Some New 'Almost Family'

In Canada I have two parents, five brothers, and one sister.  They are the best family in the whole world!  Stacy is the bestest, onliest sister ever (and I say that with love and a cherry on top).  And little (and not so little) brothers are pretty cool too!

 

But one thing I always wanted, but never had, was a little sister.  So getting to 'borrow' them every now and then is lots of fun!  In Canada I have Abby and Kendra.  We have heaps of adventures every time I babysit there!  (I sure do miss babysitting and piano lessons). 

 

But yesterday Elizabeth came over!  She's 3 years old, and a granddaughter to the Macleans.  We looked at photo albums, and Elizabeth told me all about the pictures.  Listening to kids talk is a great way to learn more Dutch.  Although they sure do find it amusing that my Dutch is so severely lacking.  But I'm getting there! 

 

 

 

Then later on more of the family came and we had a whole group of us building a big tall tower, and then a castle out of duplo.  Load of fun!  Although the tower and castle did go 'caput' an awful lot. 

 

 

 

It was very busy and fun all day (because it was Oom Gert Jan's birthday) but when all the kids left I felt a little homesick.  So I called home and got to talk to my real sister, and my very own three year old brother, and my wonderful mom.  Dutch 'Almost Families' are pretty cool, but my family is irreplaceable.  It would be so nice to blip back into Canada and give them all hugs.  But I'm here now, and the best I can do is keep busy, make new friends, and enjoy every moment.

 

But I sure do enjoy the phone calls which come every two or three days!

I don't know how the pioneers survived leaving home forever.  I think I would probably just wither away if I didn't ever hear from my family.  In any case I would have a great deal of rather miserable moments.  I'd better end this post before I spiral into depressing thoughts.

 

PS: I really am doing enjoying myself in the Netherlands.