It Only Took 18 Years...

Well, it only took 18 years, but I finally checked "Tulip Time" off my "Places to Go/Things to Do in West Michigan List." However, based on how our trip went, it may be another 18 years before I get the nerve to go back.

We started off the day early by heading to one of the large tulip farms and gift shops. I was going to try to honor my girls' Dutch heritage and get each of them a pair of wooden shoes but I was too cheap to do so. I couldn't fork over almost $70 for two pairs of shoes! Instead, I was going to compromise and buy a little souvenir pair of shoes for $7 each; however, Brian convinced me that it would be just one more piece of clutter in their rooms. I figured if my husband, who is 100% Dutch, wasn't concerned about his daughters having souvenir wooden shoes, and the girls didn't show any interest whatsoever in them, then I didn't need to feel any guilt about the girls going without a Dutch costume or pair of shoes. We skipped the tulip farm since it would have been over $30 for us to go in; coupled with my passing up the authentic wooden shoes due to the price, my husband commented that I tend to act "more Dutch" than he sometimes does.

Instead, we headed to downtown Holland where we went to one of the parks in the center of town to look at the tulips. Despite me repeatedly telling Amelia that this wasn't a park with a playground, upon our arrival, she immediately demanded to know where the playground equipment was located. When reminded that there was no playground equipment, Amelia whined and moaned the entire time we were there. We made the mistake of having a slumber party in our living room the night before and we stayed up way too late so she was super grouchy. Allison,on the other hand, was just fine and kept finding flowers we should take pictures of and was a good sport.

After about ten minutes, I realized this "fun trip" was going nowhere pretty fast, so I called uncle and gave up. I suggested we find the candy shop to get a treat for the ride home. I made a wrong turn and realized the candy shop with the fun, retro candy was on the other end of main street. Luckily, the drug store had some candy, so we picked up a box of candy for each of the girls. We then quickly headed back to the car.  So no parades, klompen dancing, or street cleaning for us. However, we did make it out alive, which is all I can ask for. Maybe next year, I will bring just one of the girls back for the parade or dancing demonstration...or maybe not.

I Admit It....I'm a Soccer Mom!

I signed the girls up for soccer this spring. Our intention is to sign the girls up for different activities and sports over the next couple of years and let them decide which activity they like best. I had a feeling they might like soccer since they enjoy kicking the ball around in the backyard. Also, Amelia participated in a Tots Sports Academy class at the local community center that we belong to and she loved when they got to play soccer.  On days I would go work out, she would beg to go to the gym afterwards so I could play soccer with her.

I wasn't so sure how this season would work. I was under the impression when I signed up that the season was only six weeks long; however it was actually eight weeks. I thought that period of time might be too much for the kids and I wasn't looking forward to giving up six consecutive Saturdays for games.

Our first scheduled practice was cancelled due to rainy and cold conditions.  The next week, I kept checking the cancellation hotline thinking that surely practice would be canceled since the rain/snow clouds were forming. When we arrived at practice it started hailing and soon turned into snowy blizzard conditions.  However, the coach kept on with practice and all the kids had a lot of fun. They were supposed to have their first game that following Saturday; however, due to heavy precipitation that week, all games were cancelled. I wondered what I had gotten ourselves into.

Finally the weather cleared and they had their first game. I have to say, I was shocked at how well the kids played. I thought for sure that it would be four kids on each team running around the field huddled altogether kicking the ball anywhere. There were a couple of instances of kicking the ball in the wrong direction, but the kids were quickly pointed the correct way.  During the first game, the kids were a little timid about getting in there and really kicking the ball and trying to take it away from their opponents - understandable since we tell them all the time to "share and not take things away from others."

Amelia and Allison quickly found their niche on the soccer field and looked like they actually belonged. Allison kept the ball under control and had some great breakaways and was able to get the ball across the field to the net. We also noticed that when she was really into the game, Allison would have her tongue hanging out - sort of like another famous athlete (i.e. Michael Jordan). Amelia, on the other hand, let it be known that she wasn't going to be intimidated by others. When she came onto the field, Amelia would assume her "sumo wrestler" position and literally dig into the ground and then take off like a pistol at the sound of the whistle.

Rather than dreading giving up those Saturdays, we would look forward to watching our girls and their teammates play.  We were also treated in witnessing both Allison and Amelia scoring a couple of goals during the season. We were so fortunate to have such a wonderful team this year; the coaches were amazing with the kids and taught them a lot of new skills. The other parents were great too.

Not only did we enjoy watching the girls gain new physical skills, we also enjoyed observing their confidence grow week-by-week. We are all looking forward to the fall when the soccer season begins again.