Feed the Spiders, then Eat some Ice Cream

In  Delft, "Plan B" is always a good option

 On a beautiful August morning, Oliver and Jasper hunt for flies on my balcony. They have great success in killing big juicy flies to feed to all of the spiders living on the balcony. Oliver straps on my eye mask around his head, flips a chair over to sit on, and uses an ice cream scoop to do the job. Speaking of ice cream.... 

Oliver enjoys a mango ice cream cone

Later in the day, heeding the advice from a neighbor that the best ice cream in town is on Boterbrug (Butter Bridge), we take a trip to the ice cream parlor, "Plan B." Pecan caramel was a divine choice, and I will be making return trips there often.

O keeps one eye on his ice cream and the other on the dog

Jasper waits patiently to make his order

You're missin out, Annika

"Plan B"  on Boterbrug ("Butter Bridge"). Back in the day, they used to float barrels of butter down the canal underneath this street.

These bells are busy all day long, filling Delft with sweet chimes

What's better than holding an ice cream cone? Holding Annika xoxo

Parents: Gluttons for Punishment?

I love all of the different rooftops and how they fit together

A neighbor's door stoop

While the family has been sitting through bureaucratic meetings legitimizing their presence and residency here in the Netherlands, I am free to walk about and explore Delft on my own - the boys think that this is really unfair, and accuse the Netherlands of being mean to me for not letting me live here longer. I am proud to say that I am gaining my bearings faster than I am picking up the language, but not by much! Thankfully, Delft has a very small town feel, and every one so far has been incredibly friendly and helpful, so I never feel like my safety is at stake (that's an almost laughable statement). But with how small it is, I am still able to get turned around and spend 5 minutes walking in the direction that I think is the right way, only to learn that I was completely wrong. It doesn't help that all of the clock towers, canals, and bridges look very similar. Yesterday, while I took Jasper and Oliver on a walk to a new park, Jasper kept asking me which way to turn while he led the way on his bike. I would reply with a direction, and he would need confirmation, "Is that what the map says, Chelsea?" Even the children have little faith in my inner geographical positioning system.

Once at the park, we were greeted by an 8 yr. old girl, Mikar and her 7 yr. old brother. Mikar was ready to make new friends, but Jasper and Oliver had suddenly become shy and quiet (quite the contrary to how they behave at home). Mikar modestly informed us, "Me no speak English," but soon we were carrying on a conversation just fine in English. She was very sweet and didn't leave my side until her dad called her home. At one point, she managed to make Oliver crack a smile, and she pointed and exclaimed, “Big smell! Big smell!” When the boys didn't catch on to what she was saying, she ran and grabbed a ball with a big smiley face painted on it and held it up to her own face, “Big smell!”

I'm having trouble deciding if living with a family is an inspiration or major deterrent for ever having children. Having worked in the early childhood education field for 5 years, this certainly isn't a new paradox to me, but it is giving me the full 24 hours of parenthood. My god, is it exhausting. I look at families who juggle all of their lives and wonder, “Wait, do you get more energy as you get older and have kids?”

I will use the Horner-Devines as an example. They are both up all night tending to their new baby who has just discovered the freedom of turning over, but gets upset soon after because she hates being on her belly and doesn't know yet how to turn back over. Then their 2 boys in the next room wake up early in the morning and are ready for action. A good majority of a Claire and Alex's day is spent negotiating and monitoring conflict-resolution with their boys. Then there's the usual planning around mealtimes and rest, while intermittently tending to their own adult responsibilities and health. In the Horner-Devine's case, it's selling their house, fixing their cars, moving to another country, and setting up their lives there, which includes but not limited to: buying health insurance, registering through immigrations, establishing their careers, calling people to repair the new house, getting the kids into good schools, buying groceries, cooking, cleaning, doing laundry without a dryer, buying beds, building said-beds, etc. And then, when a certain nanny complains because she lost maybe 20 minutes of sleep over being too hot, Alex brings home a new fan so she can sleep soundly through the night.

Claire tells the kids the plan for the day

Today, I woke up after everyone else had risen, and plopped down into a comfy chair across from Claire to hear the plans for the day. I watched in amazement as she breast feed a fussy Annika while she simultaneously comforted Oliver who was crying into her shoulder, after he had just biffed it on the hard tiled floor. Meanwhile, her oldest son was perched just a foot away on the same couch, doing what I can only imagine was plotting how he could vie for his mother's attention. And Claire managed it all beautifully – gently feeding her baby on one lap while kissing and cradling her son on her other lap, AND calmly telling me the plan with a smile and cracking jokes. I was tempted to capture it all on film, but decided against it. Knowing that Claire was up all night with Annika, and now ready to leave the house to go sit through hours of registration, I sat in my chair in disbelief, about to roll back into bed so that at least somebody could get more sleep. 

Oliver sings Pearl Jam's I'm still Alive into my new headset

And then tonight Claire joked to me as she treated herself to a bite of chocolate, (then rinsing out her mouth with water so that her kids wouldn't detect the smell of chocolate on her breath), that normally she has to sneak chocolate when her kids aren't around because otherwise she has to share it. Are you freaking kidding me?! You're wonder woman all day and all night, running on no sleep and no time to yourself and you can't even treat yourself to a piece of chocolate in peace? How do you survive the day otherwise?!

I'm making this all sound much more melodramatic than I should – I realize that I'd feel differently if I had my own children. Don't get me wrong, I love the children that I have had the honor of closely caring for and would do anything for them. I'm probably the pot calling the kettle black in some ways here. I just would like to point out that no matter how much time I spend with a parent and their children, I will always be dumbfounded by the amount of selfless energy and unconditional love they produce to make each day healthy and fun for their kids. And Claire and Alex are one of the most astounding couples of them all. And the award-nobel prize-gold medal goes to...

Even newly weds ride on bikes in Delft. I love the groom's socks!

The newly weds stop to croon over a baby

Day Five: While Deflt is very charming...

When you transplant yourself to another country, expect inevitable delays in finding everything you need to access. I still don't even know which way is South, let alone where I can get a camera charger (mine is sadly losing power and I forgot the charger at home). My blog may be on temporary hiatus until I find a charger that works. In the meantime, I can cheat and post pictures from the last time I was in Delft in 2007, like this one to the right & below. I'm also having a hard time finding yeast and flour - I have to make my pizzas!

Another slight inconvenience, but not at all unexpected, is not speaking the native language (Dutch). Did I really want to spend time learning a new language that I would only use for 3 months and completely butcher anyway? Not really, but I do like to be as respectful as I can as a tourist. Thankfully, Claire speaks Dutch, and the boys are quickly catching on, so they help me with phrases like, "Why do I have to pay you so I can use the toilet?" ha, just joking, although it's true, you pay before using a public bathroom, which isn't that uncommon if you think about it. But while I'm at it, I will add it to the list of minor inconveniences. Oh, and it's rather irritating that everything on the internet is now in Dutch. I know that I can change it somehow but it's hard to start the process when everything is in another language.

Everything is just a 5 minute walk away

Ah! Why am I complaining?! I have nothing to complain about, I only like to point out the cultural differences that I find due to my own ignorance. Something that's NOT inconvenient about Delft is how easy it is to walk around and be anywhere in the town within 7 minutes (if you're walking with young children, add 30 minutes). Another convenient thing is with a giant clock tower in the center of the town, you always know what time it is. Every day at 11am the clock tower's bells chime a montage of songs (many by the Beatles) for the ENTIRE HOUR. When it stops, you know it's noon. Oh, and there was nothing special about that Clydesdale with the staged organ at the market the other day. It seems like it makes any excuse to make an appearance. I'm starting to feel like we're perpetually on a carousel.

The boat we took around the canals of Delft

Today the family took a boat tour of Deflt, learning about the history of the canals, pretentious princes, and the very, very old houses of the town while we floated down the canals. For instance, there is a church here that took four centuries to complete just the rear of the church. And, there are 79 bridges in Delft! And, the first prince of Delft had a doctor move to Delft with him to continue his care. The doctor stayed in Delft's smallest house with 7 of his children. The prince, however, didn't want to use the small door that came with this very small house when he visited the doctor for his appointments and such, so he had an even larger door installed next to the original door. Only the prince could use this larger door to enter the doctor's house. I'm sure there's a punch line hidden in here somewhere, but I'm just too tired to care to think of one...uh...it turns out the prince was a fat pig of a ogre who ate all the children...no, that's not a joke...bagh. I'll have to get a picture of it the next time I'm in that part of town.

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Day Four: Crè­me brûlée with a Strawberry on Top

"Here's your medicine!"

Our day, told through mostly pictures: Between breakfast and lunch, the whole family took a walk to a children's park. We were surprised to see that on site was a cafe which sold coffee, beer, and ice cream. How perfect - have a nice cold one while you supervise your children glide on the zip line! As Jasper cruised down the zip line and rode on a giant teeter-totter, Oliver summoned me to try and ride or fit inside of every other play structure in the park. He served me medicine, lemonade, and bacon from his "bacon-house-bacon." He insisted that I fit a whole kitchen set inside of this play house while he was in the house already with two chairs. He was perfectly fine with being trapped inside the house while the fridge blocked the entrance. He continued to pass me medicine, drinks, and food through the cracks.

Back at home, I retired to my room where I worked on putting together a bed that came with the apartment, but located in another room. The bed comes with purple corduroy drawers which pull out from under the mattress. Once assembled, I flopped on top to take a little rest.

My humble abode

We enjoyed our dinner and desserts al fresco

For dinner, we went out to eat at a place around the corner. As we dined in a courtyard under trees strung with lights, we watched a band set up a circus themed stage not far from our table. We were told that later in the evening live music would be playing - "a spectacular party with dancing 100% guarantee." The owner of the restaurant boasted, "It will be a big party, because those guys have very hot blood."

For dessert, the boys enjoyed ice cream which included "a surprise" - a chocolate egg with leggo pieces and building instructions inside. I savored a bowl of Crè­me brûlée, garnished with mint leaves and a strawberry on top. I am living off the fat of the land. It suits me nicely.

Please, please, just go to bed

After dinner, the carpenters built their new bunk beds. Up in my room, as I settled in for the night, I left the door to the balcony open for some fresh air. I could hear off in the distance live jazz music playing, so I invited the boys up to join me on the balcony. The sun setting over Delft, I held up Oliver, then Jasper so they could get a better view and dance to the music with me. For the first time I noticed that we can see the Ikea sign from our house, which excited the boys so much, they invited Claire up to see it, too.

As I currently write this, the soft jazz music has since been replaced with what can only be the music from the band with the "hot blood". Wild Balkan jazz music blasts from their horns as men are yelling and cheering into the microphone. I'm now reading on the restaurant's website: "The party starts at 20:30 and will last until all strings are broken." Claire just offered me some earplugs, but I'm rather tempted to go join the party. I sometimes have to remind myself that I'm 25 and not 65 as I so comfortably tend to act.

Jasper waits on the stairs while everyone gets ready to go to the park

Sorry, more canal pictures

Extreme parallel parking

A little gnome ascends to his house

I got a little queezy while peddling on this horsey merry-go-round

Live jazz music playing at sunset, just for me, right?

Day Three: Ikea, the market, & sunshine!

So I was wrong, I hadn't overcome jet lag and was up at 3am wondering what to do with my active mind. I woke up worried that Darren wouldn't be able to find where I had left the laundry detergent in our new home and felt the need to email him. I think that I fell back asleep around 6am, and back up again around 8:30. I was delighted, however, to see sunshine and blue skies outside the windows. Later, I set up a small table and chairs on the patio where the boys could dine for breakfast.

Around 1pm the whole family and I ventured to Delft Market where the Thursday market was bustling. The vendors sold everything from fresh local produce, fish, and cheese, to lacy thongs, stationary, and vacuum heads. At one point a giant Clydesdale pulled and parked a very old organ decorated with some sort of Dutch scene built in front to hide the organ and played old timey music. Next time I'll remember to bring my camera. After filling our bellies with waffles smothered in melted chocolate, we walked home. Jasper and I hung back for a while to study the ducks diving for food in the canals. Once home, we were greeted by family members of Claires, who convinced Claire that it would be a good idea to take their car to Ikea. Jasper, Annika, and I couldn't fit in the car, so we hung out in the empty house.

While I provided Annika with more anxiety than comfort, Jasper willingly stuck by her side to offer her reassurance that her entire family had not abandoned her. In the meantime, I did my best not to fall asleep, explaining to Jasper what jet lag is. The whole family returned a few hours later with exciting packages from Ikea, including a crib for Annika and a bunk bed for the boys. The evening was quickly consumed by the game of musical beds. Oliver was upgraded from a bed on the floor to a real bed, Jasper was promised top bunk, I inherited Jasper's bed, which will replace my airmattress, and Annika will soon sleep in a crib, rather than a sleeping tent for babies. Tomorrow will be the day that we have fun assembling all of these Ikea beds. Everything in this furnished apartment, by the way, is from Ikea.

My air mattress will soon be replaced with a purple corduroy bed!

Amongst all of the hubub, Claire joked about now wanting the wine that we had passed in the grocery store yesterday. I quickly offered to make a wine run while she prepared dinner, and Alex suggested that I buy four bottles, take my time coming home, but to make sure that I brought one bottle back for them. We added a few more items to the grocery list, then I was out the door to experience my first outing alone since arriving.

Right around the corner from our apartment

As I walked to the store over the cobblestone bridges arching over the little canals and felt the warm glow of an august sunset, I thought, Oh my god - this is my new neighborhood. I get to look forward to this walk everyday for the next three months.

Day Two: Our new home

Delft Market

Day Two in Holland and I think that I officially avoided jet lag - yay! Note to self: I think that skipping a nap on day one proved to be worth while.

Can we fit that cheese wheel in our tiny European fridge?

True to a tradition that I keep when traveling out of the States, I began this morning with a muesli breakfast, or "Cruesli" because, according to Jasper, it's crunchy and filled with sugar, zuiker, as we learned to say in Dutch. Later, as Claire unpacked, and it poured down rain outside, I played hide-&-go-seek with Jasper and Oliver, which later at a family meeting, Jasper named as one thing that he appreciated from the day. Hide-&-go seek with Oliver is basically like this: after I count to ten, I follow the sound of Oliver's voice as he calls, "Chelsea, are you looking for me? I'm over here."


The big excursion of the day was going to a small grocery store. The 5 minute walk took much longer than expected because the boys were so excited to check out everything along the way - swans in the canal pecking at restaurant windows, stamp collections behind store windows, windmill souvenirs and the giant wooden clog in front of a souvenir shop, cheese wheels stacked in front of the cheese shop, and the many parked bicycles along the way.

When I was 20 yrs old I got my picture taken sitting in this very same clog

After grocery shopping, we made our way home to prepare dinner. Meanwhile, Jasper and Oliver were entertained with the pleasure of jumping and hiding on my bed. My room also serves as a great play room for the boys :). Finished with dinner and the weekly family meeting, where the family goes around to share one thing that they appreciate about somebody else, one issue or problem that needs discussing, and plans for the upcoming week, the boys headed downstairs for a bath while I spent time with sweet Annika. Annika is the type of baby who fulfills every adults' desires - she easily smiles and hardly ever fusses, even when her two older brothers, with the best intentions, jostle her and press their faces up to hers and say amusing things in repetition. It's plain to see that they adore their baby sister.

While doting on Annika, I can't help but think about a Ted Talk that I recently listened to called, "Cute Sexy Funny Sweet" or something like that. It explained that we humans are wired to think that babies are cute because otherwise we wouldn't feel the strong need to help them do everything. The psychologist also compared it to how many of us are wired to be attracted to the opposite sex so that we procreate. We're also wired to think that jokes are funny so we'll laugh. And we're wire to love our chocolate and sweets because if we weren't wired to enjoy it, we'd...er...probably die from dissatisfaction or something. That about sums up this acclaimed genius's talk.

While I bragged earlier about overcoming jet lag, I have decided that my bed time is the same as the young children's and it will feel heavenly to crawl into bed soon.

My heaven

So far, these swans are the biggest hit in Holland for the boys

Day One: Arrival

The view from the balcony right outside my room!

To anyone who wishes to follow along, but doesn't know the details of my trip, a brief story: Five years ago, when I began teaching at the preschool University Children's Temple School, I met then one year old Jasper. His parents, Alex and Claire (both faculty at UW), would occasionally ask me to babysit, so in time I grew quite close to the family. Then came Oliver, whom I've actually had the pleasure of having him in two of my classrooms at UTCS. In late 2011, Alex was accepted to go on sebatical for the following school year at a university in Delft, Netherlands, where Claire's family is from. In April 2012, Annika was born, and thus the family decided that it would be a wise decision to bring someone to Holland to help all of them settle in, and that's where I come in. I happily deferred my enrollment status at grad school so that I could accompany the Horner-Devine family to the Netherlands for 3 months. I will be here from August until November, very content with missing out on election 2012 coverage :)

Below is an email sent out to my closest family members, letting them know not to worry about my safety so far from home...

Hi Everyone! Whew! I'm exhausted! but just wanted to jot down a few lines before I go to bed, letting you know that I arrived safely. I landed in Amsterdam ~9:15am, and after making the swift exit thru customs, then a very long wait to retrieve my bag from the carousel, I found myself a bus to Claire's Aunt Bernadette's apartment. It was very easy to find, but by the time I reached there, I only had roughly 45 minutes to shower and have tea with her aunt and uncle before we headed back to the airport to pick up the rest of the Horner-Devine clan.

1/3 of the Horner-Devine Luggage, Amerstam airport

Sometime past 2pm, the family emerged with their HEAPS of luggage from the baggage terminal, and the extended family and family loaded into three cars to make our journey to Delft. Because we weren't able to get the keys to the apartment until 4:30, we pulled over on our way and each had a slice of apple pie with cappuccinos, in a restaurant which bridged over the freeway - very cool.

Once we arrived to the apartment, there were many issues that needed to be addressed in regards to the condition of the apartment - kinda dirty, no internet connection as promised, no hot water, a number of broken things, etc. and the real estate agent was kind of an asshole because we are "americans" (technically, I'm the only card carrying American - not a very attractive quality to the europeans). So I was asked to stay in the car with the sleeping children, so that they wouldn't fall apart while negotiations were still underway (ha, not because I'm an american). But the kids did really really well, all things considered. While I was on the verge of falling asleep, I enjoyed their company, and I know that they enjoyed mine.

We're on our way to our new home, Annika!

After eating dinner in our new home, I got ready for bed while the rest of the family went on a 'pajama walk' around the neighborhood. I can't wait to go on my own walk tomorrow to explore! It's so picture perfectly european here. And mom, remember "old church" and "new church" in delft? well, I've got a pretty great view of them from my room! While probably temporary, for now my room is the entire top floor of this apartment, overlooking delft out one wall of windows and vast vegetation out the others. 3 of the 4 walls are windows, and there are two very large patios outside the room. I could pinch myself.

Balcony right outside of my room

FYI: I think that we're 9 hours ahead of seattle...

tomorrow's plans are pretty low key, i think. I'd like to do some walking, maybe cleaning, and start up a blog or something!

 love & miss you all,

chelsea