Kendama

One of our greatest finds on our trip to Amsterdam was Kendama, an ancient Japanese toy being made at a boutique juggle shop in the heart of Amsterdam. The boys both chose to spend their holiday money on one and spent the rest of the trip playing with them (and sharing them with their father) as we walked the streets. They are working on mastering a few tricks and have ideas of using the two lathes family members have back home to try manufacture their own to sell at fairs around the Twin Cities - consider yourselves warned Grandpa Harala and Grandpa Bruce! Here is the proof of it being a hit on our trip...

Ready to climb Mount Everest?

Our flat in Amsterdam was on the second floor, up some of the narrowest and steepest stairs we'd ever seen. I measured them (with my tried and true finger measurement I learned from my dad) and I'd say they were 6" deep (and that's generous). Whenever we came home from being out exploring we would say 'Ready to climb Mount Everest?' anticipating our walk up to our flat.

We spent most of our days walking Amsterdam - setting a family record of 24,352 steps one day! In addition to all the walking we also enjoyed the famous canals by boat and paddle boat. We enjoyed them in the sun and lit up at night. We saw all sorts of wooden shoes, cheese and tulips. We stopped for ice cream, coffee, pancakes and visited the VanGogh Museum to learn about Vincent's life. What a trip!

Watch for bikes!

We just returned from a wonderful long weekend in Amsterdam! We left Thursday afternoon and came back this afternoon. We had beautiful sunshine, lots of relaxing walks throughout the city and great quality time as a family exploring.

Our flat was one block from Vondelpark and the current location of the traveling I amsterdam letters. The boys loved climbing on and jumping from them whenever they had a chance.

Amsterdam truly is a biker's city. There are cycles everywhere you look. We considered renting a few for an afternoon but kept to walking instead. I think we'd need a little more time getting used to the rules and rights before hopping on one. We found ourselves reminding one another constantly to 'watch for bikes' as we crossed roads that had bike paths, tramways, bus lanes and car lanes. At one point Owen decided to count the number of bikes on a block...he counted 197. Coming home today and getting off the train I immediately noticed the lack of cycles. What a great way to get around - we need to do more of it!

More details to come...just wanted to share some quick photos...now to unpack, get groceries, do laundry...or maybe just get back on a plane to laid back Amsterdam...

Where are you going to do your work?

I stayed home with Owen on Monday as he had a very sore throat and painful cough. With the help of a few hot lemon & honey drinks and some very powerful vitamin C crystals he was feeling a bit better by midday. He asked what I'd like to do with him and I told him I'd really like to patch up some jeans & trousers I'd been meaning to do for ages. He smiled and said he'd work on puppets then...and added "Where are you going to do your work?" When I told him he happily got his puppet stuff out and we sat the rest of the afternoon together creating, mending and chatting. What a wonderful bonus day together.

Luckily, O didn't start feeling poorly until Sunday afternoon, allowing us to enjoy a beautiful walk up Ditchling Beacon on Sunday morning. By the time we made it to the top, we were ready to join the sheep under the shade of the trees it was so warm.

We also had a lovely afternoon at the sea on Friday. I pick the boys up there and we generally end up lingering with the sea...particularly on sunny afternoons. Friday was perfect, resulting in Walter's first dip in the sea and the boys' first Marrocco's ice cream cones! I imagine there will be many more of both.

I haven't had weather like this in 2 years.

We've been having some really beautiful sunny days lately. This country is so gorgeous, and especially when the sun is shining. The green really pops and all the flowers burst to life. Jeremy likes to try and bug me whenever we have these nice days by saying 'I don't remember ever wearing shorts in this country' or 'I forgot what summer is' or 'I haven't had weather like this in 2 years'. I am not afraid to admit our first few months here were ridiculously wet and cold, but I wouldn't say our entire 2 years have been that way by any means. We've had many beautiful days by the sea and England seems to be trying to make us rethink our move by shining all sorts of sun on us these days. Please don't tell her we are returning regardless...we'll glad continue to enjoy the bribes.

Owen had his first cricket match yesterday. It was so fun to see him and all children in their whites with the blue sky & green grass. What a fun start to a Saturday.

We ended the day with an evening picnic and sunset viewing up at Devil's Dyke. We were joined by one of the boys' friends, Tullia, who just became a big sister on Friday. What a treat to have a beautiful little girl in our family for a few hours!