dat weet je wel!

I survived the first real day as an aupair. All kids are still alive, so I think I've done a great job so far ;)

My family is extremely nice, I love them. They introduced me to everything and I can ask whenever and whatever I want. The only thing that's a bit difficult for me as an Austrian person is that those living in the Netherlands are very direct. Like VERY direct.
If they have a problem or want to make something clear, they tell you straight away.
Not the common Austrian way where you don't say anything for a week, then think about mentioning it for another week and then probably tell it and make a massive fight out of it. Okay, maybe it isn't like that at all in Austria, but I think you get the idea.
I don't have a problem with the way they don't hesitate to tell you. They also do it in such a friendly way (listen, Austrians, friendly criticism...ever heard of that?). It's simply a lot to take in at the moment.

Now, how are the kids?
For those of you who don't know, my family has two little girls and one boy. I'll call them D, J and M on this blog. D being the boy at the age of 8. J and M the girls, aged 3 and 5.
No full names, here. Also no pictures of the kids. There's this thing called privacy...

It's going quite okay-ish with the kids, I'd say. I feel like I'm having a harder time getting used to them then they do. I can definitely feel that I have practically no experience with kids at all. I feel a bit lost at the moment. Also the language is a bit difficult. I never know what language to use. C (the mom of the family) told me to use whatever I want, it doesn't matter to the kids and pretty soon I'll be able to speak Dutch anyway.
Sounds easier then it is. I would have never expected that talking German could be that hard. My mind does this silly thing where it says "You wanna speak German? Forgot it, idiot. They don't understand it. It doesn't make sense", so I can't get any words out. I probably have to get over it or pick up Dutch immediately.
You can't just sit there and not talk to the kids at all.

D thinks I'm quite interesting. He's fascinated by the fact that I don't eat meat or dairy products; he's not sure yet if it's cool or not that I can play the piano (now there's someone else who can practice with him other than his mom...harhar...the other aupair had no idea how to play the piano and D is starting to realize how convenient it was...) and I got ranked far on top because I like and know skiiing (skills you definitely need in the flattest country ever). He's still trying to figure out what other superpowers I possess.

J is a sweet and stubborn girly tomboy. Yup, she's the whole package. When I first arrived C told me that J will be the toughest and she'll hide and be shy etc. Not at all. We went crazy in the backyard about an hour after she first saw me. And she insisted on sitting next to me at dinner tonight. Well. I won't complain...

And then there's little M. Typically three year old, I'd say. I'll spend most of my time with her. She can be sweet, but she has a little stubborn mind and I can already smell times of trouble. But hey, I want to stay challanged.
She has this cute little moments when she tries to tell me something and she's certain that I know what she's talking about (you know, superpowers!). Well, I arrived here yesterday, I don't know every tree and corner of this town yet. Whenever I tell her that I don't know what, let's say, tree she's talking about she smiles at me and says "Dat weet je wel!" ("Of course you know!").
It's the sweetest thing ever, sadly she never explains herself when I ask her to give me more details. So I still don't know where the best tree in town is located.

I wanted to give you a quick update, what happened? This is pages long.
Whatever. I have weekend off. But since I don't have any friends yet (although I've already met two other aupair girls) and no idea what to do with my spare time (other than sleeping. Sleep. Oh I already love it), I'll spend the weekend with the family. Den Bosch tomorrow and big birthday party with all the relatives on Sunday. Much fun ahead! :)