Efteling

True to our new tradition (since living in Europe), Elsie and Ava could choose somewhere fun to visit for their birthday in lieu of a friend party.  I usually give suggestions or choices, but this time none were necessary.  We had been collecting stamps from our local grocery store (albert heijn, of course), for a discount to Efteling - a scaled down Dutch version of Disneyland.  The girls couldn't wait for us to all go for their birthday trip.
All of these pictures/videos were taken on my iPhone (since I didn't want to lug my camera around all day).  Pair that with running around/messy hair and bright sun-induced squinty eyes, and these pics aren't our best.  But hey - at least we have the memories, right?  Here they are...

A big portion of the park is based around Dutch fairytales (sprookjes), and let me tell you - they have some interesting and creepy ones.  It got me thinking about some of the fairytales that I grew up hearing, and then I just came to the conclusion that fairytales in general can be creepy.  I mean, doesn't Gretel shove the witch in the oven and bake her alive in Hansel and Gretel?  Anyway, it was educational.  Most of the characters were robotic and told their stories in Dutch.  The 3 little ones understand pretty well though, so they were scared a couple times.

Here's that candy house from Hansel and Gretel...

 Here is the fairytale telling tree (sprookjesboom).  He has a show on Dutch netflix and is a pretty popular character, so the kids sat and listened to him for a while.

 I can't resist a good carousel photo op...

 Here we are in the Haunted Mansion-type ride.  The room spun around us, it was a favorite for us...

 Waiting in line selfie...

 Riding the train around the park...

 Elsie was our navigator for the day.  She referenced her map constantly, it was SO cute...

 A high point for the day, riding the teacup knockoff.  Everyone was happy...

 AND a low point for the day.  This was just after everyone came off of the pirate ship that swings back and forth.  Ryan and Kaydree loved it, but the three littles were ready to lose their lunch...

Another downside was that I was newly pregnant, perpetually nauseous, and needing to be extra cautions about the bigger rides.  I was sick, so I didn't really mind sitting it out every once in a while. I think the kids just thought I was being no fun though.  Oh well, I'm OK with being not as cool as Dad...sometimes.  Great choice Elsie and Ava - I'm sure we'll be making a return visit!