Wednesday March 29, 2015

Wednesday was "our day".  Ethan was starting to feel a bit better but still not eating anything.  We borrowed Marieke's stroller and Anja's umbrella (it was a gift from us, hence the Canadian theme) and we went through town and a lot of memories of my childhood.

It rained the entire afternoon but that didn't stop us.  We went to the park I used to go to when I was little.  I often went there with my Opa.  They have one of little deer and ducks, geese, and swans.

We took some bread and fed the animals.

Such cute ducks.  Love 'me.

See that white thing?  He is my nemesis.  When is was little I was bitten by a swan or goose (they're all the same to me) and I can't stand bigger-than-duck birds.  They creep me out.  I thought Ethan would be afraid too (as he is afraid of dogs) but he surprised me and didn't mind the white walking disaster.

As you can tell, it was uncharacteristically cold that day.  Ethan had to wear his winter hat but he got a ton of compliments on it from random people!

Bread's almost gone.

He's still here.

A broader view of this part of the park.  It's actually much bigger than just this little part where we went.  We didn't venture further because of the rain.

Cute deer.

We shopped around a bit and stopped at my favourite Cafe, "De Croissanterie".  Ethan wanted apple pie and since he hadn't eaten a thing I happily obliged.  It was so "gezellig" and allowed us to dry since we were getting pretty wet from all that rain.

Mmmmm....he loved it!  He also asked for hot chocolate which was a hit also.

He enjoyed it so much.

What a smile!

The two of us.

Can you tell he is feeling a bit better?  With a fuller tummy he is starting to act silly.

Some pics of the stores in Steenwijk.

Blokker.

Inter toys.  The toy store where Ethan bought a shovel.  It did travel all the way back to Canada!

Hema.

A shot of another Cafe/Bar...Zus & Zo...where I used to go.

The new "Rechter".

Part of the shopping part of Steenwijk.

On the way to my Opa and Oma's old house.  This was the exact route my Opa and I used to walk.

As a little girl I would always go up these church steps too, just like my Ethan.

Opa would hold my hand as I walked along the bridge railing.

The road to my Opa and Oma's old house.

This is where they used to live.  It's been updated quite a bit.  Number 74.

My aunt and uncle's house.  My "second home" when I worked in Holland.

A view of city hall.

Their street.

My aunt's car.  See her bumper sticker?

My cousin Lisanne's little girl, Jasmine (also 3).

Lisanne and Jasmine.

My Opa and Oma moved here...like a retirement home but more independent.

We went out for dinner that night with my mom's siblings and their children (my cousins).  I hadn't seen most of them in a long time and it was great to catch up. We went to my beloved pancake restaurant, De Wildehof.

A wonderful day!!

And awesome pancakes!!!