A Trip to Amsterdam
(Fair Warning...this was awhile ago, but the purchasing of a car totally consumed my life, and probably made me pretty grumpy. I didn't feel like writing.)
After our trip to Paris, I wasn't sure I was ready, or that I wanted to attempt to take the girls on another trip. Our car ride to Paris was LONG due to the insane traffic, and while we did have fun in Paris, Ryan and I had a HUGE learning curve when it came to dealing with the needs of three totally different girls unaccustomed to travel in Europe. I was determined Amsterdam was going to be better, but I wasn't holding out hope. I thought I was prepared for Paris and on many levels, I was. However, I am not sure that you can prepare the girls for what visiting a city (with Ryan) is really going to be like. I have had the opportunity to do quite a bit of travel with Ryan, (thank you grandparents!) and have become familiar with how he travels; LOTS of walking, meals might be missed, bathroom breaks are rare, getting lost is normal, and LATE nights. I tried to bring snacks and remind Ryan of time and needs in Paris, but it just wasn't soon enough and tempers and attitudes got testy at times. I was bound and determined to not let Amsterdam be this way!
Luckily, the trip was SO MUCH BETTER! Chloe was in her typical 3 year old hysterical, smart self; which kept us all on our toes. Rylee, poor thing, had her first bladder infection, and Gwen was happy to be along for the ride.
Our ride in to Amsterdam was SO much better with the traffic and ease of getting there. I am convinced my children have gotten a tape worm since we have gotten here or developed a compulsive habit of needing to eat once the get in the car and our car leaves the driveway. I had plenty of snacks to keep them going. (success #1) Instead of the girls all sitting in the same row, we decided to separate them. (success #2) This was first met with the typical, AHHH MOM! Once, they were in the car and they had their own little space, they were much quieter, and I was a very happy mama!
When we arrived at the hotel, Ryan went in to check us in and park the car in the hotel garage. (here is where we take a turn for the worse) Ryan had spent HOURS attempting to find a place to park in Amsterdam; location, price and safety of the vehicle were are biggest obstacles. The hotel had a garage and while it was expensive, it was at least safe and close. However, it was under construction and the hotel neglected to inform us of this until after we had checked in. Ryan gave up and parked at a garage right behind the hotel. The cost of parking there was around $75 (usd) per day. THAT IS INSANE. After we got everyone and all their stuff up to the hotel room, no simple task I assure you; poor Ryan was being tormented with what to do with the car. Finally, after much thought he decided we were moving the car 40 walking minutes away, but only $10 per day. I figured this would be fine as well. Even though the car was far away, the walk was along where we would be walking each day anyway and it saved a TON of money. With everyone lined up at the door, Chloe in a stroller, Ryan realizes we don't have the hotel keys to get back in. So, we begin looking frantically, EVERYWHERE! We turned the room upside down looking for these stupid key cards. I am still convinced Chloe hid them. Right before we had put Chloe in the stroller, Ryan told her Clover (her beloved cow) wasn't going to go with us. (Let's be honest, as a parent, we know how this goes. A kid wants to take an item and halfway through the evening you end up walking the streets of a foreign city carrying a stuffed cow.) She was upset and in an attempt to get ahead of a breakdown, I told her Clover was so tired from the trip, he just wanted to stay in the hotel dresser drawer to rest and play with the princesses that were already in there. And, I did what any sane mother would do. I held dear Clover to my face and said to him (in a sweet motherly voice), "You're tired aren't you poor little Clover. It was such a long drive and you just want to get a little rest. (insert me kissing a stuffed cow) Here you go little guy. Just lay here and rest. If you wake up before we get back, I am sure the princesses would love to play with you." (me placing Clover into the drawer) While everyone was looking for the missing keys, Ryan's frustration is escalating (in retrospect, my laughing probably wasn't helping) and Chloe managed to get herself out of the stroller. I was trying to focus on finding the keys, but I kept listening to Chloe talking to herself. The conversation went something like this: "HUMPH! Clover doesn't want to stay here! I am going to ask Clover if he wants to stay here! (Chloe now out of stroller and getting Clover out of the drawer. Then speaking to Clover in her motherly, sweet voice; mocking me) Clover, you don't want to stay here do you? You don't even like the princesses. You don't have to stay here. You can go with me!" She then hops back into the stroller with Clover and the keys were finally found. Clover is going to dinner with us. Daddy lost the battle. Parking the car went well and the garage was actually much better than we had imagined.
We ate dinner at a really neat restaurant with no tables. The girls thought it was a lot of fun. They said they can't wait to take Poppi there.
On our first full day there we ate breakfast at this amazing pancake/crepe house. Rylee ordered a nutella crepe. It was the largest crepe I have EVER seen and she at the entire thing.
The girls were in heaven! Then we headed off for a day of walking and museums. We went to the Rijks museum to see some paintings. The girls really enjoyed this. They were both focusing on art in their studies at school so they were excited to see some of the ideas they were discussing in school right in front of them. We even Face-Timed with our favorite art teacher from Indiana. 
The next day we rented bikes (not my idea) to ride around Amsterdam. This was the highlight of the trip for Rylee and Gwen. I am so glad we all lived through the experience. EVERYONE rides bikes in Amsterdam and people come out from corners you didn't even know existed. Because this was the first time for the girls, we started off in the park. Once they were comfortable with how the system works (there are traffic lights for bikes) we moved to the streets. We only caused a few minor bike accidents. At least there were no injuries. Chloe was furious that she had to ride in a seat on daddy's bike and reminded us the entire day that she also knew how to ride a bike and could do what we were doing. Trying to convince this child she isn't as big as she thinks she is a full time job. And, by big, I mean in size. They don't have bikes small enough for her for rent. Even taking her to the shop to see the bikes didn't help. Clover of course had to go with us. Daddy looked very cute with Chloe and Clover in tow.
We had to stop for a restroom break along the way. We stopped at a McDonald's to get something to drink and use the restroom. This was the first time the girls encountered a pay restroom. When they were done, the lady collecting the money gave the girls a piece of candy. Rylee thought this was awesome and kept insisting she needed to go back to McDonald's to use the restroom. She said everybody would use the restroom more if they got a candy treat when they were done. We ended back up in the park to ride around and found a playground that served beer and snacks. The girls insisted we stop to play. Ryan insisted we stop for a beer. After returning our bikes, we had a delicious candlelight dinner by the canal. We all really enjoyed this. Ryan ordered a desert with strawberries (honestly, he should know better by now) and Chloe insisted she get to have a bite. The next time I looked over, she had taken his fork from him, then looked him straight in the eyes and said, "Folks, don't try this at home." then promptly ate his desert for him.
On our last day we checked out and ate another delicious breakfast at the pancake house. After walking around for a bit. We went down to the canal and saw the flower markets and all the boat houses. We wanted to see Anne Frank's house, but we just couldn't get there before the line was a three hour wait. That is not something any of us felt like doing. We'll be back and go to see it then. Time had come to load the car and head home.
We had such a wonderful trip with tons of laughter. I just love these girls and all their creative craziness. They are constantly making Ryan and I laugh. I am so thankful this trip went more smooth than our trip to Paris. I think it helped that we all knew what to expect. Ryan planned a great trip and we all had so much fun. It's moments like we had on our trip that remind me why we moved here. I love watching Ryan getting caught into a web the girls have weaved to get what they want and I love to hear his laughter when he is caught off guard or when he gets caught in their web. I love that Ryan is finally able to show the girls places he has been and give them experiences they have only heard about. It is wonderful to be a family where everyone is involved in each others'
lives instead of just hearing about the lives the others have lived.
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