Tilting at Windmills

Ok, so maybe we weren't quite "tilting at windmills" yesterday, but we did visit a fully functional, almost completely authentic Dutch windmill yesterday in Holland. My birthday request was to get out of the house and go visit/do something, so we headed to Windmill Island Gardens. We enjoyed riding the merry-go-round a couple of times, watching the "Dutch girls" dance, watching the cows and horses in the pasture, and going up in the windmill.


(Look close and you can see the girls and I up there.)



We participated in a guided tour of the windmill, and we were excited that the girls stayed quiet, so we could listen and learn. It always amazes me how advanced different cultural groups were in times past. On the fourth floor, we were able to step out onto the platform and look around, the girls liked that. It was fun to see them looking out with their hair blowing in the breeze. Lauren was quite taken with the cows and horses, and she was trying to make some sort of animal noise while watching them (though it wasn't quite moo).



When we reached the bottom, Alyssa wanted to dress up in one of the Dutch costumes, so we did. And once she put on her wooden shoes, she wanted to dance with the other girls (the trained dancers). We tried to teach her a few moves, which was enough to keep her happy. She looked so cute in her little outfit.



Overall, it was a fun little excursion. We enjoyed touring the windmill, and if you ever consider going, we imagine it's even cooler when there are tulips blooming all over! The day was topped off with a dinner of fresh green beans, and chicken breasts stuffed with asparagus, spinach, and/or cheese prepared by Aaron and finally some yummy carrot cake (tarrot take in Alyssa speak) prepared and decorated by Alyssa and Aaron. We all really enjoyed that sweet little treat!