"Ilja, heading to his sixth birthday" Elst Travelogue by Pavlik_NL

Ilja loves climbing or is it that he just MUST go where papa goes as well. Well, whereever we were in the mountains, when I see a higher point in the neighbourhood, I just have to get on op of it. This might be my capricorn personality, but funny thing is, that Ilja (being a scrorpio) most of the times did not want to stay behind with mama, but follow papa to the top. Even when he didn't wear good climbing shoes (but sandals) he followed me. Leaving me (and Irina) extremely proud when we eventually reach the top of the mountain and enjoyed the spectacular views.

Ilja and his favourit little pussycat

In Hasliberg we stayed with the family Von Bergen-Binder in their farmhouse on the mountainside. Ilja loved it there, especially because of all the animals. Above all he loved the cats (3) and kittens (6), that roamed around our frontdoor and were always curious about what we were doing (and what we were eating - hehe).

Vacation ... no way ... there's work to be done

Even on our holiday, Ilja wants to work. Along the Muggestutz Dwarf trail, he could do that as much as he wanted. Working at the pine apple drying station, the mineral mine and the wood workshop.

and back home, the work goes on and on and on!

Here Ilja is playing at the office of Fruitconsult, that I manage. Whenever Ilja comes along (during holidays for example), he always immediately starts building all kind of things, leaving me to the business, only to disturb me for some drink or a helping hand when things go wrong. Of course this is stimulated fully, by sparing lots of materials for the days he comes along.

Traditionally, we walk the Airborne in September

Every september we remember. Like I did already many many times as being born and raised in Arnhem, Ilja also walks the Airborne march. This hiking march is organised since 1946 to commemorate the dramatic events around the battle of Arnhem (September 1944, "a bridge to far"). Already at 1 year old, Ilja attended the march and WALKED half of the family distance (10 kilometers). From that year we walked every year and at four Ilja walked the full distance. Last time we also visited the cemetry and the grave of Jack Daniels. Baring our family name, this guy is our hero.

Ilja, making lots of fun at home

Ilja is also very kean on athletics. At home he is making headroles and handstands all the time on his matrass in the living room. We also have rings hanging in the house, so he can swing and hang around, training his arms. Finally there's the repeating question in the evening: "papa, laten we stoeien!" (papa, let's fool around), which means a kind of whrestling match in which one has to push the other from the math. Ilja laughs then out loud, as he really digs this game.

Our new family member: "Vlekkie" the rabbit

For Ilja's sixth birthday we bought him his first responsibility (oh, how sadistic - hehe). "Vlekkie Lapijn" (Spotty Lapin), a little hangear longhaired rabbit (officially a Beijing Teddy Widder). This little furry so sweet animal immediately felt at home with us and plays around in our garden many afternoons. Though we almost always have to remember Ilja to feed HIS rabbit, he is crazy with him, when they both play outside.

Invitation to Ilja's sixth birthday party

Oktober 2007, Ilja turns six years old and is really proud about it. He now also becomes aware what his birthday actually means and that he officially is recognised as grown one year more. His birthday party was at the large indoor playground of Chimpy Champ and also his Russian granddad (djedushka Valery) came over for this event. During the party the kids could play and had lots of fun. Afterwards dinner with: fries or poffertjes. At home we also celebrated of course, spoiling him with attention and presents.