Nelson is learning how to get what he wants- what a flirty baby!


They are such GOOD babies! One reads, the other studies motor skills. Giving me time to internet (is that a verb these days?)

We visited Merel & her Mum for a delicious lunch (which I immediately tried to copy that same night -see picture) and good running around in the gorgeous garden!

Kaemon's friend came over for pizza and chips...wondering how we get them so well behaved and sitting so calmly? Cars on DVD of course!!

Transport for the needy

One can't hold his head up, the other falls when he runs, both are back-breakingly heavy...how do we get around? Ta-da!.....I'm holding my breath as kaemon hasn't poked out nelson's eyes yet, with my back to them both, anything can happen.
We've been out and about and discovering a whole new world of the playground, playgroups, playdates, playmates etc etc. It's mind boggling, it truly is. I liken it to a kind of matchmaking process or even picking up at a bar....did we pick up? Discretion is key. Time will tell whether long lasting relationships can be borne out of playgrounds.

HOt hot hot

What we are eating today: >30degC, chilled green tea soba with pretty things Mmmmmmmmmm!

My Big Baby

The little N is 2 months old!


The Big N is 90 years old, we made Bobotie, his favourite dish- Mmmmmm sweet curry baked with a creamy topping, yellow cardomom scented rice and spicy apricot chutney

More angles of Nelson

His style is russian cossack inspired.

Nelson the great (pooper)! Kaemon the virtuous(o)!

It seems we struck it lucky again with a baby that's sweet and happy all the time! However, there's no rest for any mother, so it's not as if I'm posh spice or anything.

Our busy day...

 

Ode to the slice

The slice is the new leggings-under-skirt (or whatever current fad of the season). I don't know the true definition of a slice, but for me it's a hybrid of all the good features of baked yummies- cakes, cheesecake, biscuits, puddings, the list goes on on on- in a reduced format to enjoy at any moment of the day (desserts are often too filling after a meal). Take for example this apricot crumble slice: crumbly topping like an apple crumble, squishy filling like a jammy pudding and crunchy biscuit bottom. But flat and easy to stuff down in between lunch and dinner!!!!
 

Erik and Simone

Yes it's wedding season (already the 4th this year!)! Our good friends tied the knot in Nijmegen, a beautiful church service and a reception on a gorgeous summer's day. The best things were seeing the groom entering the church with a huge grin on his face and as the bride entered, the ladies in the congregation begin to cry! That's what weddings are all about... I love them!!!
 

Marjolein and Justin

A beautiful day and a beautiful wedding!! My dear friend marjolein married her handsome man- such a good looking family!! The parents of the bride were so proud and I like them a lot- so sweet! A shiny happy future for them all...
 

My Boys

Two kids are fun...entertainment always
 
 

1 month already!

The little one!

Family pics

Visiting little holland (Zaanse Schans)

A little bit cheesy, but fun nonetheless


Kaemon's growing up...into a (nose-picking) BOY

Stan Getz in the making...

Buddies hanging out

Not afraid...

A (dubious) tribute to Sister Kathleen, our violin teacher (Jen, Ingrid and myself). I hope she appreciates the fact that we're still playing since it's impossible to appreciate anything else... Warning: turn the sound DOWN. C'mon, it's been 5 years since we've played together and our fingers aren't the nimble ones as when we were 10 year old prodigies scratching out Bach (at least ingrid has the advantage of having perfect pitch!! sorry ingrid, couldn't resist one more dig ;). Now we're just nearly 30/30-somethings scratching out Bach. Anyway it was fun (despite douwe and tom laughing about us going to band camp. Band camp was fun too). The musical equivalent of a not-too photogenic photo:

Ingrid visited and I had such a good time talking Australian, and meeting the backpacker that led her to go AWOL in Belgium. Jen, she's entering our competition (Denmark vs NL vs Belgium) but she's already lost a point since Vlaams-Dutch sounds much nicer than Dutch!

kaemon meets the big chicken, kaemon loses chicken

Apologies to the vegetarians, a chicken was harmed in the making of this film.

Panic ensues when the chicken time is over...methinks he's got a little touch for Drama.

Kaemon's friends Yara and Timo came to visit Nelson!

Vrijgezellendag!

Lieve Marjolein Bride-to-be! Girlfriends are great aren't they? We had a great day on the canals of Utrecht doing some girl-bonding.

little lord N

Time flies when you're having fun! N is a lovely baby- hardly cries, eats and sleeps well- all a baby his age ought to do! he appears to smile just before getting the booby... Kaemon is very interested in him...in short intense bursts of 20 seconds at a time, then it's back to tractors and buses. They like holding hands and giving each other kisses, kaemon calls N 'tractor' & gives nelson little gifts of contraband (my credit card, car keys, all the things he's not allowed).