Zwembad (Swimming pool)

Since we came here in February 2008, today is the first time that we went to Zwembad (Swimming pool). My husband is not fond of swimming so we forgot to make a schedule for it... But this time, together with my 3 Filipina friends named Ate Josie, Ivy and Rhoda, we made some schedules for swimming. Actually, it was me who initiated in organizing it... I don't know how to swim but I like it.. And taking a swimming lesson is still in my agenda...

It's the first time that we brought our daughter to the zwembad or swimming pool so at first she was so afraid of the water. But I encouraged her by first just playing her feet with the water, then sitting in the water, and then walking till the water level reaches her neck. I'm happy to see how she finally enjoyed playing with the water. She was even crying when I said that we're going home, hehe! But I said that for sure there will be next time :)

De Ketting (Necklace)

As early as 27th of April, I received already from our daughter her Mother's Day gift. In the Peuterspeelzaal or school where Mireille is going, she made this beautiful ketting (necklace)... As you can see in the photo above, it's made of macaroni pasta which she painted and used it as beads for the necklace, funny!... But I"m proud of her artwork.. I know she made it with all her heart and that she made it especially for me... Normally everytime she'll came home with her artwork, she'll always say that it's for Mama and Papa but then it would end up that she'll be playing with those artworks anyway.. But this necklace since the day she gave it to me, she never ask for it anymore to play with even when she'll see me wearing it... She will just say to me "Wat mooie ketting!" (What a beautiful necklace!)... Indeed it's beautiful and special :)


My husband surprised me too with a bath set mother's day gift.. sweet ha:)

Happy Mother's Day to the best Mama in the world, my Mama
en Fijne Moederdag aan mijn schoonmoeder Mama Gea

Happy Mother's Day to all the Mothers in the world

Lege Batterijen (Empty Batteries)

Lege batterijen? Lever ze in en WIN! (Empty batteries? Send them and Win!)... That's the campaign motto of Stichting Batterijen (Stibat).


Just put 10 empty batteries in a small plastic. Write your name, address and telephone number on a paper and put it there. Then send it to the nearest drop box near in your area. Then you'll have the chance to win the first prize of € 2,000 reischeques (travel check) and 50 VVV irischeques worth € 50. Every month you'll see the list of winners on their website. And for April 2010 VVV irischeque (€50) winners....

I won!!! Yes, today I received a letter from STIBAT together with the enclosed VVV irischeque (€50) as my prize... I'm so happy, thanks to Mama Gea (my mother-in-law) who told me that instead of throwing those empty batteries, I could keep them and send together to the contest of STIBAT... Last March (2010) I have at least 10 plastics with 10 emtpy batteries each and I drop them to the drop-box in the Lidl. I never thought I would win right away...

Thank you STIBAT and more power!

Bevrijdingsoptocht (Liberation Parade)

Yesterday (May 5) was the Bevrijdingsdag (Liberation Day) here in Holland. But it's non-working holiday, only every 5th year like this year the 65th Bevrijdingsdag. We went to Oude Pekela to watch the Bevrijdingsoptocht or Liberation, Parade. We saw military vehicles, tractors of the farmers, antique cars and some Veterans as well. The parade was organized by 50 Pekelder associations and organizations in cooperation with the Stichting Oranje Bevrijdings Comité Pekela (OBCP).
It's the first time that I saw this kind of parade... I like it!