Stalemate

Frau Doktor popped by yesterday afternoon to return our plate. The dear woman even washed it, which she really needn't have done considering the state in which my house is kept when I've got a head cold. The children, who had until that point been merrily spreading all of their earthly belongings from their completely messy bedroom and playroom into the hallway, sprung into action and opened the door to its widest extent just to show off exactly how messy my house was*. Oh, and Maddyn was naked. Again. Way to make an impression, guys!

Frau Doktor complimented me on the cake, which was very kind of her, and let me know she was very chuffed. I stood on one leg in an attempt to preserve Maddyn's modesty by using the other foot to try and shove him behind me, and told her she was welcome. It didn't work, of course--the balancing act, not the manners--but I got to try out saying "nackt" (naked) and either my pronunciation was spot on or the naked boy frolicking in the messy hallway gave enough context. Frau Doktor gave me a sympathetic look and let me know she has four sons. I daresay she's seen it all before *and* a messy hallway in that case. Phew. The stalemate occurred, however, when she kindly gave my little nudist a pop up book of Die drei kleinen Schweinchen: The Three Little Pigs in Deutsch. I tried to let her know that he will be very happy to have the book, but I don't know the word for happy, just the word for jubilant (überglücklich). I don't think it came out right. On the plus side, I generally only need to stuff up a word embarrassingly once before I remember, so I'm sure if I come across a situation where I need to use the word jubilant I'll be completely set.

Back to the stalemate. I was expecting my plate back, not a new gift! I've never been involved in gift giving with neighbours--or Germans--before, and I'm not quite sure where to go from here. Perhaps she'll enjoy some of the strawberries from Jill's balcony garden. There are no strawberries as yet, but the garden was only established mid-April and already we've magically gone from two strawberry plants to two big strawberry plants, three new strawberry plants, and four feelers hanging over the edge of the pot. Go strawberries!

*The hallway has since been cleaned.