I have already discovered how discouraging this will be at times. Friday was particularly difficult for a few hours. By days end, I realized that I just need to be patient, that there will be ups and downs, that certain things are to be expected, and that there are already so many more positives than negatives.
One is really not happy that I speak English with him. As previously stated, he often asks me why I don't speak German with him more, especially after I've said something in German. He gets frustrated quickly when he can't understand me or when I can't understand him. This is also a part of his personality, but it's exaggerated when he's upset about something.
HD and I picked the kids up from school Friday. One has been introducing me to people when I'm at school with him, and this day was no exception. It's quite adorable, even when he's not being so pleasant to me otherwise. We then went to the grocery store. One was really unhappy with me and kept telling me that I wasn't allowed to talk to him or stand too close to him, pushing me away from him even though I was pushing the cart he was sitting in. He even went as far to tell me that we're in Germany so I have to speak German. At this time Two was being fickle and would cry when HD walked away. It's not that I expected this to be easy. I just didn't expect to be so discouraged by the children so quickly. Simply put, I felt like I was already a failure. As if sensing my discouragement and frustration, HD then turned to me, smiled, and asked which one of the kids I'd like to just leave at the grocery store. Comic relief makes everything better.
I was putting the groceries away at home and HD and the kids were outside. One came into the kitchen and informed me that HD told him that he had to give me a hug and apologize for being so rude to me. After this exchange the two of us had a fabulous time playing together the rest of the day. One and I were tickling Two when One turned to me to tickle me. He missed the mark when he managed to basically grab both of my breasts instead. Such is life with children, huh? At dinner HP were talking to One again about it and asked him if he wanted me to leave, because if he kept being so mean then I would surely leave and none of them wanted that. This exact conversation has now been repeated at least 5 times in the past few days.
I feel like I am slowly falling into their rhythm. The bedtime activities seemed to go easier Friday than before. I was brushing One's teeth while he was trying to play with some toys. HD was standing there and he started laughing and told me that I was doing a fantastic job. I'm pretty sure he was being serious.
Saturday all five of us went into the center of town and up in the castle where you can see the whole city. It was cold and windy and the children were tired. One wouldn't let me talk to him and Two cries if he can't see HP or Two. Despite all this, I still enjoyed myself. Nürnberg is adorable and there's so much history and beautiful architecture. Sometime this week I'm going to head back and do some exploring by myself.
As much as One resists English, I can tell he's starting to really absorb it. Sometimes when I say something he'll repeat what I said 3 or 4 times out loud to himself. At dinner on Saturday I asked him if he was drinking apple juice. He answered, "Nein, es ist kein apple juice!" He looked kind of confused for a moment before he corrected himself and said, "Nein, es ist kein Apfelsaft!" I guess it's progress?
I'm quite proud of myself today. HD and I took the car out for me to practice driving. As previously stated, I'll sometimes have to take the kids to school or pick them up and bring them home or to swim classes. HM and HD often go out of town for work so it'll be especially pertinent that I'm comfortable driving. HD even said I should be comfortable enough so that if I want to take the car on the weekend, I can. Some of their gestures really make me feel like more part of the family and less of an employee. We went to a parking lot and switched drivers and so it began! The original plan was for me to first get my bearings in the parking lot and then maybe go onto the streets, but the parking lot was too small for my level of experience. My own parents taught me how to drive a manual, starting as early as when I was around 15 in my dad's '66 Rambler with a column shifter. One of my brothers and my dad have/had manuals, so every now and again I'd drive. I've just never really felt comfortable on the roads, especially with knowing when to downshift. My experience today was totally different. We left the parking lot after 5 minutes and I ended up driving for about an hour. We drove around a bit before we headed back to the house, where we left again so I could drive to/from the kids school. The route to their school includes time on the Autobahn. I would often ask what certain signs meant and HD would explain other rules of the road. Everything was without incidence and really easy. HD said several times that I was doing well and that I had nothing to worry about, adding that I should be proud of myself. I only stalled one time when we got back home and HD made me practice backing out of the driveway (it's a bit tricky with many opportunities to hit fences, gates, and other cars).
Kids are funny. Sundays are always off days for me. I have no obligations to eat with the family or help with the kids or even play with the kids. I was up in my room relaxing after the driving lessons when I overheard HM talking to One. He was wanting to play with me. I couldn't help but laugh, as both Friday and Saturday (though Saturday was also technically a day off) he wanted nothing to do with me. I made him ask me politely (in English) to play with him before I did.
Tonight we all went to the neighbors for dinner. My HP have been friends with them for 20 years now and they're more like family than anything else. They have a teenage son and they also have a 21 year old nephew living with them. I image that I'll be spending a lot of time with them over the next year, especially since they live mere steps from us. Anyways, they just got back from vacation in Italy, so we enjoyed some Italian food for dinner. It was nice to meet the people I've already heard so much about. The mother/wife informed me that if I wanted I should call her up and her and I could go into town together or go for a cup of coffee. I'll have to take her up on that sometime.
When we got back from dinner, HD asked how I was doing. One had a little outburst directed towards me when we left for dinner and had to apologize to me once we arrived at the neighbors. HD wanted to offer some words of encouragement and to remind me to not be discouraged. Judging by the look on his face, I think he was a little discouraged as well. I am their first au pair, so they're learning how to navigate this just as I am.
I'm not sure what this next week holds, but I'd like to get into a rhythm of going for a jog in the mornings once everyone leaves. I'd also like to go into the city and do some more exploring on my own. I need to go buy some better shoes as well, as my Toms and Converse aren't going to keep me warm through the cold fall and snowy winter. The high tomorrow is only 57F!!
One last random thing to add to this post! There isn't really a "th" sound in German. At the grocery store the other day we bought some smoothies. On the container it indeed said, "Smoothie." However, since Germans can't make that "th" sound, they pronounce it more like, "smoozie." Needless to say, I've been helping my HP practice.
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