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