Girls Trip to Wales

The ISA mom game is strong this year! Hilary and Kristen began gathering us together last year when they started the ISA social group, Let's Amsterdam. Some more great moms joined this year and we have quite the group for all sorts of hangs. We decided a girls trip was in order and it was amazing. We searched all over Europe on AirBnB for a large, luxurious rental property, not too far from an airport and within a certain budget. The winner ended up being a manor home in Wales from the 1700s, Plas Uchaf- Big House on the Hill. 

9 of us made the trip. We flew direct to Birmingham, a 90-minute drive from the house.

We stocked up at Duty Free and at the grocery store in Birmingham. Expert mom packing skills.

I was so excited that there were sheep all over the property. The view of the hills was breathtaking. 

A caterer works with the property and we had high tea upon arrival

Drinks at Sunset

I mean... 

There was definitely a cat who lived at the property, despite the owner's insistence that there wasn't one..  

Games each evening. Started outside with The Fishbowl Game.

Werewolf by the fire

Some morning exercise with our sheep friends. They were being herded and vaccinated as we ran/jogged/ walked up and down the hill.

Getting creative with our weight training.

Brunch was ready in a flash with 9 moms prepping!

Kristen fearlessly drove us in our 9-passenger van along the narrow roads to Pistyll Rhaeadr Waterfall (Welsh do not mess around with their words).

Short hike into the hills

Pims and snacks for lunch

Time for lawn games! Croquet and Boules.

We seriously underestimated the Cindy/Rose pairing! 

Some hot tub time and then we got all dolled up for our fancy dinner. 

I tried to get closer to them, but they kept running away!

3-course dinner catered by Beth.

Brunch and a drive to Lake Vyrnwy

The caterer made a lot of premade meals for us to enjoy for lunch and dinner the next day. Rose taught us how to saber bottles of champagne! 

Fluffy like the sheep

Goodbye, sheep friends! 

I am really grateful to know all of these women and to have had such a special trip together! 

King's Day 2025

10 out of 10 King's Day! The holiday was on a Sunday this year, but the country celebrated on Saturday because they are practical like that! We hadn't had this nice of weather for King's Day since 2020 when we all had to stay home ("Woningsdag" :( ). We were ready for it! The kids figured out what they wanted to do this year (Jude- a trio of games with his friend, Josh. Maeve- playing violin and a marble game). We were excited to join some other ISA families in Vondelpark, one of the meccas for kids. We headed in on the tram, tomato rolling pipe and all! 

The city was ready! 

Friends set up on the East side of the park, by the lovely lake with floating tulips. We were next to these two sweet teen boys who were selling and competing with Rubik's cubes. 

Maeve made 45 euros playing the violin throughout the day. Her Minuet 1 was on point.  

Selling buddies

Whack a tomato on Putin or Trump's face. Never gets old. 

Topple the current government. 

Heidi found us and played Jude's game. 

We were in a sunny spot and attracted a bunch of other ISA families by the end of the afternoon

Hilary opened her home for bathroom breaks and pre-going out drinks. Awesome view of the scene down in Vondelpark. 

Pete generously agreed to take the kids home at the end of the day so I could stay in the city to party with friends. We walked to the block party outside of Carter's in Oud Zuid. Dancing in the street. Nothing better. 

Music at the street party ended at 8pm, but the party continued at Hilary and Rich's. Thankfully, Benoit took over making everyone pizzas as we hadn't had any dinner! 

Couldn't get on the last tram home due to crowds, but found a taxi to share with friends.