Family
Lights
Nadine put up new lights in the garden. Until midnight they turn our bedroom bright as day, but they do look welcoming, like a little beer garden.
Watercolors
Nadine has taken up painting with watercolors.
Farewell
I hate funerals. I hate all what is leading to it. I hate how time is working against one while it is so convenient just to live along until you are confronted with the absolute outcome of death. I am scared for what lies ahead. I do not know how to deal with the losses to come.
Together
It was the evening before my grandfather’s funeral. My younger sisters came to visit, the older of the two stayed the night with her husband and daughter, and the kids spent the day playing in the garden and the new sandbox.
Slabs
Finally the slab edging around the remodelled sandbox is done, I dug a small trench, compacted the sand and set the slabs in.
Summer Vacation, Day 16: Perran Sands
Today we stayed at the campsite and, it being a rest day, we explored the beach.
Wander
It’s the first time I’m publishing a photo taken on my phone, as I forgot to bring the camera to Tilian’s class end-of-year party for his second school year. We ordered 30 pizzas and spent the afternoon at the local lake. Kellin enjoyed the water and wandering around on his own.
No one knows yet, but this will be my last year as the chairman of the parents council, both for Tilian’s class and the school board. I feel I am more administering the parents group than contributing value to a better school environment. There’s a high chance other parents, more engaged and creative, will create lasting changes for the school. I am happy to make way.
Downstairs
The rooms under the roof have been hitting 35°C, so we moved the boys downstairs into the cold playroom that stays shut all day. It is funny how a different sleeping spot sparks this much joy and excitement in them. At 35°C upstairs, I might just sneak down and join them.
Fort
We love a good pillow fort.
Sandbox
All the work around the sand pit and removing the old pond paid off. It hits 35°C during the day at the moment, so water is allowed in the sandpit too.
Resting
Kellin is home sick with a fever, spending his days resting on the couch. He is the most cute and grumpy when sick, and it’s sad when you can only do very little to make him feel better.
Soapbox Race
Tilian had his yearly soapbox race, and over the past weeks he and Nadine built a rather good little cart together, light, with wheels that roll well and quick to steer, but they had no chance to field test it, and on the day it turned out the cart did not handle gravel well, which is what the loop around the kindergarten is made of. Bummer. With everything they learned this year it should be enough for a podium spot next year.
Water
I felt dizzy all day, so Nadine kept reminding me, loudly, to drink more water, and Tilian joined in by parroting her, slipping me secret notes that read “Mer Wasser!!!” (more water).
Markfest
We went with Nadine’s parents to the Kulinarisches Marktfest in Groitzsch, where the Kellin made it straight for the bouncy castle, had no interest at all in the clown show, and Tilian set off on his own little tour.
Starling
Tilian had another Nature Detectives day at the NABU, learning about herbs and finishing around the campfire with Stockbrot (bread baked on a stick). I used the time to photograph the local starling family while the everyone were busy. It took a lot of patience (which I am not very good at), but I caught the mother flying in to feed her young every minute or so. She lingered only a moment each time before setting off again.
Knights Games Trebsen
Went to see the annual Knights Games in Trebsen. We left Aika at Nadine’s grandmother and drove to Trebsen, west of Leipzig. We had been there four years ago over Pentecost but didn’t make it to the actual joust back then.
Tradition
Back home after a reliable five hour drive. Picked up as the tradition requires a book for Tilian and toy car for Kellin. Received a self-made father’s day from Tilian in return. Soundtrack of the drive: Vanna - A New Hope.
Nadine's Birthday
It’s Nadine’s birthday. We talked about it last week. We spoke about it on the weekend. This morning the boys and I forgot about it and left the house without saying anything. What a terrible family. We don’t deserve her.
The Jury Experience
Nadine and I got to spend the day in Leipzig all by ourselves.
Forest Stroll
Went with the boys and the dog to the forest.
Rolling
Went with Tilian and Aika on a stroll through the fields and the local forest. Encountered a Heron, a Magpie and a pair of Starlings. I would love to get a good shot of a Magpie, one day!
Nature Detectives
Once a month Tilian is joining a program called Nature Detectives. It is organized by the local NABU chapter.
Jump
Tilian testing gravity. Almost forgot about today’s daily photo, that’s a first.
Dragon Touch (Pt.2)
A follow-up to the Dragon Touch post from a few days ago, about two things that bothered me enough to fix.
Dragon Touch
We got a Dragon Touch 27" digital display to use as a family calendar. My original plan was to build something with an e-ink display and a Raspberry Pi Zero, but this felt like the faster path.
Dodge
My father restores vintage cars as a hobby, and today we did a photo shoot together. The car is a 1932 Dodge Eight Series DK, fully restored by him.
Privilege
Every Friday afternoon, Nadine’s parents pick up Tilian and Kellin. There is no fixed plan. Sometimes it is an outing, sometimes an hour of card games.
Tilian's Favourite Spot
Tilian got the task from school to choose his favourite place where he lives. Nadine went to take a picture of it with him. To my surprise, it’s the same spot I spent a lot of days as a kid.
Coloss
Did a late-afteroon trip with Tilian to the big bucket-wheel excavator. He was mesmerized by the size, unfortunately it stopped operating for the day.
Zootopia 2
Tilian and I went to see Zootopia 2 today. We are big fans of the Die drei ??? Kids audiobooks and wanted to watch the movie of the main series, but the trailer had some scary scenes that Tilian doesn’t like so we opted in for a more relaxed movie. Once the new Die drei ??? hits streaming we will give it a try at home.
Winter Vacation (Pt. 7)
Last full day in Mayrhofen. A round of Hus, a Mario Kart World cup, three groups heading in different directions and Tilian finally spending his pocket money.
Winter Vacation (Pt. 6)
Mountain day for everyone. We rode up the Penken together, Tilian took second place in his ski school race, Aika had her five minutes of fame and we closed out the evening at Goldkind.
Winter Vacation (Pt. 5)
Kellin was back on his feet. We spent the morning walking along the Ziller, rode the Zillertalbahn home and ended the evening at an escape room.
Winter Vacation (Pt. 4)
Kellin woke up with a fever, so my father-in-law and I stayed back with him while the others hit the slopes.
Winter Vacation (Pt. 3)
Up at 5. Getting better.
Winter Vacation (Pt. 2)
Day two started at 4:30 in the morning. The older one couldn’t sleep anymore. Great start to a vacation day.
Winter Vacation (Pt. 1)
We made it to Mayrhofen. Around 600 km, about 7 hours on the road with two short breaks. The drive was smooth, nothing to complain about.
School's Out
Tilian got his mid-year report card for second grade. Straight A’s in all main subjects and conduct marks.
Imagination
Love this kid. Kellin can take a half-broken toy, a pile of week-old snow and immerse himself in a new adventure so easily.
Cake
We needed to cancel Tilian’s kids birthday party on short notice due to last-minute guest-to-be cancellations of 66% of participants. Fortunately the cake was already prepared and needed to be taken care of appropriately.
Tilian’s 8th Birthday
Tilian turned 8! Time flies so fast. We spent the afternoon building a decommissioned LEGO (42097) set I have been hunting online for him for a while. The bags are not numbered!
Away
Tilian is sick and Kellin has been quarantined as a precaution. I am on a work trip to Munich so it was extra difficult to leave them until tomorrow night.
Sourdough
My wife started baking bread. Here’s her spelt (Deutsch: Dinkel) sourdough recipe. It took quite a few iterations to get it right.
Winter Walk
A winter walk with Tilian and Aika. The fresh snow melted during the day but froze overnight, leaving icy patches everywhere. Plenty of slipping and sliding along the way, with the kids landing on their backsides more than once. Aika seemed completely unfazed.