Happy Holidays and Happy New Year from The Netherlands!
We hope this greeting finds you well, and with time to reflect. Time…what a luxury! So this year I’m switching things up and sending a virtual card because, well, life at a new post and three kids got me behind. I know, we’ve all got our own challenges.
Considering what the world has been up against, again, in 2021, The Bitters had an incredible year. We travelled back to the Maldives and home two the Midwest…twice. We spent quality time with family and friends; although not nearly enough time as we would have liked and we missed quite a few people along the way. We were able to see a little bit more of Egypt before we left Cairo in August. The Gents began honing their tennis skills and have become incredible swimmers this year. Josephine continues to demonstrates she has no fear, approaching swimming and pretty much any new experience with abandon. These kids are my heroes.
In September we arrived to our new post and home in The Hague. It’s so quaint, as if out of a storybook. The Gents are now in kindergarten at the American School. We were a little nervous about how they’d take to being in separate classes, but they’re flourishing as individuals. Carter has developed a strong interest in science and math, while Royce is a budding artist and creative writer. They really have spilt the difference of their parents’ strengths! Their school and teachers are a dream and we’re so excited to see the positive impact these next few years will have on them. Josephine is attending a Dutch Montessori preschool. And yes, they mostly speak Dutch. There are a few other children that speak English though and those kids she calls her “best friends”. At least once a week she tells me she can’t understand her teachers,. She’s doing great though! When I drop her off the teachers give her instructions in Dutch and she seems to understand, moving along to wherever they’ve directed her. She’s definitely picked up more Dutch than me!
Thankfully nearly everyone here speaks English so getting things done is pretty easy. The Dutch are really kind and helpful. I have had a few snafus here - not having any money on me in a grocery store, forgetting my debit card when shopping, forgetting Josephine’s pick-up time at school (true story, for another day though) - and each incident was met with a kind, helpful and relaxed response.
The biggest adjustment for us has been biking, EVERYWHERE. Just like arrival at any other post, we were without most of our personal things and our car for 10 weeks. Fortunately The Gents ride the bus to and from school, but Josephine would’t be able to make the walk to her school. I quickly got comfortable biking with a large toddler and running errands…in the rain. So. Much. Rain. Thankfully the boys were great bikers before we arrived and they’re now getting accustomed to the bike lanes here. We can’t wait to bike to the beach and neighboring towns in the spring and summer.
Despite all of the rain, it’s a welcome change to the last four years in the Middle East! Everything is so green. The boys now even take a pragmatic approach to the rain, knowing it makes the nature that surrounds us grow so beautifully. Oh and the rainbows! I don’t think we’ll ever get tired of seeing full, double rainbows just outside our windows. They’re incredible. Some days it feels like I’m on a back country road in Michigan, seeing cows, llamas and sheep in a foggy pasture. It’s a lovely and comforting place to be when so far from home. And the chilly temps make it feel a lot like the midwest, too. We’ve been told that we’ll be ice skating on the canals this winter. Now we just need to get everyone skating!
As for Jeff, he’s enjoying work and finding his hangouts. Big shocker, it’s a cigar lounge. And me, well, the kids are keeping me busy. Now that we’re settled into the house I’m hoping to be working again soon. If Covid would just us a break! Praying we get off this lockdown soon
And not to be forgotten, Wally is living his best life. We have a beautiful, cozy home with a little yard that he spends a lot of time exploring or soaking up the sun (when it’s out, of course). It’s hard to believe he’s 13 years old the way he bounds around the yard.
We’re all looking forward to our time here in The Netherlands and can’t wait for visitors. The guest room is ready when you are!
Wishing you all a joyful and healthy 2022. xo
