Papa in Borneo

Frith is in Borneo for nearly two weeks — no piccies yet but will post them when I get some.

Kindergarten forest morning

Our school encourages an "integrative approach" with parents, and one of the ways in which parents can get involved is to accompany the children in the forest mornings. Today both Chris and I went to help out with Ili's group today. It was freezing cold up there but Chris was an ace fire starter! It was sweet to see how many of the boys wanted to hold Chris's hands through the woods.

Ili's teacher Frau Da Mutten.

Skating, again . . .

Took a friend of Bea's today for another whirl on ice. Ili has improved her balance and control a lot over the week (unlike me—I would make an elephant look graceful on ice), and I'm sure she'll be the same when she gets on skis for the first time.

Skates in the evening

No afternoon school for Bea on Tuesday, so we wandered down to the ice rink again staying until dark. Very atmospheric. Took a friend of Ili's with us this time. Got rather lively when the after work crowd joined in. . . . became more like the dodgems!

Night out - Ben Howard. Yummmm!

Chris and I got to go out in the city tonight (a rare event indeed) to see Ben Howard. We were so keen and early (thanks to our lovely babysitter) that we were queuing up early with the "groupies" and those that had come from overseas to see him play in a small venue (got us a good spot inside though). It was fab. . . if I was 18 I would have a serious obsession with this man!

Back for more!

The kids wanted to practice their ice-skating some more so we went back to the ice rink early Sunday morning. Ili definitely improved and could start to move herself forward rather than just staying on her feet. 

Saturday on ice!

We spent quite a few hours this weekend on ice, as the super cool little ice rink has just opened up on the nearby Polyterrace, so Bea got to practice some more (he bumped into some of his friends too, literally), and for Ili it was the first time on ice. She did great actually, has a super balance and NO fear!

Climbing party

As part of Bea's extended birthday celebrations he wanted to take some friends to the climbing wall, so here he is with his best buddies today. They all enjoyed! We steer away from great big kids parties now — a friend's broken arm on his fifth birthday party was enough and not easily forgotten!

Theatre again for Bea

Bea went to the theatre with school today — which was the second time in one week. This afternoon it was to see the "Zauberlehrling" or The Scorcer's Apprentice. If the teacher sends pics I'll post one.

Boys will be girls!

This is what the boys (Bea and friend) ended up doing today when hemmed in on a rainy day — they dipped into Ili's dressing-up frocks! And this was just the start, it ended up with blue wigs, hair colour, lipstick, pigtails and trotting around in high heel shoes. Scary thing is Bea's nearly fills my shoes!

Birthday celebrations

Bea had a great day yesterday and was very fortunate that a school trip had been planned to the theatre on his birthday — so no sitting in the classroom for him — they instead went out to see a funny marionette performance. In the evening we were out on the "old town" for a sushi supper in a bar/lounge. Wasn't sure how it would work out, but Bea enjoyed it lots, and it was our first time to a sushi restaurant (Mama's homemade Makizushi are going to have to step up a few notches). Can't believe he's 8 — love him even more! More celebrations planned next week with some friends from class (Papa is to take them climbing).

Happy Birthday Bea!!

Just a funny movie of Bea that made me laugh. http://youtu.be/W3R4QkcBrmE

Saturday in the city

Ili and I out shopping for a pressie for someone's birthday. Thirsty work shopping!

Lantern parade — Räbeliechtli

While none of our Swiss friends seem to know the real origin of this lantern parade, we've marched from the school around the neighbourhood for at least the last five years carrying little lit carved turnips! It's a child-focussed event (distinctly lacking alchohol!) and the Kindergarden kids spend time carving their lanterns at school with help from parents (Chris and I spent Friday morning at Kindergarten with the other parents) and their lanterns are displayed on a little wagon at the front of a large street procession which the children help to push. There are traditional songs too that Ili has been proudly singing for the last month at Kindergarten, and she was very active and helped push the wagon with others from her class most of the way round — clinging on in the crowd. Bea muscled in too and was pulling the wagon along with the teacher. Pictures not so great, but you get the idea. . .

Ili and buddy

The girls in the local park this afternoon (Beathan had afternoon school).

Trip to Bürglen

Had a day trip to the mountains on Sunday as it was perfect hiking weather and went to a spot near Bürglen which is close to the Klausenpass. Was a little too busy for us so we had to step off the beaten track. Kids bouldered about on the rocks and played in the pockets of snow in the sun (we visited the same spot with a friend of Bea's last year).

Bea is on the top of the rock in the middle.