snow snow snow!

It started to snow here and then a little pause after which it started again and again.. So saturday we went to the place where we normally go for swimming because there is a spot where you can slide down on a sled but the first run of Ingmar went a bit wrong and caused Ingmar to tumble out of the sled and have a tooth through his lip.. So dad went home with Ingmar and mom stayed for a while with Wendeand Nils.
Sunday morning was spent (as usual) in the swimming pool although it was very quite after so much snow on the road. In the afternoon dad took Nils, Wende and Lindsey (nils's friend from down the road) to a place where it was even better to slide with the sleds. Wende loved it when she tumbled out of the sled but Nils was cross when we laughed at him... "Its NOT funny!!" he shouted everytime. But we couldn't help laughing as he wiped the snow of his face..

A tribute

Yesterday we went to my mother's grave because that would have been the day that my mom and dad were married for 50 years. We put flowers there and a little christmas tree. Dad brought mom's favorite bird dish which the birds used in Hulst to have a bath. My brother was there as well with his wife and son Machiel, my sister Maaike with family and us with Wende and Ingmar. Nils had a birthday party of a friend which he was looking forward to for a long time..
After we visited mom we all went to Den Bosch where had diner in a nice restaurant called Christoffel, very good food but almost always fully booked. After dinner dad had to perform at de toonzaal with his workshop group. For ten weeks we learned to play a number of songs of a popular big band called the new cool collective. Nils, Wende, Maartje and Gussje were dancing on the music and Nils even shot a couple of videos.

Sinterklaas and poor Guusje

Well, we survived the Saint 2010 and the kids were treated to so much new toys, we hardly have the space to store them all... Sinterklaas came to Andel on Saturday and Nils thought he saw a white glove banging on the window before disappearing into the unknown.. Guusje unfortunately was feeling very sick and the family from Woerden had to retreat earlier then expected.. Sunday was spent at the Struyk family and the Sint appeared there in person! According to Nils it was only a helping Sint, not the real one.. Ah well, maybe next time.

Sinterklaas in Boxtel and the railway museum

Saturday the Sint appeared at my work in Boxtel and again they were treated to a lively show. Although Nils was not feeling well, he still had a reasonably good time. At home he suffered from stomach aches and was a regular guest at our fascilities..Wende was at her best and shook hands with the Sint! She further danced away to the beat of the Sinterklaas songs and did nort seem to be scared of all these unknown kids. Sunday we did not went to the swimming pool because of Nils's stomach aches but went to the railway museum .. by train! We first drove to Geldermalsen by car and took the train To Utrecht from there because in that way we ould not have to wait too long in the cold at the station. From Utrecht central you have to switch trains and the last one had a special surprise! All the children (and some of the dads) were allowed to have a look at the drivers. The kids loved it and they were also allowed to call the next station on the intercom and open all the doors with the big red button! The museum was cool too and so was the weather outside as we noticed when we went outside to the playground.

Nils 's first school report

The first report of Nils is a fact, we were very anxious to see how he was doing because we could not quite get information out of him how he was doing at school.. We don't see the teacher too often as well.. But he is doing okay, all good and positive but a little too easy distracted, hey that sounds familiar..

Preparing for the Sint

Sinterklaas is in holland again and Nils and Wende are allowed to put their shoe at the fireplace so Sinterklaas can fill them up with toys and candy. But as usual, sinterklaas must know that their shoes are set and that is why they have to sing a sinterklaas song into the chimney.
Dad went to check on the boat to make sure the engine would not burst when temperatures are below zero. He also found that they placed the boat only inches away from the next one.. Furthermore there is some damage on the rudder that has been there some time, probably someone bumped into it, bugger.
Dad was playing the saxophone last weekend and Ingmar found the blues harp and joined dad while accompanied by the stereoset. So cute.

And another testrun before december 10th

My two ladies

Saterday we went to Woerden for the annual welcoming of Sinterklaas. Maartje had an accident with hockey and was sadly confined to a wheelchair.

Both Wende and Lisette celebrated their birthdays tuesday and wednesday (in correct order).

So we planned the party for last sunday and almost everybody invited made it. Wende was thrilled with her electric dancing plaid and a sort of beatydesk to sit at and do her hair and girl stuff like that. Ofcourse also lots of other toys to play with so the following days the floor is littered with very small items, pieces of puzzels etc. My dad came over with the bus and it was great that he was able to join us for the party. We only missed the bus connection when he went back home again but we had a drink in a small bar and how many times do you get to do that with your dad?

What have I done..??

I heard that two councils, one of them our own, had decided to build a new swimming pool near our village. Great,a new one with a outdoor pool! But... ONe of the more religious local parties of the council next to ours only approved to the new build when it is made sure that the pool is closed on sunday's .. What? was my reaction, A small group of people is able to decide that we cannot swim on sundays anymore in the future? I have to drive 15 miles to the nearest pool when there is a pool next to our doorstep?
So I set up this free petition on the internet and put a posting on a local website.. Well things sure went fast:
http://www.digitaalburg.eu/wordpress3/2010/11/11/al-meer-dan-300-handtekeningen-voor-zwembad/#more-6005

And here for a rough translation

This link for the petition

I only wanted to show them that if they decide to close it on sundays, a lot of people will be very disappointed..

On tuesday there is meeting and I'm going to attend and ask them politely if they would reconsider their point of view regarding the sunday closure..

I just want to be able to swim on a sunday with my kids..

Busy busy busy

Sorry for not posting the last weekend but we've been so busy lately, anyhow, just before our next appointment here's a clip from our practise run with the jazz workshop with Ferdi Schukking.
In December we have to perform live for an audience but we still need a bit of practise.
The drummer is missing as you can hear but he should be back next week after a slight injury to his wrist.
Enjoy!

Wende's first day at school

Today was Wende's first day at school. In the beginning they only attend once a week so they get used to the idea. Wende had no trouble with the new surroundings and unknown kids. The teacher she already knew because she saw her a couple of times when mom delivered Nils to school. (Wende has the same teacher as Nils)

The national nature museum

Last friday dad tried to do some (left over) work inside the new garage but lack of talent caused him to only get half the job done..
Saturday was a rainy day so in the afternoon we went to a museum. Mom chose the national nature museum in Tilburg. We used mom's mobile app to find the way but dad should have listened to mom instea of the app.. Anyway we got there and there were lots of things to do for children of all ages. We only had to keep a good eye on Ingmar as he just barged through the exhibition like an elefant.
Sunday morning dad went to the swimming pool with Nils and Wende. In the afternoon we went to the library to get some new books for the kids and mom. Dad doesn't need too many books, he reads email.. Ingmar loved to run in circles and climbing the stairs while Nils found a computer with online games and Wende was colouring a drawing.