No New Year's Resolution

I don't believe in New Year's resolutions. Maybe that is because I never managed to quit smoking on the 1st of January, but did so in 5 seconds when I found out I was pregnant. What I do believe in though is to find and live a theme every year, like a motto. To find a motto for the next year was very easy - who am I to kid myself or you. My life is almost back to normal as my children are big. I spent the last 6 years nurturing them and (pat on the back) did a pretty good job. At least they know how to behave as soon as we are in public, so it doesn't matter that much if they forget all about manners as soon as we are home again. Anyway, I won't stop nurturing them in the future, but I will stop to complain that there is no time to live and celebrate my old self. Which includes - and everyone who knows me in person knows exactly what the next word will be - writing.

I know, that was quite some introduction for my 2010 motto, but here it is: EASY. I am only going to do things, that come easy to me. Because just as Joseph Campbell always told us: "If you follow your bliss, doors will open where there were no doors before and where there wouldn't be a door for anyone else. It's something about the integrity of a life that the world moves in and helps."

For me, the concept of EASY is not to sleep and be lazy, but to do things that create a flow and a pull at the same time. It is not about being a coach potatoe but about hard work and discipline to back up a talent and get where I belong. The moment I set my mind on this theme, doors opened (and the New Year had not even begun). I met amazing women (you know who you are) who support me in my wish to get back the girl I was formerly known as and go forward as the woman I am supposed to be. For some instance, it needed to be girls to give me the "Go". So girls, watch out, here I come. Easy.

Season Greetings

I am wishing all of my readers a Merry Xmas. Along with my season greetings I am posting my daughters Xmas ballett school pictures. Those little ballerinas always make me smile - I hope you feel the same way. And now: Light all those candles and be romantic. It's CHRISTMAS-Eve!!!!

Pure love

Yesterday evening my son didn't want to sleep and kept calling me downstairs. When he did that for the tenth time I went down and started my monologue about how I want him to sleep and how I am not coming down those stairs one more time and that now this game is over. When I was ready, staring at him in my fiercest youdowhatmommysaysorsomethingreallybadwillhappen manner, he simply said: "Mommy, when will it start to snow?" The innocence of this question and how he never listens to me when I am in my "I want it my way" rage and how he is just like his father, never tired of seeing a wonder in some sunray or flower I burst out laughing and we started a round of serious cuddling. I am so glad that this is my life. So this is the picture of the day:
Because without you guys it just wouldn't be Christmas. Thanks for being in my life.

Hotel Louis, Munich

It's been a while, as we moved to another house. I spread the word on facebook and just didn't find time to blog as well. Anyway, yesterday was my "return to womanhood" day. After getting a haircut I met a wonderful friend from Cologne in his hotel in Munich. I had a manicure in his room and we proceeded to the bar/dinner section. He stayed in the Louis Hotel , a pretty new place located directly at Viktualienmarkt, next to amazing Kustermann. The food concept is: share your meal. You've got to experience yourself - it was a feast. But beware: They are fully booked every evening of the week, giving away every table twice during the evening. So: call in advance. All thumbs up and fingers crossed.

Days go by so fast

Playdate on a cold autumn day with outdoor buffet.
Burger King - I wasn't in the mood to cook dinner.
Saint Martins' event, just a few hours ago. My life really is full of precious moments. Sorry for the bad picture quality, but since I started my iPhone era I am just too lazy to take my camera with me. Thanks, Steve.

Birthday party

Just some pictures for you to enjoy. We had a blast.

Happy birthday, my little man

Reality check - could it really be that my baby boy is turning 4 today? Time has flown by and I still think of him as my "little" man. Anyway, I woke up this morning to find my two favourite boys in my bed - don't even start to ask yourself how much sleeping space was left for me...Then I took my iPhone from my nightstand and took a picture - and then another one - to find that my son has brought his favourite knife ever to our bed. He loves it, because when you hold it up, the blood vanishes, you hold it down, the blood is all there.
It almost made me cry, because that is SO him. Ever since he could carry things he always put stuff next to his bed and as soon as he woke up (no matter if it was in the middle of the night or in the morning, asking if he's allowed in our bed) he grabbed that item and took it wherever he's headed. Seeing him lie there with his giraffe, that he had since he was a baby, and his knife, which is his coolest toy at the moment, I was so happy, that I have him in my life. Happy about all these mornings when he sticks his little cold feet between my legs, he pulls me close and makes these funny noises that are supposed to mean: I like this VERY much. Sweetie, you are the very best little man this earth has to offer and I will help you become the most wonderful friend, boyfriend, husband and father - every step of the way, anytime you need me. I love you with all my heart.
P.S.: When we were driving back from kindergarten today, your father said to me: "He is already four. Let's have some more children real fast." Well, I don't think so - what is there left to discover after having you?

Lotti

I have been very occupied by preparations and traveling lately, but now the book fair is over and it is back to normal. I realized that I really have to start the writing of some of my projects. So on Thursday I will be having breakfast with Yvi, mother of Charlotte. I am writing a series about mothers who face special challenges with their children. Lotti has MLD and is going to die. She is the same age as my daughter. She is as pretty and lovely - but her time on earth might be shorter. She touches my heart in a way that is hard to explain. I will tell you more, as I progress.
Love for today!

Leisure time

Today was so nice - we got a phone call this morning from our close friends Markus and Jessica. They invited us to a barbecue at the Isar - so off we went. While the children were playing in the water we had such a nice afternoon at the riverside (and some glasses of wine). Sometimes the spontaneous settings are definitely the best. Right now I am glad that the kids are off to bed and I'll be going to sleep soon as well.

Keith Johnstone Workshop

The master himself.
Julia at breakfast.
Me, all smiles.

It started as an idea and went on to change my life. I really wanted to see Keith Johnstone (the inventor of Improvisational Theatre) once in my life, so my friend Julia and me booked his workshop in Cologne and I have to admit it was pretty life changing. Not because of all the games we played, not because of the way he teaches and not because of his experience. But there is something about learning from a master that you only get later, in real life. In that sense, Keith taught me something - as he would put it - I already knew, but he reminded me of. To let loose, not to try to be the best and have fun. Oh - it IS nice to not try all the time but enjoy. So for a change - why don't you try not to try so hard and have all the fun along the way.

Wiesn 2009

I am glad I went to the opening act this year - terror warnings and all that don't really make you wanna go this week. Here are some images from my Wiesn trip with some mothers from kindergarten. Tourists kept stopping us to take pictures so we had some fun.

Ballet lesson No 1

Lis is telling me how much she wants to dance ballet for 1 1/2 years now, so I finally gave in today. Not being much of a dancer myself I have to admit: it was the cutest sight. All these little girls in their pink ballet dresses and Jasmin, the teacher, all in black. We will be part of this for a long time to come, I can feel it. If you are in Munich check out Jasmins ballet school, she is VERY good. Lis is all happy now, practicing her new moves in the living room.

Denmark, last episode

We've been home for almost two weeks now, but I still wanted to post some final Denmark pictures that show how great it is to have a family. Honest to god - there is nothing more encouraging and more important. Today, my friends, I wish you all well and hope you can spend quality time with your own wonderful families.

A day at a time

As I am in the middle of a book project with my husband we are trying to take it a day at a time now that we are away in Denmark. The mornings are for writing and then we take off with the kids.
Yesterday we went into Aarhuis' splendid store magasin, you can see the children lying in the reading corner - they loved it there.We also went to a toystore and got a fantastic bubble-kit. Lis and Ludwig spent the rest of the afternoon and early evening making bubbles. I was tempted to try, too - especially with the panoramic background. I love our yellow danish house.

Another day at the beach

We had the first day of REAL sunshine since we arrived in Aarhuis, Denmark. So the kids went crazy and we stayed at the beach for 4 hours straight- thinking this chance might not come back. My daughter underwent some serious costume changes while my son loved it to be naked. I just know now that I will look at these pictures one day and think of that day as being pretty perfect. Uwe painted a nice picture while we were at the beach and I got some time off just lying there and feeling the sun on my skin.