The princesses diaries

Weekend away

2012-02-09T15:29:00.000+01:00

I only have two pictures but they pretty much sum up the weekend away. Snow, cold, the lake and food. In this case four French goat cheeses. The structure under cover is the swimming pool - for summer use only.

climbing the walls

2012-02-09T15:25:00.000+01:00

It has been so cold, we are just climbing the walls with being indoors. Today was milder (only minus 6) so we went up to the village shop. I painted their faces before we left, cute kitties.

new hairstyle

2012-02-09T15:22:00.000+01:00

She was so excited to have curls. Need to get some mousse to keep the look working. Just don't tell Daddy about using a product.

up the local mountain, Les Prés d'Orvin

2012-01-22T16:27:00.000+01:00

The snow wasn't that great, haven't had much this year but there was some and we got to sled for a bit. Unfortunately we forgot the kids snow jackets, so they had to wear ours and after an hour it was all over. We still had fun though.

This last photo was taken on the way home, the local castle.

Family sledding on the snowboard

2012-01-22T16:23:00.000+01:00

A sunny winter's walk, down to the lake

2012-01-16T20:05:00.000+01:00

Groovers

2012-01-15T17:21:00.000+01:00

C wearing her new dress from Grandma and E in her favourite outfit. Strike a pose

New Year's Eve

2012-01-15T17:18:00.000+01:00

We spent the evening at Stephanie and Andreas and had a sleep over. We (well, the girls especially) had a great time dancing with the Wii and Andreas and Antonio went in the sauna and spa. A late and fun night was had by all involved and we are now planing on investing in a Wii as well. Happy New Year

Christmas food

2012-01-01T18:31:00.000+01:00

Rolled loin of pork, with cranberry stuffing. Thank you Nigella.

Pannetone from Italy,with choc chips and candied chestnuts.

Boxing day lunch, since we could not manage it on Christmas Day. A roast chicken and the rest.

Home sledding 1

2012-01-01T18:26:00.000+01:00

Home sledding 2

2012-01-01T18:21:00.000+01:00

Home sledding 3

2012-01-01T18:17:00.000+01:00

Kitty in the snow

2012-01-01T18:11:00.000+01:00

Christmas photos, share the madness and joy.

2011-12-28T10:43:00.000+01:00

Dancing videos - are you ready?

2011-12-19T21:22:00.000+01:00

Dancing videos - you can pick up some German too

2011-12-19T21:16:00.000+01:00

Dancing videos - almost there

2011-12-19T21:11:00.000+01:00

Dancing videos - congrats if you made it this far.

2011-12-19T21:04:00.000+01:00

Clara's Lantern Festival

2011-12-19T20:56:00.000+01:00

The weather was terrible, could not see Clara at all, just occasional glimpses of her face. The singing was mean to be outside but the weather was so awful they crowded under the awning near the door and we had to try to find a place. I snuck outside, from inside could only see her hat. Saw her profile and all the actions, she sang her heart out but kept looking to see where I was. And did not find me. Good atmosphere though.

Christmas things

2011-12-11T11:50:00.000+01:00

with the cat

2011-12-02T13:57:00.000+01:00

Cutie Clara

2011-12-02T13:40:00.000+01:00

Sorry but you need to turn your head to watch this.

Their tree

2011-11-27T16:57:00.000+01:00

Elizabeth took the first picture of Clara, and in the second one I was trying for a bit of animation. Hmmmm

And today we start putting up Chrissy decos.

2011-11-27T09:28:00.000+01:00

The girls made these at kindy and we bring them out each year. Pretty I think. So, off to unpack the Chrissy stuff, first Sunday of Advent, you know.

The Partay

2011-11-27T09:26:00.000+01:00

The Kindy Cat Cupcakes

2011-11-27T09:21:00.002+01:00

No body ate the whiskers apparently.

Happy Fifth Birthday

2011-11-22T20:45:00.000+01:00

Auguri Clara

2011-11-22T20:36:00.000+01:00

Zum Geburtstag

2011-11-22T20:30:00.000+01:00

5

2011-11-22T20:24:00.000+01:00

November = turnip lantern parades.

2011-11-21T19:46:00.000+01:00

This is actually something to do with the feast of St Martin, but that is all I know. Elizabeth carved her turnip at school, then we all went along to see the parade. First there was a concert, then the whole school (Grades 1-3) walked through the forest with their lanterns, families trailing behind. Finally pumpkin soup prepared by the kids, a little hello to the teachers and home we went. Lovely.

In the village

2011-11-21T19:26:00.000+01:00

These photos are from the village lantern parade, organized by the Parents Club in the village. Elizabeth's friend Amelie came for the night and there was pumpkin soup for everyone after the parade. Our lanterns were the heart ones, 3 girls, 3 lanterns the same.

Halloween, hope you had a happy one.

2011-10-31T19:22:00.000+01:00

We have had a lovely time getting ready for Halloween and then celebrating. The girls were very happy with their costumes,which they chose themselves. Nala, the lioness from lion king and Clara was a leaf hula girl, of course. We went to a friends party and went trick or treating in her street. Was lots of fun. Spooky.

Castle at Grandson, about an hour away from us. Fabulous.

2011-10-24T20:10:00.000+02:00

They had cars belonging to Greta Garbo and Winston Churchill. It really was a lovely museum, with lots of different things to see. We all had a lovely time there.

A sculpture by Chagall, every castle should have one of course.

and we will always have Paris

2011-10-14T19:39:00.000+02:00

... though we wouldn't have had if the girls had got there way.

but wait, there is more

2011-10-14T19:33:00.000+02:00

Princess Lunch - it cost a bomb and it was da bomb.

2011-10-09T19:47:00.001+02:00

And so it was, once upon a time....

2011-10-09T19:36:00.001+02:00

Portissimo, the village festival

2011-10-02T18:50:00.000+02:00

All the usual fun to be had, though the dancing was a highlight for me. The girls enjoyed their chosen activities and Clara was just heavy enough for the trampoline with bands - she was very proud.

Last days of summer

2011-10-02T18:41:00.002+02:00

Kitty cat

2011-10-02T18:39:00.000+02:00

Kitty is still at her pet hotel as of today but I will collect her tomorrow. She is a lovely girl, though we still need a bit of work with the toileting habits. A small foam chair and one bean bag are her victims so far. Seems she likes her kitty litter changed more often than I realized. She is being spayed later this week and once she has recovered, she can go do her thing outside. I am looking forward to this, as 'walking' her has gotten tedious.

School and kindy starts.

2011-08-27T12:02:00.000+02:00

Kitty under control

2011-08-27T11:57:00.000+02:00

Cat on a string

2011-08-27T11:45:00.000+02:00

Day out at zoo / little kids fun park in the big hills between us and France.

2011-08-06T21:16:00.002+02:00

New dresses and a pool for Barbie and the gang

2011-08-06T21:09:00.001+02:00

Kitten, Matilda

2011-07-30T15:17:00.000+02:00

I think it's love, especially from Clara. Elizabeth is a bit more nervous but getting there.

Here we are visiting a corn labyrinth. that was fun for all of us.

Out and about.

2011-06-05T20:54:00.000+02:00

We went to a museum with friends, tried out the big swing, then we went strawberry picking at the farm down on the river (3 kg) and then I went into the old town to the market, just for a look and a coffee. Not all in the same day, mind.

Lugano visit

2011-05-04T16:48:00.000+02:00

Easter

2011-05-04T16:42:00.000+02:00

Swim champ continued

2011-04-19T20:19:00.000+02:00

Today we visited the new Bear pit in Bern, lovely school holiday fun.

2011-04-19T19:29:00.001+02:00

School concert, our first.

2011-04-19T19:24:00.000+02:00

Our little Lizzie is the second ghost from the right of the screen.

The theme of the school concert was Dreaming.

Gym class in the village sports / entertainment hall.

2011-04-19T19:07:00.002+02:00

Swim champ

2011-04-05T13:35:00.000+02:00

The Butterfly House

2011-04-02T21:30:00.003+02:00

They were so happy to wear summer clothes, it is warm in the butterfly dome.
With a little friend, watching one of the feeding stations. They all really enjoyed it.

The flowers in the butterfly dome really remind me of home, just lovely and tropical.
On the train on another day out, Clara hamming it up as usual. They love the train.

It is almost spring

2011-03-02T18:16:00.003+01:00

the finger

2011-02-25T20:24:00.002+01:00

7th Birthday

2011-02-22T13:11:00.005+01:00

The day begins with the last photo, of course, it was fun and as you see, tiring. Seven. wow

She enjoys going a little faster.

2011-02-12T21:37:00.002+01:00

Now we just need to get both legs pushing off. There are 3 more week of skating til end of season so she has done well. She only goes for 45 mins a week and has had no other practice. She loves it.

Elizabeth loves chatting to adults, any adults.

2011-02-12T21:34:00.001+01:00

Doing circles

2011-02-12T21:29:00.002+01:00

New dresses from Aunty Margie

2011-02-03T17:06:00.003+01:00

European Ice Skating Championships

2011-02-03T16:53:00.003+01:00

Clara looking bored. She wanted to leave after 20 minutes. Elizabeth watched all afternoon and loved it.

Japanese telesivion filmed Elizabeth when we took this picture. Weird

Australia Day

2011-01-26T17:33:00.003+01:00

We did a bit of homework on Australia and then a bit of mouth work on Anzac slice and milk. Happy Australia Day everyone.

Away she goes

2011-01-16T21:17:00.002+01:00

She did so well for her first time ever.

Daddy and Clara skiing

2011-01-16T20:51:00.002+01:00

Trying to persuade her it will be fun for next year.

Elizabeth's last run.

2011-01-16T20:16:00.002+01:00

Sorry for the less than great filming, I was nearly blind with the sun and could not see well what I was trying to film. You get the idea though.

The holiday village

2011-01-15T22:33:00.005+01:00

We stayed a week in a mountain village, have lots of photos to post, this is just to get you in the mood. The village was at 1670 metres, so plenty of snow even though warm weather down on the flat lands. No more snow here in our garden. We were away one week, from Saturday to Saturday. Since the car is out of action, we took a taxi, two trains and two buses with a load of luggage. Fun.

The round things on top of the posts are local stone, to stop the mice getting in apparently. I like how they kept the old typical building and put a garage underneath. Those Swiss are so tricky.

This came after the photo below, so you can see her day improved.

Clara kept falling down in the deep snow and refused to walk anymore. Lots of tears followed.

Can you see us on the top left hand balcony?

Yes, there we are.

Waiting for the sun.

Phew, there it is.

The first few days Clara and I were sick, so we did not do much, though we did make it to the local village shop on Tuesday. All the cute chalets were in the village, though Clara complained bitterly about how 'BORING' walking is for most of the way.

The Christmas Cake

2010-12-28T20:07:00.002+01:00

Christmas Day

2010-12-26T20:16:00.002+01:00

Kindy Lantern Parade / song singing

2010-12-26T20:10:00.003+01:00

The kindy kids made lanterns with a parent in November. Lizzie's has angels on it. We all met at the kindy, in the garden despite sub zero temps. The kids could not hold their lanterns cause of the strong wind but did manage to sing songs and say some verses and poems. Afterwards, they ran around the kindy garden like loons after they had filled up on Christmas tea and cookies. We chatted, stiltedly, to other parents until it was time to go. Elizabeth had a wonderful time, running with the mob. Clara was not happy cause her face got cold. The rest of her remained warm.

Snow and stuff on Christmas Eve

2010-12-24T22:07:00.003+01:00

November snow

2010-12-11T17:27:00.003+01:00

We had a lot of snow in a few days there but now it has almost all melted away. The kids enjoyed and I found it very pretty to look at and walk in, just not so enamored with the whole digging out the driveway and parking space part. We expect more soon.

The first big fir tree pictured is now a thing of the past, it was chopped down this week.

Their Christmas tree

2010-11-28T14:40:00.004+01:00

We had a lovely Thanksgiving with our American friends last night and so today we are ready to head into the Christmas season. We managed to wait until the first Sunday of Advent, and then off we went. This year the girls will have a tree and we will also have a big one in the entrance of the house a bit closer to Christmas. It will be a real one, theirs is plastic. Love love love Christmas and all it brings. Enjoy everyone.

Buon compleanno Claratina

2010-11-24T22:11:00.001+01:00

But wait, there's more

2010-11-24T22:01:00.002+01:00

It is all so very exciting.

2010-11-22T20:36:00.002+01:00

The first gift from Lizzie and then this one from Grandma and Pa kept her going until Antonio came home, when she got our gift. He came home an hour early which was great. She also got a gift from the babysitter.

Thank u Grandma and Pa

2010-11-22T20:33:00.001+01:00

The 4th Birthday so far-

2010-11-22T09:58:00.004+01:00

It's gunna be a good good day, says Clara. She is literally jumping for joy.

Zermatt weekend

2010-11-14T17:39:00.003+01:00

The view from the bedroom window.

Zermatt main street. The town is car free.

I went away for the weekend with three women friends to Zermatt. We had a lovely time, enjoyed wonderful weather and some kid free down time. Perfect.

Turnip lantern parade

2010-11-08T21:01:00.003+01:00

This is an old tradition in Europe for this time of year, no one really knows why it happens, maybe to do with All Saints and All Souls, maybe harvest time, maybe St Martins Day.

Anyway, you carve the middle out of a turnip, put a candle in it and sing a song while walking along. We did not know the song but did the rest. There were 3 processions in our village which ended at the village place where we ate pumpkin soup and drank sweet cinnamon tea. The girls ran around in circles screaming and had a great time.

The story goes in the US they did not have turnips so used pumpkins and that is why they now do that at Hallowe'en. It was fun to walk with the kids.

Hallowe'en, now that was fun!

2010-11-01T09:03:00.004+01:00

Try this special apple my dear

2010-11-01T09:00:00.001+01:00

Necklaces

2010-11-01T08:55:00.003+01:00

With the cold and dark coming, we need lots of fun little indoor activities. Grandma sent us this bright one and the girls loved making leis. Thanks Grandma.

First time ever

2010-10-30T12:12:00.001+02:00

Skating - it begins

2010-10-25T15:24:00.003+02:00

Lizzie began lessons last weekend, here are some photos from the trial lesson. She loved it and smiled the whole time despite lots of falling over. On the weekend she bruised her coccyx when she fell and is a bit sore but still keen to get going. We pick up the second hand skates on Thursday - I got the on ebay, please let them fit, skating god.

The Russian Bears

2010-10-14T18:24:00.002+02:00

The compulsory holiday zoo visit

2010-10-14T18:10:00.002+02:00

The village festival.

2010-10-12T19:50:00.001+02:00

Hedgie

2010-10-12T19:44:00.003+02:00

Lizzie had a friend over for a play date and the hedge hog came out. Alisha tried so hard to put him in a bucket, feed him, poke him, roll him over that I almost had to physically restrain her. Eventually I distracted them by telling them to dig worms for him. He ran away and has not been seen since. Smart hedgie.

Gardening

2010-10-12T19:38:00.002+02:00

Swimming stills

2010-10-12T19:22:00.004+02:00

Clara has done two prep courses and is now much more comfortable in the pool. She did the course with Antonio, the next one she will be alone in the pool. For now, she wants to wait. I think once she sees Elizabeth starting classes again she will be keen to get going. No rush though.

Swimming for Clara

2010-10-12T19:00:00.003+02:00

I thought I had taken some more films but it seems not. Next time. She was swimming alone with the flotation device and is very proud.

Our visit to the local zoo

2010-10-04T14:20:00.002+02:00

We went to the forest, where the local zoo is. We found animals we had not seen before, fed the deer, climbed on rocks, did some craft, had lunch and just hung around. Elizabeth was wearing the new dress I had made her, very pleased with it and herself. Oh, and she lost another tooth. That is the two top ones gone now.

Singing part one

2010-09-10T13:21:00.002+02:00

Singing part two

2010-09-10T13:14:00.002+02:00

Visitors, Rachel's girls

2010-09-08T21:11:00.007+02:00

The girls came over for afternoon tea one Sunday and we all had a lovely time, playing babies, bouncing on the trampoline and dressing up. It was lots of fun and Rachel and Miguel brought a lovely Zopf bread (made with eggs and butter) for afternoon tea. Yum.

Suburban sweat shop

2010-09-08T20:01:00.003+02:00

Clara had the brilliant idea of using their scooters as ironing boards and sewing machines. My little domestic goddesses, at work in the home.

Pool fun with friends

2010-08-24T20:36:00.003+02:00