Outdoor Family Time – Expat Mom Journal

Fondue with Sledging on Monte Tamaro on New Year’s Day

15th January 202628th August 2026Posted in Family AdventuresTagged Cable Car Adventures, Monte Tamaro, Mountain Adventures, Outdoor Family Time, Switzerland, Ticino, WinterLeave a comment

First Day of 2026

New Years Day in our house started super slow, which is unusual with three little kids. This morning they enjoyed a longer snooze than usual. Being up early, a small voice in my head got louder and louder. It was encouraging me to look for a unique experience to welcome the new year, 2026.

A couple of days ago, I saw that the cable cars of Monte Tamaro were in operation. Looking up their website, I noticed that they offer a Fondue lunch / cable car package on New Years Day. After a quick call we had a plan: wake up kids, get ready, find the sledges and his the road to get there on time.

Arrival

Sign posts guided us from the main road to the car park. It is shared visitors of with the Splash & Spa. Plenty of spaces to park, near the cable car station. At reception we picked up our return tickets, and went through the gate to take the next cable car.

The cabin was bright with windows on all sides. It had 8 seats and large space between the chair rows, hence our sledges fit in with us easily. The ride took us about 10 minutes with a slowing down phase in the middle station, but no stopping.

Alpe Foppa

Lunch was great, the Alpe Foppa restaurant was a large hut and it could accommodate large crowds. Lunch was easy and filling, the service was quick. Our cable car pass included the lunch, we only paid for drinks. Kids menu was available for 15 fr per hear, which included a huge plate of their choice and drinks.

What to See & Do

Next we headed outdoor with the plan to discover the winter trail, which is a 3.2 km long circular path. It was a nice plan, we didn’t get that far. The kids just wanted to enjoy the snow. So we made it up to the top of the closest slope and used that to sledge for a while.

Once they were ready to leave to the slopes and the playground, we headed to explore the Fortress. This unique architecture was designed by Mario Botta (who also design the famous building, Fiore di Pietra on Monte Generoso). The church sits on the edge of the slope with a magnificent view.

From the restaurant a narrow corridor with tiny windows leads the way to the chapel entrance. On the white ceiling and interesting painting represents two cypress trees reaching to each other. Entering the church my son spotted a stand with candles lit. I remember when I was little, I used to love lighting a candle in places we visited. Around the walls wooden benches positioned like ribs in the human body. A little window, at the end of each row, is letting in day light showing off the image above.

On both sides of the chapel, stairs are leading up to the look out to admire the dramatic view from the outer most spot of Monte Tamaro.

Why We Loved It

From the first phone call to the very last employee we saw on the way down, everyone were particularly kids and courteous. I write this as it should be any hospitality settings – but I found it essential to highlight, because since we left England, I don’t often find employees of hospitality settings / attractions having their ‘game face’ on. I felt heard and not rushed with my enquiry.

Other aspects:

spacious panoramic cable car
large restaurant with great choice of drinks and meals
playground right in front of the restaurant

Would We Return?

Absolutely yes! We are planning to try the summer activities:

plenty of trails to explore with many circular options
Adventure Park at the middle station
Coaster Bob at the top
Zip Line – not sure if I will be brave enough to try 🙂

Their brunch to go package includes the return ticket with the cable car and packed lunch that you can take on your hike for a few CHF extra.

My Resources

Monte Tamaro website provides the latest and most up-to-date information available for your visit.

https://www.montetamaro.ch/en

Wonderwood: Hidden Gem Family Adventure Park at Lake Maggiore, Italy

11th June 202528th August 2026Posted in Family AdventuresTagged Adventure Park, Italy, Lake Maggiore, Outdoor Family Time, Summer, Toddler-Friendly, Wonderwood4 Comments

Trip Duration: 8 hours ∞∞∞ Difficulty Level: Easy ∞∞∞ Trip Date: 25 May 2025

I can’t believe it’s already been three years since we were in the hospital theatre, hearing the surprising words: “You have a baby girl!” We had always joked that girls just don’t happen in our families—so when life proved us wrong, we were overjoyed. And grateful beyond words.

To celebrate her third birthday, we decided to skip the traditional party and instead go on an adventure—a new experience we could all enjoy together.

Wonderwood Adventure Park

Getting There: A Drive to Remember

The journey to Wonderwood took us about an hour. Half of the drive followed the scenic shores of Lake Maggiore, the other half twisted upward along narrow mountain roads—complete with hairpin turns and dramatic drops. No barriers, just breathtaking (and slightly nerve-wracking) views.

I’ll admit: I needed a deep breath and a moment to reset after that drive before I could think about tree trails or ziplines. Want a glimpse of the road and the trip?

First Impressions & Planning Ahead

At the entrance, we were warmly greeted by a friendly receptionist who explained everything calmly and clearly. The atmosphere was unhurried, which set the tone for a truly relaxed day. We immediately reserved a table for lunch on the panoramic terrace—a must if you’re visiting during peak hours.

Rope Course Adventures for All Ages

We headed straight to the rope courses, where everyone received a helmet and safety harness. After a short but thorough training on a practice course, we split up:

Our daughter (the birthday girl!) tried the low-level course, which is suitable from age 3.
Our son and my husband tackled the medium course, which runs 3 to 6 meters above ground.
There’s even a high course 9 meters up—for next time!

More Than Just Ropes: Other Highlights

🐿️ Squirrel Coaster

A creative wooden obstacle track for racing wooden balls down the hill. Spoiler: I was so focused on the race, I almost landed on my backside. Watch your step!

🚙 Ranger Trail – Land Rover Ride

It is one of my kids absolute favourite. The range rovers are suitable from 3 – 14 year. Parents must accompany the riders with a remote that can switch off the jeep before something goes downhill.

💦 Paddling Pool

After and during all the excitement, the best way to reset and cool down is to visit the paddling pool. The pool is shallower on one side than the other, but still perfect for toddlers. The swirling stream by its side with its ankle height water is great for babies.

🚜 Build It – Digging station

Diggers turned out to be a great distraction to both young and younger members of our crew. The two stations offer different things to grab. One is for digging up dirt and pouring over from one side to another, while the other has a grabber for lifting up wooden logs. Both the digger and the jeeps work with the same tokens. Tokens can be pre purchased or bought at the training center.

Food & Relaxation: The Grotto

The on-site restaurant, Grotto, gets busy—especially on weekends. Be sure to book a table when you check in. If you’re just after a snack, the WunderBar next to the playground offers a good selection of drinks and treats.

Why We Love Wonderwood

Wonderwood is exactly the kind of place we love discovering:

Family-friendly without being overwhelming
No queueing for climbing due to the buzzer system in place
No cash needed on site due to the park green card system – pay at the end on the way out
Outdoorsy but safe, the park is fully enclosed providing a secure ground to roam
Structured enough for parents to relax, but adventurous enough for kids to feel brave

It offered something for each member of our family—from the curious toddler to the adrenaline-loving big brother. The best part? We’re already planning to return next week.

TreeTop Walkway – Baumwipfelpfad – Neckertal – Switzerland

5th March 202528th August 2026Posted in Family AdventuresTagged Baumwipfelpfad, Buggy-Friendly, Family Travel, Outdoor Family Time, Spring, Switzerland, Toddler-FriendlyLeave a comment

Hosting Challenge – Finding Things To Do in November

Hosting guests from abroad at the end of November presents challenges when it comes to selecting places to visit. Choosing an outdoor location that both toddlers and adults can enjoy in any weather is not easy. The limited number of days to make it happen adds to the pressure of the decision-making process.

Treetop Walkway Neckertal

I was searching for a new outdoor adventure when I stumbled upon a place in Neckertal with an unpronounceable name. I had heard a lot about forest detox trips and nature tourism, and I would definitely categorize this attraction within that realm. It’s also educational!

Treetop walkway pictured from the ground

Reading up on their website, I got immediately intrigued. It is a truly a unique project. Should you wish to know more about the architecture of the attraction, click on the link here.

Take a look at their map to see all the aspects it has to offer.

https://baumwipfelpfad.ch/files/baumwipfelpfad.ch/contentbilder/Gelaendeplan_Englisch_001.jpg

Our Visit

We arrived on a rainy day in November. We almost had the whole place to ourselves, with just a handful of other families wandering around the site.

We parked the car and followed the signs to the entrance. Along the way, we passed a few houses and a self-service souvenir shop. It is quite common in Switzerland to find a self-service shop near attractions, whether they are natural, like the mountains, or man-made, like our destination for the day. Personally, I am still amazed by this cultural tradition and have a greater admiration and respect for Swiss culture. I don’t think this concept would last long in many other countries.

The receptionist recommended that we visit the treetop walkway track first before exploring the ground trail. The view from the walkway was stunning, even on a gray, rainy autumn day. The upper path was filled with activity stations, balancing games, and even a few marble runs, which kept our little ones entertained while we browsed through the information boards. Along the path, we found snippets of interesting facts tied into the games, making it easy to enjoy without feeling overwhelmed by the end.

The ground trail took us beneath the treetop walkway, following the wooden marble run stations. Between the stations, we spotted several wooden carvings of animals with their babies. Although we haven’t visited it yet, the lower part of the trail features a playground and a relaxation area for visitors.

Both upper and lower trails are filled with large wooden benches.

Once we tested out all the marble run stations, we opted for a warm soup at the cafe.

Why We Loved Baumwipfelpfad

First and foremost, the attraction is fully accessible. We visited with a double stroller and small toddlers and encountered no issues accessing all areas. The treetop walk is wide and spacious, making it easy to navigate. Additionally, the path below has smooth terrain, which is perfect for stroller wheels.

Secondly, the balancing games along the walkway were a fantastic way to draw our attention back from the magnificent view of the treetops. They not only helped us balance our bodies but also engaged our senses. We shifted our focus from the vast expanse above the forest to our own small selves within nature.

Thirdly, it features its own wooden marble run track and playground. Wooden balls can be purchased at the café and souvenir shop. The playground is located in the forest, providing cool shade on hot summer days. For adults, there are plenty of benches available to relax while the children play.

Lastly, I loved that all the activity stations were presented in three languages: German, Italian, and English. As an expat mom, I really appreciate places where information is available in English. Although I speak Italian, I prefer to read in English when it’s an option. Would I visit this place again? Absolutely, no matter the weather!

Wind and Sun kissed cheeks: Ascona in the Winter

2nd March 202528th August 2026Posted in Family AdventuresTagged Ascona, Lake Maggiore, Outdoor Family Time, Switzerland, Ticino, Toddler-Friendly, Winter1 Comment

Choppy waters on Lake Maggiore and an icy February wind welcomed us to Ascona. One might expect this in winter.

Yet, the brightness and warmth of the sun tricked us into believing that spring had arrived. The golden light that embraced Ascona in the early afternoon should have made the chill more bearable. But the wind, sharp and relentless, stripped away all comfort.

Our woolly hats, meant to keep us warm, barely fulfilled their purpose. Still, I can’t imagine how we would have coped without them.

Music and Art

This small town is home to the renowned Jazz Ascona Festival, which takes place every year from late June to early July. With over 15 concerts per day, the festival draws visitors from around the world. Uniquely, it is the only festival outside the U.S. officially linked to New Orleans jazz.

Walking through Ascona, you can feel its artistic soul. The streets and colourful houses bear the imprint of the many artists who have performed here over the years.

Blend of Italian charm and Swiss precision

One of my favorite things about Ascona is its car-free lakeside promenade, the LungoLago. It’s the perfect spot for a leisurely stroll, where cafés and restaurants line the waterfront. Even the icy wind couldn’t keep visitors from admiring Lake Maggiore’s shimmering expanse.

In this video, we take you along Ascona’s cobblestone alleys, down to the lake, where we walk with the colorful facades of cafés and houses on one side and the deep blue waters of Lake Maggiore on the other. Our journey leads to the playground before circling back to explore the port and the town’s charming, narrow streets.

Why We Love Ascona

Ascona is Switzerland’s lowest town, sitting just 196 meters above sea level. Thanks to this unique location, it enjoys a mild climate year-round.

Each visit feels like a new experience—a place of sunshine and tranquility in winter, and of heat and lively crowds in summer. The traffic-free waterfront makes it an ideal destination for families, offering a safe space for little ones to roam freely.

With ice cream on every corner and countless spots to relax, Ascona has something for everyone. Whether you’re indulging in local delicacies or simply soaking up the sun, this lakeside gem offers the perfect escape—any time of the year.

Winter Sunbathing: Exploring Brissago and other family low/highlights

27th January 202528th August 2026Posted in Family AdventuresTagged 1000 Hours Outside, Lake Maggiore, Outdoor Family Time, Switzerland, Ticino, Winter2 Comments

Swimming Lessons, Back to Work, Winter Flu, Exploring Brissago, Family Pool Fun

Brissago

Driving straight into the winter sun, which is sitting low on the horizon. Lake on the left and mountain on the right. The road hosts two way traffic but with the width of two old minis, very narrow. It is full of twists and turns. Just around one corner a garage door amongst the rocks of the mountain. Park the car and take the lift to get to your residence.

There are many such garage doors along the road south from Ascona just like that. Each one has a concrete lift shaft above. I can only imagine how people live / commute from places like this. I wonder what happens when the lift breaks down.

We kicked off the trip at the southern part of the town. Parking near the lido of Brissago, we planned to check out the slide leading to Lake Maggiore. However it is closed in the winter and it is not accessible with a buggy / trailer due to the stairs.

Chiesa di S. Maria di Ponte

A few meters further to the south on foot, we found a church. Large wide stairs leading down to what it looks like to the lake. To the right the cemetery to the left the most well maintained church yard, I have ever seen. The church is open for visitors from April until November. However the surrounding garden is open all year around. The lawn is manicured with precision, the trees are pruned for the next season. It is a great spot to fill up on vitamin D on a nice sunny day.

Looking around we can see the nearby lido and long slide just behind the church. On the lake the island of Brissago is visible. It’s botanical garden offers a couple of hours excursion for the visitors. On the other side of the lake, the mountains go from green bottom to brown middle to white caps.

From here we carried on towards north of the town. Along the way, many of the Mediterranean features can be spotted. The houses have warm colours, the palm trees keep their unique shades all year around. Stone dominates many of the walls, bridges and due to the steep hill Brissago is built on, there are many not-so-hidden stairs along the town.

Lungolago of Brissago

Lungolago is filled with benches to rest on. Unique statues and fountains break up the path. Lemon and orange trees show off their fruit even this time of the year. The winter sun makes long shadows creating a dramatic effect on the photos we took along the journey.

Below the promenade the large stones form theater seats like structure. Great spot to admire the the ‘vista’ in front.

The houses are colourful with large balconies maximising on space to admire the view of the lake and mountains. Tranquility dominates the lake side in January. I imagine that it is the perfect calm before the high season storm begins.

However the winter sun has now disappeared behind the mountains. We pulled up the zips of our winter jackets, to keep the cold out and headed back towards the main road. Behind the fire station, a lively sport field breaks the serene site.

Along the main road, the town is busy with locals chatting in the bars, rushing from one place to another. Busy traffic rushing in front of the hill covered with terraced houses facing the lake.

It was our first time visiting Brissago, however, we would love to visit in the high season, to be able compare the atmosphere between the seasons.

Brissago in summary

It was a great 2-3 hours trip (including playground pit stop, which is unavoidable with little kids). The playground is secured with a fence and has a few different features. There are many parking spots available around the town with various facilities. The trip can be stretched out to a whole day experience by visiting the Botanical Garden on the island of Brissago.

Visiting with a buggy / trailer was easy. The only challenge was to drag the trailer back up the wide stairs from the church to the main road. The stairs are really small and deep, so the passengers did not complain.

Swimming lessons

While waiting for the lesson to kick off, M had a few rounds on the water slide. She is gaining confidence in the pool. During the lesson we walk in big circles with the little ones (1 & 2 year old) across the whole lane. Each round we do a different activity. This is the quietest time in the pool. I can hear the lifeguards’ chatter faintly while focusing on blowing bubbles underwater for M’s entertainment. She is mesmerised with all the toys and busy keeping them in her hands while being pulled around in the water.

I hope next week O can join as well. He is home with flu, he needs a rest.

Back To Work

Holidays are over and M is back to his work routine. It was so nice to be together for a couple of weeks. But as anything, this is now over, which means I need to get my sh!t together again.

Winter Flu

Baby is moaning, temperature soaring above 40 degrees Celsius. Last night I called the hospital for advice. I was reassured that I can safely increase the amount of meds given to keep the fever in check. Next day, we were due for O’s one-year-old routine check up. Our paediatrician prepared me to keep fighting the fever potentially for a whole week. ‘It is flu season!’ Important to keep up the dosage every 4 hours. However, during the night I let him sleep through one 4 hour window. At 3 am I woke up for an inconsolable crying for help. His temperature was nearing 41 degrees Celsius. From that point onward I skipped zero 4 hour windows. The following night was even worst and I had to give him another med, which is like a horse kick. It takes ages to make a difference, but once it works it lasts for 24 hours. Eventually we got out of this madness by the second part of the week.

Family Pool Fun

Sunday FunDay. The pool was the busiest yet plenty of space to splash about. Four grown ups for 3 kids is a great balance in a busy pool. Huge inflatable across two lanes keep the bigger kids busy and the parents anxious. Blue elephant slide keeps M focus sharp. She is growing into a little adrenaline monkey. Sliding down, immersing under water, climbing out of the pool and starting all over again for another twenty rounds. Before she disappears behind the stairs again, but instead of appearing on the top of the slide, she is off to the baby pool. Luckily Granmy with little O are already there splashing on the tiny water fountains.

Happy Birthday Switzerland!

1st August 20242nd August 2024Posted in Expat Mind, Journey JournalTagged Outdoor Family TimeLeave a comment

Bonfires, fireworks, lighted paper lanterns, and many decorations all across Switzerland commemorate the founding of the Swiss Confederation in 1291. This day is a bank holiday across the country.

This is our second time experiencing this occasion. First, we were in Thurgau, and now in Ticino. Both places offered a variety of festivals and food stalls for visitors. While the festival near Bodensee felt touristy, the celebration in our new little town had a more cosy community feel to it. Kids were roaming on the field, people gathered around the tables.

We made some paintings in the morning and visited the local festival in the afternoon – although we stayed on the playground, the festive atmosphere surrounded us. Loud music, and lively chatter filled the hot and humid air.

Discover the Thurgau Ball Track Trail: Rugelreise – A Fun Family Adventure

22nd June 202428th August 2026Posted in Family AdventuresTagged 1000 Hours Outside, Buggy-Friendly, Frauenfeld, Outdoor Family Time, Summer, Switzerland, Toddler-FriendlyLeave a comment

Embark on a magical journey through the idyllic Murgtal Valley, where 12 unique ball tracks promise endless fun for families. Whether you start your adventure at Frauenfeld or Weberei Matzingen, the scenic train ride along the Murg river adds to the excitement.

Toddler Trip – Rugelreise

Toddler-Friendly Adventure: Rugelreise Ball Track Trail

📍Location
Located along the picturesque Frauenfeld – Wil train line, between the charming towns of Frauenfeld and Weberei Matzingen.

🚏Trail
Choose your adventure: The full trail spans 6.3 km, offering over 3 hours of excitement. For shorter outings, opt for routes starting at 2.9 km, ending conveniently at Lüdem train station.

🚼 Buggy friendly
Yes, the trail is generally buggy-friendly. However, one bridge has steps at both ends. We recommend checking the map for an alternate route, or be prepared to carry the buggy briefly.”

🧺 Picnic
Enjoy a delightful picnic at Campingplatz Aumühle or the scenic Feuerstelle Königs-Wuhr, perfect spots to relax and take in the beautiful surroundings.

🛝 Playground
Kids will love the Spiel- und Grillplatz Aumühle, equipped with fun play structures and a grill area for family barbecues.”

👣 Terrain
Experience a diverse terrain of forest paths, sturdy bridges, and occasional road crossings, each offering a new perspective of the beautiful landscape.”

🅿️ Parking
Convenient parking options include free spots at Weberei Matzingen Coop and paid car parks at other train stations along the way.”

ℹ️ Information / Source
For more details, visit the official Thurgau-Bodensee website.

Trip rating

5-year-old 👦 10/10 – “best time ever”
2-year-old 👧 5/10 – “frustrated as she couldn’t reach the starting points!”
5-month-old 👶 10/10 – “enjoyed the forest, fresh air and nature sounds!”

Poster with trail details of the Rugelreise

Window to the nature showcases one of the twelve marble runs on the trail

System building

28th January 202429th January 2025Posted in Journey JournalTagged 1000 Hours Outside, Outdoor Family TimeLeave a comment

The newborn-moon period is over. It’s time to work on a new system that caters for all. Unfortunately, my husband’s paternity leave has ended, and he is back to work. Our eldest child, B, was back in kindergarten. At least he was at the start of the week. However, on Wednesday afternoon he started to feel under the weather. It became clear that he was ill when his temperature 🤒 went up. We gave him Calpol twice that day and he slept through the night. The next two days, he spent at home resting. And of course by the time weekend came around, he was getting better 🌟

Then Saturday afternoon, our daughter woke up crying with high fever just before midnight. Quick Calpol, many hugs and we tucked her back into her cot. Here comes Sunday and all three kids are poorly. The smallest one is only 17 days old, but he also got the cough and runny nose. Days like these are truly appreciate the fact that we live in a multi-generational household. I always think about all the single parents out there with the deepest respect. If it’s you, I salute you!

System Building

This week I wanted to concentrate on building a flexible system to guide me throughout the day. I am trying to balance many things around the kids schedule without going crazy. I would like to keep some space in our days for my wellbeing, so I can recharge my batteries and be a better person. There are only x amount of hours within the day, so I have thought hard how to balance everything. Can certain tasks be combined and carried out simultaneously? In theory, the answer is yes! As long as it involves everyone, why not, right? Well… we shall see in the coming weeks.

Schedule

6:00

7:00

8:00

9:00

10:00

11:00

Old Morning Routine

Coding

Wake up kids

Breakfast

Morning walk

Cleaning

Cooking

New MorningRoutine

Morning Walk

Wake up kids

Breakfast

Morning walk

Decluttering / Cleaning

Coding

I would like to start the day with a morning walk, just like I did while I was pregnant with my daughter. Now that the days are getting longer, I can soon start going out before the kids wake up. This walk is all about me and some music or podcast I choose to start the day with.

After breakfast ideally I would head outside with our daughter for a little bike ride, or just messing around at the local playground. She is happy to stay in the cold outdoors, for about 30-40 minutes. Then we go inside, where I go through a zone per day to eliminate things I no longer use or need. Meanwhile, I wait for our daughter to give me some signs when she is ready for her nap. Mostly, she is down by 11 am but it all depends on what time she wakes up in the morning. Once she is asleep I can focus on my coding journey. I am currently learning some JavaScript for the millionth time 🙁 .

This is my second golden hour: My daughter is usually asleep and my son is not yet back from kindergarten. By eliminating the lunch prep task, I can free up this sacred time for my benefit.

Schedule

12:00

13:00

14:00

15:00

16:00

Old Afternoon Routine

Lunch

Quiet time

Gardening

Outdoors

New Afternoon Routine

Lunch

Coding

Outdoors / Gardening

After lunch time while my son has quiet time, I can carry on coding. Once my daughter is up from her nap time, and she filled up her tummy, we can head outside. Currently it is hard to handle the two eldest outside alone. One would like to play football, frisbee, or tennis. While our daughter just want to go, go, and go. If she decides to do something, nobody and nothing can stop her. I hope it will change soon, as it would be fun to show her things, and do some activities together with his brother.

In general, it would be great to spend most of the afternoon outside, however this time is purely led by our children. I listen to their needs, while I try to extend the time we are outside. I plan to do some gardening while they are playing, but not sure how it will work out. Previously I separated gardening from outdoor time, but I hope this is something we manage to do side by side and the kids will eventually get inspired by nature and growing things.

Mom and daughter are gardening on the first sunny day.

Garden pot inventory. Pots are laid out on the grass for easier count.

Schedule

17:00

18:00

19:00

20:00

21:00

Old Evening Routine

Prep dinner

Dinner

Bath

Bed time (kids)

Coding

New Evening Routine

Dinner & Lunch prep

Dinner

Bath-Story-Bed

Blogging

Unwind

In the evening, I plan to prep dinner as well as lunch for the next day. With a little forward thinking, one hour should be enough to prep for both mealtimes. After dinner bath and bedtime. Once the kiddies are in bed, I spend some time on the blog, while hubby plays a bit on our son’s Nintendo Switch 🙂 We both like to watch some limited series on Netflix to unwind at the end of the day.

1000 hours outside

My personal goal is to increase my daily step count to 20K. I hope to shed some weight without any special workouts. Walking perfectly fits with my commitment to the 1000 hours outside challenge this year and sneakily I hope to inspire my kids to be outdoorsy ‘like their Mom’ or even more.

Two weeks after the operation my step count was finally over 15K for the first time since our baby boy was born. What an achievement. I was so nervous about third time recovery. I have never in my wildest dreams imagined that I will be so active a couple of weeks after re-re-section.

Overall, we logged 9 hours for the second time this year. As you can see on the photos, snow covered the fields at the beginning of the week. Then by Saturday we were enjoying the warmth of the sunshine on our skin. I am looking forward to next week. It is sports holiday, which means there is no kindergarten and more time to spend in the nature.

Language skills

Nearly a year ago, we moved from the UK to the German-speaking part of Switzerland 🇨🇭. It is beautiful here and we love the area. However, we don’t speak German 🇩🇪 YET.

Our eldest just started kindergarten in August last year. He has two mini German lessons a week with the school’s English teacher. It is more like a friendly chat/game than a formal lesson.

I want to help him as much as possible, but unfortunately, I don’t know how to speak German. To ensure that I don’t teach him anything incorrectly, I am thinking to focus on passive learning. Just playing with words should be fun. He is asking more and more questions about how to write specific words and how to read certain signs / phrases.

This month’s payday gift was a letter game. Letters are displayed on tiny wooden dice and there are multiple dice of the same letter. In German language every noun has a gender, similar to Italian. So I am thinking of coming up with a vocabulary game that compares nouns, so he can connect the words he already knows in one language or another. I am thinking to use day to day topics of activities he does during the day.

In our family we speak many different languages. Sometimes one of us will struggle to remember a word in that particular language we use at that moment. Then we would ask the other person to help by saying it in another language (whatever form it is remembered). And this whole dilemma ends up with a discussion of this of word in all the languages we speak and any other way we know but not necessarily speak.

I will let you know how it goes after a couple of times weeks.

Bonding Time

21st January 202429th January 2025Posted in Journey JournalTagged 1000 Hours Outside, Outdoor Family TimeLeave a comment

This week brought us another wave of snow outdoors. Before moving to Switzerland, I always imagined that the winters are generally white across the country.

But now I know that this isn’t necessarily the case. We dedicated most of our time to bonding, and getting to know each other, and ourselves as a family of five / seven.

Grandparents are bottle feeding our two youngests.

We live under the same roof with my parents, so I cannot leave them out of the equation, of course. Living in a multi-generational setting means we are never outnumbered with the kids. It also means more type of relationships, and more possibilities.

Hubby was still home with us (on paternity), which was very special. The kids love being woken up, and put to bed by him. He is going back to work next Tuesday, after being off for almost a month. It will be strange not have him around during the day (especially in the morning times).

Dad and two kids walking in the snowy garden

Dad and daughter are looking at the snowy slide in the garden.

Outdoors in sub zero with little kids

It was M’s first time being outside for some free roaming in proper snow and ice conditions. She’s been walking, running, falling for 2 months now. She is generally quiet happy to spend 90 minutes outdoors exploring and playing. However, in this week’s sub-zero temperature her limit to play outside has shrank to about 30 minutes.

There are many contributing factors to the shorter threshold:

Too many layers – reduces mobility
NO! – she says to gloves:
- gloves on – she cannot hold or touch anything
- gloves off – well, cold hands
Slippery ice – many falls
Deep snow – of course with such tiny legs, the snow gets to her knees
Failed attempt to pull her on the sleigh – it tipped over and she fell head first in the fresh powder snow

Despite all the odds, she is keen to head out every day – preferably twice a day. Often she picks up her little shoes at home and brings it to me. “Hey, Mommy! It’s time to get going!” – I imagine she would say if she would be verbal.

Longer walks

This week I managed to sneak out for a longer walk with Dad. Courtesy of Mom, who volunteered to stay with my eldest in front of the house playing with the ball. He is not keen on walking, I guess it is boring for a five year old to walk and talk, and not to play with something on the journey. Luckily, he is content to stay close to the house and play in the garden or on the porch. Mom is similar, she prefers to do something rather than getting lost in the forest or in the countryside. On the contrary, Dad and I could walk and walk and walk, day and night.

We took the youngest member of the family in a carrier with us. O was nice and cosy on my chest. As soon as I put him in the winter overall, he is fast asleep.

1000 Hours Outside challenge

Weekly total 4:36 min in the fresh air. One day indoors, but all other days we managed to get out a little. Time spent outside varies from 24 minutes to over an hour.

Overall, we spent about 38 hours in the nature since we started the challenge back on the 8th December. I am happy with the result so far. I know it is not too much but under the current circumstances it is better than I thought it would be. I know that once winter is over, we will be able to spend much more time outdoors.

Happy New Year

7th January 202428th August 2026Posted in Family Adventures, Journey JournalTagged 1000 Hours Outside, Island Mainau, Kreuzlingen, Outdoor Family Time, Playgrounds, WinterLeave a comment

Mainau Island

Christmas Garden at Insel Mainau was a super experience overall. We started off the new year with a morning walk around our village. Then in the evening we booked tickets to see the Christmas Garden at Mainau island. I feel like this could easily become a New Year’s Day tradition for our family.

The show starts at 5 pm and runs between late November until the first week of January. The trail leads you through the park with numerous lit up hedges and statues. Expect ups and downs and if you are with a buggy, there are some alternative routes to avoid stairs. Our eldest is not keen on any activity in the dark, but we know that about him. So a head and hand-held torch is a must in our backpack. Being 38 weeks pregnant has definitely put a stamp on the experience, however there were plenty of benches to take a rest. Half way through, at the castle we found little huts serving mulled wine and kinder punch. The mugs are beautifully designed and for 2 euro, you are more than welcome to take them home with you.

Duck hedge statues lit up with Christmas lights.

Today is the last day of event. See you next year Christmas Garden at Insel Mainau.

Rocking horse lit up next to a Christmas tree.

Home

Living in the countryside provides tremendous amount of space to roam around fields and grounds. Having two completely different kiddies, makes play time interesting. One is happy to follow instructions, while the other will have a ‘drop-on-the-ground-meltdown’ when she hears her name. I always wonder if she thinks she is told off by her reaction.

New Years Eve carrot cake designed as a blue clock approaching midnight.

Gardening toddler with a pot of soil and tiny shovel

Kreuzlingen Seeburgpark

One of our favourite spot it the Seeburgpark playground at Kreuzlingen. Parking is reasonable, but on the hind side it is busy most of the time. The playground is only a short walk away pass the restaurant and the harbour. There are many different constructions for the kids and grow ups: swings, slides, paddling pool, sandpit, pirate ship and train climbing frame, seesaws and spring animals. Opposite the playground there is a minigolf park with reasonable catering available on site. There is an open field frisbee park between the minigolf and the lookout point.

We like to take the kids bikes and scooters as the terrain is made up of both gravel and concrete.

Great way to extend the hours spent outdoors is to visit the Tierpark, which is right by the side of the playground. In exchange for a small donation (honesty box), animal nibbles can be picked up to feed the zoo animals. Should you wish to go further, the Seeburg castle and the lake trail has plenty to offer.

Week ahead

Next week Kindergarten is back for 3 weeks before it breaks up again for winter sport week. It is also a week when we finally meet the newest member of our family. We couldn’t be more excited about our growing family. I have a planned C section on Tuesday, which will probably knock me off my feet for a couple of weeks. However I am so lucky to have a great supportive family, so I know our kiddies will be in good hands, while their Mummy is being taken care of in the hospital.

1000 Hours Outside Challenge

4th January 202425th January 2024Posted in Journey JournalTagged 1000 Hours Outside, Outdoor Family TimeLeave a comment

Working a bit backwards, I am finally setting us up for a great year ahead. Due date is in 5 days, I cannot think of a better way to set some goals and directions for the new year.

Winter walk in the dark; three generations of girls are shining under a street light.

Siblings are roaming on small road in the country side.

W H Y ?

Unintentionally, I started to focus on the importance of being outdoors with the kids at the beginning of December.

This was due to several factors. The nights got longer, and with the limited daylight hours, I felt the urge to schedule some free outdoor time for when both kids can roam around.

Moving into the winter months the temperature dropped, so we had less fresh air indoors which was another motivational factor.

But most importantly, ever since my daughter turned 17 months old, she started to have intense meltdowns. I am talking about going from zero to hero ugly, banging herself to the ground, in 2.5 seconds. It was scary for me to experience this, especially since my son, who is now 5 years old, never had such challenges.

A month later she started to walk pretty much from one day to another as she turned 18 months old. She clearly needed more space to master these new skills she gained.

H O W

What can be more secure than a huge grass field. So I invested some warm wool overalls and a pair of sturdy shoes. We took a short walk to accompany her older brother to the bus stop each morning. Then we went outside to wait for Daddy to come home in the afternoon – just before dinner time.

These two little commitments become part of our daily routine. And with that the kids temper became more regulated. Tantrums haven’t gone away, but they became more manageable. I became more level headed and patient as well.

W H A T

What do we do? What ever the kids feel like. We are lucky to have a small climbing frame with couple of slides right at our doorsteps. We keep a football outside as an invitation for play – it works like magic with the kids in the neighbourhood. While we are waiting for the school bus to turn up the kids kick the ball around and burn some energy right before they head into Kindergarten / School.

W H E N

Started to record our time spent outdoors on 8th December 2023. The challenge stretches over a year, hence total hours will be announced on 7th December 2024.

Pregnant belly in a winter jacket and a toddler reaching out to pick up some stones.

Christmas tree with an artificial lit up snowman.

R E S O U R C E S

I got inspired by the many many instagram posts that you can check out by searching the #1000hoursoutside. Of course I headed over to their website https://www.1000hoursoutside.com/ where I found numerous resources and links. I then hooked up to their podcast channel, which I regularly listen while the kids are playing.

One of the most informative episodes – in my opinion – is one of their oldest ones. In fact I found a lot of useful info in their second episode from 2019. It is titled IKHO 2: Tips for Spending Time Outside During the Winter https://podcasts.apple.com/ch/podcast/the-1000-hours-outside-podcast/id1448210728?i=1000427546677