first day of the new school year

summer has come to an end and school is back in

pancakes and bacon for breakfast....of course. (a first day of school tradition!)

ready to go

 the usual "by the front door" of where ever we live picture!

with coats...bc it cold....even though its the end of August. 

Bret snapped a couple of pictures of Em settling into her classroom

Cant wait to pick them up and hear all about their new class and how their day went.

last few days of summer holiday

The weather was cold and rainy, but we still celebrated the last weekday of summer holiday with ice cream

And some family scootering

Nails painted for the first day...rainbow of course! Now SHE is ready! ;)

One more trip to Kings Ice on Sunday afternoon for the last official ice cream of summer break!

happy birthday!

Blueberry pancakes with bacon to start

then it was time to open a couple of presents

yay...legos!

and a gift from Em

Em picked out a scooter for Aidan...bc she has one and she wanted him to have one to go scootering with her. He actually really likes it. It was so special to see her think about him and pick out a special gift all on her own. (she even got him one that sparks...very fun! - spark plate in the back that you press while riding)

time to get building, he doesnt look happy does he?

almost all day, building technic! lego maniac!

a little help from Em (he let her find pieces for him!)

 some scooter time while the sun was out

just like SHE planned...they can now scooter together. (melt my heart!)

cake time

family photo (thanks to a timer on the camera!)

 opening a couple more presents...surprise....legos!

Happy birthday to our sweet, loving, kind, hard working boy! We can not believe you are 8! We are so blessed to be your parents and thank God for entrusting us to raise you. You challenge us and also help us be better humans because you care about everyone and everything around you. This past year of your life has been crazy, but honestly, what year hasn't been. You are tough and you are strong and yet you are very sensitive. You get through it, and you talk about things. You help us get through it. You are a delight and we can not wait to see the impact you have have on the world. Today you said you want to be a lego engineer and developer when you grow up, and that is very fitting. You will do whatever you set your mind to and work for. We hope this year is more settled, yet still full of fun and adventure. Daddy and I (and Em too) love you more than anything in the world. Happy birthday!

photo booth fun

Who knew how much fun having a mac computer could be. wish our computer would have died earlier (well not really...but) I tell this story to document and be able to look back and remember not so much to inform you, the reader. It died a slow death, 1% battery gone every day with no return in sight, It wouldn't take a charge and we were already using an adaptor so...instead of forking over a bunch of money for a new battery and gambling how long it might last, we decided to get a new computer. The old one lasted more than 7 years, in computer years it was ancient! First we ordered a cheaper computer...a Dell one, but that transaction fell apart and with the TERRIBLE customer service...a fight for a refund despite that a computer was NEVER even shipped to us...it was a nightmare story for the record books, I tell you. we finally got our money back and decided to bite the bullet and get a mac. There is no way I would ever give Dell our money ever!  They are more money, but the benefits seems to be worth it. so far we love it.

Here are some pictures the kids (incl me) took using the fun photo booth app...

Grilling, 1/2 bday for the little miss, back in the bikes

We finally got a grill, a little one bc they are insane amts of euro and...well we don't really need a big one! First up, steaks from a local butcher...the first steak we have had and bought since moving here! I mean who wants to spend 25 euro on steak if you don't have a proper grill to cook it in?! What a treat! (And check out an early bday gift on Aidan- custom hup hup Holland jersey)

 

Aidan and I found corn at the mkt sat morning too, do the kids husked it and gobbled it up! We found two cute caterpillars too...and if course the kids wanted to make a "home" for them....wonder where they are now?

And how could I forget, Happy half birthday to Em! Doughnuts from the mkt and a Mini Cooper Lego to celebrate! Happy girl!

Sunday Bret was feeling so much better we ventured out in a family bike ride! (Oh how we have missed doing this the past month!) it was great fun, the rain held off and we stopped at the little airport to watch the gliders taking off and landing. We actually got to see the machine that pulls them up this time, so neat!

Park fun and hopscotch

fun park time on sunday...we wanted to get out, but Bret is not up to long bike rides just yet so we opted for a park instead. :)

Rijks museum fun

Fun train ride into Amsterdam with our friends

 Aidan took this and could not stop laughing bc there is a porta-potty truck in the background of it...so funny when you are a kid...I guess!

Walk through Vondel park

Tree climbing...but not over the water this time ;)

 Sculpture climbing too

 Lunch (made by the kids) at a kids cafe in the park (good find Amy!)

park fun

 Fountain fun at the Rijks Museum 

 inside the fountain. Aidan was laughing his real hysterical laugh, one of my favorite sounds in the world!

Doing a Calder art project at the Rijks Museum! very fun!

Aidan's stabile creation "in nature"

Em's stabile creation

 The artist with her masterpiece

 Aidan also did a mobile creation

by a few of Calders stabile sculptures

 Climbing in the garden outside the museum

by the Crincled leg (I think!)

 All five kids....love this picture. 

We stopped for some frozen yogurt on the walk back to the train.

 yum!

 he doesnt look happy here, but he really was....ha!