Hey Look! People We Know!

 Last week, we were so excited because Connor's Aunt Mary and cousins Danny and Taylor were in Amsterdam! It was so nice to see familiar faces for the first time in a few weeks!

We took them to an outdoor market near our apartment and then to the Nemo Science Center on Tuesday. But, unfortunately, we didn't realize that there was a class trip visiting Nemo and it was crazy packed. I don't think it would've been okay for me to elbow an 8 year old out of the way to try out some of the experiments, but it was still really cool! It's 5 floors of different kid-friendly science demonstrations. And the best part is that outside the top floor, there's a cafe and observation area that offers an amazing view of the city. We were so lucky because we got to the top right at sunset!

On Wednesday, we met up with the cousins again for lunch and to check out the floating tulip market. It was right on the water and had stands that went on for a few blocks. It was busy even when the tulips aren't in season so I can't imagine what it would be like in April! I know my picture looks a little dreary, but once you were inside there were so many flowers and bulbs you would've thought it was the middle of spring!

From there we went to the Heineken Brewery! As my friends can attest, I'm not much of a beer drinker so I don't really know what I'm talking about when people bring up ale, IPAs, or other kinds of mumbo jumbo. But I LOVED visiting Heineken! The only brewery I've ever been to is Harpoon in Boston where you get the tour and then 15 minute tasting so that was more or less what I was expecting, but I couldn't have been more wrong. 

Someone was there to explain the mumbo jumbo and ingredients that go into making the beer

Next you walked into a huge room which used to be the brewery

I thought the place reeked because of the hops...nope! It was the Clydesdale! 

Their stables were still decorated for Christmas

Two of the old carts the horses used to pull

 After this, they had an interactive movie where they "brew you" into the beer. It was a really fun way of learning about the process and even the kids on the tour enjoyed it. After this, they had this wicked cool area with games and other fun activities. We learned that Mary is an expert and can pour the perfect beer and then took some embarrassing selfies! They also had an area dedicated to the rugby and soccer (I refuse to call it "futbol") that they own with a hall of fame and digital games you could play.