November 2025

While Maeve and I were exploring Bruges in comfort, the boys were roughing it (sort of) at a survival camp. Jude loves camping and Pete researched a chance for them to spend a weekend learning survival skills. I thought it was a parent/kid thing, but it was open to anyone and Jude was the only kid there. They learned how to whittle a spoon, make a fire, tie knots, identify edible flora, and make some inventive campfire foods. They braved a very wet weekend, but came back happy! 

Maeve's class had a "making with materials" unit and Pete offered to have her class visit his chemistry lab. He has one 11th grade class that is all young women and they were really excited to have the 4th graders join them. A perk of having elementary and high school together in the same building (and having your dad be a teacher!). 

Maeve planned a sleep under with 2 friends, which started with a trip to the zoo on a weekend where kids were free as part of Amsterdam's 250th birthday celebrations.

Smores back at home

Pancake king (not pictured- Maeve, pancake queen). Most weekend mornings we come down to pancakes. The kids have been cooking independently for a year or so. We have induction cooking, which makes us feel comfortable with it. 

Dinner at Para Negra with Jenn and Loreen before seeing Mathew Borne's Swan Lake at the Carre- Wow! 

Maeve went around with a few friends for Saint Martin.

Birthday brunch celebration for nurse Molly. 

Grateful to Sheena who lent me her scrubs! 

Scott's birthday bowling party at de Kegel

Night out for Molly's birthday- Drinks at Fitz's bar in the Pillows Hotel


Jello shot shots to go

A surprise appearance from Casey the bear at dinner 

Walking to the Ice Bar

In the Ice Bar- didn't last long. Really cold (duh!).

Sinterklaas' arrival in Amsterdam with Jude, who very sweetly wanted to go in to see it with me. We arrived to Leidseplein and realized it was too crowded to find our friends, but we found a section of nice locals who let all the kids through to the front.  

It was our turn to host our South African and French friends for dinner and as it was November, we decided to share American Thanksgiving with them (a few weeks early). Pete and I enjoyed menu planning and executing a Thanksgiving feast (substituting chickens for turkey), which was enjoyed by all. 

Our "giving thanks" pre-dinner ritual was emotional after our French friends shared that they are moving back to Paris this summer. How many meals we have shared around this table with friends who have moved on :(

We pulled the garden table and chairs inside for the kids table. 

 A walk and stop for pancakes in Amstel Park with Kristen

Let the holiday baking begin! The spritz gun gave me a lot of trouble, but we managed to make some pretty ones to freeze for the holidays. 

Maeve planned and executed this cake snowman all on her own. Jude made a Santa, who became the grinch when the fondant color mixing turned the skin green ;) 

Baking with Imra and Michelle next door.

I hosted a craft night and taught embroidery to some while others worked on their own projects. 

We got a dusting of snow! Enough to make some very small snowmen :) 

The kids had an inservice day and Maeve spent it at Maya's where they decorated a gingerbread house. 

While Jude spent it with his friends at a Heist themed escape room. 

4 years ago, we celebrated Thanksgiving at the home of Christie and Dan along with the Bulls who lived a few doors down. It was still COVID times and you were only allowed to have 4 adults in your home. Fast forward to 2025: The Bulls are back and our friends Molly and Casey now live in Christie and Dan's old home and offered to host us for Thanksgiving. What a trip this expat life is! Different hosts and food (Lebanese made by Molly!), but the same wonderful company and joy of spending the holiday with fellow Americans. 

I made key lime pie

Maeve asked me to come into her class to share the American Thanksgiving traditions with her international classmates. I had done this when she was in 1st grade and brought in apple and pumpkin pies. I'm sure her ask was just an excuse for her to eat pie, but it was fun all the same! I waited until the day after Thanksgiving as all parents were invited for a learning celebration and I didn't want to go in 2 days in a row. 

The pumpkin pie was more popular than the apple pie!

The PTA had a repeat party at a new venue, where dancing was promised. Hilary got a group of us together to go and I enjoyed spending time with these ladies, but sadly, the DJ failed to show and we didn't get to dance! 

Jude joined Model UN this year and had his first conference at the school, which lasted all day Saturday and Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend. A friend lent him a suit and we couldn't get over how grown up our 6th grader is looking! 

Annual Friendsgiving at Amy and Cory's. Kid free this year! 

From Model UN, Jude trammed all the way into the city to his friend Harrison's house where Harrison had been cooking a Thanksgiving feast for his friends!