The interview for the 6mth contract in Melbourne

...went well. MK's start date is November 13th (Charlotte's birthday!). The boss originally suggested the week before and MK asked for the 13th.

He hasn't spoken to his boss here yet, but we've looked at the calendar (again!) to think about the finish date for this contract (and life...). MK is rostered to work a weekend shift the last weekend in October so one discussion we're having is to work that weekend and get the money or finish on the Friday before, forego the money but have the extra time. I want both!

It's good news about the job...

But hard to think about the reality of leaving here...

Startinng to tell people

I asked Yasmine this morning if she wanted our apartment (no, but ask Stephanie*) which lead to me telling her we'll be gone by the end of October or early November. She's sad, like she always said she would be.

Lucinda and Stefan came round this morning and I got around to telling her that we're leaving soon. Yuck, not enjoying this part. Feel like my head is still in the sand and I'm happy to leave it there.

I found myself getting teary in the supermarket this afternoon for no reason. Well, a silly reason - I looked up at the clock and saw today's date underneath. That's what choked this up. Cos then I started thinking about how nice the people are to me in Migros. Friendly. Even without the language. And how it's all coming to an end.

I really need to pace myself. This is going to be a long emotional journey. And I have to remember that we think it's the right time to return. It's good. Not all good, but mostly good. And we've had far longer here than we could have have imagined. We've been really lucky.

Uggghhhh, I'm tearing up again.

*Stephanie asked later if she and her husband could come round on Saturday to look at the apartment. They want a place with a garden so not sure if our place is what they're looking for. But Stephanie has been here before (she was my French teacher for a while) so she knows basically what the apartment looks like.

Day 2 update - things keep happening

MK spoke to the boss in Melbourne again (Simon) and they set up the interview for 7.30am tomorrow. Phone interview (not video) and there will be three of them on the panel, Simon and two shift supervisors. Hopefully a low-key affair with more emphasis on the practicalities.

Speaking of, I started thinking and MK and I started talking about dates and stuff. This is what we came up with over the course of the day
27th Oct - MK's last day of work
31st Oct - Last day in our apartment
2nd Nov (or thereabouts) - Geneva to Hong Kong
16th or 17th Nov - Hong Kong to Melbourne

I rang Mum and Dad on their cruise ship to find out their movements around the beginning of November. Not great for us, unfortunately. Late October they're going to Melbourne to oversee some gardening work. Dad is due back in HK around Nov 5th but if the gardening work isn't finished Mum will be staying down. That would be no fun. Anyway, we'd still go to HK if Mum and Dad aren't there and hang out till they arrive.

I also asked Dad if we could stay in their house when we get back to Australia. Not a problem, but he wanted to know how long for. Difficult to know, but I envisage that being a short term option, then renting somewhere while we look for a house to buy. Uggghhhhh.

Change is good, change is good, change is good...

Another update on the work situation - we're getting close

Just before MK had a week off last week he sent his CV to the boss in Melbourne. And today he spoke to him on the phone. The upshot is there is a 6 month contract available to him pending an informal interview (panel of three) which will happen either this week or next. And the start date could be as early as the end of October, although MK thinks there may be flexibility to start a bit later.

Gulp.

This converstation took place in the car after MK picked the girls and I up from the Children's Hospital. We spoke more when we got home and thought that if we were to pick an end date to the contract here it should be the end of a month. End of the month works better for renting out the apartment and ending other committments (like health insurance). So that would make it the end of October I suppose. But requesting a start date in Melbourne sometime like mid November so MK has the chance to spend some time in Hong Kong. And a bit of time settling back into Australia. The girls and I might stay longer in HK though.

Gulp.

I've had that sick feeling in my stomache. Too easy to feel overwhelmed with all the practicalities we'll need to tackle dismantling this life and creating a new life back in Australia. So much to do. Without any company assistance - financial or otherwise.

I really feel I've turned that corner. The beginning of the end.

Tough night before garderie starts again

Charlotte woke last night around 11.30pm (after we'd gone to bed) and I was up and down to her a couple of times. She was unsettled and crying, but tired and restless. I eventually got her up (itchy bottom, not much I could do except change her nappy) and watched tv till I put her back to bed at 1am. And what was on tv? Eastenders! It hasn't been on at 7.30pm for ages now and I've missed it. For some reason it's been taken off primetime. And now it's only on at obscure times...when I can't watch it. Boo hoo.

So, bed at 1am then I woke when MK's alarm went off at sparrow's this morning. And again just after 6am when Lily came in to say her nappy had leaked. This drives me crazy. She wears a pull up every night (still not dry at night) and every now and then it leaks. So I got up, changed her bedding and went back to bed. We all slept till 8am. Thankfully Lily wasn't starting school this morning.

Got to garderire around 9am and Yasmine kindly invited Lily to stay for the morning. Which made Lily happy as she'd been asking me beforehand if she could.

Gave me the chance to come home, eat breakfast and tidy up before Katarina arrived just after 10am.

Ears, Nose and Throat Specialist appt - Lily

Well, Lily was supposed to start back at school this afternoon but instead she had a 1.30pm appt with the Ear dr at the Children's Hospital. The girls and I caught the number 9 bus into town (MK is on morning shift this week), went one stop past Dr C's office and walked up to the hospital. Dr saw us about 20mins late but the girls were happy to watch Tom and Jerry cartoons in his waiting room.

He checked in Lily's ears and down her throat. Thankfully her ears are clear, no fluid, no otitis and her adenoids are a normal size. Then we went into a different room and he tested her hearing with headphones. Lily was to hit a button on turtle when she heard a noise. Then she got a picture on the screen to look at. More good news - her hearing is good in both ears. And that was that, all good.

MK picked us up on his way home from work and we had another slow ride through Lausanne (this time because traffic lights were not working). But I asked MK to drop us off at school. Even though it was 3pm by the time we got there Lily was happy to go in, and the teacher gave me the envelope with all this year's info on it (like what we need to buy, phone list, school hours, swimming days etc). I waited outside till school got out at 3.15pm.

End of the summer holidays

Today is the last day of the summer holidays. Tomorrow it's back to garderie, and in theory, school. We received a letter from the school a while ago telling us who Lily's teachers are this year (same as last year) and advising us she starts back in the afternoon on Monday 28th August. From memory this would be because the new kids start in the morning and it will give them one day to settle in without the big kids there.

But unfortunately Lily won't be starting tomorrow afternoon. She has an appointment with an Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist at the Children's Hospital at 1.30pm tomorrow. Terrible timing, but it's the earliest appt Dr C, our pediatrician, could get for us. And her ears really do need to be checked properly. So Lily starts on Tuesday morning. With new school hours. Nothing drastic. I'll post them later.

So it's just Charlotte back at garderie tomorrow morning. She's been asking when does she go back to garderie. She loves it.

Late nights, late mornings - redressing the balance

Every night was a late night last week in Italy. Girls did ok with this, and in the morning no-one woke much before 8am. Same thing happened when we were in Majorca.

But the fall out when you get home is a bit hard. We expect them to go to bed between 7.30pm and 8pm, which they do, but the getting to sleep part is impossible before 9 - 9.30pm. This morning Lily woke at 8am, so I went in and woke Charlotte up as well by opening the shutters. She complained - 'close the blinds', 'I want to sleep' - but once she got up she was alright.

But school and garderie start tomorrow so we have to get back into those hours. Which means going to sleep at a decent time. Hopefully it'll happen tonight.

We didn't put Charlotte down for a nap today to help things along tonight. In fact, naps have been fairly haphazard for a while now. And that crucial test of whether a nap is helping or hurting - does an afternoon nap negatively affect the nighttime sleeping? It looks like the answer may be yes for Charlotte. But this is a kid who just never needed as much sleep as Lily, the Sleeping Queen. Charlotte will and does nap, but I know she can survive without one.

Once upon a time, if Charlotte didn't nap in the afternoon she'd be asleep within 5 minutes of putting her down at night. Now she can be like the Everready Bunny...just keeps going and going. That's scary.

My blog is one year old...

...and I missed the day! August 13th marked the first anniversary of my blog.

I neglected it for three months earlier this year. Otherwise it's been a fun way to record our life in Switzerland.

And soon, I assume, it'll be recording our new life in Australia.

Getting peed on - a parents lot

In my recounting of yesterday's Picnic I forgot to mention that the first of Charlott's two accidents occurred on me. While I was talking with a woman I'd just met. And a bit of it got on her.

Yeah, not a high moment.

Work picnic is over for another year

And probably the last one we'll ever go to.

The day that I live for all year has come and gone. I love Picnic!

Sarah got to our place just after 10am and she was bearing gifts - a bottle of bubbles for each of the girls and chocolates for MK and I. That girl is so sweet. We got away just after 10.30am and hit major road problems. Took us nearly an hour to get to the other side of Lausanne. Some sort of bike race going on around Ouchy, MK said. I was getting anxious - Picnic was starting (11am) without us!

Eventually got there just before noon, after one pee-pee stop for Lily. This year there were no t-shirts for the kids and the welcoming drink was juice, not bubbly. Plus no carousel or rides set up out the front where they usually are. Actually, there weren't many rides this year at all. All I saw was one odd looking bike ride for older kids - peddle the bike up a tall pole.

But, I think the rides budget must have gone to the sushi and freshly shucked oyster stands! Got MK in line for the sushi (long), while I got the girls and Sarah some food. Then later I got 2 plates of oysters for MK and I (8 per plate). After that, 2 plates of freshly cooked prawns. And I think that was the end of the savouries for me. I started on the chocolate crepe and chocolate gaufre (waffle). Both absolutely delicious and freshly made. Then some desserts (the selection of patisseries is always good), another waffle (couldn't resist), some fresh fruit (a fresh fig, some strawberries) and I don't think I could fit anymore in after this.

Unfortunately the rain came to Picnic, as it does traditionally. And I forgot to pack appropriately. This being our 5th Picnic in a row you'd think I'd have learnt by now. So Lily and Charlotte were in sleeveless summer dresses and I was wearing a t-shirt and shorts and it's raining. Ugghhhh. But we sheltered in the big shed where they had (low-tech) games set up for the kids, which the girls enjoyed.

It was good having Sarah as she was able to do things with the girls. But we also encouraged her to eat and drink...no point in going to Picnic if you don't do that. She doesn't smoke so she wasn't interested in the free cigarettes that were on offer on the tea and cofffee stands. She took the girls to get maquillage (face painting) and later they did some painting. Plus spent time in the big shed with the games. Shame the rain was so constant as it stopped them going out and about more.

We saw Christine and Stefano, Irma is back, Clare and Mike, and caught up with a few other people I know. MK and I both agreed we missed seeing Don and Mandy...and where were Jackie and Steve? Robyn and Michael (our Australian twins) weren't there also.

As usual we stayed to the bitter end, and the end had come when Charlotte did pee-pee in her pants for the second time. I'd already used her spare dress and knickers for the first episode, so I had to move on to Lily's spare dress and no knickers (Lily had needed her spare knickers). Yuck. We got away just before 6pm.

The girls are just getting out of the bath after toasted cheese sandwiches for dinner. Nothing for MK and I.

Even without the rides of past, I'm sure we'll never experience a work family do as good as the one at Montricher.

Nearly home

We'll be back by 6pm. Girls have been excellent. One short stop at the top of the St Bernard Pass, and 3 quick roadside pee-peestops. Good stuff!

Day 5 - arrivederci Piedmont and Italy.

Got up just before 8am - my default time this week. Breakfast, shower, packed and cartoons for the girls. MK went into town to get cash and fuel. Said our goodbyes and left just before 11.30am. Stopped in Nizza Monferrato to check out the market and main part of town. Bought pizza and fries for lunch. We are now on the road home, having left town just after 1pm. Girls happily playing, hopefully sleep at some stage.

Too windy

Yesterday afternoon the wind really picked up. So much so that we ate our dinner (pasta, salad, bread, olives, seafood in oil) inside. Shame to miss the great view on our last night. Still, the girls had a run around outside before shower and (relatively early) bed.

Fall out from the previous night

After the drive yesterday we had lunch at a local, casual place in Nizza Monferrato. Yummy wood oven pizza, pasta, calamari, salad and home made desserts. On our way home we stopped at the supermarket to buy last night's dinner. And thats where the girls lost the plot. Big time. Involving a ball not being shared (and subsequently not bought because of the bad behaviour). Screaming and crying - both of them. Lucky the shop was nearly empty. Back home they settled down and we had a long quiet time - girls watching tv, us reading. Helped to de-stress everyone.

Toilet training

The first couple of days were hit and miss - and Sarah put a nappy on after an accident at the park. So I wasn't sure how Charlotte would go on this trip. But it's been fine - only 1 accident and 1 request for a nappy to go on. But I feel I've seen every toilet between here and Turin.

Day 4 - sticking closer to this area

Late start to the day after late night. After suggestion from Peter, we are taking a drive round this area. Currently stopped at Fontanile - a small town with a large church. Charlotte asleep in the car so here I am as well while MK and Lily have a quick look around.

Lily and the gardener

Lily's made friends with the gardener here, an older Italian man who speaks no English. She would be happy to stay here and follow him around as he works. He's very chatty, thinks Lily is intelligent and gave us home made plum jam yesterday.

We survived!

The 7 course meal in the nice restaurant. Although hardly had the chance to talk with MK. And I'm sure everyone sighed a collective breath of relief when we left. We did!

Day 3 - Acqui Terme

Up just before 8am, same as Lily. Charlotte slept in much later. Cereal for breakfast - not that the girls ate much. Got away at 10.30am and only 20 mins to Acqui Terme thru rolling hills and vineyards. Pretty town easy to walk around. Lunch at an enoteca so drank wine and helped ourselves to delicious bar snacks - everyone happy! Drove back to our town and picked up a few things at the supermarket . Back to our place for relaxing time then a swim in the pool for the others. Looking forward to our 7 course local food dinner tonight - at the earliest time of 8pm. Very Italian to eat so late!

'Like Tuscany except tidier'

Was MK's impression of this part of Piedmont - and our accomodation - when we got here. Our apartment on the third level is small but clean and pretty. MK took the girls for a swim in the infinity pool (after arriving at 4.30pm). Later we drove into town and bought supplies at the supermarket. Back here I made dinner which we ate outside overlooking the pool and magnificent view. Pasta, salad, bread and blueberries for dessert!

Turin - two thumbs up!

We could easily have spent more time there. Our to see - buildings alone stunning. Finished with a trip to the top of the tallest tower (after having lunch there). Left Turin just before 3pm and girls asleep. Last night was a late one and we did a fair bit of walking this am. Although they did spend time being carried on our backs!

Day 2 - Turin

Slept ok - beautiful king size bed. Woke just before 8am. Buffet breakfast very nice. Kids ate heaps. Now out to see more of Turin. Got late check out - 2pm - so no need to rush back by noon. Hotel very pleasant - happy to be here a bit longer.

The girls in Italy

The girls were so good today - in the car, out and about. Lily's favourite things in Italy are pasta and ice-cream! They both loved running free on Turin's pedestrian-ised streets.

We're in Turin!

Thanks to MK's map research and reading we arrived here about 2.30pm. Checked in - very nice hotel, big comfy room. Went on a quest to find gelati - worth it! Walked down main shopping street and through piazza's. Did a bit of shopping. Dinner at two bars. Great deal - buy drinks, get a free buffet!

We're in Italy

Just come over the St Bernard Pass (we usually come thru the tunnel). Stopped at the top to stretch legs. Very cold. Back in the car had sandwiches now Charlotte asleep and Lily nearly. Bliss!

On the road - Pully to Turin

We left at 9.47am in fairly good form. I have a huge bag of food and another of toys by my legs. The girls have already eaten a croissant. And Fred Flinstone CD is playing. Good weather and happy children - so far!

Turin and Piedmont here we come

Tomorrow morning we'll pack the car and head off. First stop Turin where we'll spend one night. Then from Tuesday to Friday we're in Nizza Monferrato in Piedmont. The place we're staying is called Cascina Christiana. We wanted to stay there the whole time but they had no availability Monday night.

I finally booked our Turin hotel tonight. Christine suggested Grand Hotel Sitea as they stayed there earlier this year. I tried to find other places but just couldn't come up with anything. So we've gone with the Grand. It's only for one night otherwise hard to justify the price.

Should be a good break away. Piedmont is apparently known for it's food and wine so something to keep everyone happy.

I'll send updates from my mobile to my blog if I get inspired.

Sunday brunch

The other day Christine C suggested brunch for this morning. She booked Cafe de Grancy, although Movenpick was a possibility. I was happy not to stuff myself silly at their buffet brunch (although it's been years since I've been), but Cafe de Grancy was pretty disappointing when I went with Lucinda a couple of weeks ago.

Lucinda and Clare B were also invited but not able to make it. The girls and I went in on the train as MK was on dayshift (6am-6pm) and had the car. Well, once again the pancakes were burnt so this time I sent them back. I had the same calamari and prawn salad as last time and it was good. Charlotte's jambon crepe was ordinary. Christine liked it which was good, and all three kids were happy to play and hang out.

I was lucky and managed to get onto the 1.33pm train back to Pully, after saying to goodbye to Christine a couple of minutes before. I probably made it back in the same time she did!

Sarah the babysitter

Yesterday on my walk back from my jog I saw Yasmine was cleaning garderie so stopped for a chat. Later got thinking, and went back afterwards to see if Anouk or Sarah were interested in some babysitting this weekend. Yes, Sarah (pronounced Zara with an S) was so she came round today 9am till 1pm and tomorrow it'll be 3pm till 5pm.

Ma ma and Poppy left super early this morning (before 4.30am) and I was awake for ages afterwards, till MK got up for work. Charlotte woke around 7.15am, so that wasn't too bad.

When Sarah got here this morning I went for a jog. Stopped off at Migros on my way back and bought croissants and rolls for lunch. Gave them to Sarah and she took the girls up to the Deer Park. Gave me a little while to shower, clean the spare bathroom, put the washing on and do some shopping at Migros.

All this while I was thinking about whether we should invite someone like Sarah to the work family Picnic next Saturday. Every year the company invitation includes a place to include your au pair or nanny. Obviously we've never taken an au pair or a nanny, but seeing as this is our last one, and we have the chance I thought why not? Checked with MK and he was happy with the idea. So rang Yasmine and she thought Sarah would love to go (we'd pay hourly, she'd look after the girls but also have free access to all the food, drink and activities). Yasmine rang Sarah (she speaks no English) who told me, once she got back from the park with the girls, that yes she would like to go. Sorted. And MK had already bought a booster seat for Lily to make a bit of room in the backseat.

So for one moment we'll live the Swiss dream of taking our 'nanny' to the work Picnic.

Beautiful day

Sitting on the balcony sending this post on my mobile, Lily on the laptop and Charlotte screaming 'I'm hungry'!

Goodbye Ma ma and Poppy

Mum and Dad leave early tomorrow night on a flight to Amsterdam to begin their two week cruise. Always sad to see them go as we all enjoy the time together.

Speaking of, yesterday morning was fairly low-key (from what I remember)...Mum and Dad took the girls downstairs to ride their bike (LPK) and barbie scooter (CPK). I made a frittata for dinner and got started on the vanilla slice recipe I got from Ruza in Zagreb.

After lunch, Lily and Poppy caught the train to Renens where they were met by MK (coming off morning shift). They all then drove to some military air museum in Payerne.

Charlotte napped, Mum and I rested. Then we all went into town as I had a hair appointment (colour only) at David's. Charlotte always says she's scared of Tintin the dog, so she mainly sat on Mum's knee. But she was really happy to be there and even ventured off the couch a couple of times. Mum was planning on taking her out, but she was so good they hung around till I finished.

We got home and popped into Migros. By this stage MK, Dad and Lily were home. I gave them all dinner then got ready to go out.

Michele B had organised a girl's night at La Stella (always happy when it's there as it's so close to home). Group of eleven of us, and I spent most time chatting to Christine C and Pam. Was also sitting next to Lorretta and close to Michele.

And this morning I managed to get out for my jog (haven't been for 2 days and conscious of eating out lots this week plus weigh in this afternoon), while Mum organised the girls and took them to the little park. We all had lunch there later (from the boulangerie), then came home for nap/quiet time.

After MK got home from work we went to Lutry and caught the 4.30pm petit train that goes through the vineyards. It was so lovely. Bright, clear sunny day...views were crystal clear. And magnificent. Girls enjoyed it (esp with an icecream to start with then a bag of Cheerios to keep them going) and so did we.

We really do live in an amazingly beautiful part of the world.

Not for long though.

See you in Hong Kong soon, Ma ma and Poppy.

Toilet training Charlotte

I've been so slack with the whole toilet training business with Charlotte. I started at 2 years 4 mths with Lily and she fully trained the day before she turned three (well, except for the nighttime which is still an issue). I just haven't bothered with Charlotte and here she is at 2 years 9 mths. Every now and then, lately, she's said 'pee-pee' but I've just distracted her/brushed her off.

So last night she did ca-ca just before dinner. I changed her nappy and, knowing she was going in the bath after dinner, put knickers on her. For the first time. She was so proud, she came running out to the dining area flashing her knickers to Daddy, Ma ma, Poppy and Lily. She got heaps of attention out of that. Then later she went to the toilet and did pee-pee (the only other time she's done that is occasionally before her bath). After bath she went to bed in a nappy, as per usual.

Today Mum dressed her and put her in knickers. And she did really well, on the whole. Mum, Dad, Lily, Charlotte and I had lunch in the little park, and for the first time ever Charlotte did pee-pee at the park (squatting). Then just before her nap she said she needed to go and she actually did ca-ca on the toilet (I thought it was the first time, but MK reckons she's done it once before). Then she stayed dry for her nap.

We were out this afternoon and she didn't go to the toilet at all, even though I took her to a public toilet and she had the chance at another time to squat.

When we got home, though, she got a bit distracted wanting to play shops that by the time she got to the toilet she'd had an accident.

And then tonight the girls had their bath before dinner (as we got home a bit late) and C did ca-ca in her nappy. Not a drama...that's what nappies are for.

Ok, so a whole post on nappy training is not my usual stuff but you remember how much of a big deal it is. And to see your baby wearing knickers is such a kick. Looks so cute. But so grown-up.

She is such a groover, that kid.

Testing my mobile as a way of posting

I am sending this on my new phone. How cool if it works! Slow, but cool.

Catch the good weather while you can

Yesterday was sunny and nice and I'm glad we took advantage of it as it started raining again last night. It still looked a bit iffy this morning but we've been able to be outside all day with no problems.

I had a wax appt at 10am then we all went into town on the bus. Walked up to the Cathedral for a look, then down to the creperie restaurant where we've taken Mum before. We were even able to sit outside. Wandered down the hill, checked out the new Lush store (replaced the Cordon Bleu cooking store) then MK had to go to work.

Wandered back to St Francois, got the girls an icecream then ran into Christine C and Claire B having lunch (Christine spotted us and rang me).

I bought the girls home and put on The Wizard of Oz while Mum and Dad stayed in town and shopped. Dad came home with M&M's for the girls...might become his 'thing'. Girls will be happy!

The woman who did the waxing this morning said tomorrow's weather is nice, then the rest of the week is rain. Great.

I'm in the process of booking accomodation for Piedmont next week. Hope the weather is better there.

Poppy's here!

MK and the girls picked Poppy up from the airport yesterday morning. Mum and I did some cleaning, then cleared out for the cleaner (yeah, doesn't make sense). The girls were very excited to see Poppy, and enjoyed his presents...Winnie the Pooh m&m dispensers, books and Snakes and Ladders.

As Katarina was still working, we all went to Migros for lunch. I got two children's meals for the girls, and chose meat brochettes which looked like chicken. Unbeknownst to them, it was rabbit. Which they ate happily. That was done to me as a kid too!

MK is on afternoon shift this week, so he left for work around 1.30pm. After naptime, Mum and Dad took the girls to the little park, and I went to the Phone House to investigate a new battery for my phone. After a chat with Dad at the park, I returned to the shop and bought a new phone. Sony Ericsson Z520i. Nice little phone. I love mobile phones.

This morning we walked to Lutry and had lunch at La Barca, exactly like we did last Monday. The waiter was fairly impatient with my poor French, which p*ssed me off. My tip - get some people skills, Mister. But lunch was yummy, and it was a lovely day (the rain has gone) so there were more important things to focus on.

MK had to leave to go to work. The girls were desperate for an icecream, so Dad bought them one at the kiosk that faces the Lake. The girls went to play in the park with Poppy, then we saw the boat approaching from the Lausanne direction. Made the snap decision to get on even though it looked quite full. Dad treated us to Premiere Classe so we were sitting on deck chairs enjoying the view (although Charlotte hated the boat horn - said it was too noisy).

The boat went as far as Vevey then turned around. We stayed on till it returned to Pully. The girls played for a while in the park at Pully Port, then we climbed the hill home.

Big day, nice lunch, good weather. Like last night, once the girls were in bed I went for a 40min jog along the Lake to Lutry and back (my normal route). Hard work, but worth it.

Lily and Charlotte Fairies

(courtesy of Ma ma and H&M)

My trip to London

After getting the dates/info from Mel and Heather, and talking with MK, I have booked my flight to London for the EC get together. I fly out early Saturday morning September 23rd and return Sunday night September 24th.

I feel so lucky being able to do a trip like this. And it'll be my last, most likely.

Gotta make the most of it while I'm here.

Five years today - MK in Switzerland

MK arrived in Switzerland five years ago today. And hasn't been back to Australia all that time.

Lily and I have to wait another 9 weeks for our 5 year anniversary.

I think MK feels alright about returning to Australia. He's certainly aware he's had longer here than we could have imagined. But I do know he enjoys living in Europe and feels that once we're home we'll be a loooong way away from Europe.

Can't have everything, I suppose.

Rainy Sunday

It has literally rained all day. Kept my eye on the weather as waiting for any chance to go for a walk, but there has been none. Not even now. Still raining. So we have stayed inside all day. Well, except for one trip to the boulangerie that Ma ma did with the girls to get lunch.

Yesterday morning Christine and Alessandro came round in the morning and Christine shared her exciting news. She also helped with some ideas for our week away coming up soon. Didn't do much in the afternoon, was raining off and on at that stage.

MK managed to get a reservation at Le Java for 8pm so Mum suggested she and the girls go out for an early, local dinner. We all went and tried La Stella first but it didn't open till 6.30pm. Had more luck at Au Vieux Caveau, round the corner from garderie, a place we haven't been to before. Girls had spaghetti with bolognaise (served separately, so Lily could just have spaghetti and cheese which is her preference), Mum had lasagne, I had a salad melee and MK had pate.

Came home, got the girls bathed and ready for bed then went into town on the bus. Restaurant was not as busy when we got there as it was Thursday night and it looks like they do something special Thurs nights - numerology night maybe? Anyway, the waitress was super friendly (talked us into a glass of champagne to celebrate MK's five year anniversary in Switzerland...although she didn't need to twist my arm) but they were incredibly under-staffed so this woman was run off her feet. And very hard to pin down. Spoilt it a bit. I had tartare of salmon and tuna with a salad and wedges, MK had some sort of galette with tuna steak (sliced and virtually raw) and cabbage salad. Different. We shared a very un-Swiss dessert...brownies with caramel sauce and ice-cream. Raining when we left the restaurant (after waiting ages for everything), I had a blister on both feet and we had no change for the bus. So MK went off and got us some change. I prefer to walk home, but last night was not the night for it.

This morning I made Buckwheat Pancakes for breakfast and tonight Mum made a roast lamb (racks) dinner. Very nice. I made apple and blackberry crumble for dessert.

And now Dad is on a flight from Hong Kong to Paris. He gets in early tomorrow morning and all going well arrives in to Geneva at 10.10m. Either MK or I and the girls will go to the airport to collect him. I think everyone is looking forward to seeing him...and he's looking forward to seeing the girls.

Ma ma's here!

And we're all happy :)

Picked Mum up from the airport Wednesday morning. As usual I was running late so we got in the car at 10.28am and pulled into the carpark at the airport at 11.10am (which is the time her plane was due). The airport trip usually takes 50 mins so barrelling down the auroroute at 140 kph obviously worked.

While we were waiting for Ma ma to come through the doors she snuck up on us, by coming out another door. Bit of an anti-climax!

Quiet afternoon at home...well, as quiet as can be while Ma ma unloads her presents for the girls. And magazines and cookbooks for me.

Yesterday we went into Lausanne in the morning to do a bit of shopping, then lunch at Manor. I took the girls home while Mum stayed in town for a bit more shopping. She was thrilled to find a 200 Sfr white Esprit jacket on sale for 40 Sfr...exactly what she's been looking for for ages.

Last night MK and I went out to dinner. Our first choice was Le Java, a restaurant MK had researched. When we got there it looked perfect and very un-Swiss...trendy, lots of people, a real hotspot. But unfortunately it was booked out. So we walked up to the back of the cathedral to the second choice restaurant, la Pomme de Pin, but it was closed for Vacances. Our final choice was Minuit Soleil, the Spanish restaurant we went to a couple of years ago for a girl's night out (must have been around Xmas time as we did that great gift-giving game that Judi suggested).

MK and I shared a tapas plate, and it was so late - and we were so full - that we cancelled our main meals and called it a night (he'd organised with his colleague to go on later). Nice night out, enjoyed the meal and even the walk around Lausanne.

This morning we drove to St Sulpice to visit Edu-Kids which opened this week. Wanted to check it out and show our support. Well set up and I really hope they succeed. Claire and Katherine have put a lot of work into making it what it is.

Afterwards we had lunch at Le Skipper, also in St Sulpice. Enjoyed sitting outside, the girls loved playing in the little play area and the meals were good (salmon and salad for Mum and I, frites for the girls).

When we got home, just after 1pm, I chucked C into bed and Mum and Lily went into town on the bus. They've just got home and Lily is very excited about her purchases - a new summer hat (from C&A) and fairy wings and wand from H&M (a set for C too). She loves shopping in town with Ma ma :)

Lily is in a 'testing the boundaries' phase so we are seeing some 'naughty' behaviour requiring time-out. I know it's a phase, but still no fun for anyone. Most of the time she's her happy, lovely self.

Weather is not so crash-hot. At the moment it's cool and windy, and looks like it's going rain. I want to go for a jog tonight so hope it holds off.

From here to the end of the summer holidays

Mum arrives tomorrow! MK is on night shift again this week, so the girls and I will drive to Geneva airport in the morning to pick her up. Then Dad arrives next Monday. They leave the following Saturday (19th August), MK works dayshift that weekend then has a week off. It's the last week of the holidays and we'd like to go away somewhere. Driving distance, preferably.

But we want to be back by the Friday, as the next day (Sat 26th) is the work Family Picnic. The one big day of the year I never, ever want to miss. The work picnic party is the all laid on affair out in the sticks that has something for everyone...mainly loads of food and rides for the kids.

And the Monday after that (28th), the new school year starts, garderie returns and it's back to our regular weekly schedule.

'Mum'

While we were in Croatia, Charlotte started calling my 'Mum'. Lily doesn't even call me that (still calls me Mummy). The only reason I can think of is she heard MK calling his mother 'mum'. No one else was saying it that I can remember.

It sounds strange to me, grown up for a 2.5 year old to be saying. And her latest thing is starting a sentence with 'Mum, can you .......' (fill in the blank). So just now it was 'Can you pick me up please?' in her cute, half stilted baby voice (she wanted me to carry her like a koala on my back).

Her language seems pretty good to me. Whole sentences, verbalises herself well. A positive to being a copy-cat.

Just not sure I'm ready to be a 'Mum'.

The gig is up in November

MK forwarded an email overnight that was sent to all on his shift late yesterday afternoon by one of the bosses. This is a section below:

As you all know, currently your contracts are valid until end of October, but as per the shift planning I think I will have to extend them until end of November (once again it may depend on how it works in Melbourne since they should take over all of our shifts as of begining of November and may not require that much coaching that I forsee). So for most of you, I think I will work with your companies to have your contracts stop at the end of November.

This is still yet to be confirmed, but, even though I'm not looking forward to seeing you leave my team and the company after all these months/years of great teamwork and cooperation, I can't justify so many resources. So I have to keep you informed (as well as your companies) as quickly as possible so that you can prepare your future after xxxx :-(

With these information, I feel like I'm starting the saddest period in my short but intense professional carreer.

So looks like, at the latest, we'll be out of here by the end of November/beginning of December. That's if nothing happens for MK before then...

Weird, it's less than 4 months time. Well, at least Charlotte will spend her 3rd birthday in her country of birth.

MK and I in Croatia

Zagreb - Zurich - Lausanne

We're back! Up at 6am this morning, Miro picked us up at 7.15am and we left for the airport (in Miro's van as usual - Aunty, Stanko, Ruza, Miro, Mike, Joanne, the girls and I). MK had left last Monday night and we had the extra 4 days.

The flight was at 9am and we got to the airport just before 8am. Raining all the way, as it has been for the last few days. First week of the holiday was stinking hot (35 degrees), then it turned cold and rainy.

Sad saying goodbye to everyone...it's been such a good week. Packed a lot in, including eating, eating, eating. And the girls have enjoyed all the attention from the reli's. We were so well looked after - all our washing and ironing taken care of (courtesy of the Miro pick-up service and Ruza's hard work), all meals laid on (either at Ruza, Aunty's or out), taxi-ed everywhere (courtesy of Miro and his van), shown all the sights (although Sandra said there was so much more they wanted to show us), and thoroughly spoilt (gifts, gifts, more gifts).

And I always find it hard to say goodbye to Aunty. She is the most gracious, lovely, kind, generous, big-hearted, funny, sociable person you could hope to meet. And she is always telling you she loves you, and she clearly adores the girls. And she knows how to party! Love her.

The flight to Zurich went well, the girls behaved themselves and it went fast enough. But we must have got away late as we were due in at 10.55am yet it was nearly 11.30am when we went through customs (took no time to pick up our bags and go through immigration - the Swiss are never interested in our passports). So we'd missed the 11.13am train to Lausanne. No problems, we caught the 12.13pm train. Picked up some lunch at Migros before we left.

No dramas on the train, got in at 2.40pm. MK on night shift this week and was supposed to meet us but he'd slept in. So we caught the 3pm train home (a whole 3 minutes). Knackered by the time we got in.

Unpacking the suitcases - one filled with clean clothes, the other with dirty laundry and presents. Tupperware (from Sandra) filled with chocolate (Anica trademark), pear liquor and Zagreb plate (from Zeljko and Irena), mugs, t-shirts for the girls (Ivanka), rings for all us (Ruza bought beautiful rings for the girls, and Anica gave me one last night), chocolate (from everyone), Zagreb hearts, engraved cutlery for the girls (Aunty), watches for the girls (ditto), games, clothes (from the reli's in Australia - thankyou Liz!), and much more. Quite overwhelming.

It was so hot when we left here but now we have the same weather as Croatia - rainy and cool. Interesting change. Just hope I can get back into my jogs. Until the last couple of days, I was able to do daily 40 mins jogs at Aunty's place. Had to, or I would have come home heavier (maybe I did, I'm not game to weigh myself till tomorrow). Made me feel better, although it was hard work. Hopefully paid off.

Now waiting for Mum's visit...sometime next week. Looking forward to that :)