Our visit to Germany

Lucy and I spent last week with Jen and Marc and their family in Erlangen, Bavaria. We had a fabulous time getting to know their new home and spending time with them all again.

Lucy and Max got on really well and it was as though they hadn't been apart for the 9 months or so since we said goodbye to them in West Chester. They had the odd spat but nothing major. Lucy loved 'taking care' of little Alex who is 4 months old and a little sweetie pie. He is calm and sometimes I forgot he was even there he was so good. His twin sister Elena is sadly still in the hospital so we didn't get to meet her which was disappointing. But she is in great hands and is growing every day and is apparently a lovely smiley little girl and very laid back. Everyone is hoping she will be home very soon.

Max in the sandpit at the park in Dechsendorf

Gorgeous Alex, 4 months old

I loved Jen's new house. The 'village' she lives in (Dechsendorf) is very quaint and leafy with some nice little German stores which I enjoyed shopping in. Erlangen is a university city and very close and Lucy and I enjoyed a stroll around it while Jen visited Elena in hospital. We also visited the hospital itself to spend time with Alex, who was being cared for in a Ronald McDonald centre which provides babysitting and a space for families whose children are in hospital. I was so impressed by the facilities and the level of care, it is such a worthy charity and they have centres all over the world helping families at a difficult time.

Market stalls in Erlangen - a really pretty place

I would really like to go and visit Germany again and explore it more. The people are friendly and the countryside pretty. I love the way Germans are organised and build such sturdy and efficient buildings. It appeals to the tidy person in me!

Lucy loving Max's gymnastics class

Lucy looking really cheesed off as Max's next door neighbour, Freya, wants to play with him.

Lucy said to her "No! Max is my friend!" Hilarious!

This week we're catching up on sleep as Lucy didn't sleep too well while we were away. She did travel REALLY well though - very grown up on the plane and well behaved. She loved the airports as usual and walked all over as I chose not the take the pushchair. It was only an hour and a half flight but it felt easy peasy and would travel alone with her again :)

The lake near Jen's house which we walked to on Friday. Beautiful!