Random Bits, Home, Moving, etc

So I am moving in May, but I think I may be in denial because I keep purchasing things to decorate the house we live in now. I've stayed away from our room and children's rooms, though. I will not decorate those until we move.


 Everyone's whose lived at the place we're going to next, is recommending that we all stay on base. I'm not sure why the military keeps base housing so under wraps. Finding out what we're in for is like pulling teeth. I finally did find something on YouTube  If we live on post, I will definitely take pictures and blog about it just in case someone else is contemplating living on base. You should guess our location by looking at the video. Here's what we may be in for. I love the kitchen and dining area a lot. I've looked at the homes off base and they are sooooo gorgeous to me. I can not wait to find home


Also I found this site to help make it cozy.
http://www.stealsplusdeals.net/2011/01/my-experience-with-decorating-military-base-housing/

I am excited to share that I got As in my classes last session. I worked hard. And it makes me feel a tad less guilty that I hadn't been able to spends as much time with the kids over the session. I expressed this guilt to my mom and husband. And they told me it's good for them to see mom working on bettering her and their future. I also feel a bit of pressure to maintain As. But, if I don't get As and pass all of my classes, I will be happy that I am brave enough to pursue this with two children at home with me. Studying and doing reading assignments is a bit challenging. But I get it done. I also love challenges as they push me to do the best I can in all aspects of my life. This semester, I'm going to be brave and take my required Speech class. I am one of the most nervous and anxious people I know. I wanted to get this over with. I'm also taking Anthropology which should be interesting. I am looking forward to meeting new people. I didn't really get chummy with anyone last session will probably have to with this speech class.

All three of my children know how to use the computer quite well. They all love YouTube  They only watch kiddies stuff, but my 3 year old has an obsession with butts. Last summer, he discovered butt videos on YouTube on my phone and favorited one (how i found out) it was so funny and disturbing.





 He was so embarrassed and never did it again. He just watches trains and mario on the computer.

The best thing any mom, anyone really can get is a house cleaner. We have one come once a week. It really saves my sanity. And it's not expensive. someone to clean the toilet, the windows and floors so I don't have to is well worth it!!!

Lindt Chocolate Museum in Cologne (Koeln) Germany and Randomness

According to my statistics, I noticed you guys liked my travel type posts! Also hair posts and chicken recipes hehe. I was thinking about changing the focus of my blog, since it's getting that way anyway, to my Journeys...from places we've visited, to my natural hair journey, school journey, and my military spouse journey as well as cooking journey. I don't want to get rid of the URL just change the title. I was thinking about calling it "Keeping up with Sommer J or Sommer's Journeys.  I already changed my twitter and instagram handle. Let me know what you think.

I've already told everyone on my Facebook page, but I just want to tell you all that I am moving from Germany next Summer. The location is top secret until we have our orders lol. Don't any of you who knows ruin it!!! As much as I want to travel all over Europe money, unfortunately does not grow on trees. I am fortunate to have traveled where I have, though! And I loved every minute of it. Over Thanksgiving, we will  be on a jet plane to Scotland and London!!! Thanksgiving reminds me of my brother's death...I want to be distracted and with my older brother and his family.

While seeing as much of Europe as possible is important, I also think it's important to see all the sites I possibly can around Germany. Last summer, me and my three went to Northern Germany by the Baltic Sea, we also went to Berlin, Frankfurt, and Munich, we've been to Munich and Frankfurt a few times, but I love both cities so much why not go as many times I can before leaving? I will probably not see either for many many years. I want these trips apart of my children's memories. They really enjoyed Berlin and ask to go back often. That was a 6 hour car ride! My butt was numb!!! But sheesh it was worth it!!! I asked my facebook page how they save on trips and they gave some great tips. I also learned great ways to save for trips in my math class!! I am NOT selling that book. I am keeping it for future reference. At our next location my husband has his  5 places we will go to. We didn't do that here, which why we probably didn't see as much as we wanted to. Check out the tags of some of the places we've enjoyed. I am really enjoying the drive to the Stuttgart a lot. The next place we will hit there is their famous zoo. You guys seemed to really like the Ludwigsburg post! I have some friends by Trier so I will definitely share our trip there, too. I went my first weekend in Germany. And with an old douche  boyfriend...both trips were a bit of a blur, but going with the family it will stick I think.


OK now on to the Cologne trip. We went to Cologne last March. My husband and I made a list of places in Germany we wanted to visit before leaving Germany and Cologne was on the top of the list. Though, I believe Cologne is the best place to visit during the Christmas season. http://www.worldwideticketing.com/images/special-events/germany-market/market-cologne.jpg

We went to Cologne a week after Karneval. It's like Mardi Gras.

Germans really know how to party. I will miss this aspect of Germany a lot. http://www.taz.de/!30800/


Cologne is a bit on the expensive side. I thought since Berlin was relatively inexpensive that we'd luck out in another big city. I guess because it was around Karneval season, prices were a bit inflated. We found a nice Apartment to stay  that wasn't overly expensive. I noticed a lot of times apartments are cheaper than hotels. We also went with the youngest two, as my eldest was with his family.


We hit up the Koeln Dom (Cologne  Cathedral) it's the tallest building n Europe. It had a cool spookiness about it while also being breathtakingly beautiful.

My loves in front of the Cathedral. Our apartment was about 500m from the Cathedral. And still pretty inexpensive.




At night



Now on to the Chocolate Factory/Museum. Check out the website: http://www.chocolatemuseum-cologne.com/ We went on a Saturday and got there about an hour early and there was a long line!  It's opened during the week from 10am to 6pm and on weekends and holidays from 11am to 7pm. Like most placed in Germany you can not go the last minute it's closed to entries an hour before. We went there from the Koeln Dom via the most uncomfortable train ride. But if you have little ones, they will really enjoy it. This city really is gorgeous. So happy we made an effort to go.



The tickets cost us 20euro. There isn't much parking by the museum. So this is the best way to go IMO.


Now the Chocolate Museum




There were all kinds of interactive exhibits. The history of cocoa. A bit depressing with slave trade etc. I am happy after the exhibits there was a chocolate fountain! I  learned a lot and am very picky about my chocolate. Drown your sorrows in Chocolate.











Now to some edible stuff!! I LOVE LINDT.















If you have chocolate lovers they will love this place.

My children, my youngest particularly will miss Kinder Eggs. They are prohibited from the US due to the small toys...CRAZY!!!! WE usually chuck the toys. We've never had a problem with Kinder Eggs.





For you nutella lovers, there is also an exhibit about that. I am not a big fan of nutella but my youngest of course is.I didn't know nutella was around for so many years. They celebrated their 40th anniversary in 2006. I remember my husband eating some when we first met  over 6 years ago and I was afraid to try it because it looked like marmite lol.




HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS POST AND MAKE IT THERE IF YOU'RE ABLE TO!!!!




My next post will be about my home!!!! And how pinterest inspired me to make it a home. I am off from school for ten days so no excuses. Plus more inspiration to clean. Yes, I am moving in about 8 months, but I am still obsessed with making this home cozy. 

Sensapolis in Boeblingen, Germany!

This past weekend we celebrated my daughter's 5th birthday!


We celebrated at a wonderful kids' indoor adventure park called Sensapolis. It is the perfect place for families with small children to teenagers!From rock climbing:



To a Castle





A Huge Tree House



A Space Station




 There are also countless slides, science centers, craft area, and a small area just for toddlers and preschoolers.



The blur is me going 33km per hour!








 We really had a great time. the price seems high, but with all that there's available to do, it's really worth it. Sensapolis will be expanding in December 2012  with a mini race track; we can not wait to return so we can try those out! For the full scoop, check out their site: http://www.sensapolis.de/de/inhalt

Appel Happel: Apple Picking and Apple Festival in Mainz

My friend from the DIY Frau told me about a wonderful Apple Farm in Mainz. I was supposed to tag-a-long, but I got the dates all mixed up thinking we were going on Saturday instead of Friday. Not sure how I did that! I felt terrible because I hadn't seen her in a while and my daughter was looking forward to it. Well instead that weekend we went to the Pumpkin Festival in Ludwigsburg, because she told me about a great Apple Festival happening the following weekend so I decided to wait. After another grueling week filled with juggling school-work and being a mom, I look forward to Saturdays more than ever!


The Apple Festival took place in Mainz, Germany on 22 September and 23 September. There were pony rides, bouncy castles, hay playgrounds, live music, and a lot of family fun. The  homemade apple juice is the best I've ever tasted. And of course Mama needed some libations. It was apple champagne with mint and lime. I guess it was more of a Appletini made famous by the ever lovable JD from the show Scrubs! 








Outside there were demonstrations on how their apple juice is made, produce markets, and a cake stand.




 I also had the best sausage there!

Of course there were orchards filled with different apples. The children enjoyed picking apples and throwing the ones already on the ground....my children.




 A lot of and laughs and fun had!



Although the Apple Festival was just that weekend, the Apple Farm is opened to the public until late October including night time picking!  I hope you enjoy this and big thanks to the DIY Frau for the information.