Our travel back to Freiburg went very smoothly.
I got home tonight just as the kids were going to bed. They were so excited to give me these flowers they'd picked this afternoon. They're in celebration of Mothering Day in the UK. Apparently, it's today. Much love to all the mums out there.
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Even though, lately, I feel like I'm constantly remarking how old I feel, tonight I went out at 10:30 like it was 2004.
Laura and I arrived in Madrid and enjoyed a lovely late supper. The restaurant was cozy and filled with people of all ages. After we finished eating, Laura asked if I wanted to get a drink somewhere else. I'm pretty sure my face answered her question. It is definitely not 2004. Sometimes I buy the kids junk.
Sunnies are favorites--grinning potato chips. I bring them on park dates with our friends, and the playground becomes littered with dropped smiles. Errol got out of the habit of leaving the house with Thom and Vinnie at 7:15 each morning. The bigs had winter break and then took themselves to school when I was on my trip. When I returned, Errol didn’t see many positives of going back to the old schedule.
Thom loves the independence Freiburg living offers children. He enjoys going anywhere without adult supervision. Vinnie, however, still prefers to be looked after. She can do it without us but does so reluctantly. I understand this feeling. It’s how I feel about most activities. I find reassurance in the presence of loved ones. I’m not a fan of early, but I can do it. I’ve left with the bigs everyday this week. I’m getting to see a new Freiburg. This morning I saw a man scrubbing the Bächle. With all these kids, come lots of appointments. I still don’t enjoy hauling the team into waiting rooms, but it’s more tolerable in Germany.
Instead of numerous screens blasting Fox News and Disney channel, the waiting rooms we’ve encountered here have been rather peaceful. The children are required to remove their shoes but are given designated space for free play. Today was my first regular Sunday in Freiburg since January. It felt good. I liked being back at our little Anglican church and am proud to be part of such a beautiful community. This whole weekend was incredibly low-key. There were no plans: games, parties, activities. I feel like we have so many weekends like this in Freiburg, and it never happens in Princeton. Errol and Andrew left on their Alsace trip Friday morning, and I enjoyed the alone time with the kids. We walked, went to the library, played at the park, and baked cookies. Thom will be eleven this summer, and I feel like my entire mothering plan is basically those four activities over and over. Even though this team of Lordies will be rooting for SC Freiburg tomorrow, it was still exciting to see the Bayern bus in town this afternoon.
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Anne Thomsen lordWritings on our year abroad. Archives
September 2018
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