Make it Monday - March birthday cards

Nothing new this month. I'm still liking this 3D effect and mixing shapes and colours to apply to girls, women and men.

Since I'll be ordering new materials soon, I'm looking for some new inspiration.

Weekly Wisdom

The Saturday Update

It's been a good week here.

We went to the library on Monday - Isabella loved it as much as our first visit. Then we had our goose. I felt so good after, we've decided to try paleo again.

Tuesday was my long day with my first budget meeting. It went well though, next work task is to find a new Spanish book.

Wednesday was a regular day. I got the early bus again and caught up with colleagues in my free lessons as well as making progress on London.

Thursday was a productive day off. We had the nursery finances hand over and I found out that the guy whose son is leaving soon, is also a teacher. I love that we are building up contacts more now we have Isabella and the house. It feels like we're putting down roots.

I was covering supervision of my class on a project on Friday. They were at the Ubersee Museum in Bremen. It was nice to have a change of scenery and I'm excited to take Isabella soon.

This weekend we have no big plans. Just jobs, gardening, knitting...

February Goals Review

Here's the progress I made this month:

• Set the programme for the London trip. - done!
• Pay our holiday off. - done!
• Sort out the hobby room. - done!
• Date night. - not done, we need a babysitter!
• Run once per week. - done!
• Update my Ancestry family tree. - done!
• Write two letters. - done!
• Sew, knit, journal. - done!
• Set up Isabella's reading corner. - done!

A very good month!

Toddler Tantrums

The terrible twos seem to be making an early start around here. We have great days with lots of laughing and then come the tantrums.

Latest sparks have been:

- Mummy using water for flowers in the garden.

- Putting shoes / coat on, even though we want to go out and cry when it's cold.

- That silly 'no bikes in the house rule'.

- Mummy knitting.

- Not being allowed to stand on a chair and watch food slowly cooking in the oven.

- Not being allowed to eat in the supermarket.

- Shadows.

Garden Update

Spring is very nearly here so we're getting inspired in the garden again. I started off round the front of the house with some pretty flowers by the front door. I also cut back the ivy as it was getting out of hand. I think it's looking much better.

Recipe: Roast Goose

Last night we had roast goose for dinner. Nico spotted it in the frozen aisle at the supermarket on Saturday and we decided to go for it.

It takes a long time but it wasn't difficult and it was delicious - absolutely worth waiting for.

We had bought a crown and defrosted it before Monday afternoon. I slow roasted it over a baking dish on 175 for about two and a half hours, checking and brushing over beer and the juices every twenty minutes or so.

Nico whipped up a tasty sauce and I added a bit of veg - absolutely something we can do again.

Make it Monday - Birth Cards

Two friends of ours had babies last week so I used the opportunity to complete a new project from one of my books.

It's the first card project I've done from a book. It involved stenciling which I don't think looks as good as it could but I'm still pleased with the results.

I especially like the bright colours for the girl version.

Now for the March birthdays...

Weekly Wisdom

source

The Saturday Update

It's been a pretty run of the mill week here.

On Monday I had a PTA meeting. I like getting involved and meeting more people and we're planning lots of things with nursery so that's good.

On Tuesday I had a rare afternoon off thanks to being part time. It felt good to take the time out since work is quite busy with all the extra things I'm doing right now - London, union elections, budget meetings...

On Wednesday I went by bus for the first time. I was shattered as it means getting up at 5am but it's more relaxing than bike and train.

On Thursday I got back into family history. Updating the new software I'm using was like disappearing down a rabbit hole. Still, just one more line to go.

On Friday I took the bus again and relaxed after work.

Today I'm playing catch up on jobs and what not.

I'm up to date on several projects and goals. Two friends have had babies this week. All in all it's gone well!

A-ram-sam-sam

For weeks Isabella has been singing a cute little song with actions at home and we've been trying to work out what it is.

It has actions that remind me of 'wind the bobbin up' but there's no German equivalent.

Nico finally realised that it's the song in this video and she goes crazy when we sing it together.

Running

So this month I have finally got my bottom off the sofa and back out running again. I'm back on the fifteen minute route I was on at the end of Summer. It's not long but I feel good just to be doing something again - and it's free.

I was surprised to be able to run as soon as I started again. I'm hoping to extend my route next month.

I bought a couple of fitness magazines and some sport gear that actually fits which is helping to keep me motivated right now too.

Hobby Room Clearout

These views have been driving me mad for a while. After a year in our house, there are some corners that have become dumping grounds and really need some TLC.

This week I finally got round to sorting out the hobby / utility room. It looks great and I feel more like going in there and making things now.

Spielcoolisse

At the weekend we took Isabella for a play date at the play gym in Bremen.

It was brilliant. It cost 13 Euros, so we won't be going every week, but it was worth it.

There's a huge climbing area with a ball pool and various activities on the way up to the big slide. The mummies went with and the girls loved it. Upstairs there's a mini play area, roundabouts and a UV room. Back downstairs there's also a soft play area, colour computers and a range of bikes and bobby cars.

There's a cafe and a restaurant where you can book parties. We had coffee while the girls ate snacks we'd brought with. We were there for two and a half hours.

Isabella got up from her lunchtime nap at 16:30!!!

Make it Monday - Soft Whale

This week's sewing project was quick and easy. This stuffed whale is a lovely toy for little ones. I used a heavy linen so it should withstand some play!

It was going to be a gift but Isabella has set her sights on it so I may be repeating this one.

Weekly Wisdom

The Saturday Update

It's been a manic week. It started off with carneval - our cutie little blue bear.

Tuesday was a looong, annoying work day followed by a cycle home in the rain.

On Wednesday Nico's parents came to visit. They picked Isabella up and it was a really nice evening.

Thursday was a really productive day - almost finished my long to do list.

Friday was a crazy day too - all my classes seemed to have caught the crazy bug so I was ready for the weekend.

Today we're going to the play gym with some friends and finishing off that list before Valentine's Day.

Competition Time

This week at work has mainly been spent helping my Spanish pupils prepare their competition entries for the regional rounds of the team language competition.

I've got two groups entering and although it hasn't been smooth sailing and there are still problems, I am really proud of both groups.

The boys did a video giving the school's history in Spanish (this year is the school's centenary) and the girls did a drawing video with a story about refugees in Spanish.

On my side I learned that I need to start much earlier in the school year with this project and I need to brush up my IT skills.

Nevertheless, we have achieved one of our department goals of taking part in more events and competitions.

Reading Corner

My Mum made a teepee for Isabella last summer. She didn't use it much at that point and then I saw this on Instagram somewhere - a mum with a teepee who added fairy lights, cushions and blankets, and made it into a reading corner.

As Isabella's getting more into reading, we decided to try it out and she loves it. She doesn't stay in long by herself but we've had a couple of cosy mornings and evenings reading or chatting in there.

London Planning

After our trip to Stockholm, I will be accompanying 70 year eights and six colleagues to London.

This week, I've been putting the programme together. So far we will be seeing, visiting, doing:

The London Eye - a great way to see the city.

Hyde Park - weather permitting...

The Tower of London - I already used this in lessons to get them into some British history with Henry VIII and his wives, the crown jewels etc. They also have an educational package I'm hoping will keep them busy.

A Thames Ferry - Greenwich to Westminster. Another great way to see a different side of London.

Camden Market - my favourite for shopping and lunch stalls.

Museum Corner - The Natural History Museum, Victoria & Albert, The Science Museum. I did the V&A last time and I'm hoping to see the Natural History Museum this year.

Oxford Street - shopping...did I mention we're taking seventy adolescents, some of whom have been saving for this trip since they were born.

Brighton! - our day trip. I've never been and I'm really looking forward to it.

Carneval

Yesterday was carneval here in Germany. Isabella had waffles at nursery and they had a fancy dress day.

As she is in the blue group, they were supposed to wear something blue. The blue princess costumes were too big and I didn't have chance to make anything so we improvised...

We saw a blue bear hat and dressed her in blue with blue dungerees. She loved it - though she wasn't sure why she was allowed to keep the hat on all day.

We had a photo shoot in the hallway in the morning and she was a real little poser. So cute! I love making these special memories with her.

Make it Monday - Window Paintings

Nico bought some window paints a while ago. He did these with his mum growing up but I've never tried it.

After a failed attempt a few weeks ago, I decided to give it another go.

The paints come with some patterns. One was a heart. Nico made a heart straight away so I tried it too. You cover the pattern with a clear foil and paint the outline of the pattern. When this has set a little, you can fill in the colour.

My mistake was that I didn't put enough colour in and couldn't peel it off. This time I made it nice and thick and it worked!

I think they look cute together (mine's on the right)- in time for Valentine's Day too! Unfortunately I don't have enough patience to do this too often but I am looking forward to indulging Isabella when she's old enough.

Weekly Wisdom

The Saturday Update

February has gotten off to a flying start.

This week was relatively easy at work in the post-report lull. I did have several meetings but on the whole, it was a breeze. Next week is more London planning and school development.

I've been getting crafty again - finishing my Christmas knitting projects so I can get back to my course now. The journalling is going strong and I got back into sewing.

Isabella's fighting off a cold but had a good week at nursery and enjoyed getting back on the bike with me. We're now on the hunt for a carneval costume that's blue for her nursery group on Monday.

I also started running again this week - and ran the whole of my route from last year without walking! It really inspired me to keep it up.

This is our first quiet weekend of the year. We're planning on getting out in the garden, finding that costume and getting crafty.

Links

Here are some fun / interesting things I've been reading lately.

I need to read this every day.

Always love articles like this.

It's like she looked into my head!

Progress I could make in 2016.

Still miss her.

Good news for my family history progress.

Still love Rachel's posts.

Another Elise project I want to make my own.

Parenting hack

When I saw this idea on facebook last week, I wasn't entirely convinced and then Nico got a large delivery and put an overactive 18 month old in the box. "Give her a crayon." I said.

5 minutes and a few cut out windows later and we had a glorious half hour of peace and quiet while our little miss had her creative fun.

I'm looking for lots of large items I can order online to make this a regular thing.

Currently...

...hunting for a blue fancy dress costume.
...drinking peppermint tea again.
...running.
...writing more.
...reading magazines again.
...getting my hards dirty in the garden.
...planning our trip to Stockholm!
...washing like it's my job.
...cycling regularly again.
...having high hopes for where 2016 is headed.

February Goals

Here's the progress I plan to make this month:

• Set the programme for the London trip.
• Pay our holiday off.
• Sort out the hobby room.
• Date night.
• Run once per week.
• Update my Ancestry family tree.
• Write two letters.
• Sew, knit, journal.
• Set up Isabella's reading corner.

Make it Monday - Hexagonal Pot Holder

This week I tried a quick little sewing project (my first of 2016) using this easy-to-follow tutorial.

Elise had two versions and on reading her tutorial, I thought I'd prefer the one with quilted lines. On making it though, I actually liked the open version.

Thisis going to be a gift for a friend but I can see myself making more of these.