Jasmine van Zoest

Jasmine officially turns 14 months old in 3 days. This weekend she went with Mama & Papa to Aalten to help celebrate Oma’s Birthday. Overall, Jasmine found the trip amusing.

In this series you will find pictures from the fabulous work of the artist Jasmine, and also pictures of her beloved family celebrating Oma’s birthday.

Jasmine and Mama has been inexcusably lazy on the entirety of the afternoon. Having spent the morning meeting up with acquaintances, chatting, eating sweets, and sipping tea, and then walking all around Leiden without our jackets because the day was warm enough for us. We decided the afternoon could be spent lounging around with a good book on the couch, or with Jasmine making phone calls to random people on Ome’s Harrie’s home phone. And if that is not enough, she calls her Papa next via Skype. Well, it does not seem as if Jasmine has any difficulty with using electronic devices… Insofar.

Jasmine got her first highchair today. The moment finally arrived for Jasmine. She has waited too long. Jasmine is very content with her chair as she loves the ability to sit comfortable high and that she can freely mobilize her arms and legs to reach for things that are out of her reach.

As for us, we tend to prefer waiting for the right moment and keep our savings until the right chair comes along than spend money on things that does not last... "Good things come to those who wait."

Jasmine is typically vivacious and cheeky, but since her Papa left, last Sunday, she has been ill. Last couple nights, she awakens in the middle of the night, and in the darkness she searched. After looking around for some time and knowing her effort was futile, she made one final call: “Papa!” Silence. Mama’s nudge answers the call. Each day, her illness worsens, so Mama started to call Papa via Skype to let Jasmine converse with him. But, because she has a sore throat and not feeling too well, she only manages to say, “hi” and refuses to tell him “bye” at the end of their conversation.

Now that she has been hearing her Papa's voice daily, each day she shows renewed signs of recovery. We hope this upward trend continues and that she will be well when he returns home.

Jasmine is the happiest little girl in the galaxy. She is happier than all the other little girls because her Papa is finally home. She played with him endlessly until fatique took hold. Jasmine is fast asleep at 7:30pm. It was once that simple to put her to bed, but with her Papa gone Mama could not manage to have her sleep that easily regardless of the hour. She is much more at ease knowing that he is here with us.

Welcome home Papa, the greatest love of our life.

Mama is feeling ill and Papa is fastidiously laying down new flooring in our brand new apartment. It is so new, the place is completely bare. We have light without any light housing. The floor is concrete and the wall is covered with wall paper that must remain in tract for an entire year. All our belongings are still in customs awaiting their release. So with Ome Harrie returning from his business trip to San Francisco. We welcome him home and without a moment of hesitation, Mama asks Ome Harrie to baby-sit Jasmine.

Wandering around with spring in Jasmine footsteps and Ome’s Harrie gentle guidance much to her relief and delight, springtime is officially here in Leiden. Walking along the canals Jasmine sees trees bursting with blossoms, daffodils bath in the glittering sunlight, and swans swiming lazily at the placid lake. She loves all the sight and sound. For today's adventure, she has Ome Harrie to thank.