Almost like summer

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.

Oh, you know, just walking

Charlie has been walking for a couple of weeks now, but it never ceases to amaze me. I love to watch him toddle around.

Tiny shoes

I just bought two pairs of tiny shoes. One for now, one for later. My little C is getting so big!

What a day

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.

Weekend Goals

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:

Image Via Design Sponge

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.

What are your plans for the weekend?

Thoughts to get me through the winter

It's spring, right? Wait...

view from my office window

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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?

A Weekend in Vienna

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.