Things to Do Before I Leave...

My time here in Delft with the Horner-Devines is sadly coming to a close, so we filled today with things that I wanted to do in Delft before leaving. Jasper had the day off from school, so the whole family got to participate.

"Obama giving his speech to an audience"

We started off the day by hearing the big news from the USA. The boys were so excited that Obama had been reelected, that after watching his acceptance speech, they drew pictures of the speech, then gave a few Obama speeches of their own.
Oliver to Jasper: "I'm Obama and you're my wife." My favorite thing is that the Canadian in the house (Alex) was the one to get up early this morning and watch live coverage of the acceptance speech :)

After all of the presidential reenactments, the boys and I set off on bike and stroller to Delft's Library Concept Center, where I signed Jasper and Oliver up for their very own membership/library cards (9 EUR each, 5 books at a time).

Jasper proudly displaying his
membership card and boek

Then we met up with Claire, Annika, and Alex to get poffertjes at a cafe in the Markt. We had to make sure to get our energy for what I had in store for us next...

You can see the Town Hall in the back ground

ROOMBOTER!!! (BUTTER!)

Next on the list of things to do before I leave: 

Get picture in wooden shoe.

2012 (pictured above) & 2007 (pictured below)

After glancing at the clock tower (of the nieuwe kerk) 

countless times each day from our home, today 

was the day we could climb to the very top!

View of the clock tower from our dining table

It was such a steep climb that babies are prohibited
(because you have to carry them)

Center, behind the yellow gingko tree,
is our home on Schutterstraat!

My room and balcony (top windowed room)

Jasper, Alex and I made it to the top

Delft is even cute from above!

The markt, where we just had poffertjes not long ago

Town Hall

Oude Kerk (The Old Church)

Back safely on the ground

 When we arrived back home, there was a card in the mail for me from Alex's parents! It was a very thoughtful card thanking me for all the work I've done with the Horner-Devines. 

Thank you, Jane & Keith! I'm so touched!

"The effect of one good-hearted person is incalculable"

 I then went out on my bike to do some grocery shopping. For dinner, I would be teaching Claire how to make Thai Peanut Sauce. And for dessert, I made everyone chocolate covered macaroons.

My bike FULL of groceries.
Still nervous about it falling into the canal...

Delft is decorated in holiday decorations 
in time for Sinterklaas' arrival!

I will miss crossing over this canal