June Goal Review

Here's what I wanted to do this month:

• plan and have a first birthday party - done!
• take a family photo - done!
• plan and go on a four day class trip - done!
• sew a dress - in progress....
• research a memory box system - not yet.

Make It Monday - In progress....

Thanks to the trip last week, I've nothing finished to share this week but lots in progress again. I'm on with my denim dress and I'm knitting again...

Weekly Wisdom

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The Saturday Update

Whew! What a week!

We spent last weekend with Dad here building Isabella's new swing and then playing on it. I can't believe that was just last week!

Dad left on Monday and got home safely.

We spent the rest of the week in Ristedt with my clasa which was fun but tiring.

Isabella had her first bug and fever but it only lasted a couple of days and she was soon back on form, running around at the school home with the other kids.

We caught up with colleagues when they visited us on the trip for the barbecue. It's always nice to see them in a new setting.

On Thursday evening we had our first parents' evening at Isabella's new nursery. She starts in September and it seems wonderful. The place is very new and they are well equipped for play, art, outdoor time and everything else you can think of. I'm so excited for her, I was quite teary. She came along and played outside, charming the carers already.

Yesterday and today has just been us getting back on track around the house. It'll be a quiet weekend catching up with home too.

Work should be quieter from now until the holidays. Next week is year ten gradution which is always a nice celebration.

The Get to Work Book

I recently ordered a new planner. Regular readers will know that I'm a big Elise fan and her latest project was exactly what I need.

It's a project planner and diary and this first edition runs from July to August so it fits perfectly with the next school year here and I can start next week!

The aim for me, is to have everything in one place and to be able to plan projects better. With weekly and monthly overviews as well as note space, I think this will do the trick.

Of course it can't do the work for me but I think it will be the next best thing! So excited.

Ristedt

This week we have been in Ristedt with my class.

It's my third time taking them there but the first time without my co-teacher who is still on maternity leave so I took Nico, Isabella and a colleague with me.

On the programme we had - swimming (out- or indoor depending on the weather), cooperative games, an English rally, a group quiz, cooking, baking, barbecuing, a disco and a night walk.

It turned out to be a chaotic but fun time and a steep learning curve for me. I'm looking forward to London next year where the kids will be in host families at night.

I was writing to my penpal about the trip and realised I only went on one residential trip with my high school class - in the first year. I went on lots of other fun trips and loved them but they were all optional.

Here, it's normal for every class to go away together every year and apart from the stress for the teacher, I think it's a great way to get the class to bond.

Summer Manifesto #9

At the weekend, I finally found time for a much needed pedicure. I love how my feet feel after a foot bath and I love this summery nail colour. Hoping that this can become a habit.

Babies and Animals

Lately, Isabella has had a lots of encounters with animals and she loves them! Watching her is such fun.

Of course, she has always been around Pete and he is very good with her. She loves patting him and cuddling. She also shares her food with him if we're not carefully.

At Nico's Grandad's birthday, she raced off into the cowshed and instead of holding back like her older cousin, she was straight up to the calves and holding out her hands for a lick.

At the same party, she had her first enounter with a dog and as he was well trained, she could cuddle him just like Pete.

It's important to us that she isn't afraid of animals but also that she treats them with respect.

She's such a sweet girl, my heart just sings watching her with the animals. I can't wait to take her to the farm and zoo this summer.

Make It Monday - July Birthday Cards

With a very busy month going on, I wasn't especially creative for next month's birthday cards. I still managed to do something slightly new though.

I ordered a new cutter as planned - a butterfly shape. I love the effect and colours this month. I stuck with the stars for male cards and mixed up the colours.

Weekly Wisdom

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                                      Happy Father's Day Dad!

The Saturday Update

June is turning into the busiest month we've had for a long time and this week took it up a gear.

We were in Schneverdingen again last weekend celebrating a family birthday on the farm and trying to buy shoes. It was a busy but lovely day. I love seeing Isabella with family and she loves being busy.

I had my medication changed on Monday and feel like a new woman - much more energy, which is just as well right now.

Dad arrived on Tuesday and we've had a really fun week so far. Isabella has lots more playtime and attention.

Wednesday was spent preparing the party on Thursday - baking, wrapping presents and tidying.

The party itself was realy nice. We had coffee and cake, sang a birthday song and opened and played with lots of toys.

Yesterday was a bit calmer as the weather was rubbish (good job there are so many new toys here).

Today we're preparing for next week's class trip so we can relax for the rest of the weekend while grandad is here.

Summer Manifesto #3 Part 1

As part of my summer manifesto I wanted to try some mocktails.

Over Isabella's birthday, I was sipping virgin Buck's Fizz. Lovely, summery and thirst quenching - a great way to start enjoying this season more.

One Year!

Today we're celebrating one year with our wonderful little girl. I have no idea where the time went, I just know that it has been the best, hardest and most special year of my life.

Isabella is such an amazing little girl. She makes us laugh every day, she's learning fast and making us proud.

When I think back to her a year ago, it's hard to remember she's the same little girl - constant naps and feeds for what felt like forever and now she's so independent. I can't imagine how life is going to look in another year.

What I do know is that I am going to appreciate every moment and every stage because they go too fast.

Proud that we have a wonderful year behind us and excited for the future with this amazing little miracle.

Garden Update - Flowers

Just look at the latest blooms from our garden! I love that every time I look out there are different flowers. This is a pink rose with white and purple bells.

We've also got red roses, a different type of pink rose, orange lillies, red lillies, honeysuckle, and so many more. Look out for some more photos soon.

In the meantime, these will be the centrepieces for Isabella's birthday tomorrow. Exciting!

Baby's first...

...shoe shopping!

Nico's aunt works in a shoe shop and, now that Isabella is walking, she wanted to buy her her first shoes.

Well, we had a right performance! Of course everything was interesting - the foot measuring scale, the clown on the boxes, the tags on the shoes, but try to put them on her feet and she kicked up such a fuss that anyone might have thought we were hitting her with them.

When she finally got a pair on, she didn't stop sreaming until they came off, she wouldn't walk for me but walking for Nico she looked like something from the ministry of silly walks!

In the end we decided to leave it for a few more weeks - at least it is summer and she can go barefoot for now.

I'll be reminding her of that day when she is about sixteen and lives for shoe shopping!

Make It Monday - Ojo de Dios

Only having pockets of time for crafts I decided to give this one a go today.

Ojos de Dios are a little like dream catchers, they are said to protect and watch over someone. They are often given to babies so I made this one for Isabella's room - better late than never right!

I followed this tutorial and it was easy. I'd love to make some with Isabella when she's a little older.

Weekly Wisdom

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The Saturday Update

Another mad week here.

Work was all about exams this week. Year ten had their written final exams and I had to fit some exams in with my own classes before the end of the school year so lots of marking to do now.

The weather has been glorious so lots of time in the garden. Nico has been planting and building like crazy so we are nearly ready for a certain birthday this week.

I've been reading lots again and got one project done with my planter but need to get going with the knitting and sewing again.

Pete has been hunting birds again, spending nights outside, collecting tics and generally keeping us on our toes.

Today we are heading up to the farm for Nico's grandad's birthday and then we're getting ready for Dad's visit. Can't wait!

Freibad!

One thing I love about German culture at this time of year is the Freibad - or outdoor pool.

There are more outdoor pools than indoor ones in our area and today, with temperatures in the high twenties, I met my friend there for a little picnic with our babies.

In England, we would have maybe gone to the park or sat in the garden. I only know of one outdoor pool and that was in another county! Here, we had a ten minute drive.

At our local pool there are four pools - paddling, children, normal and diving, plus lots of space to sit with a picnic. I paid 3.20 (euros) and Isabella was free.

The water was a little cold at first but ones we splashed a bit, everyone had fun. Even though the place was packed, we had plenty of space.

It was fun and relaxing but I would recommend going with more adults than walking babies because chasing Isabella was exhausting at times. She's so social she wanted to play with all the kids in all the families.

While the weather stays this way, we'll try to go every week.

Links!

Some interesting posts I've read lately:

A future craft project?

Some good instagram suggestions here.

Looking for a new outlook?

A print for us book lovers.

A new recipe to try.

That good karma is still on the go.

Wrapping up this and this for Isabella's birthday this week.

Love Tilly's new pattern.

Under the Sea

So excited that Isabella already likes my favourite Disney film.

She's very musical and loves to dance so lately I've been playing some Disney classics to entertain her.

She goes crazy for Sebastian the crab too! So cute!

The Shooting Festival

Saturday was the annual shooting festival in Nico's home village of Zahrensen. As his uncle was crowned shooting king last year, he held a lunch before the festival and we were invited.

Luckily the weather played along and we ate a lovely lunch with family and friends. Some were other shooting club members who helped to host the lunch.

All of the club members, including Nico's parents, brother and grandparents, wore a uniform - black trousers, white shirt and green ties and blazers with badges to mark various past competitions or achievements.

After lunch, a marching band with other club members arrived. They stayed for a few drinks before marching back to the club for coffee and cake. There was also a bouncy castle for kids.

I was quite surprised at the range of ages of members. Sometimes there were three generations of a family present. I find that really reassuring in this day and age where many traditions seem to be disappearing.

Here, many towns and villages have shooting festivals. Leeste's is this weekend.

Once Isabella got used to her new surroundings, she was off entertaining and charming family and strangers alike. She loved the bouncy castle.

Make It Monday - Rope Plant Hanger

I've been obsessing over this tutorial for ages and now that we have our own place and summer is here, I finally found an opportunity to make my own.

The steps are really well explained and easy to follow. You don't get the full effect until it is hung up but then I think it looks great!

I'm glad I went with white rope. It's clean and looks nice with the terracotta.

Can't wait to get a plant in there now.

Weekly Wisdom

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The Saturday Update

It's been non-stop this week. Work has been very busy. Nico has had various work things this week so I people watched over coffee with Isabella on Monday and took her to work with me yesterday.

Now that she's walking, she's like a clockwork toy circling the living room every day.

Creative projects are on hold until I get on top of chores, work, and other bits and bobs, but they are in the pipeline.

The weather was gorgeous yesterday, in my free lesson at work I took Isabella for ice cream and a swing in the park. It was the highlight of my week so far.

Hopefully the weather will stay nice as we are going to the shooting festival in Schneverdingen today and hoping to crack out the new paddling pool tomorrow.

Garden Corner: Veg Patch Update

Since we harvested and enjoyed the spinach and radishes, Nico used the space to get his tomato plants outdoors. They look brilliant.

At the far end, the carrots are slowly coming on.

The heat got to the cucumbers but we've got more lettuce and spinach planted.

We also discovered strawberries growing amongst the flowers which are ripening quickly in this summery weather.

Summer Manifesto

June marks the start of Summer and to get in the spirit, here are some things I want to do to enjoy this season:

1. Grill fish on the BBQ
2. Watch Isabella play in the garden.
3. Try three mocktails.
4. Visit the animals with the family.
5. Make and eat fruit salads.
6. Read more.
7. Drink mint tea.
8. Listen to more music.
9. Make time for pedicures.
10. Wear more dresses.

Currently...

...planning our first children's birthday party.
...preparing for Ristedt with my class.
...working long and hard.
...forgetting to set my alarm! Oops!
...enjoying the warmer weather.
...appreciating all I have.
...drinking raspberry pop.
...ordering fancy outfits for weddings and balls this summer.
...laughing at Isabella's new expressions.
...feeling proud of our feline baby and his outdoor exploits.
...looking forward to dad's visit.
...hoping for a long summer.

June Goals

Here's what I want to do this month:

• plan and have a first birthday party
• take a family photo
• plan and go on a four day class trip
• sew a dress
• research a memory box system

Make It Monday - June birthday cards

I liked the May birthday cards so much that I used the same idea this month. I decided to experiment with colour more.

The pink and blue play really well on the cream card and I'm really pleased with the contrast number one for our girl's first birthday this month. (Where did that go??)

I'm thinking of experimenting with shape more next month if I can get hold of a different shape cutter.