December and Holiday Busy Times Arrive

December arrived and with that a very busy time of the year for us.  The Netherlands has "Sinterklaas" and his helpers arrive in late November.  He then leaves on December 5th.  For good little kids, he leaves presents at their doorstep in the evening.  The kids started to understand the festivities with the decorations at school and at home.

A day out in the 

We went to a local home and garden store.  It decorated throughout and very festive.  We took the kids to look at the lights and decorations.  There was a little house inside with a talking Santa, albeit in Dutch.  The kids loved seeing Santa.

At the cafe

Archie's school and class went to a really great science museum for kids.  Sylvie was able to go along as I was a chaperone.  There was a little kids section with little "city".  This is the ambulance where Sylvie was saving Archie!

This is the automotive shop where the kids are changing the wheels.  There are actual jacks for lifting the car up and down.  This was by far the favorite part.  There was also a real car in their they could play with too.

Can you tell he was in love?  There was also a 20 foot crane at the construction site with wheel barrows, blocks, hardhats, etc.  There was a grocery store with stocked times, a check-out, and grocery carts.

Before we left we went to the bigger section and the kids played with sheets of bubbles.

Archie and one of his friends blowing away!

The school play was coming up and this is the costume for the fox.  We had it home so I could do some alterations.  Archie LOVED the costume and wore it all day.  He didn't want to take it off.  

I will be finding him a costume of his own to keep.  He still asks if he is going to get a fox costume for his own.

Archie was a snowman for the school play.  He was a little hesitant to put on the costume but finally enjoyed it.

Getting ready with his snowflake friend!

And because there was a wave of the flu going around, an understudy was allowed to join the play.  Sylvie was so delighted to dress up as a snowman and join Archie on stage.  She tried to do the movements and sing the songs.

Getting ready for the play!

Four mischievous snowmen

Action on the stage.

The tree went up and the kids were loving it.  Archie decided to play with the trains and had a great time.

Super Sylvie!

Archie received a costume from Sinterklaas.  We had a knock on the door one evening and were surprised to see some gifts for the kids!  It was so sweet and nice that Sinterklaas visited us.  Archie's favorite Dutch teacher lives a few houses down the street and her daughters are our babysitters.  And they were very excited to hear that Sinterklaas had visited us!

Double trouble at the local grocery store.  The older ladies and men were a little frightened as the kids went running through the store.

We put up an advent calendar and the kids were super excited to find a "treat" of sorts every morning (that they remembered).  Next year I will have to have the bags a little more prepared! 

More Autumn Fun

Archie is having more fun dressing up.  He decided to be "Super Archie, to the rescue" and this is his pose.  He is such a character!

Posing with Marvin the Monster from Halloween

Sylvie playing Peek-a-boo

We went trick-o-treating with our friends Sally, Daisy, and dog Maggy.  We had a few friends' houses in the neighborhood that we visited.  The kids had a great time and the Dutchies were amused since they don't do that here.  Next year will be even more fun!

We went to check out the city Rugby club and we heard more English spoken that anywhere here.  Lots of expats playing.  The kids had a great time playing in the grassy fields.

Playing rugby with Daddy.  The light, trees, and grass were really vibrant.

"Mom, I am busy reading."

Collecting concorns in the park

Favorite game: rough housing and tackling each other

Playdate at our friends' house.  All four buddies will be in the Nursery class starting in January.  Sylvie and Leonardo are the same age by a month.  Archie and Italo are best friends and only a few weeks apart in age.  The other kids are Brazilian and we all get along really well.  They decided to make a band together!

The days are getting darker and colder.  Late afternoon starts to get dark.  So we are doing more things indoors.  Playdough is the favorite at the moment.

At the end of November, we had Thanksgiving with the Women's Club at a local restaurant.  I made three pumpkin pies from scratch for auction.  They were a big hit and we loved getting try the sample pies.  I am now a convert.  I will only make my pumpkin pies with fresh roasted pumpkin.  It was super easy and delicious. 

At the dinner, they gave me a special dessert as it was just my birthday the week before.  We had a great time and even more so since we didn't have to cook!

Enjoying the meal with friends.  It is our favorite holiday and was really wonderful to share the traditions, history, and meal with other nationals.  Most had never attended a Thanksgiving or knew what it was based on.  

End of October

 In October, we had some really great weather.  It was a colorful sunny autumn and we went outdoors as much as we could.  We did many bike rides.  The one below is to the forest near our house.

Looking for the ducks and the pretty leaves.

Taking a break to have a snack

Getting ready for Halloween.  I found a candy bucket and Archie decided that it was better used as a hat.  He wouldn't take it off so why argue with him.  The Dutchies thought it was amusing.

We had a playdate with Archie's best friend, Italo.  They love each other.  Italo's family had to go on vacation the second week we were away in September because he refused go to school without Archie.  He hugs him every morning when we see him at school

The kids have a new game: sliding down the couch.

Playing in the leaves at school

For the Women's club I am in, I threw a Halloween Party for the kids.  We had 35 youngsters and 15 adults.  It was a fun time for all.  Not sure I can do that again though! :)

Archie dressed up as a pirate and Sylvie was a shark.

Some of the games I made:  Witch-Hat Ring Toss

Pin the Eyes on the Monster.  Cool Monster!  I loved making it.

Next year should be more fun.  Can't wait to work on the costumes!