Easter in Vaals

We went away for the Easter weekend. We rented a little vacation home in Vaals with friends. Our friends have two children as well, a girl, Imogen, who is Tobias' age and a boy, Euan, Lorelei's age. So, that's a perfect match I guess. Here are Tobias and Imogen hunting for eggs in the Vaals, Limburg (south of the Netherlands) scenery.

We didn't have the nicest weather during our weekend, but that did not really matter because most of our time was spent either in the swimming pool, or in the indoor play-area. Tobias swam without armbands for the first time and actually swam... No laps or anything yet, but at least something like quarter laps, without sinking or going under. He even jumped of the started blocks at the deep end without a problem.... So, I guess he can swim now.... all he needs is some swimming technique and he will be pretty much ready for his swimming diploma :-).


For news on Tobias' sister Lorelei visit: Lorelei Michelle

Down the Slide

Like I said in previous posts, spring is here! That means playing outside, and also, going to the playground. Last year they renewed a playground just a few blocks from our house. It is really nice now and we went there a week ago (or so). Both Tobias and Lorelei had lots of fun, albeit, in completely different way, except this one: going down the slide. At first Lorelei was watching Tobias do that and then laughing at him. Then we kind of helped Lorelei slide down and then Tobias wanted to go down the slide together! That was so sweet of him and as you can see, it makes for a sweet picture too, right?


For news on Tobias' sister Lorelei visit: Lorelei Michelle

Biking.... Together

Tobias is a real biker now. He is pretty much a full blown traffic participant. This morning we rode our bikes to school together and he is doing sooooo well, ans he is sooooo proud :-) (So am I of course...). Since spring is here and more outside playing is done, there had also been some biking together. Lorelei has Tobias' old tricycle and Tobias on his own bike and off we go into the Poort (alley way) behind our house.

Fun for all, and worth a picture!


For news on Tobias' sister Lorelei visit: Lorelei Michelle

Olympic Speed Skater

Of course we just had the Olympics... Needless to say Tobias was quite interested, especially in speed skating (that's all we Dutchies do, although we did win gold in the snowboard downhill this time...). We watched some of the races and he was very intrigued by the whole start routine. It kind of goes like this:
- "Go to the start" -> Tobias goes to the edge of the rug
- "Ready" -> Tobias bends his knees and puts one hand on the floor
- "Pang" (which sounds more like "Click",with his (now broken) toy gun) -> Tobias starts sliding/running around the living room
- "Ding Ding Ding" -> Tobias does his last round
- "Yeah" -> Tobias won gold :-)
- And over and over and over...

This is Tobias in action. As you can see there is still room for improvement, but as you can also see, he is having loads of fun, and that's what really counts, right!?


For news on Tobias' sister Lorelei visit: Lorelei Michelle

Car Car...

Tobias is such a good big brother to Lorelei (most of the times...). He'll play with her, hug her, kiss her, cuddle with her and everything. Sometimes, when she's crying, he'll get her a toy or make a joke and in doing so, calm her down and even make her laugh. Sure, Lorelei laughs a lot, and she laughs a lot at her Papa and Mama, but she laughs the most and the hardest at Tobias! I am pretty sure she likes her big brother :-).

Two weeks ago when my parents were baby-sitting (which they do on fridays) I came home to this picture. My dad had put them in a box and he was pushing them around the living room. Tobias told me it was their car, so, I guess he was taking his sister for "a-ridin' in his Car Car...".


For news on Tobias' sister Lorelei visit: Lorelei Michelle

Flip de Beer

Last year in June we had a visitor called Raai de Kraai. This year the same principle, different character: Flip de Beer (Beer means Bear, he is a bear...). Flip is in the class and they learn things by telling stories centered around the adventures of Flip. Flip gets a sleep-over with every kid in the class, and, this past weekend it was our turn. The weather was not so nice, but we did have some snow, so we took Flip on the sled. Flip also went with us to a birthday party, we read books with Flip, watched a movie with Flip and, as you can see in this picture, we made and ate pancakes with Flip.

Tobias and Flip had a nice time, but unfortunately on Monday it was back to school for both Flip and Tobias.


For news on Tobias' sister Lorelei visit: Lorelei Michelle

School Play

Every month at Tobias' school one of the groups has a school play. They call this ritual "month-closing". Tobias and I attended one of these a little over a year ago, just before Tobias actually went to school. We were invited to the play of the group Tobias was about to join.
This time it was Tobias' turn and he enjoyed it. The theme was winter and the main character "Jeroentje" who woke up one morning discovering a wonderful white world of snow outside. His friends joined him in playing in the snow. Tobias was on stage for quite a while: the duration of three (of about ten) songs. In this one they were acting out that they were cold and trying to get warm by moving their arms around. He is on stage with (l to r) Jarne, Tobias, Tijs and Isabelle.

It was an extremely cute performance, I was glad I was there!


For news on Tobias' sister Lorelei visit: Lorelei Michelle