Last weekend, we took Charlie to the zoo. We've done this a couple of times already. The first time, he was 6 months old and he slept through the entire thing in his stroller. The last time, we were with the in-laws and we had fun but Charlie was not really into the animals, he really just wanted to pick up rocks and splash in puddles (and at the petting zoo he wanted to pick up and eat the goat poo. Because yes. We prevented this, thankfully).
But this time, THIS TIME, he was so into it. It helped that we took the "correct" route which means not the one that goes by the gazillion intresting animal habitats but the one that leads DIRECTLY to the petting zoo with goats (because, you know, we can't see GOATS anywhere else for 12 Euros a person) and then passes a couple of cool animals before a fantastic PLAYGROUND that also sells coffee and pizza (see: happy parents equal happy child) and then continues on to the FARM ANIMALS area with rabbits and horses and even a guinea pig habitat with a little maypole and other fake tiny bavarian village accoutrements.
This area also has rides, which are cheap and awesome. We took Charlie on the vintage car ride (we rode with him, each of us once, a particularly harrowing experience at Oktoberfest this year taught us to never let him ride a ride alone again. Ever.) We then continued past a few more animals (Charlie could have watched the alpacas and the pigs for ages. He was most impressed that the pigs had a ball. Whenever we talk about those zoo pigs, he makes his snorting pig sound and says "dall!" (charlish for ball).
What comes next at the zoo is the things about Germany that I will always always love and will never understand why more countries don't do things this way. Because, there is, of course, a Biergarten. And not some overly priced hokey zoo Biergarten but a real, authentic, sprawling Bavarian Biergarten where you are, as tradition dictates, allowed to bring your own food as long as you purchase beverages. And the best part, past the delicious beer, is the beautiful and sprawling playground right next to said Biergarten. Happiness for all involved.
After going down the slide of happiness (as I think Charlie would have named this metal tunnel slide that had him shrieking with joy time after time) we proceeded out past the penguins and the sea otters, and headed home. PERFECT.
So if you are in Munich, and even if you don't have kids. GO. TO. THE. ZOO. (and follow that sign to the Biergarten).
A holiday in the middle of the week is such a treat. We took advantage by finally dusting off our bikes, strapping Charlie into the new seat, and heading off to the Flaucher Biergarten.
we call this one "Peek-a-Beer"
Beer, playground, sand, baby Lederhosen and Blasmusik. What's not to love?
Saturday marked the kick-off of the neighborhood flea market season in Munich, one of my all time favorite parts of the summer. After a leisurely breakfast of coffee and muffins, we spent the entire day wandering through Haidhausen and snapping up deal after deal.
We bought an infant bike seat, a hiking pack, a whole bunch of toys and shoes for charlie, a couple of records, shoes for me... and we also snapped up a bunch of free things like a crawling tunnel for C. And the weather, which was predicted to be cold and rainy, turned out to be beautiful, so we spent our free time between markets lounging in the neighborhood's many roundels and plazas. Beautiful.
We ended our adventure at the Biergarten/Beer Hall Hofbräukeller, which amazingly has a HUGE indoor play area for kids. We will definitely be going back.
Sunday was more leisurely but we did manage to get out of the house to go to the playground. C takes his Kid O car with him wherever he goes.
What a fantastic weekend! And next week... vacation!!!
I love to craft and knit, but boy am I horrible at finishing up projects. Which is why I am so proud to present this sweater, which I just finished yesterday, which is the from the Purl Soho book "Last Minute Knitted Gifts".
The buttons have his initials!
After spending Sunday at the infamous "Fabric Market Holland" I am armed and ready to tackle even more crafty projects. Let's hope I can keep the momentum going.
Yesterday was a spectactularly beautiful day, and since today is a bit gloomy and rainy and it looks like it will stay that way through the weekend, I wanted to post some pictures to remind myself that spring really is right around the corner (really! really!).
We went to two different playgrounds. Needless to say, C was exhausted, but it was a wonderful time. And he discovered the joy of wiggling his bare feet in the air.
Yesterday was the first truly beautiful day of the year. Sunshine, blue sky, amazing. We really took advantage of the day and got out of the house and spent the afternoon lounging in the Flaucher Biergarten. Here are some shots (of course, they are nearly all of Charlie. Of course). Oh, and my weekend goals? The only one I got around to doing was the balcony goal. With this kind of weather, embroidery and closet clean up will have to wait.
I've started setting a few fun, loose goals for each weekend to keep it from slipping away into an oblivion of trying to clean up and finishing laundry. Here's what I have planned this weekend:
Try my hand at embroidery. The Design Sponge Embroidery 101 has inspired me. I am thinking of grabbing some of Charlie's clothes (and maybe some of my own) and embroidering some fun phrases.
Break in the balcony. I finally spruced up our balcony. We bought giant outdoor beanbags, solar lanterns, a bright rug, and a proper wagon for our grill. So on Saturday we're having some friends over to try out the new arrangement. I am planning a Make-Your-Own Kebab station, Blood Orange Margaritas and some sort of dessert (still meditating on that one).
Not my closet. But inspiring nonetheless. Image via Real Simple
Sort out clothes. My closet is a mess. I keep putting off purging my clothes - first I wanted to wait until things went back to "normal" after having Charlie, then I wanted to wait until the summer, then the winter and... well yes. I still haven't done it. I really want to take everything out and only return a few, really good clothing items but I am terrible at getting rid of clothing. Every time I start, I try everything on and usually decide that I actually will wear that dress I have never had on/funny looking sweater/itchy shirt. Ugh. I want to try this again this weekend and see how far I get.
Yeah, this weather isn't doing anyone any favors. Snow, wind, cold. And it's almost April. Here's what's getting me through: thinking about all the fun plans we have coming up!
photo via Kustur Club
The first thing we have planned is a trip to Turkey to this resort at the beginning of May with two other couples. Beach, pool, tropical drinks - I can't wait!!!
Then, at the end of May, we are off to Berlin to visit Nicole one last time before she takes off on her big trip.
via www.paulmccartney.com
In June, we are heading to Warsaw, Poland, to FINALLY visit Artur's relatives and, also, see Paul McCartney live in concert on his first tour date of his World Tour! So excited.
The view from the Lake House!
Finally, in August we are off to the US for Beth's wedding in Virginia (cabins!!!) and a classic summer vacation at my Grandma's lake house on Lake Winnipesaukee.
Thinking about all that fun and sun makes the snow seem not SO bad.
What thoughts are getting you through these last (!!!) freezing days?
We spent last weekend in Vienna visiting my dad as he coaches a team at the VIS Moot. (PS: He sings at the opening ceremony. Law songs! Here's a video from a few years ago)
We had a great time, despite the fact that it was FREEZING cold.
We started the weekend by taking the train from Munich to Vienna - a pleasant 4 hour trip that luckily coincided partially with Charlie's afternoon nap.
After we arrived, we checked into the Classic Hotel Wien and then went out for our first Vienna staples - Würstel, coffee with Schlag and Cake. Yum.
Flea Market/Naschmarkt on Saturday morning. Perusing the stands, oogling fruits and vegetables and the amazing Jugendstil buildings surrounding the area.
After a lovely dinner of Schnitzel and Gulasch, we returned to the hotel to sleep and gear up for our Saturday. The morning began with an AMAZING breakfast buffet after which we ventured out to the Naschmarkt for the huge Flea Market and market stand perusing. We also snapped some photos of the beautiful Art Nouveau building surrounding the area.
Then, we ventured over to the Museumsquartier for lunch at Die Halle and a visit to the Zoom Children's Museum - unfortunately the exhibit was sold out but fortunately the entryway was filled with giant foam blocks that Charlie loved. Also, Charlie found this adorable little 3 year old girl and decided that the LOVED her and proceeded to crawl after her and hug her at every opportunity he got. It was so so so so so cute.
After a quick shopping tour in the city (we HAD to stop at Meinl) We had just enough time to walk over the Palmenhaus for dinner. It was the perfect place to go with a baby - they were so friendly, had highchairs and a changing table, and the ceilings are so high that a few high pitched toddler shrieks didn't hurt anybody. And the food was delightfully fancy and delicious! (I didn't take any photos. Too busy Charlie wrangling).
We concluded the evening with a drink in the hotel bar. Perfect!
The next day it was SNOWING. Ugh. So we actually went back to the children's museum, asked to be put on the waiting list, and got into the exhibit! It was called "Ozean" and was SO COOL! Pillows shaped like marine creatures, a fake boat, slides, climbing areas, flags, ropes... and more. Charlie's favorite part by far were the BUTTONS TO PUSH.
We had lunch at a pub and then braved the cold at the Altwieder Ostermarkt to pick out our eggs for this year - a tradition. Then we warmed up with coffee and cake (I swear I weighed a kilo more after I left that place) at Café Griensteidl.
We had just enough time to relax at the hotel before we had to jump on our train back to Munich. What a trip! It was great and Vienna with a baby is totally doable and actually quite enjoyable - even with freezing temperatures.
