Panties girl

Back to school

First day back -  Grade 1

she's off for the school bus, with new outfit and backpack

and back home she comes

mummy is back!

poops, potty and elmo

Artemis: Daddy, I need to do poopoo

Daddy: Ok honey, go sit on your potty

Artemis: I did poopoo!

Daddy: No Artemis, that's your Elmo in there, not a poopoo.

a day in Laval

The day was mostly a lazy one...just hanging out in the garden, picking fruit with papou.

But then the belated birthday presents arrived..remote control trucks!

Nemy quickly got the hang of it, and loved it!! (so did her dad)

Artemis was a bit freaked out by the speed, and didn't quite know what to do with the remote control.

In her mind, the remote makes a good camera. Cheese!

Fun at Yiayia's and Papou's house

Hi Folks, I'm back. Sorry for the long silence.

A few pics of the girls at Yiayia and Papou's house with Nicholas and Alexander.

The bath. The reason that there is so little water in the bath is because it's all on the bathroom floor.

Scheming on the porch in underwear. 

strolling on the sidewalk in underwear

Artemis smiling for the camera before bed. Yes, a lollipop for a bedtime snack. Please don't tell her mummy.

Nemy reading a story to her sister and cousins.

Alexander giving his cousin a good-night hug.

Kids meet on Anemone's and Artemi's last day

You spin me right round, baby

Right round like a record, baby

Right round round round!

Nemy turns 6

Today Nemy turned 6 years old, and we spent the morning at Legoland - the recently opened centre in Potsdamer Platz. Outside the centre we were greeted by a 7-metre tall giraffe, built completely by Lego. Inside the centre, there is an amusement park with games, and Lego sculptures. The kids had a good time. The adults - well..... they did as good as can be expected when surrounded by what seemed like 10,000 kids on a high dose of refined sugar.

Good morning daddy. See this B? It stands for BIRTHDAY!

The little kids section of the LegoLand Centre.

Watching a 4-D movie - essentially a traditional 3-D movie with an additional dimension of artificial weather in the cinema. Nemy loved it. 

The adult section of the Centre. A large room that contained a miniature (and very realistic) version of Berlin's city centre (made with over 5 million lego pieces).

The Brandenburg Gate

The Dome cathedral.

Cycling in berlin

Public transportation in Berlin is fantastic - the best I've seen anywhere, with buses, trains, and the subway all interlinked, and each arriving every few minutes. There is really no need to have a car in this city.

In addition, the bike lanes are awesome. Miranda and I bought a couple of used bikes at a flea market, and we ride to work (except when it rains or there is any threat of rain - at which point I wimp out and head for the bus, while Miranda rides her bike on her own). 

Bike lanes are a pleasure to follow, especially since Berlin is flat, and there are plenty of beergardens on the way when in need of a break. You can see an example of a bike lane, below in red. Most sidewalks are divided into walking and bike lanes. Also notice the special street lights for bikes. This really helps coordinate bike, car and pedestrian traffic.

Yes, I know I could have taken a picture with a beergarden in the background instead of McDonalds. What was I thinking?

Guten Tag, my name is Matthias

Hello, My name is Professor Dr. Matthias Rillig. I work at the Freie Universitaet. I teach young minds how to think. 

Ahhh, it's 11:30 am. Time for lunch. I am so happy.

2:00pm. Lunch is over. Want an espresso everyone?  Take a seat while I work my magic.

Guten tag. Welcome to my home. Espresso? I have a fancy machine. Look, I pour the coffee beans here. Then press the button, presto. It's german engineering , you know.  

Yes, I like beer too. It's good for you. Lots of good german beers here.

What am I drinking?

Well, it's actually swiss beer, but don't tell anyone. Hemp? Yes, it's hemp beer, but it's highly nutritious!!... with the most beautifully balanced ratio of essential fatty acids on earth. Did you know that a person can actually live on a handful of hemp seed a day?

THC? Nawwww, they use the low-THC variety in this beer. I feel just fine. 

Gotta run. I have to meet some students for an oral exam. 

Early Birthday party

Nemy's birthday is on Wednesday, but she had her birthday party early today at a local park, along with the Rillig, Antunes, and Powell families.

Nemy decorating her cake before the party.  

Beautiful day at the park.

Nemy: Thanks for the presents everyone. 

The all-important birthday wish. 

Post-cake activities. Luckily no medical treatment was needed.

Artemi: Hey guys, wait for me.

The big race. On your mark, get set....

...Go!!

Artemi: Hey guys, wait for me...

The gang. From left to right - Artemi, Owen, Ben, Ethan, Nemy, Jamina, Vera. Little Mathias was with his mum.

Goodbye Jen and April

Following an evening of Salsa dancing, Jen and April are off to Italy for some fun and sun for the month of August. We'll miss them. See you guys back in Guelph.