Ever since I started my first diary around the age of 10 – a little blue book adorned with dolphins and complete with a lock – writing has been my refuge. My way of making sense of myself and the world around me, of venting frustrations, celebrating good times and, eventually, also sharing my stories with […]
Our Family Staycation in Hamburg
Living in Germany, May has become my favourite month of the year. And no, it’s not only because it’s when I met my husband, got married, or when our son was born. In northern Germany, May encompasses more holidays than any other month of the year. Between Labour Day, Ascension Day, and Pentecost, we have a […]
A New Twist on a Famous Scientist
Many of us are familiar with Marie Curie, the famous two-time Nobel Laureate, but our children may not understand the obstacles she overcame to achieve her scientific breakthroughs. One children’s book is telling Marie’s story in a new way—painting her as a superhero. Marie Curie and the Power of Persistence Marie Curie and the Power […]
Forks in the Road
Eight years ago I was sitting and trying to make a decision about spending the first weekend of May. Should I go to a friend’s 30th birthday party in Berlin? Or should I go to Kiel to attend the wedding of another friend? It really wasn’t easy to decide as I wanted to be in […]
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Everything You Need to Know when Visiting Hamburg
There are cities which you grow fond of as you get to know them and cities that you fall in love with at first sight. From the moment I first set my foot in Hamburg over a decade ago, I knew it was my kind of a city. Little did I know that one day I […]
Our Trilingual Family: the Building Blocks
In our little multicultural and trilingual family we use three languages on a daily basis – German, Latvian, and English. Here’s how we manage this language mix in our day-to-day lives To begin with, we are applying the method known as OPOL – one parent, one language: Birdy and Bamm-Bamm hear Latvian from me and German […]
10 Fun Facts about Latvia for Kids
How much do you know about Latvia, the small country by the Baltic Sea? Learn about this fascinating little country through these 10 fun facts about Latvia and explore more through the suggested activities. 1. Latvia’s flag is one of the oldest in the world Even though the state of Latvia was only founded in 1918, […]
The Easter Chocolate Extravaganza
Twice a year German kids are showered in chocolate candy of all shapes and sizes. The first time is on the 6th December when Nikolaus fills their shoes with tasty treats. The second is on Easter Sunday when they go searching for eggs, cute little baskets in hand. And while in my childhood Easter egg hunting meant scouring […]
Learning Latvian: the Best Resources for Kids
Speaking a small language has its perks but, as most Latvian parents living abroad will agree, finding books and other resources is not among them. Fortunately for us, the Internet can make learning Latvian a little easier and a lot more fun. Read on for a collection of useful webpages, mobile apps, book stores that deliver […]
6 Animated Heroines I Want My Daughter to Know
Like many kids I grew up watching Disney’s animated movies. I loved the bookish Belle, the hard working Cinderella, the free-spirited Pocahontas. But my favourite was the fellow redhead Ariel who dreamed of exploring a world different than hers. Almost two decades later, there are even more animated heroines to choose from to entertain, inspire, and perhaps […]