Oh it’s been a busy couple of weeks.  We left for the States over 3 weeks ago and just got back yesterday.  We’re recovering from a mean case of jet lag but instead of cleaning and getting our 6 suitcases unpacked, I thought I would write a short post to tell you about the trip.

First we went to the beach and made sand ramps and mazes.

Then we had too many sweets which caused Alexander’s teeth to go funny and Alida’s lips to swell up.

Of course what trip to the beach is complete without a picnic?

We also went on a walk through the marshes with my sister and her friends.  That was fun.  First we walked on a path that brought us over the marsh,

then we walked along the beach,

and finally we walked back through the woods.

No stay at my parents’ would be complete without a trip on their new boat, which is absolutely amazing and put Alexander right to sleep.

We went swimming off the stern.

And I even got a bit of knitting done, more on that later.

The kids and I had a great time and if it weren’t for Daddy waiting for us here at home, we would have probably stayed right there among the hydrangeas and would never have come back.

Lucky for my mom and dad that we did get on that plane.    Now back to unpacking and the emails that have been accumulating in my inbox.

That’s Alexander.  He has nerves of steel but he didn’t inherit them from me.

Let me tell you about yesterday.  No, wait let’s start with Saturday.  Saturday was Alexander’s Jiu Jitsu practice.  He goes with his dad every Saturday and really likes it.  Well, yesterday was the next belt test and everyone was asking if he was going to take part.  Apparently you have to wait quite a while after getting a new belt color before you’re eligible for the next color.  He just got his yellow/white belt not so long ago, so it came as an absolute surprise that he was asked to join.  The teacher said he was very disciplined and was absolutely ready, must be the German in him, so we all went to watch.  He, although he has Mutism and can’t speak to people very well, was absolutely calm about this test.  “Are you nervous at all?”, I kept asking him and his answer was always the same.  “Nope!”

Nerves of steel, I tell you.

Well, he took the test and got his yellow belt.

Then we decided it was such a nice day we should take advantage and head to the park for a walk with our new little yellow belt man.  The kids jumped on their bikes and Mr G and I walked behind them.  It was wonderful.  I took pictures of the kids and the boats with their names on them (not Wilhelmina just Alida),

the green river,

the pretty flowers,

and then Alexander came to us alone.  Alida was not with him.  “Don’t panic”, my inner voice said, “she’s just around the corner waiting for us to catch up.”  We walked to the corner and looked.  No Alida.

Panic.

I sent Alexander to ride his bike beyond the next corner.  No Alida.

Panic!!

I walked a bit and started calling.  No answer.

Panic!!

I jumped on Alexander’s bike (a sight to see, I tell you!) and rode around calling her name.  No Alida.

Mr G called the police.  He didn’t panic.  I did.

I had no cell phone with me so I rode around one last time calling her name while calling the attention and laughs of many a park goer.  No Alida.

Mr G took Alexander and went to meet the police at the front of the park, I rode home to see if she was anywhere to be found.  Panicking the entire time.  What if’s where swarming around.  Too many what if’s.  Too much swarming.

I rode the almost 2 miles back to our apartment on this little bike made for a 7-year-old, calling Alida the entire time, thinking of what to do next and trying not to panic.  That’s no easy task for someone lacking nerves of steel.

I rode across 2 double lane streets to reach our house.  Had she gone this far alone?  She’s 4!!  No accident on the street.  Good.  One less thing to panic about.

Then I reached the house and saw her pink bike sticking out from behind the door.  Oh my, my heart skipped about 10 beats.  I jumped off the bike, my knee was a bit bloody from repeatedly hitting the bell, and grabbed her tight thinking I would never, ever let her go again.

She started crying and was mad that she had been ringing the bell so long and no one was home!   She had been waiting quite some time too!  You see, my rule is that when I jog and she rides her bike she is to stay within sight.  If she stops and she can’t see me she needs to wait until I catch up.  It has worked pretty well so far but for some reason she thought we had left the park so she decided she would head home.  Luckily, she took my jogging route that she has known since birth.  I still can’t believe she crossed that huge street alone but then again, she’s a city kid and knows nothing else but streets, cars and how to wait until it’s clear.

I called Mr. G after I stopped shaking and was able to let go of her.  The police had just finished taking down all the information and were about to scour the park with 5 police cars.  The men were amazed that she had gone such a long way and were just happy all was good.  They drove the two of them home.  They even put the blue light on for Alexander.

I imagine it will take some time for my nerves to recover.  I think I’ll go now and give Alida and Alexander some hugs.  Just because I can.