April & Roel's blog: Blackberries, Beaches, Books & Ducks

Because our daycare provider was closed for the first two weeks of August, Roel and I each worked 1/2 days... one would be with the kids while the other was working. It is difficult to cram all the fun things one would want to do with the kids into the weekends, so I enjoyed being able to do some fun things. I took the kids blackberry picking a couple times at the park down the street from our house. The edges of the field are almost all blackberries. It was great fun. The kids ate them as fast as we could pick them. We enjoyed fresh blackberries on their own and as a topping on cheese cake.

We spent some time in our backyard in the little pool we have for them, but the kids had the the most fun at Laurel Lake. We went on a beautiful mid-August day and enjoyed the water and sand. Saskia, who is quite the adventurer, kept walking straight into the water. I spent a lot of time chasing after her. She also enjoys destroying any sandcastles I attempt to build.

We visited another lake in central Massachusetts with friends who live in the eastern part of the state. It was a half-way point for us and their two little girls enjoyed themselves as much as Kiefer and Saskia. We watched the ducks beg for food, played on the monkey bars and play structures, made (and destroyed) sandcastles, and picnicked on the beach.

Saskia loves to read. She is constantly getting her board books and giving them to us to read to her. Actually, "giving" isn't the correct word. Throwing or winging would be more accurate. Those board books do not feel nice when tossed at your face. Her favorite books are flap books. Currently, her favorites are: Where is Baby's Mommy?, Dear Zoo and Spot Goes to School. She also likes Baby Faces: Smile and Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes...

Saskia, who is now 14 months old, understands a lot. When we ask her to get something (such as a baby doll or ball), she does! She also goes straight to the bathroom when I say, "It's time for your bath!" or "Let's brush your teeth!" She also says some words:

Bye

Here you go (I say this a lot, apparently)

Thank you

Kiki (kitty, but also any other animal)

Ball

This past weekend we visited our Dutch friends who live in Hatfield... about 15 minutes from us. They have two girls (6 & 4) and they and Kiefer get along very well. We were surprised to find the older girl holding a baby duckling. It turns out they had quite a few baby ducklings that they were taking care of before they went to the Baby Barnyard at the Tri-County Fair in Northampton this weekend. They were so cute. Saskia kept saying, "Hi Kiki!" to them and Kiefer picked on up.