...

1. Gifts (and Itten inspiration) from my freakishly talented gal pal Heather - Designer extraordinaire.
2. Just some of the pressies we have to somehow squeeze into our suitcase for our people back home.
3. Packing.
4. Angel with Warhol.
5. A German 'smoking man' and a couple of Danish candle thingys. This is as festive as it's going to get around here.
6. Ola's stars and snow.

So that's it folks. Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and an unreal New Year. Choc-a-bloc full of family, friends, fun and food. Peace out.

See you in 2012.

xxx

Weekend.

One down, one to go. This weekend we saw adenoids removed, bloomers finished, a couple of Xmas parties (one cookie making and one disco dancing) and a farewell party for neighbours who are swapping Munich for Melbourne. Lucky buggers.

Happy Monday.

xxx

Listen up Sydney. You have 12 days to pull yourself together and bring on the sunshine. No more rain. Nothing lower than 27°C. Just for 3 weeks and then you're free to return to your 'freakishly cold for this time of year' temps. Deal?

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A few snappy pre-party pics. It seemed that once the guests arrived and the prosecco was poured, we forgot to pick up the camera again. We didn't even get a good photo of the cake, which was quite the sprinkles and smarties extravaganza. Next time Gadget. Next time.

A big Thank You for all the super birthday love on her birthday post. It means the world. 

xxx

Ps Sadly, no snow on the big day but I'm happy to report we got our first flurry tonight. ''Bubbles! Bubbles!'', screamed Elke with delight. Hooray!

Two.

She rules her life like a fine Skylark and when the sky is starless.


Happy two big ones to our funny, sensitive, shy, strong-willed, determined, cuddly, (frustratingly) particular, dog/Rio/scooter/ice-cream loving, tiny dancer. This is one of your favourites.

Frankie, we love you.

''May you continue to run your own race''*.

xxx

* Plagiarised straight from Nonni's birthday card. Fair play.

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Two years ago she was still in my tummy. Only just. And now? Tearing up the streets of Munich on her early (and ubiquitous) birthday present. Gifted a week early, giving her a chance to play before the snow comes. Which, coincidently, is forecasted to make its debut on Sunday. Party day. Hooray!

I can't believe our speedy Gonzalez is turning two. Andale andale...

xxx

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Elke and Uschi, after getting off to a bit of rough start, I'm happy to report they're now fast becoming firm friends.

It's a funny thing having more than one kidlet. We always tell ourselves not to compare them but just can't seem to resist the temptation. The list of differences between Oli and Elke are by no means exhaustive. For example, at the same age his love of anything on wheels was bordering obsessive. Lying on the floor of the supermarket so he could play with trolley wheels and spending what seemed like hours walking (safely) around and around any parked car, touching the wheels and body. Elke doesn't mind playing with the odd car here and there but dollies are her real love. Or anything stuffed, for that matter. Both of which Oli has never been interested in. Just as well they share a mutual love for the rough stuff, most notably jumping on each other's heads.

The temps over here are well and truly in single digits now. It was as if we blinked and they dropped 10 degrees. Despite the cold, I'm happy to report we are all on the mend and after today's (abysmal) efforts, uni is over for the year. The last couple of months have been a killer. But it's onwards and upwards. Now to finish Elke's scarf, finally learn how to make bloomers (from here) and start taking more pics of the other kid.

Oh and plan a little birthday party...

xxx

These puppies are going straight on the Xmas list.

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Elke modeling her new knits courtesy of Etsy.

Hope everyone had a crackin' weekend. Ours was full of sickness AND study. What a shitty combo.

Here's to a better week.

xxx

København.

And this was the view from our hotel:

Copenhagen. Cementing my love affair with those glorious Nordic neighbours of ours. A return trip is already in the works. Which will go a little something like this: fly into Copenhagen, hire some wheels and make our way up to Sweden, filling up with flea market goodies along the way. Come home happy.

xxx

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In a mere 6 weeks time beanies (and coats and gloves and scarves) will be a thing of the past. Well, for 3 weeks anyway. We're heading home for our first Summer Xmas in 3 years and we're excited. Big Kev excited. Especially with the added bonus of a cheeky Byron Bay side-trip.

Happy Weekend-ing. May it not be wasted on horrid Uni assignments.

xxx

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Out & about in this 'toasty' autumnal weather. 

Two exciting things happened in the little world of Ola this weekend. A 7th tooth was lost (and by lost we mean not only did it fall out but it was misplaced before it could make its way into the safe, sweet hands of the Tooth Fairy. Sadly enough, it wouldn't be the first time. I think we're currently sitting on an almost 50% success rate...) plus some hair. His first home haircut in about 3 years. Usually we leave it to the experts, but we had a hair emergency on our hands. The mullet was officially out of control. Ok, 'exciting' is perhaps stretching it. And not one to toot my own horn (especially not in areas of hair maintenance) but I think it turned out ok. Though we did have the clippers on hand; plugged in and ready to go just in case...

Happy Mondays.

xxx