Laowai

 

Why didn’t we go to the Knies Kinder Zoo before? Like so many things around here the zoo just seemed really well done. It is very thoughtfully designed for little kids. The Knies people also run a circus so they are into animal training. The animals are completely friendly. Like the giraffes that we saw as soon as we walked in – you can just reach out and pet them. If you are a little braver than Bea you can ride a pony or a camel or an elephant. And they sell paper cones of popcorn so you can feed the animals – it’s all very interactive. 

Here’s the cool gate at the entrance.

 

 

 

 

They had lots of pretty little ponies and miniature horses – the white ones were Bea’s favorites.

 

This bunch of elephants came so close to us – and they were hanging on to each other’s tails – just like Dumbo and his mommy.

 

 

We saw the sea lion show. Very cute – especially when they balance balls on their noses.

 

 

Oh and they had albino chipmunks. That made me laugh.

Can’t wait to take Grandma and Grandpa C.

I gave in to the pink obsession and made another pink dress. It’s not my favorite, I like this pattern better for nighties, but it was super quick. Plus, Bea has declared that she loves it.

 

 

 

It’s kinda got that Hawaiian Muumuu look doesn’t it.

Seems like just yesterday when I posted this photo and was thinking about our last few days as a family of three.

 

And now here we are – four of us enjoying another very pleasant meal outside. Claire is happy to sit in her bouncy seat watching and listening to us.

 

Another mealtime topic: Since we’ve moved to Switzerland, and we have to pay for each bag of garbage,  I’m even more motivated to use fewer paper products. We use cloth napkins and little wash clothes to clean up at mealtimes. The problem was our napkins were always wandering around the table getting mixed up between meals. That’s especially bad when we have guests because most people probably don’t want to use the napkin that a three-year-old used for dinner last night. So after reading this post about napkin rings I got an idea – we made our own personalized napkin rings from little yogurt drink containers. I put a piece of tape on each ring to mask an area for names and then Bea colored them with sharpies. I never really understood the point of napkin rings before. But now I’m really pleased with our solution – we just roll up our napkins into their respective rings and shove them to one end of the table between meals. We even have napkin rings all ready for visiting grandmas and grandpas.

 

We are having a good day today. We picked some Queen Anne’s Lace an put them in food coloring. Very exciting indeed.

Brian is gone traveling for work basically all week so I’m hoping that the rest of our week goes as well as today. It’s such a challenge to be on my own with my two little munchkins. We have some things planned like a trip to the zoo so that should help.

Hope you are having a great day too.

 

We have a bin in one of our kitchen cupboards where we sort all of our money. Ha ha. 

Brian travels to many different countries so we have to have a place to put pounds, euros, dollars, Swiss francs and recently zloty (from Poland). I can only imagine how difficult it would have been before most of the countries changed to euros. 

And here are a some more Britishisms that Brian came up with. I'm glad you enjoyed the previous ones Christine.

Exit = Way out

Bits and pieces = Bits and bobs

You don't take a trip, you take a Journey

You don't figure something out, you get it Sorted

You don't have children, you have Wee ones

I'm not concerned = I'm not fussed

The day after tomorrow = a fortnight

That's a good idea or ok thanks = brilliant!

Driving lessons = motoring school

Thanks/goodbye/good job/take care = cheers

When something gets all messed up = it's gone all pear shaped

Aw shucks – I tried to choose just a couple pictures to show you but they’re all just too cute. Am I a teensy bit biased?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

The only english language channels on our TV are British channels so I’m learning lots of British popular culture. Plus we know lots of British expats here so I have been making a list of Britishisms that I find amusing.

 

pacifier = dummy

Q-tips = cotton buds

diaper = nappy

stroller = buggy or pram or push chair

complain = whinge

dish soap = washing up liquid

cookie = biscuit

line = queue

the letter Z pronounced zee = the letter Z pronounced zed 

underwear = pants

pants = trousers

trash = rubbish

And my favorite: 

plumber’s crack = builder’s bottom

Brian is in  London today – maybe he’ll have something more to add to my list.

We celebrated Brian’s birthday by surprising him with a bunch of balloons when he stepped off the elevator.

 

 

 

You know you have a good Daddy when his birthday becomes all about the fun you can have decorating and helping to blow out candles.

 

I think I love this picture.

 

I sometimes forget how something simple like a bunch of balloons can entertain Bea for a very long time. Whose birthday is it anyway?

 

 

HAPPY 35th BIRTHDAY BRIAN!