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!