April & Roel's blog

Well, Kiefer has been having a wonderful time with his Tante Paula and Oom Frank who arrived for a visit on September 28. He was a little shy at first, but he quickly got used to all the extra attention. It also helped when they gave him all sorts of gifts from friends and family in the Netherlands. He has some great new books, Sinterklaas bath toys and Nijntje clothes. What a lucky little boy.

Tante Paula and Oom Frank are expecting a baby boy at the beginning of January. They won't tell us what the name will be, so we've been trying go guess. They have been doing their part in trying to stimulate the American economy by shopping, shopping shopping. They've been to two outlets and bought loads of things for "Baby X." They also bought some things for themselves and we're all wondering if everything is going to fit in the suitcases for the trip back on Monday (Oct 13).

Last weekend, Roel and I went to Melissa Beesley and Ian Woglom's wedding in Northampton. We didn't have to worry about finding a baby sitter because we had two staying in our house! They had a great time and so did we. The wedding was beautiful and we had a fun dancing at the reception. The following day, everyone but me went to Look Park--I had to stay home and work on a paper that was due on Wednesday. Kiefer thoroughly enjoyed the playground and riding the little train.

Yesterday, Tante Paula, Oom Frank, Kiefer and I went to McCray's Farm in South Hadley. We went on a hayride to one of their many pumpkin patches and Kiefer got to select his very own pumpkin. Unfortunately, he wasn't as thrilled about the hayride as I thought he would be. He liked watching the tractor, but he didn't like sitting still in the wagon. He preferred running around the wagon when it stopped and everyone else was in the pumpkin patch. Kiefer also didn't care for the pumpkin patch. I think he kind of thought the plants were scary. Maybe he'll appreciate it more next year.

Today, Roel and Frank went to the Amherst College football game. They wanted to sit in the sun and ended up sitting on the visitor's (Colby College) side. So whenever Amherst scored, they couldn't really celebrate. I'm sure the Colby College fans weren't hooligans, but I thought it was funny. Meanwhile, Kiefer, Paula and I went to the Monkey Tree in Greenfield so she could check out an Ergo baby carrier. She ended up purchasing one for Baby X. I am sure they'll get a lot of use out if. Even though it has been 70 and sunny the past few days, I bought some winter boots for Kiefer. Now we just need to get some snow pants and a heavy winter jacket so he's all ready to play in the snow, which will be here before we know it.

Tonight we all went out to dinner at Hope and Olive, a great restaurant in Greenfield. It was the first time that Kiefer ordered from the kid's menu. He had grilled cheese with apples and carrots. He didn't eat too much of it, but he enjoyed playing with his food.

Tomorrow we're all going to Mike's Maze... a corn maze in Sunderland. From the top of Mount Sugarloaf in Sunderland, you can get a good look at the maze, which is made to look like something different every year. This year's maze is called, "Odysseus and Polyphemus, An Odyssey in Corn." I think we may actually be able to go the top of Mount Sugarloaf after we go through the maze... it has been closed for the past few days because a movie (Edge of Darkness) starring Mel Gibson is filming there.

We're all going to miss Frank and Paula when they leave on Monday. We probably won't see them (and their baby) again until their wedding in September!

Luv,
April