This is the miracle cure for sleep deprivation

With Otis in our lives, a lot of fantastic things have come along. A slightly less fortunate aspect is the chronic fatigue that Jon and I have built up. Now I must say that I really can't complain with my lovely husband who often takes the early morning shift so I can stay in bed for another hour, but then I get up and he gets to take that extra hour; honestly, we will share everything (never thought this would also apply to our amount of sleep). A few weeks ago, when I was going through life like a zombie for days and really had no idea where to find the energy, I posted out of desperation on Instagram asking if anyone had the golden formula for some extra energy. A whole list of tips came pouring in, some easier to implement (going to bed earlier) than others (a vitamin shot in your butt, no thank you). I also got the Green Juice powder from Superfoodies recommended, which according to a fellow mother turned out to be a ‘miracle cure’. Now, I am quickly sensitive to jars and pills, but I'll believe it when I see it. I've been mixing a scoop into my fresh vegetable/fruit shake every morning for three weeks now, and honestly: I really notice a difference. In the morning, I now start up like an electric Tesla instead of a diesel puttering engine, and that afternoon slump has been absent for a week. I feel fitter, I'm much more cheerful for Otis in the morning, and I happily sit with him at seven in the morning playing with his Duplo. In short, I can't do without it anymore. One little thing: from now on, I’ll just fake to my husband that I’m still exhausted in the morning, because I certainly won’t let that extra hour of sleep be taken away from me.

Every year, there’s a big cross in our calendar for the opening of Taste Amsterdam: a park full of restaurant and drink stalls with the most delicious dishes. We always start at the Veuve Clicquot champagne bar, and before we really start to roll, we make a round through the food stalls. Restaurant Lars is one to add to your list, and if you’re near Warmoesstraat, be sure to stop by Metropolitan for the best homemade ice cream. Otis managed to hustle a free ice cream again when he was standing there drooling for a minute looking at the stall. Hopefully, he’ll manage to do this at the champagne bar in 18 years too.

Last weekend was one for the books: with that lovely summer weather, I immediately feel a bit happier and you just want to go out. Together with three families, we drove towards Noordwijk aan Zee, and those few hours on the beach really felt like a mini-vacation. The kids wanted to go to the sea every hour (really a task for the dads, a bit too cold for me), building sandcastles together in between and enjoying all the snacks and fresh fruit, which amusingly enough was exactly the same for all families. In the evening, we had a lovely barbecue on our nice rooftop terrace and then we could go to bed all cozy. Yup, this weekend definitely makes it into the top 5 of 2019.