Eating on Simon's patio

Gabrielle's birthday party

We are back just in time for Gabrielle's birthday party. She also turns three! We sing her Happy Birthday, and then we sing again in Portuguese: her mama is from Brasil. And all this time we watch the cake and wait.

Back from holiday house

I am back from little holiday house! It was in Greece, on all the ice creams were little greek flags. Or umbrella's. Lots of ice creams. And a beach with lovely water. I have learnt to do body surfing on the waves and papa took me to the deep water, where I swam from papa to mama to papa - nearly like skiing and just as much fun!!

We had a little house in the city, on the second floor. I had my own room with windows, and the bath tub was huge. We needed to wash off a lot of sand in the bath.





We also take some trips. With Captain Nick and his boat, to the island in front of the coast.

And a trip with a horse drawn carriage. We feed the horse carrots.

Near our holiday house is the Cathedral. Kids running in and out and around the square.
Cute streets with shops and restaurants.
Restaurants are built in half houses.

My favourite souvenir are these dancing horses. On my last day mama and papa give me one! I just need to make the horse dance myself.

Red berries

It is that time of the year again: yummie the fruit is ripening. We have been watching the pale berries for weeks and now we yummy-yummying with them with ice cream! Now it waiting for the cherries.

Grandma and Grandpa

On Monday Grandma and Grandpa come. Mama goes to work, and we have a leasurely day. I like it when they come: they take me to the play ground.

In the afternoon, just before mama gets home, Grandpa will read books, while Grandma is cooking in the kitchen.

Koala goes to hair dresser

Mama's guitar stand is better even than the guitar. 'Here mama, play guitar!' I say, but really I want the stand. Koala fits in the top, and now I am hair dresser, and I wash and comb koala's hair. The ears also need a good scrubbering.

Sunday morning walk to a slide

Somehow it is always Sunday morning when we feel like a walk. Nothing else to do and still wanting to see something outside the house. We always take the same road: to the football field, up the stairs to the bridge and onwards to Gabrielle's area, although Gabrielle is Sunday mornings not at home. I direct mama straight to this area, and I am happy to spot a slide. 'I go many times, mama!'I tell her. And she is happy to sit and let me go up and down and under and through.

Farm

There is this farm that mama used the drive past going to work. They have a 'farm fair' today, and I like farms. I see the little baby cows, and a mama cow because I see her udder. I know what a udder looks like and it gives milk. In fact, at this fair there is a plastic cow that we can milk.

And my favourite fishing nets are here too! The farmer has lots of water ways to fish. I catch two 1 cm fish and don't fall in the water.

In the afternoon mama and I potter around the house. I take mama's tall bambu sticks. Mama doesn't like me playing with it, she is scared. But she lets me. First I clean her kitchen windows with it: the stick reaches to the top of the windows. Then I become Sinterklaas. The stick is my horse. With my deep Sinterklaas voice, I tell mama (who is now papa, also with a deep voice) that I am going shopping on my horse. Papa, you take care of Piet!

I got a picture card from Papa! He has monkeys where he works.

Water and sand

This morning I was playing with my clay, when I suddenly saw my wake board, aka body board, aka boogy board. "Mama, can we go swimming?" I asked. 'Hey, Ces, that is a good idea!", mama said. I was just very disappointed that she meant the pool, and I couldn't bring my board. But swimming is the best, so I was easily pursuaded to go anyway. I have shown mama how I can swim by kicking my legs. Slow, but I'll get there!

More water and sand in the afternoon! It rains and its warm.
First I help mama cleaning the bench in the kitchen. I water everything well. Later, in the garden, sand and water make it perfect. Still a bit of beach.... I am happy.

Simon in the garden and more...

This has been a busy day. Last night Aunt Hannie had called and asked if they should drop by today. 'Yes!', I said. The beautiful weather has collapsed, but it is warm enough. Alex is showing us the way to the ponds. He finds his way to the ponds from any corner of the garden. He shows the fun of paddling your feet in, as well.

Simon and I are going on holiday. It is high up, on our third floor. We bake pancakes on our holiday with the little blocks there.

Then we read the story of Kareltje playing foot ball.

Then Simon has to go home to make his afternoon nap, and so do I. When I wake up, the first I tell mama is 'Beach, I want to go to a beach'. Hmm, it has started to rain. But we can do with a bit of salt air! And if nothing else we can watch the rain from one of the beach restaurants.

It is not too bad on the beach, still warmish and a calm air. And hardly anybody around! Only two boys and a little dog. The dog wants to play, and he makes up the game: chasing sand balls. We play for a while, the dog is little, but can run!

And then we eat.

Lip stick

'Mama, can I look in your purse, while you vacuum clean?' That is ok, but you can't get the lip stick.

The purse skippy also gets a painting job and will remember it for a long time.

Polder day and rabbits

There is a little nature camping just outside my town. On this hot summer day we cycle over there. They have an open day. We can wander around freely and also investigate nature.

In my pond at home we have fish nets, and I love using those. But mama is careful in our pond. Here I can try all six nets and I can fish as I want.

Then I eat a pancake and make a nature painting.

It is very hot, and really a day for a beach, but we are a bit beached out. Mama cooks and I feed the carrot peelings to the rabbits.

And I use Grandfathers water slide!

Beach

We forgot the camera, but you have seen my beach. Today there were four boys making dams and dykes. I stand in the middle and watch them. I also tell mama what I see. 'He gets a candy!', 'that mama also wears a bikini!'. Hmm, I like beaching.