Port Zelande 2015

Last year during our winter break from school in February, I took the kids to Center Parcs in Port Zelande for a break from our day to day life.  For our last Hoorah with my mom, we did the same thing during winter break this year.  I always feel bad when Ryan doesn't join us, but he reminds me that it is a relief for him to be able to plug in really long hours without feeling guilty for not being home enough.  That is his busy season mind set I guess.  Here's a look at our week: 

The Water Park

My mom and I took turns taking 2 kids at a time to the water park while the other person stayed home and did crafts with the other 2 kids, and also took care of Bennett.  B is still in newborn mode a lot, eating & sleeping all day.

Ready for a swim!

Hanging out in the clubhouse

There are so many neat things to do here.

The girls loved the bouncy houses!

These race cars were a hit!

Spy Kids

Kaydree and Carver took a class to learn to be spies.  It was all in Dutch with other Dutch kids, but they understood pretty well and really enjoyed it.

It's nice to see them working together!

Hanging out at the condo

I got some fun dress-ups for Carver, Elsie, & Ava.  They played when it wasn't their turn at the water park.

I found tons of selfies on my iPad from this dude!

I made a fire and we roasted marshmallows and made s'mores every night.  They also played games and did puzzles and crafts too.

Princesses

Elsie & Ava took a class to learn to be princesses.  It was a good chance for them to use their Dutch.  They absolutely LOVED it!

Everyone had a great time and the whole week went really smoothly.  I definitely could NOT have done it without my mom though.  There is no way I could have watched everyone at the water park AND taken care of Bennett.  I wonder what our plans will look like next February when Ryan is too busy to travel and I won't have an extra pair of hands.  Hopefully Bennett will be a lot easier then.

Nana visits Holland

After weeks and weeks of staying inside and taking care of a new baby and household, I decided it was time to get out and see some sites with my mom.  Here are a few fun things we did together...

Amsterdam

Zaanse Schaans

The machines they use to make wooden clogs.

The Corrie ten Boom House

The cube houses in Rotterdam

Rotterdam's Markt Hall

Sampling the amazing Churros at the markt hall

Last time my mom was here during summer.  It was nice that she visited during winter this time, because it felt like we had all different things to do and see.  We are so lucky to have a nana who will travel far and wide to see her grandchildren when they are born and help when she can, and it doesn't hurt that she knows how to party!

Bennett - 2 months

Another month has flown by!  Bennett has really gotten the hang of eating, and his sleeping schedule is a little bit more regular too.  His easy going personality is starting to emerge.  I hope he stays this way - chill, happy, and ready with a smile.

Here he is after his first few Sundays at church...

 He barely fit in this 3 month size cozy little bear suit when we received it as a gift from friends early in February.  I made sure to squeeze him into it as much as possible because he looked SO adorable in it...

My good friend Tamara helped prepare me for European motherhood.  She brought me so many different products that are commonly used here that I have never seen or heard of.  Among the things she introduced me to are a special carseat to click into my bakfiets, a stroller that folds up and hangs on the back of my bike, and this tummy tub.  It supposedly mimics the womb.  Bennett really loves baths... 

 Here is a sneak peak at our late nights together - boppy, apple tv remote, and drowsy baby...

 Nana came to help with Bennett at the beginning of January.  She was a lifesaver.  Ryan was working and traveling like crazy, and she was here to cook, clean, and watch B while I took the kids to and from school in the cold...

Here are a few 2 month pics.  He looks SO big in them...