The smaals in Andel!

Last wednesday we had Arthur,Lisa Jack and Emma over from France! It was great seeing them again although it was only for a day.. But that was not all we had that day.. First we went to Nils's school with the whole family because Nils had half a day lessons. After that we went to Wijk en Aalburg because we had to go see a physician who reguraly checks Ingmar as with Nils and Wende. All was okay but the weight was a little behind but that was because he had been sick a couple of weeks ago and subsequently lost some weight. Ingmar also received a vaccination in both legs and that hurt.. Poor guy.. When that was finished we did some shopping for groceries and we managed to get back in time before the smaal's arrived. And when they arrived they even managed to get us some presents from France.. Thank you! We then all took a seat at our table to have lunch. After lunch Lisette and the smaals went to an outdoor playground where the kids ran their butt off. Slided from the slides and had to be pushed at the swings. Dad stayed behind because we also had a new couch delivered. Luckily this one arrived quickly and dad joined the rest at the playground. Nils had to go to swimming lessons so Lisette took Nils Wende and Ingmar to the swimming pool and dad stayed for some time together with the smaals at the playground. After some time we all went home to prepare dinner (pancakes). Arthur made himself very useful and backed most of the pancakes. We all ate quite a number of pancakes and had icecream afterwards. Unfortunately quite soon after the icecream it was time for arthur and family to go back to their apartment again and the next day they were going back to France.. We enjoyed their company very much and said goodbye reluctantly. Let's hope we can manage to visit them after the summer..

Waalwijk and Danne's birthday!!

Last thursday we went to the dentist for our half yearly check and after the dentist finished with dad, Wende wanted te be next and climbed up dad's lap. Last time she gave the dentist a hard time by keeping her mouth shut but his time she let the dentist check all of her teeth. All of them were in good shape and Wende was allowed to take a small toy from the cardboard box the dentist kept in a corner of the room. Nils did not need dad's lap and jumped in the seat by himself. Also he had brushed well so he was also allowed to grap a small toy and everyone was happy. Ah well, maybe the dentist could have been a bit diappointed. Saturday we first did some shopping for groceries and after that we did some serious work on the outside of the house and the garden. NIls and Wende had a great time on their bycicles cycling up and down the street together with friends from the neighbourhood. In the afternoon we went to Waalwijk to buy two small seats for Nils and Wende in the car. After we completed that mission we set out of ice cream while mom bought new cloths in a shop nearby. There was a scouting exhibition on the great square and while mom was having fun, Wende Nils and dad took a tour round the square and we found someone who could paint wende's face with lovely flowers and Nils found a stand where you could build your own boat from plastic foam. Sunday we first went for a swim after breakfast. Mom stayed at home with Ingmar because he still suffers from a bad cold. So, dad Wende and Nils plunged away in the pool and Nils showed how he learned the "schoolslag".

In the afternoon we went to Duiven to see Danne who celebrated her 5th birthday!! It was nice to see her parents again as well ofcourse. Nils gave Danne a bowling kit and Wende gave Danne a stretchable plastic string. At first she did not know what it was for but Leonie explained her that she would show her what it was for. There was so much going on that Nils and Wende (especially Nils) did not have much time to play with Danne and Nils felt a bit sad about it. When we returned home, Nils drew a drawing for Danne of a house with Danne's dad and Danne's mom (who was drawn on the roof for whatever reason..??) and ofcourse with Danne. From what I know he made this drawing a specially nice one and we were asked if we could post this drawing to Danne.

Easter weekend 2010

We started the easter weekend with searching for numbered eggs in Andel. The local shop owners organize a eggs search party every year where children can search for eggs and on the eggs a number is written. Then there is a list where you can identify the shop where you can trade the egg for a toy. We had to walk a long time time before Lisette spotted a garden where a great number of eggs where "hidden". Nils chose a fighter plane, Wende two little horses with wings and for Ingmar Nils and Wende chose a set of toys to play with in the sand. In the afternoon we went to Hulst to see Wouter's parents and Maaike and Jaap and Maartje and Guusje. Sunday morning grandpa made us all a spectular easter breakfast table complete with huge chocolate bunny's for everyone (including the adults..) The kids immediately started to eat and especially Nils almost finished his.. After breakfast Marja came around and took the kids to walk the dogs. In the afternoon we went to the woods where the kids made hide outs. Even grandma came with us. After dinner we went home again. The second easter day we went to De Lier to see Lisette's parents. Martin and Judith were also there and with them Davina, Thymen and Mathijs. We also went to a playground where Nils and Wende had fun on the swings. Dad took Ingmar on his lap on the swing and he loved it! Laughin out loud during the swinging..

Electrics episode 4?? and Grandpa Struyk birthday party

Saturday we went to see Maaike, Jaap, Maartje and Guusje to "finish" the electrics in Guusje's new room. The LED lighting was still not fifnished and so Saturday was spent installing the wiring for the LED lights and connecting the special power supply. LED lighting is still different from Halogen lights but you get used to it quickly. The LED lights we used are also warm white and the best quality you can get at this moment. Now there is still a electric problem to be solved to get some light in the stairway but that is posponed to another time.. Sunday, first we had our traditional breakfast, croissants and buns and after that we had to get ready for a brunch in Nootdorp. Lisette's dad celebrated his 64th birthday at a very nice hotel / restaurant in Nootdorp. Together with lots of family we had a great time. Nils and Wende especially, they were allowed to make their own cookies and there was a chocolate fountain!!!

Grand day out with Danne, Leonie and Marc

Saturday we went to Hedel (again..) to meet up with Leonie, Marc and Danne. Nils was shy in the beginning but that changed when they saw all the things to play with. Nils Danne and Wende did not even had time to hang up their jackets properly so we picked them up from the floor and searched for a spot to sit, relax and have a chat. It was a pleasent but noisy afternoon and the kids had a great time. We had the chance to pick up where we left last time we saw Marc and Leonie. Danne had changed since last time we saw her and she definitly growing up.. Like we noticed with Nils, he is also asking us all these smart questions. Time flies.. At the end of the afternoon, Marc Danne and Leonie went to see a friend in Hedel and we wnet home. Dad did not feel like cooking that night so we baked pancakes and concluded a busy but great saturday. Sunday we should have met up with Peter and Mellanie and Duncan and Jason but Jason had a fever and Peter was not feeling too well either so instead dad went to the swimming pool with Wende and Nils while mom stayed at home with Ingmar. In the afternoon Nils and Wende played with their toys and mom cleaned up the garden.

jazz workshop end concert Horace Silver

Yesterday we (the jazz workshop members) performed at De Toonzaal in Den Bosch. The last 2 months we learned how to improvise on music of Horace Silver. We had a great time and there even was an audience listening to us.. It sounded great although the recording does not show it. Many thanks to Jeroen Doomernik for the great time we had. I hope there will be a follow up on this jazz workshop soon.

looking for a garage

Since the extension was built, we have a garage with chunk bitten off.. and now we're looking for a new one together with our neighbours Cor and Sandra. So we went to a couple of businesses around Eindhoven to see what they had in store. Nils and Wende made it their playground although it was bitterly cold..These garages and sheds are nowadays build in a few days but the quality seems to be different at each supplier. Luckily Cor is a very precise carpenter so he fired a number of detailed questions and we had our answers. Now we wait for new offers from the suppliers to see what we can do ourselves and decide which supplier it is going to be.. The new garage should be ready this year. After that we went to Ikea Eindhoven to have a bite to eat (not knowing it was crowded) That was saturday, sunday we went to see Monique and her kids because Niall was celebrating his 12th birthday! Afther that we went to Vlaardingen to see Lisette's brother and his family. Martin celebrated his birthday and Davina had her birthday as well. Turned out that maybe Thymen had Chicken pox so we have to wait and see if Wende gets them as well..