Here Lieke is working at the local bakery as part of a school project. Another trip after visiting the post office and talks from the fire department at school. The children get a practical view in the “kitchen” of various professions.

Getting hands-on experience with preparing the dough for the bread, adding raisins or nuts. Finally making buns in every size and shape.

Later that day the baker finished baking them and brought the results to the school. During lunch every kid could enjoy their own home-made bread.

Tags: School, Bakery

Hiking

Lieke with sturdy hiking boots. Her backpack with a camelback filled with water, sandwiches and power bars.

We spent our holiday in Northern California. We hiked the trails in Yosemite Natl. Park and the Redwood Natl. Park. Going up to the beautiful waterfalls abundant with the water from the melting snow. Walking among the enormous Sequoia trees.

We camped in Lava Beds Natl. Monument and explored the lava tubs with flash lights.

For more information go here... & for pictures go here...

Tags: Hiking, Sport

Food

Lieke eating one of her personal favorite meals. Macaroni with ham and cheese together with vegetables. In this case she is having carrots. She doesn't like them too well cooked, needs to be crunchy.

Last week she forgot to bring her sporting goods back from school. Luckily we found them again in the lost & found basket. The previous time we weren't that lucky.

Last weekend she bought her Nintendo WII game computer from her savings. Now we are "doomed" to join her in playing various sports. Well I like to practice tennis, baseball and my golf swings...

Tags: Food

Birthday Party

Last Friday Lieke went for her snowboarding try-out.

After our last holiday in Austria she studied skiers and snowboarders on the slopes. After careful consideration she decided snowboarding was more her thing. I think the boys and girls looked more interesting with their colorful boards, clothing and helmets. We arrange a trial lesson at SnowPlanet, Spaarnwoude. A nice deal for € 25.- including material and some food afterwards.

During the hour the kids learn the first basics. The girl giving instructions was great and took her time to explain things. Maneuvering with the big board and getting your balance. Knees bend, lean a bit forward, use your arms and make small turns by shifting your weight from toes to heels.

Like any person she fell a few times (as most of us would). Still she liked it a lot and she wants more...

Tags: Sport, Birthday

Birthday Party

Lieke held a party for her 8th birthday last Saturday.

She invited 5 girlfriends and they went to Riga Ranch. A local horse farm specialized in milking horses and selling special products based with horse milk as ingredient. Apparently horse milk holds some healthy substances e.g. improving indigestion, healing psoriasis.

The farm also offers the possibility to celebrate your birthday. For less than €15.- per child you get entertained for a few hourse with all drinks and food included.

As part of the program the girls could play in the haystack, feed and brush the horses. On the way they get some background information about horses. At the end of the day every girls gets the opportunity to ride a few rounds on the horses.

As part of her birthday party Lieke and her friends visited a local horse farm. The children played in the hay, fed the horses enormous carrots, groomed them and even rode a few rounds on the horses.

Returning home they were exhausted and desperately in need of a bath. We found hay straws in the car and their clothes.

Tags: Birthday, School

Winter Holiday

Lieke got MSR Little Lama snowshoes as Christmas present. At first she didn't really understand the need and purpose, but she caught on and enjoyed plowing through the deep powder snow.

Of course she needed cool shades to protect her eyes against the snow blindness.

After carefully studying the moves of the other kids she decided the next time she wants to get snowboarding lessons. Snowboarding was more her thing.

We have scheduled a visit to the indoor snowboard/ski school at SnowPlaza, Spaarnwoude. We have an appointment for the end of next week. She can sign-up for additional lessons if she really likes it.

Tags: School, Holidays

Ice skating

Lieke is taking ice skating lessons for the second year in a row. Every Saturday at noon she goes to the partial covered ice rink in Haarlem to practice.

The children get exercises and instructions to improve their skating technique. Half way the season the children were evaluated and their progress is measured. They have to skate as many rounds as possible in 8 minutes, skate 100 meters as fast as possible and skate making sharp turns around pions.

At the end of the practice they receive a diploma with their results. After Christmas the lessons will continue.

Tags: Sport