The Badi!

Now that we're getting settled in our new home, we've been spending quite a bit of time at our local badi (swim area) down at the lake. It is really amazing - there is a huge water slide and lots of access areas to the lake (which is still freezing to me, but "perfect" for Jack's taste). But our favorite part is the kids area (pictured here) - large sandbox complete with running water (perfect for making a HUGE MESS), a large splash pool, swings, see-saw and various rides.

Jack and Kate absolutely love going to the "badi park" as they call it, and are quickly adapting to the Swiss way of swimming - their favorite part of the day is post-shower, when they run around the entire park naked ("nake-nake" as Kate calls it). The only downer is the virus spreading - let's just say that the regulations here are not as strict about wearing swimmies diapers and plastic diapers to cover... its a big deal if the babies are even in swimsuits (many are naked!). While it may be cute, unfortunately, both kids have come down with some nasty viruses this summer.. but we've decided that we'd rather have fun than miss out of a summer at the beach... so we just try to wash up as much as possible - and hope for the best! :)

Its all worth it when you can watch your kids swimming - while looking at the snow-covered Alps in the distance (also pictured here in the distance)... not a bad vista. Last week, Jay was able to meet us at the Badi and he and Jack celebrated by going down the HUGE water slide (its got to be three stories tall) 5 times in a row... Jack's lips were BLUE at the end, but he could not have been happier. Jay was just gone for a week, so they are planning their next expedition for this Friday (Jay's taking the day off), when they plan to go down the slide "thousands of times" (according to Jack).