Parenting Boys

Our Gingerbread House is Finally Done

2009-12-19T17:37:00.000+01:00

Teachers Presents are Ready :)

2009-12-17T11:04:00.003+01:00

Biggest Loser - Week 10 and last weig in

2009-12-17T11:04:00.000+01:00

Oh dear, oh dear... ;)

This week's weight: 82.9 kg
Last week's weight : 82.3 kg
Weight loss since last week: -0.6 kg

Starting weight: 85.5 kg
Weight loss since beginning: 2.6 kg

Goal for the competition: 82 kg

Biggest Loser - Week 9

2009-12-10T12:20:00.000+01:00

It looks like I forgot to post about last week's weigh in...

This week, I lost 200g, but I'd put on the week before, so I'm still slightly above my lowest.

This week's weight: 82.3 kg
Last week's weight : 82.5 kg
Weight loss since last week: 0.2 kg

Starting weight: 85.5 kg
Weight loss since beginning: 3.2 kg

Goal for the competition: 82 kg

A Brand New Blog

2009-12-07T13:34:00.002+01:00

I have just created a brand new blog to discuss all knitting related subjects and present my new designs. It can be found here: Corinne's Knits

Hope to "see" you there! :)

Nikolaus Steam Train Ride

2009-12-06T22:21:00.002+01:00

This was a special ride on a steam train, especially for Nikolaus, leaving from Darmstadt main station and making a stop in the woods before getting back to town, with a visit from Nikolaus on the way.

Arriving at the station. We just told the boys that we were going to the station to look at trains. So, they were pleasantly surprised to see a steam train and even more surprised to learn that we were getting on it!

Looking at the engine

Getting into our wagon

Then Nikolaus came to give out some presents, first he gave chocolates...

... then his helpers gave out these train money boxes

Cuddle time ♥

Getting into the woods

Our little walk in the woods during our stop

Eating chocolates ;)

And another cuddle

Love the reflections in this shot, Tim's in there too

:D

2009-12-02T16:23:00.002+01:00

Look at what arrived today!

This Year's Advent Calendar

2009-12-01T16:29:00.002+01:00

A bit empty looking unfortunately as I've only made 14 bags of 24 so far! But, at least, it gives me until 15th Dec to sort out more :)

My Third Pattern is Up

2009-11-30T23:49:00.003+01:00

Check it out: Spaceman Nicolino on Ravelry:

It's available in sizes 3-6, 6-12, 12-24 months.

This lovely green version was knit by Anette.

Fun Autumn Walk with Lots of Mushrooms

2009-11-24T23:20:00.001+01:00

On Sunday afternoon, we went for a walk in the Odenwald, we were lucky to spot a lot of different mushrooms.

Really cool looking roots

This is the sign with the different walks, Logan insisted on posing in front of it :)

Couldn't Resist! <3

2009-11-24T22:26:00.000+01:00

Logan asked us for a baby picture of himself to bring to Kindergarten, as part of something they're doing in the "Vorschule" group, here it is, Logan aged 5 1/2 months

My First Two Knitting Patterns, now available on Ravelry

2009-11-24T22:13:00.001+01:00

These two patterns are now available for download on Ravelry, under the designer shop "Corinne's Knits". Many more to come, stay tuned!

The "Sock Yarn Beret" is available in sizes 6 months to 24 months. Link here:

The "Brick Hat" is available in 5 different sizes, from premie to man. Link here:

Little Mouse

2009-11-24T22:08:00.000+01:00

Number one of two, will go in the advent calendar for the boys

Crabs

2009-11-24T22:04:00.002+01:00

I crochetted these two crabs as tests for the designer, they are super cute and will be part of the boys advent calendar, once finished...

Connor Helping Daddy to Clean the Leaves

2009-11-24T22:00:00.000+01:00

Parcels for Eastern European Kids

2009-11-24T21:56:00.000+01:00

Every year, we take part in this "Kinder helfen Kinder" initiative. We prepare two parcels (one from each boy) to be sent to a different country each year to disadvantaged kids. They contain toiletry, toys, hat/scarf/mitten, pencils, etc...

We always involve the boys in this. Here they are posing with the parcels before they get brought to the collection point

Laterne Fest Pictures

2009-11-24T21:51:00.000+01:00

A bit late, but better late than never! ;)

Ready to leave, in the kitchen with their lanterns

Daddy and the boys

Logan's girlfriend, Alina :)

Connor "singing" (or should I say screaming?!)

My First Crochet Project!

2009-11-24T11:12:00.000+01:00

And it's finished, I'm quite proud :D

Biggest Loser - Week 7

2009-11-24T11:09:00.002+01:00

What I consider a good week, a loss of 300g :)

This week's weight: 82.1 kg
Last week's weight : 82.4 kg
Weight loss since last week: 0.3 kg

Starting weight: 85.5 kg
Weight loss since beginning: 3.4 kg

Goal for the competition: 82 kg

Biggest Loser - Week 6

2009-11-17T11:54:00.002+01:00

Glad I lost something, even if it's not much :)

This week's weight: 82.4 kg
Last week's weight : 82.5 kg
Weight loss since last week: 0.1 kg

Starting weight: 85.5 kg
Weight loss since beginning: 3.1 kg

Goal for the competition: 82 kg

Biggest Loser - Week 5

2009-11-10T09:23:00.000+01:00

A great week! :)
Weight is a weird thing...

This week's weight: 82.5 kg
Last week's weight : 83.1 kg
Weight loss since last week: 0.6 kg

Starting weight: 85.5 kg
Weight loss since beginning: 3 kg

Goal for the competition: 82 kg

Biggest Loser - Week 4

2009-11-03T16:26:00.002+01:00

Dare I say no change this week!

This week's weight: 83.1 kg
Last week's weight : 83.1 kg
Weight loss since last week: 0 kg

Starting weight: 85.5 kg
Weight loss since beginning: 2.4 kg

Goal for the competition: 82 kg

The boys are on TV :)

2009-11-03T16:21:00.004+01:00

Both Logan and Connor were on German National TV! :D

OK, they appear for about 5 seconds, but still...

Here's the link:

http://laenderspiegel.zdf.de/ZDFde/inhalt/28/0

You need to click on the right handside on a link that says "Video Länderspiegel von 31. Oktober 2009"

They both appear at 1min 53s and then again at 4mins 25s. Connor just stares at the camera! LOL

For those who don't understand, it's about the increase in "Kindergeld" (children money, that the states gives to everybody who has a child), which will happen in January, together with the implications... Our town is considered very child-friendly and they filmed in the boys' school and interviewed the mayor.

Some Artwork from Logan

2009-10-30T10:28:00.006+01:00

Some of Logan's recent artworks.

Here is an angler fish

His interpretation of the "Vug under the Rug"

And a sample of writing...

Biggest Loser - Week 3

2009-10-27T13:19:00.000+01:00

What can I say, no change this week!

This week's weight: 83.1 kg
Last week's weight : 83.1 kg
Weight loss since last week: 0 kg

Starting weight: 85.5 kg
Weight loss since beginning: 2.4 kg

Goal for the competition: 82 kg

Another Test Knit

2009-10-22T12:40:00.003+02:00

A baby hat this time. I'm currently knitting matching mittens...

Edited: removed pictures, I forgot that I wasn't supposed to share pics until it's published and I don't know how to remove a post.

A Pair of Mittens for Tim

2009-10-21T09:57:00.001+02:00

Another test knit...
Like them, they are really nice.

Biggest Loser - Week 2

2009-10-21T09:55:00.001+02:00

Not a great result this week, I basically maintained, going up 100 gr.

This week's weight: 83.1 kg
Last week's weight : 83.0 kg
Weight loss since last week: +0.1 kg

Starting weight: 85.5 kg
Weight loss since beginning: 2.4 kg

Goal for the competition: 82 kg

Spidey Photo Shoot!

2009-10-15T10:07:00.002+02:00

I had fun and had a little photo shoot with my funny little guy in the garden :D

A Funny Little Guy

2009-10-14T23:18:00.002+02:00

Just finished him as a test knit for the designer. Great pattern, super cute! Will have to knit a second one as I have two boys... ;)

Biggest Loser - Week 1

2009-10-13T15:54:00.003+02:00

Wow, I can't believe it, wonderful week and I am week 1's winner! :D

This week's weight: 83.0 kg
Last week's weight : 85.5 kg
Weight loss since last week: 2.5 kg

Starting weight: 85.5 kg
Weight loss since beginning: 2.5 kg

Goal for the competition: 82 kg

I must say that last week's weight really surprised me (not in a good way), I think it was really inflated for some reason unknown of me. I have never before lost so much in one week, so I'm not expecting another week like this. Still, already got half of my entry money back, motivating!

Fashonista Logan!

2009-10-12T14:47:00.001+02:00

Logan chose his clothes on Saturday morning, here is the result! ;)

Green Group Parent/Child Party at Kindergarten

2009-10-11T21:10:00.004+02:00

Every year the Kindergarten organises a parent/child evening in each group. On Friday, we had the one for the green group, which is Connor's group.

Everybody brought some food to eat together and the teachers had organised several activities.

There was a conker race, dressed in... actually, I'm not sure what it was supposed to be! ;)

Tim and Connor raced against each other

Here you can actually see the conker falling

Another activity was to create an autumn "piece" with natural material.

Logan made a deer with acorns

Connor's was a joint effort ;)

Dragon

Finally, we carved pumpkins. When I say we, I did Connor's and Tim did Logan's!

Connor's, just finished

Posing with it

Most of the pumpkins made by the kids (humm, parents)

Logan's

Connor's lit

And Logan's (two-sided)

Diwali Party 2009

2009-10-11T20:43:00.003+02:00

Once more, we got to enjoy a Diwali party at EUMETSAT this year.

Here I am, ready to go!

The boys had fun and found some friends to play with

Tim took part in the Indian fashion show

We enjoyed some traditional Indian dancing, performer by this amazing 11-year old girl!

A New Biggest Loser Competition

2009-10-08T12:08:00.003+02:00

I have found 10 people to take part in a 10-week competition with me in the style of "The Biggest Loser". We all started weighing in on Tuesday and will do so weekly for 10 weeks. There is a weekly pot for the person who loses the most weight (in percentage of body weight) for that week and a final pot for the overall winner: the person who loses the most over the course of the competition (still in percentage).

So, here goes my first weigh in:

06/10/09: 85.5 kg

Goal for the competition: 82 kg

Secret Swap Hat

2009-10-05T12:40:00.003+02:00

This is my side of a secret hat swap I took part in. My beautiful hat came today from Canada, love it! :)

In addition, I got some sock yarn and 3 cute stitch markers

Tim's New Face Cloth Duo

2009-10-05T09:05:00.002+02:00

Griesheimer Zwiebelmarkt

2009-10-03T21:54:00.003+02:00

Today we visited the annual Griesheimer Zwiebelmarkt with the boys and some friends.

First, the boys went on the roundabout and then they had pasta.

Connor insisted that this was KungFu Panda!

On the way back from the fest, we stopped at the playground.

Here, Connor is showing a walnut he found on the ground

Jolynn's Celtic Neck Warmer

2009-10-02T10:14:00.001+02:00

I wanted to knit something for her and I immediately thought of her when I saw this pattern :)

Face Cloth Prezzies Finished

2009-10-02T09:54:00.000+02:00

New Haircuts

2009-10-01T20:25:00.002+02:00

Before...

After

Love this Face Cloth

2009-10-01T00:03:00.001+02:00

One of the face cloths I'm doing for teachers presents at Christmas. I really, really like this pattern!

Some More Recycling

2009-09-30T11:42:00.002+02:00

A little scrubby made with an Aldi bag

Steam Tram Ride

2009-09-27T22:36:00.005+02:00

Like every year for the last three years, we went for a ride on the steam tramway they take out every year, the boys always enjoy it.

The inside of the engine

The beast

Getting in

My silly boy! ;)

Every passenger gets a lollipop :)

Hair in the wind, maybe for the last time :(

The boys pointing at our street as we drive past it

The weather was so nice that we went for ice creams

Some Autumn Shots

2009-09-27T22:00:00.001+02:00

Yesterday, we harvested sunflower seeds...

A cool shot taken by Tim :)

Taking Recycling one Step Further

2009-09-24T22:00:00.001+02:00

My Sick Boy Watching Tom & Jerry

2009-09-23T10:59:00.001+02:00

Two Hats and a Cowl

2009-09-23T10:30:00.002+02:00

A beret I made for a secret hat swap (I'm still waiting to receive my secret hat)

A super warm hat I made for Jo Ann

A cowl made for Chele

And, Finally, Mittens!

2009-09-17T11:26:00.001+02:00

These mittens complete the boys' winter set. Brown ones modeled by Logan, the blue ones are for Connor.

Half a Christmas Present

2009-09-17T10:39:00.002+02:00

Super warm slippers. Not sure who it'll be for yet, one done, one to go...

Weekly Weigh In - Week 2: 15.09.09

2009-09-15T13:07:00.001+02:00

Today's weigh in: 84.3 kg
Last week's weigh in: 85.0 kg
Beginning weight: 85.3 kg

Weight loss this week: 0.7 kg
Weight loss since beginning: 1.0 kg

OK, it's looking good on paper but... I think my scale is not so reliable, it's been acting up very strangely. I'd love to have lost 1 kg in two weeks, but I'm just not sure I can trust the scale...

Last Holiday Shots

2009-09-13T20:30:00.010+02:00

First time meeting their cousins, here with Nanny

Storm

Clay

Doing a bit of tourism in London ;)

On the beach in Eastbourne

Who's the strongest?

Nanny in the gardens of Hever Castle

Attempts at cousin shots

Nanny and Finley

Clay

Storm

Now, attempts with all 5 cousins!
Finley, Clay, Logan, Storm, Connor

New Hats Modelled

2009-09-11T21:33:00.002+02:00

Boulogne sur Mer

2009-09-09T11:38:00.003+02:00

On our way back from holidays, we stopped for a day in Boulogne sur Mer. On the Saturday, we visited the town and, on the Sunday morning, we went to the Nausicaa aquarium before heading back home.

There was a very fun "exhibit" in front of the town hall around cars... Here, the boys are sitting in car seats

Cars used as planters... :)

The front of the town hall. In the bottom right corner, you can spot one of the cars

Visiting the castle

Checking out the penguins at the aquarium

And then the sharks

Sea lion

Connor being silly (starting to see a pattern there?!) ;)

More Holiday Shots

2009-09-09T11:15:00.003+02:00

A few pictures of the boys playing in the Rec

Nanny

Cousins playing together

Our Visit to Hever Castle

2009-09-09T10:57:00.003+02:00

We spent a day at Hever Castle while we were in England in August, here are a few pictures.

Front view

Side view

Just a very nice place in the park of the castle...

Being silly ;)

Pretending to sleep!

And now, Hats!

2009-09-08T13:37:00.001+02:00

After the slippers, the hats!
Blue one for Connor, brown one for Logan

Weekly Weigh In - Week 1: 07.09.09

2009-09-08T09:38:00.003+02:00

Today's weigh in: 85.0 kg
Last week's weigh in: 85.3 kg
Beginning weight: 85.3 kg

Weight loss this week: 0.3 kg
Weight loss since beginning: 0.3 kg

A New Weigh In Series Begin ;)

2009-09-08T09:36:00.002+02:00

So, I forgot to post last week at my first weigh in. After the holidays, a serious kick in the butt was needed so I stepped on the dreaded scale after months of hiatus! It was ugly, just the motivation I needed!

Weigh in 31.08.09: 85.3 kg :(

Kindergarten Slippers are Ready

2009-09-03T20:13:00.004+02:00

Blue ones are Connor's, brown ones Logan's. I used Regia leather soles.

A Second Series of Holiday Pictures

2009-09-03T13:01:00.007+02:00

The holidays were the opportunity for all of us to meet Clay and Storm for the first time, just before their first birthday! Logan was totally gaga with the babies and really enjoyed playing with them.

Here, he is with Storm

And here with Clay

This is in London, where we spent 4 days. Here, the boys are playing in the Princess Diana memorial fountain in Hyde Park

This is Neasden Hindu Temple in London. Our London host - Raj - took us there on the Saturday morning. It was a very interesting visit. The temple is beautiful, all made out of white carved marble. Cameras are not allowed inside, so I can't show you the beautifully detailed carvings!

Back to Eastbourne and the beach now!

Here, you can see the Eastbourne Pier in the distance (and in the haze!)

We bought the boys their first scooters while we were there. Here, they are trying them for the first time. They love them!

Going to the beach at low tide

Checking the rock pools

Playing Football in the Garden

2009-09-02T22:14:00.002+02:00

Posing in their new football outfits

Action shot

Goal!!!!!!!!!!!

More action...

Plum Tart :)

2009-08-31T09:14:00.000+02:00

Picture of the day for: 30.08.09

Still trying to use all the garden plums... ;)

A Jumper for Me

2009-08-28T11:02:00.000+02:00

Picture of the day for 27.08.09

I finished the body of my jumper, now, on to the sleeves :)

Mirabelles in Syrup

2009-08-26T14:30:00.000+02:00

Just one of the ways I'll be using these plums...

Exciting...

2009-08-25T12:05:00.001+02:00

Today, the boys are starting football training, they are very excited about this! These are the boots we bought for them, all shiny and new.

For a Prezzie

2009-07-24T09:02:00.001+02:00

An Interesting Encounter...

2009-07-24T08:59:00.001+02:00

Picture of the day for 23.07.09

Let me introduce you to Dino, the chameleon...

The Birthday Boy <3

2009-07-24T08:58:00.000+02:00

Picture of the day for 22.07.09

Saddle

2009-07-21T09:43:00.001+02:00

My New Bike!

2009-07-21T09:41:00.000+02:00

Picture of the day for 20.07.09

Love it!

Racing Boats

2009-07-19T20:11:00.002+02:00

The boys in their racing boats ;)

Blowing Out His Candle

2009-07-18T21:49:00.003+02:00

Connor's 4th Birthday Party

2009-07-18T21:02:00.006+02:00

After a rocky (very wet!) start, Connor was able to enjoy his party in the woods. We did have quite a few showers, glad we had the tent!

Our set up:

Playing with one of his presents, water guns are always huge hits!

With Joceline

Pinata time

Daddy had a go too (so did I, but I was the one taking pictures...)

Cake time!

Blowing out his candle

Happy boy!

Going on a treasure hunt, following the trail

Seeing the dragon!

Guarding the treasure

Distribution time

I knew these blow up swords would be hits! :)

And Now for the Whole Cake Making Process...

2009-07-17T20:26:00.005+02:00

Ready to start: cake, nutella filling, butter cream

Getting ready to make the chocolate decorations

The end result, I have quite a few issues with it (some of them not my fault but the chocolate I used), but, on the whole, I'm decently happy with it, I hope Connor will be too...

A cake progress detail

2009-07-17T20:25:00.003+02:00

Finished!

2009-07-16T15:26:00.000+02:00

Now, on to the cake!

Pinata Progress

2009-07-15T23:05:00.000+02:00

Almost there...

Jam is jarred :)

2009-07-14T12:50:00.000+02:00

Mirabelle Jam Making

2009-07-13T14:34:00.000+02:00

6.5 kg of mirabelles pitted, over 2 hours of work!

Kindergarten Sommerfest

2009-07-11T20:43:00.005+02:00

This afternoon was the end of year celebration at the boys school, it was lots of fun! :)

All the children put on a show for us, both Logan and Connor were mosquitoes in the "Mosquito Rock"

Here they are:

This is Alina, Logan's "girlfriend" who was also a mosquito

Final pose

Logan and Connor were both staying on stage alone for some reason, they had to be pushed off! ;)

Getting changed

The school had organised an "adventureland" with lots of different activities for the kids to do

The bag/egg race

The tin shoot

(on this picture, you can see Connor's "girlfriend" Joceline in the background, with the yellow t-shirt)

The scooter track

Birthday Dinner

2009-07-09T22:27:00.000+02:00

At the Baobab African restaurant in Darmstadt. Yummy! :)

Guess What...

2009-07-08T13:05:00.000+02:00

Birthday Slippers

2009-07-07T10:32:00.000+02:00

Because they were knit on my birthday.
Love them, super comfy and cute!

Birthday Cards

2009-07-07T10:30:00.002+02:00

Picture of the day for 06.07.09

Let's just say that I had a few birthday cards! ;)
The top ones are from Logan, the bottom ones from Connor. Connor did a great job at colouring and I love Logan's butterfly, filled with hugs and kisses <3

More Heinerfest

2009-07-06T10:28:00.005+02:00

Waiting to get on the big wheel

Where I safely waited ;)

View from the cabin

Alte Rathaus

After the big wheel ride, they went fishing...

Then on to the roundabout...

And the huge slide, climbing...

Enjoying the ride

Heinerfest Fun

2009-07-05T23:29:00.000+02:00

We went to Heinerfest with the boys this morning...

Finished BSJ with Booties

2009-07-05T23:28:00.000+02:00

Picture of the day for 04.07.09

Yet Another BSJ

2009-07-03T09:21:00.000+02:00

Picture of the day for 02.07.09

This is BSJ #3 (+ 1 CSJ), I love this pattern!

Treasure Hunt

2009-07-03T09:20:00.000+02:00

Picture of the day for 01.07.09

The boys getting ready for a treasure hunt in the woods with Daddy.

My Rasta Hat

2009-06-29T15:31:00.000+02:00

Just off the needles...

Finished!

2009-06-26T12:18:00.000+02:00

The Baby Hats and their Creators

2009-06-25T15:39:00.006+02:00

Here we are, with the loot!
From left to right: Anette, myself, Regina

And, some more shots of our creations :)
It was a lot of fun making these hats and it's for such a good cause! We will be doing more for sure...

Save the Children Hats

2009-06-25T15:31:00.003+02:00

These are all the baby hats that Regina, Anette and her mother, and myself have knitted for the Save the Children "Eine Mütze Voll Leben" initiative, ending at the end of the month. There are 26.

Sontag Progress

2009-06-24T14:24:00.001+02:00

I can't help smiling whenever my eyes fall on this project! I love, love, love the colours, the brightness, this is just soooo me...

A Fugly Cloth!

2009-06-24T11:17:00.002+02:00

Another One from the Young Tit

2009-06-24T11:16:00.000+02:00

Picture of the day for: 22.06.09

In Flight

2009-06-24T11:15:00.000+02:00

Picture of the day for: 21.06.09

A Butterfly and a Grasshopper

2009-06-20T23:45:00.001+02:00

All pictures taken in our garden this afternoon.

A Present from Connor

2009-06-20T23:31:00.000+02:00

He picked it up in the garden.