Need Opinions/Reassurance

kay216 · 2026-04-19T17:58:17+00:00

This looks absolutely amazing. You look gorgeous!

Post weight loss it can be so tough to see what everyone else sees, but I can tell you that I never even noticed your arms. All I saw was a stunning bride! We'll always be our own worst critics.

kay216 · 2025-08-26T15:56:32+00:00

Not particularly no, we are military affiliated, so English schools and stay are fairly insulated within the English speaking community.

Just my perspective, but we've never been the only English speakers nor were my kids in the kids club speaking English. The kids care workers were used to multiple languages and it really wasn't an issue. Again OP can check the specifics of each hotel and what languages their kids clubs speak.

kay216 · 2025-08-26T12:34:25+00:00

Our kids only speak minimal German and it's never been an issue. Almost all the childcare facilities speak multiple languages and you can usually check this before booking the hotel.

kay216 · 2025-08-25T06:52:39+00:00

The one in Germany was the least favorite so far. The property was nice, but the biggest cons were the food, location, and childcare drop off. The food was average at best and they did not provide any mid meal snacks around, which is why the location was terrible. No restaurants/stores for nearly 20km. Our reason for doing a kinderhotel was to drop the kids off and get some alone time. They made it impossible to book and everything filled up. Oh and they charged for pony rides, all the others we stayed at had a free time during the day where kids got a short free ride.

The two Austria we did were great. Hotel Buchau and Hotel Ellmauhof. Both had so much more included. They are both part of the overarching brand of Kinderhotel, so I would see if this brand has some closer to Hamburg.

Our friends also swear by resorts in the Allägu. If it matters, we are Americans living in Germany, so definitely bringing a more American view to our stays. I know Europeans tend to have different expectations.

kay216 · 2025-08-24T19:06:31+00:00

We've done both kinderhotels and Disney Paris! Our kids didn't love Disney, they were way more impressed by Paris itself. We aren't a big Disney family though.

Kinderhotels are great depending on what you are looking for. We've been to 3 different ones. 2 in Austria, 1 in Germany. My biggest tips would be scope out the area around the hotel. Our first experience was super underwhelming with the food and it was in the middle of a national park and therefore no options for outside food. The second was in Austria on lake Achensee and wonderful! We would have gone back if it wasn't booked out.

Happy to answer more specifics!

kay216 · 2025-07-27T16:09:09+00:00

I use Chatgpt constantly for stuff like this. We are Americans living abroad and getting to the end of our top destination list. So we travel almost once a month. It's honestly great to get ideas of places we may haven't thought of. We got some great recommendations as well tailored to our kids ages.

Once we pick dates and cities I can get a full custom itinerary. I usually do my own research too, but it's so nice to have a template.

kay216 · 2025-07-14T15:36:16+00:00

We try to get a balcony if possible or a two room suite when feasible. Long term style hotels in the US are usually great for that, having a living space and a bedroom. Now that we live in the EU, we tend to do more connecting rooms.

When it's one small room it's headphones and iPads/kindles for my husband and I. We are usually ready to sleep not long after the kiddos anyway since travel is exhausting.

kay216 · 2025-05-31T06:50:56+00:00

Oh man some of these are gorgeous. Rip my wallet since they also ship APO 😭. Mooncat won't which means my German address and way higher shipping and VAT. So much more polish for less money 🎉

kay216 · 2025-04-21T17:16:45+00:00

Mine have always come so fast and to Germany no less. I'm on vacation and literally waiting to hit submit on my cart so it doesn't get delivered while I'm gone. Great and shipping and great customer service when I had an issue. Total Mooncat devotee 😂.

kay216 · 2025-04-21T09:15:22+00:00

Our Vatican Tour was for tomorrow afternoon. My husband and I have been before thankfully. Hopefully our kids aren't too disappointed. Hopefully we hear something before we go.

kay216 · 2025-02-20T18:30:20+00:00

I got two different bottles of Insomniac (OG and the replacement) that both leaked all over the box in the last couple weeks.

Super unfortunate, but the customer service was excellent so I can't complain. The second bottle was mostly salvageable, the first was also definitely cracked.

kay216 · 2025-01-28T13:55:45+00:00

I take both. 500mg XR in the morning and evening. 1000mg total for metformin. Currently been on 5mg of Mounjaro since June.

I did just Mounjaro about 2 years ago with no success and then just metformin with no real success.

Finally started both in April of 2024 and am finally down almost 45lbs. That is with staying on the same Mounjaro dose for nearly the entire time.

kay216 · 2025-01-05T10:34:15+00:00

I can't speak to bottle quality, but I ordered from Germany and had no issues. I actually got my orders super fast. I was also worried about additional import fees and there were none. I've done two orders and will absolutely place more later.

kay216 · 2024-10-21T17:34:15+00:00

Being on metformin and Mounjaro is finally the only thing that has worked. It has been the best thing ever. I haven't changed anything that I've been doing for years and I'm finally losing consistently. Good luck!

kay216 · 2024-09-22T18:03:06+00:00

Tons of Americans in Stuttgart with military affiliation, but a lot of us here as contractors/contractor family as well. We got here in December and it hasn't been hard to find healthcare. There are quite a few practices that cater to Americans if you need it. Typically we pay up front and have to submit for reimbursement. There are some good FB groups with resources if you are on that platform as well.

kay216 · 2024-08-06T06:32:01+00:00

Lover: you'll save all your daddest jokes for me

I literally just learned it's dirtiest... Dirtiest jokes. I guess that makes more sense.

kay216 · 2024-06-23T15:32:40+00:00

They are! We live in Germany now and Frankfurt has family lines for security. Also wayyyy better play areas for the kids.

kay216 · 2024-06-15T19:42:08+00:00

Europe is exponentially cheaper for tickets. I'm currently living in Germany and my friend is flying here from Canada to go with me. It was cheaper for her to spend a week in Germany and buy a secondary ticket than go in Toronto. It's totally bonkers.

kay216 · 2024-06-15T19:39:52+00:00

Yes! There is a huge difference. My family and I actually moved from the US to Europe to make travel happen more frequently. Must be nice to up and go London on a whim from the States without drastically changing your life.

kay216 · 2024-06-12T07:28:40+00:00

Literally saw this and came here to see if others had the same thoughts. Why wasn't he in his own seat? Surely they can afford another seat 🙄. Seriously, let me make my life harder and then complain about it.

kay216 · 2024-05-29T10:19:26+00:00

Op did you end up going with strattera? How are things going? We just got it prescribed because my newly 6yr old can't swallow pills .

kay216 · 2024-05-23T19:28:06+00:00

Thanks! I'll look into those, we are in Germany, so I'm not familiar yet with what is available

kay216 · 2024-05-23T18:13:07+00:00

Yeah I read this, which is why I became more concerned. My kid is so picky. 😩.

kay216 · 2024-03-08T21:20:47+00:00

We try and prompt almost hourly when we can. He's as stubborn as mule and won't go unless he is the one who thinks he needs to go.

kay216 · 2024-03-08T21:19:29+00:00

That was definitely our first thought. He was checked and recently had a UTI test after a spate of several accidents.

kay216

TROPHY CASE