Wende's first change to perform in public and Niall's boat

Last Wednesday Nils had his school trip to Plaswijk Park near Rotterdam and Mom had the chance to see him off, he had a great time and the whole week before he was so nervous, he just couldn't sleep. The night before he came down and asked if we knew that we had to get up earler then normal because he had to pack his bag with drinks and all sorts of things you take with you on a school trip.. In the afternoon, dad made it back again from work in time to see him arrive again. Saturday Wende's teacher of the dance club invited her to join them at a demonstration afternoon in Wijk Aand Aalburg. Wende practised at home until the very last minute but once there at the market square she suddenly lost all her courage.. Stage fever.. So we ended up just watching them all from the side but she did shared the lemonade and the sweets the children were given as a treat.. Sunday we had our usual breakfast together and after that dad took Wende to the swimmingpool while Nils and Ingmar styed at home with mom. Ingmar was a bit ill yesterday and the day before so we didn't take him to the swimming pool and Nils wanted to play with dad's old train track. At the swimmingpool we saw Mels, Wende's friend from day care and school. Mels was practising with his dad to jump from the side of the deep end into the water but Wende didn't dare.. Strangely enough Wende had no problem jumping from the dive board..?? In the afternoon dada went to help Niall rig up his new (used) sailing boat. Some pieces were missing and parts of wood were not in a good shape.. Lots to do for him and dad will help him out a little with advice and tools.. Yesterday dad finally did some adaptions to Wende's bike so she can practise to cycle without extra wheels mounted. Mom bougth her a vest with a "handle" on the back so she can hold on to her.

We survived the end of the world!! (this time)

How about that, we survived the end of the world... again.
Enough of that nonsense, Saturday we went to Woudrichem where there were knights and soldiers from the medieval period. The cities, Gorinchem, Woudrichem and cstle Loevestijn celebrated the "vesting 3hoek dagen". It seems that Jacoba van Beieren, countess of Holland, had a history of fighting against ex husbands and was prisoned at one point. She was freed by a couple of dudes from Heusden which is near here. That was the reason for the festivities and there was enough to do and to see. First we went to Woudrichem where we witnessed the firing of cannons (eardefening), soldiers in ancient clothing and after that we took the ferry to Gorinchem where there was a campment with lots of things to do for kids. Nils and Wende made shields and dad and Nils shot some arrows. Sunday we went to the campsite where Lisette's mom and dad are staying until the end of the month. The parents of our friends Mellanie and Peter were there as well and they also arrived shortly after us. Dad made a bow for Nils and also bows for Duncan and Jason. A great success but we had to keep a good eye on them because the bow and arrows worked a bit too well..

More dancing, Niall sailing and playground Nederhemert

Friday Wende had dancing lessons again and dad taped all the different dances so Wende is able to practise at home. She is having trouble to pick up the dancing steps when they introduce a new song. Saturday Nils had his hockey training again but dad had to do some groceries in the mean time so no new pictures of that unfortunately. Wende seems to get the hang of it as well and she says she wants to join the club as well when she is old enough.. Sunday we went to the playground in Nederhemert but on the way we stopped by at the yachting club "trident" to check out our neighbour's son Niall who had his first sailing lesson.

Ingmar 2 years old! and Mothersday!

Last week Ingmar had his second birthday. We celebrated this with our friends and family in our garden as the weather was striking. Ingmar got lots of presents but he liked the smallest one best.. a little tractor with sound and lights flashing. The rest of the kids had great fun playing with water and we even went to our beach for a short while.

A time out in Greece

We went on a short holiday to Crete last week and it was refreshing. Nils found a new friend Eefje and Wende and Ingmar were glued to the swimming pool. Wende at the whirlpool and Ingmar at the slide. Crete itself was nice but the beach towns were too touristic for me. Too many pizzeria's and bars, even dutch ones offering bitterballen and frikandellen! We rented a car for three days and toured around Crete, adapting to the style of driving as they do.. (ovetaking when you shouldn't and parking were you are not supposed to park etc. The last days were spent either at a beach or at the swimming pool enjoying the sunhine.