It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas 2018 Edition

We left on December 16th to head back to the States for the holidays, so that meant packing a lot of Christmas cheer into a short period! We wasted no time, getting our tree at Tuincentrum het Oosten on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, well before it is socially acceptable to do so in the Netherlands (after Sinterklaas on December 5th). I remembered how endless the holiday decor was when we first visited two years ago, but this time the kids were older and could appreciate it all. Though some displays were a bit creepy! 

 

 

We got the tree up and lit while the kids napped. Then a festive afternoon decorating! 

 

Turns out I am not strong enough to lift him up to the top of the tree! 

This year's Christmas ornaments: Sevilla, hot air ballon ride, kids school photos, hedgehog, dragonfly, Sinterklaas, Santorini, Sicily, Montessori anniversary party, Kastel de Haar Christmas Market

Christmas elves

Jude sharing his list for Santa. Items include a time machine, disappearing bag, life size transforming outfit. Poor kid is going to be disappointed Christmas morning! 

Cookie making and decorating. Maeve has such a sweet tooth that these seamingly fun activites with her always end in tears and tantrums over not being able to eat it all. I'm hoping this gets better in time! She was excluded from the gingerbread house making and frosting as a result.

We had Winter parties back to back at school for the kids. First up, Jude, who insisted on dressing up.

The morning of the party was the St. Lucia celebration at school. I get teary eyed at all of these great celebrations at ISA, feeling so fortunate to be in this international environment.

Maeve's party the following day. She was also excited to dress up, though was really shy at first until she had savored all of the treats and the crowds started to disperse. Then she got down with her bad self with the mic and DJ stand.

 

Loved turning the music on and off! 

A little after school Christmas shopping at the mall, where the Winter Village was in full swing and we couldn't escape without oliebolien and a spin on the carosel.

Festive drinks out with friends with some time to see the lights in city beforehand.

The day before we left, we got all dolled up and went to see Santa at the Gelderlandplein mall. Jude brought him his Christmas list and picture he had drawn for him. He went straight for him, cutting off a few expectant children. Maeve was more hesitant, which we expected, but then she surprised us all by walking over a giving him a hug and letting him hold her.

 

Jude the gentleman, "Maevey, you look so cute and nice"

 

 

We were joined by the Welters and Nazlawys and braved a pizza dinner with all of the kids! A great sendoff for our long trip away.

Our flight left the next morning and the pre-trip anxiety (did we forget anything??) was coupled with the excitement of the forecasted overnight snow. Not the restful night you hope for before a 10 hour flight and 6 hour time change with kids! But boy was it delightful waking up to a light dusting and letting Jude play while we waited for our uber.

 

Amstedam Light Festival 2018

The evening after the German Christmas markets, we were invited aboard the Josephine to see the Amsterdam Light Festival. What a festive weekend! The light installations this year were great. As was the company of Brad and Audra's two new couple friends. We so enjoy meeting new expats in the city- sharing the circumstances that lead us all to uproot our lives and take a leap of faith abroad. The spiced cider was also 👌We didn't read up about the theme, but there was some speculation that Stranger Things was involved! 

A large spider installation over a bridge, made of dozens of smaller spiders. Shudder!  

 

Colorful lanters strung across the width of the Herengracht

Seriously whimsical dandelions? 

Dusseldorf Christmas Market

On Saturday we took the train for a day trip to Dusseldorf, Germany for the Christmas markets. We booked the direct ICE train and reserved the awesome kid compartment (Kleinkindbereich). We had it to ourselves and cozied in for the bright and early 8am departure (though who are we kidding, we had the same 6am wake up call we have every day...). We were last in Dusseldorf 4 years ago on our way home to Miami! Wow, time flies. Also, these pictures are not nearly as good as the ones I took 4 years ago. With two kids, the nice camera is often left at home! 

Using all of the technology! Enjoying Elf with Jude. 

2 1/2 hours later we were in Dusseldorf and I had a soft pretzel in my hand! 20 minutes later, we had walked into the town center and I had my first Gluhwein in hand. A great day already! 

Maeve had fallen asleep on the walk into town so while she slept and I drank, Jude and Pete went ice skating. Or rather, Pete ice skated and pushed Jude around :) Either way, they both looked pretty happy out there!

The Welters joined us, having come by rental car and we got lunch at the market stalls. 

Yumm.. bratworst! 

The markets were crowded as expected so we didn't do any shopping, but instead focused on the gluhwein stands and kids activities, just soaking up the atmosphere.

The cutest little kid ferris wheel. Jude had fallen asleep so it was just the girls. I was a bit aprehensive sending Maeve and Joey off in that thing alone! But they LOVED it!

The city had around 5 different markets in different areas. All of the different gluhwein/hot cocoa vendors had their own mugs, which you pay a deposit on and then decide if you want to keep them. You could keep them all (ahem, Welters) or choose a few you like. Ours are below :)

I knew we wouldn't get away with a trip to Germany without a stop at a brewery for Pete. Dusseldorf is known for Alt beer. Uerige was bumping so we hung outside with Santa and his band.

Proost! 

Love pedestrian only European streets where kids can run free! 

We spotted the carosel while enjoying our beer and headed to the main square market next.

And from that square, we could spot the big ferris wheel along the river. Up up and away!

Below the ferris wheel was a kiddie land, where we blew some more money.

We had an hour or so left before we needed to catch our 6pm train home so we went to the last series of markets. This section is the newest and very lively as it was getting dark. I wish we could have stayed longer! There was a kids tent that was doing crafts so we popped in there before heading back to the train.

Then it was back to the family compartment with some take away pizza, more screen time and exploring the train. There was a bachelor party taking up two of the private compartments and they were quite boisterous. Jude proclaimed, "These boys are very loud. Boys can be like that sometimes." The exhausted kids were tucked in by 9:30 and the spent parents followed shortly after! A fun day getting in the Christmas spirit!