Keeping Busy On A Sunny Day!

We went to a park, then Brooklyn learned to ride her bike. It took her about 2 minutes to get the hang of it. She even practiced her signaling!

Gouda

Last Saturday, we decided to get out of the house for a while so we drove to Gouda. When you hear the name Gouda, the first thing most people think of is the cheese. Of course there is plenty of cheese available (like in most Dutch cities) but Gouda had a lot more to offer. The first thing we noticed as we got closer to town square was that there were people on bikes everywhere. This was our first trip to a "medieval" city. When you think of a typical Dutch city you picture bikes and canals, mix that with gargoyles and old gothic architecture, you have Gouda. When we arrived we sat down to have lunch. The kids and I had Toasties and Poffertjes, while J enjoyed an eutsmijder (open faced egg, ham and cheese on toasted bread). Then we walked to town square where they had their market day set up. You can buy just about anything during market day. There are vendors selling fish, bread, cheese, fruits & vegetables, Stroop Waffles, nuts, and any other food you could think of. Then there are also vendors selling purses & bags, clothes and linens. The only disadvantage I found being there on market day was that I could not get a good picture of the Town Hall.

As we walked away from the city square along the canals, there were various shops and cafes. You find old churches and buildings dated back to the 1400's. Gouda has one of the oldest gothic city halls built between 1448 and 1450. Gouda also holds St. Jans Kerk, the Netherlands' largest cross-shaped church. There are gardens to walk around, which being late winter, added to the gothic feel of the city. We had a very enjoyable day, and the drive is less than 30 minutes from our house. This will be a new destination to show anyone who wishes to visit us.

International Day

This past Friday, Brooklyn's school celebrated International Day "Colors of the World". They do this every year, but this year seemed extra exciting because of the Olympics beginning. The elementary school kids (with the help of some of the older students) started their day with "Opening Ceremonies". The children gathered in the sport hall and sat with the country they identified most with. Everyone was dressed in traditional clothing from their country. It was amazing to see. Once everyone was seated they did an introduction and roll call of all the countries, there were approximately 50 countries represented by students. Then different groups performed representing their particular country. We saw traditional and contemporary Indian dance, Korean students performed with traditional instruments, Scandinavian students performed rhythmic gymnastics, there was Irish dancing as well as Israeli folk dance. The opening ceremonies concluded with a parade of countries led by the middle school marching band. Then for the rest of the day, the students visited each classroom which represented a country. Each child had a "passport" which was stamped as they went to each room. Brooklyn visited The Netherlands, USA, South Korea, Turkey, France, Ireland, Italy, Denmark, Sweden, India, Germany, Israel, Japan and the UK. The high school students had international booths set up in the cafeteria and the mezzanine for parents/visitors. These booths had traditional foods from these countries as well as lots of information. What an exciting day for these kids!. Such an opportunity to learn about places and people around the world.

Happy Birthday to my Babies!

In the past week and a half I have baked 3 cakes and 48 cupcakes. Just in the nick of time too, our grocey store now has signs up saying that Duncan Hines products are temporarily out of stock. Brooklyn has turned 7 and the boys are now 4. My how time flies! While baking was my job, Jason did a great job decorating the cakes to the kids specifications. He has always had a hidden artistic talent!

It is difficult to have all the birthdays right after the holidays. (Who planned that anyway?!) We are over run with new toys and clothes. It's hard to get rid of the holiday weight when a new cake magically appears as soon as one is finished. Then there are all the special dinners, blowing up balloons, and throwing birthday partys to keep us busy. It is all over now. Next week, I think I will relax... if only just for a day!

My Favorite Day of the Week

It's been a long time since I could actually pin point my "favorite day of the week". I think because I have been out of the work force for a few years now, all my days pretty much run together. My routine has always been similar day to day with little variation. Well, the times have changed. Friday is my new "Pick of the week". I feel like it is my day off simply because I don't have to take the boys to and from school. It seems silly to me to actually look forward to the day the boys DON"T have school, but I do. Monday through Thursday I have 5 hours to do whatever I want without any kids in sight. The price I pay is small, but enough that I look forward to them not having school. Now I am sure that once we get out of this cold, dark, snowy and icy time of the year, my feelings will change. I am excited for the days when I can drop the boys off and head to the beach by myself. When I can use my bike to explore the area, or just sit at a cafe and have a cappuccino. At that time, I am sure I will be thankful they are in school four days a week. For now though, on Fridays I don't have to leave the house at all and that is enough to make it my "favorite day of the week".

Baby It's Cold Outside!

Not just cold...numbing is more appropriate. Every morning we bundle up to go to school. I am really missing modern transportation these days. In preparation for my bike ride to the boys school I go as far as wearing a pair of pants underneath my jeans. Thick socks, boots, gloves and a hat, the only part of my skin showing is my nose and eyes. The boys also wear their boots, gloves and hats and they stay covered in their kiddie cargo car. Our mornings are long with all the bundling up then un-bundling once we get to school including changing from boots to shoes. Having two is really taking it's toll. Then as pick-up time nears, I dread the thought of going back out there. I think we picked the wrong time to increase the boys from 2 to 4 days of school a week. At least I am working off those extra pounds from Christmas with these freezing cold bike rides twice a day.

To Be Home Again

And by home, I mean the Netherlands. It was a very strange feeling flying back after a 3 week stay in Ohio. During the taxi ride from the airport to our house Jason asked if it felt "normal" to be back. I responded with "Yes, but that doesn't mean it is a good thing".

We flew into Cincinnati a few days before Christmas. It was the worst 24 hours Jason and I have ever spent. Our long flight from Amsterdam to Newark ended with Nolan throwing up all over me, the seat and some carry-ons. We carried on to baggage claim which had its own obstacles to over come. After going through customs, security,sending our baggage off again and finally arriving to the correct gate, we waited for 7 hrs. Try to picture juggling 3 kids, 6 and under, who have not slept, who are hungry, thirsty, and need to use the bathroom every 20 mins. (which there is ALWAYS a line for) for 7 hrs. We finally boarded our plane at 11:50 pm. Carter proceeded to scream, kick and cry the entire flight. Good times were had by all. We made it to Dayton with Jason's parents and got everyone to bed at 3:00 am. It was a long day. Then add the 6 hour time difference that the kids needed to adjust to and you can imagine how the first few nights and mornings went.

On a positive note, we spent a lot of time with family and friends. It felt like we had never left. We celebrated with Jason's family before heading up to Cleveland. On the morning of Christmas Eve we headed to my Aunt's for a family brunch (which is typically held on Thanksgiving, but an exception was made this year) one of our favorite traditions. Many "out of towners" were there to see. Then that evening we had our traditional Christmas Eve dinner of Kielbasa and Dumplings before heading out to a candle light service at church. Christmas day was crazy at my mom's house with not only my family, but with my brother and his family in from Florida. After that is a blur of family, friends and food. The kids and I made it back to our old neighborhood for a visit. We brought in the New Year at Pomeroy House with our good friends the Foley's and the Karabaic's. Then New Years day we spent more time at my mom's house with my brother and his family along with the Dones family (which we consider an extention of our family). Jason spent a lot of time with friends and I did get a "girl's night out". Then we were off to Dayton again. While in Dayton, the kids got to enjoy the snow with some sledding. Jason fit in a Poker game with some old friends. I spent an entire day with a good friend, eating, shopping, pedicures, and an introduction to Sushi at Thai 9. It was a great trip.

We even ended on a positive note. We headed out early to the airport due to snow and bad weather. We only experienced a minor delay out of Cincinnati. Flew into Newark with out any problems (or vomiting). After a short layover, we flew to Amsterdam. The kids slept the majority of the way. I even got to watch a few movies without interruption. Unfortunately I only got 20 mins of sleep (I had two kids sleeping on my lap). We collected our baggage and got to our taxi with no problems at all. As of now we are completely unpacked with only 2 loads of laundry needing done. Our sleep schedule is slightly off, but I think we will all be fine as of tomorrow.

On Monday, it will be back to "normal". Back to school for the kids and back on the bike for me. (I need it after eating all that food in the States.) We have a few visitors planned for the Spring time, then we will be flying home again in the Summer. Thank you to all or friends and family that made our visit so special.