As she enters her thirtythird month on Planet Earth, our Moon Toddler is practicing for a career in modeling. Thanks to Esther-Mirjam's relatives, Luna and Lior are a very well-dressed pair. Tante Marijke, Ome Jan, Uncle Dave, and Aunt Amanda sent them cute hats from Canada (row below, left and right). And Oma Naatje has rediscovered the joy of knitting, as witnessed by the beautiful socks her grandchildren are wearing (row below, middle).

Luna visits yet another amusement park when she goes to the Efteling (row above). She is in a good mood all day, despite skipping her afternoon nap and returning home at 10 PM! Perhaps the presence of Ruben has something to do with this, for Luna is very fond of him. In fact, she is so fond of him that she is willing to push the stroller with Ruben in it (top, left). The two take a cuddling break in the merry-go-round (bottom, left). Luna is very intrigued by the fact that paper disappears in the mouth of Holle Bolle Gijs (top, right). Luna is accompanied by papa, mama, her sisters, and her brothers (bottom, right). (Ruben took this picture, while Lior and Luna were already falling asleep in the car!)

Luna is now big enough to spend a weekend at Tante Daan and Ome Geert's. She is keeping Tante Daan busy with drawing (row above, left) and visiting the petting zoo (row bove, right). Tante Daan, in turn, keeps her niece busy by making her run (row above, middle). Luna continues to be intrigued by dandelions (top, left). And she continues to love going on a swing (bottom, left). That is, she gets quite angry when people do not push her hard enough. Uh oh, she is turning into such a big girl! While visiting Tante Daan and Ome Geert, their horse Zandor must be visited as well, of course (top, right). Luna walks around the stables petting the various animals without showing any fear. There is plenty of time left for some singing and dancing with Winnie the Pooh at the home of Tante Daan and Ome Geert (bottom, right). Such a fun weekend Luna has with them. She is lucky to be surrounded by such loving friends and relatives.

Amusement parks, here we come! This time Luna visits the Koningin Julianatoren (row above, middle) accompanied by mama (row above, left) and Opa Tano & Oma Naatje (row above, right). The park has a great slide (left and right). Looking at these pictures, one wonders who has more fun, Luna or those who seem to be using her as an excuse for the visit (row below)!

Little Luna's Lies I

Esther-Mirjam goes to Ikea with the idea to buy a few things and to allow Luna to have some fun in the children's play area (left). However, the sign next to the play area notes that the minimum age is three years. After Esther-Mirjam verifies this with the attendant, the lady says to Luna: "And you are two years old, right?" Upon which Luna replies: "No, I am three years old!" Still, mom decides to take her "little lier" along in the store.

Little Luna's Logic

Luna loves to talk on the phone, especially to her grandparents and to Tante Daan & Ome Geert (right). She learns that she should say "Hello, this is Luna" when she answers the phone. Note that this is the way Dutch people tend to answer the phone, unlike Americans who tend to say only "Hello". When she is asked what Esther-Mirjam should say when she answers the phone, Luna replies: "Hello, this is mama."

Little Luna's Chatter I

Luna looooooves to chat. Whenever there is a moment of quiet in the car, for instance, her mom is startled. Upon driving to Apeldoorn to celebrate Aafke's birthday, Luna gives Esther-Mirjam a smile when she overhears her daughter saying: "This is my thumb. Hello, thumb" (left). And then Luna moves on to yet another entertaining topic or she starts singing a song.

Little Luna's Chatter II

Luna is great at entertaining herself. When mom is busy feeding Lior, for instance, Luna can be found walking around in the back yard having a good conversation with her bear, her rabbit, or her sheep (right). Esther-Mirjam notices Luna sitting next to her rabbit and overhears her saying: "Gezellig, hè?" ("Cozy, isn't it?")

If you know which slogan the store Gamma uses ("Dat zeg ik, Gamma") then you will understand the joke on Luna's t-shirt ("Dat zeg ik, mama"). Sanne kindly gave this present to little Luna (left and right).

Luna is learning new skills at a very rapid speed. One that she has not mastered yet, is whistling. Instead, she lets out a very high-pitched scream. Still, she looks cute while doing so (row below).

Little Luna's Lies II

Mom: "Luna, it is time to go to bed." Luna: "No, I am busy" (right). And this is just one of a seemingly endless row of tricks Luna employs to delay the time at which she goes to bed. Well, our little lady does have to be commended for cleaning up after herself.

Little Luna's Chatter III

Mom, after Luna has thrown her fork on the floor and mom has fetched it: "Luna, can you please apologize." Luna: "Yes. I'm sorry, floor" (left). Okay, we are heading in the right direction, but still have a ways to go.

The day Lior joins Luna at the daycare center, the two wear t-shirts that read: "I'm the big sister of Lior" and "I'm the little brother of Luna" (left and right). Luna keeps a very watchful eye over her brother during the two days they are at the daycare center, making it a little less difficult for Esther-Mirjam to leave them there. In fact, Luna loves to go.

Luna has fun hanging out with Iris at the Chimpie Champ indoor playground (row below, middle). While Luna and Iris play together, their moms, who know each other from their birthing class, catch up on what has been happening in their lives. Iris's mom, Irene, kindly helps Luna up and down the slide (row below, left). That is, Luna needs little help going down and beats Irene and Iris to it (row below, right).

Luna is a champion at making funny faces (row below). No further comments are necessary, since the images speak for themselves!

When Aafke moves into yet another room, Luna pays her a visit. Luna loves any excuse to visit Aafke! During their walk into downtown Utrecht, they pass by the Nijntje Pleintje ("Miffy Square"), where Luna poses in front of the statue of her favorite cartoon character (far left). When the photo shoot is finished as far as she is concerned, Luna starts eating her candy necklace again (middle left).

When the "Gebroeders Ko" perform in Nijmegen, Luna gets to hang out on stage with them (right). She is the little girl in the orange sweater who is not quite sure what to do while on stage.

Hip, Hip, Hurray!
Thirtythree months old!

Upon completing her thirtythird month on Planet Earth, Luna seems to have snapped out of her "terrible twos moments". In addition, she has become used to sharing her mom's attention with Lior, while Esther-Mirjam has also become used to the new parenting skills that are needed. Indeed, the three seem to have settled into a comfortable routine, thanks also to the wonderful support they receive from their circle of family and friends.

Unable to hold two children during the weekly swimming classes, mama has asked Oma Alie to come along. That is, no hands are required when Lior floats on his mat (row above, left)! And his sister is also happy to hold him (row above, middle). Yet, she also loves to hang out on her mom's back (row above, right). Ater all the splashing in the water (left), it is time for a family shower (right).