Easter Weekend

A few weekends ago we needed an adventure day. A day out of our valley. So we headed to Grindelwald. We always used to head up to Gimmewald, outside of Interlaken, when we wanted to see the BIG mountains (Jungfrau, Eiger), but John had never been to Gridelwald so we went there. The town itself has plenty of little restaurants, cafes, and outdoor sporting good shops. We enjoyed the feel of the town. We decided to go on a bit of a winter hike (they pack the snow down a bit to make hiking easier), then play a the park while eating lunch, then of course get a treat at a bakery. There are plenty of outdoor activities in Grindelwald and we are hoping to go back there this summer.

Our winter hiking path

Then this weekend John had 4 days off of work for Easter. One big thing we wanted to accomplish was to move the kids into the same room, our old room, so that we would have a guest room/office again. It literally took the whole day of disassembling and reassembling beds and wardrobes to get the rooms switched. Then today, Monday, we bought a few things at Ikea to finish the move. We still of a lot of organising to do, but the move itself is complete. Teaching the kids to fall asleep and not play at bedtime is also a work in progress. We decided to have Hannah nap in the guest bed, that way nap time still happens! I tend to get anxious with changes and worry about the kids waking each other up, but hopefully my anxiety lessens as we all adjust to the new sleeping arrangements. 

New reading chairs from IKEA.

The rest of Easter weekend was spent on a hike up in Engelberg and then once again getting a treat afterwards at the easter market.

Elliott sleeping and missing the scenery

Searching for the best treat after the hike

Coffee to go from a new coffee roaster in Engelbert

We also had an early morning walk with our church, while mediating on bible verses, singing songs once at the lookout point, eating fresh bread, drinking coffee, and the kids got to search for chocolate eggs. It was a great morning... We were a bit sleeping with the early morning wake up call as it was also the morning after Daylight Savings Time. 

We ended the weekend by stopping at McDonalds after IKEA for ice cream. We rarely ever go to the McDonalds, so this was a real treat! Hannah and Elliott Loved It!

Tired

Playing at the park

Nighttime story

I think that every year around this time I feel tired, most likely it is due to weather, might be chasing around two kids, or that we are busy several nights every week, or I just need a weekend away with my husband (without kids).  I love the fact that the winters in Switzerland are not bitterly cold like in Iowa, but in general Switzerland has by far fewer sunny days that I would like. The weather is also just unpredictable... One thing I am really hoping for is a nice summer like last year! Ok I am done complaining about the weather, although the fog and lack of sun that we have in Central Switzerland is one of the hardest things for me here, John tells me to focus on the positive things (and he is sick of hearing me complain about something we can't change).

Snowshoeing view

I also have found little time or maybe too little motivation to write blog updates. I have been enjoying working two days a week (10-6:30), starting a weekly German class again, going to two small groups for church in the evening, and trying to exercise regularly... so the blog gets pushed way to the side! In the last month to be able to get out and enjoy the snow a little bit more than just sledding, john and I have been taking turns having either the morning or afternoon free to go do something. Of course we love to do things together, and try to get babysitters regularly but we often take turns heading out to the mountains. John has had a few half days downhill skiing, while I have gone on two snowshoe hikes.  I am still hoping that we could get out together to try to learn to skate style cross country ski.... but it looks like the weather is about to warm up this week and the snow be gone before we get our chance.

She wrote the bottom one by herself

 

The kiddos are also growing up. Hannah loves to ask questions, and then ask the same question again and again and again... Sometimes I can't handle answering the same question over and over, especially when she knows the answer, but it shows that she is learning and is curious. She has been slowly been improving at understanding Swiss German, since she is in two playgroups and the nanny is Swiss, but she mostly always speaks English, and is very shy about practicing the German. Also, with the nanny she has been practicing writing quite a bit. Hannah wont be able to start kindergarten (which is only 2.5-3 hours of school a day for 2 years) this August, so I can see that we will have to do some homeschooling learning activities this next year, as she is ready to learn.

 

Daddy & Hannah date

Besides that she is growing like a weed... getting very tall. The pants we bought for her in November are already starting to get to short. I am pretty sure I will be the shortest in our family.

Elliott is also doing well. He has been walking for a little over a month, but now starting to get pretty good at it. While at home he walks around a lot and his favorite activity is just pulling toys/books off the shelves or Tupperware out of the cupboards. He continues to be a fairly happy boy and has finally had a week of health, without a cold... I think it is because he got in his last tooth last week. Yes, and 13.5 months he has all of his teeth, except two year molars. Crazy kid, I am so thankful he wasn't in pain from them.                                                                                

 

kissing the bear

He hasn't started to say too many words besides, Mama, Dada, hi, Nana (banana), and sometimes Hannah... but even these words are not too consistent. I was trying to remember when Hannah really started talking, but I completely forget!
Maybe my next blog post will be sooner than in two months, but I wouldn't bet on it!