Solo Week

It is always a thumbs up when we make our bus!

Our week without Marty was a bit lonely and quiet but we held it together quite nicely I must say.  The kids went to school and Josie had many play dates and Benjamin had a few after school activities.  I went to German class daily and grocery shopping by myself.  Normally Marty and I do the shopping together and he nearly always does the carrying home of the groceries.  But because he wasn't here we ate less therefore needed less groceries and I was able to do it myself on my way home from class. 

Josie talking through
her homework with Marty
in Seattle

The biggest obstacle of his being gone was with German homework.  Normally he helps both Josie and I with our nightly German work.  There was a lot of taking photos of our work and texting the picture to him to help us via text message.  A couple of times he had meetings at work which was his morning and our evening.  Josie's level of German is getting quite advanced and quite difficult and I clearly can't help her.  I frantically emailed Oma and Liz in Seattle seeking help. 

one of her many German
homework assignments

They both were quick and eager with their reply (THANK YOU!!) but not quick enough for Josie's panicked attitude.  Thankfully our neighbor downstairs speaks German and she came up to help.  One night she talked it through with Marty on the phone and the next night one of her classmates helped her through it over what's app.  Thank goodness for modern technology.
One night Benjamin and Josie had both checked out Diary of a Whimpy Kid books on their own at the school library.  They sat on the couch for the longest time reading together.  SO sweet.

One day on the way home from school Benjamin convinced me that he should get a currywurst for lunch.  I told him he could if he ordered by himself in German.  Motivation (and hunger) is the best incentive.