Around the house and the hood

My brother-in-law, Scott, emailed me yesterday and asked if I would send photos of our house and street.  You ask and you shall receive Scotty Potty!  Below are some photos of the past couple of days and of our house, street and some bicycle shots. 

On another note, the twins started school yesterday and had a blast. 

Our best meal yet: Ribeye steak from the butcher pan fried in butter (a la Hofbrau Steakhouse in Austin), broccoli, and mashed potatoes paired with the wine that the real estate agent gave us as a house warming gift

Typical breakfast for the twins: Fresh fruit, yogurt and a pastry.

Twin 2 practicing her cup drinking skills.
It didn't take too long before she was mixing her yogurt and other breakfast items into her water glass.

Our first piece of international mail from Grandma Jackie.

Lili and Linc's surprise when they get home from school today.
We had to leave their christmas gifts at home and grandma was going to ship them, but it was going to be way too expensive, so we bought them new brooms and dust pans.  The strollers and babies are to compensate for their urge to push their own stroller that it is too tall for them.

Mommy's gift to herself: a new cheese grater.  Not sure if this a gift or a punishment.  This does not look like it is going to be an easy task.  I couldn't find a stand up grater like they have in the states.  They don't have preshredded cheese at the cheese shops.  They slice it for you right off the block.

Our dining room

Our living room

Our garden which sits right off of the kitchen

Kitchen

First floor toilet

Both toilets have this on the outside that changes from "vacant" to "occupied" when the door locks.  Just in case Ryan needs his privacy!

Entry

Twins' room

Bathroom.  This is where the twins bathe an we take showers.  This is separate from the toilets.

Our bedroom

3rd bedroom (for an elf)

Spoiled dog got a new blanket so she can settle in downstairs.  They wouldn't lay down unless they were on their dog beds upstairs so we had to get them something to lay on downstairs.

Another spoiled dog.  I think if you listen closely, you can hear that she is barking with an accent now!

Outside of our house.  We have the 1st and 2nd floor.

View of our street.  This is the way to Frederik Hendriklaan where we do all of our shopping, about a five minute walk.  

Opposite direction of our street.  This is the way we walk to the children's school, about a 15 minute walk.  There are also parks to take the dogs walking or running and this is the way to central Den Haag for some serious shopping!

Bicycles on my street.  Bicycles are a common way to get around in Den Haag.  Ryan will be getting a bicycle soon and we have ordered a cargo bike that will be here in 3 weeks for the kids and myself.

We are trying to figure out how to get one of these installed on the side of our apartment so we can lock my cargo bike up because it won't fit in the house.

One way to transport your little one on a bike: a seat in the front with a sort of windshield to block the wind and maybe bugs?

Another way to transport your little ones.  A cargo bike.  This one is made of wood and has a rain cover on it.  This is a good option if you have 2 or more young children.

Another way to transport your kids.  On the back on a double seat.

And yet another way to transport kids.  One on the front and one on the back.  These are all options if you don't want to spend the money on a car.  Den Haag is small enough to not have a car and I am too scared to drive so even if we had a car I would probably prefer to go on bike, foot, or public transport.

And this, my friends, is the bike that we have ordered.  Lili and Linc will be riding in style all over Den Haag!  Let's hope momma can ride safely.