My favourite meal

 We've been having lots of what I think of as "Dutch lunches;" bread with cheese, cut up apple, sliced meat, chocolade hagelslaag, and a bowl of soup.

It occurs to me that this is actually my favourite meal. 

Good associations, good tastes. 

Nothing better. 

No regrets

I found this meme on Pinterest yesterday, and it exactly captures how I feel. 

Outside

In the afternoon, we spent some time in the backyard and at the beach across the road. It's hard to see, but in the arch made by the two trees on the right, there is a rooster. Crowing away. Perhaps he thinks it is sunrise; certainly the afternoons have a dimness to them that makes me think of sunset or sunrise.

 

Our hostess lent the children a big pail of shovels and beach toys, so we headed beachward next. 

Past the 19th century replica chicken coop where the 21st century chickens live (with one duck, who thinks he is a chicken),
, 

Through the gate and over the bridge, 

 

Up over the dike,

... to the edge of the "Lek."

Our bedroom has a lovely, big window looking out over the water.
When we were first shown the room, I gushed a little to our hostess about how awesome it was to be able to sit up here and watch the boats and the water. She looked at me with just the slightest touch of mystification. "That is just de lek," she said. As if it was the most ordinary thing in the world.

But it isn't exactly ordinary, to see these container ships coming up and down the lek so close to us. 

Here's our window, at the top of the house: 

 And a ship, just across the way
:

and the children playing as the sky slowly changes to shades of evening. 

I am thankful to the Creator of all this glorious mud and sand that I brought their rubber boots.

Oma

Kent is getting so much love these days with both his mommy and his daddy available more than usual. He smiles and laughs for us, and the other morning distinctly said "doozy" several times to indicate that I needed to change him. He also says "hi," slow and gentle, as if his intent is only to charm.

We stopped at my Opa's grave this morning to pay our respects, and then visited with my Oma.  

We had a very nice chat in Dutch. Yes, I was surprised, too; I didn't realize I spoke the language. Good thing I did, though; she spoke slightly disapprovingly of my brother' visit and how he didn't know a word of Dutch, and could only sit beside her and look at pictures. 

I asked her how she met Opa. She couldn't remember exactly; in the end we concluded that young people from her village (Nieuw Lekkerland) wandered toward Kinderdyk, and young people from Kinderdyk wandered toward Nieuw Lekkerland, and so they met. 

I think there is probably a better way to translate her, but that was what I heard! 

Opa grew up in the house where the Stam bakery in Kinderdyk is today; 12 children in a small house. She said there was a loft where he slept until he married and moved down the road. 

She also told me that KA was probably teething, and likely having lots of dirty diapers because of it. Which was true. 

  

Remember when

We went to an open air market in Dordrecht Centrum today. Kevin wouldn't stop long enough for a picture. "I want it so I will remember." I protested.

"Remember that we spent a bunch of time here taking pictures?" he asked, and walked on with the children.
 

I wanted to remember the sizzling hot patate frite in a paper cone. The doves who came right to our feet to ask for food. The bakery stalls filled with all the delicious Dutch foods I am worried we may not have enough time to eat. The band of Zarte Peits, playing carnival music as they walked through the market. Most of all , I want to remember how it felt to be us, here. I am so thankful to God for this time together!

 

Later, we had supper with Oom Leo and family. I was afraid it would be hard, because I did not know them, and because I speak very bad Dutch, but it was very nice. 

Family ties transcend social boundaries; perhaps because we know all the same people, or perhaps because of loyalty? Whatever it is, I am very glad to know them now! 

At the playground

K found some really big maple leaves. Though the leaves have changed to brown, many of them are still on the trees. It's as if the wind doesn't blow here. 

Jet lag

 Our hostess lent us her duplo train set, and, after watching O play with it all morning, Kevin decided that he will find one for his birthday.

Also, after watching O play all morning, Kevin got cabin fever and we had to go out for a drive. 

We explored the area and stopped at the Stam Bakery for white bread and honeycake. 

 

Kevin just wandered in with a slice. "Wasn't the loaf this long?" He asked, measuring about a foot and a half with his hands. 

"I don't know what you're talking about," I said. "You must have been mistaken."

Jet lag will do that, you know.