we go - van gogh!

people out walking on a path in amsterdam on a sunny, sunday afternoon

the "Rodeo Drive" of amsterdam :) we saw a Tiffany store, Chanel, Polo Ralph Lauren, Coach Stores to name a few and even a Rolls Royce car driving down the street :)

"r" is for Ross!

"s" is for Sara

helen squeezes between the "a" and the "m"

everybody in the "a" - it was the only letter that was not occupied by other people having their picture taken :)

too bad there were so many people in front of the i amsterdam sign

view of museumplein

having lunch at the museum... near a window with the sun shining on us :)

today we visited the van gogh museum in amsterdam. i was a bit nervous about taking the kids to an art museum - but they did great! i hope to visit some more art museums soon!

swim diploma video part 1

first video - graham swimming a portion of his test

second video - jayden swimming a portion of his test

Swim Diploma A

getting their A diploma

jillian watching the test!

jayden 'rounds the corner during his test

graham on his back during a portion of his test

helen holds the flowers to give to the boys

The boys had their final test to earn their A Diploma in swimming today! We are so proud of them for earning this diploma. I am going to try to briefly explain the swimming Diploma system.....as a former swim teacher myself - i think this program is an excellent way to teach kids how to swim. the teachers are great.

here in Holland - swimming is taken very seriously...i think being surrounded by water has something to do with it :) the boys started out in swimming group 1 last May and worked their way up to group 5. after they completed the skills required for group 5 - they were invited to swim for their A diploma. I believe there are A, B, and C diplomas that can be earned by the children for swimming here in Holland. As part of the A diploma test - they were required to swim a portion of the test in shorts, shoes, and a tshirt (I guess to simulate a situation where one might fall into water). In the B and C diploma tests - the children must wear long pants, long sleeves, a rain coat, etc. as well as perform certain types of swimming skills.

i took a TON of video during the test this afternoon and i'm going to try and share a few vidoes! Such a neat experience and I couldn't be more proud of them!

will post the video later - MUST. GET. TO. SOME.SLEEP! :)

lucky 13

she's pointing to her belly

i can't believe it! jillian is 13 months old already! remember 1 month ago? - she barely touched her cupcake on her birthday .... well now all i have to do is bring out a muffin or a cupcake and she starts saying "ME ME ME ME!". this little girl knows EXACTLY what she wants and is not afraid to express it :) could it be possible that she has more spunk that her sister, helen... i think so !

she also loves to stand at the window and look outside at the birds that gather in our backyard - she will point her finger when she sees one. she's not walking yet - but can hang on to just about anything or push whatever she can get her hands on across the floor to get where she needs to go (and i'm certainly not complaining about her walking.... i want her to stay my little baby for a while!)

'round the neighborhood

feeding the deer

helen insisted on riding her bike!

saying hello to the horse

took a walk with the girls this afternoon around our neighborhood. fed the deer and said hello to the horse..... with spring arriving here in holland - we will proably make this walk several times a week.

my biker chic!

pretty picture of the garden

action shot of my girl riding her bike!

my girl ridin' through the forest!

on friday, march 11th - helen decided that she was ready to ride a bike without training wheels. AND she did it! i couldn't believe she was able to ride the bike without training wheels! just proves that the loopfiets (bike without pedals) really does help to teach a child how to ride a bike :) amazing!!!

old maid

last night we played a game of old maid while graham had his piano lesson with ross. i can't help but wonder - why is it so hard to hold in laughter when someone draws the Old Maid card out of your hand :) reminded me of when i used to play Old Maid with my siblings :)