The Story of Fiene and Mr. Pancake

On a Wednesday, after a whole day at school, Fiene was picked up by her mum to go home. Fiene was all excited, and she was jumping up and down. Do you know why?

It was because Mr. Pancake was going home with her, to stay for a couple of nights. He brought his bag with a nice story to read, and a diary to write about all his adventures.

Fiene gave Mr. Pancake a big cuddle and carried him over to the car. She let him sit on her lap and was singing a song to him. She was so happy to have this little friend around: he went with her on the back of the bike, to pick up Fiene’s big sisters and brother from their school. And Fiene showed Mr. Pancake around in the house, and introduced him to Koetje, Fiene’s little cow. Fiene also told Mr. Pancake how lucky he was, that he was staying just now, as the whole family would go to New York for the weekend!

On Thursday, while Fiene went to school, Mr. Pancake was relaxing and taking a good rest in Fiene’s bed, preparing for the busy weekend. But in the evening, they would chat in bed and Fiene would tell Mr. Pancake everything about her friends at school, and about the music lessons she loves so much. On Friday she showed him the movie about the Skippyjon Jones (see www.skippyjonjones.com) party they’d had at school. Mr. Pancake was jumping up and down with her when she showed all the dance moves she’d made at the party. But after hours of playing, it was time to go to bed. It would be an early morning….

At 8am the whole family boarded the bus and during the four hour drive to New York, Mr. Pancake was snuggling up into Fiene’s arms. They were looking outside the window, taking a nap, listening to music, and they had a great time. Once in New York Mr. Pancake was installed safely in the rucksack of Fiene’s dad, where he could sit comfortably. But, at the hotspots he came out to have a look around, and to be caught in many picture moments. Although Mr. Pancake had been in New York before, he loved to see the city from the top of The Empire State Building, together with Fiene and her family. It was so impressive. And he smiled when they took the Staten Island Ferry and passed the Statue of Liberty with the wind in their hair. And when Fiene was feeding Mr. Pancake his own Fortune Cookie at the restaurant in Chinatown, he thought the day couldn’t have ended better!

Sunday 16th was a special day: it was Tijmen’s (Fiene’s brother) 8th Birthday. The day started with opening presents on the bed in the hotel, followed by a big “Happy Birthday”, sung by the waitresses serving breakfast with…. Pancakes! The afternoon was spent in the Guggenheim museum where the kids drew art, followed by a picnic in Central Park, and of course a visit to Times Square in the Evening. It was a great day again.

After a full weekend of walking, shopping (for a real princess dress, toys, beads and stuff in Chinatown), lounging (in Battersy and Central Park), eating (caramelized apple and potato swirls), celebrating (Tijmen’s Birthday and Feast of San Gennaro in Little Italy), and sleeping in a comfy bed in the hotel, it was time to head back to Newton on Monday evening.

While Fiene went back to the Whole Nuts on Tuesday, Mr. Pancake was allowed a sleep-in. He had a FABULOUS stay with Fiene, and he is now ready to visit another friend.

Bye Mr. Pancake! Big kiss from Fiene.