afterward we stayed for a potluck dinner in the fellowship hall. Most of the church families are American, and are therefore away from home just as we are. Nice to have other people to lean on in times like this--very comforting! Of course the kids couldn't leave without going on one more Easter egg hunt--which in all actuality was a candy hunt. They had a ball! The only problem, is that everytime Brooke found a piece, she thought that meant that she could eat it. Needless to say, we had to cut her hunt a little short. We don't want to break her spirit! The rest of the evening we spent playing games and enjoying each other, making our calls back home to wish everyone well and with no stress about getting anyone in bed at a certain time because there was no work or school the next day. Overall a very peaceful holiday which is exactly the way Easter should be. Things we missed about being in the states at Easter: family, ham, family, mashed potatoes and gravy, family, pie, family, our mom's cooking, family, our aunts cooking, family, Grandma D's cooking....you see where I'm going with this.

Truly we did miss being with our family on such an important holiday, but we ourselves have been so blessed and are so thankful for our health and for having such wonderful families supporting this decision to be here. We love you guys!