Little Bird in Holland | cities and friends

So we’re back on Oahu and I have to say, it’s good to be warm again. Actually I had my first session after returning today and even though the weather has been funky lately, it was a gorgeous morning. Mellow waters lapping on the shore, a bit of mist hanging above the trees, and warm golden light. I love Holland, but it’s good to be home.

I meant to share these images earlier, but never got around to it. So here is a bit more from our adventure …

We were in Holland a full week before getting on a train. It was mild torture for Micah so he was jump-up-and-down-and-hug-your-sister excited when we got to take a train and a tram to get to Amsterdam. Our destination was a beloved modern art museum at museumplein. Since my last visit the area has been transformed into a great open space with cafes and playgrounds and green lawns.

I wasn’t sure how the kids would hold up at the museum since they were overtired, but they loved it. Micah kept asking me to take photos of him looking at artwork. He decided to really enjoy it, you must put your hands on your hips and stand really close.

We made a trip to the cheese market in Alkmaar, which has been operating for 400 years. The kids have a book about a cow that eats one of the farmer’s straw hats and they were looking everywhere for the cow.

Another trip to Amsterdam to visit friends over a seriously cold, wet mother’s day weekend.

Their fathers have been friends since they were 7, so it was heart-warming when these two became fast friends.

Surrounded by cookies. So unfair.

We made a trip to a sprookjesbos/fairy tale forest where our little gnomes where given a series of important tasks to accomplish.

A common site. Kids passed out in the car.

We took full advantage of all the dandelion fields.

And I dragged the kids out to a flower field at sunset (9:30 pm). It was cold. Tears ensued. But we just don’t have those in Hawaii.

Visits to old friends with new babies.

A random adventure led us to a little beach town. Mila was so excited to see the ocean again. Until the cold wind hit.

It’s so hard to go to bed when it’s still light out.

We tried to remember the 5 pound stack of homework Micah was assigned. But there were Legos to play with, and soccer balls to kick, and bikes to ride, and friends and family and, well … sorry Mrs. Ikeda.

One more week of adventure still to come …