Mom for a week

My conclusion of the week: children are tiring.

Kristel and Jerry have been in New York this week, so I've been the fill in Mom and Dad, and my gosh, what a week!  

First up, broken bike, on the way to swimming lessons.  The plan was that I would drive the bakfiets (click here to see a picture) with one kid, and the other would be on the bike.  They would then take turns riding the bike because it's an 8km bike ride one way, which is a bit far for little 5 year old legs.  But because I'm by myself and we were running late, the bike decided to break down about 1km into the journey.  So in goes the other child and the bike.  Doesn't sound too bad until I tell you the bakfiets is stuck in one gear and the tires are low.  All I can say is what a workout.  

Other than that, the week has been fantastic.  It was a great chance for me to bond with the kids more.  We have done lot's of fun things like painting and biking (we've had amazing +20 weather the last few days) and making fun desserts.

I was so nervous about this week, but in the end, it's been a lot of fun, and it has just made me love these kids so much more!  It was when Pilou came to my room in the middle of the night and asked if she could sleep with me that I realized they view me a part of their family, not just the au pair.  They treat me like family and they will always have a place in my heart with the rest of my family.  

That's Pilou in the purple, Pippa in the middle and Cleo on the right.

Pilou's definitely the goofy one of the three.  I don't think there's a day she doesn't come home with some sort of sticker on her head or her hair redone in some silly way.

Cleo was absolutely thrilled with the weather yesterday.  She literally played outside until the sun went down.  It truly felt like summer.  It was fantastic!

Pippa is the artsy one of the three.  She has the most beautiful 5 year old writing I've ever seen.  She is perfectly content with a piece of paper and some felt pens.