Christmas in Miami with Leslie and Peyton

We had hopes of seeing our immediate families while we were home, but knew that logistically this would be challenging given the Pandemic. Thankfully, Leslie was able to rework her schedule, get testing, and come down to Miami with Peyton for a few days! It had been two years since our last visit together two Christmases ago, though it was as if no time had passed for the kids. They really enjoyed eachother's company and it was a joy to watch. 

The first thing we did after they arrived was open presents so that there would be more activites for the kids to do. Always fun when Christmas comes early. And a good bribe to get the kids to pose for a nice photo with the grandparents! 

Some great politically-minded gifts from Leslie

Santa was not able to safely come to Miami before Christmas, but his sand-filled Santa's Village was still open for socially distanced play. 

This gorgeous wreath was waiting for me from Audra when we arrived home. 

The kids enjoyed acting out Santa's delivery over and over, taking turns being the sleeping child, Santa, and Rudolph. 

Cozy times around the house, playing, swimming, and eating lots of good take out, chex mix and cookies. 

Our big outing of the visit was to the Holiday Lights display at Pinecrest Gardens followed by night swimming, something the kids came to love. 

Nana bought gingerbread house kits for each kid. Didn't get any photos of the creations, but caught one of Maeve smashing hers with a hammer!

Christmas in Miami Week One

Against all odds (and against negative travel advice), we made it home for Christmas and were beyond grateful. After Pete's COVID ordeal, we needed the mental break more than anything. We had flights booked from last summer to go to Miami from December 14-31st. Pete and the kids would need to return in time for a 10 day quarantine before going to school on the January 5th so we knew we had to move up our return date. The idea of having only 2 weeks home with all of the coordination involved had me bumming. So I moved up the flights for the kids and I to December 6th and took them out of school a week early. This would give us our first week to recover from jet lag, isolate, and get COVID tested before Pete arrived. Of course, I wasn't thrilled about the prospects of solo travel with the kids, especially when our direct flight was cancelled and we had to connect through Atlanta. It was a long day, but these kids were so easy and our overseas flight was only about 1/4 full so we had a lot of room to spread out. 

These kids hadn't been on American soil for 2 years!! A lifetime for 4 and 6 year olds. 

There had been so many days during the past year of worry for our parents and fears that we may not physically be able to return to the US. So my expectations for our reunion were extremely high and as tends to happen, led to disaapointment. There wasn't the joyous moment of running towards each other through an airport; hugging and celebrating this damn thing being over. There was a masked-up curbside pick up with quick hugs from the kids, a drive home with the windows down, and 5 days primarly confined to the cottage and my parent's backyard. That, on top of dealing with jetlag solo (hello 3:30am wake-ups) and the general fear that we'd picked something up on our flights, had me feeling out of sorts and low those first few days. I was able to connect virtually with a lot of US friends that week though, which helped lift my spirits. 

This trip was only possible thanks to the set-up my parents have with a self-catering studio apartment in their backyard. We knew we'd have a place to stay safely isolated until we were able to get tested. And a heated pool and warm weather to pass the time together outdoors while we waited. 

Our isolation paradise:

This one was quite the fish (with floaties) this trip! 

Neighborhood walks in search of coconuts

If the coconut milk is brown, don't drink it! 

Nana stockpiled craft supplies in our guest house and we did a lot of crafting in the early morning hours. Here are some ornaments being made. And when they weren't crafting, they were on their ipads because with jetlag, anything goes! 

Jude made friends with this little frog and many lizards! 

There was a lot of stockpiling on this trip since we hadn't had our usual suppliers to bring things over to us. There were also a lot of foods we had been missing. Jude in particular was excited that we'd be able to get more fake syrup. Pops created a taste test to see if we could get away with store brand ;) ... nope! 

The kids loved exploring the exciting flora and fauna. 

Flower girl

The lizard whisperer

Mid week, the temperature dropped to highs of 60 and lows of 40, limiting our activities. 

Nana's night time stories moved outside

Smores bundled up

Mani/pedi time

Chex mix making tradition

On day 4, Pops drove the kids and I to a Miami-Dade Covid testing drive through site. The testing was free, we could make an appointment online the day before and we were in and out in 10 minutes. The US-health care critic in me was very impressed. The testing was a self-administered oral swab with a long q-tip, a blessing for the kids. Friday late afternoon, the emails came through with our negative test results. We yelped in joy and I sent the kids running into my parents house to share the good news. The holidays could now begin! The kids moved into the guest room in the main house and I enjoyed the cottage to myself (and morning sleep-ins).

We didn't get a Christmas tree in Amstelveen so we were all excited to decorate Nana and Pop's. 

And bake cookies, start on Christmas puzzles and watch Christmas movies together. 

The joy continued the next day when Pete arrived at dinner time. He showered and changed clothes upon arrival and then we treated him like he was immune until his testing later that week. We worried that he may still test positive since it had only been 4 weeks since he'd been diagnosed, but his result was negative. The temps had also risen so we had our first socially distanced outing to Matheson Hammock Park.

Fall Amsterdam Family Photo Shoot

While I take a ton of family photos, it had been 4 years since we'd taken professional family photos and I was itching to do it again! ISA dad, Simon, whom I'd taken a photography class with does lovely family sessions and we jumped on a discount he was offering for fall shoots. The stars aligned for us to do the shoot on our anniversary and while it was cold, gray and drizzly at times, the colors along the canals were at their peak. 

Since it had been so long since we'd done family photos, I should have prepped the kids better (aka thought of a really good bribe for good behavior). Lesson learned. They were whinny and pulling ridiculous faces about 90% of the time. Simon managed to get some good ones regardless (and work photo editing magic when needed!). 

Memories of this beautiful city during COVID lockdown captured! 

The Season of Sint in the time of COVID-19

As the pandemic marched on, we had to come to terms with the cancellation of many beloved Dutch holiday traditions, which usually help lift our spirits when the days become dark and cold. The kids still made lanterns at school for St. Maarten and Pete took the kids to a few houses in the neighborhood while I stayed back to give out candy to the handful of kids who stopped by. 

I was especially bummed out about the cancellation of Sinterklaas activities. Yes, it can all be a bit much with the holiday spanning 3 weeks, but the parades, random run-ins with Piets at shops, and general merriment in the air were sorely missed. Usually, Sint arrives in one town in the Netherlands in mid-November and a crowd gathers to greet his ship, arriving from Spain ;). This year, the event took place online and his arrival location was kept under wraps to prevent a crowd. We made the most of it, dressed the kids in their Piet costumes, and let them eat unlimited pepernoten all afternoon.

The kids still set their shoes out many nights during the three week period. As this coincided with our family quarantine when Pete had COVID, it was a welcome distraction from our every day monotomy. Those Piets sure are sneaky to be able to deliver gifts while we were all stuck at home ;) 

 

Pakjesavond (present night) was on a Saturday this year, so Sinterklaas visited ISA on Friday. How fortunate these kids were to be in school to celebrate! Parents were not allowed to watch Sint's arrival on his horse, Amerigo into the parking lot so we really enjoyed the photos that the teachers sent later that day. 

Sinterklaas and Santa do such a good job coordinating every year! Sint knew we'd be in the US for Christmas and didn't want us to have to bring too many things across the ocean. So we had some extra presents delivered, much to the kids' delight. And just in time as the kids and I boarded a plane the next day to Miami.... 

Hij komt!