D, D, D, D Dora!

For those of you with preschoolers know "D, D, D, D Dora!". Well, Dora is here in Holland on Nick Jr. Same channel, but ah.... slightly different. See for yourself!

In the US, as you are very aware, Dora speaks English and teaches children Spanish. Since we have been doing a bit of traveling, we have learned that Dora speaks mother tongue in her home country, be it France, Germany, Netherlands and so forth and teaches children English.

What a hoot!

Mini Break

Last weekend we traveled about 2.5 hours north of Maastricht to Den Haag, Netherlands. We stayed at a Eurocamp called Duinrell. Ned and I both commented that we dont know of anything like in the United States. It is a huge campground of sorts. There are mostly mobile homes for guests but also places for rented/bring your own tents. We went with the mobile home option for three nights. Just the five of us (Tucker too!) in a "cozy" 3 bedroom. The campground has a big indoor water park and an amusement park. It also has trails for biking, supermarket, and various playgrounds. We made use of all amenities.

Katie and Andrew's first cotton candy at the amusement park

Spinning mushroom

We went to one of the biggest tourist attraction in Holland, Madurodam. Just about 15 minutes from our lodgings. It is a miniature Holland. All outdoors and over 100 exhibits. I wasn't sure it would hold the kid's attention, but they surprised me. Katie loved following the route and the numbers associated with each exhibit. You could put in a 10 cent piece into most of the exhibits and make them move. Andrew loved the miniature train that zoomed everywhere...there was even a Thalys high speed train! Both kids liked the Mars plant that brought out chocolate on a truck. Schipol airport in Amsterdam was pretty cool too. But, the best was a couple miniature Maastricht buildings.

Katie next to a windmill

Ned and Katie next to the Onze Lieve Vrouwe Basiliek in Maastricht

What big shoes you have!

There was a nice beach only 4 km from the Eurocamp. We took the kids there each night after dinner. The water was cold, as expected, but we had a lot of fun digging in the sand, building sand castles and finding treasures.

Daddy's girl

Katie writing in the sand

She wrote her name. She was so proud!

Beauties

Just a random picture of the kids at the Aachen Animal Park last week. They were being silly.

First you Mow, Then You Rake

Sleep Habits

We moved Andrew to a toddler bed in mid April. He was two years old and three months. We had to because he was climbing out. One night I counted -- he climbed out 15 times in one night! I chalk it up to, yet another, thing Katie never did.

We do the same routine we have always done. PJs, brush teeth, read books, turn out the light, sing songs, say goodnight. Only one thing is different - there is a gate on his door (for obvious reasons).

Since April. Three months now. He chooses to fall asleep on the floor. Here are a few pictures I took last week.

I have to wonder - If you have this cozy bed with a big pillow and duvet, why on earth would he choose to sleep on the floor?!

Happy Independence Day

The kids sported their red, white and blue (in our garden)

Face painting at the MIP Family picnic

Katie and a fellow American friend showing off their flags

You Scream, I Scream...

We all scream for Popsicles?

Yesterday the ice cream man payed a visit to our street. Andrew I figured would opt for a pop instead of ice cream, but was surprise when Katie made the same choice.

It was yummy just the same!

Gullible?

Listen closely, you can hear Katie say to Andrew: "Come here, I need to tell you something."