We finally made it to the @teylersmuseum (the oldest museum in the Netherlands) yesterday and honestly I wasnāt expecting this level of excitement from the kids. I think the security guard almost got a heart attack because of us. (No artifacts got damaged during our visit but hey, it wasnāt easy to hold them back š)
When life gives you an unexpected trip to Rotterdamā¦ I finally visited the @fenix . The architecture is outstanding, but I left still not really sure what the curation was trying to communicate.
I thought Iād be moved to tears, but everything felt a bit too polished and distant. The exhibition looked beautiful, but it didnāt really capture how messy, emotional, and confusing it feels to start over somewhere new.
The past few months Iāve been adjusting to a new country and a new language, all from an extremely privileged position, and itās been soo hard. Walking through the exhibitions, I kept wondering whose feelings the exhibition was actually trying to represent. In the least perspective mine, even less from people that have come from much further away and without the social net I have here. I wonder.. were the people that have migrated in the room when this was curated? (Photographed artwork by @alanmeasles )
Another year, another cake āļøāļøāļø so glad I asked Arik from @chezfritz.patisserie to teach me how to cake as a present to myself when Riv turned one šš„³ .. and yes, I used @tonies_de that I placed on edible paper as cake decoration š
Happy birthday to us, @mickeyvanolst . I cannot believe sheās four alreadyā¦. A community side note: a few years ago I saw someone here on insta putting party hats on all the stuffies and so last year I got mini party hats and once the kids are asleep I align all the toys I can find and put party hats on. Seeing Riv notice first thing in the morning is the cutest thing and worth keeping party hats stored away for that momentā¦. Also, she wished for a real unicorn so if you have ideas how to make that wish come true Iām all ears š š š
We signed up for @wij_telen_groente and today was our first time harvesting! I really consider myself lucky having had my grandparents show me how food is grown and so doing my best to give my kids a similar experience. While in Berlin we got a veggie box from @plantage.farm once a week, here in Haarlem we have to harvest the veggies ourselves š
Our first kings day in @visithaarlem , (mostly) spent away from the crowds. We had friends from Berlin visiting and spent the day exploring the different hofjes, which are hidden estates funded by the rich and built for widowed women and others in needs. Some of them were built as early as in the 14th century š§”
This is 40! This past year has been such a whirlwind of feelings and life craziness that itās the first time that Iām not so happy reflecting where Iām in life right now and on my birthday. (Normal to do a life inventory on birthdays, isnāt it?!) I started writing again which feels nice and Iām curious what comes out of that. Onward!
Well deserved cake after her first time going to school.. then in two weeks sheās going for real. I tried not to cry but it didnāt quite work so well to not get completely emotional. Now itās just one last time daycare and then I Iāll have a school kid š„² (in the Netherlands, kids go to school at four and itās more like a Kita but itās free)
Last weekend as a 30-something and Iām so glad we got to go away just the two of us. It was a great reminder of who we are as people and not just as parents. Also a good reminder of who I am when Iām not constantly overwhelmed by the amount of screaming and irrational requests. (Parenting is no joke š¬)
We got sketchbooks and drew. Talked without getting interrupted. Saw the @wesandersonplanet exhibition at the @designmuseum . Ate without having to share the best bits on the plate. What a life (!) ā and still, I cannot wait to get back to the weird requests, the farting dog and the significantly less-intense energy of the Netherlands. š
A couple of weeks ago @kentlifephotography posted about an instawalk where everyone got a color assigned for the day and only took pictures of that. Yesterday, in London, we did exactly that. I had so much fun! It reminded me so much of what I used to love about Instagram: sharing creativity with others and learning to see through their eyes. Thank you, @mickeyvanolst for the best day š¦
Robinson Crusoe, Anne Frank, die Wolkeā¦ was haben sie gemeinsam? Sie waren und sind es wahrscheinlich immer noch: Schul-PflichtlektĆ¼re. Der letzte Himmel von @alenajabarine sollte das auch werden. FĆ¼r Kinder, wie fĆ¼r Erwachsene. #kathmoreads
