Hasentreff

Hasentreff -- meaning, hare's meeting place. This is a restaurant owned and managed by a club, in which the members are hare lover's and hare owners.

Anyway, our neighbor's a regular customer who's been urging us to try the said restaurant. It is located near our place, on the clearing before entering the woods. One fine day, we decided to try the food. We reached the place before 6 pm -- thus we had to wait as the kitchen would be open at 6 pm. It was worth the wait, steaks and grilled things, with side dishes of french fries and bread. I am surprised as the price list seemed too reasonable, hmm, the service is like a mom and pop store. But we did came for the food! Yummy -- we'll be back for more, I hope!

Cali, kuno

Wala lang, because I miss the taste of Cali! And I found this one a poor substitute, too. Pabili sa tindahan :-)

Pancakes

I love pancakes. I can eat it in the morning with syrup, for lunch with scrambled egg and bacon and for dinner with steaks. Whatever...

The only problem is, I seem not to find the right mix. Even using the ready to mix variety fails me. Thus, I am glad that my husband can whip up one of the best pancakes in town -- without following a recipe, mind you.

I also found my ready to mix pancake, by asking my husband to whip a bowl for me, a day before pancakes would be served on our table.

Drumsticks

I am glad that I found these mini drumsticks ice cream through our friendly frozen food delivery man.

Used to the normal drumstick size, I simply didnt imagine that a mini version is also available. It does, as you can see on the photo. I'd say, this is a more practical size -- enough for a kid's bite and an adult's sinking stomache.

With kids and more kids going in and out of the house, plus the adults who are on a 'diet' -- the normal drumstick size is now replaced with the mini drumsticks. Oh, you would think that would save the licking time? Uh-oh -- kids would ask for two or three minis and the dieting adults? No different from the kids!

Plaster

We grew up calling it, band-aid -- I almost forgot that it's 'normal' name is plaster.

When the kids got hurt, aside from calling for mama, the next thing they would ask for is a plaster. At least, that's what my kids first reactions are -- 'mama, plaster.' See, two words, all said in one breath.

And they would not want the boring, plain plaster -- they wanted something with colors and figures and different from each other. Thus, I always make sure that I have plaster of different motiffs in my wallet, in my bags, the car and even in my jeans pocket! I am actually a girl scout mama :-)

DVDs, Hair Bands, etc.

The kids' got to shop today. They got the Shrek figurines from McDonald's Happy Meal -- the noises these figurines make drives me crazy though. Arrgh!

Then they descended into the hair accessories section of one mall and disturbed the hair bands on display -- simply because -- they both wanted hair bands that they could use as crowns!! The cost: 2.95 euro each. Next time I'll buy sa palengke.

The DVD's are bargains, 1.99 euro each, but only in Deutsch -- Hunderkinder (Puppies) and Casper, Der Freundliche Geist (Casper, The Friendly Ghost). The drawings they made while waiting for me to have my hair cut done. And the bead necklace? MC found that in her raincoat, a surprise gift from a friend in kindergarten. The necklace was secretly placed on her raincoat pocket last Tuesday.

Brushes and Tops

Went bargain hunting today. Esprit's sizes were too big for me, I especially wanted their clogs which were on sale, but they only have size 37 (I'm size 36). And a raincoat which I immediately fell for had only the medium; I'm small.

Off to Zara. Oh, they offer a bargain hunters' dream -- clothes are spewed all over huge tables, everywhere. Hmm, digging -- looking -- tossing; digging -- looking -- posing -- tossing. The girls were no help, they kept on saying 'that does not look good.' And would proceed to play tag, hey, what do I expect with three and five year olds as shopping partners, huh!

I found three tops bearing my small size. A blue long t-shirt with a hood (19.90 euro down to 12.95 euro); a gray V-neck pullover (14.90 euro down to 9.95 euro); and an orange V-neck pullover (12.90 down to 7.95). Then I also got a big round hairbrush and a simple hair brush from another mall -- simply because the old one I am using at home needed to have their garbage time already. 'Went home happy with my purchases, except that the gray pullover needs to be dry cleaned, hay!

Bread Machine

A lovely innovation for my pandesal recipe, the bread machine.

The bread machine makes baking bread and cookies and cakes a dream, you can even use the timer so you'll get fresh warm bread for breakfast, yum!

Bread recipes are abundant, too -- white bread, french bread, dark bread, sesame bread, corn bread, plus special breads like with marmalade or joghurt, or you can also experiment. There's a good chance that you might need to throw your first experiment but hey, practice makes perfect!

Anyway, I am satisfied with it because I am eating pandesal in Deutschland because of this bread machine.

Cheese Grater

For a family who loves pasta and cheese, an electronic cheese grater is a welcome change from the usual grater.

Simply cut the parmesan into small cubes to fit the cheese slot and press -- rrrrrrr - make sure you have your plate ready because the grated cheese are not being collected within the grater. You must hold your plate under it and stop pressing if you have enough cheese on your plate. Then pass it to the others.

This is also economical because you dont have to grate an unusual amount for everyone, not knowing how much would be consumed. By using this cheese grater, you grate what you need.

Handheld Vacuum

Presenting our handheld vacuum, a necessary feature in our kitchen. It is supposed to be able to clean both dry and wet soiled surfaces -- on the wet part, I am a bit disappointed. I have my kitchen wipes for drying purposes though.

But for the crumbs and tiny wrappers and spills and the unseen dust, it is a real wonder. It is real handy and can reach nooks and crannies because you can change noozles, too. No need to drag a heavy and bulky machine all over the house.

Even the kids love it -- they can pretend nothing happened in the kitchen because they have already vacuumed the evidence away. But of course, they never thought about the sound, haha!

My Car Seat

I am showing off my car seat, that is, when I am driving. I needed a booster -- to reach the clutch, the break and the gas -- thus the pillow.

That pillow is not just an ordinary pillow -- it is a medicinal pillow to help one to seat upright and avoid backpains. My sister in law gave me that as a gift when I was still learning to drive -- for the same reason - for me to reach the driver's pedals. And further, to help me see where I am going and help me relax while learning to drive. After all, it took me 40 driving hours to conquer the roads in Deutschland. At least, I got my licence after one try. Whew!

Smart Car

My hubby came home from work driving a car from the office, a tiny Smart Car.

The kids were immediately concerned and asked 'papa, why did you buy a small car? We would not fit in there.'

We had to reassure them that our car is still in the garage. That the small car (tiny actually), would only be used by papa because he must go to a seminar.

What follows next? A joy ride. It was IC's turn. (It is a two seater.) She happily waved goodbye and her verdict? The car is too loud for her.

Then came MC - she just said 'that it is a car for Barbie'. Oh yeah? Then it should be pink, nyeheh! That the kids readily agreed to stay alone at home while I took my joy ride turn puzzled me. I didnt say anything though, just waved goodbye and gawked myself. The first thing that I noticed was the smell - I had to open the window -- I guess, as a company car, nobody even bothered to clean it up, whew! I think it is too small, I would be afraid to drive it in the highways for fear of being puffed away by speed of the Porche and the Lamborghinis, not to mention the shadows of the big, big, trucks!

The only advantages -- the car is not too expensive and parking would not be a problem.

Rubber Sandals

I also have this hot pink rubber sandals from Birkenstocks. Two times, I've tried to sell it in ebay, but it wont go. Maybe the style is too old fashioned already, considering the new models from Crocs and whatever.

I guess, I have to keep it.

Kick-Activated Gym

Here's another place eater -- the Fischer Price Kick-Activated Gym. I've been wanting to place it in ebay but I am not so sure about the packaging size (so bulky that it may end up for pick up which would be a turn off for buyers).

This is a top baby toy. For a baby, they can play with by laying on the flow -- they can use their feet to move the spinning toys and the ferris wheel, plus the music and the blinking lights help to keep them in the play mood.

It can also be assembled another way if the baby can already sit down. The hands would be busy this time, as the balls on the ferris wheel can be taken off and the bars can be used as slides. Oh, a lot of interesting activities for busy fingers.

It would definitely end up in ebay soon.

Carousel

This used to be one of the top hits for the kids, a Playskool Carousel. They can sit alone or together and twirl their hearts out. It was fun, I know, I tried it!

But I sold it last month in ebay. The kids lost interest, maybe because playing with it only ends up with a fight as they cannot fit together anymore. Growing up!

Electric Fan

I didnt imagine I would be seeing electric fans whirling around me here. But since the heat wave that hit Europe in the last three years, the electric fans are now a common sight in most houses.

Did you know that during that first heat wave, electric fans were so much in demand that there was a long waiting time in all of the stores that carries them?

Out of stock! And if there's a supply coming in, you need to be in the store before they opened or else, electric fans would be snapped up in a few seconds. Hysteria or what?

We only got a small electric fan during that heat wave. My husband had to fight with another man for it, too. Because it was the last one on stock and the next delivery would not come for another week -- even the store managers were not so sure if there would be fresh supplies coming. (It was actually the last electric fan to be delivered to that store, too)

I really cheered when I received the news that we got one, an electric fan! Whew, am with the hysteria apparently. Well, if you knew how the heat wave attacked that year, you would understand. Especially since I have a small kid and a baby!

This summer, we have with us three small electric fans. Not just to beat the heat, but to scare the bugs away. Now we can sleep with our windows open, thanks to the electric fans!

Punch Bowl Set

I am proud of this find - punch bowl set consisting of a big bowl and 11 cups. These are hand painted and Made in Italy. You wonder why there's only 11 cups? Because I only got them from a second hand store near here.

I really thought I would miss on them, too. Coz the store is only open from Thursday to Friday, between 3-6 pm. And they are prominently an attraction on the display window. My vigilance was rewarded - the kids and I waited outside the shop on a Thursday afternoon before they opened! I got them, yipee!

The cost? Only 4 euro for the whole set. So, I dont mind missing one cup.

Bean Bag

I used to dream of having a bean bag, since I was a little girl. It's just that a bean bag looks so comfy, like it would embrace you while you sit; like a small bed to put you to sleep.

I even thought of splurging my first pay check on a bean bag. Not that I did, I guess I discovered better things to use the money for - like going out with friends :-)

But when I got pregnant, and most seats felt so lumpy and seemingly designed to kill my back - I remembered my fascination for the bean bag. I dragged my husband from store to store to find a bean bag. Ikea had one, and thus, a dream come true for me, my very own bean bag.

Barbie Playhouse

This is one thing that I wish we didnt buy. Through the usual channel, online shopping, we got the Barbie Playhouse as a 5th birthday gift to MC. The photo looks good but the end product was a bit disappointing - made with brittle plastic and not too stable. Assembling the small parts take time, esp since they almost didnt fit right in, sakit ng ulo!

We cant give it back, as we only got to assemble the house the night before MC's birthday last December. Nowhere can we get a decent gift, plus, it is something she wished for.

Here in photos - you can see the Barbie Playhouse. The last photo was taken the night before her birthday last December 2006. And the first photo was taken today, June 24. A lot of parts missing - either already broken or misplaced or simply removed -- the kids not interested to play with it anymore.

I wouldnt play with it, too. The house wiggles and some parts wont even stay in place. Every time the kids would play with it or move the Barbie furnitures, parts would break or would simply give away. You would always need to repair them or arrange them again and again. So frustrating.

It is just another space eater in MC's room, so we are planning on donating it to the kindergarten. Real soon. I just hope the kids wont change their minds.

Barbie Playhouse, definitely not recommended.

Popcorn

Here's a favorite snack, popcorn! Take a pack, microwave for 3 mins, and munch. Good while watching the tv, too. But not for mama, as I would need to follow the popcorn trails all over the house. Anyway, I allowed them to eat in the living room because tomorrow is our day to clean the house. Almost perfect.

Laufrad

IC got an unexpected gift last week, after a surprise stop in a friend's house -- a 'laufrad' - I dont know the right word in English. But it is some sort of a training bike, without the pedals. They learn to balance using this special bike. Thus, it is easier for them to hop from a 'laufrad' into a bike without needing an wheel support. We bought her one already, last year, but the sit was too high for her, despite the adjustments done. This one is just the right size for her.

Car Stickers

Car stickers are proliferating, most specially those that declare that the owner of the cars are parents. They are easy to find. Simply by taking a glance at the back of the car.

Cartoons of babies with names, or just names, or big letters saying eltern 2003 (parents 2003) -- of course, we are one of them! Proud parents, indeed.

We joined the frenzy because it looks cute. But also for safety's sake. Because we wanted the other drivers to know that we have kids' on board -- thus, as a warning and a please-be-careful-while-driving, too.

A Hulahoop and a Skipping Rope

Keeping fit need not mean leaving the kids away for a visit at the gym. Or working your sweat alone in a home gym.

I realized this come summer time -- while playing with the kids and with the help of their toys -- the hulahoop and the skipping rope.

The kids just hauled most of the their toys in the garden and yelled that they wanted to play with me. Oh, I am simply too lazy to play under the heat of the sun.

I compromised and told them that I would join them in the garden, but with a book. Hey, I did not count the hulahoop and the skipping rope. Because after a few minutes of showing them the ropes on both toys, I was hooked.

I cant imagine that I can still keep the hulahoop circling until more than a hundred counts! Kasama na don ang sa legs, sempre. But still...

As for the skipping rope, it was okay. I fumbled a few times, but 25 counts are good, too. Right?

Wow, fit for the summer. If only I could keep it up, hay...kapagod!

Massage Balls

What can you do without while doing marathon blogging or blog hopping? Me, I need my massage balls.

I am afraid to have the infamous carpal tunnel syndrome.

What are the symptoms of a carpal tunnel syndrome? If you have been trying to ignore the tingling or numbness you've had for months in your hand and wrist while working at your desk, dont! Be very aware of sudden, sharp, piercing pain shooting through your wrist and up your arm. Just a passing cramp, you'd think. It is more likely that you have carpal tunnel syndrome.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a painful progressive condition caused by compression of a key nerve in the wrist. I am only scaring myself. Anyway, I wont dwell on this, just google it. My imagination is getting away from me.

It could also be only a writer's cramp. A condition in which a lack of fine motor skill coordination and ache and pressure in the fingers, wrist, or forearm is brought on by repetitive activity. But this is not a symptom of carpal tunnel syndrome, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

So there you know, I need the massage balls to relax my fingers and wrists. And for me to kick this obssession about getting this carpal tunnel syndrome. Which would prevent me from blogging -- ow, what a horrible thought!

Beer with Tequila

Have you ever tasted a tequila flavored beer? Me neither. But when I found this in one corner of a beverage store, I was intrigued.

I got one bottle to taste. I am not a beer lover, though I love mixing beer with sprite or 7 up back home. Then when Cali appeared on the beverage list, I am hooked.

I am a tequila lover, though. Especially the Cuervo Gold, which you cannot find in beverage stores here, although sometimes, specialty stores carry the brand. I wonder why, when Cuervo is common in supermarkets in Spain. Maybe because tequila comes out of Mexico and they have the same language, huh!

Enough musings. I sniffed first, after opening the bottle. Ahh, tequila indeed. Would I need salt and lemon, hehe! Oh well, I took a sip. And then another - not bad. Different, yes. Verdict? I'd stick to Tequila Cuervo.

Chocolate Crinkles

A family favorite - chocolate crinkles.

I bake it almost every month, although it is not so easy do to during summer as the dough gets too sticky despite being left in the ref overnight. In summer, I ended up with more dough on my hands than on the cookie tray.

Anyway, chocolate crinkles is an American cookie. Despite the abundance of bakeries in every corner here, I have never found one. You can sometimes get lucky and find muffins and doughnuts, but no crinkles.

I am a choco crinkles lover. But I have never baked one, back home. You can buy them almost everywhere, right?

Rediscovering the yummy chocolatey crinkles during a trip back home in 2004 tweaked my cravings for them again. I found them in goodie boxes, homemade, during a Christmas bazaar at the Makati Sports Club. They were freshly baked, yum!

Fortunately, a close friend emailed me the recipe. And I havent stopped baking since then. I have baked them for the kids' birthdays, for bake and sell charities, as snacks, as early morning breakfasts, as Christmas gifts. And it is a hit! I have already copied the recipe for other moms more than a dozen times.

Now, we are conquering Deutschland via choco crinkles.

Crema de Fruta

This was my attempt to create Crema de Fruta ala Strawberry and Red Currant. This was supposed to be the dessert for my birthday dinner.

Simple, and easy - no bake.

I used spongefingers instead of graham crackers. Simply because, we dont have graham crackers here!

And I substituted our creamy condensed milk with a mixture of the uncreamy condensed variety here with some cream to taste.

Then I added cocktail fruits and topped it with freshly sliced strawberries and some red currants. It looks delicious, right?

Sadly, I have no way of knowing because I forgot to serve it. I found it three days later in our ref in the basement. Too late! What a waste :-(

Egg Cooker

I love boiled eggs. Thus, I was tickled pink when I learned about the egg cooker.

Goodbye with boiling water in pots, hello egg cooker.

Oh hey, the only thing I miss with the pots is that depending on the sizes of the pots, you can put more or less eggs to boil.

With the egg cooker, you can boil only 7 eggs all at the same time. But with a lesser 'uncracked' egg guarantee.

The measuring cup would tell you how to add water to the cooker - which would depend on the quantity of the eggs and your choice of hardness or softness. After adding the water, simply plug it in, push the 'on' button and it would 'shriek' when the eggs are done.

My favorite boiled egg recipe? Egg sandwich. Simply mash a few eggs, add enough mayo, you can also add a bit of chopped onion to taste, if you want -- then mix all ingredients together. When preparing the sandwich, a leaf of lettuce over the egg spread would be good, too.

As for my kids, they love mashed boiled egg with rice, sprinkle a bit of salt, to taste.

Walking Dolls

Meet Rea and Lea. They are my daughters' walking dolls.

Lea came for MC when she was around 3 years old. She was supposed to be her bed mate. Lea was a reward for her because she was starting to get used to sleeping in her own bed, although her papa or I, would still need to bring her to bed. We thought she would be inspired to sleep alone if she's got a Lea with her. We were wrong! We are still unsuccessfully 'training' her to sleep alone.

Rea arrived on Christmas Day that same year for IC. Of course, we dont want to be accused of favoritism right? We want to avoid fights. So we decided to get her her own walking doll.

Anyway, we are talking about a walking doll, right? So she must walk, right? Wrong! The instruction was that she would walk when you take her by the hand. I tried, my husband tried. Nothing, both dolls just glided. Think, think. Maybe we are too tall for the dolls. We asked the kids to do it -- hmm, nothing. Just the gliding again. Or the dragging. Should we bring them back?

Decided not to, the kids are already attached to them - their standing dolls. At least, the dolls talks!

Ice Cream

Photos: 1- the Langnese Factory in Heppenheim 2 - the boxes of ice cream, frozen food and more ice products

Finally, we did go! Last night, I realized that tomorrow would be a good time to visit the Langnese Factory Outlet located a few minutes from our place. My husband agreed. It would have been faster if I checked the special offers in their website, but I completely forgot.

In the morning, after the chaos of getting the kids ready for kindergarten, there was simply not enough time. We drove to the factory without any idea what we wanted to buy. Oh, but having no idea what to buy did not really limit our options. We did buy, or hoarded might be the better word.

Langnese is well known for their ice cream products, but they have also diversified into frozen products, milk products and even frozen baked products. I lingered on the ice cream products and fought with my husband on getting more chocos or more vanilla flavored ice cream -- who won? One to one, we decided to get two boxes - one choco and one vanilla.

Then took a bag of salami baguette, two boxes of frozen classic burger, a few boxes of frozen spinach with cream sauce, more boxes of frozen spinach with gorgonzola sauce, one big big box of assorted ice sticks or popsicles, 6 cans of assorted ice cream, more boxes of ice cream sticks and more and more ice cream sticks. It never seemed to end. I just had to have them, the Bart Simpsons sticks, the Sponge Bob sticks, the Strawberry Sticks, etc. I am thinking, 'the kids would love that.' And their mom, too :-)

Our freezer were full to the brim. I had to eat one or two popsicles so that I could close it, really! Ok, I ate more than two, haha!

Marshmallows

A few weeks ago, it was American Day at the nearest discount store here.

A week before that, I already got their brochure about the American goodies and already marked what I wanted.

And the number one on my list -- marshmallows. Come on, it is summer time. Therefore, barbecue time. Therefore, marshmallows time.

I am addicted to mallows since I was a little kid. I love this soft, sticky, icky mallows. But here in Germany, you dont find it anywhere. In fact, I discovered it only a few years back. During that time, it was grill party for the kindergarten. I brought one big pack to the woods. My husband and some kids gathered some branches to use as sticks and proceeded to toast the mallows in front of the open fire.

The mallows were a hit. What I didnt realize was that, for most kids, it was their first time to taste mallows. Toasted mallows. Maybe, an American tradition of grill may soon be a German tradition of grill.

Blood Orange Joghurt Choco

At 9.30 am today, I am curling with a book and a new sweet find - Ritter Sport Blutorange Joguhrt Chocolate.

They are calling it the new summer taste. I would think, they hit it right. It combines the richness of joghurt with the freshness of blood orange. Every piece is a real bite, with chunks of blood orange. It melts in the mouth and is not heavy in the belly :-)

I am licking my fingers while trying to finish this blog.

My Palm

I admit, I am low tech.

I dont have any idea what's an ipod, a tivo, an mp3, mp4, a blackberry/blueberry, whatever. I cant even spell them right! I know of them, yes. Thanks to some friends who tried to orient me. But they, too, completely failed. I still maintain my null knowledge of them.

Oh, but I do have camera, bluetooth and video in my handy. Only, I dont use them at all. Once in a while, the camera, yes. But the photos remain in my handy. Never to be seen by anyone.

Of course, the computer. I know how to type, send and receive emails, post a blog, download photos and shop online. I know how to browse, to google for info, to buy and sell in ebay. But I dont know how to download music and videos. In fact, I only learned about YouTube a few months ago! How about that!

At first, I was not interested, because I dont have much time to spend in front of the computer. That changed now to, me being simple minded bordering on ignoramus, because I feel so left out, so low tech. But hey, who's complaining.

Mind you, I didnt realize that I've been in riding the trend since a few years back because of my Palm from Tungsten. The Palm was a Christmas gift from my husband. He was so fascinated with how a small thing can contain loads of infos all at the same time, that he bought me one. Actually, I have a feeling he really wanted one for himself. Which he also got and he is really using it. He gave me one, too, as a substitute to my daily diary writing. Well, I was happy to get it. I felt a bit high tech, but only a bit. Because I suddenly realized, I wont really need most of its functions. I dont even understand most of the function of the Palm.

Oh yeah, I loaded my contact addresses, my important dates, my other docs, used it as a calculated, downloaded photos, but diary writing wont compare to having a real diary. And having a desk calendar on reach to scribble on, I missed it. So as not to offend my husband, I tried to hide from him the fact that I was having an overload of small post its all over our small office and that I bought myself a notebook to maintain my diary writing.

Oh heck, the Palm comes in handy when I get bored. I can write things down. Or ask the kids to sing so I can record them. Or tinker on the dates and addresses. But only when I bring it with me, which is not so oft. I dont want to be adding more weight to my already heavy mommy bag.

Now, my Palm sits in its rightly position, beside the computer -- to be a calculator, to give our contact details and to present me with the calendar, to scribble on important details. And that was that!

Chicken Soup for the Soul

One of my favorites in my collection of 'Chicken Soup for the Soul - Stories to Warm a Mother's Heart'.

Actually, I was a bit disappointed when I got this book. I was expecting more for my money. Not this itsy bitsy mini book smaller than the palm of my hand! Oh well, that's what I get for ordering online and not checking the intimate details.

The sinking feeling disappeared as soon as I saw the stories. Oh yeah, tears visited me a lot whenever I read them. And I am still re-reading them, thus, this book sits in between tissues in my bag.

I also realized the happy fact that I can carry this book anywhere without being bothered by the weight! Oh, I totally kicked the idea of giving this book as a gift. Although this is a gift, to myself.

Milk Tooth Boxes

MC, at five, was ahead with her peers when it comes to loose teeth. And proud of it. She lost her first milk tooth last month. It happened on our breakfast table. She simply said, 'mama, this tooth is loose.' Of course, we called her papa to tell him about it.

But she wanted to wiggle it out. As she also can feel that a new tooth is coming out. I told her to bite on something hard that it would completely get loose. She tried on toast, nothing. On wursts, nothing.

She headed to kindergarten with a proud smile, showing everyone we met her loose tooth. And when we got home, she called her oma and opa, her aunt and uncles, her god mother, even -- to let them on the news. They were all so excited for her.

But she still cant wiggle the tooth out. Oh, an idea came to me. Gummi bears! I gave her and her small sister, IC, a bunch to chew on.

A few seconds after that, a scream and a whimper. I run to her side and saw that she's got her tooth out, but her gum is bleeding a little. After dabbing the blood away, she smiled for a souvenir photo. And where to put her milk tooth?

She found a Prinzessin Lillifee tooth can, shaped of course, like a tooth. And IC, chose the cat tooth wooden box, while trying to convince me that she's also got one loose tooth.

Schoko Biscuit

Zwieback, so zart wie Biscuit. (Zwieback, so soft like a biscuit)

I read the come on message of this biscuit, and grabbed two packs. I usually associates Zwieback to a hard but easy to dissolve biscuits which are mostly given to teething babies. Not to mention as a sort of bad stomach remedy -- eating these biscuits instead of encouraging other food to enter an upset stomache.

Oh, they also have flavored ones -- with coconuts, with strawberries, with joghurt, with chocolates -- but since it is a bit hard, it's not so popular with the kids. Enter this all new Zwieback Chocolate Flavored Biscuit. The English translation was rusk, instead of biscuit, but what is a rusk anyway?

I opened the package in the car on our way home. It is softer and easier to the bite. Yummy, too. Did you think I would get my share? Of course not. I had to come back the next day to buy more!

May contain traces of peanuts, sesame, sulphites, nuts, mustard and grains containing gluten.

Wasabi Peas

I know wasabi only as a typical seasoning in a Japanese food. I love to have a tiny weeny bit of it when we go Japanese.

But I discovered a fresher type of wasabi when I last visited the Asia Shop near us -- the Khao Shong Wasabi, the coated green peas. I immediately brought one small barrel, hoping I would love the taste. I love peas, I love a little bit of wasabi, therefore, I would love Khao Shong Wasabi.

When we got home, I decided to tease my palate a little. Nope, I didnt open it up. I let it sit in our cupboard for a few more days. Once a day, visiting the cupboard and checking if the barrel is still there. When I finally opened it, wow, the smell - a bit tangy and a bit too strong for the nose. But the peas were crunchy and spicy enough for my taste. Of course, you cannot munch on it like chips. Or else, you'll be like those tv ads wherein you'll get smoke seeping out of your ears, mouth and nose, hahaha! Though sometimes, I feel like that, too.

I allow the kids one to taste, which they immediately spitted out. I still have the barrel of wasabi peas with me, I am savoring them, day by day!

Allergy information: Manufactured in a facility that processes peanuts. May contain shell pieces and other tree nuts.

Villa Kunterbunt

On photo: The wobble mountain!

This was our destination for our second kids' day in February. Villa Kunterbunt is an indoor playground. If you are familiar with Pippi Longstockings, then this is Villa Villekula in English.

We've heard about this place, but this would be our first time to visit. Oh, it is huge! There are picnic tables near the bistro for moms and dads. And the rest is a giant playground for kids.

Everybody must remove their shoes when they enter the play area. There is a separate place in a corner for small kids, that they wont get trampled by the bigger kids. The kids dont know where to start. But moved, they did.

They are free to play, to run, to romp around. They tried the climbing frames, trampolin, football field, car rides, and bouncing houses. I had to close my eyes when it was my turn to accompany both of them in the steep slide. I've never done that in my whole life, and yet, because it is kids' day... swoosh, down we went! Purely adrenaline. I screamed louder than the kids. My eldest hurt herself though. My chance to say, 'we dont need to do that again.' Hoping they would listen to the voice of experience. Uh, no chance. In a minute, they were up there again. Not with me, it's papa's turn!

Oh, the wobble mountain. That was fun, though I didnt manage to reach the top. Maybe next time. I already lost my self on the slide.

My Amazon Finds

Here are some books I got online via amazon.de:

Ann Rules' The Stranger Beside Me' and Patrick Sueskind's 'Perfume'.

'The Stranger...' is my second Ann Rule book. It is true story about Ted Bundy, one of the most fascinating serial killer in the US. I wanted to read this because of the twist of the story and 'Ann Rule was writer working on the biggest story of her life, tracking down a brutal killer. Little did she know that the young man who was her close friend was a savage slayer she was hunting.

The 'Perfume' came to my attention because of the movie which was shown here sometime ago. Of course, since I havent been inside a moviehouse for the last 6 years, I missed it. Thus, I craved for the book. It is the story of a genius perfumer who wanted to create the most sublime fragrance of them all, the scent of a young virgin -- and to get it, he must kill.

I know, my choices are a bit on the bloody side. I cannot help it, the last books I was reading was four of Stephen King's!