Back to School

Such a loaded subject this year, but on August 20th, our kiddos (and Pete) went back to school. Dutch schools partly opened up in mid-May and opened fully by early June. Our kids only went to school until around 1pm and Pete was still teaching remotely from home then. We were told schools would be open fully come Fall, but still held our breaths all summer waiting for the final COVID numbers, which would dictate if there were any changes to that plan. 

It has been full steam ahead with precautions in place to minimize the spread of COVID should it enter the school. The kids are able to go back to specialities (music, art), but languages come to them, gym is held outdoors and the beautiful library is closed. I'm not complaining about any of that! That our kids are physically in school is more than I could have hoped for. Pete is back to teaching in person. Teachers and upper school students are required to wear masks in the hallways, but not in the classrooms. 

An undisclosed case was reported last week in either a student, a parent or a staff member, but the school did not close. Children 6 and under can come to school with mild cold symptoms (runny nose), but otherwise, kids are required to stay home. If anyone has a fever or shortness of breath, the whole family has to stay home. Numbers are rising again in the Netherlands, but more among young people and the number of hospitalizations is very low. We know it is going to be a rollercoaster of a school year, but we are excited to be allowed on the ride! 

Summer in the Netherlands

Travels aside, we had three weeks home in Amstelveen before the start of the school year. We've been here long enough to know that there is no guarantee of nice weather in a "Dutch summer," but this year we got lucky. In fact, we were home through the record-breaking week-long heatwave, which had one of us feeling very nostalgic for hot, sticky summer days and one of us feeling very grumpy ;) We finally made use of our portable air conditioner, which has been in our shed for 3 years. We hooked it up in Jude's room and had some family sleepovers there.

We thought that our travels were planned perfectly with our neighbor's gut renovation, but unfortunately most days through the end of August there were hours of intense drilling and banging. This was very frustrating as I had started working afternoons again in July. Every hour I was having to move around the house to find the quietest spot and on the worst day, I had to make calls from our car in the sweltering heat.

We had a lot of opportunities for seeing friends who were also stranded here this summer and enjoyed the time spent together.

Jude showing us his Kindergarten work that was sent home at the end of the year.

Maeve's arm and mommy's leg after 3 weeks of beach holidays. So jealous! 

Pete entered a competition to be a sample taster for a Dutch craft beer company, Uiltje. Of 400+ applicants, he made it to the round of 30 where he had to taste and comment on 3 different beers, and then he was selected to be on the panel of 10! It was quite possibly the highlight of his year!  

When the heatwave hit, the obvious choice was to head to the beach. Well, everyone had that idea. Thanks to Pete's appointment at the consulate to renew his passport, we got a late start to the day and managed to beat the hours-long traffic jams in the AM. In circling for parking, we did see more of Katwijk than we had before! Wow was the beach crowded. And hot! We all splashed in the water, which didn't even feel cold! We ended the day with dinner at a beach cafe, which sounds heavenly, but even at 6pm, the sun was beating down. Between the crowds and the reports of the dangerous rip tides, this was our last trip to the beach this summer. We look forward to going back in milder weather!

Pancake house fun. That talking tree is creepy! 

Facetime stories with the grandparents

Our little outfielder in the extreme heat!  

At bat

We found some nice alternatives to the beach to beat the heat. There are a ton of little lakes around us and went to the one in Haarlemmermeerse Bos in Hofdorp, which was recommended by a friend. That water felt great, too and it was nice and shallow for the kids. The park also had a number of playgrounds so a good one to go back to!

Clothing optional pizza/movie nights 

I started working evenings again and enjoyed the summer work perk of seeing the sunset from the top floor. Some glorious ones!

And the sunset from an Amsterdam rooftop for book club

We visited the het Schip museum, which has free Sunday craft workshops for kids. The kids attended a mosaic workshop. The building is the best example of the Amsterdam School of Expressionist architecture and houses apartments, a school, and also a museum about architecture in Amsterdam. 

After the museum, we went to het Woeste Westen, an outdoor adventure play park. It was inexplicably closed, but seeing others inside, we did as they did and jumped the fence and joined (shhh...). 

Goat farm 

The city hosted a free 3 day (2 hour) camp for kids. It was during the heat wave and I'm sure the kids were dying, but it was my first time inside the Olympic Stadium, which was cool!

More baseball

Klein kinderbad in the Bos on a warm evening

Ardennes Finale at Parc Chlorophylle and Brasserie d'Oster

On our last day in the Ardennes, we made it to Parc Chlorophylle, a recommended nature park near our campsite. The kids took the maps and led us on the adventure; past animal sculptures, through tree tunnels, to the playgrounds and the woods. We were really impressed with the natural playgrounds on this trip. We need to seek out places like this here at home!

I would have kept circling this peaceful place, but the kids were eager to explore more. 

Sara and I were mistaken for sisters on this trip. I can see it! Especially with the masks. 

Seriously cool playground with a demonic slide

We stopped in the park's cafe where I was reprimanded by the waitress for not wearing my mask when I went to the kid's table to help cut Maeve's food. The Belgians were very cautious with their mask-wearing. 

We thought we'd take off after lunch, but decided that we couldn't leave Belgium without one final brewery stop. Nathan picked up a beer from Brasserie Oster at lunch and we decided to check that place out. We had some time to kill before they opened, but luckily the tiny village had a playground behind the church for our 4 little monkeys!

Between our Sicily trip and this trip, we had to get a new car. Our 3rd used Volvo. Wish this one well! 

Pete did not imbibe as he was driving us home after this stop, so he stayed with the kids at the playground while Sara, Nathan, and I enjoyed the kid-free time. The kids joined us and were happy campers at their own table with artisanal ice cream. I overheard them "making plans to kill the virus." What will be the lasting consequences of this pandemic on the mental health of our children? I hope these adventures will occupy a bigger part of their memories.

Beer and Nature in Achouffe

We were all really excited for our trip to Achouffe, home of La Chouffe beer (the one with the friendly gnome). We had a very hearty lunch at La Grange with beers and then took a hike from the restaurant, along a stream and back, forging our ways at times. All in the name of adventure! 

This picture makes me very thirsty! 

La Grange

Wet, happy kids

Wet bottom from a slip in the stream

We hit up the gift shop after the hike for some beers and gnome souvenirs. Back at the campsite, we made dinner and had an encore of talent show/smores night. I thought to regale the kids with my favorite skit from Mar-Lu-Ridge camp. The adults formed a caterpillar in training, who accidentally "peed" on the kids. They thought this was the greatest thing and wanted to re-enact it themselves. Luckily the dads took one for the team and volunteered!