1st Shoes

Before I went out and bought Lea shoes I dug out Lucas' 1st sandals and they just happen to fit. Lea was so excited to have her own shoes that she went ouside and started walking everywhere. Once she mastered the pathway she ventured off to the grass. No matter what the underground, she wanted to try it out in her new shoes!


A few days later we went and bought her some shoes of her own (girlie of course). Everyday she crawls less and less and seems to be getting faster and faster. Guess I'll be putting on my running shoes soon to be able to keep up.

Lea's 1st Steps

Since she started, she just can't stop! Here a peek at Lea cruising around the house.

Visit from the past

We had a visitor from your past. Lucas' "Tagesmutter" (Babysitter), Angelika, who used to care for him before he got a spoke in the Kindergarten came to visit on Friday. The two of them were hoping, that they could play with the water course that she had given him as a farewell present. Unfortunately the weather didn't co-operate; it was 19°C outside and raining non-stop. But the two of them had a great time playing and catching up.


Angelika joined us for dinner and Lucas showed her that his eating habits had improved somewhat (in that he would eat, not how he would eat). And Lea put on her best show and managed to get her dinner pretty much everywhere.


It was nice to see Angelika again, she played such an important role in Lucas' life in the first 3 years. I hope that Lea will be able to bond as well with her caregivers when she starts daycare.

Wildpark Poing

Lucas' Kindergarten organized a family outing to the local Wildpark (Wildlife park). Ralph was out of town on business so it was just myself and the kids. We had a great time. Lea was particularly thrilled about the animals, she kept squeaking each time she saw something. Lucas was feeling much braver on this trip and was keen on petting a few animals and even feeding them.

During the lunch break Lucas and his friends hit the huge playground while Lea and I hung out with the other parents and toddlers. I was amazed that Lucas just took off to play. Usually I have to go with him until he feels comfortable but I guess being around his friends he felt confortable enough to play without having me nearby. The poor thing did get disoriented when he went to come back and wandered for a while before I ended up finding him. But still even then, when I happened to find him wasn't too upset. Amazing!

Lucas went to check out the bears with his friend Louis. The two of them were so cute together! They were holding hands and being silly. Louis even shared his cookies with Lucas. I'm sure that in Lucas' books they are now destined to be friends forever!

Despite the extreme heat on that day (something like 35°C), we had a great time and no one had a melt down. The three of us are getting good at these outings. Hopefully the great summer weather will continue and we can go on a few more trips.

Happy 10 years!

July 10, 2010 - 10 years of marriage. Supposedly not many couples even make it to this mark. Hard to believe, for us it feels like it was only yesterday that we exchanged vows.


To mark the special occassion we decided to escape for a few days. Ralph's parents came and took care of the kids and we took of for Stegersbach in Austria to the Balance Resort. It was a beautiful luxury hotel and we were quickly able to forget the everyday stress and could relax and enjoy being together. We wined, we dined, we went on a romatic picnic, played a short round of golf. Everything you could ask for.


Now we're home, our children still love us and Oma and Opa are on their way home. Tomorrow, it's back to reality.

Lea on the move

We all scream for ice cream!!!

The summer weather we have been waiting for has finally arrived! Every afternoon my kids shed their clothes and cool off either in the wading pool or by eating ice cream. Lea in particular tends to get ice cream spread from her head to her toe - but how she loves it. Lucas doesn't like to make a mess (sometimes) so he has even gone as far as to wear nothing but his birthday suit and a bib :) So sorry we can't share that pic on the web. But here a few cute pics all the same.