“Having four kids is hard…” Amanda mumbled against Niels’ chest. She felt the vibration of Niels’ laughter before it left his lips. Amanda looked up at him and grinned. “Oh you think it's funny huh?” she asked, still amused by his reaction. She lay against his chest again. They’d only just managed to get Nicco back to bed after a rather sleepless night. A teething baby was never fun. He now slept in the portable crib right beside the bed. Amanda hoped he would sleep long, but she knew soon, their early waker Eliana would be calling for them from the adjacent room. “Any regrets?” Niels asked. For a moment, Amanda thought about it. They certainly hadn’t planned Nicco, and it was no secret that she didn’t even want another baby, but she loved him as much as she loved each and every one of their little treasures. She didn’t want to imagine life without her youngest. “No,” she said with a little smile. “You?” “Nope?” “Okay, wait. Maybe I do have some regrets. I regret not having a nanny or something so that we could sleep in.” She grinned at Niels again. “Sleep in?” He pouted playfully when Amanda glanced up at him. “I can think of a few other things we could do if we had a nanny.” Amanda giggled and swatted playfully at his chest. “Not with the baby right there,” she whispered. Niels laughed. “He’d never know a thing.” There was a familiar sparkle in his eye but just before Amanda could predict it, he flipped her over, causing her to press her hand quickly over her mouth as a squeal of surprise left her. She was giggling and squirming uncontrollably as Niels’ lips roamed all over her neck and sides when suddenly… “Mummy!” Amanda sighed and stared up at the ceiling for a moment before Niels’ face appeared above her. “I think you jinxed us.” Amanda couldn’t help but chuckle again. “I guess so,” she said. She smiled and tilted her head up to kiss him. “No worries, even after four kids, you’re still my forever valentine.”
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Hello again class! As no one turned in the assignment last week, we need a plan B for class today! So instead of using the awesome music that you all would've chosen we will learn about the different ballet styles! Classical Ballet This is the most well-known form of ballet. Such as Swan Lake. It was made popular by Russian ballerinas. Neo-Classical Ballet This type is somewhere between the old-fashioned classical ballet and contemporary. In Neo-classical, everything isn't symmetrical and upright like in classical ballet Contemporary Ballet Though contemporary ballet keeps some of the technique of classical ballet, you see patterns such as turned-in feet and a lot floor work (dancers actually rolling onto the floor). It's probably one of the most popular dances these days Your homework for this week is to tell me your favourite style of ballet and why it is your favourite style. Comments #1. Oh, I'm sorry miss, you can expect my homework tomorrow! And the previous one too!
Zara Craanen #2. I look forward to it, Zara! Amanda van Loon #3. "Tomorrow" was a bit later, but it's done now! Zara Craanen Add comment (Homework in previous blog) “We’re going on a trip,” Amanda had said when she woke Niels up that morning. There was a playful sparkle in her eyes as she leaned over the bed to press a kiss to Niels’ cheek. Just as she got close enough, Nicco brought down his little hand hard against his daddy’s face, making a loud smacking sound. “Oi!” Niels exclaimed, suddenly wide awake. “Oh my Kobe! I’m so sorry!” Amanda exclaimed. She burst into laughter, unable to help herself. Nicco’s babyish giggles soon joined. “That’s Nicco’s way of saying happy birthday, daddy, I think!” She grinned at him. “Come on, Mister. All the bags are packed in the car already. You get dressed and I’ll go get the kids dressed.” She winked at him and ran off. ~~ Moments later, the van Loons were piled into the car and Amanda was driving towards their destination. Nicco babbled happily while Angelo played peekaboo with them. Emi was helping Eliana with a reading game on her Leap Frog learning tablet and Niels was still curiously inquiring where on earth they were heading to. Through hours of driving, the terrain changed drastically. From the mildly hilly terrain of Brooklyn to the rolling mountains of Windham, NY. At last, they arrived at the Windham Mountain Skii resort. A surprise that Amanda had planned for the next few days just to celebrate her hubby’s birthday. We’re here?!” Elia squealed from the back seat. Immediately, Nicco woke from his sleep and began wailing, startled by his sister’s sudden loudness. Elia immediately gave her attention to her baby brother. “I’m sorrryyyyyyy. Loook!” She grabbed his stuffed monkey and started pretending that the stuffed animal was giving Nicco kisses.
Amanda grinned at Niels. “Look at that. What a way to start off our trip huh?” She leaned over to the passenger’s side to peck Niels on the lips. “Happy birthday, amore mio.” ~~ Hello again students! Welcome back to class!
I hope you've all enjoyed the holidays. Can you believe it's year 85?! I have, perhaps, a strange request for homework this week. Today, we're going to work on curtsies and bows, so it made me think of royalty. For homework, I would like you all to think of Disney movies and share a picture or a video clip of a ballroom scene. Ask your parents to help you if you can't find one on Google. Tell me why you like the scene and in a couple of weeks, we'll use the music from those scenes for class. I've chosen the scene from the Princess and the Frog simply because I think it's one no one would think of and it's a bit unique and modern. *smiles* Good luck! The van Loons made a big deal out of Christmas for Nicco this year. Sure, he wouldn’t remember a thing years from now, but he was the youngest, and it was the last 'first Christmas' that the van Loon family would ever celebrate.
“I want to dress him!” Elia exclaimed just as Amanda picked up the snowsuit. Amanda smiled at her. “Sweetie, I think it’s best that I put this one on. It’s just a liiiittle complicated. Why don’t you go put on some warm clothes and ask daddy to help you with your coat.” “I got it,” came Niels’ voice. He was standing in the doorway of the nursery. He held his arms out to Elia and hoisted her into his arms as she ran towards him. Amanda continued dressing Nicco, responding enthusiastically to his excited squeals and gurgles. For a moment, he fussed as she zipped up his snowsuit, but soon he was back in her arms and babbling away. Amanda met Niels, Emi, Angelo and Elia in the living room. They were all dressed in clothes suited to go out in the snow. “Here let me take this bundle of snowbaby,” Niels teased as she took Nicco from Amanda’s arms. “So mummy can get dressed.” Angelo ran to the closet to grab Amanda’s coat. “Here, mummy. Let me help you,” he said. Amanda had to laugh at the way he tried to put the coat on her, like the true gentleman his father was. Their boys would hopefully follow in his footsteps. He finally managed to help Amanda put her coat on - once she bent to his level - and then Amanda grabbed the remote to the stereo system. “Wait, mum! Can we keep the music on? It’d feel more Christmassy when we walk back in.” Amanda smiled widely and set the remote down. “Alright then,” she said. “The music stays on. So… let’s go make sure that Nicco has a great first Christmas, huh?” “Yeah,” Elia cheered, making her siblings chuckle. “He looks so cute,” Emi commented as they left. “We have to take lots of pictures.” Amanda gazed out the window so many times. Their spot in Paris was so much quieter than New York City. Nicco cooed softly in her arms, making Amanda giggle. “Yeah, you like Paris too huh?” Amanda asked him. He cooed again and pressed his little hand against her cheek. Amanda smiled and showered him with kisses, making him squeak and giggle in delight. Amanda smiled widely.
It was so surreal sometimes, just holding her youngest in her arms. A year ago, the last thing she wanted was another baby. She’d spent the whole pregnancy in fear of something going wrong, but here was this healthy, happy baby boy. Another little mini van Loon, and oh how she loved him. Sometimes the love was so overwhelming that she knew there was just no more room in her heart. Four children… Kobe. A little smile grazed her lips. She loved each and every one of them. And Nicco? He completed the family. Niels entered the room as Amanda was still gazing out of the window. “You alright?” he asked, moving closer to her. “Uh-huh.” Nicco smiled widely at the sound of his father’s voice. Amanda handed him over to Niels and watched Nicco snuggled up against his father’s strong chest. “I was thinking…” She hesitated. Subjects such as these were often the cause of their arguments in the past. Not too long ago, in fact. “We have our little Nicco now. And we certainly have our hands full with our other three treasures… How do you feel about… me getting my tubes tied?” Amanda attached a photo in a text message to her close friends and family. Eliana has something to tell everyone. She's going to be a... Comments #1. Aww, Congrats Amanda
Dawn Delaney #2. Thank you, Dawn. :) Amanda van Loon #3. And she will be such a proud one. *grins* Daphne Summers #4. Oh wow a baby. Can you still teach us then, Miss? Emily Darcy #5. *laughs* I hope so, Daphne. Amanda van Loon #6. I sure can, Emily! As long as no one will make fun of me when I'm dancing around with a big belly. ;) Amanda van Loon #7. Awww noooooo. It will look so good, miss! *grins big* Emily Darcy #8. *gasp* another van Loon? How exciting! Congratulations Amanda! Mandy Marchal #9. *laughs* Emily you're such a sweetheart. Thank you! Amanda van Loon #10. Yes, Mandy. We were surprised too. *grins* Thank you! Amanda van Loon #11. congrats, Amanda! And of course for the rest of your family! Me and Jamie should visit NY, I can't believe how fast the kids are growing up! xJasper (and Jamie) Jasper Harris #12. Thank you, Jasper and Jamie!! Yes, the kids are growing up very quickly. Amanda van Loon It was hard dressing four kids for a wedding! Elia was almost impossible to keep still and Amanda was afraid that she would soil or wrinkle her dress. Nicco looked adorable in his little ‘suit’, but Amanda wondered how long it would be before he spit up or his diaper overflowed. Luckily, Angelo and Emi were far easier, and at last, Amanda and Niels were out of the house and walking towards the garden where the priest and the rest of the guests awaited. The setting was absolutely beautiful. There was greenery everywhere and the wedding arch was so nicely decorated. It was still hard to believe that Bella was getting married. She had been a loner for so long, and honestly, the family worried about her. But it was so obvious how much Nathaniel loved her. It was in his eyes.
Joy was in the air as everyone witnessed the marriage between Bella and Nathaniel. Bella looked absolutely gorgeous in her simple, white dress. It was totally “Bella”. Amanda’s eyes were damp as she rocked Nicco in her arms and wondered if Bella would bring her more nieces and nephews. The thought made her smile. Her little sister - the baby she’d once thought to be her cousin before Amanda was officially adopted - was all grown up. As Nathaniel and Bella were presented as husband and wife, Amanda stood up along with the rest of the guests. She hoped that Bella and Nathaniel would have a happy life together. Forever. Amanda’s fingers gently ran through Angelo’s brown hair. She still pictures those angelic, golden locks that he’d had from infancy. Daily, Angelo looked more and more like Niels. The darkening hair, the piercing blue eyes. Sometimes he even had Niels’ intense look when he was thinking about something. Today, he was eight years old and Amanda was more that grateful that he’d still insisted on a bedtime story even after a fun-filled day. With autumn imminent, they’d spent some time at an outdoor recreation centre. Angelo had gotten a model boat as a gift from his parents, and they’d been able to rent a boat once again to sail around on the lake. Angelo couldn’t have been any happier. As Amanda watched her son sleep, she wondered what he wanted to be when he was older. He didn’t quite know yet, but in Amanda’s eyes, his options were limitless. Once upon a time, she’d thought that his injured shoulder would prevent him from living a normal life. His first years of life had been filled with so much pain and therapy, but these days, he was doing so well that to most it was unreconisable. “Mummy?” Angelo stirred sleepily, his eyes still closed as he shifted in bed. “I liked today,” he sighed. His words were barely coherent, but it only made it cuter. “I’m glad you did,” said Amanda, trying not to chuckle. She leaned over and pressed a kiss against his forehead. “I love you, my big boy. Sweet dreams.” |
Amanda at a GlanceNames: Amanda Pontremoli, Amanda van Loon Archives
August 2017
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