Hi all,

Weclome back to my blog. Now everything has been started so lets quickly begin.

It all started at:

Tuesday 9 jan the big day. After a short sleep did my alarm woke me up at 03:15. The final check and pack to make sure I had everything, ready to go. At Schiphol checked in the bags and tried to find a place for a coffee what wasn't easy for this time of day. Finally the moment has come my adventure is going to start.
Through security was easy with almost no line. Last waves to mom and dad, off I go to the unknown. Almost at the gate I met the 2 other girls who I will be traveling with. First flight was to Frankfurt. Flight was fine spoke together for basically the whole flight :).
Transferring in Frankfurt from our European flight to and international flight what means a proper passport control.
Flight to New York City was fine nothing special happened. Landing was a bit rough because of the wind what made the plane have some turbulence. But just before we felt really bad we landed safely at Newark.
Getting ready for passport security and see if we can come into America hihi. The queue wasn't that long so quickly it was our turn and with no problem we all made it through.
We took a shuttle bus to the hotel in Manhattan. What was great because we saw New York City in the distance, i did expect a big city but wauw to see it for real it is massive all these big buildings.
After checking in by the hotel and relaxing a bit the 3 of us went to Times Square and ate dinner there. A bit more walking and seeing but didn't make it late today because everybody was tired of all traveling .

Wednesday after a good sleep and a nice breakfast we went to another place across the street for our orientation days. There were 46 au pairs in the class what made it the biggest class in a while. First day was a lot of basic stuff about the American lifestyle, driving etc. . In the evening had signed in for a tour through the city guided by an old lady but she was wonderful told a bit of all different buildings while we were walking. Again not a really late night as the training takes a lot of energy.

Thursday again the training this time CPR and first aid. All repetition for me but good to have this reminded. At 18.30 my host dad David picked me up and we drove home. On the way lots or chatting. At home met José and the boys. Later Storm "current au pair" came home with Stephen "the middle one". Was great to finally meet everybody after skyping them for last months.

Friday was a school day for the boys early up and ate breakfast. Storm did bring Jack "oldest" to school because it was a rainy day. Came back and together we dropped off Lucas "youngest" and Stephen "middle" to school. After the drop off Storm showed me around the neighborhood all the special places I did need to know.
In the afternoon picked the boys up from school and stayed for a bit around the house. We had dinner at a restaurant and later went with Storm and the kids (+ Dylan friend of Stephen) to a indoor trampoline park. Were we jumped around for 2 hours. Was great boys enjoyed it and we all had fun.

Saturday busy sports day. Boys to ice hockey and in the afternoon Stephen to Basketball and Jack to lacrosse. Lots of things going on watched couple of there sports. In the evening some relaxing time and watched football.

Sunday went with them to church, nice looking church from the outside and same kind of ceremony i was used to at home.
In the afternoon got me a gym membership and later went ice skating with the kids by the beach club. Long time ago i stood on ice but didn't go to bad keep practicing, boys where just running over the ice with there skates :).
In the evening spent most of the time in my own room and relax.

Monday was an extra day off school for the boys "Martin Luther King Jr. day" but was fun went ice skating again and in the afternoon to Lifetime it is a gym/sports complex where the family often goes to. Was fun to see everything, we did go: swimming, rock climbing, played squash and basketball.

Tuesday was back to normal for the boys brought them to school with José.
During the day went to the gym and relaxed a bit. In the afternoon picked the boys up and did bring them to there activities. In the evening had my first cluster meeting where we did play mini golf. Once a month all the au pairs from my agency in the area come to meet and catch up, there about 25 au pairs.

Then Wednesday came , drop off goes already lot easier know what to do and be quick home ;). Time for the gym, time to get ready for the summer :o. Later some shopping and continuing my new Netflix series "Orange is the new black".
In the evening there was an au pair Starbucks night ;) great to meet new people from my area. Will see how this will end.

The first impression is really good. Good click with the family i would say. They are really busy but soon will get used to it, keeps me also busy and can relax during the day if i need too.
The house has 4 floors, basement: with a boys cave and storage room, 1st floor kitchen and living room, 2nd floor my room, parents room and guest room, 3th floor Boys rooms and play room again. The neighborhood is great all fancy houses around us and lots of space.
Also feel pretty much home in the "au pair car" GMC Denali. Its pretty big but fun driving.

This was it for now. Feel free to ask questions if you have them more then happy to answer them.

More soon from me Bye bye,
Rik