We here at 5fordhams have a little experience with imaginary friends.
At a young age, Tess introduced Chi-Chi, Plum-Plum and Victy to our world. They had many grand adventures until one day, shortly after Tess turned 5, when I asked her what she had done with her friends that day. She looked at me with a very disturbed expression and said, "Daddy, they're just pretend."
That chapter of life soon closed and Mommy and Daddy learned an important lesson about asking our children awkward and embarrassing questions.
Later on, Maddie introduced us to the altogether wilder world of Huckle and Other Huckle. This time around, we avoided the hard questions to better prolong the fun. Maddie did point out once that Huckle was "just-pretend" but the frequency of her trips to the Maddieverse never slowed.
It turns that Maddie understands knows exactly what is what. She simply doesn't care whether anyone thinks she's silly. And we're right there with her as long as we continue to be invited to play with Other Huckle in Other England (who last summer had tea with the Other Queen).
Which brings us to the topic of today's post. We thought that Micah would skip this phase. His little boy universe has less room for narrative then the girls' worlds did. There's more banging and bashing and not as much time for tea parties with make-believe friends and stuffed animals.
Until now.
One of Piper's friends gave Micah BEVO last summer. The BEVO is a stuffed replica of the UT mascot. It has become quite real to Micah. Velveteen rabbitt real. Micah takes BEVO everywhere.
And, in a disturbing addition to the pattern his sisters followed, Micah has developed a special voice for BEVO. It's a very high pitched, nasally voice. LOUD, HIGH PITCHED and NASALLY.
I can tell you from both personal experience and the reactions of strangers that it's incredibly cute on first exposure. Unfortunately, this cuteness diminishes exponentially with exposure over time. Within the 400 sq ft confines of our German hotel room, BEVO VOICE is now driving all of us crazy.
This problem is compounded because BEVO has alot to say. Given that Micah is a light sleeper, much of what BEVO has to say is said while Micah jumps up and down on my chest (for emphasis) between the hours of 4 and 6 am.
Soon and very soon, I may slip and mention to Micah that BEVO isn't real.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Translation
Translation programs are a huge help, except when they are not.
Take this recent example from a local Realtor. I opened an e-mail to a message that he had run through such a program:
"Acts to me suffer the appointment morning does not go. When you have on Thursday time with it I it also with the owner can clear, because you should be present with besichtigung, and you also has the key of the Apartment. And give me please still your number where I you can also reach.
Thank you"
I kid you not.
Petra, our relocation helper, even tried to think through a forensic analysis that would come up with such a paragraph. She couldn't.
As to the house, it was great and would be wonderful for the family.
The downside is that it comes at another family's expense. The guy's contract has gone bankrupt and they are pulling him out after six months.
The family has given verbal notice and wants to be out in December. However, the process may stall until late winter. We can wait til Dec. but not beyond.
Ugg.
Here is info on the town. If we get the house, we'll pass along photos.
http://www.magstadt.de
Take this recent example from a local Realtor. I opened an e-mail to a message that he had run through such a program:
"Acts to me suffer the appointment morning does not go. When you have on Thursday time with it I it also with the owner can clear, because you should be present with besichtigung, and you also has the key of the Apartment. And give me please still your number where I you can also reach.
Thank you"
I kid you not.
Petra, our relocation helper, even tried to think through a forensic analysis that would come up with such a paragraph. She couldn't.
As to the house, it was great and would be wonderful for the family.
The downside is that it comes at another family's expense. The guy's contract has gone bankrupt and they are pulling him out after six months.
The family has given verbal notice and wants to be out in December. However, the process may stall until late winter. We can wait til Dec. but not beyond.
Ugg.
Here is info on the town. If we get the house, we'll pass along photos.
http://www.magstadt.de
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Magstadt
As 5fordhams continue our German climb up
We've got the food and clothing thing licked. Housing, however, has remained a problem.
That may come to an end tomorrow. After repeatedly failing to score a date to the prom with any of the realtors in Sindelfingen (where the kids school is), we've settled in Magstadt. Tomorrow (Lord willing), we'll be deciding between 2 houses in that town.
Neither of them is perfect but both seem more than acceptable (better than anything else that we've looked at so far). Any remaining defects that either of them has is probably for the best since our friends in the US have told us to have a good time but not get too comfortable.
Anyway, Magstadt is a charming little town about 8 miles northwest of Sindelfingen. It's a pretty short drive for Piper to take the kids to school. It's also an easy bike ride to work. The latter is culturally acceptable given the Army's obsession with physical fitness and the presence of ample gym facilities and showers in walking distance of my building. It looks like a great deal.
We'll still have to buy another car since I can't bike every day. I'm starting to research that.
It's nice, however, to close this madness.
This weekend: the zoo.
Next weeek, Piper starts German classes. Everybody in 5fordhams is looking forward to seeing how manic she'll be when she kicks her culture engine into second gear.
Next post. BEVO.
Maslow's Hierarchy, we remain stuck on the first rung. We've got the food and clothing thing licked. Housing, however, has remained a problem.
That may come to an end tomorrow. After repeatedly failing to score a date to the prom with any of the realtors in Sindelfingen (where the kids school is), we've settled in Magstadt. Tomorrow (Lord willing), we'll be deciding between 2 houses in that town.
Neither of them is perfect but both seem more than acceptable (better than anything else that we've looked at so far). Any remaining defects that either of them has is probably for the best since our friends in the US have told us to have a good time but not get too comfortable.
Anyway, Magstadt is a charming little town about 8 miles northwest of Sindelfingen. It's a pretty short drive for Piper to take the kids to school. It's also an easy bike ride to work. The latter is culturally acceptable given the Army's obsession with physical fitness and the presence of ample gym facilities and showers in walking distance of my building. It looks like a great deal.
We'll still have to buy another car since I can't bike every day. I'm starting to research that.
It's nice, however, to close this madness.
This weekend: the zoo.
Next weeek, Piper starts German classes. Everybody in 5fordhams is looking forward to seeing how manic she'll be when she kicks her culture engine into second gear.
Next post. BEVO.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Housing
The Stuttgart housing market continues to disappoint.
Last night, we were informed by the owner of a local house that we were not chosen to rent their house. We had called them, e-mailed them, sent them pictures of our family, and dressed our kids up for the final audition (er, home inspection). Generally speaking, we pandered in every way possible. Only now I learn that there were other ways of pandering that I didn't know of. Somebody please tell me what we left out.
In recognition of our efforts, we got a succinct note that we were not chosen to rent their house. To be fair, there were a few other German familes that were also interested although that didn't come on the scene til several days after we had approached the owners.
I think that our nationality, coupled with the large size of our family (3 kids is alot for Germany) worked against us.
Or perhaps it was the fact that I hadn't had my hair cut in 3 weeks and didn't wear clean socks. I get insecure about these things and overanalyze. The stress of all this rejection is reminding me why I didn't date in high school.
Today, Pipe and I put the kids down for naps and spent a quality romantic German Saturday afternoon reading German real estate postings to decide just how far we should lower our standards.
Pretty far, we concluded.
More to come.
Last night, we were informed by the owner of a local house that we were not chosen to rent their house. We had called them, e-mailed them, sent them pictures of our family, and dressed our kids up for the final audition (er, home inspection). Generally speaking, we pandered in every way possible. Only now I learn that there were other ways of pandering that I didn't know of. Somebody please tell me what we left out.
In recognition of our efforts, we got a succinct note that we were not chosen to rent their house. To be fair, there were a few other German familes that were also interested although that didn't come on the scene til several days after we had approached the owners.
I think that our nationality, coupled with the large size of our family (3 kids is alot for Germany) worked against us.
Or perhaps it was the fact that I hadn't had my hair cut in 3 weeks and didn't wear clean socks. I get insecure about these things and overanalyze. The stress of all this rejection is reminding me why I didn't date in high school.
Today, Pipe and I put the kids down for naps and spent a quality romantic German Saturday afternoon reading German real estate postings to decide just how far we should lower our standards.
Pretty far, we concluded.
More to come.
Other Huckle
Other Huckle -- for those of you who aren't indoctrinated into the oral mythology of 5fordhams -- is the name of Maddie's imaginary friend. Other Huckle should not be confused with Huckle. Huckle is merely a stuffed dolphin toy (a Common Dolphin to be precise). Other Huckle is the mythical embodiment of all manner of competence to a 5 year old.
Case in point. This morning over breakfast, Maddie informed me that Other Huckle could hold his breath for a million years just like aquaman.
...the aquaman reference surprised me. I think that Piper has been letting the kids watch Justice League clips on youtube to indulge their Wonder Woman fetish (reference my earlier post on that topic). I digress.
Back to breakfast. Maddie added, after reverent silence, that Other Huckle could also balance a plate on one finger forever. I didn't point out that Other Huckle did not have fingers since Other Huckle's race, age and origins are somewhat flexible. Usually Other Huckle is a dolphin -- albeit a dolphin with occasional fingers, legs or toes. Further relationships are murky.
At various times, Other Huckle has been Huckle's Mother, brother and sister. Other Huckle has also been older and younger than Maddie. I recall the halcyon days of 2007 when Maddie was briefly Other Huckle's mother. Or perhaps, now that I think about it, she was merely Huckle's mother... I confess that the finer details confuse me.
Anyway, Other Huckle is quite an influential member of the 5fordhams household. He/She participates in all manner of mischief. At least, he's blamed by Maddie for many of the things that go wrong around here. Maddie also consults her inner Other Huckle when she's faced with the hard choices of life. Grilled cheese, Mac'n Cheese or Hot Dogs? "I fink that Other Huckle likes Hot Dogs."
WWOHD.
The good news is that Other Huckle appears to be enjoying Germany. Last week I was informed by Maddie that Other Huckle spoke fluent German.
Case in point. This morning over breakfast, Maddie informed me that Other Huckle could hold his breath for a million years just like aquaman.
...the aquaman reference surprised me. I think that Piper has been letting the kids watch Justice League clips on youtube to indulge their Wonder Woman fetish (reference my earlier post on that topic). I digress.
Back to breakfast. Maddie added, after reverent silence, that Other Huckle could also balance a plate on one finger forever. I didn't point out that Other Huckle did not have fingers since Other Huckle's race, age and origins are somewhat flexible. Usually Other Huckle is a dolphin -- albeit a dolphin with occasional fingers, legs or toes. Further relationships are murky.
At various times, Other Huckle has been Huckle's Mother, brother and sister. Other Huckle has also been older and younger than Maddie. I recall the halcyon days of 2007 when Maddie was briefly Other Huckle's mother. Or perhaps, now that I think about it, she was merely Huckle's mother... I confess that the finer details confuse me.
Anyway, Other Huckle is quite an influential member of the 5fordhams household. He/She participates in all manner of mischief. At least, he's blamed by Maddie for many of the things that go wrong around here. Maddie also consults her inner Other Huckle when she's faced with the hard choices of life. Grilled cheese, Mac'n Cheese or Hot Dogs? "I fink that Other Huckle likes Hot Dogs."
WWOHD.
The good news is that Other Huckle appears to be enjoying Germany. Last week I was informed by Maddie that Other Huckle spoke fluent German.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Help! My daughters are addicted to Wonder Woman.
Todays story is in honor of my friend
Our cautionary tale begins innocently enough. Piper was walking the girls through the park and Maddie was twirling about (in typical non-linear Maddie fashion). Piper mentioned to the girls that Maddie looked like Wonder Woman.
First mistake.
When she got home, the girls asked to look up Wonder Woman on the web. Piper showed them a few video clips of the 70's TV show with Linda Carter.
Strike Two.
The girls are now fascinated. They think Wonder Woman is the coolest thing ever.
Scott. Scott is new to parenting and needs to be instructed concerning the slippery slope upon which he is now perched.Our cautionary tale begins innocently enough. Piper was walking the girls through the park and Maddie was twirling about (in typical non-linear Maddie fashion). Piper mentioned to the girls that Maddie looked like Wonder Woman.
First mistake.
When she got home, the girls asked to look up Wonder Woman on the web. Piper showed them a few video clips of the 70's TV show with Linda Carter.
Strike Two.
The girls are now fascinated. They think Wonder Woman is the coolest thing ever.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Volkfest!
Our first trip to Stuttgart on the S-bahn to go to Volkfest, Stuttgart's version of Oktoberfest. Highlights included:Dogs on trains
Giant Slide
Giant Pretzels
An entire festival food court that was just bread and meat. (not so great for Piper)
Traditional German clothes
Did we mention the flatbed trucks of beer?
Rollercoasters for Piper (that's the mechanical arm high in the sky).
Spinny Octopus ride. Tess: "I want to get off!" Maddie: "I want to do it again!" It was close to Micah's naptime so he wouldn't get near the thing.
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