Happy Easter Part 2 in Amsterdam!!!

Well, its taken me a few days to get to this next post and the most beautiful post as I have been sick the past 2 days.  The second day in Amsterdam started out foggy and cold.  The weather was calling for 17 and sunny.  We decided to Start at Anne Frank's hiding place then if it was sunny and warm to head to Keukenhof gardens to see the beautiful flowers.  So we decided to get in line and then one of us would go run and get a pastry from the pastry shop and eat breakfast and drink our coffee.  The line was ridiculously long as it had been the day before.  We went ahead and got in it not knowing how long the wait really was.  Now just a little info and hint to any of you out there interested in going to Amsterdam and going to see Anne Frank's hiding place. You can buy tickets ahead of time on line if you know what date you are interested in going.  We tried but with us booking our trip so late all tickets were booked. So that meant we had to get in line and wait.  While discussing where we were going to pick up breakfast ( about 20 min of standing in line) a member of the staff was walking around.  She came up to us and asked if the 3 of us were together and we of course said yes.  She said with the cold temperatures and the long wait it was unfair for Ivy to wait that long so she was going to move us to the front.  We proceeded to ask her how long the wait was and she responded 3 hours ( Jaw drop) .  Thanks to the cold temperatures and our little angel we were taken inside ahead of many, many others.  What luck!!! 
Any way, it was worth seeing and a must in my opinion.  I have to say though there are lots of stairs!!!  You have to remember that They were hiding on the upper level and it was 2 levels in the back.  So its a lot of standing and walking up stairs!!! Anne's father has all the furniture removed but everything else remains the same.  There are pictures in each room showing how it was when they were in hiding and its a very emotional experience or maybe I am just slightly emotional as a person.  It really puts it in to prospective more so than her diary or any movie.  You could not take any pics inside so I have one of us standing outside in front of the name and just one of the building to share. 

 

We pretty much ended up skipping breakfast but did take snacks so Ivy wouldn't starve.  Another note, if you take a backpack they make you wear it on the front.  My only thought is that its to keep someone from pick pocketing but I am really not sure.

 

After lunch we headed to Keukenhof. Now there are a few options there as well.  You can buy tickets on line but we decided to wait because we didn't know which day we were going.  It ended up being the best in the end.  The hotel sold a 5 hour tour for 45 euros and we went on our own to the airport, stood in line for 45 min bought and entry ticket and a bus ticket round trip for 23 euros.  You could do most any options.  They had canal tours were you road around a canal boat and saw flowers.  I will tell you this place is huge and is a lot of walking.  They even had a petting zoo.  Words can not describe the beauty and the pics you see here aren't even 1/3 of what took.  I am not even sure I am posting the best pics.  The rest of the post will be pics.  I may comment on a few but enjoy God's Gorgeous art work!!!!

 This Picture of Ivy and I was taken 10 minutes before she fell head first into the pond.  Kevin caught her at the waist.  She was soaked, scared and upset but ok.   It ended our trip a little early.  We still had about an hour left at the park.  We decided she need to get better clothes , we had the yellow sweater and a furry vest but her jeans were wet. So we did a quick walk through and then left. 

I hope you enjoyed this pictures.  Like I said this isn't a 1/3 of all I took and they may not even be some of the best pics.  I will do one more post on Amsterdam and

Easter to wrap up .  It will likely be in the next day or two.  In the mean time enjoy the beauty!!!!

 

Happy Easter from Amsterdam part 1

Hi all, sorry I haven't written in a while. I have been trying to decide if I want to switch blogs or just make some changes to this one.  I have come to  a decision yet, but I will let you know as Soon I make my decision.  Any way, since the last time I posted we have been busy.  A few days after my post and our decorations we decided to make one more Easter Decoration.  I drew a cross on a large piece of art paper and let her paint.  Then I cut it out and she decorated it more.  We hung it on the mirror in the hallway as a daily reminder that " He has Risen!!!"  I think its very pretty myself!!! 

Any way, with Ivy being sick and such short time we decided a week from Easter to go to Amsterdam for various reasons.  One being they had some English speaking churches, and the other main reason were the flowers.  I am not sure you have heard but just outside of Amsterdam from April - May they have the most beautiful display of tulips and other spring flowers on display.  So we decided to go ahead and head to Amsterdam.  This was of course Ivy's first time flying in her own seat.  And though she was nervous she really liked having her own seat and window!!!

She had two pillows behind her because they were worried that she could slip out of her seatbelt since she is so tiny!!!

We got there On Friday and by the time we checked in our hotel and got settled it was 4 pm.  So we just decided to do some walking around and eat an early dinner.  We stayed in the Park Plaza Victorian which was right across from central Station it was the perfect location. Walking distance to everything and quick hop to the airport (20 min) and to the flowers.  I sadly did not get any pics of the room. It was very over priced but nice.  Here is the pic of the hotel. 

We ate at a lovely restaurant close by.  We had mussels and fries. Ivy as usual did fabulous.  I didn't take too many pics the first day but here are just a few of the city!! 

 

Ok, well I am breaking this down in parts as the flowers are gorgeous and there are so many.  I will get to that tomorrow.  Ivy is sick and crying so I need to run.  We are all sick.  Hopefully hers is done running its course and tomorrow she will be better if not its off to the doctors.  Hope you all had a wonderful Easter!!! 

Crafts and Pigtails

Well, with having Ivy home with me for the past few weeks we got a lot of craft time in and we made our Easter Decorations.  We did not do any biblical Easter Decorations this year as I couldn't think of anything age appropriate but I have  a few ideas for next year.  It was all bunnies, eggs, and a duck.  The only thing I had to buy for these projects was Easter grass as we used items we already had around the house.  We used paint, construction paper, card board, stickers, glitter glue, eyes, and a few other small items.  Pictures speak more then words so here are a few pics of Ivy decorating and having a fun time!!! 

She is so serious and concentrating in these pics.  These were Easter eggs made from construction paper that she decorated and we used some on a wreath we made and some on the windowsill.  Here are a few pics of the wreath we made for the front door.  The only thing missing is a cotton ball for a tail.  Our bunny has a defect!!!

Then we made some decorations for the windowsill and she enjoyed painting the toilet paper rolls while I held them.  She painted her own hands and I helped her stamp them on the paper.  She just loves crafts.  I need to get more items when I come back to the states.  Craft stuff is either hard to find or is expensive here. 

 

 

Just to add some extra pics.  We had a gorgeous weekend this weekend.  We all enjoyed ourselves out at the park then a nice dinner. Sunday we went to the zoo.  I have been trying to do more with Ivy's hair as it gets longer. Here are few cute pics of her in pigtails!!!

 

 

Here is a comparison of her standing in the same place last year ( a few months later)  doing the same thing as she was this weekend. 

Last Year

 



This Year

 

 

 

Just for fun!!  Today Ivy and I went to the park. We were playing in the sandbox.  I decided to get somewhat creative and here is what I made in the sand!!!

 

Just in case anyone was wondering.  Ivy had her appointment last Friday.  They didn't do any tests but said all looks good with Ivy.  She is finished her antibiotics so assuming they are correct things should be fine.  If not it will return I would assume in the next few days or so.  I am feeling pretty positive!!!  Have a nice day and I hope you all are getting some nice weather and getting out !!!