LivinginBrno

 In one of my previous posts, I was sharing how privileged I felt to be able to afford to be on Parental Leave for as long as it is necessary. As parents here without extended family or support, we found that best solution is to use Parental Leave instead of fast returning to work - to pay than strangers to raise our kids. For us it was more profitable and beneficial to do so, each situation is different and what worked for us might not work for everyone. Now all kids attend school and kindergarten and I have sufficient time during the day to work. On our side, this season was like last season: a lot of seasonal sicknesses - boys are fine now but we all had so far our fair share of the virus cocktails traveling around. We all had stomach flu during October, then I had the flu followed by a mild and quite reasonable weekend cold as a b-day present. But all in all, this winter was better for us - we could attend all the X-mass events, karate contests with kids where they got their re...

  Seznam pomůcek pro 3. ročník sešit č. 513 - 8 ks sešit č. 420 - 3 ks sešit č. 444 - 1 ks sešit č. 5110 - 1 ks úkolníček - 1 ks notový sešit - 1 ks průhledná dvojitá fólie A5 průhledná dvojitá fólie A4 linkovaná podložka (lenoch) A4 - 1 ks obaly na sešity a učebnice trojúhelníkové pravítko s ryskou kružítko mazací tabulka s fixem obálková kapsa na zapínání drukem (formát A4) Pouzdro: pero - 2 ks (gumovací) tužka č. 2 + č. 3 - trojhranné pastelky min. 8 barev guma nůžky lepidlo Kores - malé malé pravítko ořezávátko Výtvarná výchova + pracovní činnosti: štětec plochý č. 10 a 14 štětec kulatý č. 4, 6 a 10 anilinové barvy temperové barvy 12 ks kelímek na vodu paletka na míchání barev hadřík + igelitový ubrus na lavici plastelína voskovky fixy křídy umělecké - prašné černá tuš lepidlo Kores - velké černý fix zmizík špejle pracovní oblečení - zástěra nebo triko s dlouhým rukávem výkres A4 - 30 ks výkres A3 - 30 ks barevné papíry Tělesná výchova: cvičební úbor v látko...

Dear fellow moms/moms to be living in a foreign country, I'm thrilled to introduce you to " Mindful Memories: A Journal for Expat Moms ," a heartfelt companion crafted with love for our unique journey of self-discovery and cultural immersion. This journal is not just a book of blank pages; it's a treasured keepsake designed to capture the essence of our expat experiences, embrace our growth, and celebrate the beautiful moments that shape our lives abroad. As we embark on this captivating voyage, "Mindful Memories" warmly welcomes you to express your thoughts, aspirations, and even the occasional uncertainty that comes with living in a foreign land. Within its inviting pages, we find solace and joy in documenting our personal growth and transformation throughout this incredible adventure. One of the most powerful aspects of our expat journey is mindfulness and appreciation. In "Mindful Memories," you'll discover dedicated sections that gently gu...

 Looking at the endless posting and boosting going on for years on social media, I am thinking how it would be for us, a family of 5 to go with our kids in such exotic places. Then, I think about why vacations are important for families: to bond and make great memories together. That, we do every day, 365 days per year right here, close to home. So, for now, we are not missing out. Reality is I dream about a vacation faraway - last time we did one was in 2010 when we made a Tour of France in a tent for 3 weeks. Saw places that are always in my heart.  But now with 3 kids such trip, even low cost as it was is not possible. No matter what influencers and other shinny families of Insta portray those things are not a reality for me and my family. One of our kids has a strict diet and we could no go long without home made meals, pre-packed. Even travelling for a few hours is a challenge for our family. In Brno there is only one accommodation where we felt really good and prices whe...

As an expat mom raising my children in the Czech Republic, I have discovered several invaluable tools that have greatly supported me throughout this parenting journey. Three specific tools that have been particularly helpful are Edookit, Google Translate, and a Notes program. Allow me to share my experiences with each of these tools and how they have assisted me in overcoming the unique challenges of raising children in a foreign country. Edookit: Edookit has been a lifesaver when it comes to staying connected with my children's school and keeping track of their academic progress. As an expat mom, navigating the Czech education system can be daunting, but Edookit has simplified the process. With its online gradebooks, attendance tracking, and assignment updates, I can easily stay informed about my children's performance and engage in meaningful conversations with their teachers. What I appreciate most about Edookit is its seamless communication features. Whether it's messag...

Last weekend we participated at the Water Day event organised by Lipka at U Jezerka place. Like every year, we enjoy the time spent here and try to be part of the events organised as they are truly making us and the children happy. The great work and organisational, creative skills of all the educators from Lipka are admirable and we are so thankful. Lipka Place is a cultural and educational center located at U Jezerka in the Czech Republic. This place is known for its beautiful natural surroundings, stunning architecture, and a long history of cultural and educational activities. History of Lipka Place: The Lipka Place was originally built in the 18th century as a hunting lodge for Count Václav Michna z Otradovic. Later on, it was used as a summer residence for various noble families and became a cultural and educational center in the early 20th century. During World War II, Lipka Place was used as a military hospital and later as a center for displaced persons. After the war, the pla...

 Our second son has a favourite song and it sounds just great. As funny and amazing as it is, the song and the child who sings it every day there is one issue with it: is in Czech and I cannot say it. Son wants me to learn it, so I did. Also, I must say it correctly, like him. So, had to translate it, to be more connected with the text. Actually, just for being able to understand what I am saying. You can find it bellow, in Czech and English, feel free to add anything to it or just use it as is. the images bellow can be printed and used together when learning it or just around the house while playing with kids, in print they look lovely. I used Canva for the little decor, just adding some motivation to the file. 1. sloka Prší, prší, jen se leje, kam koníčky pojedeme, pojedeme na luka, až kukačka zakuká. Pojedeme na luka, až kukačka zakuká. 2. sloka Kukačka už zakukala, má panenka zaplakala, kukačko, už nekukej, má panenko, neplakej. Kukačko, už nekukej , má panenko, neplakej. 3...

Taking a trip with kids to the forest is always an adventure. As a family, we love to explore the outdoors and learn new things about nature. On our recent trip, we decided to go foraging for nettles to make some delicious nettle tea. Not only was it a fun activity for the kids, but it was also a great opportunity to teach them about the benefits of nettle tea. Nettle tea has been used for centuries as a natural remedy for various health conditions. It is packed with vitamins and minerals, including iron, calcium, magnesium, and vitamins A and C. Drinking nettle tea can help boost the immune system, improve digestion, reduce inflammation, and promote healthy skin and hair. To make nettle tea, you need to gather fresh nettles. Nettles are easy to find in the forest, and they grow abundantly in damp and shaded areas. However, you need to be careful when harvesting them, as they have stinging hairs that can cause skin irritation. It's best to wear gloves and long-sleeved shirts to pro...