Prague Castle and Old Town

On our second day in Prague:

We rode the tram to the Prague Castle.

Saw the changing of the guard. Jude likes to 'march' now, too.

Did a quick tour of the magnificent cathedral while trying to keep Jude in control. 

The Golden Lane. Treasure trove for Christmas ornaments.

Visited a few Christmas markets.

Took in the views over old town.

And Mala Strana.

Took a horse drawn carriage ride through old town Prague. 

Found some local Czech food for dinner.

Visited the Christmas Markets and petting zoo (yet again) to feed to Donkeys :)

Holiday Getaway to Prague

Just before flying home to the States for Christmas, the Durneys took a mini holiday to Prague- a new destination for all. The trip was a breath of fresh air and renewed my love of living in Europe. 

The truth is that the first trimester of pregnancy sucked the life out of me. I don't mean to discount my joy and gratitude over being pregnant. I know the struggles of many. I am just one of those unfortunate people who has a really hard time during pregnancy and don't find it to be a pleasant experience. I had a rough first 4 months with Jude, but the nausea, morning sickness and fatigue were on another level this time around. I had no desire to do anything, social, travel or otherwise in the past 3 months. I was not myself and I was not happy. A few weeks ago, I started to feel better, just in time for the holidays and our journeys. Hallelujah!! 

The flight time to Prague from Amsterdam was just over an hour and under $100 a ticket. We wondered why we didn't come sooner! Easyjet put the easy in travel. We were to the airport and through security in less than 30 minutes. It wasn't until we got to the gate area that we realized that no one asked to see our IDs! 

Prague was the perfect holiday destination. Lots of Christmas cheer and presumably less crowded than during the prime summer months. At an Amsterdam Mama recommendation, we booked an executive suite with My House Apartments and were living large for three days for a song (The Czech Republic is on the Crown, which has a very favorable exchange rate). The apartment was one block off the main square, which was housing the largest of the Christmas markets. 

All of the market food was really tempting. We had sausages, ham, crepes and these cinnamon pastry things cooked around a hot rod. 

Jude loved seeing the horse drawn carriages and would ask everyday to see the "neighs."

Jude was upset that he couldn't get into these gingerbread house facades.

There was a stage set up with cultural acts through out the day. We stumbled upon a traditional children's dance group. 

Jude loved it!

We walked the city to the river to get a view of the Prague Castle.

Pre-dinner stop at U Tri Rozi (the three roses) Brewery.

It's never too early to support the arts! Jude got his groove on to this street jazz band.

Ice Skating and Finally the end of Sinterklaas

Sinterklaas season couldn’t end without one, final surprise visit from the big guy. We decided to take Jude ice skating for the first time at the rink in front of the Rijks Museum. As we approached Museumplein, we noticed the entire area cordoned off with security standing guard. We assumed it was a precaution in light of recent events. When we bought our skating tickets, though, we were told that any moment now, Sinterklaas would be arriving and having his grand send off by helicopter from the middle of Museumplein, headed back to Spain.

After a few loops around the slushy rink, Pete took Jude for a prime view of the helicopter landing and then Sinterklaas walking past the rink, shaking hands with all of the children. And then, finally, Sinterklaas season was really over.

Durney Family Announcement!

Before you see photos of me and wonder exactly how many oliebollen I have been consuming this holiday season, it is high time to fill you in on our little secret from the past 4 months.

Baby GIRL Durning coming in May :)

We couldn't be more thrilled and can't believe our blessing to have a son and a daughter. In fact, I am still a bit in denial about the whole thing. Jude has his own baby doll now and takes such good care of "Addy" (named after his cousin). I just know he is going to be a sweet, kind older brother to his little sister. We are so excited!

HAPPY Holidays to All!

The Season of Sint

Is it December 6th yet?? 

It is full on Sinterklaas time around here and I'm a little Sint-ed out! 

You might recall that we hosted a party and attended his grand entrance parade in Amstelveen on November 14th. 

Since that day, we have watched the Sinterklassjournal nightly on Dutch TV. This is a 10 minute program hosted by a newscaster to report on the doings of Sinterklaas and his jester-like Piets. Jude looks forward to it every night and squirms all over us on the sofa while interjecting, "Piet! Sinterklaas! Neigh!"

We saw Sint parade around Oudekerk and Jude got a hoarse voice from shouting, "Sinterklaas!"

We have been learning about Sint and the Piets at our toddler dance class.

We have been learning the Sinterklaas songs and making papernoten at Montessori class. I fall asleep every night with these songs in my head. Ugh! Though I must admit, they are catchy. Jude demands that we sign them at home exclaiming: "Song! Sinterklaas!" He doesn't seem to mind my "la, la, la-ing" to the Dutch parts I can't say!

Wish I could tell you what the translations were! 

 We went to the mall on Sunday where we rode the Piet train....

Listened to the traveling Pietband....

And saw Sinterklaas himself at the Bijenkorf department store. 

Pretending to be Sint while he was on his break :)

This has all culminated in some real, up-close and personal Sint encounters this week.

First, a visit from Sint at Tuesday's playgroup. Jude did not want to get off of Sint's lap and stuffed his face with papernoten.

Then a visit from Sint at his daycare. He was the only kid to sit on Sint's lap and was so comfy there!

Jude and his daycare friends. 

Of course, we had to craft our own Sint. This little guy accompanied us everywhere yesterday and is a little worse for wear!