Brief Shoutout

A busy, hectic, and exciting week in the States is drawing to a close; we thought we'd put up a few photos before we go just as a quick preview-
Here is James watching Grandma Maier's magic tupperware show and playing with cousin Lindsey Kate before the big wedding...

MUST GRILL!

Yesterday was Katharine's 32nd birthday and we planned a barbeque for the afternoon; even though the near tropical weather of the past three weeks had given way to more typical grey, rainy skies, we got ready to grill in the tussenslaapjetijd (between the naps). Okay, I made that word up.
You get the occassional hailstorm here, and we were blessed with a doozy just as I decided to get the meat on. I'm proud to say I held fast through the storm and made it back and forth to the table without letting the bounty become soggy. Our friend Cor took these fotos on his phone through bouts of laughter- you can also see one of Katharine's presents for the garden- Salix integra, a very cool kind of willow tree.

Each goblin has its own play value...

Who is running the toy factory anyway? I mean its all fun, but what's wrong with an empty dishsoap bottle, an expired credit card or some old Tupperware? Actually, I bet James would love it if he wasn't CONSTANTLY PULLING HIMSELF UP ON THINGS UNTIL HE CRIES...

Activeboy! Master of the Pincer Grip!

James has gotten really active in the past three weeks. Today is the 9 month mark and I am amazed every day by what he can do. James, on the other hand, is more often frustrated by what he can't do. We looked at him today after he had pulled himself up to standing next to the couch with no further recourse (other than falling down or crying in rage at the couch cushion) and thought 'you only just learned to get frustrated, and now you are already an expert!'
It is quite a different experience to keep a baby contained and satisfied when they can suddenly go everywhere yet have a 15 second attention span.

Lonneker Windmill

As someone not proficient in Dutch, I do not often get the opportunity to work with students in the Netherlands. Beginning last year, I had the distinct pleasure of being asked to help out with a course offered by TSD the "sister group" of my department, CSTM. The students are often, but not exclusively, from countries in Asia and Africa. Yesterday I took the group on an excursion to see a local windmill. Unfortunately, due to their busy schedules (the students are only here for about a month and nearly the entire time is devoted to meetings, lectures and presentations) we were not able to catch the windmill in action. Regardless, we had a great time-- and I think made a lasting impression on the small town of Lonneker. Here are just a few photos of the windmill, and our excursion to have an ice cream or beer after...

Blue skies, baby cries

After returning from the United Kingdom we have been enjoying the most incredible weather. Since we moved here in September of 2003 this is by far the most beautiful spring we have seen. We have been cruising around with James in the fietskar and taking nice walks in the stroller. It is good for all of us!

For several days last week James was very disturbed by his teeth. Sounds boring, I know, but when you've spent several days with an inconsolable 8.5 month old you will know our turmoil. James is usually such a sweet little bean, we are not accustomed to a wee whiny man. We were certain that the tooth above his only tooth (bottom front right) would be next. However, in a matter of days he had at least two new additions, the other bottom front tooth, and one top front tooth. Sorry that we are unable to provide photos-- he is not interested in documenting this moment yet.

Things have calmed a little with the teething, and he is generally in much better spirits. For the last few days he has been extremely grumpy in the mornings, but much more fun as the day has progressed. We can all agree that in this department James seems to be taking after his father. In addition to the weird morning issues (this is coming from the early bird perspective-- I wake up consistently at 6:30AM, ready to chat), James can consistently pull himself up to a standing position. Unfortunately, after attaining that position his cries in outrage when he realizes he has no option but to stand there. He either complains so loudly that we move him, or he falls-- which is a tear-filled event for everyone. It seems that even when he catch him before he hits the ground he breaks down in very accusatory tears.

The only way we can justify telling you about James' fussy week is by showing a very happy photo of him. This is a funny photo Mike took last week. James and I are doing "the sorority photo". Laurens, Julie, and Hartley-- I know you read me on this one!

In Oranje

We bought this today in anticipation of the upcoming World Cup. It says, in Dutch:
"Shhhh I'm watching football* with Papa"

*that's soccer to you

Kinderboerderij en Ijsje

On Friday James and I had a walk with Lina and Maaike from next door. The weather in Enschede has been unbelievably beautiful over the last few days. Just gorgeous! We walked over to the kinderboerderij (a sort of petting zoo with farm animals in a nearby park). I hadn't bothered to take James before because I wasn't sure that he would really notice the animals. He really enjoyed it-- the goats were a little frisky (as goats can be), but except for accidentally realeasing one goat, no big problems arose. For the record: that goat was determined and really wanted to get out of the gate, and he didn't force him self out into the park, just into another area of the petting zoo. There was a calf, born just a month before James, but substantially bigger; lots of birds and rabbits (apparently people who change their minds about buying a bunny often slip their "pets" over the fence in the night-- the manager told us that one night 25 rabbits were slipped in that way) The manager picked up a guinea pig and let James pet it, which made him smile. I had heard from our friend Judith that this kinderboerderij featured an extremely fat pig, and she was right on the money. It was HUGE. Obscenely huge.
After our excursion Maaike treated us to an ice cream cone. James loved it, but was very disappointed when it was all gone.

More from London

Here is a photo of the London Eye, Dot-- we did not try it this time-- we will have to do that next time!

Tulips (in the UK) and James

London Calling

The Big Island and the Wee Man

We are back after a delightful trip to the UK. We spent four days in London with Rick Vaughn, formerly of the College of Charleston Green Team. Rick is working with a Baltimore based energy company that trades carbon credits, among other things. I would explain it in more detail if I was smart enough to understand exactly what they do! I can tell you that it sounds like basic stock market rules apply (buy low, sell high), but that it pertains to energy and carbon markets. He works with a great group of people; Rick grilled American sized steaks and a good time was had by all. He lives in the Chiswick area, and his flat is surrounded by beautiful parks, buildings, and TONS of bookstores. One of Mike's goals was to buy some new books, and we hauled a pile back. When in London we had the chance to see the Imperial War Museum, Big Ben, Parliament, Hyde Park, St James Park, and Trafalgar square. Our grand plans to visit other sites were cut short by the limited abilities of our youngest traveling companion. If nothing else we all decided that we would have to return to see more in the future.
James was golden on this trip, and it was yet another learning opportunity for us about what does and does not work when traveling with an 8 month old. I hope we will have an even more sucessful time (packing, organizing and moving all our stuff) when we go to the US in May for Marilois and Pablo's wedding. Every trip we make I am determined to take a smaller bag, and I think it will really come together on our next trip home. Some things are much more enjoyable with a little guy in tow. Almost everyone responds to a baby, which makes riding public transportation downright fun. James is determined to charm the pants off of everyone he encounters, and he nearly always suceeded. It was lovely.
After London we headed to Glasgow for several beautiful sunny days. Having just had a whirlwind London trip, we hoped to enjoy a slower pace with the very pregnant Tereza. However, it seems that an 8 month pregnant woman can more than outpace us. In addition to a "drive past it all" bus tour, we were personally guided around by "new" Glaswegian Tereza and eight members of the extended McLaughlin clan. The bus tour was good-- it incorporated quick views of so much more than we would have managed to see on foot. Our time with the McLauglins and Tereza was unbelievably cool-- nothing beats being shown around town by people who live there (though the McLaughlins will tell you that they are really Irish, and have only lived in Scotland for a few generations). James was quickly transformed from a "little guy" to the "wee man" in local parlance. While in town we were able to see Queen's Park, the University of Glasgow, Kelvingrove Park, the Mackintosh Lighthouse, and enjoy Glasgow's excellent curries. It was so much fun. As with London, we realized that we could only scratch the surface of what Glasgow has to offer; we shall return.
It is extremely difficult to chose photos to represent this trip. Rest assured, we will probably be posting pictures from the UK for several days. For starters, here are:
James in the park in Glasgow,
Mike, Kat and James (under rain proof cover) in front of Big Ben,
Kat, Rick and James in Trafalgar Square, and
Kat, Tereza, Tony and James in the vicinity of the University of Glasgow