Christmas performance - photos

We finally received the photos of the kids' 

dance school's Christmas performance. 

I think several parents may have had some problems

finding their child on these photos.....

 .....we didn't (hah!).

When my son appeared on stage, I heard 

everybody around us whisper: "Oh look, a boy!"

It was his first real performance.

He looked so cute in his blue waistcoat 

that he made me cry. I wished his birth

 parents could have seen him. 

 My daughter performed on stage before.

 It was so good to see how much progress she has

made and how she loves what she is doing.

 The costumes were amazing! 

They used rolling pins and mixing bowls, 

such a great idea!

We are so proud of them.

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Little House

When I was in high school in the Netherlands, there was a library in walking distance. You could always find me there. During school holidays, I sometimes went twice a day, in the early morning and in the late afternoon. I still remember how I felt after turning the last page of a book I really loved.

I am feeling the same way now. I finished "The first four years" today and I am somehow sad. Laura's books were one of the best Christmas presents ever. It took me a month to read them all and I loved every minute of it. "The long winter" was my favorite, but every single book was very special.

 

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{this moment}

I am linking up with Amanda today.

 A Friday ritual. 

A single photo - no words - capturing

a moment from the week. 

A simple, special, extraordinary moment.

A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

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Cup song

It just wasn't my week. I was sick on Sunday and stayed in bed most of the day. I was feeling better on Tuesday, until I tried to put on my boots and made a wrong movement...my back! I know the symptoms, because I have suffered low back pain before. The shooting pains were so strong that I almost didn't make it to the couch. I was afraid to break down on the floor, because that happened to me once when I was at home with all the kids, when the younger two were still baby's. I couldn't get up again and we had to call the ambulance to take me to the hospital. That was really embarrassing! But I somehow managed to reach my husband at work because my kids were waiting for me to pick them up after dance class. For two days I could only crawl on all fours. I used the boys' office chairs, one on the first and one on the second floor, to move around the house. It must have looked very funny. I was so happy that my best friend came by just when I needed her. She cleaned up the kitchen and took the kids for lunch (and brought me a cake), which really helped me a lot. My back still hurts but I am grateful and happy now that I can walk again!

Actually, I wanted to share something else with you today. Do you know the Cup Song (When I'm gone) by Anna Kendrick? I didn't.



My kids brought home a link to these YouTube videos and couldn't stop talking about the "cups". I must admit, it is SO COOL!




We all like the version performed by the Irish school.

We bought paper cups this morning (noise reduction ;-)) and we have been practising all day long (there are a couple of tutorials on You Tube too). 

It is not easy, but it is so much fun!

In case you are looking for the english lyrics:

Cup Song

I got my ticket for the long way round
Two bottles of whiskey for the way
And I sure would like some sweet company
And I'm leaving tomorrow, what do you say

When I'm gone (2x)
You're gonna miss me when I'm gone
You're gonna miss me by my hair
You're gonna miss me everywhere, oh
You're gonna miss me when I'm gone

When I'm gone (2x)
You're gonna miss me when I'm gone

You're gonna miss me by my walk
You're gonna miss me by my talk, oh
You're gonna miss me when I'm gone

I got my ticket for the long way round
The one with the prettiest of views
It's got mountains
It's got rivers
It's got sights to give you shivers
But it sure would be prettier with you

When I'm gone (2x)
You're gonna miss me when I'm gone

You're gonna miss me by my walk
You're gonna miss me by my talk, oh
You're gonna miss me when I'm gone

When I’m gone (2x)

You’re gonna miss me when I’m gone

You're gonna miss me by my hair
You're gonna miss me everywhere, oh
You're sure gonna miss me when I'm gone

When I'm gone (2x)
You're gonna miss me when I'm gone

You're gonna miss me by my walk
You're gonna miss me by my talk, oh

You're gonna miss my when I'm gone.

 

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Delft Blue

I remember Delft Blue being really old fashioned.

Something for grandmothers and tourists only.

But it isn't anymore! Delft Blue is hip (although some of these beads are probably made in China).

I found these cute "wooden" shoes in my bead

drawer the other day.

I turned them into a long necklace.

It's simple but I love wearing it.

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My great grandfather

My great-great grandparents had six children, three boys and three girls. Their third child was my great grandfather, the painter.

When I found this picture on the internet (totally by coincidence), I recognized him immediately (front row, 2nd right). It was taken on the occasion of my great-great grandparents' 40th wedding anniversary (1891).

I contacted the person who put this picture on the internet and he appeared to be a descendant of one of the girls. He gave me some really valuable information and he also sent me the email address of somebody else, who appeared to be a descendant of the youngest daughter of the family (thank God for the internet!).

One week before Christmas there was a cd in my mailbox, full of old family pictures.The oldest picture, the painter as a young boy, dates from around 1870 probably. It is the only picture I have ever seen of him without a moustache.

He was quite a handsome man. 
My grandfather, his youngest child, looked so much like him.
These old photos are priceless (thank you Johan)!

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Hair!

Her hair keeps amazing me!

 

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