Our Cool Discovery

This morning we ate breakfast at one of my favorite cafes, and indulged in our much loved shoggis- chocolate filled croissants to die for. Oh and cappuccinos of course. Behind our apartment is the forest, and so we took the funicular up the mountain to do some more exploring. Found and awesome ice skating rink, sort of like a 6" swimming pool that they fill with water and let nature do the rest. It was not functional now, but I can't wait to try it out next winter. We walked thru the forest and after just a short walk stumbled upon the zoo. It was one of the best discoveries yet! The zoo is now so close. Before it took us 2 different trams to get there, and now we can just walk! yippee!

So we spend the morning at the zoo.....Chance has finally grown in to the huge playscape there and it is nice to know we can let him run and play without worrying about his behavior towards the other kids....it's been a bit rocky in the past but I think we are outgrowing that stage. Ryan caught on film the most beautiful picture of a mommy and daddy kangaroo, the mom was carrying her baby in it's pouch. We plan to forward it on to the zoo cause I know they would want to have that picture. There is also this huge slide at the zoo on the side of a hill that Chance slid on over and over.....he discovered that he could take off his hat and scarf and sit on them to make him fly down the slide. He is becoming a little dare devil! Who needs animals at the zoo when you have cool playgrounds and slides!

Birthday Party Fun

Friday's always seem to be a quiet day for Chance and I.....he's been in school all week and ready to just lay around and be laaaaaazy. The weather has been so nice here the last couple days....I'd say pushing 60 and just gorgeous. The feel of it is so different here than Austin, so much crisper and I never feel cold. I really never thought I would enjoy weather colder than 80 degrees, but my blood has definitely changed.

This afternoon we went to a birthday party for Chance's friend Bella at a fun indoor kids playpark called www.starbie.ch. Chance had a blast jumping on all the trampolines, climbing thru all the jungle gyms and sliding down in to a bunch of balls. He was so desperate to eat Bella's cake (way before it was time to) that he kept sitting next to it, trying to sneak a taste of the icing. Traveling to places that are out of our general neighborhood are always tricky when I am on my own......today I knew I had to take a tram to the train, then get off the train and board a bus....I was faced with do I take the stroller and have to lug it up and down on and off 6 times on all the public transport, or do I let Chance take his scooter instead, but face having a 3 year old speed off when I don't want him to. I chose the scooter, and boy was I tired when I got home.

This weekend we are laying low, as we have our (my) big birthday trip coming up on Tuesday. Yes, I am over dramatizing it, but 30 seems big to me. I'd rather be no where else in the world but Spain to celebrate my birthday, yipeee. I am ecstatic, and Chance keeps telling me he is looking forward to the beach. I am sure when Ryan and I go speak in Spanish, German will pop out of our mouths since we've been studying it so much lately with our new German teacher. We've started private lessons twice a week at home after Chance is in bed and I am hoping it will help us advance our skills........this Swiss German business is impeding our learning! This weekend we'll probably go explore the forest behind our house and let Chance run off some steam. Ahhhh cafe con leche here we come.........!

Attack of the Pirate

Today in the mail came a surprise Easter box from Mimi. We were all excited to open in and see what was inside (yes, we love packages!). Chance got some fun Easter eggs filled with different candies, and had to open and try each one to make sure he wasn't missing out on the best kind of course! Best of all was the pirate hat and hand........one of Chance's favorite movies is the Dora Pirate Adventure, so we've been playing pirate all afternoon since getting home from school. Chance has been walking around saying "Now I am so happy!" Ryan got some of his favorite candy that you can't find here and the Longhorns Illustrated issue from this month, a sure hit. Hook 'em Horns. Thank you Mimi!

Fun in the Snow

After enjoying the 70-degree sunny March weather in Texas, we arrived back in Zurich to heavy snowfall. I think my blood has changed since living here, as I was so excited to be back in the cold weather. Don't get me wrong, I loved the 70-degree sun and wearing short sleeves again, but it reminded me that Texas summers can be grueling!

This was only the 2nd snow that Zurich has had since we've been living here, and this time it was much heavier. Chance and I ventured out in the backyard to make our first-ever snow man, which was an experience in itself. I was slowly adding handful by handful to our snowman...and wondering why it was taking so long! Our neighbor saw us and nicely showed me how to make a huge snowball in a matter of seconds by making a small snow ball and rolling it across the ground. Boy did I feel stupid, but they just don't teach you these things in Texas!

Chance had a blast, and ended up taking his gloves off because he was "hot" - so...no, I am not a bad mommy, he refused to keep the gloves on!

Snow like this also makes me appreciate not having a car...I wouldn't have the first clue how to drive in it!

While The Cats Away........

Early March, Chance and I set off for Texas for a visit back home, and unfortunately Ryan had to stay here to work. We had such a nice visit, seeing all of our parents, friends and family, and over endulging in the much missed Mexican food!

While Chance and I were away, Ryan had the time to take some really amazing pictures of our beautiful city..... to see the complete set of pictures, click on the ZURICH PHOTOS link at the top left of the page.