on meatloaf , gold carriages and pensioners

I have been MIA from this place with no good reason, and every good reason all at the same time. Chalk it up to all that insanity, just like pretty much everything else I don't have a better explanation for. The important thing being: I am here now! Now is all that matters. 

Let us play a little game of catch up.

1. I taught Lindsey how to make meatloaf. This is funny for two reasons. First: I only learned how to make meatloaf myself about a year ago. Second: I got to watch Lindsey knead raw meat and eggs. It was hilarious. I have pictures to prove it, and you can read the first person account of Lindsey's meaty misfortune right here.

 

2. Prinsjesdag (Prince's Day) came around and marked the annual reading of our country's financial plan by none other than our queen, Queen Beatrix. She reads this plan whilst sitting on a throne in the Ridderzaal (Knight's Hall) in our city of The Hague. She gets to the Ridderzaal by exiting her working palace Paleis Noordeinde and getting into her (no joke) gold carriage which her noble steeds then ride over to the Binnenhof. This procession takes place right here in our city and is one of the bigger national events that takes place annually, and so, Lindsey and I figured it would be nice to go see in person. Lindsey for the first time, and the rest of us quite possibly for the last time. 

We got to see her alright, in her mighty shiny carriage, with her immovable hair and ever present hat and everything. It was fun to see the whole parade, but some of the fun was killed by the mainly 55+ people standing around me who did not appreciate the fact that I had brought Elliot. Elliot was not having fun you see, and I expected no less. This whole thing happened in the middle of his normal nap hours, and consisted mainly of waiting - something 15 month olds are just not very good at. I had anticipated some crying... and cry he did. Though he didn't nearly cry and moan as much as the people around me, who, instead of using their precious energy to maybe help me, loudly complained to each other about my stupidity for bringing a baby to such an event. 

I wondered to myself  'Do you really lose all memories of what it was like to be young when you pass the age of 55? Do you honestly lose all sense of compassion and good manners, and become a judgmental, agist, cranky sourpuss?'* This  is a range of qualities that especially the Dutch seem to excell at. 

At one point I turned around to the particularly nasty couple behind me (who were also commenting on how happy they were that they weren't one of those 'brown' people the police would be watching so closely to prevent acts of terrorism), looked them straight in the eye (not difficult to do since we were packed together like sardines) and stood up for myself. I said: 'You do realise I can actually hear you, right?', to which they glanced around uncomfortably and mumbled something intelligable. I waited another couple of seconds to see if they had anything to say for themselves. Then I became worried they might soil themselves -they truly looked uncomfortable and you know, they were kind of old- , and I turned back around. 

The moment I had repositioned myself the man, again loudly, said to the woman: 'Maybe this will teach her not to take small children along to such events, ::sigh:: youth today...'. Yep, they pretty much embodied every single cliche there is of narrow-minded pensioners. I turned around again, looked him in the eye once more, and said: 'Maybe this will teach you to in the future watch these events from the comfort and quiet of your living room where you don't have to worry about brown people being a threat to you ,or young, hard working mothers trying to teach her children about our country!'. OK so, maybe I didn't actually say that. And I'd like to pretend the reason I said nothing was that I was taking the high road, not deeming them worth another thought or word. The real reason of course was that, between frantically trying to keep the kids happy and having to listen to their whining for forever, I was worried I might have a fit if I turned around again. The only place that would have landed me is in a jail cell, charged with several counts of geriatricide.

There he is behind me, looks friendly doesn't he? Sorry, no pictures of the actual gold carriage and our Queen - I had my hands full most of the time.

* Of course I realise I just got unlucky here and that most of you lovely over-fifty-fivers are loverly people - my own parents being excellent examples!

3. We got to go to the beach last week. The beach! In October! It was hot and incredible and fabulous and wonderful and we all got sunburns. I can't tell you how happy this made me - one last Den Haag beach experience. We ate grapes, TUCs with cream cheese, melkbroodjes with chocolate chips, potato chips and plums. We lazied around in the hot sand while the kids played in the water until they could play no more. It made me so happy.

4. We have a date for our final visa interviews! On November 10th we will find out if the US will have us or not. If they do then we are currently thinking of December 8th as a good day to fly out

5. This past weekend was our church's semi-annual General Conference, when our church leaders come together to speak to all the members (and everyone else interested) and remind us of how we should live our lives. That's not all they do though. They inspire, strengthen, encourage and exhude pure love. I came out of this conference feeling changed for the better and invite you all to read my favourite talk of them all over here. Feel free to browse the other talks that were given. Hardly anything will give you as good of an insight as to what I believe and how this church operates like listening to these men and women.

6. I am on a diet. Sander, Lindsey and I are on a diet, actually. We have vowed together that October would be our month of health and that together we would stick to some gruelling rules. One of those rules means that I have to stop typing right now and start exercising. Ugh. Halloween is our day of freedom... come celebrate and eat yourself into a stupor with us!

video catch up

I have been slacking in the family video department. Don't worry, I have given myself a good chastising and have repented of my evil ways. To make up I offer you these (and more) little videos of Koot Family Antics over the past 4 months. For more, you're going to have to go to my home video youtube page and have a look around.

picture heavy beach

Gorgeous day yesterday, we took full advantage. We are truly a family of beach bums. Today is the very last day of Sander's work marathon, we greatly look forward to having our dad/husband/best friend back!

Let me leave you with this quote that impressed me yesterday:

“Many films diminish us. They cheapen us, masturbate our senses, hammer us with shabby thrills, diminish the value of life. Some few films evoke the wonderment of life’s experience, and those I consider a form of prayer. Not prayer “to” anyone or anything, but prayer “about” everyone and everything. I believe prayer that makes requests is pointless. What will be, will be. But I value the kind of prayer when you stand at the edge of the sea, or beneath a tree, or smell a flower, or love someone, or do a good thing. Those prayers validate existence and snatch it away from meaningless routine.” 
- Roger Ebert

out came the sun...

... and out the Koots went to their favourite sunny hang-out: Strand 10. Much sand was consumed, tans were acquired, extremeties were numbed (the North Sea is still freeeezing cold), but mostly a lot of fun was had. Only downside: all the people who bring their dogs and let them run around so they scare my children, try to steal my food, and poop on the beach where my children are playing. If you cannot control your dog, keep it on a leash!!

To top this beautiful day off the girls had their friend Naomi spend the night. I remember being that age, and having friends sleep over, and how long we would stay up talking and giggling. I remember my parents having to come in once or twice to tell us to go to sleep, so I knew to keep my expectations low about them going to bed on time and getting a full night's sleep. That said, when they were still performing circus acts at 11pm, I had to play my trump card and threatened to take Naomi home. Naomi smiled at me, but Lara and Julia grew instantly serious knowing that I do not make empty threats.They finally went to sleep.

On a more serious note: The sun might be out in the sky but I haven't been feeling very sunny. I'm starting to think I go through some kind of chemical/hormonal thing about 9 months after I have a baby that causes feelings of depression. Only took me 4 kids to figure it out, I'm so smert. Anyway the reason I mention it is a) because I want your sympathies and hugs and b) because I want to apologise in advance if I seem recluse (I tend to hide when I feel like this) or don't do a very good job being a friend/wife/mother/human being. It honestly takes so much out of me simply to keep the house running, and the kids unaware of what I'm going through, that I have little to no energy left for anything else. So I'm sorry, but bear with me and I'll be my 'sunny self' again soon enough.

bon giorno!

I don't know if I've ever mentioned this, but my husband is very good at thinking of romantic and fun things to do for our anniversaries. He keeps track of 2 anniversaries, and to him both are of equal importance. The first is the anniversary of the day we first met: April 28th 2000. The second, and more traditionally, is our wedding anniversary: September 12th 2001. 

He has taken me out to dinner, surprised me with lovely gifts and flowers and even whisked me off to Paris. He really outdid himself on one particular occasion though. It was when I was 6 months pregnant with Julia, and April 28th 2005 was drawing close. He had informed me that he was planning an entire day, consisting of 3 different parts, and that everything would be a surprise up to the last minute. He kept his word! First he took Lara and me to Madurodam where we had fun strolling around and looking at all the miniature buildings, and where Lara got to meet Nijntje. Then we went home so Lara and I could have a little nap (yes he even incorporated nap time!) after which we drove to a park and had an elaborate home-made picnic. Then I was sent out shopping with my mother and she had been told to keep me occupied until she received 'word'. 

After a few hours spent walking around down town and window shopping our eyes out, she finally got the call. She was to take me over to a parking garage on the edge of the shopping centre. When we got there we were met by my friend Liz, who basically stuffed me into the elevator, pushed a button, handed me a note and left me in there with a very puzzled look on my face. The note read: 'The higher you go, the better it gets.' For a minute I was worried Sander had gotten his hands on some drugs, but that worry was quickly taken away from me when the elevator reached its destination: the 15th, and very top floor or the parking garage. I stepped out and was greeted by a very well-dressed husband, holding a rose. I looked around and was amazed at what I saw: from the 15th floor you could overlook all of The Hague, a beautiful view especially now it had gotten dark out. Millions of little lights in every direction. That was not the best part though...

I noticed the entire parking floor was empty, and the entrance had been sealed off so no cars could get on besides our car which was parked in a far corner (apparently parking garage owners have a major soft spot for romance). The car doors were open and soft music was coming from the stereo... and a little bit away from the car there stood a beautifully set table, with candles, and more roses and candles surrounding it. It was gorgeous! Sander had cooked us a 3 course meal (he made his own pasta!) and we spent hours eating, talking, laughing, and just sitting and enjoying the view and each other.

 So this year we've been together for 10 years, and married for 9, and Sander told me yesterday that he's taking me to Venice, Italy for 5 days in September! I CANNOT WAIT! We're bringing Elliot with us (like we brought Max with us to Paris when he was 3 months old) and I believe various babysitters will be 'hired' for the other kids. It's gonna be awesome, even more awesome than the scones Lara and I baked today.

Oh and the pictures for this post don't actually have anything to do with what I've written about, as you might have noticed. Just some pictures from the past couple of days taken by my cousin Jiska who came to stay with us this week.

music monday V1.5

Yes folks, Music Mondays are back with a vengeance. You may start breathing again, and tapping your feet to and feasting your eyes on these fine tunes:

1. The Black Keys - Hold Me In Your Arms
Ah, Summer.

2. Ok Go - This Too Shall Pass
Do these guys have cool video's or what?

3. LCD Soundsystem - Drunk Girls
Check out how genuinely freaked out they look by some of the things that are being done to them in this video. :-)



4. Mariee Sioux - Wild Eyes
Just close your eyes, lean back and listen.



This year's Summer can't seem to make up its mind quite yet. A few days of sun and heat are constantly followed by days of thunder storms, cold breezes and rain. Humidity prevails and tries to keep us from moving to avoid excessive sweating. It makes for curlier angel hair on baby boys though, and damp, rosy cheeks that need constant kissing.
Today's and Tomorrow's forecast is hot and sunny so I have planned another trip to the beach for tomorrow.
Check out the pictures from our last visit:

I'm not sure I would want to get wed in front of a large amount of nearly naked people, but they sure looked pretty up there.

garry squares

Yes I do mean Granny Squares of course... and I've been making them. I was so inspired when I came across a few pictures of them online and they were absolutely amazing! I was completely excited when I started and had the plan to make a bed spread for our bed room... I did a little calculating though and figured it would take me 2 months of non stop crocheting to get a spread the size needed to decently cover our bed. So I'm making a pillow case instead! I finished sewing them together this morning and of course had to share them now they're starting to look the way I intended them to.

 

Now to find a simple white pillow case to sew them onto and give it a prominent place in the living room!

 Yesterday was a beautiful Indian Summer day and we just had to go to the beach one more time. Lots of Seagulls there for the kids to play with this time... did you know that Seagulls love cereal? I fear it might have been our last chance to get some real quality sun and swimming and sand in our butt cracks. Sigh! Goodbye beautiful Summer, hello Fall!