WE'VE DONE IT! FINALLY, AFTER MONTHS OF
HARD WORK BY EVERYONE, WE'RE ONLINE

The launch party was tremendous fun, due in no small part to the large quantities of (of course) pink bubbles sponsored by our very own Fairy Godmother, Anjet van Linge of Bureau Zee ( www.bureauzee.nl ). Extraordinary Services to The Community medals are also due to those who helped set up: especially Jessica and Mari, for (among other things) their heroic balloon-inflation efforts, Marie and Judith for their Canapé Production Line, Aleksandra and her team for keeping the children extraordinarily quiet and happy without (I think) the use of sedatives, and everyone else who gave their time and energy to make it a great event. Last but not least, to my lovely husband Menno, for bringing me here in the first place: he has (when pressed) admitted that I have been 'slightly exhausting' to live with for the last few weeks. Check out the Photo Gallery for our wonderful photographer Susana's record of the day. Incidentally, if you need a fab photographer she's your woman: contact her on koaladrum@hotmail.com

I had imagined that getting online would mark an end to the hard work: it turns out it was just the beginning. Emails are flooding in with great ideas for the website, which is hugely inspiring. I'm currently working on various new sections such as Greener Leiden Living , and your input is needed to make this a great resource for anyone wanting to live more responsibly in our city: please email me with ideas/contributions on harriet@homeinleiden.nl : also if you have any other suggestions or would like to get involved either with researching for the website or setting up an activity.

Diary Date

The first official Kids Clothes Swop event will be taking place on Monday 30 th June at the Vrouw Kind Centrum, 57 Langegracht (nearest bus stop Stadsbouwhuis).

Website of the Week

www.family-matters.com - At last, an English-language magazine for families in the Netherlands! You can read the current edition on the website and you can register for a free copy to be sent to you.

Parenting Book of the Week

A Good Enough Parent by Bruno Bettelheim - wonderful classic book written in the 1970s: proper writing with psychoanalytical basis, in-depth discussion of so many aspects of bringing up children. His work forms the basis of many later books on child psychology, and gives intelligent and lucid help for such worries as should children play with toy weapons, or how to build self-confidence. Does have the effect of making you want to immediately stop what you are doing an d go and play with your children!