25 February 2009

All snuggled up watching Shrek. The 3 loves of my life.

24 February 2009

A sweet moment spent together reading books in our bed this morning. Savannah loves being able to read to her sister and Madison, of course, thinks her older sister is amazing.

23 February 2009

The real nesting has begun. It's school holidays and this is the time I got into bed after today's preparations in the nest. And the best part about a late bedtime is the sleep-in the next day. I love holidays.

22 February 2009

The aroma that fills the home from a freshly, homebaked batch of cinnamon rolls is the best way to start any Sunday. Then it's time to tuck in and enjoy!

21 February 2009

Today's Saturday project was learning about fish. From the selecting and purchasing to the disecting, filleting, cooking and eating.

Marrying well is probably one of the most important things we can do in life. I certainly found a perfect 'catch'. It warms my heart and makes me fall in love with him all over again when he teaches our children about what he loves.

20 February 2009

Body Pump has been a big part of my life for the last 4 years. Instructing has been something I never dreamed I would get the chance to do, especially in a foreign speaking country. I look forward to my maternity break for a few weeks and hope to be back to pumping in May.

19 February 2009

Thursday night always seems to be the body pump refresher night. My prego brain tends to be quite forgetful these days, so a choreography refresher the night before I instruct body pump always helps. The girls love sitting with me and learning the moves!

18 February 2009

Remember that difficult day yesterday? I suffered today. My body just wouldn't get out of bed. I was in pain, couldn't breathe very well and just felt very sorry for myself. Bryn took the girls to school, organised a lift home for them, phoned to check up on me during the day, and even came home early from work to do the grocery shopping.

I had been cursing all day that this country offers nothing close to a Woolworths Food here, as this is the typcial day when that sort of healthy, delicious, ready to eat food comes in handy. Bryn pulled through big time and produced the most delicious Ceasar salad for dinner tonight, even more delicious than any salad I could have dreamed of buying from Woolies Food. Room service with a smile too.

ps, I took the photo before he remembered to add the croutons. He quickly ran upstairs with a sprinkling when he realised they had been forgotten.

17 February 2009

Some days are just plain difficult. Today was one of them. It was comforting peering down the passage knowing that the girls were down for the night.

16 February 2009

The whole of Monday was set aside for 3 Dutch exams at Informatie Beheer Groep in Rotterdam. All this effort for a Dutch passport. I felt like I was in Turkey or Morocco, as I must have been the only European taking the exams. Results are posted within 4 weeks. In the meantime, I have to draw up a portfolio of 30 Dutch conversations/interactions over the next little while.

15 February 2009

Savannah is a very good little eater. Today, for some reason, her delicious fish and salad dinner didn't excite her. As I seem to have the camera on hand more these days, I shot a quick one and caught her unawares.

14 February 2009

Madison attended a Valentine's birthday party today. The moms and dads were invited to taste the little chefs' dishes for the last hour of the party. Madison produced and served some delicious freshly squeezed orange juice (some of which got spilt into my handbag at my feet) and chocolate florentines.

13 February 2009

Bryn was released as the Branch President of Wassenaar Branch tonight. It's been 5 years of service, mixed with fun, hard lessons, laughter and growing experiences. What a privilege it's been.

12 February 2009

Thursday night relaxing time. We were all piled on the bed listening to and singing along to our favourite tunes on You Tube.

11 February 2009

My little sock pairer.

10 February 2009

Enjoy my ever expanding waist line from a different angle.

9 February 2009

These are one of my favourite flowers. I have them potted in my kitchen and it's a constant reminder that spring is on it's way. I remember once, my mom successfully grew them in our garden. In Holland, they grow wild!

8 February 2009

We are so proud of Savannah's choice to be baptised today. She looked like a little angel. It's taking some time for me to adjust to the idea of having an EIGHT year old in the house. Where has time gone?

7 February 2009

100 cupcakes for Savannah's baptism ready to be devoured.

6 February 2009

Savannah has begged me for a pizza dinner for ages. I keep putting her off because Domino's pizza down the road is so expensive. Her wish was granted today. Homemade pizza it was (base included)! It turned out so well, I doubt we'll be buying from Domino's again.

5 February 2009

'Ko', the class...creature thing is frequently assigned to come home with us for a sleepover. Fun isn't it? NO. It's just a load of work for the mom as Ko comes with a backpack full of clothes and a journal that is to be updated with photos and news of her stay with Madison. Also, I admittedly have a pet hate--stuffed toys. They're just so unhygienic, full of dust mites and germs. Ko does the rounds, so she doesn't just come with a backpack and journal, but foreign bugs too. Eeeww. Ko has spent the night/s at least 4 times this year, not to mention the amount of times 'meneer Ko' came home with Savannah at this age! Don't worry, I haven't shared my Ko frustration with the girls. I play along and pretend it's such fun.

4 February 2009

Hooray for reunions. Bryn arrived home from a week and a half's business travel to Houston. Our meeting point was the Voorschoten train station with a car full of excited girls.

3 February 2009

This is where we spend every Tuesday afternoon. The girls take swimming lessons at the Sterrenbad.

2 February 2009

Family Home Evening tonight included an update in the girls' journals and a lesson on preparing for baptism. Savannah is so excited to have the chance to be baptised this Sunday.

Note, it's February and Madison is wearing a short sleeved t-shirt. I can't keep warm clothes on this child. She feels the heat very quickly and often begs me to turn the heating down.