…are found reliving the trip through photos!

Here’s the links to all of the photos we published while we were on our trip:

• Enjoy Italy – A Few Days Around Sorrento
• Enjoy Rome!
• The Vatican & Rome
• Hello Florence
• An Evening in Venice
• Venice in May
• Delicious Italy – a Photo Album of nothing but the food

Enjoy!

Charly & Melanie

A quick post on Facebook asking where people love to eat in Southwest Florida — results in a ton of Southwest Florida Restaurant Recommendations!

Enjoy!

It all started in 1998, and this time-lapse video from USAToday shows you exactly how the International Space Station has been updated and added to over the years.

Enjoy!

…and I’m still laughing at what happens in this video at about the 1:58 mark.

It’s almost like he pulls it out of thin air…

Nice catch, Sebastian!

documenting the Known Universe – scientifically rendered for you to see.

This film was produced by Michael Hoffman, and directed by Carter Emmart. Brian Abbot manages and Ben R. Oppenheimer curates the Digital Universe Atlas. The exhibition at the Rubin, Visions of the Cosmos: From the Milky Ocean to an Evolving Universe, opened on December 11 and continues through May 10.

Thanks, Mongoola, for sharing this with me!

The World’s fastest, highest performing amphibious vehicle ever designed and built…

The Python Watercar!

The Python features:

• Speeds over 60mph on the water!
• 0 to 60 in 4.5 seconds on land!
• 5 Passenger, convertible!

and so much more.   Be sure to check it out!

Apparently, according to this article on CNN.com:

http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/space/08/08/space.kepler.discovery/index.html

The new Kepler Telescope has spotted a planet out there that’s pointed at a star (sun) and the planet’s hot side is 4000 degrees (and it glows!)   That’s a pretty amazing find since the new telescope hasn’t even started its official operation yet!

Can’t wait to see what’s discovered!

It was 2002 when my first daughter was born, and I continually work to assure I’m “in the moment” and plugged in when my girls talk to me. I really believe we have an amazing relationship!  (If you want to read a really interesting story about my girls & I, visit my Parenting Plan web site).

Here’s Keith’s article – be sure to learn more by reading his related blog entry as well (Thanks Keith!)

What did your child say?

What do your children’s words say or mean to you?

Are you taking the time to truly listen?

Most of us want strong communication and open relationships with our children. However, we never learned effective listening skills, and they do not come naturally. Becoming an effective listener takes hard work and practice.
If nothing else, adults should remember Mark Twain’s words: “If we were supposed to talk more than we listen, we would have two mouths and one ear.”

Improving your relationships is the underlying benefit of any conversation with your children. However, failure to actively listen can damage your relationships rather than improve them. Dr. David Kelley, a licensed family therapist, says, “Children feel valuable when adults pay attention to them.” “It gives children pride in themselves to know that they are able to communicate and make themselves understood. It also helps them to feel they are important to that adult and that they have something to say that is interesting to the adult,” adds Ann Sell, a licensed mental health counselor who works with families.

An important part of your relationship depends upon how comfortable your children feel expressing their ideas and emotions. If you do not encourage interaction with your children, you stifle their desire to speak freely. As a result, you lose out on the intimacy of sharing. Sell says, “Good listening skills will lead to a good relationship. Spending time with the child in active communication is probably the only way a relationship will grow. Good communication produces mutual respect.” Listening to children shows that we care enough to take the time for that child.

- Keith Grossman, Esquire

Thanks again Keith!

Usually, on our final day, we hang out, explore, shop and get ready for the big trip home…

We visited many of the churches in downtown Munich, along with the Hofgarten, and English Garden as well.  

Yes, we even stopped by the fairly new Apple Store in Munich, very cool!

We stopped by and watched the Isar river surfers too (you can see them too):

We hope you had a good time following our adventure – be sure to check out today’s photos!

See you soon!

Between seeing awe-inspiring castles & scenery – today is definitely a day we won’t forget.

Here’s a small sample for you – looking out of Castle Neuschwanstein to the mountains & lake:

We started our day at 4′ Celsius (that’s in the low 40’s Fahrenheit) – we were quite shocked! It’s been in the 60’s and 70’s.

Be sure to check out our photos from today, I think I’ve found my favorite photo from the trip so far.

Can you guess which one it is?

Enjoy!

Charly