October 12, 2009
· Filed under Hannah, fun stuff
Last night, we took Hannah to her first concert. Not a kiddy girly band, not a musically dancy thing, no, the real thing: Marillion! The band often called ‘a Scottish heavy metal band’* was playing in our hometown, and as Steve is fan No. 1, that was one we couldn’t miss! As it was an ‘acoustic’ sit-down concert, it was a great opportunity to get Hannah to see the band, as she is almost a bigger fan than her daddy!
We were all wearing the T-shirts (Amy even got a proper women’s size one later on) and had a great night. Steve was clapping so hard and so long, the band even sang a song especially for him: Easter, which nearly had all of us in tears…
Afterwards, Steve went off to the pub with some other fans, and we cycled home to have cake, and end a perfect day!!!
Smile! You're on camera!
Some Dutch courage??? And see the shirt? It's FAMOUS now!!!
(for more info on Steve’s special moment, go to the Marillion forum! – or just ask Steve
)
* which they are not, it’s prog-rock, people… tssss….
September 14, 2009
· Filed under Hannah, fun stuff
In the midst of a shanty choir festival, we were building a monument for our city. As the city center is one huge building site, and a new museum is being built on the site of a former square (don’t even get us started on that one…), all Leeuwarders were invited to help build a monument. The plan was that every household would receive a brick in the post, but after some ‘problems’ they decided to just hand them out on site. Here is Hannah with her brick:
And a part of the monument. Steve made a nice video, which we will also upload soon…
September 10, 2009
· Filed under Hannah
August 28, 2009
· Filed under Hannah
Hannah is in ‘real’ school now, and a big girl. She’s in a combined group, with both year 3 and 4, as she’s so clever that she already knows how to read and write and do sums. In this class, they will be offered more interesting and complicated material, to keep them happy and motivated.
Here’s Hannah’s new stash:
Hannah's stash
The big girl at her desk, next to Twan:
Hannah and Twan
And mommy who is happy she has at least one more small child at home…
Letting go...
May 21, 2009
· Filed under Hannah, Samuel, fun stuff, holiday
Hannah got her B swimming diploma last week and then the next day we were off to Austria for a wedding… Pictures of these happy occasions are on Steve’s computer and on Amy’s phone, so these will come later…
But today was also a happy day, ’cause finally, finally, finally: this!
Of course all this got paid back with a big mouth a bit later (but hey, the girl was tired…)… But we know they love us…
April 24, 2009
· Filed under Hannah
Hannah has had a behaviour chart on the wall, as she was being slightly ‘volatile’ lately. After 3 weeks of many good days, and only a few bad ones, she earned herself this:
So, this Sunday, coming to a cinema near us: Hannah!!! (and her mommy, it’s a PG movie after all… haha)
Next week a new chart will go up (cause rewarding does work well with Hannah), and her next target is… a hoolahoop (pink with loads of sparklies…)
February 26, 2009
· Filed under Hannah
February 21, 2009
· Filed under Hannah
It’s Hannah’s 6th birthday today! Such a big girl!!! Enjoy your day, and your cake!!!
January 30, 2009
· Filed under Hannah, Samuel
Unfortunately, Hannah did not qualify for her swimming exam A today, but she will very likely be up for the exam in a few weeks time, on February 26. We’re very excited, and look forward to jumping in the big pool without the obligatory water wings!
Sam has also started his new group. He’s now swimming in the shallow pool and learning basic skills such as floating on his back, picking things up from the bottom of the pool etc. It’s great fun! Hopefully some pictures of our two water rats will follow soon!
December 5, 2008
· Filed under Hannah, Samuel, fun stuff
A big day for the little ones! For the last 3 weeks all we heard was: I want this from Sinterklaas. I want that from Sinterklaas. How many presents can I ask for? And so on…
Yesterday, Hannah even went to bed early, so that this day would come sooner 
Bless her…
It already started at school, where the kids were visited by Sinterklaas and two Pieten. They had lost their shoes, and were looking around which parents were wearing them. Two (unfortunate) parents were ordered to take their shoes off, so that the Pieten could perform a dance. (They did get their shoes back…)
After more song and dance the parents and siblings left, and the kids went back to their classrooms. The younger ones then got another private visit from Sinterklaas in the morning, while the older ones exchanged gifts which they bought for each other (all the names in the hat, pull one, and then you have to buy a present, write a poem and think of a fun way to wrap it up).
Hannah said this one was the ‘real one’ (as opposed to the one in the swimming pool on Wednesday, whom she instantly recognized as one of the swimming instructors 
), as he knew about how she had put her friendship book in her shoe a few days earlier, so that Sinterklaas could write in it (her booklet was in the bag later at night…).
In the gym hall waiting for Sinterklaas!
All our plans about unwrapping one gift at the time, singing songs in between and eating sweets and taking it easy, went out the window as soon as we heard the rap on the window (thanks to our neighbours) and found our presents on the doorstep. Within minutes, the paper was flying and Hannah and Sam were ooh-ing and aaah-ing. All the presents were a great success (even though Sam’s biggest present will be arriving later, due to the ‘wonders’ of Internet shops who tel you two days in advance that something is out of stock… bummer…)!
Sam got three train wagons... the airport and airplane are delayed (typical...)
Barbie's vet's practice
Time to clean up and get ready for Xmas…
