Day trip: Mainau

Maybe some of you read this blog and feel like we are crazy all over the place traveling with toddlers nonstop.  Well, that's probably half true.  First off, I don't write tons of blog posts on that day to day normal routine (maybe I should try?).  Most of our "traveling" are day trips on Saturdays.  We don't have a booming social life or tons of commitments here, so we take advantage of most Saturdays to get out somewhere close.  That's the other thing, we live less than 2 hours away from so many cool places, day trips are easier and cheaper, and, why not?  We have no idea how long we'll be here, so YOLO! ("you only live once")  Another thing to remember, is that we are *blessed* with European vacation days which are many more than the typical amount in the USA.  That's the other reason that we keep thinking, "we gotta get out!" because we may never have this many vacation days again.

At the end of July, we spent a Saturday at Mainau Island.  It's "the flower island" in the middle of Lake Constance.  Bryce's German tutor highly recommended it.

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Sweet summer time

The summer seems to be dwindling here as the nights get cooler and we start back up into our weekly routine again with summer vacation over.  Maddie's play group, our twice-a-week German lessons, as well as our little gymnastic/exercise class have all started back up.

This summer, we had great weather (despite what this year's Sechseläuten predicted) with a couple heat waves and even a week of very cool weather in the middle of July.  Mostly, it was beautiful and perfectly summer.

Day trip: Sattel Hochstuckli

A couple weeks ago, we ventured an hour away to Maddie's bouncy heaven.  She could spend hours on a trampoline.  It was one of her favorite things when we were in the States.

When we got there, we took a colorful revolving gondola up the mountain.  Right away, we bought a ticket for Maddie to play in the bouncy area.  An accompanying adult was free of charge and we were able to walk around to each one with her.  It was really fun.  Carter was a little unsure, but he loves watching Maddie have fun.

I'm hooked!

Ok, maybe that's an overused play on words, but I have been really into crochet for the last few months.  I started going to a "Needle club" with friends.  Picture this-just a few (usually 5 or less) women sitting around a table once a month on a Friday night drinking prosecco, eating little savory appetizers, talking, with crochet hooks or knitting needles in hand.  They all speak Swiss German when we get together, so you can also picture me, silently crocheting and listening.  They're all very sweet and have children of their own, so the conversation usually revolves around the kids or being a parent.  It's really nice to have an evening out, doing something just for me, since most of my hours lately are devoted to two little human beings.  It's also nice to have a hobby to do with my hands, since I couldn't bring my sewing machine and fabric stash here to Switzerland.

I used to crochet a little back in college, but nothing difficult, no real patterns, usually just a scarf.  This Spring, I bought a German crochet book and completed my first project translating and struggling.

(It's a pot holder/hot pad)

Then I started watching YouTube videos (in English) and looking up patterns (in English) on the internet.  Here are a few other things I've done.

I'm just as much addicted to looking at potential projects as I am to actually crocheting anything.  Some projects are so beautiful!  (Below are some beautiful projects that really give me the itch to start another project...)

Day trip: Toggenburg

HAPPY SWISS NATIONAL DAY!  Go hike a mountain or ride your bike, then eat cheese, sausage, and chocolate to celebrate Die Schweiz!  Ironically, I have a post for you about what we did on USA's Independence Day since I'm always catching up on the blog :-)

On July 4th, we escaped the heat wave and went up into the mountains for the day.  I've been waiting for a good day to do this specific hike-the Toggenburg Tone Trail.  It was a good length, about 3 miles, had great views, but the best part was the theme.  Along the trail, there were over 20 musical "instruments."  Maddie walked about half of the way, just motivated by the next instrument to play.

Maddie was decked out in her red, white, and blue gear.  She gets so excited about going to the mountains or going on a hike.  (...at this point, I think she expects super fun things like a trampoline, playgrounds, or an ice cream since the last few times, one of more of those things were included in the day)

I think the best views were right when you got off the gondola.  It was a perfect day to be up there!  Some of our most relaxing meals have been at restaurants up in the mountains where many places have playgrounds next to the outdoor seating area.  Notice that super fun bouncy castle?  Let's go grab a beer and a pretzel while the kids tire themselves out!