Nijntje Museum and the Spoorwegmuseum in Utrecht

You all know, Miffy? That adorable bunny that is popular in Japan? Well Miffy is actually Nijntje (pronounced like nine-cha), which translates to "little bunny" (Konijn means bunny). The sweet character was created by Dutch author and illustrator, Dick Bruna from Utrecht. He passed away last February at the age of 89 and his death was mourned across the country. 

We had heard about the Nijntje Museum in Utrecht, but never remembered to go! Pete suggested it and we squeezed in a visit at the end of the break. I was expecting a museum cataloging the life and bibliography of Bruna, but it was actually a child's play heaven. We entered, looked at each other and both thought out loud, "how long can we stay?!" Entrance was free with our museum cards and Jude was just 8.50 euro. I wish we lived closer so we could go every weekend! 

Inch by inch, row by row

Working hard in the child sized Nijntje house

There was a special winter exhibit, which featured a play ski and sled area and this really sweet life-size, movable Nativity scene.

They make a toy version of this as well, which I can't wait to get my hands on for the kids! 

When it was time for lunch, we walked through the church courtyard across from the museum to the Nijntje cafe. Maeve keep seeing the Nijntje statues and saying and signing "more, more, more!"

Houses from 1657 on the street of the Nijntje museum.

We could have called it a day, driving home with two sleeping kids in the car. But since we were already in Utrecht, I wanted to go to the nearby train museum, the Spoorwegmuseum, which was having the final weekend of their Winter Station. Free entrance again with the Museum cards (and kids under 4). Inside was a dream. An iceskating rink, live music, festive lights, carousel, re-creation of a turn of the century town, roasting marshmallows and of course, lots and lots of trains. That wasn't really our focus with everything else going on, but we walked through one old, oppulent royal train. 

We hadn't gone ice skating yet this year and it was free along with everything else so we thought, "what do we have to lose?" Well, in the future, I think it will be best to have a ratio of 1 competent ice skating adult to 1 child. Pete's a good New England boy and knows how to skate. Me, not so much. No one got hurt, but a lot of time was spent clinging to the sides, trying not to fall with a kid! Lesson learned.

The kids were wiped after all this fun and no sleep. We drove home, picked up take out Indonesian and had a quiet evening at home. Can't wait to go back to both museums some day soon!