March started with birthday celebrations for Katie at Bar the Tailor followed by dinner at Oriole with a lovely group of women.
Matt was in town for work and we enjoyed dinner out at Loetje. I got some slack for this selfie on my Iphone 8, but it turned out alright!
Pete went away to Vienna for his first IB Workshop since before COVID. York friend, Sarah came that evening at the end of her work trip to Amsterdam and we enjoyed catching up over wine.
We got a small dusting of snow, which the kids enjoyed during their school day.
Maeve had an all-day birthday party followed by a sleepover so I had some time alone with Jude. We'd tried to eat at the sushi restaurant at the mall twice in the last few months, but it was always closed. Happy day that it was open for us to have a late lunch before dropping him at his sleepover.
Two kids away at sleepovers, husband away for work, first time alone in my house for an evening... ever?? I took the opportunity to invite some friends over for dinner and to see the new (almost complete) kitchen!
When Pete returned, Sara and I went to see the United Ukrainian Ballet Company perform at our local theater. They had just performed Gisele at the Kennedy Center. It was beyond moving and the dancing was beautiful. They have made a home in the Hague and the men received special permission to leave Ukraine to promote their culture abroad.
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| They sang their National Anthem at the end to whoops and hollers of support from the audience. |
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| Jude's Judo open house |
The first of my March birthday boys' celebrations.
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| Breakfast in bed for Pete with delicious kid snuggles on the side |
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| Maeve has taken two semesters of Scottish Highland dancing and we were invited to watch a rehearsal. A nice birthday treat for Pete. |
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| With her teacher, Shannon, an ISA mom |
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| Indonesian dinner and angel food cake for the 40-year-old! |
While I wanted a rager for my 40th birthday, Pete wanted to gather his close buddies and go for pizza and bowling.
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| Back at the Pizza Project in Rivierenburt |
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| The bowling master... |
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| Until Melissa showed him up, beating his top score after getting 4 strikes in a row!!
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I learned how to decoupage with the ISA Let's Create group. This print was from a paper napkin!
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| A Sunday day date with Pete to go shopping in the city center |
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| Views from the changing room area waiting for Pete to model clothes. And beers at Cafe Brecht to celebrate a successful outing! |
The weather this month has been pretty dreary and cold, but Spring presses on.
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| Our magnolia tree has grown so much since we bought the house! The photo below was from 6 years ago. |
Then it was time for Jude's 9th birthday! We made some cupcakes the night before for his class. I love baking in the new kitchen!
Jude started his day with Lucky Charms for breakfast. He opened one present, a new magic set, and then after school, we had the rest of his celebrations.
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| His mop of hair is getting out of control, but he doesn't want to cut it! |
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| Laser tag fun |
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| Sushi dinner |
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| Cake time!
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A few days later, Jude invited his closest friends to Sir Winston's Arcade for his party.
Time just continues to fly. I've been melancholy this month realizing that he is 1/2 way to leaving the house. Pete's feeling it, too. He's getting big, but he's a total sweetheart who gives the best snuggles and compliments. He's got a winning mix of kindness, cleverness, friendliness, humility, and charm. Minecraft/all things tablet is his current obsession, but he also likes music, judo, drama, baseball, and woodworking. Can't believe this is the last year before double digits!
