Thursday, August 6, 2009
First visit from the States
Jason's parents spent 5 extremely busy days with us. Thankfully we had good weather while they were here because Jason had every minute scheduled for something. Due to the weather in New York, Jim and Jean arrived about 6 hrs. later then planned, so that put a small glitch in Jason's agenda. We spent their first afternoon in town walking through shops, showing them what our town had to offer. We kept it low key for their first day here since they had been awake for 30 hrs. straight. Friday morning we got up and drove to Efteling Fairytale Park. The kids did great agian, they really like it there. I think we will be investing in season passes next year. On Saturday, we spent the day at Wassenaar beach and the evening in Amsterdam. We had a sitter for the kids so the adults could enjoy a night out. We took the bus to the nearest train station, then the train into Amsterdam. We toured The Anne Frank House then took an evening canal cruise. We did a lot of walking, but got to see a lot of Amsterdam in a short amount of time. Sunday, we took the bus to The Hague and a tram to Madurodam (a miniature Holland). This was fun for the kids, especially Brooklyn, because they had little Bert and Ernie figures hidden throughout the scenes for kids to find. Brooklyn loves "I Spy" type of activities. Then it was back on the tram to Schevenigen beach where we walked the boardwalk and had dinner and ice cream. Unfortunately, we ran into a small problem getting home. It took us a little while to figured out bus routes and schedules, but we eventually got it. Monday, we ended their visit with breakfast at a pancake house and a trip to Delft. Then in the evening, we went to Noordwijk beach for dinner at our favorite Italian restaurant.
It was a lot to do in 5 days and it will take awhile to find my way out of piles of laundry, but it was nice to have visitors. I wish we had people scheduled to visit us once a month. We have my parents coming in October, but September and November are open. Any takers? Time here is going by slowly and I am terribly homesick. I am looking forward to December when we are home for 2 1/2 weeks. Jason will have to drag me back on the plane when our visit is over.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
A Night Out
Last night was our first time leaving the kids with a babysitter here in The Netherlands. It was also our first experience using public transportation. Both went suprisingly well. Our new babysitter lives right around the corner from us. She just finished school which means unfortunately we will loose her come September. She is Scottish and will be attending University in Scotland. For now though, we really like her and will be using her to watch the kids as much as possible.
As for taking the bus, this was easier than we thought it would be. We picked up the bus around the corner from our house. About 20 minutes later we were at Central Sation in The Hague. The theater was about a 10 minute walk from there. We saw Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. The movie theater was crazy big. I am not sure how many individual theaters were there, or the size of each one, but the theater we were in could seat 400 people. The screen took up the entire wall. Again, crazy big. Also something different was that they sold beer (Grolsch pop top) and wine to enjoy with the movie. We stuck to the traditional popcorn and Coke Lights. It was a good movie and a beautiful night out. To come home, there was a little confusion only because Central Station has multiple buses coming through it. Luckily we got there early and each stop is clearly marked as to where that particular bus goes and lists all the stops it makes. This may be "old hat " to some, but a new experience for Jason and me. We made it home by 11:30 pm. We were gone a total of 5 hours from the kids. The sitter said that all went well. She was very appreciative of Brooklyn and what a big help she was with her brothers. The boys she described as "lively". It must not have gone too badly though because she has agreed to sit for the kids again next Saturday night when Jason's parents are here for a visit. Hopefully as the boys become more used to having a sitter, the less "lively" they will be.
As for taking the bus, this was easier than we thought it would be. We picked up the bus around the corner from our house. About 20 minutes later we were at Central Sation in The Hague. The theater was about a 10 minute walk from there. We saw Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. The movie theater was crazy big. I am not sure how many individual theaters were there, or the size of each one, but the theater we were in could seat 400 people. The screen took up the entire wall. Again, crazy big. Also something different was that they sold beer (Grolsch pop top) and wine to enjoy with the movie. We stuck to the traditional popcorn and Coke Lights. It was a good movie and a beautiful night out. To come home, there was a little confusion only because Central Station has multiple buses coming through it. Luckily we got there early and each stop is clearly marked as to where that particular bus goes and lists all the stops it makes. This may be "old hat " to some, but a new experience for Jason and me. We made it home by 11:30 pm. We were gone a total of 5 hours from the kids. The sitter said that all went well. She was very appreciative of Brooklyn and what a big help she was with her brothers. The boys she described as "lively". It must not have gone too badly though because she has agreed to sit for the kids again next Saturday night when Jason's parents are here for a visit. Hopefully as the boys become more used to having a sitter, the less "lively" they will be.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Mommy and Daddy's Bed
I'm not sure why, but every night one (if not two) of our children end up in our bed. I wouldn't complain about this if it were happening once and awhile, or if said child was sick, but come on already! I can't remember the last time I had a decent night of sleep. Also, when they decide they need to sleep in our bed, they feel the need to lay right next to me, not Jason. When there are two of them I am squished between them. This usually doesn't happen though. I don't know how, but I think they can sense that someone is already in our bed for the night and they will wait their turn.
There are a few differences on each child's approach. First there is Brooklyn, who is the usual culprit, she comes in saying she has to use the bathroom. I don't understand her need to ask permission to do this, but she has always been this way. Then after using the bathroom she always asks to sleep with us. Her reasons include: "I don't want to walk back upstairs in the dark." "I don't like being up there by myself, everyone else has someone to sleep with." or simply, "I don't feel good." The next usual suspect is Carter. He simply comes out of his room running into ours, jumps on the bed, crawls in between us and gets under the covers. Sometimes he wants his back scratched before falling asleep but typically there isn't an issue. When you ask him why he came in, his response is either "I don't like my bed." or "There are ghosts in my sheets." Either way, there is no getting him back in his bed without him throwing a fit and waking up Nolan. I could wait until he falls asleep and then carry him to back to bed but I am usually asleep myself by then. Last is Nolan, he rarely comes in. When he does, he stands in the hallway outside our door making little noises until I notice him. Then I tell him he can come in, he crawls in bed next to me to cuddle. He only comes in during storms because he doesn't like the thunder.
So whatever the reason may be, Jason and I rarely get through the night alone. I am hoping this is just an adjustment period that the kids are going through. When school starts, it will be important for them to get good nights of sleep. (Not to mention for me to keep my sanity). I can hardly blame them though, my bed is extremely comfortable. I too try to get into it as much as possible.
There are a few differences on each child's approach. First there is Brooklyn, who is the usual culprit, she comes in saying she has to use the bathroom. I don't understand her need to ask permission to do this, but she has always been this way. Then after using the bathroom she always asks to sleep with us. Her reasons include: "I don't want to walk back upstairs in the dark." "I don't like being up there by myself, everyone else has someone to sleep with." or simply, "I don't feel good." The next usual suspect is Carter. He simply comes out of his room running into ours, jumps on the bed, crawls in between us and gets under the covers. Sometimes he wants his back scratched before falling asleep but typically there isn't an issue. When you ask him why he came in, his response is either "I don't like my bed." or "There are ghosts in my sheets." Either way, there is no getting him back in his bed without him throwing a fit and waking up Nolan. I could wait until he falls asleep and then carry him to back to bed but I am usually asleep myself by then. Last is Nolan, he rarely comes in. When he does, he stands in the hallway outside our door making little noises until I notice him. Then I tell him he can come in, he crawls in bed next to me to cuddle. He only comes in during storms because he doesn't like the thunder.
So whatever the reason may be, Jason and I rarely get through the night alone. I am hoping this is just an adjustment period that the kids are going through. When school starts, it will be important for them to get good nights of sleep. (Not to mention for me to keep my sanity). I can hardly blame them though, my bed is extremely comfortable. I too try to get into it as much as possible.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
To be 16 again
We have been here for more than a month now. This doesn't really seem possible, it feels like we just moved in. To me, this is a good thing. I can only hope this pace continues for the next 23 months. So it is hard for me to believe that it has been more than a month since I have driven a car. There has never been a need. I can walk or ride my bike to everywhere I need to go. When we go farther from home, Jason always drives. Well today Jason decided it was time for me to get back behind the wheel. We needed to run to the market for more than just a few things. Plus, we were all going and rain was a possibility. I managed to sneak into the passenger seat when we were leaving the house but was not so quick when leaving the market. So I got into our new station wagon, totally foreign to me, and took a look around. This thing should come with instructions. Between the push button start and the gear shift, I felt like I was in drivers education all over again. Even when I began to drive I was nervous and felt like Jason was my driving instructor sitting next to me. Now keep in mind, I usually walk to the market. This should tell you how far I had to drive to get home. On top of that, this place is like a ghost town in the evenings because most things are closed. All of this and I was still driving extremely slow, gripping the wheel.
There are differences when it comes to driving like with everything else here. There are no stop signs, you simply yield all the time. You have to always watch for bikers and people walking, they have the right of way and typically are not looking for cars (unless they are American). You don't see a lot of police on the roads. There are traffic cameras everywhere and you will get a ticket in the mail if you speed or run a red light. Speed limits are much slower and are not always clearly posted. For example, a picture of a car next to a truck means one speed, while a picture of what looks like a bridge represents another speed. Also, there are signs and lights meant for cars and separate ones for bikes. It is a lot to keep straight. This is why I rather not drive. I've already been through the stress of learning to drive once, why put myself through that again?
There are differences when it comes to driving like with everything else here. There are no stop signs, you simply yield all the time. You have to always watch for bikers and people walking, they have the right of way and typically are not looking for cars (unless they are American). You don't see a lot of police on the roads. There are traffic cameras everywhere and you will get a ticket in the mail if you speed or run a red light. Speed limits are much slower and are not always clearly posted. For example, a picture of a car next to a truck means one speed, while a picture of what looks like a bridge represents another speed. Also, there are signs and lights meant for cars and separate ones for bikes. It is a lot to keep straight. This is why I rather not drive. I've already been through the stress of learning to drive once, why put myself through that again?
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
10 Noticable Differences
We have been here three weeks now. These are some things that stick out to me as being different here then in the US.
1. The Dutch are not as friendly as Americans. I am the type of person who smiles at people when eye contact is made and usually get a smile in return. I'm not really feeling the love here.
2. People here must not have received the memo that smoking is bad for you. People smoke everywhere. Luckily, the law passed limiting smoking inside public buildings before we came. If you are outside though, it's everywhere you look. You also occasionally walk past a different kind of smoke, perfectly normal.
3. Not everyone believes in wearing deodorant. I don't know which bothers me more, this or the smoke.
4. During the summer months, you are lucky to get 4 hrs. of darkness. This is a small problem when you have children who question why they have to go to bed when it is still light outside, even if it is 10 pm. I am guessing that the winter months will be the opposite, I'll let you know.
5. In houses, the toilet has it's own room, it's not in the bathroom. In these "toilet rooms" there are small sinks that only have cold water. Also, the toilet has very little water in it. This leads me to my next point.
6. They are very "green" here. You recycle everything, and get in trouble if you don't. We have one garbage can for trash and one for yard waste/food waste. The things you recycle (paper, glass, plastic) you take to "drop off" points around town. You can only fill your one garbage can. You can not put extra bags out and your garbage can is not allowed to be "over flowing".
7. When you go to the market, make sure to bring your own bags. The main one we go to gives you the option of purchasing bags for your food if you don't bring your own. We have been to one that if you don't have a bag, you carry what you bought in your hands.
8. Some families don't have a car. With the transportation systems in place here and the ability to ride bikes just about everywhere, cars aren't really needed.
9. There is no AC. It typically doesn't get hot enough here to warrant AC. People just open their windows (which typically don't have screens).
10. Not everyone speaks English. We were told that the Dutch like to use their English. However, we have come across a few people who are not fluent. These people haven't been in just one age group either. Fortunately, in most circumstances, each of us knew enough of the other's language to communicate effectively.
1. The Dutch are not as friendly as Americans. I am the type of person who smiles at people when eye contact is made and usually get a smile in return. I'm not really feeling the love here.
2. People here must not have received the memo that smoking is bad for you. People smoke everywhere. Luckily, the law passed limiting smoking inside public buildings before we came. If you are outside though, it's everywhere you look. You also occasionally walk past a different kind of smoke, perfectly normal.
3. Not everyone believes in wearing deodorant. I don't know which bothers me more, this or the smoke.
4. During the summer months, you are lucky to get 4 hrs. of darkness. This is a small problem when you have children who question why they have to go to bed when it is still light outside, even if it is 10 pm. I am guessing that the winter months will be the opposite, I'll let you know.
5. In houses, the toilet has it's own room, it's not in the bathroom. In these "toilet rooms" there are small sinks that only have cold water. Also, the toilet has very little water in it. This leads me to my next point.
6. They are very "green" here. You recycle everything, and get in trouble if you don't. We have one garbage can for trash and one for yard waste/food waste. The things you recycle (paper, glass, plastic) you take to "drop off" points around town. You can only fill your one garbage can. You can not put extra bags out and your garbage can is not allowed to be "over flowing".
7. When you go to the market, make sure to bring your own bags. The main one we go to gives you the option of purchasing bags for your food if you don't bring your own. We have been to one that if you don't have a bag, you carry what you bought in your hands.
8. Some families don't have a car. With the transportation systems in place here and the ability to ride bikes just about everywhere, cars aren't really needed.
9. There is no AC. It typically doesn't get hot enough here to warrant AC. People just open their windows (which typically don't have screens).
10. Not everyone speaks English. We were told that the Dutch like to use their English. However, we have come across a few people who are not fluent. These people haven't been in just one age group either. Fortunately, in most circumstances, each of us knew enough of the other's language to communicate effectively.
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