Week 1, Part 2: Batavus
[Note: I don't know why this rotation is in two parts. Probably won't happen again.]
Now where were we? Ah yes:
Gotcha! Piet has quickly become a favorite of mine. He makes the best faces.
Doing his homework (since he's the only school-aged kid in town, he's being home-schooled).
Getting poison ivy.
Relaxing on the sofa.
He's always running into his parents' bedroom to check himself out in their mirror. What a goof.
Er... Piet?
To be fair, he thinks about Penelope a lot. They are best buds, after all.
When Jasper wandered by, I was thrilled at the chance for Piet to get to interact with someone closer to his own age, but I was a little bit worried how he would come across after spending so much of his time alone with a toddler. Don't start talking about your baby sister! Choose anything else!
Phew! Then they played some kicky bag, and it was cool.
Since Mel has a school-aged child and another one growing up fast, he's anxious to get the town's educational system up and running. His son may not have the opportunity to go to college, but he's hoping his daughter might. Right now, he works as a playground monitor and comes home completely exhausted every day. (Also, it's pretty clear where Piet gets his looks!)
Speaking of kids, Frida is pregnant! And she's apparently decided to change her hair while she's in maternity clothes!
Mel: [explaining the birds and the bees over dinner]
Frida: [inappropriate]
Piet: [...Mommy?]
Penelope senses something racy being discussed and doesn't want to miss out.
It's been a difficult pregnancy for Frida. Her motive bars are always near empty, and sleeping is so uncomfortable that she's moved into the spare room most nights. That's where she is when she gets that old familiar feeling...
And here comes baby boy Wim (after a brief divergence with Penelope, Mel wanted to get back in touch with his Dutch roots with his children's names). Mel is thrilled to bits!
And immediately rolls a want to have 10 children. Not likely, buddy. Your wife's got a city to build.
Wim takes over the crib, and Penelope gets a... toddler mat. No wonder she has a -15 relationship with him!
The Batavus's garden is not doing so hot, and Mel gets fired from his substitute teacher job after losing out on a chance card. To add to the indignity, he gets driven home by this punkass kid.
Frida does her best to cheer him up, with comforting words and blows to the head. Then a family jump roping party!
Piet does what he does.
And his parents spontaneously make out in the kitchen.
And then it's Penelope's birthday! Party time!
Woo! Hey, guests, wanna have some cake? Hang out? Play some kicky bag? Guests?
Sigh.
Child Penelope! Darling elf! She takes after her mom.
The excitement of the party wipes her out, and she crashes on the couch while Piet reads aloud.
I love their relationship. I turn away and come back to find them doing things like this:
So cute!
Somehow, Wim is already a toddler without my noticing. But (of course) Piet was there to help him grow up.
"I am going to love you so hard, little guy."
And now, that is the end of Batavus Week 1!
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