We just got home from a fun weekend in Holland. We think it is really lovely there and the Dutch seem to make their country very quaint and pretty. We stayed by the coast in a hotel near Noordwijk, about 2 1/2 hours from Brussels. On the way, we stopped at an Asian store where we used to go while living in Amsterdam. I was amazed that after all these years, Daddy could find it so easily. (the last time we went to this store was six years ago!)

We got to the hotel and checked in but then went immediately into Noordwijk to do some shopping at the Hema. First on our list, more underwear for Frunty. I never thought I'd have so much fun buying underwear but for a pint-size little guy, it is an adorable thing to do. The guys left me to walk to the beach where they played. We were lucky with the weather. After the beach, we ate some mackerel/raw herring and took a pizza, at Frunty's request, back to the hotel.

Our hotel was doing some renovation and although we never noticed any noise or experienced any inconvenience, they gave us coupons for drinks at the swanky bar. So after we had our pizza and enjoyed the pool and hot tub, we got dressed and went to the bar which was miraculously, not smokey! We sat at the bar so Frunty could watch the Karate competition and on the way back to our room, he practised lots of moves and it was hilarious.

Today we packed in a lot of fun activities. Across from our hotel were still a couple of bunches of tulips so we took pictures before moving onto the train museum. We played with a train set and took a train ride in the countryside where we saw cows/horses/sheep and people walking dogs. Mowgli came on the train too.

After that, we ate our sandwiches and headed to the ESA Space Expo. We thought the one in Belgium was way more interesting. This one had a very good film about Glenn, the 77 year old American who returned to outer space. Before heading back to Brussels, we tried to find a pannekoeken restaurant in Leiden but ended up getting a picnic-to-go from Albert Heijn. We were all pretty tired when we got home but Frunty was so thrilled to see some of his toys again so we stayed up awhile and played.

I think that that is it for mini-getaways until after Tiny Baby is born. We had a really fun time but any trip can be tiring and we have to save our strength for the months to come! Plus there are a lot of great day trips we can do around here.

Happy Victoria Day, tomorrow, Canada!