2 Weeks back

Two weeks ago today, we arrived back home in Holland. To be very honest, it doesn’t feel like home yet. Yes it is great to see our family again and yes it feels “normal”, everything works on the automatic pilot as we say in Holland, but it just doesn’t seem right yet.

The kids are finding their way though. They made a bunch of friends already here in the area and are outside pretty much all day, every day! That really is a huge change, and a good one per our opinion. The best part of it is that they do it al themselves. They have a house key, I don’t have to drive them anywhere, they ride their bikes everywhere. Pim has been begging us to let him go to school by himself since the second day as he sees friends do it. This mom needs a little more time to adjust and let go. Pffff….I feel I’m going from 1 to 100 in about 3 seconds. The last day of school we agreed, we went first and after 5 minutes Pim would go by himself. He did great! At the busy road he got of his bike and looked both ways before crossing the street! We are very proud of him, but I am very happy that I have another 6 weeks to adjust to the idea of him going to school and coming home by himself.

Lol, while I am writing this I can only imagine what my American friends are thinking about this. It makes me laugh thinking how you guys are rolling your eyes and probably cannot believe I am this far already after only two weeks lol. Back in America the idea of having them go out by themselves literally made me sick to my stomach. Funny though how easy it is to let it happen here. The kids are blossoming and thriving on the level of responsibility they are getting. Nynke loves going to the supermarket to get some groceries for me, and the best part for her was being able to buy me a birthday present all by herself last week. And she did an awesome job!

Going back to the beginning of arriving here. On Sunday, after our family left, we tried to unpack the suitcases which took quite some time. After we had some delicious homemade soup that my mom put in the fridge, we went to bed early. Pim actually was so exhausted that he fell asleep on the couch and after we tried to wake him up (which made him fall back asleep 3 times in different places in the house), we decided to put him to bed. Around 7:30 pm, when Nynke and I went to bed, we finally were able to wake him up and give him something to eat too. He didn’t go to bed until about midnight after that, but slept until about 8 the next day. He didn’t have any issues with a jetlag it seemed.

On Monday morning my dad brought their car so we could go to townhall to get registered. We had made that appointment two months ago already as there is a waiting list. Everything went smoothly and we went back home. On Tuesday morning Pim went to school for the first time. Summer vacation started July 16th here, so there were two weeks left. We had decided to let Pim go to school because he was scared he wouldn’t be able to make any friends in Holland and he was really anxious. We thought it would be better to have him meet his class and his teachers for next year so it wouldn’t be a long 8 weeks until the new schoolyear would start. It worked out exactly the way we expected. It was a little scary at first, but he made friends on the first day and had kids come over to play right away. Now he is not scared for next year anymore, there will be 2 new kids next year, and he won't be the new kid anymore.

Nynke had her introduction day at her highschool Wednesday afternoon. After half an hour in her class they found out she was placed in the wrong class. So she was picked up and brought to the new class in which her old friend from her elementary school was placed as well. She couldn’t be happier. She really liked the other kids in the class as well, so that is great to hear! And we were happy too as there are only 23 kids in the class.

Meanwhile Erik and I went to pick out a new bed and we found a real nice one. Unfortunately it wont be delivered until half September, but we were kind of prepared for that. We also picked out a bed for Nynke and for Pim we had to search a little further. He is quite specific in what he wants and we couldn’t find that right away.

We went to Ikea to pick out a new floor for our bedrooms and study. Erik worked real hard for 3 days and it is all done. Also, we found Pim a high bed with a closet built in and a desk under it. Erik finished it yesterday and it looks awesome. Pim couldn’t be happier. Now the only thing it needs is his stuffed animals and blankies etc from Amerika. We need a bit more patience for that as it is still on the boat and it can take up to half September for that to arrive. So patience it is.

I am trying to think about all the other things that we have done, but it is practically all around the house. We did a lot but also not much. We haven’t seen anyone yet. I had my birthday, but I didn’t celebrate that, I will do that after the vacation maybe.

When I think about it now, Nynke did have some fun things. She had a sleep over at her grandma and grandpa's house and spend the day with her grandma and cousin, who is also going to highschool, to buy a new bagpack. Grandma bought them both one, took them to lunch and they got to pick out some other school supplies. She had a lot of fun. Also, Nynke was invited by one of her friends here to come and see her old class perform their end musical on stage, that was so fun as well.

We went to sign up at the library, and the kids are exploring the neighborhood playgrounds, which we have many off. Next week Pim is getting swimminglessons, his C-diploma. That will be 5 days from 8:45-12 om, with a graduation party (if he graduates) on Friday. He is very much looking forward to that. Also he is going to an indoor playground with his friend Sam (was his birthdaypresent) and he has a sleepover with his two cousins next week at grandma and grandpa's. Lots of fun things ahead of us!

To be very honest, I haven’t been feeling myself lately. Which of course is not really weird considering the situation, but it is hard for me as I don’t really recognize myself. My feelings go from left to right and up and down really. I love my friends, both here and in Amerika so much, but I haven’t felt like I wanted to call or text or do anything really. We are very busy working at the house and Erik only has one week left of his vacation before he has to start working again. So we are in our cocoon right now, but we will be out soon, I’m sure, we are getting there but need some time. I can’t really think of what else to write about right now. More to follow soon!

PS1: a bunch of you have left a message on this blog. Unfortunately I cannot see who the messages are from as WIX doesnt show me. So if you are writing something, can you please write your name as well? And if you did, can you let me know so I can respond to you? Thanks!

PS2: Pictures will follow soon. Haven't been able to upload them yet.

XO