Off to the Fort!

One last thing had to be done before we left Dubuque. Andrew had to take the rules he and Alex wrote out for the tree house they visited yesterday with Jim. These rules included who could visit, what you could do and of course the stay out!
So, Jim, the kids and Grandma all trekked down the hill to the tree house/fort. After spraying up with ALOT of bug spray to keep the mosquitos away.

It was quite an exploration, but no one was eaten up!

Derby Grange Mini Golf

Andrew, Emmalee, Grandma and Jim headed to the mini golf after lunch to hit around in the sunshine. Fun was had by all. Attention spans varied, though after the option of betting MONEY for holes in one, in the end, I think the score was:

Emmalee: $2.00

Andrew: $2.00

Adults: -$4.00

Visit to Scoopie's Place

Emmalee said she wanted to go to the place where Scoopie is when we visit Grandma & Grandpa Rhomberg. So, she is feeling well enough to eat again & we had to hit it before we left Dubuque.
Note the happy faces... a great and welcome sight!

(Almost as great as the flavor of the day...)

Weekend with the Cousins

The Star

Tonight we went to The Star, the new restaurant in the Dubuque Star Brewery. It is housed on the 2nd floor of the old brewery that Jim's dad, uncles and Grandpa owned/worked at.

We opted to sit outside for a drink and appetizer, but thought it would cool down too much and would head inside to eat. Boy were we surprised when it just got nicer and nicer. So, we stayed outside for the main course and dessert!
Jim chose one of the two I KNEW he would choose -- Seared ahi tuna with a mango salsa. Mary insisted we try the sweet potato fries that are the specialty there. (not my type!)

I opted for something a bit more light -- or so I thought. I went with the asian salad with grilled shrimp -- and a rustic potato and sausage soup. The salad was really good, but the soup was a bit rich with an all cream base. Had to give it up after a few bites since I hadn't really eaten much in the last two days.

We were of course saving ourselves for dessert...
I got the #1 choice -- cookie dough won-tons (yummy cookie dough wrapped in a won-ton wrapper and fried crisp) WOWEE!!!! Yummy -- and I think I was channeling Sophie for a bit, too...
Jim got the hot chocolate lava cake with raspberry sauce. Again, he loved it.
The only think I would have done differently was to have a tiny cup of vanilla ice cream to go with mine, but all in all, very very good!
After dinner we walked the riverwalk and just enjoyed being out together and the beautiful weather. It was sad to see all the flooding of the Mississippi River tho.

Andrew Speak

This afternoon Andrew was persuaded to play tennis with Jim and Grandma and Grandpa Rhomberg. Evidently against his will...

As Grandma was taking him away from the courts so Jim and his dad could play a bit more, Andrew felt the need to state the following,

"I didn't want to play tennis in the first place"
"And in the second place I didn't want to play tennis either!"

A&W Root Beer Float

There is nothing like an ice cold root beer float. Haven't had one since the move to Sydney. First the Topomax made it close to impossible -- couldn't enjoy anything carbonated. Then, there is NO good classic root beer to be found in Sydney.
So, while grocery shopping with Gramma Rhomberg, we bought a 12 pack of A&W Root Beer. After carefully cooling in the ice chest for a few hours, I poured half the can into a 1970's retro glass. Then added a couple of scoops of 'Whitey's' Vanilla Ice Cream. Topped it off with half of the remaining half. Added a straw and a spoon and I had dessert heaven!
Nothing like a frosty, icey root beer float on a warmish summers evening!

Rhomberg Family Photos

Since we all were together, Leslie scheduled a family photo session for all of the Rhomberg's. It also was to coincide with Bill and Mary's 40th as a great anniversary gift for them, too. The photo session turned out remarkably well, considering 3/4's of the Jim Rhomberg family was quite sick. Amazing what ibuprofen can do for kids. If only it could put the sparkle back in someone's eyes. Then it would be the wonder drug for us!

Hoo's Your Daddy?

Jim's brother, Bill, is part of a local band in Cedar Falls, IA. While Jim and E were there on Friday, they got to see him and his band do a sound check (kids were able to attend and rock out) and then Jim went back in the evening to watch the real show.
He said they were really good, rocking out to some great cover songs, including Chasing Cars, Friends in Low Places and many more. And his brother said it made him feel really good to see his brother, "cutting the rug" to his music with all the other bar patrons.
Jim said they have these t-shirts that say "Hoo's You Daddy" since the band is named HooDads. And the wives of the members all have HooMoms on their own t-shirts. Looks like they have built in groupies that way!

Proud to be an American

And its not even the 4th of July yet...

I drove Andrew to Dubuque (Jim and Emme went yesterday). We of course took the rural route, rather than the highway. So, at the stroke of noon we drove out of Kenosha with US99 on the radio. And still like clockwork, the Star Spangled Banner was played. Every day, at the stroke of noon, they played it before we moved away. And I am happy to say that that tradition is still going strong. I never realized I had feelings (Strong?) about my heritage, but hearing it today brought almost tears to my eyes. I guess being away from something makes you appreciate it more when you are back.

Saying Goodbye again

Today I had to say good-bye to Shannon again. This time was even worse than the last two times. She and her family were being picked up from their house at 12.30 by a limo to take them to O'Hare for their final flight to Canada.
I thought I was the only one who would be moving away -- we had such a sort time together -- for us and for the girls. Two friendships that came on so fast and so strong, like we are two old souls who knew each other forever. And E & Brie -- they still are like two peas in a pod. There is not other way to describe them. Even after a whole year apart with only a couple of phone calls and emails, they bounce right back into place with each other.
I had a hard time being around Shannon this week. It was like something was working against us -- by the time we were able to go over on Monday, she had a lunch planned with friends, so I made myself scarce to give her time to say good-bye to them. Then by the time they left, Jim and Dad were done with the tree and we needed to get back home. We took Brie for a sleep over, planning to return her on Tuesday and spending a fair bit of the day with Shannon. No such luck -- Andrew got sick and was stuck to me like glue. So much so that we offered to have Brie stay another night and give the girls as much time together.
I have had a low grade headache and stomach-ache since Monday. I think the impending knowledge of having to truly say good-bye was getting to me. It makes me grumpy, irritable and
not so much fun to be around. Ask Jim... And then with Andrew not feeling well, I was able to use that as an excuse to not go right over to see her and hopefully postpone the sadness. Unfortunately, he didn't get better quick enough and Jim had to return Brie without me on the way to Dubuque on Wed. I hoped to see Shan on Wed night, but A was still sick and mom and dad had to go to a dinner. So, it only left popping in for a short good-bye today while they were getting wrapped up at the hotel they stayed at overnight.
Not the best place/way to say good-bye. But I am glad I did it. All the avoidance in the world wouldn't have changed the fact they are moving. And all it would have done was make me angry at myself for avoiding it and sad after the fact.
I got to spend a little less than a hour with her and her family. I wouldn't change that for anything -- unless they could stay. I am just hoping that somehow they can figure out a way to get to AUS to visit before we move away. She would love it. I would love it. Its just so hard to think about even more distance between us.

Summer Travel '07 revisited

Man do I love Qantas. Especially over United. I am glad I over-insisted that we fly qantas after last summer's debacle by United with losing my luggage, almost not letting us on the flight because it took TWO HOURS to check us in and the generally crap flying arrangements.
Qantas check-in was smooth. They seated us all together even tho originally we weren't set to be together. We got to the gate and found out our flight was delayed -- just didn't know how long. Ended up being 2 hours, but we left EXACTLY 2 hours after our scheduled departure for SF. But the pilots made up air-time and we got into SF on time.
Once seated in our seats, we found the 1st goodie bag of the day -- a pouch with socks, eye mask and lanyard to hang around our necks to keep things zipped up safely. Then we got the introduction on the in seat entertainment system. EVERYONE gets a tv, even in coach class, that we can choose movies, tv shows or music on demand. It even had a half dozen video games that the kids could play. There were child appropriate shows, so they could choose things without fear of finding a bad movie.
Then there were soft blankets, decent sized (and fluffed) pillows. The flight attendants came by and delivered an activity pouch to each kid. Our were very excited! Dinner came around and the food was good. Kids were served a kids meal before the adults so they didn't have to wait forever -- and we didn't even order them a specific kids meal, its just included. Our was nothing to write home about, but decent. And after dinner came POPSICLES!!! Then when that was all done, everyone got a snack pack to get them thru the sleeping portion of the night with water bottle, cookies, chips, fruit bar, peppermints and more. Quite nice -- definitely don't get that with United. Same thing happened for breakfast -- kids served first and then we got our meal.
Sadly, our happiness had to end in the States. We got our bags and whisked thru customs with no issues. All bags were there -- YIPEE!!!!!
Made it to our SF to Chicago flight and only waited 30 minutes (sounds good, right?) It was until we touched down in Chicago. Called m&d to tell them we were there. They sounded surprised -- the boards told them we wouldn't be in for another 40 minutes, so they were taking their time to get to the airport. Now they had to rush.
THEN, to make matters worse, not a single bag of our four measly bags showed up. We waited and waited and no bags. Jim went to claim at the counter and they said, "Didn't make the flight" and would be on the next flight out, which didn't get in until 5 something AM. UGH!!! I even spread out our clothes in three suitcases in case ONE got lost. Didn't plan on ALL FOUR getting lost.
Sunday came and no luggage. Was a real pain because it was swimming weather and the kids wanted desperately to swim, but no swimsuits. No luggage, no clean clothes! And they didn't arrive until 9.15PM!!!!
Moral of the story -- Qantas (Australian air line) was smooth. American Airlines sucked.

ARGH!!!!!

Went and hit the stores today to pick up a few staples we NEEDED -- you know -- as soon as we landed.

2nd store hit was the grocery store to get milk and bananas among other various snack foods.
Imagine Jim's surprise when I shared the pricing with him...

Milk -- $2.68 per gallon compared with the lovely 3 litre we buy at woolies for 5.68 In other words, to purchase the same amount of milk (store brand to store brand) we would have to pay $7.1125!!!

Bananas -- $0.69 compared to the $2.68 a kilo at woolies. In otherwords, a kilo could cost $1.51!!!!

12 Packs of Coke products five (5) for $10. In otherwords, 60 cans for $10!!!

Then again, when you buy in bulk or for a list as long as my arm it could become a bit pricey...

Excitement Update

I asked the kids what they were most excited about and wanted to do first when they get to Illinois. Here are their answers:

ANDREW:
Put on my swimmers and hop in Cindy's pool. And play 'that pig game' (I believe that would be pass the pigs or makin' bacon)
I mentioned the fact that we would be getting in at night and that might not be the best option, but he looked at me funny and then said, OK then get a snack then go swimming. Go figure!

EMMALEE:
Give grammy and grampy a really tight hug. Then get a snack.

So, we see who has the priorities straight in this family. Or what the priorities are... FOOD! Oh and swimming and grammy and grampy.

I am getting excited

After I thought about it, there is something I am really excited about when it comes to going back to the US. I mean, family and a few friends aside, the whole idea of packing for three (or four) and travelling for basically a day really isn't something I am very excited about. But,

I am really excited for July 9th. I will be sharing one of my great loves with my daughter for the first time -- just like my parents did for me (except possibly I was younger at the time). We got tickets to go see WICKED for Emmalee and Grammy Sandi. That is something both Emmalee and I are practically counting down the days until we go. She loves the music soundtrack already. I mean she pretty much knows all the words and now that she is 8, I think she is old enough to appreciate the whole concept.

So, we have been listening to WICKED just about every day. Its already been on her iPod shuffle, but now she has requested for me to put the music on a CD so she can listen to it before she goes to sleep. Her goal is to know ALL the words before we go!

For this, I just can't wait!!! It will be wonderful...

Thank You Flowers

I forgot to mention that on the night of the Rendezvous a Paris, all the major volunteers were recognized for their parts in making the evening come together. The president of the K-6 club (like a PTA) named off a whole bunch who helped a little.

Then she named off the other 6 major committee people and gave them all a bottle of Moet and Chandon Champagne, leaving out my name and Mary-Anne's. I expected she would save Mary-Anne for last since she was the co-ordinator of the whole thing. But not hearing my name mentioned after all the work I put in was a little dishartening. But, I immediately felt better because all of my table-mates (all nine of them!!!!) got this shocked look on their face and said, "How dare you not get recognized -- we know you did sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much work for this!" I gracefully said, "Yes, but I am not going to make a scene, especially when they needed to recognize the co-ordinator" So, they all shut up quietly, but had this slightly pissed off look on their faces. (It made me feel good, though knowing that the people that count for me, my friends and Jim, all knew what I had done and wanted to stand up for me!)

Then, the K-6 club president started a little speech about how TWO people made this event come together. I about was knocked off my chair (but a little embarrassed since it was Mary-Anne who was the official co-ordinator). She announced my name and then Mary-Anne's, which I am chalking up to alphabetical order and asked us both to come up on stage. Not what I was expecting at all...
We were thanked for the countless -- yes countless-- hours every day we both spent at the school working with the teachers, classes and getting things organized. She the main co-ordinator and me the communications part of the event. How we worked to well together and the event was proof of our hard work (which it was!). And then she presented us with this ENORMOUS floral arrangement of white roses, yellow orchids and magenta lillies. (Stinky, remind me of my surgery lillies, but Jim's favorites nonetheless!)

What a shock!!! And aren't they beautiful??

The Great Shirt Challenge

I have succeeded in completing the great shirt challenge of June '08. What challenge would that be and why has no one hear of it before??? Well, that my friends is the ginormous stack of dress shirts that were piling up on the dining room chairs for the last 3-4 weeks while I have been too busy to iron (or do any other domestic chores for that fact!)
I kept hearing mumbling about "I am down to my last ironed shirt" every few days and now that I don't have the excuse of working directly on any fundraising stuff, I had to tackle that mountain...
Proud to say that I have completed my task, including ironing, hanging and mending a torn shirt. Jim is now set for work shirts until I come back from the states.
Wonder if he'll do his own while I am away??? Stay tuned to find out how large of a challenge I will have when I return on the 21st of July!

The After Party

Tonight was the 'after-party' for all those involved with the details of the year 2 fundraiser.

Mary-Anne was kind enough to schedule it before I am heading out of town. So, we headed off to the Epoque, Belgian Beer Cafe in Cammeray for a pre-dinner drink. Had never been in there and they donated some sort of voucher to the fundraiser, so it seemed ok to drop in there. Man was it crowded. Could hardly talk or stand without shouting or bumping into someone. And since it specialized in beer, not my type of place exactly.
Then we headed down the block to Amici. Had heard rave reviews, so I was looking forward to trying somewhere new. We got seated at a table for 8 upstairs. It was half in and half out, so we had a nice propane heater right next to us. Sue and Mary-Anne brought the Moet that we all got for working on the event. Greedy me chose to leave mine at home so that Jim & I could enjoy it another time.
Was really nice to just sit and have dinner with everyone and not talk about getting the fundraiser done. It IS done. YIPEE!!! Still waiting on numbers, but the speculation is that we beat last year's figure. If we did, it will come as a great surprise and mark it as a super success as last year they hit an impossibly high number and our target this year was 1/2 that amount. We all worked our tails off, so hopefully we did it. Would be a nice legacy to leave behind -- until next year when its Andrew's year to do it all over again. Remind me that I have said, "No, I am not doing it next year! I have already done more than my share this year!"
Sat down to dinner at 8.15 and eventually felt bad for the wait staff that subtly acted like they wanted to go home around midnight. We all just chatted and chatted and had a really nice time. The food was good, too...

Emmalee's going to be a godmother

While at dinner tonight, Nicola, one of the mom's of Emmalee's friend Eleanor was telling me about a conversation she had with her daughter.
Eleanor and Emmalee are good friends. Last year they were in class together and practically inseparable. This year, Eleanor and Andrew are in the same class (composite -- He is in with most of her girlfriends from last year!).

Anyway, Eleanor was telling her mom that when she has a baby, she has decided that Emmalee will be her baby's godmother. Just out of the blue, but so convinced that this will happen. Nicola mentioned that we might not even live here when that happens, but Eleanor seemed unfazed.
Its amazing the impact friends have on each other. I am not sure I would have thought of naming a god-parent at 8, but these girls talked about it. Or had it on their minds.
This is the sort of thing that makes me so happy about the friends we have here in Northbridge. They are all that sort of group -- they don't make us feel like non-locals. We are just part of the big picture, fitting in perfectly.

Let the note passing begin

I found this on the floor outside Andrew's room this morning...

And the response not far down the hall...

Her bag is packed

We told the kids that they need to pack their own 'plane bag', which means that whatever they want to take with them has to fit in a school backpack AND they have to be able to carry it themselves.
Last year on the return trip, I ended up carrying two backpacks, a computer bag, a drowsy 5 year old and dragging along a not so happy and terribly tired 7 year old through the San Fransisco airport by myself at midnight. Not so fun. So I resolved that the amount of plane items would be greatly reduced this year. Which included my declaration that only ONE American Girl would be returning with us -- not two.
Unfortunately daddy's little girl has him wrapped around her little fingers... see below for the contents of our daughter's carry-on bag:

Nikki - American Girl Doll
Katey -- American Girl Doll
CoCo the dog
1 collapsible doll tent + case
10 pairs of doll shoes
10+ matching outfits for THE GIRLS
2 doll hair brushes
Assorted hair accessories for THE GIRLS
CoCo the noisemaking stuffed cookaburra
1 case of 24 SMIGGLE gel pens
1 diary to write in

...and who knows what else. But enough that when she puts on the backpack and bends over it practically knocks her over!

The Countdown Begins

Now that the fundraiser is done, I can finally focus on getting (i.e. the whole family) packed to go back to the States.
The kids already have the days counting down... Six more days counting today. I am glad they are excited. So far, Jim and I haven't had the down time to become excited. Maybe this week will change the tide and we'll both be really excited to go.

WHEW............

What a busy couple of months it has been. Hardly a moment to myself. Definitely not a moment around the house (or so says Jim).
So, Sunday becomes the day to finally start to catch up. And pack up in preparation for our trip back... nothing like having to wait until everything else is done to get excited to go back home.
Wonder how Sunday panned out??? Jim helps both kids clean up the disaster zones that have become their rooms. Then he hit the art room. All definitely look habitable again. Can't say that about the rest of the house yet.
Andrew and I made 2 loaves of banana/carrot bread. And 6 pans of chocolate chip cookies.
Our bedroom got picked up and my clothes put away. Promises of dress shirts haunting the dining room to be ironed early on in the week (by Wednesday I promised!).
Cooking lesson #2 for Jim. Pan fried chicken on turkish. With tater-tots baked in the oven. He did well despite sliding tomatoes and avocados smooshing out of the sandwiches. Was very yummy. Just now need to work on multi-tasking timing...

Emmalee's 8th Birthday Party