When we got back from the UK we borrowed a sled and Owen enjoyed some sled time. The compacted iced road was perfect for this activity. The Mommy even got to have a ride with Owen and the Daddy was exhausted after having to pull us both along.
Saturday, 2 January 2010
Saturday, 26 December 2009
Christmas in the UK
Brendon, Owen and I have taken 2 weeks holiday and have driven over to spend Christmas with Lynese and Douglas. The day we left Holland it started snowing and by the time we got to the UK they were having a disasterous time with ice on the motorway's and in particular the one that we had to travel on. Owen and I went to sleep once we exited the channel tunnel and by the time we woke up I was surprised to see that we had only gone about 15 miles!
We arrived at Douglas and Lyneses to see that Downham was also covered in snow. We enjoyed some time outdoors in the snow which Owen loved. He loves playing in it and armed with a kitchen spatula ran around digging in the snow.
Christmas morning was very special. Owen slept late until 7am. We had breakfast and then Father Christmas arrived to bring Owen "Bertie" bus. We opened all our presents and all 5 of us managed to ablute and be in the car by 9.30am so that Douglas could take a Christmas service. We left most of Owen's toys in NL but were happy about that as the Granny's and the Grandpa gave him so many lovely gifts. He enjoyed all of them. At the Christmas service Owen enjoyed playing the organ, rearranging the Christmas tree and singing after everyone finished singing the hymns.
Brendon, Owen and I have taken 2 weeks holiday and have driven over to spend Christmas with Lynese and Douglas. The day we left Holland it started snowing and by the time we got to the UK they were having a disasterous time with ice on the motorway's and in particular the one that we had to travel on. Owen and I went to sleep once we exited the channel tunnel and by the time we woke up I was surprised to see that we had only gone about 15 miles!
We arrived at Douglas and Lyneses to see that Downham was also covered in snow. We enjoyed some time outdoors in the snow which Owen loved. He loves playing in it and armed with a kitchen spatula ran around digging in the snow.
Christmas morning was very special. Owen slept late until 7am. We had breakfast and then Father Christmas arrived to bring Owen "Bertie" bus. We opened all our presents and all 5 of us managed to ablute and be in the car by 9.30am so that Douglas could take a Christmas service. We left most of Owen's toys in NL but were happy about that as the Granny's and the Grandpa gave him so many lovely gifts. He enjoyed all of them. At the Christmas service Owen enjoyed playing the organ, rearranging the Christmas tree and singing after everyone finished singing the hymns.
Owen gets a new room
They say that when one is pregnant anything can happen. When I was near the end of my pregnancy with Owen we decided it was a good idea to do a loft conversion complete with a window extension the breadth of the house. This time it was a little less drastic but the energy exerted on Owens room left me deciding that it really was not necessary to redecorate all the 2nd floor bedrooms.
Initially Owen's room was going to be painted blue with a Thomas the Tank Engine theme. After painting 3 walls blue I suddenly decided that Brendon had to run to the hardware store to fetch 2 litres of white paint to paint the 4th wall. It was 4.30pm and the store closed at 5.00pm. It had to be done that same day! In between the 1st and 2nd coats of paint Brendon had to make a business trip to South Africa and Owen ended up sleeping in the new baby's room that looked more like a storage unit than a bedroom. He enjoyed the change and the chaos of every day living on the 2nd floor!
His bedroom eventually got finished and he loves his new bed and new colour scheme.
They say that when one is pregnant anything can happen. When I was near the end of my pregnancy with Owen we decided it was a good idea to do a loft conversion complete with a window extension the breadth of the house. This time it was a little less drastic but the energy exerted on Owens room left me deciding that it really was not necessary to redecorate all the 2nd floor bedrooms.
Initially Owen's room was going to be painted blue with a Thomas the Tank Engine theme. After painting 3 walls blue I suddenly decided that Brendon had to run to the hardware store to fetch 2 litres of white paint to paint the 4th wall. It was 4.30pm and the store closed at 5.00pm. It had to be done that same day! In between the 1st and 2nd coats of paint Brendon had to make a business trip to South Africa and Owen ended up sleeping in the new baby's room that looked more like a storage unit than a bedroom. He enjoyed the change and the chaos of every day living on the 2nd floor!
His bedroom eventually got finished and he loves his new bed and new colour scheme.
Owen moves to a big bed
Brendon & I decided that when we went to the UK to visit Lynese and Douglas we would introduce Owen to a big bed. At Lynese and Douglas's house the floors are carpeted and Lynese sourced a bed guard at the local second hand dealer that we cannot get in the Netherlands. So if there was going to be a bump in the night we knew that it would be a soft landing for Owen.
The transition went so smoothly. Owen has really taken to his new sleeping arrangements. When he wakes up in the morning he starts talking to "Mickey", sings a song and waits for someone to come and fetch him out the bed. He still hasn't grasped that he can get off the bed himself in the morning although he gets on it himself to go to sleep when I put him to bed. He will really enjoy his new room in Holland now.
Brendon & I decided that when we went to the UK to visit Lynese and Douglas we would introduce Owen to a big bed. At Lynese and Douglas's house the floors are carpeted and Lynese sourced a bed guard at the local second hand dealer that we cannot get in the Netherlands. So if there was going to be a bump in the night we knew that it would be a soft landing for Owen.
The transition went so smoothly. Owen has really taken to his new sleeping arrangements. When he wakes up in the morning he starts talking to "Mickey", sings a song and waits for someone to come and fetch him out the bed. He still hasn't grasped that he can get off the bed himself in the morning although he gets on it himself to go to sleep when I put him to bed. He will really enjoy his new room in Holland now.
Saturday, 21 November 2009
Sinterklaas
It is that time of the year again - Sinterklaas. All Dutch children know that Sinterklaas (the name is a corruption of Sint Nikolaas) lives in Spain. Exactly why he does remains a mystery, but that is what all the old songs and nursery rhymes say. Whatever the case may be, in Spain he spends most of the year recording the behaviour of all children in a big red book, while his helper Black Peter stocks up on presents for next December 5th. In the first weeks of November, Sinterklaas gets on his white horse, Peter ("Piet") swings a huge sack full of gifts over his shoulder, and the three of them board a steamship headed for the Netherlands. Around mid-November they arrive in a harbour town - a different one every year - where they are formally greeted by the Mayor and a delegation of citizens. Their parade through town is watched live on television by the whole country and marks the beginning of the "Sinterklaas season".
The old bishop and his helpmate are suddenly everywhere at once. At night they ride across Holland's' rooftops and Sinterklaas listens through the chimneys to check on the children's behaviour. Piet jumps down the chimney flues and makes sure that the carrot or hay the children have left for the horse in their shoes by the fireplace is exchanged for a small gift or some candy. During the day, Sinterklaas and Piet are even busier, visiting schools, hospitals, department stores, restaurants, offices and many private homes. Piet rings doorbells, scatters sweets through the slightly opened doors and leaves basketfuls of presents by the front door. How do they manage to be all over the Netherlands at once?
This year we made it to the Holmatro Sinterklaas party for the children. It went on for around 2 hours. Owen loved it. On arrival he had chocomel and a floor filled with ballons to play with. A while later Sinterklaas & the Piets arrived and each child had the opportunity to sit on Sint's lap. Owen preferred to try to fiddle with the PA buttons & knobs, see how many pepernoten (tiny ginger biscuits) he could find on the carpet and stuff in his mouth at once. A time of hide and seek was enjoyed by him and the daddy for some variation. At the end of event each child was given a gift. Owen got a fire engine with made 4 different siren noises. He was in his element.
It is that time of the year again - Sinterklaas. All Dutch children know that Sinterklaas (the name is a corruption of Sint Nikolaas) lives in Spain. Exactly why he does remains a mystery, but that is what all the old songs and nursery rhymes say. Whatever the case may be, in Spain he spends most of the year recording the behaviour of all children in a big red book, while his helper Black Peter stocks up on presents for next December 5th. In the first weeks of November, Sinterklaas gets on his white horse, Peter ("Piet") swings a huge sack full of gifts over his shoulder, and the three of them board a steamship headed for the Netherlands. Around mid-November they arrive in a harbour town - a different one every year - where they are formally greeted by the Mayor and a delegation of citizens. Their parade through town is watched live on television by the whole country and marks the beginning of the "Sinterklaas season".
The old bishop and his helpmate are suddenly everywhere at once. At night they ride across Holland's' rooftops and Sinterklaas listens through the chimneys to check on the children's behaviour. Piet jumps down the chimney flues and makes sure that the carrot or hay the children have left for the horse in their shoes by the fireplace is exchanged for a small gift or some candy. During the day, Sinterklaas and Piet are even busier, visiting schools, hospitals, department stores, restaurants, offices and many private homes. Piet rings doorbells, scatters sweets through the slightly opened doors and leaves basketfuls of presents by the front door. How do they manage to be all over the Netherlands at once?
This year we made it to the Holmatro Sinterklaas party for the children. It went on for around 2 hours. Owen loved it. On arrival he had chocomel and a floor filled with ballons to play with. A while later Sinterklaas & the Piets arrived and each child had the opportunity to sit on Sint's lap. Owen preferred to try to fiddle with the PA buttons & knobs, see how many pepernoten (tiny ginger biscuits) he could find on the carpet and stuff in his mouth at once. A time of hide and seek was enjoyed by him and the daddy for some variation. At the end of event each child was given a gift. Owen got a fire engine with made 4 different siren noises. He was in his element.
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