We are back....

We are back.   Our summer was wonderful, hot, busy, hot, fun, hot and exciting.  Did I mention, HOT!  I hope to post some of the fun soon! Today, I wanted to document Elizabeth's first day of Foundation 2! 

 Before leaving for school

Zach choice of clothing and glasses.  Hats and glasses are a must!

 Time to go

 Wonderful teachers

 While "sister" was at school....Zach and I went to our weekly Baby Gym class.  We even got to do Zach's FAVORITE thing.....the parachute!

Lunch at 'Donalds (He left his sunglasses in the car)

iTouch in the car on the way home. 

NAP (sorry no pictures)

 Playing with a friend at Elizabeth's school playground.

 LOVED her day.  She enjoyed every part of it.  She also informed me that she needed a "tissue, which is what her teachers call it, not Klennex!" 

 Then on to dance class. 

Home for dinner (breakfast for dinner!), skyping with grandparents, bath and bed! 

What a wonderful, full and exciting day!  Did I mention that it was BEAUTIFUL outside!

Love, Nikki

SICK

We have only been in Switzerland for two months - I had started getting information on doctors for the kids but had yet to make appointments until the 25 (the day before E's birthday).  I called, asked for the receptionist that speaks English and made appointments for both kids for a check up!  I was pleased that it was fairly simple!  HOWEVER - the afternoon of E's birthday she started complaining of not feeling well.  She woke up in the middle of the night complaining of a sore throat but after checking her temperature (none) and giving her a little Motrin she was fine!  She woke up okay a little tried but okay.  She went to school - Nathan was going to take a half day off so he was going to get her from school - I was going to the grocery store(s) by myself!!!!  When Nate got there to pick her up, they said that they had been trying to get ahold of us and that E did NOT feel good.  Probably strep throat or scarlet fever (which had been going around her class), GREAT!  We held off on Thursday, checking her temp and giving her Motrin on and off.  On Friday morning she woke up with a rash...so I spent the next two hours trying to figure out how to get into the doctor - I kept getting a recording, in French of course, which meant that I had NO idea what it was saying.   IN THE END, I had to call Nathan at work and get him to find someone who spoke French to call and figure out what the message was saying.....the doctor only works half day on Friday - so I waited until they opened and got an appointment.  The doctor was very nice - speaks English fairly well - and diagnosed scarlet fever.  Really I think just a BAD case of strep throat!  Thank goodness mom and dad were here.  Mom went with us and Dad stayed with Zach! 

With that done I got the then figure out the pharmacy - another experience under my belt.  It took longer than I expected partly because they had to find and wait for the one person who spoke English to explain that the medicine needed to be kept in the refrigerator and to shake it before we gave it to her! 

All in all, Elizabeth was better by Sunday but we could not have her friend over on Thursday afternoon for a little birthday tea party - sad!
Love, Nikki

Happy Birthday Little Girl!

I can hardly believe it.....can she really be four years old.   I know it is cliche but - it really does go fast!
Dear Elizabeth,
Mommy and Daddy love you so much.  We love the compassion you show everyone around you and how you can tell how your friends are feeling.  We love that you try to make them feel happy no matter what!

We love how you have started to talk with your hands!  Don't know where you get that from : )!

 

 We love your infectious smile!

 We love the fact that you LOVE school and everything about it!  (Mrs. Peterhanns, assistant, Freya (a friend), Elizabeth with her handmade birthday crown and Mrs. McGregor, her teacher!)

 We love how love and treat your little brother, even sharing your toys!

 You are very social, can write your name - even though you tell us that it is TOO long, know your numbers, love singing songs, have just started to enjoy Disney movies (Little Mermaid, Snow White, Cinderella, Lion King are your favorites) and can use 50 pieces of paper coloring or making "handbags."

 FOUR - really?

 We LOVE you so much!

 We wish you love, happiness and joy...

 everyday of your life!

Love, Mommy and Daddy!

Mimi and Papa's Visit - 01-23-11 thur 01-25-11

Mimi and Papa came to visit at the end of January - to see us and help celebrate Elizabeth's fourth birthday (yes, she is really four!).  We had an amazing time, even though mom got to experience the first doctor's visit with me.  Really we spent time together at home as we were still getting into a routine with school and all.  It was wonderful to have someone to help cook (DAD) and the kids loved playing and getting quality time with them!

 In the middle of Monnaz - the day they arrived!

 Elizabeth and Mimi making cupcakes for her birthday treats at school!

The reason she will help make cupcakes!

 Getting ready to ice the cupcakes - yes both in underwear.  Zach had just gone on the "potty" for the first time.  (side note:  he has gone a few times since but his interest comes and goes.)

Love, Nikki

Cars

People have asked about the cars we got....here they are!

This is the European version of a "mini van."  It seats 7 (with little room for anything else). It is plenty of space for us and still fits on the road and into the parking garages.

This is Nathan's car.  It is small, fast and perfect to drive back and forth to work!  He has only had to fill it up three times since he got it in January. 

YES, both cars are Volkswagen - VERY common over here! 

Love, Nikki

Odds and ends

Zach and I are really enjoying our time together while Elizabeth is at school.  We go to a Baby Gym class one day (like Gymboree), a Kindermusik class one day and French lessons on another.  The other two days we spend going to the grocery store - several.  Here is after we have gotten our food and he was wonderful so he got to pick something to ride!  There are these things all over the "mall" where the grocery store is! 

 These are not great pictures but I wanted to show how the grocery stores and carts work.  There are two major grocery stores.  Grocery stores are NOT a separate building, they are "like" malls in that their are several stores with the grocery store being the biggest "store."  In order to get a cart (you pick them up where you park the car) you have to have a 2 CHF (~ $2) coin.  You put it in the slot and then get the cart.  You get the coin back when you put the cart back.  The carts are also made to go on a "moving ramp."  People here get a cart and use it all over the "mall."  Yes, that means that you go get a few shirts at one store, groceries at the other and a radio at the electronic store.  The carts have "stoppers" by the wheels so that they will NOT move on the ramps - no worries I did not leave Zach to fly down the ramp! 

 The kids think it is really great that I can let go! 

 Here are some pictures from the road down the hill towards the lake. 

 Here is the front of the house with the kids! 

Love, Nikki

Facts about school

Elizabeth really does love school.  It is a wonderful place and the teachers are very nice and welcoming. 
She goes every day from 8:30 - 11:50 (because I pick her up before lunch).  She has a new friend she talks about everyday.  There are 12 kids in her class - 6 boys and 6 girls. 

Interesting facts about school:

• They use a British curriculum.
• Most teachers are British
• The kids take off their shoes when they enter the room and put on slippers
• All kids dress out for gym class (yes that means all 12 three to four year olds!)
• The kids have swimming lessons at an indoor pool about 10 minutes away every other Monday
• The kids have French lessons everyday for 15 - 30 minutes
• We just got off "holiday" (vacation) - they get one week at the end of February and then two weeks around Easter. 
• The last day of school is the 24th of June.
• They had the kids set goals this quarter - to be able to put their clothes and shoes on by themselves! 
• They have fresh fruit for snack every morning.
• Next year she will go from 8:30 - 3:30 every day! 

Love, Nikki

First day of school!

Oh my, she was SOOOO excited!  We laid out her clothes (we had to get her uniform at school that day so she wore a navy(school uniform color) sweatsuit. Here she is by the front door ready to go!

 She wanted to show off her backpack!  (empty but she comes home with "treasures" daily!)

 She LOVED her first day of school.  When I picked her up she said it was a supper-de-duper fabulous day!  She could not wait to go back! 

Here she is in her uniform the next day.  She can wear a white or navy, long or short, shirt with school logo and then tan, blue or grey pants.  (Really any kind of pants other than jeans or camouflage)

I just asked Elizabeth about school.....

Me:  How do you like school?

Elizabeth:  Great!

Me:  Tell me what your favorite part is?

Elizabeth:  um, the sand.

Me:  What do you mean by sand?

Elizabeth:  I have sand in school, you know!

The school had a uniform resale and I was able to get two of these "jumpers."  Good thing they had two - she loves them.

Love, Nikki

Barber Shop

Zach desperately needed a hair cut and because we had clippers we decided that we would try to do it at home (yes, thoughts of only half cut hair, screaming child, crazy hair and all),

but we knew we HAD to do something!  So BUZZ time it was! 

So Nate set up shop while I finished dishes and then took the kids upstairs.  Here is a pic of Nathan taking off the first BIG chunk of hair!  I love Zach's face!  Priceless. 

 Zach's face says it all.....what is happening to me?

 So serious! 

 He was perfect!!!

Okay so I do not have a finished product picture....I will get better - hopefully!  Buzzed is the look for us!Love, Nikki

Thank you!

We had a wonderful Christmas and New Year!  I am SO appreciative that Grandma and Grandpa came to be with us and celebrate.  I know it made the adjustment and getting things settled much easier.  Nathan and I were able to go to the bank, look at cars and get things put together or away without dragging the kids with us.  We had such a good time with them learning the new things, going to several grocery stores and just being together!  Thank you....

Here the "boys/men" are putting up the lights.  I wish I had a picture of what it looked like before - just wires hanging down with a light bulb attached - in EVERY room.  In Switzerland you take your lights with you!  Yes, this was a challenge.....we got to spend a few hours at Hornbach (Swiss version of Home Depot - even the orange vests!) trying to pick out lights and then the challenge of putting all of them (10) up in CONCRETE ceilings! 

 Here is the wine cellar storage room that I unloaded and then organized and put everything back in - I am not sure the Italian owner would appreciate how we are using the room!  (finished product will be shown at some point).  Grandma got to play with the kids all day so that I could get this done!  Thank you - it would have taking me days months with the kids helping!

 They even put up Elizabeth's curtains!!!!  I was so excited!  They look amazing!

Again,  thank you for sharing in our first holiday in a new country, new home and new adventure. 

We love you.....when are you coming back?

Love, Nikki, Nathan, Elizabeth and Zach!

TOO MUCH

Okay, so I have never been good at being on top of computer things, like e-mail, facebook, or up loading photos.  SO why did I think I could keep up with a blog.  I had this idea that I would have time because I was going to "stay at home" or because I would be in a new country where they do not speak English?  Well, that seems funny now.  I am seem to be keeping VERY busy with taking/picking up Elizabeth from school, grocery store, cooking, baby gym, Kindermusik, play dates, laundry, cooking (yes it should be on here twice!), cleaning the house, organizing and just playing with the kids and blogging has been on the end of the list.  We have been in Switzerland now a total of 3 months (as of last Wednesday) and the house has come along.  I am still working on getting pictures put up and decorations but we are settled!  I think (hope) we have put together our LAST piece of IKEA furniture for a while!  Anyway - there are several posts that I will be trying to put up in the near future - lots has happened in the last two months.   Saying goodbye to Grandma and Grandpa, Elizabeth's first day of school, new cars, a day at the park, Mimi and Papa being here (several posts there), Elizabeth's fourth birthday, Cheese and Chocolate factories, oh and so many more!  So PLEASE stay with me.  I WILL get caught up....at some point.

Love, Nikki

New Year's Day!

Okay so I know....I am two months behind????  Here is what we did on New Year's Day!  We started with a quick movie!  Then we decided to walk down the stairs on the other side of the vineyard to the Vufflens Chateau!  We stopped counting steps on about 100! 

 Here is a picture of the house from the other side of the vineyard - we are on the stairs going down!

 Here is the other side of the Chateau!

 This is the little bridge at the bottom of the hill over the creek.  It will be a fun place for the kids to play when it gets a little warmer!

 This is the view from the apartment building in our village.  There are archways into the building.  Isn't this an amazing picture!

 Then we topped off the night with Fondue!  Our first time doing it at home!  Here is what you need...

1. BREAD (cut into pieces!)

2. White wine - you can put a little into the fondue and it is also what the Swiss drink with their fondue.

 3.  Fondue, family and Friends!  It was wonderful and a perfect end to the first day of the new year! 

Happy New Year to all of you!  Happy 2011 - wishing you a good one!

Love, Nikki