Tel père tel fils

Strong penetration of the ipad in the family. 

Papa Noël delivered upon wishes

This morning we found out that Papa Noël came and brought everything that was wished for and beyond.

In minutes the living room was transformed in a giant playground. 

Thank you Papa Noël and Merry Christmas to everyone. 

Breakfast in Germany

Family trip to the Mercedes museum

We wanted to do something special with the kids but with the cold weather it was limiting our options. There is no way any of us can spend a few hours outside without risking to get sick. Our bodies are simply not used to the cold anymore. So we settled on the Mercedes museum which is indoor and has lots of cars. 

Museum was nearly empty on a weekday which was great for us. 

Thomas enjoyed at the beginning then got tired. The horse at the very beginning was a big success.  It's great to see him running around. 

Oskar was frustrated that he couldn't sit in all the cars. Luckily he could go into the garbage truck where he spent a good 15mim to our desperation. He is really fascinated by garbage truck somehow. 

Only Germans could do this :)

Thanks Wolfram for this Christmas salami 

They grow so fast

Another year has past and we are back in Europe. As I look at the two little ones I cannot help thinking how fast they grow. It's both great and scary. Soon enough Thomas will outgrow completely his baby face and there will be two little boys running in the house.

It's fascinating to see how much they learn and progress. Oskar can now sings songs he learnt at school and count until 10. Thomas is more interested in the toys of his brother than the baby toys. Before I know it they will leave for university...  

Better enjoy every moment until then. 

Day and night compare to last year

Same as last year, this year I called Air France many times to confirm our seats and the request for a bassinet before our trip to Stuttgart. Like last year they told me it was all good, subject to the number of infants in board of course. Unlike last year I did not trust them. 

I packed bags assuming we would be separated, each if us with a kid. We prepared ourselves for a bad trip so it would be easier on us, relatively speaking.

This year no maternity leave, so I took one day off to pack and in all fairness it took me a day to get everything sorted out. I'm glad I did it the day before the trip so I wouldn't be exhausted at the start of the trip.

We had early dinner, Aggie cooked noodles. Surprisingly Oskar finished in 15min instead of the 30-40 minutes he took lately for his meals. This lead us to early shower for everyone and at 7pm everybody was ready to go. Except taxi was only booked for 8pm. We had decided to go extra early to the airport this year.

Unlike last year, we were checked in in 15min, with bassinet confirmed. Wolfram even looked on the screen.

After that we killed time until the flight and were super delighted to get to our seats: 40C, 40E and 40F. The row with the bassinet. We were also very sorry for the family we saw standing in the aisle as they found out that they were not traveling together nor getting a bassinet. Basically us last year. Let's say this year we got lucky. Next year we will have to book four seats, so a full row just for us.

Flight went quite well. Kids slept at least half of it and were quite easy to entertain. Last couple of hours were a bit harder but overall much better than last year.  We arrived in Paris much more relaxed and ready to start the rest of the trip. 

Did I mention how cold it is?

Lettre au père Noël

On Monday I told Oskar he should write his letter to Santa Claus. He told me he did it already. I asked Wolfram whether they did it while I was in Japan but he said no. 

This remained a mystery until I checked the school booklet in which the teacher writes what they do each week. It turned out that Oskar did write a letter to Santa Claus at school. 

On Friday he brought it home so we can mail it. Of course we had a look at what was inside. 

Oskar would like a garbage truck which is no surprise as he has been asking for one this summer. He would also like a plane which is also not too surprising as the one Wolfram gave him last year broke. 

There was a third item on the list: the around the world set from Duplo. The funny thing is that the night before I showed Wolfram two ideas for Christmas, the Playmobile garbage truck and the around the world Duplo set. What a coincidence:)

Now we need to find out what is on Thomas' list

December 5th

Waiting for Saint Nicolas...

Sometimes I miss fall

Cold cold cold

After three full days of in-home visits I have to conclude that people don't put much heating in their house. I've been told that housewives think it's s waste of money to heat up the whole house when they are alone. I understand the point yet this is 21st century and there are ways to heat up only parts of a house. 

I have been sitting inside houses with my coat on or on my lap as it seems to be the local habit. Now I understand why so many of my colleagues have a blanket in the office. They have been raised in a country where you cover your legs to stay warm. 

I can't wait to go back to Singapore and feel warm. 

Japanese treats

Ramen for lunch.

Kobe beef for dinner.

I ate very well today in Japan. 

Udon

Udon noodles for lunch

Today Junji recommended a tiny mini restaurant for lunch in between our interviews. Menu: udon noodles which I learnt can be eaten with a bit of soup (my choice) or a lot of soup (Junji's choice).

He suggested to have some rice with vegetables on top in case the udon was not enough. I never finished the udon as those thick noodles are very filling. I tried the rice just to say I tried it but really I was full.

Apparently you are supposed to make as much noise as possible as you eat the noodles. I find it disgusting but it's tradition. 

Thomas' first car

Thomas made his first car at the French class. 

He is officially not a baby anymore even though he keeps on trying to eat his masterpiece.

First business trip since Thomas was borne

It's been a while since my last business trip. Must have been 18 months ago or so. Today I'm flying to Japan excited to hit the road again yet sad to leave my babies.

Thomas will barely realize I'm gone. Oskar will know and I hope he won't give Wolfram too much trouble. Toddlers are very unpredictable. When I told him I was leaving he told me he would cry when I'm gone which broke my heart. Yet a couple of hours later he wanted his Papa to take him to bed because he always prefers him at night which also broke my heart. 

Time to pack and get the passport ready. 

It has arrived

And it's torturing Wolfram that I haven't opened the box yet. 

Heavenly bites

Wolfram is back from Europe with suitcases full of supplies: chocolate, pesto, car seat, diapers, kids toothbrushes, etc. Many of the things we cannot find in Singapore or have to pay crazy money for it.

But more importantly he bought a box of macarons from La Durée.

They are simply incredible. Every bite is a piece of heaven.

Pity there are only 30 of them. 

I'm getting a new laptop

Finally after almost six months of being told to wait, this weekend I could order my new laptop.

Today there was a delivery...

... of the adapter. 

The rest will come in 3-4 weeks. Ahhhhh!

Photography with a toddler

Today as we left for the River Safari park, Wolfram announced he would take his camera to take good pictures. Lately he's been using mostly his iPhone given when we go out with the kids we usually have our hands full. 

Today, we did have our hands full especially now that Oskar is eager to explore around. 

As Thomas and I watched the animals from the stroller, Wolfram found a creative solution to get his hands back.

And it worked quite well as I hear there are some good pictures.

Why why why why why?

For a week now, Oskar keeps on asking why. Why do se go to the dentist? Why the thunder makes noise? Why the train makes noise? Why Thomas needs to sleep? It never stops and it continues after the first answer. 

Why do we go to the dentist?

To check your teeth.

Why ?

To have good teeth.

Why?

To have a nice smile? 

Why?

It's good that he is curious but it's testing both knowledge and patience. 

Why?

Because!!!!!!!! :)

Logic of a 3-year old

The saw is to cut therefore when asked to put it away, he put it with...

The knives in the kitchen. 

Unbeatable! 

Soccer Dads

Today was the trial session of football for Oskar. I believe he enjoyed it even if he was confused on what to do sometimes. Most kids are already 4 year old or have been coming for a while. 

What was surprising is to see that apparently in Singapore, they have soccer Dads. Except for one mum, there were only dads with the boys.

Clearly they are intensively involved... from the side. 

Cheated

On days like today when there is a massive thunderstorm in the morning that wakes us up before the alarm, I feel cheated because I know I will never get those 20min of sleep back.

Happy Monday everyone! 

Grown

Today as I looked at Thomas sleeping, he looked less like a baby, more like a toddler. He still has overall a baby face, but you can start to see something else showing. 

Our baby is growing up and it's both a happy and a sad feeling. 

Storytelling

Storytelling Every now and then, the library at the Alliance française organizes storytelling sessions. I've always wanted to check them out in case they are any good. After all I was told several times that kids like storytelling. 

Now that Oskar is three, I thought he might enjoy. So I dragged the whole family there before the class of Thomas. 

The lady told two stories. I think she did an ok job and most kids were very engaged. Oskar was on and off. I think 40min of attention is asking too much of him right now. I also believe the second story was easier for him to understand than the first one. After the stories, kids could draw in the library. I'm pretty sure that's the part Oskar preferred. And potentially Thomas too.

It was not an amazing activity but it entertained the kids for a little while so we might repeat in the future. Maybe once Oskar is a bit older.  

3

Oskar is turning 3 year old today. It's hard to believe that this little baby we brought home is now a little boy full of energy and attending a big school.

He now understands what a birthday is so he was expecting cake with candles and more importantly gifts.

We made sure not to disappoint him. I baked a cake and brought it with three candles on it for him to blow. He barely ate any cake as he was too busy opening the gifts.

Our house is turning into a Duplo store. Today there were two new additions: a fire truck and a construction set. He was delighted and wanted to play with it right away.

He also received a stuffed rabbit from Aggie. A friend of hers makes those and she got one for both boys. Oskar immediately put it into his bed. 

But this was not over. The best was yet to come as we got him a bike. We had him close his eyes before we revealed the bike. He couldn't believe it and it was incredible to watch him discover his bike.

We took it down for a little try once he was ready to let go of the Duplo.

He had been totally spoiled and we haven't even pulled out the electrical train we bought last December... Wolfram will have to wait until he can finally play with it. 

Dolby surround

At night, we have the monitors of both kids on and they are on their charging base, one on each side of the bed.

On nights like tonight when both kids are coughing, it feels like Dolby surround in the room with one cough echoing the other one. 

It's 3am and I wonder if I will ever get some sleep. 

Thomas is attending the pre-zouzous class

Thomas is now old enough to attend the pre-zouzous class at the Alliance francaise. Following the footsteps from Oskar, Thomas had his first session today. He was the youngest one of the group and clearly a bit unsure about what to do but he didn't cry of complain. He observed quietly and kept on trying to sit at the table. 

It will get better as he attends more classes and start to interact. It's the sand teacher as for Oskar so she is very attentive to him which is nice. 

I'm really happy those classes exist for toddlers giving us the chance to expose Thomas to more French and hopefully have some fun in the future. 

My only regret is that now only one parent can go, which makes it difficult to take pictures while participating. I'll try to do better next time. 

The art of sleeping...

... Holding an ipad.

Happy birthday Thomas!

Thomas is one year old today! 

Our baby is not a baby anymore. He has changed so much in his first year. It's incredible how much they learn in the first  year. 

He is already enjoying his new toys. 

As per tradition we tried to take a family picture which as usual was not easy. Getting two toddlers (yes, Thomas is now a toddler) to smile at a camera at the same time is nearly impossible. We know that but we keep on trying.

Joyeux anniversaire Thomas!