Today we went to Basic, our “whole foods” store. Instead of taking the train, we walked. It wasn’t very warm today, so I had to pull out the plastic cover for the stroller. I was kind of pissed because there is already a hole where the plastic broke off from the stitching. Sucks! The cover costs like $80 and it looks like we’ll have to buy one every year until they outgrow it.

It was a nice walk though, it is one of the very few times that the boys will go where I want them to go without fuss. They enjoy being outside a lot, especially when I don’t have the cover on.

I had a great time at Basic. I made a point to go there and NOT buy any baby food. It’s about time that I stop taking the easy way out and start finding regular food for them that they can eat. Boy, I came home with a LOT! First of all, I’m starting to switch them over to cow’s milk. They have the weird non-refridgerated kind, which creeped me out and then they had the super fresh kind that is only good for a week or two. So I bought the fresh one. And then I also got lots of fruits and veggies, tri-colored macaroni, yogurt, rice cakes, tofu (they love the slimy kind), some animal crackers, corn and of course I couldn’t leave the place without brotzeit supplies for dinner.

I also sent out our kindergeld forms!!! We thought that it was an automatic thing that comes in the form of less taxes in your paycheck, but we recently found out that it’s a completely separate thing that they deposit money into your bank account. So, luckily, our German neighbor upstairs helped us out with sending us the forms and the address of where to send it and also help with some of the translation. She is such a good resource!

This afternoon/evening I really concentrated on getting the thank you cards done. I am so close. But what ended up happening is that I got on the phone with Shari (from Washington) and we spent HOURS talking. Just about whatever. I miss her a lot. I asked her all kinds of questions about what Misha was like at 15 months, the kinds of stuff she was feeding her, if she was walking, talking, all that kind of stuff. So, because of that, I didn’t finish, but I think I only have about 20 to go.

The boys are really playful nowadays. Elijah has learned the power of his voice and kicked it up a notch. When he is mad, the whole building hears it now. He is still biting Rowan, but with less frequency. He sure knows what biting medicine is and starts crying before I give it to him. They still aren’t taking steps on their own yet, but it is coming soon. I’m in no rush though…

Today’s daily video is of the boys playing underneath the dining room table. Sigh…