Saturday, January 29, 2011

Visiting Aunty in Tilburg

Aunty Rachel has been living in a new house in Tilburg for several months now, but we haven't had a chance to get down to see her. So this afternoon we borrowed a car and finally went to check it out. The house is huge! Unfortunately it is now on the market to be sold, so they don't know how long they will be able to stay. Hopefully it won't sell until the summer when Aunty and Juriaan are hoping to move closer to The Hague!
Both kids took a nap on the drive to Tilburg.

Pretty girls...

...and silly girls!

Felix was checking out Juriaan's skateboard.

There is a playground right in front of Aunty's house.

Unfortunately it was very cold, so we didn't stay outside for long.

Everybody loves the swing!

Saturday Morning with Carla

This morning Finn had a football (soccer) game. Cheering on the sidelines is hard to do with a baby and toddler, so we offered to take Carla for a few hours so Jacques could actually see some of the game. As always, it was a joy to have her here. We started off with some pancakes and then went for a nice, cold walk.
Usually she doesn't want to eat anything when she's here, but she scarfed down 3 pancakes!

The trusty duo stroller.

How cute!!!

Friday, January 28, 2011

Box Fun

As one of the finishing touches for the kitchen, we have a new trash can. The best part of the new trash can (at least, if you ask the kids) is the big box it came in. This box is responsible for hours of fun making huts and nests in there. We found the flashlight, which has only enhanced the box fun!
Getting everything perfect.

Playing homeless child.

Just playing with the flashlight is fun, too!

Monday, January 24, 2011

Flip the Bear

There is a new member of Evie's class at school. His name is Flip the Bear. Every day he gets to go home with a different child who then gets to take care of him for the day/night. Flip has a journal that he brings with him so that he can record everything he does. Today when Evie was picked up from school, she had the biggest and proudest smile when she came out carrying Flip and his backpack. She had been talking about Flip for a couple weeks, of course, so we were very excited to finally meet him!
On the way home we stopped by the playground.

Felix enjoyed cuddling the bear, too.

Once home, Evie and Flip played dress-up.

They also enjoyed an afternoon snack.

For bedtime we gave Flip an old baby pajama from Felix.

Tomorrow Flip goes back to the school and gets to visit another student. But he has lots of memories and pictures in his journal!

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Tiles and some Lights

With all the busy holidays and Steph's visit, progress on the kitchen has been slowed down quite a bit. But that doesn't meant there hasn't been any progress! The tiles are now completely done! We have also hung up the new overhead light. The lights under the cabinets still need to be installed. And the floor is now ready to be finished as well! It's all coming together sooner or later.


Monday, January 17, 2011

Goodbye, Steph!

All good things come to an end...
BIG HUG for Tom.

Steph taught Evie how to do "i love you" with her hands. Here she is saying goodbye and I love you one last time before school.

I will never forget you....

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Last day!

Today was our last full day with Miss Stephanie. The day started off slowly as we were still recovering from the fun of the night before. We blew up the air mattress and all lounged around watching the Incredibles in the morning. It was nearly three o'clock by the time we got out the door. But the sun was finally shining, so we really had to go outside!
Of course the weather decides to be nice when we have absolutely no intention of enjoying it...

At the playground we all played on the horizontal bar.

Evie can do somersaults around the bar, but not when it's so high.

Even Mama hung upside down!

This is always a favorite piece of playground equipment.

Cheeeeeese!!

Squeezing in some more photos of Steph and the kids.

And of course there was some extra cuddle time, too!

Goodnight book with Steph.

Saturday, January 15, 2011

We have a babysitter!

Tonight Opa Bas is here to watch the kids, which means... we all get to go out and have some fun!!!
Steph, Menno, and Liz - ready to party!

The evening started with some Rock Band. It was the perfect warm-up for a night on the town.

As Steph described it, some Dutch carpooling. Steph hitched a ride with Menno the city.

Liz rode her own bike.

There are no good pictures taken from the city, but it was fun!!! We spent three hours dancing at an 80s/90s, which was perfect!! It was a great day and night!!!

Muiderslot

Today we borrowed a car and ventured off to Muiderslot, about an hour away. Muiderslot is a castle that dates back to the thirteenth century. It is a quintessential knights castle, complete with six feet thick walls and a moat surrounding the castle. We were blessed with relatively dry weather, though the skies did stay overcast.
Muiderslot

The kids in front of Muiderslot

The balcony hangs over the courtyard.

Tom was not the most comfortable crossing over.

Peek-a-boo!

Some old armor from the knights.

The view out a tiny window in one of the towers.

We always knew she was a joker!

Lady Evelyn looks out waiting for her knight in shining armor.

Beautiful! The castle, too.