Did you know....

OK.. so i have completely copied this idea from Ineke but i am pretty sure she wont hunt me down and eat me for breakfast.




So.. Did you know...

• Me and Jack went to a party in Utrecht last friday evening. It was soo good, there was about 60 people there, therefore very busy but it was nice to do something a bit different to what we usually do, plus i met a few new people which is always a bonus!!


• My Dad thought Utrecht was the name of a nightclub.


• I got the job at O'Sheas.. Wahoo.


• The electric went at Inekes a couple nights ago.. only in my room and her room. Convinient seen as they were the only two rooms that electric was actually needed.


• I found the upload disc for my MP3 player this morning.. allowing me to actually charge the bloody thing. Seriously, how much hassle has this little white cube cost me!!!


• Me and Jack are still in the process of looking for a flat. On Monday we should have 400 euros in our savings. We need 2100. Donations welcome.


• Mortens English is surprisingly brilliant. After our little translation session with Timo and Caroline, i think he felt rather proud of himself, boasting on the fact his English was better than theirs.


• My Dutch lessons are going well.. simple, but well..


• My Dutch teacher is trying to set me up on a TEFL course (i think thats right) to enable me to teach British English abroad.


• I have had so much to blog about over the last few weeks but havent had the enthusiasm to write anything worth writing. Hence the bullet points.

And last but not least....

• It is Inekes birthday on sunday.. she is going to be 41.. I think we are going to Hotel New York for breakfast on Sunday morning (However, i am not so sure i am still invited!!!)

O'Sheas

Well, as you may well know, the time has almost come for me to leave Ineke, Robbert and the Children, rest assured i will be visiting on a regular basis (as Ineke so nicely put it 'at the end of the month when our wages have run low and the fridge is empty) Although this may well happen, i am pretty sure i will pop by more often!!

In exactly 8 weeks time me and Jack need to have at least found a flat, and possibly even move in.

However, to do this we need money, to have money we need a job. Bringing me to my title, O'Sheas. I have an interview at the Irish pub in Rotterdam on wednesday.

Wish me luck!

So much to say!

Well, since I blogged last, my mother has been to stay; It was so lovely to see her and spend some proper time just the two of us.

Mum's flight arrived Thursday afternoon (after a few minor problems about her trip to Rotterdam) she arrived safe and well.

We started her stay with a walk along the River/Canal/Pond like thing and went into town to visit Jack.

On the Friday me and Mum went for the 'nicest coffee you have ever tasted' coffee shop (of course a slice of cake was thrown in there for good measure), did a spot of shopping (mum bought me a lovely purple and white wrap around dress) and met Jack for lunch.

We went to the habour at Blaak for lunch (the same place we went for mine a Jack 1 yearer)

The Cube houses at Blaak, believe it or not they are actually flat inside..

On Saturday our plan was a three hour boat tour to see the windmills in Rotterdam, however, it was fully booked (that reminds me.. i must tell you about the post office system.. ill save that one for a post all of its own..) As it was a sold out tour we decided to hit the shops. Not that i am complaining of course! The Boat trip would have been really lovely as it is something i wouldnt normally do, however, i was in desperate need of some clothes. No longer!! I now have 2 new pairs of summer trousers and 4 new tops.

Sunday me, mum, Ineke and the children all went to the Dunya festival, you can read more about it on Inekes blog (sorry about the lack of link, not really sure how to do them, however her address is on my link list).

Dunya festival

Mum went home yesterday but her flight wasn't until later in the afternoon so we thought we would make the most of it and spend the day in Amsterdam. It rained. Well not all day. When we first arrived we went on an hours boat tour of the canals. I never realised Amsterdam was Venice II.

Me and Mum on the boat

After getting off the boat we decided to head towards the Anne Frank house and stop for food on the way. Well, lets say we got as far as food. And. It. Poured. Anyway, we sat to eat in a nice little pizzaria. It was dissapointing that the weather couldn't hold out for us but still, no point in mopping around. After some serious umberella buying we headed in the direction of Anne Frank (well, her house anyway) but changed our minds half way there because of the rain. Anyway, we ended up in a shopping mall, surprise, surprise. However, only a few minutes were spent here before realising the time and heading back to the station.

Mum cried. I cried. We said our goodbyes and the train left. Although it went very quickly, we still had a lovely time.

Now before mum left she gave me and Jack some money to do something nice with, so me and Jack headed for Madame Tusaudes. The pictures say it all.

Jack playing bongo's with the one and only Bob Marley

He just couldn't resist a grope..

And yet again.. he couldn't contain himself..

Bal-lorig anyone?

Last week the kids were on their school holidays, not that it affected me much as i was in England most of the week, but i did have them all to myself on Thursday and Friday.

Thursday we all went to the Ballorig, was sooo much fun.. as you can see from the pictures, a good round of Dungeons adn Dragons then took place!!

On Friday we went to the Cinema to watch Cinderella, well the Dutch one anyway.. and of course, our day couldn't end without a good helping hot Chocomel!!

These have to be my favourite pictures ever.......

..... do you see why!!

My Dutch Birthday!!

Well, my day began with a spot of present opening!! I really wasn't expecting this as we already had a wonderful day planned to celebrate my birthday but still! whos complaining!! Ineke, Robbert and the children bought me some amazingly comfortable and lushus flip flop, my hunt for them failed so Ineke helped me out!! Along with a box of Celebrations and of course.. after eights!! Ineke either forgot, or liked the idea that they make me incredibly hyper!! Anyway! who needs alcohol!! I was then handed a light silver bag. Incase i hadn't already recieved enough i then opened a gift voucher to get my hair done and a salon in the centre!! I'm thinking of maybe going blond.. Like Golden, not Bleach.

Ineke and I then began our City Safari. In the mail you recieve a list of three destinations and times in which to be there.

Our first was to visit a Morrocan Lady who served us a lunch of bean soup and filled pittas. Whilst eating we sat in a special room lined with special sofas with a special table in the middle with special pictures on the walls. It was a religious room. Thats the word.

Our second stop was visit a lady who would reveal our inner most secrets. And thats exactly what she did.

Last but not least we visited a modernised Mosque!! After thinking we would be shown around by some tall guy with a beard and hat we were surprised to see a young beardless guy in trackies!! He showed us everything, from the prayer room to the toilets! Although this bit was hard for me to understand as the Dutch spoken was on a topic i was not familiar with, the translated information was very interesting!!

After having such a lovely day Ineke and Robbert took me to Hotel New York for a meal with the children. After starting the evening with a glass of champaign next to the river I ate a mushroom ravioli with a truffle sauce accompanied by a baguette and crouton salad whilst Ineke and Robbert shared a mixed fish platter with everything from prawns to snails, lobster to oyesters and many many more paculiar species. Yes people. It has to be said. I ate a snail. Well half. And i more of swallowed it like a tablet than physically ate it.

I really did have such a wonderful birthday, it couldn't have been better.

CHEERS!!

Monday Monday..

OK, so although i am still not 100% sure why Mondays where invented, mine seem to be getting better. I woke up around 7.30, was a huge struggle but the thought of being able to make it back to my bed within the hour was satisfying enough to get me up in the first place. Went downstairs, sorted lunches and breakfast and off i went back up to bed. Infact, i slept until 12.30. A very welcomed sleep.

After getting up, making myself look at least half presentable, doing a wash load and conquering a few shirts that needed to be ironed i left the house to get the kids from school.

Now, as i have told you before, Mondays are Judo days. So after the usual routine of getting home from the school, going through the whole 'mag ik televisie kijken' 'nee! het weer is heel leuk! buiten spele!!' (ok so my Dutch isnt all that good, i am pretty sure i am going to be corrected on that one..) eventually giving in and letting them watch tele for a few minutes whilst i get the bikes out of the shed.. only to find Timo's is missing.. bugger its still at the school from Friday.. OK, its only 3.20, we have five minutes before we have to leave..

'schoenen en jas aan alsjeblieft!!' so we ran over to the school, Caroline trapsing behind, grab the bike, run back, load the buggy to the back of my bike and off we go to Judo.

So that was that, how fantastic.

Anyway, Monday evening i went over to the office to do some cleaning, to break up the evening i had a visitor, 5 infact. 5 14 year old boys. One of which had dropped a top off the balcony upstairs and wanted it back from the office garden (the cat has just done a really smelly poo in the litter behind me.. blimey it stinks!) anyway, once these kids find out i am English, they obviously want to stay and chat,

'can we come and watch you work'

'No'

'do you fancy my friend? he wants you to be his girlfriend'

'sorry, i think you may be a little young'

'i may be young but my **** is mature for my age..'

'at which point i say my goodbyes and close the door'

Bought a little amusement to my evening anyway!!

Once the office was all spangly clean i went to Coconuts, yes, at about half past 8, jack didnt finish until 11.30, leaving me in the company of jerome, nermin and the security guy. Was a very funny evening, and they laughed at my blimin hilarious joke that nobody else found funny. i would enlighten you on it but its in Dutch and doesnt make sence if translated to English, sorry guys.

So, that was my monday, fantabulostic.

Burping, Fajitas and a bit on the side

Carolines sick. Well, was. Tuesday evening we were all minding our own business whilst tucking in to a rather scrumptious meal when Caroline lets out the most unbelievable belch! Seriously, you have never heard anything like it. She is four years old. Yet what came out of her mouth had surely been brewing for a fair few years longer than that. And that's not all. To follow the most unbelievable belch came a ridiculous amount a fluid. Poor thing. I really hate being sick, the taste it leaves in the back of your throat is really gross, I can't imagine what it must feel to be that young and feel so poorly. Not that I was never ill as a four year old. I just can't remember it.

Anyway. So that was that, Wednesday Caroline stayed off with me and Ineke. Oh, yes, I worked yesterday and have tomorrow off!! Which is actually quite nice!!

Last night Jack took me to the Pictures and followed it up with the most lovely meal in Dream.

We saw 'Blood Diamond' This was an amazing film, very heartfelt but very true. Make sure you have the tissues!!

Now, Dream. This is were me and Jack went for drinks last week. We sat upstairs this time and had such a wonderful evening. The food was so good, maybe even better than 'Zin', where we went on Valentines Day. I had Steak and Kip Fajitas. They were cooked in a sweet chilli sauce and served with rice, so yummy!! and Jack had the mixed grill, which was also very lovely.

So here I am. Sitting in front of the computer, waiting to head over to Jacks.. for a 3 day break - Lekker hoor!!!

Yesterday was Monday, Today is Wet

OK, so mondays aren't my favourite day. However this one wasn't so bad, well from 3 '0' clock onwards anyway. Before 3pm was bad. To start with the computer was acting up and I had to keep reloading it to get the internet up and running. Then I watched half a film. Yes, just half because some silly numpty decided to only upload half of 'The Devil Wears Prada' onto peekvid. How annoying. Then my Mum called. Now this wasn't a bad thing of course, but it triggered a lot of emotions and I cried the whole time. Delightful.

OK, so 3 'o' clock arrives and I pick up the children from school, heave the bikes from the back to the front of the house and make our way to Judo. Now, I have to say, this went very well. The boys were so good and stuck with me the whole time. So Caroline and Time Judoed (again, is this a word?) whilst Morten played outside and very unconvincingly told me that he couldn't Judo as his back was hurting too much (kinda hard to believe whilst he's hanging upside down from a monkey bar). However, I didn't want to be responsible for any broken bones so we cycled straight home, had an early dinner and headed over to the office for a spot of spring cleaning. And that was my Monday. Really not so bad afterall. Still i am pleased Monday only comes once a week.

So today is Tuesday. Oh how I hate the rain. Today I cycled in Rotterdam to meet Jack from the Metro, what a lovely surprise. I then headed over to the Library to buy my Rotterdam pas. I was number 55 from the ticket machine. They were on 23. I waited for just under an hour in a room full of Dutch people. So when it gets to number 53 I start to get a little excited, close my book and stand up. Oh no, lets not be hasty. The little number machine skips from 53 to 56!! whats up with that!! So I had to wait an extra 15 minutes!! was not ammused to say the least. So I get to the front desk to be faced by a rather large librarian telling me that I was jumping the queue!! well, I soon put her straight.

And that was my day so far.

Off to collect the kids from school, head to swimming and return home for a rather cosy night in.

Tot Ziens!

Schools' out!!

School's out this week.. leaving me with three over-excitable children. Now, please don't see this as a bad thing!! I'm having a whale of a time!!

Just to overview the first couple of days..

Monday
To celebrate the first day of the holidays I took the kids skating (ice, not roller). Now the boys really love this and Caroline is convinced she's a pro skater (although she is still in Kiddie skates and struggles a little with those). Of course, ice skating wouldn't be the same without a fairly over-sized portion of porffetjes and a nice warm drink (which happened to end up all over the floor..)

However, Minus the hot chocomel disaster in Coconuts, Carolines tantrum whilst playing pairs and Morten and Timo's slip, tumble and fall at the bus stop, Monday was a very good day.

Tuesday
What a strange day this was. At about 10.30 Toos (Robberts Mother) arrived (very unexpectedly) to take the kids out. Now, although this was unexpected it certainly wasn't unwelcome, it was nice to have a bit of a break, even if it was only a short one!!

Wednesday
My day off.. spent lazing around Jack's house.

Today!!
Today was my favourite day of the week!!

Although I had a houseful of children, today was surprisingly unstressful (is that even a word?!) I got a bunch of ironing done this morning whilst the boys where on the computer (when I say a bunch I mean 3 shirts and 2 tee-shirts, do you know how long it takes to iron one of those!!) the kids then had great fun in the garden with the children from next door whilst I made (amazingly delicious) egg mayonnaise sandwiches.

After lunch I sorted through the ingredients to make a chocolate cake with the girls. This was SO messy but SO much fun!! and it turned out great!! (even if i do say so myself!!)

We then had a relaxing half hour or so, boys in the garden, girls upstairs, me doing laundry and having a little read. This followed by some much loved Television by the children and some vigorous potato peeling. And before I know it, Ineke was home.

Pick up a Puzzle!

Last night Ineke and Robbert went out for a Valentines meal so I had the children. Well, they were as good as gold, I fed and watered them, plonked them in the tub, read them a story and off they went to bed leaving the rest of the evening for me to relax. Grabbing the remainders of the Kinder Bueno from the fridge (yes, diet is cancelled..) i ran back up the stairs to the computer. Spent an hour or so there until Jamie got home at about 9ish.

Now, you see, I was so tired but wasn't in the mood to go to sleep, so, Jamie, being Jamie, came up with the fantastic idea that we do a puzzle! So that's what we did. for 2 whole hours. And no, we still haven't completed it so I am off to finish it now.

I will try and post a picci later!! Its a whopper!! 500 pieces!

How bearable are your Mondays?

I don't know if your the same, but I always find Mondays hard work. Wherever I am. Whatever I'm doing. They suck.

Anyway. Mondays are my busiest day here in the au pairing world. Which is kinda good as it means I know the rest of the week will be a walk in the park (haha..) however, it makes them just that tad more unbearable.

So today,

• I got up with the children to sort there lunches. Bearable.
• Did a spot of the old ironing. Almost bearable.
• Went shopping with Jamie. OK so this part was fun.
• Picked the kids up from school. All is good so far..
• Tried to get the bikes out of the back shed and through to the front. Unbearable.
• Cycled to Judo. This went OK.
• Sat for an hour and a half whilst the kids Judode (is that a word?!). Relaxing.
• Cycled home. Hard in the wind.
• Ate dinner. Very Bearable.
• Cleaned the office. Scary..
• Read a book (well, not a whole one) and went to sleep. Beautiful.

So that was my Monday. All in all it wasn't so bad.

My Weekend

Day One of my Weekend (well, that's if you include Friday as part of the weekend, which in fact i do, therefore making the week almost the same length as the weekend.)

This morning Ineke had to leave for work at stoopid '0' clock so I had to take care of the kids breakfast and trip to school. Breakfast was actually surprisingly fun. We made our own little band. Timo on Guitar, Morten on Drums, Caroline on Vocals, and me, well I was band manager of course!! So that was breakfast (well, of course we ate some delicious (lets take advantage cos mum's not here) naughty foods) and then headed off to school.. well half way anyway before Morten and Timo very rightly point out to me that we have in fact forgotten Rucksacks. So after the mad rush back to the house we head back to the school for a quick story with Timo (yes in Dutch, so really we just flicked through the pictures) a made rush to get Caroline changed for Gym class and a short walk back to the house.

Jack then came over for lunch, a sausage roll to be precise, and went off to work whilst I did the washing etc.

After picking the kids up from school Morten, Caroline and I went off to the park (Timo stayed home as he didn't want to go out in the cold, Robbert was also home may I just add.. didn't just leave the poor kid by himself..) So Morten lead the way.. very successfully to a park that wasn't open, so we ran back towards the house and got the bus into town. Now, I have to tell you that we went to a really fantastic park!! They had swings and slides (like any other basic place) but on top of that they had rope swings and tires and footballs and sand pits and round abouts and loads of other stuff that I cant explain!! Was soo much fun!!

Jack then finished work extra early so I went off into town about 7.30ish, met Jack for a drink and came back to mine to watch a film and go to sleep.. We watched 'The Hours' A very intriguing film. But worth watching.

Day Two (this being Saturday)

Me and Jack had a lazy morning, just watching T.V and stuff, until Jamie (Ineke and Robberts previous aupair) turned up!! To cut a long story short, Jamie was working at an Art Gallery in Rotterdam but could no longer stay with the people she was staying with.. lets just say the 63 year old man took a slight liking to her.

Jack and I then went into town for a spot of shopping, he went to work, I went back to Inekes for food, watched a bit of Tele with Jamie and went back out to Coconuts. I tried to explain to Jack that the last bus back to Ridderkerk on a Saturday is at 11.10, but Jack, being a man, insisted I was wrong and it was as late as 12.15. So. We stayed at Coconuts for a few drinks once he had finished work (the reason for this being, Marcel is dating a girl off of Dutch Television, she was coming to Coconuts that night and Jack wanted to meet his first 'famous person' - which may I just add didn't happen as she was ridiculously late. To be honest, if this 'famous person' was Johnny Depp or something I could completely understand, but as it happens it was some Dutch girl who appears in a soap every now and again..) Anyway, as I knew we would, we missed the last bus home, having to catch a different bus and walking for half an hour, in the rain, at one '0' clock in the morning. As you can imagine. I was. not. happy.

Day Three (Yes, Sunday, thats right..)

This morning we just lazed around, got ready about midday and went off to Kim's house (Jacks sister) with his Ma and Auntie, ate tomato soup (with red peppers - random) went back to Jacks, played a few rounds of cards, watched 'Over the Hedge' and I got the bus back to Beukelsdijk.

Over all I had a very lovely weekend.

What a loveerly day

OK, so as you already know we had snow today!!

So here's what i did.

I woke up bright an early to see to the children's lunches etc. I then smiled happily to myself for quite sometime at the sight of the snow outside (also at all the little kids slipping over, but felt a little harsh..) Put some music on and had a little sing song whilst checking my mail.

Next i went upstairs (whilst continuing my sing song) to do a little drawing, today was 'the little mermaid', took a shower, got a little over-excited about our ice skating trip and went to collect the kids from school.

You see, Morten was suppose to have Chess Club after school, but because of my excitement about ice skating i let slip the little porky he told me about it being cancelled. We then headed into town, had a few snow ball fights and went skating!! The kids loved it!! After some serious skating and snowballing we sat down for a chocomel and porffetjes in Coconuts before returning to the ice rink!!

Ineke and Robbert then made a surprise appearance and took us out for dinner!! Lekker hoor!! We went to one of the beer restaurants (Betty Beer to be precise) ate a huge amount of honey coated spare ribs and came home.

What a loveerly day.

P.s.

Food for thought..
Breakfast - a small bowl of Cocopops.
Lunch - Hagelslag sandwich.
And dinner.. yes dinner.. was honey coated spare ribs!!
Didn't snack at all, see im doing quite well on that aspect of things!!
Drinks - Glass of milk with lunch and a Coke with Dinner

Ok.. so today was a little unhealthy..

Truste!!

Monday, Monday..

I had a really lovely day today, (forgetting about my walk to Judo that is.. but thats another story.) Once the kids went off to school Íi got a bunch of Robberts shirts ironed and did a load of washing, thought I would get that out of the way. I then called Jack, insisting that the only way i would let him skip college would be to come meet me for lunch. So thats what he did. I got the bus into town (was feeling a little lazy today) and met Jack, went to the post office, ate a loempia and got the bus home. Now we had a very scrumptious lunch, in my roll i had cheese, salami and roast chicken crisps!! was sooo good!! We then played connect four (may i just add, i thrashed him in every round) followed by a few rounds of Ludo!! We then peeled some potato's, Jack left and i went to get the kids from school.

Now, this brings us to Judo. If you remember I broke the back wheel of my bike, meaning we had to walk to Judo instead of cycle. Now this didn't go down to well with the children. Caroline literally screamed the whole way (and yes we did have to walk through three large groups of Dutch teenagers, most of them finding it rather amusing) anyway it actually took us 40 minutes in total to get there, once we were there Caroline was too tired to Judo so just sat with me whilst Timo had his class and then we went out to play whilst Morten took his.

Needless to say the walk home took half the time.

I then went over to Inekes office to dust, hoover and mop, got back to the house about 9ish and slept. Like a baby.

Who said Sundays aren't stressful?

OK, so my day started with a very unwelcomed alarm at 7.30. Bus. Metro. Bus. Picked up the kids and off to Blijdorp!! Now, i thought a trip to the Zoo would be an easy(ish) day. How wrong was I!! i think it was definatly 'lets see how far we can push our luck with Rachel' day.

Anyway so that was basically the day time, not really much to say about that!! To be honest it did turn out to be a pretty good afternoon, definatly got better as the day went on!!

Then at about 4pm we hurried home for my quick switch with Robbert to replace him at the Rotterdam Film Festival. Once I had met Ineke outside amongst the crowds of people we worked our way in to see my first film of the evening (Inekes 4th!!). Perculiar. The only word for it. Anyway, we then waited some rediculous amount of time to be seated in Pizza Hut, literally shovelled down a pizza and went to the next film! now this one was good, it was a documentary about an 80 year old gentleman who lived on the streets of New York, using his days to produce art and his nights to find shelter. The film showed the journey he made to find warmth and accomidation, ending with a reunion between him and his family. All in all i had a very lovely eveing.

Tot Morgen!

My first 'thrown in at the deep end' day

OK, so i had the kids alone for the first time.

I got up this morning (was a horrendous struggle but i got there) with a banging headache, set the table for breakfast, made the kids lunches and off they went to school.

The plan originally was to go straight back upstairs, cower into my PJ's and fall right back to sleep. Didn't quite work this way. I was far to awake by the time the kids where at school, so i went back upstairs, put on my face and freshened up a bit.

I then checked my emails, called Jack, debated the walk into town to meet him, gave in and off i went. Well, i think i surprised myself!! i actually really enjoyed the walk!! felt rather healthy afterwards (until i arrived at Coconuts and devoured a rather large portion of poffertjes) bought some shampoo and walked back.

Now, i seemed to have a distinct lack of socks this morning, therefore having to go bare-footed in my trainers. Now, anyone who can honestly say that there feet don't absolutely honk after taking off trainers from bare feet are telling porkies. So i jumped in the shower, shaved my legs (believe me - i was starting to look a little ape like) and re-dressed.

When i picked the kids up from school today i met Austin, Ineke and Robberts previous aupair who introduced me to a few others at the school. I then had a bit of an issue with Morten and Timo both wanting to visit friends, trying to find the parents of the friends and sending them off (well Morten anyway. Timo was less successful in finding his companion.) After getting back to the house we watched a little Tele, did a little drawing a played a few games. And that was the end of that.

Tot Morgen!

Meet the family.. Again

OK. So just when Jack thought he got the whole 'meet the family' thing over and done with i go and gain another one!!

So Jack came over last night to meet Ineke and Co. I think i am going to have to watch Caroline with him.. she's such an incredible flirt!! Ineke insists that she didn't get that from her but i'm not so sure..

Now i'm not the jealous type, but you have no idea how frustrating it is when your boyfriend understands the children that you are looking after better than you!! I did try to control my frustration and personally believe i did pretty well.

Anyway so we ate dinner, i got changed and Jack and I left for the centre. Very. Unsuccessfully. We took the bike. Bent the wheel. And had to walk. Even more frustrating than the whole 'Jack understanding the kids' thing. So once we finally got into town we went to coconuts for a few drinks and headed back home for Jacks first night in the Beuklesdijk home.

We got home. Put on 'Notting Hill'. I fell asleep after approximatly 6 and half minutes and that was the end of day 2 in Beuklesdijk.

oh.. P.s. I forgot to mention swimming. And the He/She teacher. After much deliberation, Ineke and I gave up on guessing what 'it' actually was and just had to ask Caroline.

My first day!!

Well.. what can i say!! Alles goed - just extremely tired!! So i arrived at Ineke and Robberts house yesterday (of course i have met them and the children several times before) so that wasn't too scary!!

I guess the best way of explaining my jam-packed two days is to talk you step by step on what we've done!! (i think possibly more than i have done in the last 4 months of being here!!)

Right. So i arrived yesterday at about 2.15, took my case up to my room and had a quick stop for a drink. Then Ineke makes an announcement that today is the day I will try out the bike buggy!! (yes - would make an interesting picture, unfortunately I don't have one) for those of you that don't know what one of these is, basically it's a bike with a little tent attached to the back for Caroline to sit in!! So once we get all the bikes (and the buggy) to the front of the house, the first step is to mount the humongous thing in front of me!! (also would make a good picture..) OK so were off.. after about 15 minutes of cycling we arrive at this little cafe where we stop for a drink and Bitterballen (well i had a spring role as i personally think Bitterballen is the most physically repulsive thing on this planet.) Anyway so we then come home, unpack have some food and sleep. Well, try to sleep. I took what seemed like forever to fall asleep, i think this was for a few reasons, the main being it was only 10.30 and i very rarely have lights out before 1, and, of course, there was a serious lack of Jack.

THEN. Just incase it didn't take me long enough to fall to sleep in the first place, I am woken up by this stoopid alarm clock that Abigail left in the room - AT FOUR-THIRTY AM.

OK, so today. Well I woke up at some ridiculous hour to be down stairs by 7.45am. we got the kids off to school and me and Ineke went for a walk around Beuklesdijk so I would get to know my way around, we then plodded (that ones for you Wendz!!) back to Inekes, where her and her sister made the most delicious Tiramusu EVER!! and then took to the road (well bike lane) into town. Now this trip was suppose to consist of a trip to the City Hall for my home registration and a search for a new Au Pair cellphone. Well, lets be honest, you can't go into Rotterdam without making a stop for a slice of the best Apple pie around!! (this also didn't happen as the waitress told us the seats we were sitting in were purposefully for those who were eating lunch - not just apple pie, therefore, of course we had to have food!! which turns out to be fantastic may i just add!! i had a brie, apple and honey ciabatta and then no room for pie!!) anyway so then we went to the City Hall, luckily there was no queue.. I am now an official resident of the Netherlands!! Had no time for shopping before we headed back home to pick up the kids, where we then had to go on a 20 minute bike ride to judo, wait an hour and half for them to finish, cycle back, prepare dinner, eat and sleep!!

So. That was my first day. All in all, i'd say it went pretty well!!

Tot Morgen!

I've Found My Family!!

Timo, Caroline and Morten having fun on the Motorbikes!! (its a picture from a picture so a little bad quality!!)

I'm going to be completely honest. I was standing at the Ahoy! seriously asking myself what i was doing!! i was so scared!! What if they don't like me? what if i say something really stupid and they think I'm a weirdo? what if i have one of my random fainting sprees again? Anyway. I am SO pleased i went!! I had such a fantastic time!!

We went to the Dolfijnarium last Saturday and had such a good time!! The children i will be working with are completely awesome, I'm pretty sure we are going to get on great. Ineke and Robert are so lovely too, we share the same sense of humour which is always a good thing! hopefully we shall have some good times together and form some fantastic memories!! I don't start work with them until the 29th January so am actually back in the UK at the moment, a little unfortunate but it is really good to see everyone, all my friends and family.

Anyway back to the family!! So we went to the Doflijnarium and had such a lovely day! Caroline is such a sweetheart with a very cheeky grin!! Timo is also very lovely, we had a really nice time learning from each other!! he taught me some Dutch as i did him English!! Morten is the eldest of the children, i think he is the quieter of the three, however I'm sure i will be proved wrong!!

Well i will be sure to send you regular updates on the aupairing side of things once i start work with the family!!

until then!!

Tot Ziens!