Christmas is in the Air

Yesterday we took a drive into Germany. We live an hour and a half away from the border, so day trips to Germany are not difficult to do. We drove to Dusseldorf to experience a Christmas Market. Nearly every town in Germany holds these markets this time of year, Dusseldorf was one that was recomended. There were 3 or 4 different areas around the town set up with "Christmas stands" selling food, jewelry, nutcrackers, pottery, and other christmas type goods. Another stand which was very popular was for gluhwein, a warm, spiced wine. There was also a carousel which Jason and the kids took a spin on. This would have been a very fun outing if it wasn't for the rain that came pouring down after we had been there a mere 20 minutes. Luckily we were prepared with raincoats and umbrellas, but we couldn't really enjoy ourselves. So our trip to the Christmas Market was cut short and we returned home. We were put into the Christmas mood though and listened to Christmas music all the way home. Then today, we put up the tree and Christmas decorations. The kids were so excited to do the tree you would have thought it was Christmas morning! Now for the next few weeks I will be listening to "When is Santa coming?" and "Is it Christmas yet?"

First Holiday Away From Home

Thanksgiving has come and gone without a turkey in sight. It was like any other Thursday, the boys even had school. Jason was in Germany so the kids and I had left over pasta for dinner. Sad really, but even if I wanted to do the big turkey dinner with all the trimmings I wouldn't be able to. You can get a turkey here if you order it from the butcher ahead of time, but when you get it you have to finish plucking it and cut it's head off yourself. Potatoes are not hard to come by, but sweet potaotoes and stuffing are another story. Forget about canned pumpkin. If you want a pumpkin pie, you best buy a pumpkin and start gutting it out. I talked to one mom from the boy's school who said they were having turkey burgers because that's all she could come up with. Now there are a few families here who work for the Embassy and have access to the military base stores. I am sure they had a nice Thanksgiving meal. They can even get zip lock bags and Kraft Mac N Cheese at the military base stores. Fortunately, we will have a Thanksgiving dinner, just a couple weeks late, when we come home to visit. We just need to make sure that it is early enough during our visit so we can enjoy leftovers too.

It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!

We have watched this DVD one to many times as evident by our experience trick or treating last night. We went out at 6 o'clock joined by two of Brooklyn's classmates and their parents. The kids were all very excited. We got to the first house and the boys followed the "older kids" up to the door. They said "trick or treat", were given the candy and came running back to us saying "mommy look!". It was tuff getting them to stay focused on the task at hand and forget about the loot they were collecting. After a few houses, Carter seemed sad, disappointed with what was going on. The problem? He hadn't received a rock yet. He even started asking the people passing out candy for rocks. They were confused, obviously they had not seen "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" recently. Due to watching this movie, Carter was under the impression that he would be collecting rocks in his bag, not candy. I personally don't understand why Charlie Brown was only given rocks while he was trick or treating, but it seemed like a great thing to Carter.

Happy Halloween

Even though the Netherlands as a country does not celebrate Halloween, it has been in full force in our neighborhood. Yesterday the kids had their parties at school (both schools are international schools). First we had the boys party. Their school went all out, the decorations were amazing. Both the children and the teachers were dressed up. They had a small parade, popcorn and treats, many Halloween games and a fort made out of hay bales to climb in and out of. The boys had a great time and came home with treat bags. After we grabbed a quick lunch, the boys and I went to Brooklyn's school. There they also had a parade. Then they traveled between the 4 first grade classes reading stories, playing games, having snacks, and doing Halloween crafts. She came home with a treat bag too. It was an exciting day for the kids and a workout for me because I rode my bike everywhere we needed to go (of course).

Tonight we have two of Brooklyn's friends coming over to go Trick or Treating. The way that works here is that a list of houses giving out candy is sent out by email. Then you pick which area you want to be in and follow the map. Houses giving out candy have a lit jack-o-lantern in the front window. Should be interesting! One of Brooklyn's friends coming with us is Dutch and this is only the second time she has ever gone Trick or Treating. So even though Halloween isn't celebrated here as a country, the Dutch children still enjoy doing it.

Mom and Dad's visit

Mom and Dad's visit started off kind of rough. Their flights were fine and Jason got them here in one piece, it's what they arrived too was the rough spot. Friday was alright, Brooklyn had a fall assembly at school that we all went too. Mom and Dad got to see her school and meet a few of our friends. Unfortunately, Saturday morning, all three kids were sick and I was starting not to feel well. Two trips to the doctor later we had all three kids on antibiotics. Once those kicked in, things started to look up. While Mom and Dad were here, they were able to enjoy three different countries.

Saturday night Jason took them for dinner and an evening canal tour through Amsterdam, Netherlands. Sunday we drove to Antwerp, Belgium where we had lunch and took a horse and buggy ride to tour the city. On Monday, it was off to Paris, France where we did a "hop on hop off" bus tour and spent two nights. Thursday they got to meet the boys teachers and see their school. While the boys were in school, we spent the afternoon in Delft, Netherlands, where we had lunch and saw the weekly market in the square. Jason, Dad and Brooklyn climbed the tower of the New Church in Delft (the "New" term might be misleading...it was built in 1383), while Mom and I toured the actual church. Saturday, the kids stayed with a sitter while we spent the day in Amsterdam. We toured the Anne Frank House, had lunch, and walked quickly through the Red Light District (so they could say that the had been there).

Overall, I think we gave them a nice taste of Europe. We also celebrated Mom's birthday while they were here with an extremely chocolaty birthday cake from a local bakery. Mom and I got a chance to have a little "girl time" shopping. We took them to our favorite restaurant in Noordwijk, La Toscana. Also, I made them a few of our staple dinners that we enjoy. Over all it was a good trip and was wonderful having them here. Now we only have two months before we come home for the holidays. In those two months we have lots planned so time should go by quickly. Hopefully they had a good time and will return in the spring!

Busy, Busy!

What a busy weekend we had. Saturday started with Brooklyn's first T- Ball clinic. She had a rough start because when she arrived she was the only girl there. This is why Brooklyn does not like playing sports, because she always has to play with boys. About 10 minutes in another girl arrived, but in all they were the only two. This "rough start" was short lived because soon after the clinic began, Brooklyn recognized some boys from her class. Over all, the T- Ball clinic was a hit and she is excited to go back next Saturday. She has also since convinced one of her girlfriends to sign up. Then Saturday afternoon, we went to an indoor/outdoor mall of sorts. We didn't stay out too long because Nolan was still recovering from being under the weather. We basically went to see what it had to offer. I am sure we will visit again soon.

Sunday morning Jason took Brooklyn to an indoor swimming pool that is around the corner from our house. She was invited to go swimming by a boy that was at the T-Ball clinic. It was Brooklyn's first play date with a boy. Jason really has no one to blame but himself for this because he is the one who signed her up for the clinic which led to the play date. She did have a great time at the pool though and I am sure it is a place we will frequent when the weather turns cold and dark. Then Sunday afternoon we headed up to Brooklyn's school for a Girl Scout Celebration. Brooklyn enjoyed time with her fellow Daisy's and the boys ran around outside on the soccer field and on the elementary school playground. Everyone had a good time and slept well that night.

I admit that we owe the majority of our socialization to Brooklyn. She actually scheduled two more play dates for this week while we were at the school on Sunday. Neither with boys though, we need to keep an eye on this girl!

Bike or Car?

I think maybe I have lived here too long. Today I decided to ride my bike in the rain rather than drive the boys to school in the car. It has been two months since I have driven anywhere. Jason's car has been sitting in the driveway since Sunday when he left for France. I have not used it once. The streets here are just too narrow and the parking, forget it. I think getting poured on riding to and from the boy's school is better than the stress of driving there and having to find parking. Amazing really, I remember when I would drive the car down to the stop sign at the end of our old street to get Brooklyn off the bus if it was raining. My how things have changed.