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.

2 kids under 6

Holidays with 2 kids under 6 - everyone who's been there knows, that you will have to visit an amusement park. So we made our way to Djurs Sommerland and did all the little kids rides. Look, suddenly it is me in all of the pictures ;-)

Ludwig was afraid of some of the bigger rides, though. This is him in his new raincoat - Danish design for kids is pretty cool.

And this is the two of them, discussing which ride to go on next. I just love it when they act in their secret sibling mood - and not the "This is my toy" mood.

The big ship, part II

We went to the harbour next to the ship to find a smaller yacht that was called Lissy. See my daughter standing in front of it with the biggest smile on her face. I am sure she will grow to be a material girl now, she really wanted Daddy to buy the yacht for her. Look at him, he was all ready to do it. Well, I held him back (boring me). Lissy taking over the yacht. Part of the big ship.

My kids steering the big ship.

The big ship

There is a very big ship in Ebeltoft, called Fregatte, you can go and visit. Well, we went and besides having to tell you that a cannon is very loud when being fired (holymoly) I was surprised by how big the ship's propeller is. It was a wonderful sunny day, too, so this was very rewarding after the last days of not so good weather - meaning temperatures around 18 - 20 degrees, which doesn't sound like a lot of sunny beaches, does it?

Viking convention

It was crazy, but so much fun. We went to Europes second biggest Viking Convention on Moersgard Strand and I have never seen something like it. The Vikings (and there were 2000 of them) fought against each other and it was breathtakingly aggressive. The children couldn't believe it first but then thought it was fun to see everyone "dying". They have been playing Viking every since and I will probably have to buy some weapons before we go home.

Here you can see our Siberian AuPair Larissa killing a Viking. By now she knows how to shut someone up (good thing!).

Pure bliss

We spend so much time with the kids that we keep doing such important things as jumping on the trampoline, lying in the hammock and building sand castles. It is quite amazing how much fun it is to spend time with the kids when you can really dive into the experience without being stressed out because of work or having to be somewhere on time. This morning Ludwig and I spent an hour (sadly it was the hour between 6 and 7) playing with a little ball - just rolling and throwing it back and forth. I probably was four when I did that the last time. Denmark rocks! Oh - and my son loves the Danish flag so much that he tried to paint it on his body. Too bad it doesn't wash off, but then again he is busy doing other things like tasting salty water. He SO is daddys' boy. Lissy seems to be more on the safe side with her wetsuit. She SO is my girl.

The beach

Just look at their faces. Need I say more?

Taking over the house

Ever thought about exchanging your home during the holiday season? I strongly recommend it. Right now we are in Denmark and totally love it. We are living in a parsonage (pastors house) and it is SO nice and SO big. And there are SO many toys I didn't have to pack. Pure joy, I tell you.

This is everybody, just minutes before we were taking over the house. And everybody did this in his or her very own way.

Ludwig by getting used to new weapons.

Lis by creating a barbie retreat in the meditation room.

Me in the kitchen.

And the master himself at the Danish masters desk. Thanks for this wonderful home, Iben and Morten!!!