InterNOT

Still no Internet at home so I'm at the world's most child friendly Internet cafe, sans child. Although since the kids outnumber the adults and the general din is closer to a kindergarten than a cafe, I tend to think if I didn't have a kid I would hate this place. And that would be a shame because it's my only source of wifi.

We arrived back in Amsterdam on Tuesday. Mairtin and I flew alone, without Peter, which went surprisingly well, thanks in part to the hour plus nap he had on the way to the airport, my mother joining us for check-in and Peter picking us up at the airport. Kind of back to business as usual except the jet leg gave me insomnia for three days, which was a first.

Not so 'dam after all

So, we arrived in Amsterdam on July 25th and on August 11th returned to the States for vacation.  This was pre-arranged months ago, before we had even decided on our move and was in no way a reaction to our experience abroad.

Grandma and Papa at Heritage Museum and Gardens

Our flight to Amsterdam, the last of our business class trips for a while, was a bit of a disaster.  Peter and I were so busy with last minute scrubbing that poor M was neglected and didn't get much exercise or a nap.  When we boarded at 5:30 he was obviously knackered, but would not go to sleep at 6, or 7 (6:45 is his usual non-nap bedtime) or 8.  Finally, at 8:30, he fell asleep, but first screamed at the top of his lungs.  Our usually mild-mannered child made a lot of enemies in the business class cabin.  I'm sure everyone in the business class cabin wanted us to personally reimburse their $5,000 airfare, but hey, my kid is exhausted and that's why there are earplugs in the fancy amenities kit.  Next time, though, I'm just going to let him stay up and eat and let him catch up on sleep upon arrival.  The battle isn't worth it for anyone.


Within a couple of days M had adjusted to Amsterdam time and really didn't seem bothered by the 10 p.m. sunsets.  It was strange, difficult,  to be a stay-at-home mom, especially in an unfamiliar place.  Every day I tried to have an adventure with M, give him some quiet time, and also provide an opportunity to interact with other children.  He also watches one hell of a lot of TV.  All of these things are necessitated by my utter exhaustion and the fact that our belongings are delayed.  But, it's true what they say:  a kid with no toys will get really creative.  I was thrilled to see the Octonauts action figures sleeping on the TV remotes in a make-shift medical center and every day M is excited to get another new yogurt container to play with.  But, alas, my kingdom for some Legos.

L and M Like to Tell Everyone They are Twins!

So, here we are on Cape Cod.  Peter was here for a few days, and my niece L was here for a week to go to camp with M.  The two kids together are a handful but everyone was sad to see her go home.  Alas, now M only has one playmate, Papa.  But we managed to have lots of fun, including visiting Heritage Museum and Gardens and having dinner at Grandma and Papa's club.

These Lego's are from 1976--And Going Strong!!