Last month in Breda - Part 1 London, Archie's birthday, packing the house

For our last month in Europe before heading back to Seattle, we were very busy.  For Easter we headed to London to visit our good friends Mark, Yvonne, Amber, and Rufus.  They lived in Breda with us and Amber and Archie were in school together.  The moved back to London about 8 months earlier.  We had great time spending some time with them.  We will miss 

We also spent some more good friends Pip, Marc, Alice, & Zoe.  It was our last visit and really nice that we were able to see them before leaving.  We always have a good time and the kids love being in their great big garden.  It is very easy for us to be there.  I usually go to Pip's workout sessions but missed out this weekend.  

The kids did an Easter Egg Hunt in the garden and there was a great scavenger hunt.

 As usual we spent some time at the great playgrounds.  The best was one near Reigate with a climbing castle and big slide.

Car racing down the hill

Picking Dafodils in a big patch next to the house

The kids had a great time rolling down the hill at the back of the garden.  We have some good videos of the giggling and rolling.  Great way to spend a sunny afternoon.

The month was busy and stressful for all of us.  But getting away to see our good friends really helped us.  We loved being with them and will miss them.  It was hard saying goodbye knowing that it will be a long time before we see them again.

Another great part of the month was Archie's 4th birthday.  It was one of the only weekends we were in Breda and was also right before the movers came to box up the house.  So Archie's favorite and lovely teacher Ms. Beggs (Keri) had a birthday for him in class.  They make a crown and do a special thing for the birthday boy.  He loved it and then shared cupcakes with all his friends.  

It was really sweet and made me really teary as I know we won't have a Miss Keri when we get to Seattle.  Keri has been taking care of Archie since we arrived in Breda when Archie wasn't even walking yet.  She has boys of her own and really knows how to engage and teach Archie.  Both kids LOVE her.  And we all miss her.

Getting to sit on the table with the crown he made.

Singing Happy Birthday

Doing "fireworks", 4 for how old he is

Very happy and giggly

Happy Birthday to our little big man!  We were lucky that he had his birthday with his friends before we headed back.  It made it very special.

Dutch Pancake breakfast.  Our new tradition for birthday breakfasts

Out for a play at a local play center.  The kids loved this place.

One last coffee at our favorite local pub/cafe Moeke in the Ginneken Markt.  Our favorite place to go and only a 2 minute walk.

I was the class parent for Archie and Sylvie's class.  The other class Mums made a going away basket for me.  It was super sweet and so nice to say goodbye to them.  I met some amazing expat and dutch ladies at the ISB.  I made some great friends and miss them.  

And then the movers came and boxed up everything in the house.  Within a day and a half everything changed for the kids.  It was the beginning of several months of change ahead.  It was a rough road ahead for them.  Lots of emotions and change.  We didn't realize how disruptive it would be to them emotionally but we soon found out.

Some few photos of our last days playing in the garden chasing balloons.

We tried to spend as much time as we could with Archie's best friend Italo.  Archie and Sylvie love him.  and he LOVES Archie.  He was so upset that Archie was leaving.  He told his mom he didn't want to be friends with anyone because they would leave like Archie.  Broke my heart.

Making banana muffins one last time in the kitchen.  The kids love to cook with me.  I hope I will find the balance again that we find time for that.  Life will be a little busy once back in Seattle.

This is part 1 of our last month.  Too many photos for one post.