Like Family

Throughout life, if you are lucky, you make friends that turn out to be family. I am lucky.

At the tail end of our family vacation in Ocean City, two of my dearest friends, Kate and Courtney, along with their families came for a visit. Although too brief (it always is), we had a great time. The kids had tons of fun on the beach and boardwalk. The adults, too shared lots of laughs and good times.

Left to Right: Anna (16 mo.)on big Sister Lily's (almost 5) lap, Andrew (19 mo.)
in front of Natalie (almost 8), Meredith (almost 4) and Katie (almost 4)

Katie, Lily and Natalie

Lily and Katie "trying" to drive

Katie on the tiniest ferris wheel

Anna

Ocean City

The second week in August we went to Ocean City, NJ. For those of you who don't know, I have been going to Ocean City since I was born. Literally. My mom, too, has been going there since she was born (a long, long time ago... ha ha, mom)

I have so many great memories of going to the beach with my cousins...building dribble castles, ball castles, castles with moats...burying children in piles of sand, making mermaids and race cars with my live heads...jumping the waves, body surfing, and boogie boarding...the amusement rides...And, of course, making "swimming pools" complete with walls that we truly believed would not be crushed by high tide..

It was almost nostalgic to be sharing the same good times with my own children.

We had wonderful time. The weather could not have been better, but what really made the trip so good was spending time with my family. Cheesy, I know, but true. Rich, Carolyn and Charlie, along with my parents and us stayed under one roof for the whole week. We went to the beach everyday and also hit the playground and boardwalk together. The kids got along very well. Of course they occasionally took toys from each other, pushed or tormented one another, but all in all they really enjoyed each other. The boys, Charlie and Andrew, are only 5 months apart. It was "monkey see-monkey" do all week. Katie assumed the role of "boss of everyone."

The next generation of Ocean City-ers

The Galka Family

The boys in their matching euro suits we bought in Maastricht

Pop and Katie playing with a boat

Aunt Carolyn and Katie

Uncle Rich and Charlie

Katie and Charlie

Sand slide?

Charlie, Andrew and Katie celebrating Charlie's 2nd birthday (a week early)

Train ride at Playland with Rich, Charlie, Me, Katie and Andrew

Grandma on the Hot Air Balloon ride with Katie and Charlie

Dragon Tilt-a-World with Daddy

Good Friends

Katie has a wonderful group of friends that she met when she was just a baby. The moms and I have watched them grow up and have provided each other with so many laughs and support over the last few years. The kid's friendships, as well as ours, have been invaluable.

Just a few days after landing (sorry this is SO late), we hosted a pool party in our back yard.

Baby pool, that is. Just a handful of our fav friends could make it but it was a great time nonetheless.

Andrew and Katie

A "newer" addition known always as Baby Alaina (Jillian's sister)

Three "girls" in a tub ~ Sylvia, Katie and Jillian

Adjusting

We are back on US soil and it feels good....

Our travels were quite uneventful. The taxi picked us up Satruday at 6:45am (we were up at 5:45am) to catch the 7:26am train from Maastricht to Eindhoven (about an hour). We switched trains, luckily our next train was on the same platform, and we reached the Amsteredam airport with plenty of time to get a snack and board our flight. Our only hiccup, so to speak, was that our flight was one hour late leaving/arriving.

Ned and I divided and conquered...

We had:

1 stroller
3 large roller duffle bags
1 diaper bag
1 carry on tote
2 Britax carseats
2 laptops
2 kids!

I managed the kids... didnt loose any! Ned managed the luggage on an off the trains...didnt loose any!

The kids were good on the flight. Andrew napped for about 2 hours at the start of the 7 hour flight. Katie did not, but enjoyed watching endless videos. Both were exhausted when we finally got to our shuttle service and fell asleep. Katie slept from 5pm-3:30am and was ready to start her day! Andrew, because he napped we think, slept from 9pm-6am. (awesome!). The next night was the reverse... Andrew slept from 7pm-3:30am and was ready to start his day! And, Katie slept from 7:30pm-6am. Oh well, they say it takes about a week to adjust.

We are tired, but happy and excited to see our friends, house, dog and all that is familiar.

Planes, Trains and Automobiles

Well, actually it is more like --

Cab from our house to the train station
Train for 3 hours to the airport (or trains, not sure yet)
Plane to Boston
Shuttle service to our house

Total estimated travel time: 16 hours

Despite the stress and aggravation it will take to get there, we all can't wait to see our house, our dog, our family and friends. Not necessarily in that order...

I have also started dreaming about the little things I miss... coffee mate, diner pancakes, dunkin donuts drive through, Target, my bed, non-delayed cable, the radio in English...


See you Saturday USA!

Blueberries

Holland has a lot of farms. Right near our house, practically in our backyard, there are kilometers and kilometers of wheat, corn, lettuce, apples, pears, cherries, and so forth. It is quite beautiful. And, we live 5 minutes from the city!

This past weekend we went blueberry picking in Belgium, about a 45 minute drive. http://www.blauwebessen.be

Katie is a collector by nature and has been for about the last two years. She started with rocks the summer she was Andrew's age., Her collections since have included: acorns (that one lasted forever!), shells, and pine cones. It is no wonder why she loves picking fruit. She literally could stay for hours picking. She is contemplative, looking for the best ones, and really enjoys herself.

Andrew ran between the rows of blueberry bushes playing chase (as in you can't catch me) and peek a book. Unlike a few weeks ago, he actually was very interested in picking the fruit. His method -- Step 1. Pick green blueberries. Step 2. Eat blueberries. Step 3. When feeling lazy, eat blueberries straight from the bucket his sister was hard at work filling!

Funny story - At one point in our picking, a man who worked there came over and said something in Dutch or Flemish. I have no idea what he said, but based on his body language, he said something about Andrew eating blueberries. Snagged. I did what any mother would do, act surprised and sort of smile awkwardly. I told Andrew, no no. With that, he opened his mouth and out spilled at least 5 blueberries!

Getting a lesson from Dad on picking blueberries

Caught

Peek a Boo

Cute girl

Silly face.

The farm had a nice playground, bouncey house and riding toys.

Katie told me that she wants to drive a tractor when she grows up

Mom had fun too!

Hakuna Matata

Katie is in a major Lion King phase. She has loved it since early February when she first saw it at my parents house. We watch it every day while Andrew naps (since she has given up naps). Yes, every day. We both know the movie word for word, song by song.

Lyrics:

Hakuna Matata! What a wonderful phrase

Hakuna Matata! Ain't no passing craze

It means no worries for the rest of your days

It's our problem-free philosophy

Hakuna Matata!

Hakuna Matata?

Yeah. It's our motto!

What's a motto?

Nothing. What's a-motto with you?

(ha ha ha)

Andrew is One and a Half!

Andrew Edmund is 18 Months Old Today.

Andrew is a character. He is a happy toddler who thinks he is a three and half year old like his sister. He climbs and jumps and often has a bruise or scratch at any given time. Loves to laugh, play, and even cuddle from time to time.

Andrew loves animals, cars and balls, probably in that order. He is definitely a dog lover so we cannot wait to reunite him with our dog, Tucker. Whenever he sees a dog on a walk or bike ride, he skreeches and points and sometimes "woofs." He loves "vrooming" cars on the floor and kicking and throwing balls.

He has a lot of words. His first word, same as Katie, was Tuck...or "duck" to be more precise. Since his first word at 13 months, he has gained about 2 dozen more. To name a few: ball, car, Dat-dog (hot dog), Thank You (dat-doo), All done, Katie (Day-dee), Bubble, Daddy, Mommy, Duck, Bird, Water (wa-wa), Horse, Down, Go, Up and Uh-oh. He has." even strung together a few two word phrases like "Hi, Daddy."

Andrew also signs. We took a sign language class with Katie so I was more on top of it with her, but Andrew really picks them up if I only do them a few times . He can sign: All done, eat, more, hot, bird, duck, cat, fish, drink, go, and please. And, of course he knows the international signs for yes and no using his head, not his hands. Luckily, he does not say "no." Instead, he shakes his head and say "uh-un", which I think is kind of sweet.

He can drink from a regular cup and use a fork and spoon. He likes to pick out his shoes and can find the matching mate. His favorite foods are mac and cheese, hot dogs, pancakes and strawberries. He also loves whip cream and yogurt covered raisins. Since jarred foods, he has not been a fan of vegetables. Maybe a frozen pea or raw carrot here and there, but that is really it.

His two favorite possessions. Binky and Lovey.

Andrew had sizable thighs as a baby. They have slimmed down a little, but I am happy they are still there. I love his pudge. (He and Katie were jumping in puddles. Andrew's pants got soaked...of course. So, that is why he is pantless)

I (Mommy) see a lot of this lately...just within the last month. Andrew is in a HUGE "mommy phase." If I leave the room, even for a minute, I hear "ma-ma" and crying. He constantly wants to be picked up and in my presence. Some may find this flattering, but after a few weeks (actually, few days), it drives you batty!

Andrew loves a good game of peek a boo. A game that he has loved since he was 3 months old! He is learning animal sounds. He usually knows dog, sheep, cow, horse, duck and dog. And, most recently has learned to growl like a lion or tiger.

Our sweet Boy.

Our Home Away from Home

Today, July 21 marks 100 days that we have been in Holland.

When we first arrived a lot of people asked questions like: "do you like it there?" "is it more expensive?" "what are the people like?" For the last few months I have been trying to figure out the answers to these questions as well as many, many, many more...

Europe is very different than the United States. Different in some good ways, different in some ways that are going to take A LOT of getting used to.

Of course the most obvious difference is the language. Dutch is the primary language spoken here but most people speak English as well. People dress differently too. I would say that the theme for women is layers. Lots and lots of layers. And, scarfs. I bought a scarf, but just couldn't master it. Food is different. There are just some things you cannot find at the grocery store. Bread crumbs, baked beans, goldfish crackers (a staple at our house) and provolone cheese are just a few. Also, if you order a hamburger, expect it to come with a fried egg on it! In general, I would describe the Dutch as a more private and reserved culture.

Maastricht is a melting pot of cultures. American, Israeli, Saudi, Italian, Russian, Polish, French, Scottish, English, Irish, Turkish, Japanese, German, Belgian, Canadian, Greek, and more. And, these are just the "few" I have met in 3 months. Everyone is in the same boat, so to speak. Some are here indefinitely, but most are here because of a job and will probably be here a few years. I have joined a couple groups and am finding that the international community is very willing to share information and lend a helping hand where needed. That is reassuring, very.

When we decided to move, I was apprehensive, but tried to look at it as a once in a lifetime experience and adventure. I miss my friends and family a lot. Everyday. One thing I know I will come away with from this experience is perspective. It sure is different being a foreigner.

For now, here are some pictures of our home.

First floor:

Front door and hall into kitchen

Kitchen

Main living space.
Most Dutch homes have this long one room style.

Backyard, off the dining room table with large sliding doors.

Second Floor:

Master bedroom

Master bathroom

Andrew's room

Katie's room

Third floor: guest room. Come visit!

Sculpture?

Katie LOVES playdough at the moment. First thing in the morning, first thing she wants to do when she comes home from preschool.

It wouldn't be a problem if Katie didn't have a little brother who likes to steal her fabulous creations. ALL the time. He literally watches until she isn't looking and then grabs the playdough and takes off running through the house. (With a three and a half year old sister screaming "mooommmy!!") It is hard not to laugh, but he is forced to return the prized creation (now smooshed from his pudgey little grip) to its rightful owner.

Today while Andrew was napping, Katie created Our Family.

From right to left: Andrew, Daddy, Mommy & Katie

The proud artist