Shoes, shoes, shoes

We don't have any new photos this week but here are some of Brandon trying on our shoes.

Dad's got cool shoes!

Okay mom, I put some shoes on. Can we go out now?

Yet another playground to explore...

We rode our bikes to a different playground today, we had some snacks and our books. We arrived early and Brandon had the whole playground to himself. Then a few more kids arrived, and he was thrilled to see the one had a bucket and some toys for the sandpit. Brandon adores the sandpit, I've found him a little rake and spade to play with but once we get all our things from customs, he will have a whole variety of buckets and toys to play with.

Shhhh, I hear a sound...
What's that coming up the road...

Oh wow, it's a tractor...

Woah, there it goes

Well, now what should I do since that excitement is over?

I'll play with my ball.

Hi, can we play together?

Oops, I fell face first into the hole I was digging with dad.

Let me have a go with the camera, mom.

So you use the spade to fill the bucket with sand...

This is hard work, I have to sit down for a bit.

A visit to the Zoo

On Saturday we went to the Vivarium in Darmstadt. It's a small zoo with birds, reptiles, fish, kangaroos and various other animals. Nothing too dangerous or predatory so it's a great zoo to take small children. Brandon loved it, he walked by himself the entire time and by the time we got back home to feed him his lunch, he was thouroughly exhausted. He slept for 4 hours on saturday afternoon.

Having a small snack

Right Bunny, we've got to keep moving, there's lots more to see.

Oooooo, do you see that?

Admiring the snow owls.

We were allowed into the goat enclosure and Brandon got to pet a small goat.

Sizing each other up

A giant tortoise

Peering at each other

This tortoise really wanted some attention

After two days of being stuck indoors due to rain, mom decided it was time for me to go out and play no matter what the weather was like. So this morning, even though it was quite miserable, we went to a damp playground and I played in the sandpit most of the morning, I loved the damp sand because it was sticky and easy to scoop up in a spade, the best part was throwing it on mom (I don't think she thought it was that fun though). Then mom treated us to some hot chocolate and a croissant, I ate the croissant and mom drank the Hot Choc. Mom then found a little children's store and bought me some cute brown running shoes (my feet are growing so fast I'm already out of the pair I got in May) and mom finally found me a rainjacket and some wellingtons, so now I'm quite prepared for the rain. I was feeling tired when we got home and I'd already eaten a whole croissant so instead of cooking me some food, mom gave some biscuits and jam. Well, the picture says it all...I just couldn't make it through my lunch. By the time mom had made herself some decaf coffee I was dozing. I didn't even wake up when mom cleaned the jam off my face and hands.

On a rainy day...

Sunday was a rainy day but in between bouts of drizzle we decided to go and explore the Mathildenhohe. This comprises the living quarters of some artists from 1899 and a wedding tower which was the city's wedding present to Grand Duke Ernst Ludwig in 1908. At the foot of the wedding tower is the plane-tree grove. We arrived on Sunday morning, got out the car, got Brandon strapped into his pram and down came the rain. Since we had no real interest in going inside the actual buildings and were really there to walk through the grounds, we got back in the car and drove home. We tried again in the afternoon and, although it was dull and a bit drizzly, we walked around for a while and gave Brandon a chance to scamper about.

After that, we headed to an area called Orangie, it seems like a Botanical Garden but we didn't get a chance to see since we found a playground when we arrived. We let Brandon have quick play but then down came the rain and we rushed to the car and got home in time to make dinner for Brandon.

I'm not sure about this thing, what is it?

Erm, no I'm undecided about whether this is fun or scary

Griesheim Parks

The park in Griesheim

I can climb this

Wooooow.... yaaahaaa

We have been exploring a few parks in the area with Brandon, there is a large park on the edge of a small forest, where we go riding. Yestrday we took Brandon there and earlier in the day to another one not far from where we live. Both are max 1.5km's away from our place.

Exploring Griesheim on bikes

We went out today again with our new bikes. First of all our landlord gave us a map of all the cycle paths around, I must get one of these as it is really useful, and if you don't know the area, at least it lets you plan the trip. We also figured out that the different routes are numbered and sign posted along the way.

Anyway we had a ride of about 15km's, Brandon ended up falling asleep on the way, but he is now quite enjoying the croozer. It is a great way to get out and explore the area, we passed a lot of farms, saw horses (which Brandon was thrilled about) and all the vegetables and fruit growing in the area.

I have been out for a ride a few times during the week, leaving at about 20:45. I would take an easy ride through a small forest, it is great as you are the only person, but also all the rabbits are coming out and hopping on the paths, really nice to be out and seeing this.

A few people have asked us for pictures of the croozer, so here they are.

Playtime in Germany

The great thing about Germany is that there are lots of playgrounds. Brandon has become quite good at climbing and sliding, and he is now loving the sandpit. Around the house he enjoys trying to walk in mom or dad's shoes and he likes to pretend to vacuum clean with dad's hairbrush. Here are a few pictures of the little man at play.

Okay mom, I'm ready to go out!
'I'm the king of the castle'
This is a little play area at the tea shop in the park in Darmstadt.

Whoohoo, I'm sailing my ship

I see some pirates on the horizon

Inspecting the structure of the house

Taking a break to chat on the phone

Yes, that's right - I've just sailed across the seas and fixed my house. Now I'm having a well-deserved break.

This is a play ground in the Oberwaldhaus, a lovely 'green' area with forest walks, bike trails and of course a beer garden. We often go there on Sunday mornings for a walk and a play. There's also a lake and lots of ducks for Brandon to feed.

Brandon's playing in the pretend natural energy house. It has solar panels and a wind generator.

The house

Anyone with a bucket and spade can be my friend

See-saw

Oh my goodness, this is a tough ladder to climb

Finally, I've reached the top

I'll take a break and take in the view from the top

I can do this on my own but it's a big slide and I got a bit scared, dad's finger is all I need to help me down

Weeeeeeee, down I go

Teehee, I'll go with daddy this time

All that play makes one hungry

Enjoying my lunch on the bench