making friends

Ruby is missing her friends from NL.  All those little girls she used to run around with, make tea-parties, share cookies, fight over one thing, and then hug and carry on playing once again.  I'm not sure whether showing her photographs of them all still having fun together back in NL is too sad for her or whether it keeps her memories of the fun they had together alive?

via Pinterest

But Ruby is not one to hang around!  We visit a park almost every day.  On the way she will ask 'Will there be friends there?'.  Just as soon as we arrive, and she spies other children, she calls out 'Shall we be friends?' and that's it.  More often than not she runs off with someone new, playing hide-and-seek, up and down the slide, laughing and playing.  And when it comes to going home, she ALWAYS says 'Would you like to come to my house?'.  I don't think it will be too long until she has another litle group of friends to share her days with.

If only it were that easy for all of us.

beautifully designed thermo

Is this not the coolest home thermostat you've ever seen?  Of course, designed by a former Apple VP. The Nest Learning Thermostat senses when you are home, is simple and easy to program, and much better looking than those boring cream grey ones that are so unstylish.  And its controllable via your iPad, iPhone etc when you are away from home.  Smart eh!

Definitely on my list of 'must haves' for our new US home (when we find it).

nest.com

make it a spicy one!

It's National Chilli day today, 23rd Feb, here in the US (or maybe internationally too?!).

images via Pinterest

My very favourite thing right now is Chilli Jam (on and with almost everything!) 

My dear friend Hollie makes a rocking one.

Here's Nigella Lawson's Chilli Jam recipe if you fancy giving it a go.

Have yourself a hot one!

we discovered a new author

Having lived in NL for the past 5 years, our English language library book borrowing was limited (and we were borrowing all the Dutch ones anyhow to help the kiddos along with their 2nd language).  So since we've been here in the US, Ruby and I have been hanging out at the library every Wednesday morning for story time and then choosing a big pile of books to take home.

This week we discovered Mo Willems (author, illustator, writer, artist) for the first time.

The story reader at the Library had just started to read 'Leonardo, the Terrible Monster' when Ruby decided a restroom visit was necessary!  So we missed the story (although there had been 3 others and singing and letter learning beforehand) but we managed to nab the book at the end to borrow.  We also picked up 'Knuffle Bunny - a Cautionary Tale' (knuffel is Dutch for cuddle) which is probably a bit young for Ruby, but she is finding it very funny that Trixie in the story can't yet talk!

 

Mo Willems has a fabulous background - writer on Sesame Street, creator of a number of animated tv series, exhibitions of his work across the US.  His books are translated into a number of languages and made into theatrical productions. Of course there's are variety of awards too.  And when you aren't reading the books, there's a fun Mo Willems web/blog site to enjoy.

These books are on our list to check-out:

Don't let the Pigeon Drive the Bus (and lots of other pigeon books)
Edwina, the Dinosaur Who Didn't Know she was Extinct
Elephant & Piggie series

Do you have any recommendations for us - aimed at age 3, 4, 5?

singing her name

Driving home from nursery yesterday with Ruby in the car, 'Ruby Tuesday' by the Rolling Stones came on the radio.  My Ruby's ears pricked up immediately.  I turned the music up and sang along.  'Play it again, play it again' she said.  So when we got home, a quick look at YouTube and we did play it again and again, and then found more 'Ruby' songs and vidoes which she loved.

And my Ruby was born on a Tuesday too!

We will keep looking for more Ruby songs for my girl that loves to sing.

It's damp and chilly here.
I intend to watch movies with the kiddos, and drink hot chocolate with marshmallows
and eat these home made cookies!

Wishing you a lovely weekend.

tell them every day

Make sure you tell them every day 'I Love You'.

The Huzz is away.

I slipped a card into his suitcase - but his suitcase got lost by the airline on route!  Great!

So I'm having some Valentine's love with the kiddos.

Not usually one for going crazy for Valentine Day,

this year in our new US home I have gone all out for the stuff!

I have heart shaped everything for the kiddos - 

balloons, gift boxes, chocolates and cards!   

I have also been beavering away helping the kiddos make cards for all their class friends

which they never did at their Dutch and English schools before.

Phew, its exhausting all this spreading the love!

Wishing you a lovely day, whatever you do and whoever you spend it with.

image via Pinterest

home is where the heart is

What a great print to give to your love for Valentine's Day.

LillyGene @ etsy creates posters of states and countries with a beautiful heart on the city where you and your love met, or that may hold a very special memory for you both.

Home is Where the Heart Is posters can be customised just for you and your love.
Isn't that a lovely idea.

favourite library book

My Rhinoceros is Ruby's new favourite book from the library.

A short, simple and funny story about a boy who buys a rhinoceros from an Excotic Pet Shop! 

I think we might have to order this for ourselves, otherwise it will never get back to the library!

And she is reading all the letters of every word in this book too.

voodoo child(ren)

Saturday morning we got ourselves down to Voodoo Doughnut in Portland.  Greated by a line snaking outside the store and down the street, we obviously knew the doughnuts were worth waiting for.

Maple glazed with bacon for the Huzz and I - a fantastic combination.  Vanilla glazed with Froot Loops (yuck) for Luca and illuminous blue iced and pink sprinkles (what else!) for Ruby. Oh yes and an extra for Luca covered in mulit-coloured sprinkles all packed nicely in the pink Voodoo Doughnut box.

 

I have a feeling we may be going back!

this and that

I love this casual layered t-shirt look and scarf.

via Refinery29

The new OPI 'Holland' collection.

Having recently relocated from NL to the US

I'm looking forward to keeping my Dutch connection going

and painting my nails in these new Dutch colours.

Fun names such as - Vampsterdam, A Roll in the Hague, Kiss Me on My Tullips, Dutch Ya' Love OPI, Did You Ear about Van Gogh?, Thanks a Windmillion and more.

 

Watermellon colours from Madewell. Bring on the summer!

Wishing you a lovely weekend whatever you have planned.  Enjoy.