Easter in The Netherlands - Part III

Here we are getting ready for a bike ride to the beach - kids get a free ride!








The beach was sunny and windy. Ji Ji tries out her new kite - the weather was very cooperative. The first thing she does is let ALL of the string out to see how high it will go.






Mommy was trying to interest Nora in flying kites but she was more focued on Nora picking up shells.









Brynn watched the whole event through one eye.








We rode the bikes back and this time Nora got to ride on the back of Daddy's bike.








Ji Ji and Josie took the easy way back. Here they are with the Flat Stanleys.








The girls get ready for bed. Brushing your teeth is much more fun when you are with friends! Notice the Hello Kitty and Princess toothpastes.







The end!

Easter in The Netherlands - Part II

Here is the gang in Amsterdam; Romy's parents, Josie & Brynn's parents and us.
Our first stop in Amsterdam, a pub to sample some fine beer!






Here are the gentlemen ordering our beers. There was a huge selection and the choosing took some time.






Here are the girls enjoying the bar!









Here are Josie, Romy, Nora and Ji Ji.








Beautiful Amsterdam ! You should really click on each of these photos to see a bigger view because there is a lot of detail here. The city is amazing.








Here we are at Central Station, getting ready to leave Amsterdam. It was a good day with lots of walking. Both girls fell asleep in the train during the ride back.







Easter morning, each girl got a present and some chocolate. Nora and Ji Ji both got kites.







Nora wanted to try riding her bike without the training wheels (stabilizers, as they say in England). She rode a little with Daddy holding on and then the training wheels were put back on. She will try again later.





The girls rode their bikes to the nature area where we parked the bikes and went for a walk.







We brought some bread and the girls fed the ducks from the bridge.







Surprising though it may be, there are still photos remaining and so there will be a Part III.

Easter in The Netherlands - Part I

We drove to Wassenaar, just north of Den Haag (The Hague) to spend the long holiday weekend with our friends Darrah, Sue, Josie and Brynn.

Here are Josie and her little sister Brynn.









Ji Ji, Josie and Nora know each other pretty well and the girls all played together.








We brought the girls' bikes and they did a lot of riding. They don't ride very far in Germany as we live in a very hilly area. They did a lot of riding this weekend.
Here they are warming up in the back yard.






The girls rode verywhere, even into the town of Wassenaar. The parents walked and Brynn got to ride in her stroller.






And there was a reward for that bike ride, an ice cream!








The girls riding back home.










For our non- European friends, there really are canals everywhere in this country. This is a small one across the street from their place.






On Saturday, we all took the train into Amsterdam. Here we are buying tickets at the station.









Here is our family riding on the train - it was crowded! We had to change trains in Leiden and the entire trip took under 1 hour.






Ji Ji hopped from seat to seat to visit everyone. Here she is with Josie and Sue.







Arriving at the Central Station in Amsterdam, the girls were hungry and got a very dutch treat, french fries with mayonnaise.







Here is a view from outside the Central Station - notice all of the bicycles. In the center in the distance, there is a 2 story bicycle parking ramp!





Another view from outside the Central Station.








Ok, that is all for tonight - I must go to bed. I will post the remaining photos later.

Flat Stanley comes to stay with us

During the past several months we received two Flat Stanley's from friends back in Wisconsin. So Nora and Ji Ji brought their new Flat Stanley's to school. http://flatstanley.enoreo.on.ca/ Nora and Ji Ji attend school at the International School of Wiesbaden. It is a beautiful school building, located on the edge of a small town, teaching children from 3 years old in the half day program, through Grade 6.You can check out the school's webpage here. http://isw.fis.edu/


This is the private bus service that takes Nora and Ji Ji, to school with 4 other kids in the area. It takes 15 minutes to drive there.

Ulrike is the van driver.




Sitting in the last row of the van.











Ji Ji with her PrePrimary teacher, Mrs. Mendoza, who is from America.





Ji Ji's classmates come from all over the world. Including these countries. Sweden, Brazil, Germany, Mexico, England, Spain, Holland, South Africa, Denmark, Australia and the USA:-)




Nora with her First Grade teacher Ms Penny, who is from Australia.





This was the class schedule that day. It changes every day. This was the only day they did not have German language class, during the week.






Nurse Trish gave us both a checkup since we did come all the way to Germany in an envelope.


This is the Hausmeister, Herr Bartmann, who takes care of the school.


We met the Principal, Mrs. Bayliss and the Assistant Principal, Mrs. Rosinger. They told us the principal's office is a fun place to visit:-)


The school day has ended, but now it is time for Nora and Ji Ji's after school activities to begin! Nora is with the music teacher, Ms. Klein, for junior choir practice.


Ji Ji quickly ran outside to play on the playground with her friends before her ballet class.


Ji Ji has her ballet class in the school's sport halle.



When Ji Ji finishes her ballet class then it is time for Nora's ballet class to start.



Nora at her ballet class.


Here is their ballet and tap teacher, Ms. Virginia.



Nora in her tap class. Monday is a long day at school for her, with choir, ballet and tap lessons!

Catching up on things with the family

After one week traveling in the US and one week traveling in Europe, I am now getting back to my routine. I had promised the girls that we would do a few things when I returned and now it is time to make good on my promises.

Coloring Easter Eggs















We had a good time coloring and now we need to decorate them. Notice the 2 red mustaches in the photos.








Also, we use a chart system at home to encourage and reward good behavior. The girls need to pick up their toys from the living room each night, keep their rooms clean and get their back pack and snack box ready for school each day. In addition, each girls has their own chores like Ji Ji has to make her bed each morning and Nora has to read for 20 minutes at least 5 nights per week. Doing these things will earn them points and any fighting or not listening to Mom and Dad will lose them points.
After using this chart system for 4 weeks, I took the girls to Toys R Us to spend their points - each point is work .50 Euro cents and each girl had about 20 Euro to spend. Nora bought 2 make up kits and small Barbie candies. Ji Ji bought a dress up Princess kit, a small make up and small Barbie candies. They loved getting to pick out their own things and we talked about how much they could spend, how much each toy cost and if they wanted a more expensive toy they would need to put back something they had already chosen. They were so proud to spend their points.


Here is Ji Ji wearing her earrings, new shoes and wand from the Princess kit.