The Start of Nana and Pops' October Visit

Nana and Pops arrived two Fridays ago, just as Pete was leaving to attend the wedding of his college friend, Andrew, back in the States. In fact, both of their flights transferred through Lisbon and they got to see each other briefly and exchange some euro for USD! This will be their longest visit as Pete had two weddings he wanted to attend 4 weekends apart and I kindly asked my parents if they would stay on to help :) 

They arrived just in time for ISA's trunk or treating. I missed the event last year to stay home with baby Maeve and was so happy to get to partake in the excitement. A really wonderful halloween event organized by the American ISA community. Jude got to debut his Knight costume. The downside of the event being more than 2 weeks before actual Halloween was that I didn't get to Maeve's costume in time. So she got to be a bunny (Jude's costume from 2 years ago) and was super cute. She took charge walking through the event, stopping to shake her bunny tail when she heard music. Jude had no fear approaching each trunk with his polite "trick or treat." 

Trying out their costumes in front of our house. 

Candy was given out from car trunks and bakfiets- All creatively decorated

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Jude and his admireres

Jude and Norah

Saturday afternoon we visited the pumpkin patch and pick your own flower farm along the Amstel. Maeve came down with something and eating handfuls of farm grown cherry tomatoes did not help. So my attempts at cute photos of her were futile (see below). Jude got a great pumpkin and I picked some lovely dalias and other fall varieties. 

Saturday evening, we went into the city to see the Amsterdam Funk Orchestra's album release party at the Sugar Factory. I became acquainted with one of their trumpet players through the Bowdoin Club of Europe. Abriel grew up in the Netherlands and attended Bowdoin (many years after us). We have yet to meet in person, but were very impressed with her solo! 

Meanwhile, Pete was enjoying the weekend in New Hampshire with his Bowdoin friends celebrating Andrew and Kinza. Enjoying the fall colors and lots of male bonding. All on very little sleep!

Bowdoin run ins continued on Tuesday when one of my sophomore roommates, Sarah, was in Amsterdam at the end of a euro tour and we met for dinner and drinks. And then on Thursday, when I met an American living in Amsterdam, also Erin, who is a friend of one of our Bowdoin friends. We enjoyed the afternoon of our Mamadag with lunch at MiniMarkt and a stroll through Oud Zuid complete with Dunkin Donuts (store opened a little while ago and Maeve is a fan).

Octoberfest beers and pretzel at Cafe Brecht

Maeve at MiniMarkt

 I had lots of ideas for things to do with Nana and Pops and a long list of home repairs we wanted their help with. But then we were all feeling run down, Pops got sick, Maeve was sick and I took the opportunity to catch up on my sleep. I'm glad we'll have another full week in Amstelveen to make up for the first week!

On Thursday, Nana and Pops flew to Venice for a short trip before meeting us Sunday in Slovenia. Pete and I rounded out the week with trip prep, end of week dinner out and hosting friends Saturday night. Friday was the last day of Book Week and all of the kids are encouraged to dress as a book character. Well, this on top of halloween is always a bit much, so we reused the bunny costume again for the "Runaway Bunny."

Costume is getting a little small

Happy Kiddos and Daddy that Fall Break is here!