Spring is in the air ...

These past few days have just been wonderful, warm, and delightful. We have been enjoying the outdoors so much and Mami will take some time tomorrow to get our garden ready for spring as well (with a trip to pick up more sand for the sandbox, an outdoor table (did I mention before that IKEA is only about 10 minutes away :)!), and some other necessities ... ).

Andrin working on another craft project ... He loves it as long as there is some cutting involved. 

Bigna joining in on the fun as well. 

Our big girl ... She is so close to walking. She is taking two steps on her own and wants to walk on your hand wherever she discovers something interesting. 

Andrin enjoying his fixed sand box (thanks, Opa). During one of the numerous wind storms this winter,  the sandbox blew over and landed in our garden. 

Big girl on the go ... good thing we have a gate because she loves to escape. 

Weekend with Oma and Opa

This past weekend, we took a trip to visit Oma and Opa in Obwalden. As a matter of fact, Oma came to babysit Andrin and Bigna already on Thursday because Mami had to take a class in the afternoon. Friday morning, we all took Bigna to daycare and then Andrin took off with Oma to travel to Obwalden by train. I could not believe our big boy how he just looked back once, waved at me and then went on his way. Mami and Bigna joined him Saturday afternoon after a goodbye brunch for her lead teacher at daycare. Papi stayed home and was buy working in the lab and reading papers for another review. We had a nice visit and Andrin enjoyed all the attention. He sent most of the time outside, discovering all the fun toys and nature around Oma and Opa's house. On Sunday, Opa Jumbo also joined us for lunch and we took a long walk after lunch.
Thanks, Oma and Opa, for jumping in! When I was tucking in Andrin Sunday night, he told me that he really liked that Opa was at home on Sunday and did not have to go to work with the children!

Good thing Oma and Opa had a wagon for Andrin. Else, we would not have been on such a long walk. 

Oma, Opa and Opa Jumbo ready to take off on our walk. Oma and Opa are proud to pose in front of their new car :)

Opa and Mami pulled Andrin in the wagon. We just kept walking uphill without stopping and then took a rest to wait for the others to join us at the top of the hill. Here, Andrin and Opa are pretending to take a nap along the road. Do you hear them snoring?

Monkey girl ...

As you might remember, Mami called Andrin before he was born a monkey because he was so active. Once he was here, he was not that active anymore (besides his verbal activity, I mean :). Bigna has been quite the opposite. Quite mellow in utero and now very active.

Fun afternoon with friends ...

Today, we spent the afternoon with friends. We had a great time and the Mom's even got to have some time to chitter and chat ... The children had a fun time playing inside and outside and it just felt wonderful to have the opportunity to let them play. They get along great and we had to intervene little. Miss Bigna had a hard time with the cat though ... she was so scared of that nice little cat ... 

The king and queen are dancing away ... 

More projects

Just finished some more projects ... I really have to stop myself ... I should be doing some reading for my licensing as well ... (patterns on www.purlbee.com)

Happy Birthday, Uncle Jorrit!

Today, we celebrated with uncle Jorrit his birthday (which was actually yesterday). We went to Zurich and had a great spaghetti lunch with aunt Nicole and uncle Jorrit, aunt Tuuli and uncle Timmie, and Oma and Opa. Afterwards, we went to the park and enjoyed the springlike and warm weather. We had the birthday cake right there on a blanket. Andrin liked it so much that he did not want to leave and wanted to stay with uncle Jorrit. And when he realized that that would not work out, he wanted to go on vacation with Oma and Opa.

Bigna and Oma.

Bigna and aunt Nicole.

Andrin and one of his fishes that were swimming around uncle Jorrit's kitchen. 

Andrin with Opa's hat in the park.

Birthday cake for uncle Jorrit. 

The three most beautiful days

In Basel, carnival lasts 72 hours and people here call it lovingly "the three most beautiful days". And it is magical and beautiful. Having been used to carnival in the center of Switzerland, carnival here is something completely different. It would take way too long to go into it ... So let me share some pictures of our adventure today at the children's day. Andrin did not like the music at the beginning (the drummers and piccolo players), and he asked to go back home soon. But then he got used to it and actually really enjoyed it. He even said at the end that he was glad that we came to see it and that he would like to come back next year. He already has an idea for a costume, but we will keep it a secret until then ... as I am sure that the wish will be changing many times until next year as well.

Andrin just covered his ears every time some drummers and piccolo players went by. 

Our little monkey, on the other hand, was quite content in the stroller. 

Bigna enjoyed playing with the "confetti" or "Raeppli", how they call them here in Basel. 

Andrin liked to collect them off the ground and then throw them at people ... preferably his parents. 

This boy first threw some confetti at Andrin and then gave him a piece of candy. 

Andrin is quite skilled with his feet and toes. Here, he is showing off how to handle some pieces of candy with his toes.