Ilona time

At last, Ilona and Bluet are (almost/sometimes) playing with each other. Admittedly it usually involves Ilona finding something of Bluet's, putting it in her mouth and then Bluet notices and pulls it out. Or they are both in the same vicinity, with Bluet ignoring Ilona - But sometimes Bluet gives Ilona a replacement toy. And occasionally Ilona makes Bluet laugh, or even asks to do the same thing as Ilona. This is progress.

Ilona at the slide, Bluet somewhere else in playground

Ilona standing and smiling; Bluet still in bed

Ilona and Bluet amusing themselves independently in the same sand

Here it looks like they are playing happily, but actually I think Bluet is about to 'rescue' one of her toys from Ilona's grasp

Ilona playing with Bluet's tea set. Bluet must be far away

Bluet in her tent. 

Ilona standing

At different ends of the playground

Ilona alone

And not alone

More fun from Zurich

Here are some other places we have been. Zurichorn park can be reached by water taxi, and has a Henry Moore sculpture which Bluet likes very much.

As does Ilona.

Meanwhile, Ilona now pulls herself up to stand anywhere and everywhere - here she is at a playground down by the river, which is known as the bird playground (by us) because there is a big bird cage of tropical birds there. Today she was standing in the living room and lifted her hands for half a second, standing free. She also takes steps if we hold her hands. Walking cannot be far off. She can also crawl very fast, and is interested in learning to go up (but not necessarily down) stairs. This is not my favourite game.

And then at the end of a long day of standing and crawling, eating and napping, nothing makes Ilona happier than the bath, because she knows shortly after that she will be able to go to bed, which is her favourite time of day.

She Bangs The Drums

A bright musical future is surely ahead

Mountaineering

Surprisingly Zurich is remarkably close to very big mountains. Even the smallest ones almost certainly dwarf Ben Nevis. So we took the train last weekend (for an hour) to some mountains so big they need a cable car to take you up them. Of course, the hour long train ride is a bit boring, so it is probably best to pass the time sticking Peppa Pig stickers on your face.

Cable cars go up very steep, very high slopes. Bluet has become very interested in cable cars, although she claims they are aeroplanes because they fly in the air and don't have wheels.

Like all good mountains, this mountain had a trampoline. Bluet waited patiently for the kid before her to finish, took of her shoes, and then....

Like all good mountains, this mountain also came with fires which were burning with wood kindly provided so that we were able to BBQ food and eat lunch in the woods. As you can see, there were many other people on the mountain, which was good because our fire was already burning and ready for cooking when we got there, but it was not exactly the unspoilt wilderness, no matter how spectacular the views. Ideal for kids though.

In the next picture there is a wild animal. Can you see it?

Things to do in Zurich part II

If you are 3 years old, one fun thing to do in Zurich is to go to playgroup (Speilgroupe). Here is Bluet dressed up and ready to go last Tuesday (at the moment it is one morning a week). When I returned to pick Bluet up she was playing happily with playmobil people and playdoh, so I think she had a good time - although she told us later it was 'a bit difficult' because everyone was speaking German all the time, which is understandable. I expect that in about 6 months, she will understand everything the teacher says.

 
Alternatively, if you are under 1, you can find everything extremely funny

Meanwhile at home you can play in a tent in the garden. Again, extremely funny for the under-1s

Or you can take the water taxi down the Zurich Pond, and see the sights

And then, of course, ice cream for the walk home.

Or you can play in the garden with chalk, try out a slide at the playground for the first time, or again back in the garden, eat an apple fallen on the ground.

Things to do in Zurich Part I

Over the next few posts, some things you too can do if you choose to visit Zurich

Our first activity requires you ride the tram to the dinosaur museum.

It doesn't actually have many dinosaurs, but it did have a big exhibition about fear that Bluet enjoyed very much, not for the educational material, but because it was interactive. Here are some photos of a video screen thing that was supposed to demonstrate your hair standing on end when you are scared. I am not sure it did that, but the photos are interesting.

Near our house is the river, which also has a paddling pool and a hydroelectric plant

If even that is too far (and there is a very steep hill to negotiate on the way home) you can always play hopscotch on the porch

Finally, on a Sunday when everything is shut, why not ride the train out of the city, and go to a farm which is now a tourist trap. Great for the kids - Bluet spent hours running around, jumping and playing in the goat pen.


And what could be more American than a bald eagle made of pumpkins (if we weren't now in Switzerland)?

Movie Night

Here is a selection of some recent videos to be used as an exciting 'movie night' of entertainment

First, evidence (and first evidence) of Bluet and Ilona playing together. Bluet actually sat down to join Ilona. Never mind that she then proceeds to try and feed her a leaf and a stone, as this is precisely what Ilona would eat if left to her own devices.

Next, there is a free* water taxi that can take you around the world famous Zurich pond. Here it is at high speed. A great way to entertain the kids.

*included in the tram/bus ticket

Now, here is Ilona standing up on a big rock, testing it for structural integrity. This is a short excerpt of at least 10 minutes expert standing

And finally, here is Ilona in her pram