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| Spent a bit of time educating the kids on Michael Jackson. Watched Thriller many times, Bad two times, Billie Jean one time. Then told them MJ started as a kid around their age. Watched "ABC" by Jackson 5. hahahaha Femke and Michiel both found it soooo boring, they were hardly even interested. Then I showed them video clips of MJ moonwalking, they thought that was cool. Then I showed them pictures of when MJ went white boy. Wish I would have filmed their reactions! They couldn't understand WHY. I told them, "I don't know really. Maybe he found white skin more beautiful.Maybe he wanted an adventure. Maybe he wasn't happy with how he was born. Some people dye their hair because they would rather it be a different colour. Rich people like MJ can dye their skin." They both found him quite scary and ugly as a white man. They only wanted to see MJ as a young black kid. But not too young, oh no. |
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| My jeans fell apart, so Femke being her regular creative self, turned it into a jagged jean jacket. With more holes than they had to begin with. So entertaining! |
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| Femke and I played with her Petshops again. It ended up her just setting it up and telling a story while I made a comment or two and listened to her talk and ask questions. Easy for me, and she was happy. SO MUCH PINK! |
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| Oh the household problems I deal with. Worst foil in the world! |
Went to the Efteling with the kids, GJ, and their relations. The Efteling is an amusement park more or less a sort from Disneyland. But instead of centered around Disney, it's centered around the Dutch artist Anton Piek. Really well done! Had a nice time. Ended the day with Poffertjes (tiny little pancakes) and beer. Had quite a scare - after one of the roller coasters I walked out and realized I had lost my phone! So I ran back in, quite panicked. The place is so super crowded, but I asked the worker if he had seen it since i had just gotten off. He was so helpful, had everyone stand up to check, but helaas it was no where. I was so panicked. Then the second train arrived and he checked it. And there it was, between the seat cushions, SAFE. It had gone upside down and super duper fast all without me. What are the chances of that??
Anyway, the kids had a great time there (they go quite often) and it was nice for me to see as well. Though regretfully I did not take many photos.
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| The entrance |
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| One of the many lanterns |
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| A nice slow boat ride with the sun beautifully sparkling on the water (this is a cousin-friend of theirs) |
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| One of their aunts |
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| Paper Here! (i love this guy. you see him everywhere around the park) |
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| This is how I'll choose a baby. |
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| Kids finding out where we've been |
A few weeks ago I went with Femke to a sort of craft fair at the beach. She had a great time with her friend there. While I had to suffer walking in sand the whole day
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| Folding paper - one of her favourite things to do |
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| SUFFERING ON SAND AND HOT WEATHER |
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| Michiel and friend climb to the very top! |
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| Michiel's birthday party! Unfortunately I have no photos of Femke's party. Michiel's was on Saturday and Femke on Sunday. Lots of work for the parents. I helped a bit. Kids had a lot of fun. |
Just today I participated in the Dam tot Dam race in Amsterdam. You can choose between 10 miles and 4 miles. I chose the 4 mile because it is my first race and the 10 was already full. And I learned I was not as in shape as I thought I was! But it was great to have a goal - I worked hard and was quite nervous when it began. It's a huge race - thousands of participants. But it is quite motivating being cheered on by the people watching, and there are so many participants that I knew i probably wouldnt be the slowest. So I carried on. It felt great! My legs didnt even hurt very much. I finished at 4 miles/43 minutes, putting me at 388th place hahaha. I know its not that impressive, but I had fun and I finished in not-so-horrible time. I can totally see why people do races - it's quite addicting. I am going to work hard to be ready for the next one!
At the end of the race, people found their groups, or people watching... I never thought of this until I actually participating, but to have no one waiting for you at the end of the race is kind of like arriving at the air port and no one is there to greet you. It's kind of a strange feeling. But, luckily enough, our Amsterdam neighbors saw me! Among thousands of people, I found people i knew. They gave me a rose:
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| Best smelling rose I've ever smelled. So sweet and beautiful, and roses aren't really my favourite flower. But this one was lovely. |
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| Wish I could have taken a photo of the race before the finish...it was crazy how many people there were. |
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| FINISH! yay! Now for the next one. |
So, my room is packed in boxes. Most of the house is packed in Boxes. Friday we move officially into our NEW house in Utrecht. THe house isn't complete yet, but it is good enough to live in. And when it's finished, it will be a palace. Beautiful! The old classic style outside, beautiful ceilings, unique floors, big, balconies, with a well done garden...oh man, can't wait. But it probably won't be complete until after I'm gone from here. But I'm excited. Busy weeks. Especially for the parents. Working with their job, working on the house and packing seems to be all they do!
Just looked at some older photos of F & M. It hasn't even been a whole year yet and they already look older! I know parents always say that, but now I'm experiencing it! Awwww my babies are growing up. Pinch those little cheeks while I can hehehe
Til next time
