2 Months In!

AHHHH!!!! What a crazy ride it's been during our first two months here in in Munich. High high's and low low's and a whole lot in between however I can say with complete honesty and confidence that this move is a wonderful thing ...for me personally and for the whole family. Definitely no regrets. It is such a tremendous opportunity for which I am extremely grateful. So amidst all the craziness that has been this 'transition' - I do love living here in Munich; I am so very happy we are here. 

The kids are like different people. Henry asked me to pack chopsticks with his lunch so he could eat his sandwich with them because "Yuto eats his lunch with chopsticks every day". Both kids are learning German and thriving in their new school. Henry has started learning taekwondo after school from Master Klaus (who only speaks German) and Polly is learning guitar - they are learning and growing in this new environment and I have learned so much from watching them here - their worlds change so quickly and yet they adapted almost immediately to their new life here. It has been wonderful for me to watch them go through this experience.

Nick has joined Munich's oldest cycling team, RC "Die Schwalben" (The Swallows), the team has been around since 1894; he is training hard to race with them next season - racing in Europe - AWESOME!! December is usually a frantic, stressful month in the Fitton house with Polly, Henry and Nick's 40th birthday's all before Christmas but this year will be the best year ever. We all agreed that instead of birthday parties that we would do a special trip instead - the kids are thrilled - as are we! Legoland is closed until spring but we will do this with them as part of their 'gift'. There is a huge indoor water slide park nearby so we will do this as a family to celebrate their birthdays this year. Polly really wants a watch and Henry's list is so long he can't seem to narrow it down yet ;-) The life size Hagrid made out of Lego from Harry Potter is on his list!

I have been lucky enough to meet some super fun gals through the school that live in my own little village and we lean on each other and share lots of laughs (& wine) which has been wonderful. I have joined a gym in the town and do my best to struggle through a few classes taught in German each week. During my first week here I was invited to join a fun group of women who walk in the woods for an hour and then enjoy a fabulous breakfast afterwards - so that takes up most of Wednesday morning and I look forward to it each week - I have learned so much from these women and am sincerely grateful to be included. Nick and I have started German lessons every week which is an absolute complete and utter brain drain for me but much needed and although I kind of dread the lessons, I still really want to do them, I want to learn - BUT IT'S SOOOOOO HARD!!!

Our weekends are full on family time - sleeping in, cooked breakfasts, relaxation, bike rides, movies, hiking, eating, trips into Munich, cooking and naps. All the stores here are closed on Sunday's which I am starting to get used to and now I love it! We are spending a lot of family time together and I am enjoying hanging out and chilling with the kids.

My super cool aunt and cousin came to visit for a couple of nights in November and it was wonderful! So heavenly to be able to catch up with them - I haven't seen them in years and years and to have them here (and speak English with them) was such a treat - I only wish they could have stayed longer! :(

We are all very excited about spending Christmas here, exploring all the fun things our new home town has to offer. The Germans sure do know how to do Christmas. The kids had a half day at school on Friday so after school we went into Munich to compile the lists for Santa. Munich is full of fabulous decorations, chocolate, advent calendars, ice skating, crepes, warm wine, roasted chestnuts, Christmas stalls ... the list goes on and on!! We met Nick after work and enjoyed a fabulous Bavarian feast for dinner before catching the train home. I think this might become a weekly tradition during December for us - it was such a fun night - Munich truly is a gorgeous city and even more so at Christmas time. I am in love with this beautiful city!! We were so inspired by our trip to Munich on Friday that we spent this afternoon decorating the house for Christmas ... just need to get a tree now and we'll be set!

There you have it. Two months in and so much happened during this rollercoaster of "transition" ... but we love our new life here and are super excited about what's next to come in our European adventure. When are you coming to visit??

Kids sharing a delicious Krapfen (kinda like a jam donut but better!)