King's Day 2021

After last year's King's Day was cancelled (on a beautiful, warm, sunny day no less), we couldn't wait for this year's redemption celebration. Again this year we were advised to stay at home still under our partial lockdown measures, but that didn't stop us (or the majority of the NL) from having some socially distanced fun. It was another stunning day so we were excited to get out and celebrate a little. 

Pete has befriended our Dutch neighbor who also plays the guitar. They have met a few nights now to play music together and help Pete practice his Dutch. On King's day he invited us to join his family and a few other sets of neighbors we hadn't met before outside their house. Their son was having a mini free market and they had his drum set out for some entertainment. We really enjoyed getting to know some more neighbors, practicing our Dutch, listening to the jams, sharing Pete's science experiments and teaching everyone Kubb. Add some mimosas (because, orange) and special King's Day cake- a great morning. 

We went from the neighborhood party to Oudekerk aan de Amstel by bike to go to a BBQ at Mark and Petra's. They had set up some fun games for the kids in their garden while the grownups drank in the sun. At the end of the day, Pete and I talked about how nice this year's quiet, Dutch-centric day was. If things had been "normal," we'd likely have spent the day partying with expat friends and would have missed out on the local interactions. Still, I hope that by next year we can really party again!

 

Keukenhof 2021!!!

Last year, at the start of the pandemic, when I heard that Keukenhof wasn't going to be able to open, it hit me hard. All of that work of the farmers of naught. All of that beauty in bloom that no one could see in person. All I could think as I watched the online videos that they posted was, well next year will be that much better. And then our lockdown continued into 2021 and Keukenhof was again not allowed to open. Heartache all over again. 

While we were away for Easter break, the government announced that certain attractions would reopen for a few days in April as part of a pilot program and Keukenhof was included! I jumped on the opportunity to buy tickets to support the gardens and had friends join as well. 

A free, rapid test was required for adults, which didn't seem like a big deal, but dang that one hurt! So glad the kids weren't subjected to that! 

It was early in the flower season and with all of the cold weather we'd been having, hardly any outdoor tulips were in bloom. But the hyacinths and other flowers were lovely and the fields on the drive-in were just starting to pop. 

Walking to the entrance- a good sign!! 

Maeve and her pal Luisa

I believe I'd been to Keukenhof 3 times before, but only with Jude when he was still a toddler. Maeve had never been. We got to explore and appreciate all of the areas for kids, including the labyrinth in the photo below. We arrived early in the day and had the playground to ourselves! 

Usually, the garden has an annual theme. It seemed that they just threw different ideas together. Maybe some from last year that didn't get to come to fruition. The park maps were all dated 2020. I don't blame them for not wanting to waste any more resources. 

This section was "Ibiza," where we enjoyed some poffertjes before moving on. 

Definitely a benefit of smaller crowds (max 5,000 a day) and our early arrival: photos without hordes of people in them, especially in the indoor tulip display, which I feared wouldn't be open this year, but was to my delight. 

Plenty of time to admire all of these beauties in peace! Simply heaven. 

Back outside, Jude and Luisa helped a farmer who was individually staking each hyacinth! As I know from my own garden attempts, those things are so top-heavy, they fall over otherwise! We strolled through the rest of the property, enjoying the flowers, sunshine, and company. It definitely got crowded by the time we were ready to leave, but I did take comfort knowing that everyone there had recently tested negative. Sadly, the garden was only allowed to be open for 2 weekends as part of the program. Here's hoping for better things for them in 2022!!

Jude is 7!

Jude is 7! We had fun celebrating him on his birthday after school on an unseasonably warm March day. He loved his new microscope and Gravitrax set from the grandparents. We waited a few weeks to celebrate with some of his classmates, hoping that restrictions might have lifted to include other friends as well (no such luck). He asked for a science-themed party. Wonder where he got that idea! Pete was game to come up with some fun experiments to do in the back garden. It was a great success and I see a side job for him when the kids are grown and he wants to relive that childhood joy. 

Jude, you are such a sweet, curious, creative, caring, and lovable kid! It was so fun to celebrate you!! 

This popcorn for his friends stayed in the bowls for approximately 1 minute before there was popcorn in all corners of the house! 

We started at the playground. These kids have been playing with just each other at recess for the past year so they knew what to do! 

Relay race time! 

Showtime! 

Elephant's toothpaste

The kids made the largest batch of Oblex I have ever seen. It was a messy affair. There's still a thin layer of corn starch on some of the surfaces of our house! It filled a tub and a few kids, who were not adverse to the mess, took turns running on it. 

Trying out another birthday present!