Spring Break pt 2

      

 The rest of the day at Keukenhof we visited the greenhouses full of beautiful tulips, so many different varieties, colors, shapes, and sizes. The aroma was dreamy and sweet. I never felt overwhelmed by the smell and the entire place was a feast visually.

 

My most favorite display house was full of orchids. I was surprised at how large and how small the orchid flowers could be. I couldn't get enough of this place (especially with how cold and chilly it was outside). But our time soon ran out and we left ( a little sad we were too early in the season to see the amazing display and flower fields ). Ben and Ben Campbell flew kites with the kids out in the grassy parking lot and the wind was strong enough to let everyone who wanted to have a turn.

AMSTERDAM

 This photo was taken right in front of the Anne Frank house, or where the Frank family hid from the Nazi's during WWII. I was completely touched walking in the home and up into the quarters where this family (along with others) had to keep silent, move very little, and yearn so badly to be outside in the fresh air and away from the hatred that had consumed so many. For Anne her only therapy was to write stories and the latest news in her journals. So much emotion, despair, and worry that at any moment they would be discovered and taken away. Some who have visited this museum have felt underwhelmed or not as impressed with the set up, but I think you can get out as much as you want.

SIDE NOTE: We visited the museum after Justin Bieber. If you don't know he made a comment in the guest book about how "Anne was a great girl... and being a BeLIEBER" I looked into the book and saw references to him and I didn't understand until after we had got back home what the big deal was all about.
....I was somewhere famous....

 Walking through the city was neat. Bikes, canals, and the architecture. A great combination. We kept our map close by, we didn't want to walk anywhere we shouldn't :)

 In front of the Rijksmuseum are the famous letters I Amsterdam. Just like everyone else we couldn't help but climb all over the letters and get the kiddos in there for a M shot. Brecon wasn't quite so happy his tummy hurt, but we got them all together.

CRAZY!

 We knew we wanted to explore the beach and the sand after our time in the city and we all had a great time. Really- our kids could be at a sandy spot all day. Running around and letting go of all inhibitions, digging around for treasure, and the wind constantly in our faces. A perfect (not sunny nor hot) day at the beach!

This kid wants to jump higher, be faster, and go further than anyone else. A small competition issue, but he is still a great kid. He kept saying- "Mom, you want me to do that higher?"... How could I deny him that joy of jumping and landing in the sand? AIR JORDAN!

MAUDORADAM- the Hague

 This neat "little" display of all the big buildings places around the Netherlands in miniature forms. Educational "little" videos, interesting facts, and a "little" bit of fun. Our favorite was to watch a miniature candy truck drive over and deliver a piece of chocolate to our boys. They went wild over that. It really was a "small" world! A little sprinkling didn't slow us down.

 

GOUDA

 Adorable little town, charming city center, and yummy GOUDA cheese in all their varieties. We got the baby GOUDA and shared it with friends. It was so ... cheesy... and perfect with crackers. Even if the weather wasn't warm enough for ice cream, the boys got a scoop each to tide them over until dinner.

 

KINDERDIJK

 To get over to this great spot for the famous windmills we drove through these back road villages that were surrounded by water, a bridge driveway and a house surrounded by water, fields with canals running along on each side by water... EVERYWHERE. As we followed the GPS we got to a spot where there was no road at all. It went right into the water and there was a ferry on the other side. We took it for the adventure and later found a different way home, but still... it was pretty crazy how many cars and motorcycles they crammed onto that thing.

TERRA COTTA WARRIORS

We saw the Hague had a visiting display of the famous Terra Cotta warriors. The video that tries to explain how each warrior was made by coiling the clay was pretty amazing. The scientist now use a mold and it still takes months to make. The effort required from the Emperor of his citizens to build this army to protect him in the afterlife was incredible. Each warrior was brightly painted and covered with lacquer from the lacquer tree which is a powerful irritant, but also a sealant, and it took a weeks to harvest only a small cup. Glad we saw it and learned more about this amazing discovery. Something to look up: CHINESE PURPLE. The color is extinct, but was found on these warriors.