Rain

Today it rained. Apparently it rains a lot in Zurich (a metre a month, perhaps), but so far the rain in Zurich has mainly fallen at night. Not today. When we eventually made it out of the house, when the rain had stopped its torrentiality, we went to the pirate playground. While Bluet was happy to play in the mud (as expected) I found the best place for Ilona was inside a barrel, as it was dry.

Ilona eating bread

Progress

In the last few weeks Ilona has been getting better and better at sitting up by herself. While we are out at one of the myriad Zurich parks, it is nice to let her sit in the grass. This can only last so long, as eventually Bluet tires of whatever she is playing with nearby, and start to disappear off into the distance. Ilona has also become very adept at picking things up (she is particularly fond of trying to pick up Bluet's blanket, or pulling Bluet's hair, neither of which are very popular. Still, Bluet is becoming more and more interested in Ilona, asking to help feed her, or talking about how they will play together when Ilona is big. And of course she likes to push Ilona gently on the baby swing.

Bluet plays hide and seek

Bluet got a new Stylewild

The end of a tough day at the playground

Outside

When not playing with lego we have been spending plenty of time outside, often near the Zurich pond, at a local playground, or in the back garden. Here are some snaps.

1. Garden activities

2. Pirate ship playground activities

3. Tram activities

4. Other people's house activities

5. Picnic playground activities

 

Bluet''s Lego

Since we got to Zurich most of what Bluet has wanted to do is play with Lego. In particular she likes to build things for Emmet and Stylewild, who, despite being action stars of a major motion picture, seem to share most of the interests of a three year old. Indeed, Stylewild has received several lego cakes with three candles. Other popular activities for these two include building sandcastles at the beach, swimming (with water wings), playing in the sand pit and going to bed. All of these models were built by Bluet all by herself.

Emmet and Stylewild go to bed after a tough day

Stylewild plays in the sandpit (Stylewild is wearing Emmet's clothes)

More sandpit

Not sure what this is, but Emmet has a seat belt.

Zurich One

We are still getting acclimatised to Zurich. It seems that there are a lot of places to take kids. There is a playground with a wooden pirate ship a minute or two from our house, and we have already been there several times. Zurich is built around a lake (or as Bluet said 'A pond' - when I corrected her, she said, 'No, I think it is a pond') and on Sunday we went to a place where the edge of the lake is fenced off for kids to swim. It was very nice. Still, it is weird being surrounded by people speaking foreign, I can't help thinking that Zurich (and the world in general) would be greatly improved if everyone spoke English. But we will learn German fast enough, I'm sure, especially from trying to work out what to buy to eat - as you can see we have successfully purchased ice cream.

The world famous Zurich pond

In Zurich, it is impossible to get homesick

One of the nicest things that has happened at the park is that Bluet is very keen to push Ilona on the swing, which Ilona loves. Bluet even knows not to push it too high

(NB Bluet does not like Swiss Cheese - I gave her some, and she said 'I don't like this cheese, can I have some cheese that I like'. I concur.)