Good afternoon. This is Charlie speaking. I hope you are having fun wherever you are, but I think I’m having more fun because I’m on a big, gigantic vacation.
And my house, I think is more fun to play in. I feel really good in Holland. But, the school day is longer here but we have a 45 minute recess. The soccer field is like a real one and it’s made of fake grass and has two goals built in. I met a new friend that is from Los Altos! I hope you’re having a fun time and I think you’ll like it here. You should come and see me or do what I’m doing right now! You should come to Holland. It’s a nice place. The weather is nice and cold. But it’s fun and warm for me. I only feel the breeze when it’s sunny and sometimes cold. But I’m still wearing my shorts and my soccer suits and shoes.
I like that there are lots of parks with very big playgrounds. Right near my house, there is a place called Adventure Island. Right near Adventure Island, there is a place that kids can drive boats. And there is a ropes course that’s called Fun Forest.
At my school, they have a forest, way in the back. It has a zipline. Our lunch room is brand new. My teacher is super nice! I wish all of my friends in America were here too! That’s what I miss the most!! My friends!
I hope the day was good for you. That is the end of your day when you read this good afternoon message. Good afternoon!! This is Charlie speaking. Oh, sorry. I was thinking something else. Well, back to what I was saying…I hope you enjoyed the good afternoon message. Done.
here i am 
HI CHAR CHAR!!!!! I am so glad you are having a fun time!! Of course you are making friends! Who wouldn’t want to be friends with you, little cutie!? Amsterdam sounds like such a fun place! The weather sounds sooo nice compared to the hot and muggy Texas weather! I miss my little boyfriend! Hopefully we will be able to come see you guys soon!!
xoxox,
Caroline
Hi Caroline — This is Charlie again. I miss you too! I hear that you’re driving now. Is it fun? Thanks for writing and I hope to see you too!
Charlie
Wow Charlie! Your school sounds like so much fun that I wish I was a kid again and could go there. Glad there are lots of interesting things for you and your new friends to do. Exploring is so much fun isn’t it?
Keep Smiling, Your Mom’s friend Kimber
________________________________
We are so happy to read read your message. It is nice to know that you are so happy to be in Holland. I am also glad that you love your school and your teacher. You are a lot like your mom, and you accept new things with a great attitude and make the best of the situation. Good job! We love and miss you! See you soon! Your Oma
Hi Charlie. Thanks for telling us about your school and the parks and the things you enjoy in Holland. I hope you enjoy your time there.
Sara Girton
Hi Charlie this is Conner how is your trip to Holland? I’m loving it over here. Did you make any new friends? What are their names? Are you playing any sports? I bet you’re playing soccer because you were wearing a soccer suit in that picture. Fall Ball just ended and the whole team missed you this year. It was Halloween yesterday and I was Scream. Do you have Halloween in Holland? What was your costume? Trick-or-treating is different this year so it wasn’t that fun because I’m getting older. I wish I were little because the little kids get the most candy! Well, I’m a kid just not that young.I scared a few kids with the blood on my mask. I had to squeeze something to make the blood rush down my head. Do you guys still have phones and computers over there? Is it really grassy over there ’cause Holland sounds like a grassy place. I got this new stuffed animal called Domo and we always use it as a joke to say I Domo it’s a funny way to say I don’t know. And now I domo what else to say!
LOVE,
CONNER
Hi Conner!! I was a Goalie for Halloween. I am going to start playing soccer in December when it probably starts snowing. There are computers and grass everywhere. It’s exactly like America, it’s just more cold.
My trip to Holland is good. I did make more new friends. There names are Tyler and Jake, which are from Los Altos in America, Ben who’s from Holland, Sam who is from Oregon in America, and Rocky who is from England, and Yoav who is from Israel and Matthew who is from Minnesota in America too. I also have a friend named Timo who is from Holland and Great Britain.
I missed playing baseball with you. I wish I was there to play catcher. Who played catcher on your team? I missed being catcher.
Trick or treating was fun, but we didn’t get a lot of candy.
What is your stuffed animal? I don’t know what a Domo is. I want to know. He has a funny name.
Thanks for writing and keeping in touch. I DOMO what else I should say either! Hahaha!! Say hi to your mom and your dad!!
Love,
Charlie