Monday, June 14, 2010

Me aber not!

Tonight as we were attempting to gather the everyone to family prayers, Ian was making noise with a necklace by banging it against something plastic. Tamara took the necklace away and said something to the effect of "Ian that noise is really making mommy's head hurt! We have to stop now for prayers." Ian responded with "Me aber not!" Which naturally means - "It isn't bothering me though." The German word aber means although or but and is apparently easier for Ian to say.

We all laughed for at least 10 seconds and family prayers went much smoother thereafter.

Watching the children grow up with the two languages is certainly entertaining.

Sunday, June 13, 2010

Oh Schade, Ah Schucks

"Oh Schade" is one of Ian's favorite phrases. Although the Sch sound is usually left off we all know what he trying to say. He switches between this phrase and "Man, eh", which also in essence means too bad. It makes life entertaining.

Ian says this when he doesn't get his way. Or, when he feels like saying something. It is a nice reaction to not getting his way. It usually goes something like this:
Mom: It's time for dinner
Ian: But I'm still playing
Mom: I know Ian, but we need to get up to the table! We can play again after dinner.
Ian: Oh Schade!

He kind of sings the phrase and runs up to the table. It is very cute.

Sand man

We have the problem here in Düsseldorf in our back yard that it gets very soggy after it rains. I recently told a friend about this and he said I should spread a thin layer of sand on the grass. This will create a layer to absorb or filter water to lower layers of earth and the grass will simply grow taller in order to accommodate the new layer. It makes sense given all of the water we get around here and what I know about filtration under the earth.

So, I tried it today. My neighbor saw me and asked what I was spreading on the grass. I told him it was sand. He said - yes you need to do that from time to time.

Amazing - I had never heard of such a thing in the US. And, here it is a normal solution to the problem of water drainage in lawns (or the lack of drainage). Another tip for life overseas or life in an unfamiliar environment - ask a friend or a neighbor if you are baffled by local conditions.

To think - I could have asked three years ago.