Queen's Day!

Our fifth day in Holland was Queen's Day and it marks one of my aunt's favourite days of the whole year. It is a holiday to celebrate the Queen's birthday, where the country dresses in orange and each community hosts it's own celebration. Most commonly large yard sales, where even children set up their own booths to sell their old clothes and toys. What a sight to see!
So we dressed the kids in orange and headed over to the main part of my aunt's town, Nieuwerkerk aan den IJssel, to celebrate. The yard sale was very exciting, particularly the small children bellowing for buyers (future auctioneers, I believe) and of course the traditional Dutch delicacies.
After the street market we walked through the large town parks, and the kids were thrilled to feed the local ducks. Unfortunately one mistook Charlie's finger for a piece of bread and gave him a little nip. Poor Charlie had just learned how to point too!
Our last afternoon was spent outdoors with all of my cousins' children, it was fabulous. Of course my aunt fed us to the brim (Andrew swears he gained 5 pounds in 5 days!) and I could not possibly imagine any better hosts.
My uncle took Andrew and I for a car ride during naptime and got to see the area including the IJssel river. We were lucky (un?) to see the lowest point in Netherlands below sea level, which is about three minutes from my aunt's house. Luckily the dykes were functional and we didn't run into any trouble.
A wonderful time at Keukenhof, Floriade, and de Efteling. Plus precious moments with my aunt and uncle with their kids and grandkids. A fabulous trip to add to the list of European adventures the past few years.