Music Class

Elizabeth and I recently joined a toddler music class that meets weekly. It is a small group, and we meet in the home of the instructor. This creates an informal and relaxed environment. Elizabeth loves everything about the class and enjoys moving to the various songs and making her own music with the different noise-making instruments. David, Janneke and the twins joined us for a class. Thanks to David for taking these great pictures!

The welcoming song:

 

Listening attentively to “What a Wonderful World” while looking at a colorful book of the lyrics.

 

 

Hands-on time with the different instruments at the end of the class.

Playing on our roof

Cousins

Elizabeth loves having family stay with us. She affectionately refers to Noï and Liselot as “babies”, even though she is practically the same age! It is the first word she says when she wakes up and the last word she says as she is falling asleep. Despite some rocky moments that accompany the need to share her toys, Elizabeth is having lots of fun with two little playmates in the house with her. Enjoy these pictures of their time together. 

The evening bath routine.

Riding the train carefully conducted by Tante Janneke. I had a hard time deciding which picture I liked best, so I posted all three of the best of the many I took :)

Coffee break in the German Colony after attending the very fun toddler music class.

Family Time

We are enjoying the company of David, Janneke,  Noi and Liselot. They arrived on Thursday and will be with us for about 10 days. With three one-year olds in tow combined with the traffic disturbances in the city resulting from President Obama’s visit, our time together thus far has mostly revolved around our home. It is heel gezellig!

 

We all enjoyed opening up our gifts from Holland.

For Elizabeth…Klara de Koe!

She loves Klara!!

For the entire family…Dutch treats! The highlight was a special pan to make poffertjes (Dutch style mini-pancakes that are very popular with kids).

Getting to Know the Family

Now that we have a little one in the family, I have wanted to find ways to help Elizabeth get to know her family. She won’t have the same experience as I did of growing up within walking distance of grandparents and frequent family gatherings which involved hours of play with cousins. But thankfully, we do have modern technology. Elizabeth is already familiar with the Skype ring and comes with excitement to look at the computer screen. And she has started to really interact with people we are talking to on video chats…showing them her toys, trying to touch their nose, etc.

A less techie way that we have brought our family into our home is through homemade family magnets. (I can’t take credit for the idea, as I saw it posted on a blog.) But how fun is this idea?! :)

These magnets have been a great success! Elizabeth loves looking at the magnets and often carries an assortment of them around the house with her. In fact, it is such a popular activity for her that she interacts with these magnets several times each day. She is starting to know names and will go and get a particular magnet upon request! She has even tried feeding the pictures of babies (her cousins in Holland) from one of her toy bottles.

Granted, it is not the same as actually being with these people. But it sure is a great way to help her get to know them so that when she does get to spend time with family, they will be familiar faces!

Learning is Hard Work

I never appreciated (or even thought about) the steep learning curve associated with using a spoon or fork. But clearly, it is not an easy thing to learn! There are many essential little details that are required for success…such as understanding that the spoon needs to be held horizontal! Elizabeth had been obsessed with trying to eat with a spoon around the time of her 1 year birthday. But after several weeks, her interested waned. However, in recent weeks, her interest has taken root once again, and she now clearly reminds us when we forget to give her one.

Looking on with obvious delight.

Concentration…

…and lots of it is required for the task.

Success!!
Sticky food dramatically increases the probability of success :)

But the hands are still very useful eating tools.

Practicing with others is helpful for learning too!

A Girl and her Papa

I love them both so dearly! I am a blessed wife and mother :)