March 2024

March in photos:

It broke my heart a little, but we had our magnolia tree pruned at the advice of a tree guy. 

ABC Swim diploma program complete! 5 years spent at Meerkamp for both Jude and Maeve to go through the program. An end of an era!

Baseball back in action. Jude is now on a U-12 team so the level of play higher. 

Grade 2 combines their drama, art, and music classes in a performance of The Gruffalo where they create the set, act out the parts, and perform the background music. We were very impressed and Maeve wowed us with the memorization and delivery of her narration part. 

Small world connections. Out to dinner with Jude's teacher, Amy, and 2 moms from Jude's class (one who worked with Amy in Hong Kong). 

Not the same view as before, but the blooms definitely appeared healthier this year. 

Pete's birthday coincided with the kid's conferences. Nice to spend some time with Pete during the day and see the kid's pride in their work.

Jude showing us his parts on all of the different marimbas for his music class and percussion group.

Lunch with Dakota to celebrate her elopement! Followed by a quick peek at the cherry blossoms at Stadshart.

Celebrating Pete's birthday at the bowling alley with the kids, followed by dinner and cake at home. 

Zachary's 1st Birthday

Biking to Fred and Sophie's for dinner.

Lance's Amstelveen 1/2 marathon cheer squad

Cherry Blossom time in the Bos. Maeve was at a playdate and Jude had zero interest in seeing them, so Pete and I had some solo time there. 

Jude's field trip to the Amstelveen Friday market to kick off their Marketplace unit.

The Let's Amsterdam ISA mom social group had a night out at The House of Bols Cocktail museum and bar. I've passed this place 100s of time, but had never been in! A very fun night out, which I paid for the rest of the weekend! 

The creator of the KLM houses, given to people who fly business class. 

After the museum tour, we had a cocktail at the bar. 

Then we went upstairs for a private cocktail-making class. We made 3 cocktails and had a lot of fun. 

The pizza was a great idea. The Aperol spritz (followed by a beer across the street) was not!

Hosted a small crafting gathering where we sewed Spring felt ornaments. 

I am a good imitator of other's Instagram art.

The neighborhood was abuzz when city workers began to clear away the awful shrub in the square in front of our house. What would they put in? Grass and a park? Benches? A playground? A lot of disappointment when it became clear they were filling it back in with more bushes and shrubs. At least 3 trees and some magnolia bushes were also added, so hopefully it will look nicer in the future. 

We've loved seeing Jude's love of the piano blossom.

Proof of parents eating fries at a kid's birthday party (Ben's, who has the same birthday as Jude!).

Maeve got a very special surprise on Jude's birthday. Her BF Toma moved to Prague in December, but came back Easter weekend, unbeknownst to us. It was great seeing him and his family along with Faris and Tareq. 

Easter was the day after Jude's birthday and with everything else going on, we hadn't made any plans. I was bummed to be alone for the holiday. We reached out at the last minute to Alya's family who we hadn't seen in ages and ended up at their house that evening, which really lifted my spirits. 

It was a wet morning so the egg hunt was indoors. 

A busy month was capped off with two big projects. First, Pete launched his contract brewery, Brouwerij Beetje. A perfect midlife crisis project! More on that later. 

And we started renovations on the top floor of our house. It has been a guest room, playroom, put-all-our-junk-room. One big room, a good sized storage room, and laundry off the hallway. Our equivalent of a basement. Except it is poorly insulated so too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter. Will share more later on what we're doing with the space! 

Frederick Miami Reunion 2024

After Austin, it was back to Miami. There was more fun to be had! But first, a few days working. Ah, the joy of working a normal EST morning and then having afternoons by the pool! I was so excited to watch the Dutch women play Germany in a bid for a spot at the Paris Olympics. So bummed that they lost! 

The final gathering of the trip home was a reunion with my Frederick girls. It had been too long! Winks and Amer arrived first and we had a lovely neighborhood walk and relaxing evening. On Friday, Rachel arrived with the guest of honor, 13-month-old Walker! Oh, I was so excited to meet him. Such a sweetie at such a fun age. Walker took to all of us, but Pops turned out to be his favorite. Maybe he needed a break from all of the girl time! 

I was still on a Mexican kick from Texas so it was grilled steak taco night for our first night together! 

Finally a beach day. Walker's first trip to the beach and he was a fan. 

Nana and Pops babysat Saturday night and we headed down to Calle Ocho for dinner at a Cuban spot, Social 27, recommended by a friend. Lovely cocktails and small plates and even better company! 

Nana's still got it! 

Requisite prom photos by the fireplace.

We've still got it, too! 

I can't with this kid's cuteness! 

Lovely lunch date

Fairchild Tropical Gardens 

Quick stop at the hammock park before a storm rolled in

So much fun girl time, reminiscing about the past, remembering people we hadn't thought about in 20+ years, catching up on life, commiserating about the challenges of motherhood, drinking delicious cocktails, playing games, lounging by the pool, reading good books, eating good food. I hope we can do it again soon! 

A final long walk and dinner out with the hosts with the most! Plotting how we can escape to Miami every year....