Sommer, Strand und Sonne - life in Germany and Austria

[LinzerTorte]

A thread for all those living in Germany or Austria, and for anyone else who would like to chat.

Glad you got rid of it in the end canella! They must have turned up with a truck to fit it in, it looked like a really big kitchen! Did you try myHammer.de to get quotes for handwerker?

The sommerfest at school was a huge success. From 5 to 7pm the younger dc were running around, games with prizes, a mini rock concert from the school band and dd's circus group, lots of food. Dh and I had beer but we were about the only adults drinking at 5pm, oh well! After 7pm the older pupils and parents came but we were on our way home as the school disco didn't interest our 2 (yet)!

Has anyone seen any good films for 11 and 13 year old dc recently (cinema)? Holidays start on Wednesday so going to the cinema is on their list of things to do. Going to be hard to find 1 film that both will like so might have to offer to take a friend each and sit them in different films!

Hadnt thought of myhammer - still not got a tiler so that might be an idea! Going to get my MIL to phone some more today (I hate phoning people and dh has no time!) - a tiler came on fri but he was really vague.

Not sure about films - my dc are still young enough to want to see kung fu panda 2. The cinema is a great idea but i always find it so expensive - esp when its a 3D film! Kept the glasses from the last time to save us some money.

MyHammer is great, even if you don't want to advertis ethe job yourself you can see a few of the offers for your area. When we moved from Berlin to Hanover we got a removal company very cheap and they were based 70km away but still took the job.

Yes, dd would go to Kung Fu Panda but ds just laughed when I mentioned it. He's entering the 'cool dude' stage.

On Saturday night I went to bed at 11.30pm and put my head in his room to say time to switch off, he was on his laptop playing a game and skyping with his friend at the same time. Anyway, dh stayed up working on his PC and said at 2am ds was still up and he told him to go to bed which he did. Going to have to think of a new set of rules for the summer holidays.

Yeah thought your ds might be too cool for kung fu panda! I dread these teenage years i think - i love having a bit of peace with dh in the eve - dread dd going to sleep at 2am! But i suppose if they're in their rooms its not so bad.

Wonder if myhammer will still work since we're in the sticks?

No idea about films, sorry admylin - I don't have a clue what's on at the moment. We only seem to go about once a year with the DC (and never see anything that I particularly want to watch).

Canella Glad you got rid of the kitchen at last, though it sounded like a stressful experience with the first buyers.

Ernest I don't watch or read Austrian news - I'll occasionally catch the news on the radio, but otherwise most of what happens here passes me by. Sometimes I think it's less depressing that way! Hope the tickets turn up.

I feel quite exhausted after our busy weekend. School broke up on Friday morning, then we had DD2's birthday party in the afternoon - it was surprisingly calm considering that we had 20 children here (the fact that only two were boys probably helped), but I still breathed a sigh of relief once it was out of the way. We had a barbecue with the neighbours on Saturday (felt like I spent half the day in the kitchen) and another one yesterday, despite the awful weather, as DD2's godmother came to visit and we had quite a bit left over from the day before!

I've enrolled the DDs at a Sport- und Spielewoche this week, but only DD2 is there this morning; DD1 is still in bed asleep (she claimed she had a stomach ache earlier, but I have my doubts). Finally managed to persuade DS to go to KiGa, who wasn't at all keen on going when he realised there's no school today, but he was fine once he got there.

Have just remembered he's supposed to be going for his neurological check-up at the paed on Fri morning, which will mean keeping him at home from KiGa - must go and phone up to see if he can go on Thurs pm instead (the only afternoon that they're open).

Canella, the handwerker do travel far and wide - some of our offers for the move were from really far from Berlin and no where near Hannover.

Linzer, how long until you go away? Is it Italy first? I wish I had found some sort of sport club for my 2 for the holidays. I'm sure we're going to have some fall outs as ds will want to hide in his room for 6 weeks and not want to join in if we do plan anything. Dd will be fed up if we don't have some cool activity planned every other day although she can occupy herself really well, she has a list of stuffshe plans on making, painting and such like. She wants to start on sewing more too (I hate sewing).

Dh has said I should plan something for a weekend but I can't really book wthout his go ahead as he has 2 PhD students on rotas who are totally uncapable without him - last time he left one alone in the lab she broke a 4000? microscope light. They have deadlines as have taken unpaid leave from hospital to finish their research.

Anyway, I still have hope that my friend and her dd will visit us from south Germany but they don't start holidays for ages. When do you break up Canella?
OK, back to the ironing...

Yes, we're off to Italy for 10 days on Sunday. I'm really looking forward to escaping from the chaos (I seem to be permanently tidying atm) and hopefully some better weather; it's another grey, dull and rainy day here today.

DD1 is still in bed so maybe she really is ill. OTOH they had friends to stay over on Saturday night, were all still awake when we went to bed at around 10.30 and were up early yesterday so I'm sure she's very tired at the least (she seems to need more sleep than DD2).

Right, off to try the paed again - discovered earlier that they don't open until 9.30 and they weren't answering the phone just now.

the dc dont break up till the very last week of July admylin - the 29th is the last day.

Wow you had a busy weekend Linzer - you'll need that holiday. Hope dd1 feels better soon - maybe the sleep will do her good. I dread now when dd mentions going to a sleepover (i dont often let her do them here) - she often ends up with a migraine thro over-tiredness.

Just watched a bit of that Monaco royal wedding on youtube - wanted to shout at the bride "run as fast as you can". Albert looked so slimy and unloving towards her. Compared to Wills and Kate, they looked like complete strangers. Maybe i've been reading too much dailyfail but it seems set up to produce him a legitimate heir - hope thats not the truth.

uploaded the photo of the kitchen after it had been removed - shocking mess now! need a tiler!

Wow, how did poeple used to think brown and beige tiles were nice?! You've got a busy time ahead of you. Did you get any ideas for the new flooring?

I also thought that about the wedding, although I wonder if the bride had abit of botox or face lifting as her whole face seemed stuck even when she tried to smile it looked sort of plastic.

Dull and rainy here too linzer. Hope it's better in Italy for you. Your dd is probably exhausted - she's like my dd, she has to really really try hard at school and she does alot of extra work compare dto her brother. I can see the first few days of teh holiday will be spent sleeping it off and just chilling. Is she up yet? She'll probably enjoy the peace at home and having you to herself too until the others get back.

Just checked on DD1 and she's still asleep. Even if she isn't ill, it's a good thing that she stayed at home as she must be exhausted to sleep this long. Just hope she goes to sleep tonight! They've all been invited to a birthday party this afternoon but I'll have to see how she is when she finally wakes up.

I didn't see any of the wedding but did hear that she'd tried to run away the week before - no idea whether it's true or not, but have just watched a clip and they def. didn't look as happy as Kate and William. Didn't see enough of her face to tell whether she might have had botox, but I'm always annoying DH by pointing out people on TV who have obviously had work done. My dermatologist offers botox but I don't feel tempted (yet!).

Looks like you have quite a bit of work in store for you Canella but I'm sure it will all be worth it in the end.

oh hadnt thought about botox - that would account for her lack of expression but still think she looks sad in the eyes. I also read that linzer that she'd tried to run away - wonder what they did to her to make her stay if its true?

Wow thats some sleep your dd is having. She must need it.

I agree admylin - why did anyone think beige (or cack brown as i've been calling it!!) was a good idea. But the stick on tiles are me absolute bug bear - such a botch job! The electrician came this morning to price up his part of the renovations - we need sockets moved about but i was excited that we can have some different colour sockets if we want. Will have to have a look at some.

Think you'll be wandering round a few Baumärkte in the next weeks canella!

Dh applying for another job this week in Stanford, don't fancy it somehow but I don't know much about the place so at the moment anywhere offering a permenant job is better than not knowing and not being able to settle.

Hi all, been ages. Hope you're all well and enjoying the summery weather.
Moo and I have been doing a little weaving and writing and 'playschool' activities when the weather has been rainy which has been a lot of fun. :)

Spent Friday night in Lindau at a lovely hotel with a massive bath :) and then went on to Zurich on Saturday to meet up with some friends of dh :) It was a nice weekend but all the driving on Sunday to get back tired me out a LOT. I'm looking into going back to the UK early with my Mom who's visiting in only 15 days!!! OMG (I didn't even realise it was that close until I just figured it out... I cannot wait to see her! I've not seen her since Nov of last year...

Cannot believe our time in Munich is almost done (at least this stint).

Baby is a very strong mover and shaker and I've been getting very strong BH this past week or so which are all in my back (which hints at back labor again -poo) But we still have 6 weeks to go (hopefully) before this lo decides to make an appearance.

Once again, hope you're all well. Will try to check in again (more often) in the run up. xxx

morning al. Spent weekend hunting for tickets but to no avail :(
had to change my dental appointments cos now flying to UK to check on flat progress, new appts not for ages, and today developing real pain in my right cheek and temple which I'm wondering is a weird toothache? :(

On the bright side, I have a really good feeling about the builder, that he's going to do a great job and the flat will look great. Can't wait to see progress.
It's so nice to be able to call and talk through everything, and have a laugh and joke, it all feels so frustrating and business-like and formal and joyless all my dealings with the german builders and workmen. This more than anything I think is making me feel homesick. The banter just doesn't exist here. Or is it just me? I think my german is ok, but the chit chat with mothers in the park or the person on the till or whatever. Just little interaction lift your day. I go for days without talking to anyone but my kids and maybe half an hour with dh.

Anyway, Ad, dss went to see kung fu panda, and can confirm teen trainee ds1, almost 12 really enjoyed it too. We don't break up till 29th of July! When do you? Ad, sorry, remind me again if you can be bothered, how you found the cheap removal firm who did the part load to UK cheap?

Canella, what a nightmare re original kitchen buyers. Lucky you got the others to come. Shame you had to drop the price :(

Quick answer to Ernest - I used this place www.kltransporte.de/ but might be good to ask for a UK company delivering to Munich and driving back empty to make you an offer.

Hello! I am massively out of touch again, sorry! I do read but have too much to catch up on each time and it all gets mixed up in my fluffy post baby brain! I am thinking kitchens and films and school holidays and pregnancies and parenting teenagers all mixed together!

Only film I am currently aware of is Rio - would recommend for small kids not teens though! I took all 3 of mine to see it on Saturday - 5.5, 3.5 and 10 weeks old lol - they all seemed to enjoy it (well baby slept and fed through it but did watch for about 20 mins, engrossed by light and colour on big screen - is it terrible parenting to take a 10 week old to the cinema or good to still be taking the bigger ones, I am unsure!?)

DH has taken the bigger 2 to watch the Women's Football World Cup match - England v Japan - in Ausberg. They should be arriving now. I am a bit anxious but I am sure it will be fine, the stadium looked half empty ehen he booked their seats a few days ago. Hope they enjoy it, if not he can always leave early!

Sorry for lack of responding to people directly - baby H has decided to give up sleeping unless I am walking with the pram, hopefully just a phase but he is grumbling again and will be crying any minute!

OK feeding now - Sorry I remember what I wanted to ask - schuletüte contents! Dd and I made hers at an organised session at KiGa and I didn't realise how massive they are! Any tips on how to fill them other than with vast quantities of sweets and plastic tat?

Also is it standard to have a special new outfit bought for first day at school, and if so what level of smartness? It may no longer be summer dress weather as first day is 13th Sept, so not sure at all what sort of thing is normal. Thanks for any tips on those 2 minefields!

I had this headache last year! I put in pencils, one fat one at the bottom to stop small things dropping out, also a couple of presents, like a watch, big fancy desk pencil sharpener. Nothing too heavy as they have to lug them round loads.

Didn't get ds new outfit. Just went in jeans and t-shirt, as did many others, though loads, inc teacher wearing tract.

how old baby?

Nice to hear from u 5moreminutes - wow those 10 weeks have gone fast since your baby was born! Think it sounds ok to take the him to the cinema - have heard of places in the UK that to mum and baby sessions.

We'll also have the schultüte problem this year - i'm going on Monday to kiga to "help" ds1 make his (altho i dont possess the basteln gene!). A friend put socks in her dd's tüte - thought that might fill up some space. Ds1 has a mild allergic reaction to chocolate so it might be gummibears and more gummibears! But pencils etc are also a good idea.

Went to the tile shop - they very kindly let us bring home 6 possibilities - i always find tiles dead difficult to decide on. But we'll put the 6 down on the floor later and see which one is best.

I remember putting a watch, key ring, pencils, buscuits like knoppers, musli bars, a little puzzle and some sweets.
For clothes, I had been shopping for new clothes after the summmer holidays so yes they had new stuff on but nothing fancy, just normal clothes.

In Berlin I noticed that the dc did get dressed up but it you can't always compare Berlin with the rest of Germany. The dc were eingeschult on a Saturday at a ceremony and half an hour with their teachers while the parents drank coffee and ate cake outside (I helped serve coffee as my dc were in year 2 and 3 ). On the Monday morning they were expected to turn up alone and find their classrooms alone.

Just back from an afternoon at the Naturpark with friends, where we were followed round by wild boar - they weren't actually all that interested in us, just in our apples, but we sought refuge in the playground as the two youngest children were getting a bit frightened!

5more We put a few sweets in the DDs' Schultüten and otherwise filled them up with small presents; both girls got an alarm clock, which seemed quite fitting as they were having to get up earlier for school, DD1 got an electric toothbrush (to counteract all those sweets!), etc. As for clothes, both girls wore dresses but not ones that we'd bought specially. DD2 wore a long-sleeved so not especially summery dress and I'm racking my brains to think what DD1 wore! A couple of children wore Tracht but they were def. in the minority. I've got photos on Facebook of their first days at school if you're interested and are on FB; otherwise, I'll see if I can put a few photos on my profile temporarily.

Linzer, have you got a plan of activities or do you just make it up as you go along? I'm panicking as we start tomorrow and I need to find some activities to get ds out of his room!

There is a naturepark here with loads of deer and boars, it's even free to walk around but ds would need bribed to come with us! I'm trying to talk him into Kung Fu Panda 2 though.

I have a few activities planned for the DDs - the Spiel- und Sportwoche this week and I'm also hoping they'll be able to go to the "school warm-up week" in the last week of the holidays (although they seem to have raised the min. age to 8 this year, which is no good for DD2) - but otherwise it's nice to have a break from their usual activities, homework, piano practice, etc. We'll be away for about half the holidays and there's only one week where we don't really have anything on, but that's about long enough!

I'd love to have a few more quiet afternoons at home, but they either want a friend to come and play or insist on going to the Strandbad. I just know they'll want to go today as it's hot and sunny (which means the entire population of Niederösterreich will be there). A friend mentioned earlier that they might be going to their lakeside house this afternoon and we'd be welcome to join them there, which would be my preferred option - just have to convince the DC!

Was all ready to go running this morning when I bumped into a friend at KiGa who persuaded me to go to zumba with her instead. Not really my thing at all, so I think I'll be sticking to the running in future - plus I didn't get back until 10.15 am, which means half the morning had gone (I can be back at 8.30 if I go running).

Forgot to say that I've finished with quite a few DVDs - do you still want me to send them on, Canella / admylin / anyone else?