My sleep patterns are so messed up...

I found out that the Dutch word "fokken" means "to breed". So, someone who breeds animals would be called a "fokker". Last night I had to hold back any display of amusement while listening to Luuk's grandmother talk about her cousin, (who happens to share my last name and she thinks might be related to my family, and should definately check on) who is a breeder. Every time she talked about him it started with, "My cousin, Meneer van der Ploeg, the fokker."

I am now very curious about her cousin, the fokker.

Yesterday, to satisfy the curiousity of Luuk's parents (who seemed to be more worried about it than I), we met my aupair family. They seem to be everything I expected - easy going, super nice, relaxed, laidback, good to chat with, etc. Their kids are adorable, all really blonde boys. And their house is cute. It used to be a farmhouse, I think. In the past seven years they've done alot of fixing up, so outside it still looks old and quaint, but the inside it colourful and very modern. Their bathroom is incredible! I can't wait to use the shower! The best part of the whole deal, however, is getting to the house itself. They live on the otherside of a canal. The only way to the house is on a footpath over a small bridge down the road, or on either a rowboat or motorized raft.
Yes.
Everyday, I have to take three little kids across the canal in a little boat to get to the car to take the oldest to school. Crazy.
Oh, another note on the house...It's out in the country, surrounded by pastures, canals, and cows (beautiful), and they have a nice garden behind the house. All along the paths and in the grass are the biggest snails I've ever seen. And, between almost every single bush and tree, gigantic spiderwebs full of incredibly disgusting spiders.
Fuck.