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.

Date night

We went out for the first time in over a year! It was so nice. As much as I love my children it was nice to eat a meal and really enjoy it. And the conversation. It's amazing how much doesn't get said in a normal day. Although it was  a day before his birthday (German's believe it brings bad luck to celebrate before the date) I think it was the best present I could have given Ralph.


And the best part, we could relax because we knew the kids were in good hands. We found a great babysitter, named Emily, who is here for a couple of weeks. She's a gem! Lea was great for her and was sleeping peacefully when we got home.


Here's to a few more evenings, just the two of us....

Happy 1st Birthday Lea!

 It was a great day! We couldn't have picked it any better if we had tried. On her birthday we had a quiet family celebration in the evening. We gave Lea her own swing so that she could swing with Lucas. She loved it so much she would complain every time it stopped. Dinner was pizza. Not typical but great finger food and she loved it. Dessert was a cupcake. Was actually meant to be decorative but Lea doesn't like to miss out on anything so she tried her surgary treat (or better said smeared it everywhere).


On the 9th we had a children's party. Since all of her little friends have bigger siblings it turned out to be a big party. Her guests were: Maggie and Max, Nina and Anna, Isaak and Elias. It was really hot so the kids stripped down and played in the water to keep cool. Dinner was a BBQ classic: burgers and hot dogs. And for dessert a strawberry cake. Lea seemed to really enjoy her special day.


Here are some pictures from her parties. 
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