Let's get this party started!

This little guy is gettin' potty trained (whether he likes it or not!).  I had to take a picture of Gabe in these little boy briefs.  He looks so dang cute!  He went pee in the big pottie this morning.  This isn't the first time he's done it.  There was a week back a couple months ago that he went pee quite a few times and poop once in the toilet.  However, since then, he hasn't shown any interest.  Well, I've decided it's time to do it.  Let's just bite the bullet and get it over with.  I have very selfish reasons for doing this however.  Not that I want to save money on diapers, not that I hate changing them (which I do of course), not that it would just be so much easier, but because....

We are going on a DISNEY CRUISE!  We have decided to celebrate Hans' accomplishment of finishing his MBA by taking a cruise.  Believe it or not, one of the best deals we got was a disney cruise (which is usually the most expensive cruiseline to take).  The reason we feel so strongly that we need to potty train Gabe is because the kids club on ship is for ages 3 and up.  The only way they will take Gabe in the kids club being under three is if he's potty trained, if they have enough available slots, and if they see that he can be a little independant (which he is, let me tell you!!).  The kids club is free of charge and they do amazing activities with the little ones.  It will also give Hans and I time away from them so we can actually have a vacation too. :) (that's the real reason we want them in there) The last cruise we took, Eva loved the club so much that she cried every time we came to pick her up.  Let me tell you, I sure didn't feel the love comin' from her.  It was the first thing she wanted to do when she woke up.  That was with Norwiegen cruiseline.  NCL takes 2 and up, which is the only cruiseline that excepts kids that young.  Disney is supposed to be the best of the best for kids.  I'm so excited to share this experience with my kids.  They are really getting into all the disney movies lately. 

Here's the itinerary of where we're going:
http://www.vacationstogo.com/fastdeal.cfm?deal=11911&disp=103

We've already been to Barcelona, Rome, and Malta, but we loved them so much, we have no problem going back.  Besides, Rome really required a whole week just to see everything.  We only spend a day there last time.  Who wants to come with us?  We'd love to have another family come play on the cruise with us.

Nature induced mayhem/human induced mayhem

Well, we had quite the storm last night. It made me feel like we were back in Indiana watching a tornado. I even went outside and just enjoyed the rain (which is a first in like a month here) in the middle of lightning and thunder. I loved it! However, it did some damage. Lightning struck our building and burnt a fuse. It also broke one of our windows. This tree is just ouside out appartment. Notice how close it was to this car.

Can you see how the window is only attached by the hindge?

On another note: I, Lindsey Clark Lokodi sewed for the first time since eighth grade. The only other time I've been on a sewing machine was in school. I had to sew an apron. My friend came over the other day and brought everything I needed to make this curtain for my kitchen. She even provided the fabric. She showed me what to do and I DID IT! I can't believe it. My kitchen colors are blue and yellow, so it worked out really well. I was pretty proud of myself. It took forever, but I survived. I'm nowhere near being as domestic as my sisters (and I'm not trying to be because that's just not my thing) but at least I did something productive. :)

Floh Markt in Deutschland!

Here are some of my flea market finds. I've discovered a love of flea markets. You can talk your way down to a cheaper price and I love that! You also find one of a kind things and treasures you just won't find in the states. They have flea markets every saturday and different locations throughout the community. I paid 2 euro for the big one and 1 euro for the other two.

All the vases found in this hutch were found at different flea markets. They were all made in West Germany. I love the uniqueness to them. After adding all these up, I ended up only paying 3 euro for seven vases. Great deal huh?

This is a really cute umbrella holder. Now I just have to find some cute antique umbrellas to go in it. :) I got this for 6 euro.

I love this picture. This is not a copy/print. It's an original. The frame is great. I actually took the painting and hung it without the frame, just straight canvas on the wall. I'm going to use the wood frame for a different picture I have laying around. I paid 10 Euro for this painting, and I thought it was a great deal!

I decided to decorate the guest bedroom in a nautical theme because I loved this boat and I got it for only 5 euro. It's a lot bigger than the picture shows.

This is a ceramic clock that matches perfect in my kitchen. This was 50 cent euro.

Eva got lucky! This is now her bike. I just went and bought training wheels for it. I hope they work. I love the retro look to it. The bell works and everything! I paid 10 euro for it.

Eva's German Kindergarten

Last weekend, while I was off to Poland shopping for pottery, I left Hans with the kids. This is the first time I've ever left the kids and hubby and had a trip with just girls. I left friday night and came back late saturday. Eva had a special event at her german kindergarten (ages 3-5 is considered kindergarten) on that saturday that Hans took the kids to. This is Eva's teacher Alex painting her face.

Gabe had a good time playing soccer with some kids.

These are some of the kids in Eva's class. She is the only American and english speaking child in there. Her teacher doesn't speak English either so it makes for an iteresting experience for me sometimes. I understand most things though. Eva is doing well in school and learning German quickly. Her teacher says she will respond back in German now. She used to hate going, but she never gives me a hard time about it anymore. She's made friends and seems to enjoy herself.