Harlingen

We went to Harlingen & Bolsward in Friesland- places that were special for Opa- for a family get-together.

Nelson's Birthday Week

Party after party after party: Cake for the real birthday, then for kindy, then for the family day...and 3 kilos of cake later, thank goodness it's all over! Of course it had to be a Wiggles cake (one little friend took one look and asked 'what's THAT??') and Nelson had no qualms about eating each of the Wiggles one, by one. Nelson was spoiled with great presents from lovely friends.

Jeff's head on a plate, served up for Nelson (below). We ventured down to the beach for a picnic dinner- amidst almost gale force winds with searing sand, we managed to eat and crunch our way from salads to ice creams.

Relaxed, gorgeous weather on the long weekend! Bliss

We LOVE love love living near the beach. Katwijk (Neighbourhood of Cats) is the usual strand. Our favourite time is about 4pm when the sun is softer and the crowds are leaving for their dinner at home- we believe in the motto 'the outdoors is no fun without food' so I usually pack whatever's on the menu for the evening and we out of plastic cups (better for the sand storms).

Nelson is THREE!

Nelson is irrepressible, incorrigible, passionate, loving, stubborn, affectionate, hilarious, sociable, vivacious, capricious, naughty, cheeky, heedless to caution.
He loves his big brother and adores his little brother; but doesn't let either push him around (more the other way around).
He's the quintessential Wiggles fan; Wiggles from sunrise to sunset and often between dusk and dawn.
He's not afraid of liking pink, Dora, flowers and girls.
He's Mr. Bump (if there is anything to bump into, Mr. Bump would bump into it indeed), loves rough and tumble, can throw his voice with authority.
Nelson is instinctive about making people laugh and feel good.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY NELLY BELLY xoxo

Spring 2011

The girls wanted a dolly...

Fleur, Koen & Elise to Katwijk aan Zee

Easter Egg hunt in the park with the freaky bunny

Easter Brunch with Friends

The force is strong with this one...

Photo Dump

Kaemon and Nelson's favourite meal...

The boys got their pearly whites checked- mum and dad have been doing a good job. Phew.

Spring always seems to jump in your face. One moment we're still walking in snow and the next I'm sweating in my jeans in the sun. No slow transition, it just bursts into bloom

Quinten is beautiful and healthy. He loves being one of the boys. Just loves them...

Kaemon's school had an Easter Trail- through the neighbourhood playing games and treasure hunting! I've survived my first term as a School Mum. HOlidays now, see if we get through this with sanity intact...

Last wee we still had winter jackets on, and this week, we're having dinner on the beach on a school night too! Quinten- started on solid foods- not happy with the empty cone. Furious to discover he got no ice cream!!!

In memorial

Hylke Sjoerd Jozef Vellinga (18 March 1944-13 March 2011)

Een koele bries, de wind steekt op, oneindig is de oceaan.
Hijs het anker, trossen los, het is tijd nu om te gaan.
Een behouden vaart.

A cool breeze, the wind picks up, the ocean is infinite.
Raise the anchor, release the ties. Now it is time to go.
Safe journey.

Absolute Deliciousness

These are the reasons why we have 0 free time at the moment. It sounds terrible but it's Absolute Deliciousness.

Quin joins the family

Efteling!

Our first amusement park visit that the kids enjoyed more than we did! At least Kaemon & Nelson are old enough to run around of their own accord and had a fantastically exciting day!

The Efteling is charming- with a Fairy Tale Forest filled with all the characters from various stories (some quite scary).

My favourite of course: the gingerbread house...

The wolves were uncensored scary villains complete with lolling tongues dripping with saliva (Kaemon could not be convinced to look)

Hansel & Gretel, Those dear little goats unsuspecting that the hungry wolf is at the door: 'DON'T OPEN FOR STRANGERS!'. Kaemon & Nelson breaking the news to mummy goat that her 6 children have been devoured by the wolf.


The big story-telling tree was impressive & Kaemon only chose rides that were 'very slow'

Confirming that the Magic does happen @ the Efteling, we bumped into familiar faces! Marjolein, Justin, Timo, Yara & Marjolein's mum Inge were also doing the Eftel-thing on the very same day!

Kaemon turns 4!

Our delicious Kaemon turned 4! He:
- was the beginning of our parenthood.
- has stiff spiky chinese hair but is blond.
- is cautious but able.
- not brave and not ashamed to admit it.
- is conscientious and considerate.
- is caring.
- loves being a big brother to Quinten, likes being a big brother to Nelson!
- analyses things.
- loves being in bed.
- loves sushi.
- can be bribed with food.
- skips and jumps instead of walking
- sings like a lark
- exudes pure joy when holding Quinten, eating good food, playing with tanks, doing number puzzles, singing, telling a story.

winter

new year's day walk in a forest of snow... the snow has wreaked havoc everwhere, for everyone including us, but it does have a bewitching effect.







Finally, my first W-H-I-T-E Christmas!

we had a visit from Shawn loli & noah and had a short but sweet time. The snow turned the dunes into ski slopes on the beach!!





Quinten my sweet no.3! he's all sunshine and is born with a tan to match. he loves lady gaga (or my singing it...).