Leon can count to 10 in German

(Leon = 19 1/2 month old)
So he can count to 10 in both languages now. He has fun with numbers. What I like most: He can nearly sing the alphabet! I have to post some new videos, but I'm really busy these days.

New words of Leon: G = German, V = Vietnamese

nackig (G = naked)
mu (V= cap)
muoi (V = salt)
xuong (V= down)
den (V = lamp/light)
Lampe (D= lamp)
men (V = blanket)
S-Bahn (G= city train)
almost all names of friends and relatives, but he can't pronounce the letters L
(this list is incomplete...I'll make up it in the next days.)

It's really cute to speak with him now, because he babbles all the time, tries to combine words. He can speak 2 word-sentences...and often he mixes German and Vietnamese (unfortunately but funny). Today Hubby dressed him and he said:"Hét nackig!" (not naked anymore). He is also a very good observer. His grandma wore a new chain some days ago. Leon greeted her, showed immediately at her chain and said:"Dep!" (V= Beautiful!). I think Hubby and my brother haven't noticed the chain so far...

Diaper Cake For A Girl

This is the diaper cake for my friend H. at her surprise baby party. Isn't it cute? Her baby will be born in May.

That diaper cake my friends made for Leon one and a half year ago.

Bich's Birthday - Shoe Blossoms Fondant Cake

For Bich, one of my best friends, I made a fondant cake with cherry blossoms and a shoe. Every woman loves shoes!

It was my first 3D-shoe, also made of fondant. Bich and other friends were
really amazed at my cake, because they haven't known my new hobby yet.

Is she going to eat the cake or is it an expression of joy?
By the way, the cake is not tiny, but the Bacardi bottle is extra big. It's an 3 liter bottle!

It was a very funny birthday! What I've learned today: Never let other people mix your drinks!

Leon can almost count to 10

3 days ago Hubby and I started counting in Vietnamese from 1 to 10 in the hope that Leon recognizes that there are something like numbers. So far he just knows 1,2,3 as a countdown for actions like lifting him, starting playing something and so on. Guess what! Today he counted to 8 fluently! With some help to 10. I almost can't believe it. Children learn so fast!
Watch this video. I also uploaded it, 'cause Hubby wanted to see it. He's now on a business trip and misses a lot of Leon's progress.

It was very funny: While I was recording him for some seconds, he wanted to watch his video on my camera and didn't want to count anymore.



No, usually I don't let him playing with the screwdriver.

What's about his teeth?
He is getting 4 teeth at a time. 2 eye and 2 back teeth (underjaw). He doesn't have temperature, but often wants his soother. Altogether he has 15 teeth right now, but still doesn't chew enough. He'd love nothing better than to swallow his food whole!

Leon's pics and new words

Here are some latest pics of Leon:

He is so tired that he falls asleep on the couch.

His "sport-group"

He loves sliding.

Mommy doesn't allow me to eat muffins, but I've found it in Daddy's bag!

Mommy, when can we go out?

It's too hot in this clothes!

Every night before I go to bed I kiss my rocking lion good night.

And my dog, too.

I've learned this by watching Daddy!

New words of Leon for the last 6 weeks (these words he can say it on his own without anybody saying it to him):
G = German, V = Vietnamese

Nein! (G = no!) He can say that word already 5 1/2 weeks ago. I think I have to post "LeonsWords" more frequently.
Apfel (G = apple)
Paprika (G = paprika) One of this favourite words, cause he knows that it's difficult!
Pizza (G = pizza)
Danke! (G = Thank you!)
Bitte.
Vô! (V = Cheers!) Whenever he sees a glass, especially a wine glass, he says that. even if he knows the word for glass. I always correct him, but he laughs at me and says "vô!" even louder! It seems to be fun for him seeing adults clicking glasses.
Cá (V = fish)
Fisch (G = fish)
Bánh (V = cookie)
Keks (G = cookie)
Cà chua (V = tomatoe)
Vit (V = duck)
Ente (G = duck)
Buch (G = book)
doc (V = to read)
viet (V = to write/ pen)
Khóa (chia khóa V = house key) His favourite toy!
Baum (G = tree)
Nho (V = grapes)
Quan (V = pants)
Aó (V = shirt)
bay (V = to fly)
Aua! (G = Outch!)
Piek! (G = to prinkle) With "Pieker" he means a fork.
Gôí (V = pillow)
còn (V = there's something left (e.g. his milk))
hê´t (V = finished, empty)
all(e) (G = finished, empty)
con (V = I, me) If I show him a pic of him and ask in Vietnamese: "Who is it?" he answers in Vietnamese.
ich (G = I, me) If I show him a pic of him and ask in German: "Who is it?" he answers in German.
muong (V = spoon)
Té! (V = to fall) He says it to me as a warning, whenever I stand on a chair or ladder!
ABCD (in G or V almost the same)
Bye Bye!
Chào! (V = hello/ bye)

Na's Birthday

My cousin Na celebrated her 24th birthday at home. It's always nice to be together with my family.



For dinner we had "Bo va Tom Nhung Dam" (Vietnamese Beef and Shrimp Fondue with Special Vinegar Broth). It is one of my favourite dishes...no, it's my top favourite vietnamese dish! It is light, but very delicate, a real taste explosion. On top of this: it's healthy, too! You cook the beef and shrimp lightly in this fragrant special broth, put them on a wet rice paper and wrap them together with lettuce, cucumbers and herbs (spearmint, thai basil, cilandro) into a summer roll. It can be served with different dips. I forgot to take a pic of the summerrolls...

...so take a look at these (vegetarian?) summerrolls by photogourmond (flicker).


I made this cake for her.

The color of my cake matches the flowers, you see?
But it's only a coincidence ;)

It's also the birthday of her mother! How cute they're looking together.

I didn't have much time, so I decided to make a less complicated cake which still had to look nice.




My aunt is looking radiant, as fresh as a daisy. Can you believe she is 49 years old?

Na's family.



Vivi and Leon.

All the best to both of you!

First time sledding

About 3 weeks ago there were snow again for nearly a whole week. We took the chance to go sledding with Leon. It was his first time!

I like it most when winter looks like this: a lot of snow, bright sunshine with a perfect blue sky!

At first Leon is watching everything unemotionally.

It's the park near our home.

Poor Leon: Daddy has absolutely NO experience with sledding with a kid!
Leon is functioning as a brake! His feet are on the snow and it looks very uncomfortable.
At this pic you can see Leons girlfriend and her mother.

Daddy seems to have more fun than him ;)

Yeah, that's better! After a while he realizes that it's funny and enjoys sledding very much!

That is cute. Next time we'll try a bigger hill!

Some days later...
Auntie Oanh wants to share time with Leon.

The sled is a present from her.

Mommy and Leon.