Preparing for Africa

On our upcoming trip to South Africa,

I want both kids to keep a travel journal.

After all it is probably going to be one of the

most important trips of their lives and I want 

them to remember that when they grow up.

I bought these two really nice blank books

with high-quality paper.

The kids can fill the diary with whatever they want. 

They can write, draw, buy postcards...

I bought some African themed rubber stamps

years ago when we adopted.

As you can see, some of them have been used quite often.

 
I can't remember how many cards and 

invitations I made using these stamps

 (think baptism, first communion, birthday parties...).

And although we are trying to travel as light as 

possible (we will be moving around quite a bit),

I will find a spot in my suitcase so that the kids

 can use them for their journal.

Boys bedroom make-over

This is the last part of my son's bedroom make-over. 

It is actually the only bedroom in the house that

is completely done.

 

  

This was the old closet he inherited from one

of his big brothers. It used to be on the opposite

 side of the room, but we had to move it due to

humidity problems. However, it just didn't look

good in this corner, too narrow and too high.

So we decided to move it to the garage and bought

two of these (we call them "cages") at IKEA instead.

New coat hangers, a couple of baskets,

some cardboard boxes...

and voilà!

He says it's cool.

Kindle

I asked a Kindle for my birthday and I couldn't be happier! One of the things I have terribly missed since

moving to Luxembourg is a library.

There are children's school libraries, but the

closest library for adults is in Luxembourg-city,

which is about 15 kms from where we live.

I am trying Kindle Unlimited this month, 

but until now Amazon's choice of books hasn't 

convinced me and I am probably going to cancel

 my free subscription by the end of the month.

Can't beat Ikea...

...when it comes to organizing.

 

Reading-watching-listening

Reading:

I am reading this wonderful book 

about wild life in South Africa (Cathedral of the Wild - An African Journey Home) for a very special reason. 

We booked flights to Johannesburg and Cape Town! 

It's time to show the kids where their roots are. 

Can't believe the last time we went there was in 2005.

Watching:

I love English tv series. 

 And Call the midwife is one of my all time favorites.

I watched the 3rd season last weekend and I was

really sad after the last episode. 

But lucky me...the 4th season will be released in March! 

Downton Abbey....what can I say?!

I'm afraid to start watching, 

because I know I won't be able to stop.

I watched the 1st season of Bramwell during the

Christmas holidays and I loved it.

 I just bought the next season (used, for 5 euro).

Listening: 

I am not listening to any audio books right now

 because I lost my iPod. I think my son took it and

knowing him it can be anywhere. I'm still

hoping to find it back.

Old fashioned Dutch apple pie

Handmade wooden hooks

I asked my husband to make three wooden hooks

for our son's new starry room, 

and this is what he came up with. 

I think they are really cool.

 

 

All by himself...

This year, I can go all by myself mommy!

 

Boys bedroom make-over

My 22-year-old finished his three months' internship

at a bank here in Luxembourg two weeks ago

 and went back to Germany again.

Now that the boys are both adults (with girl friends), 

we decided to turn their old rooms into guest rooms

 and use some of their furniture for our (almost)

 10-year-old's new room (the bed, night stand, 

bed lamp (new lamp shade) and the  book case).

I found grey bed sheets and a bed cover with stars.

The pillows were his brother's.

Even the curtains have small grey stars.

The desk and the lamp are new (IKEA).

The chair is old (IKEA).

Bookcase from his oldest brother.

This beautiful print from South Africa was a

 birthday present (I framed it myself).

The eye catcher in this room is definitely Rudolph. 

My sister brought him for Christmas, but

I just couldn't put him away after the holidays.

This old crate holds part of his books.

Love these IKEA bins, I use
them everywhere around the house.

One happy boy!

P.S. No, I'm not sponsored by IKEA ;-).

Baking cookies for his godmother

My son baked cookies for his godmother.

She and her husband are from Spain, 

living in Luxembourg, 

and we adopted our sons on the same day, 

from the same home in Johannesburg.

A friendship for life.