Berlin, 10.03.2011 Spring is here!
I thought, nothing could equal last years beautiful autumn with all its colourful leaves and blue skies... and I was so wrong. Just a couple of days after coming back from dreadful-weather-Shanghai, crocuses, daffodils and tulips popped up in every corner of our garden, but also everywhere else: in parks and the forest as well as behind rubbish bins and next to sidewalks. A great tit (Kohlmeise) moved into Moritz' selfmade nesting box the day we put it on the cherry tree, which is - of course - in full bloom now. The weather was so great that we lighted our first fire in Vorbecks garden. And the birds outside are uncountable in numbers and it is so fascinating to listen to their songs!
Berlin, 15.04.2011 Seven
I have to admit, we took photos too little. But we all had a really great day! Moritz got a second selfmade nesting box, Lego Ninjago and a racer car, DIY cablecar, books (out of which Rocco Randale by Alan Macdonald was the best!), we had four girls and four boys as our guests, searched and found a hidden treasure box, began the party by eating approx 274 tiny birthday cakes and finished off the day by having our first real BBQ of the year.
Aachen, 19.04.2011 Twins
Mia and her cousin Benedikt never seemed to get along too well with each other, but it was merely a question of time. Once Mia realised that Benedikt is not only her family member but also born in the same month she is, her conclusion was, he might as well be her twin. So the twins twined themselves together and came out with a whole lot of nonsense. They tried fishing with plastic Easter eggs. They arranged their grandparents gem stones with pebbles (in the garden, of course!). They mixed all kinds of ingredients (mostly flowers in full bloom) in all kinds of bottles and boxes to create magic potions. And above all, they used their nights to hunt down all sorts of monsters and bandits that tried to break into our precious home. Meanwhile Lennart, Benes little brother, spent his time eating and running off. Compared to them, Moritz is a well-behaving angel. We had fantastic Easter days!
Aachen, 24.04.2011 Shanghai in Germany?
The new 'playground' close to my parents home reminded me a lot of those exercise spots that the Shanghai government designed for its senior citizens. The world is ageing everywhere, and obviously the new ideas dealing with it are similar throughout the cultures. It just makes me wonder, is there nothing better than flashy coloured plastic machines that one can only use to repeat stupid movements? If I had to chose, I would still go for the knitting club instead.
Kassel, 25.04.2011 Fair weather front
Since the weather was and is simply too stable and sunny for April, we went to the woods to collect sweet woodruff in order to mix may punch. A perfect dessert on a day we also enjoyed the first Beelitzer Spargel sold in Berlin!
Kassel, 30.04.2011 Castle sightseeing
We made it to quite a lot of different castles in one day, and it was great to see all those different historical leavings. The weather was simply perfect, and it felt very strange not to share the places with thousands of other tourists as we became accustomed to while living in Shanghai.
