Family Time

   Sorry for not having time to write a blog. It had been a good, but busy week. By Rachael's request and the necessity to update my blog I am going to answer a few questions. I feel bad that I haven't written much about the family yet. I wrote in my own journal and just haven't had the energy to do it again! =D 

   The family is very sweet. Every one of them has made me feel welcome here. Myriam (the mom) reminds me of my own mom because she is very efficient and organized. I love that she is always on top of things. She is also a great cook. Dinner has been wonderful every night that I have been here. We have had anything from Fish to meatballs and potatoes. All of it is usually very healthy too! Tea is also Very popular here too. Neils (the Dad) has been very welcoming and nice to me from the moment I stepped off the plane. Myriam and Neils are both very wonderful. I may have mentioned that they have 3 children. So I am going to tell you more about them. 

   Lisa is the eldest, 7 years old. She is a very busy girl. There is always something going on with ballet, flute, or swimming lessons. Yet she ALWAYS finds time for her friends. Lisa is a sweet girl and can be very helpful at times. She speaks English pretty well, but just needs a little reminder here and there. She is one smart cookie and a little social butterfly! Recently she has been interested in staying after school so she can chase the boys around, 2 of them specifically! Its very sweet.

   Max, age 4,  is the middle child and lives up to it well.  He is such a boy and loves anything boys should, especially pirates. It seems Max is at a stage where he throws a lot of fits. I guess it used to be worse. So far he has been manageable. Its all a matter of learning his boundries and working with him. Mostly he does his own thing. However, I can tell that he is a sweetheart. When you get him going (laughing and such) his little face lights up, even though he tries to hide that he likes it. I have noticed that day by day he is getting more used to me. In due time he will adjust. Boys will be boys. 

   Beaudine, age 2,  is a doll. She loves her dolls that she carries around EVERYWHERE! Her favorite seems to be a stuffed pig that she calls, "popya" (I think thats how you spell it lol). Its really cute. Also, she loves singing and dancing, drawing, and just being girly. Beaudine seems to be very patient and persistant. If she thinks I don't understand her then she will repeat it as clear as she can until I get what she is trying to tell me. Yesterday I showed her the "airplane" game and she has caught on fast. I lay on my back and put her on my feet in the air while the puts her arms out and pretends to fly. So, now she keeps requesting, "Fliha" (or however it is spelled) which means fly or sometimes airplane. She is a blast and a true girl through and through. 

   Now that you have met the family, you may want to know what I do every day. I have a pretty well thought out schedule. I work monday thru friday. Most days I start work at 7:30 am and help get the kids ready for school and then take them to the school. Once I return I straighten things up and am off at 9:30am. This means I take a break from then tell about 12 or so. At that time I start picking up the kids. If they have lessons or anything depends on which ones I pick up. When they get home they usually get hot chocolate and a cookie. At 4:30 they get to watch cartoons while Myriam prepares dinner. After that is bath time and I am off at 6:30. It is all works out pretty nicely. The best part is I get to ride a bike everywhere. It is super common here. Most people have seats on their bikes or use a box bike. I haven't learned the box bike yet because it is a little more difficult to control, but I will be on it VERY soon. I must say my Butt was very sore the first 2 days riding. Now I am getting used to it. It's great excercise and easy to park! 

  Well I hoped that answered some of the questions you may have. There is a lot to write and I will work on it, but for now this will do. Oh I almost forgot to mention. I got to see Amsterdam and ride a real train for the first time today! I will be there once a week for Dutch lessons. It is a great city. More on that later though. Until next time have a great day/night! =D