About the Dutch Girls
Hi! I’m Monique, a mom, of two exceptional young adults, Emma (20) and Tessa (19), who love exploring new destinations. Come connect with us as they candidly live beyond the label of autism and visit Canadian (local and national) destinations, the U.S. and Europe.
As one of the Dutch girls (can a 50+-year-old still be called a girl?), our goal is to help you make magical memories to last a lifetime by following our lead and perhaps learning from our mistakes too! In my experience, nothing is better than exploring the world with those you love most!
I was born in Canada to Dutch parents who cherished their language, culture, and citizenship. My mother is from Delft and my father is from Lisse, two cities we have enjoyed visiting recently on a multi-generational trip. While I don’t recall being baptized in Delft at the age of 4 months, my love of all things Dutch has only strengthened since then. The girls and I celebrate Saint Nicholas, oliebollen, appelfloppen, stroop waffles, dropjes and many more favourites from our home in Ontario, Canada. While Dutch was my first language and I can easily follow a Dutch conversation, my spoken language isn’t clear and difficult to follow. Both Emma and Tessa have grown up surrounded by a passion for European culture, language, and tradition.
As an educator with an honours history degree, I love to research and search out museums, cathedrals, churches, and historical locations, in particular World UNESCO (United Nations National, Scientific and Cultural Organization) sites. The girls are used to visiting a number of cultural locations and are developing a love for things old as well.
A parent of two young adults with exceptionalities, a lover of history, literature, cuisine, antiques, and anything Dutch, with a wanderlust for travel, and someone who loves to travel with her partner, Geoff, I invite you to join us on a journey. xo Monique
Emma, aged 20, loves to dance, do crafts, watch movies, and spend time with all types of animals especially dogs, cats, and horses. She loves to sing, bake, and spend time at the beach. Some of her favourite contemporary singers include Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez, Carrie Underwood, and even Fleetwood Mac. If she isn’t singing, her nose is buried in a fiction book while sitting on the couch. Emma is very proud of a French award she received in grade eight. Recently we enrolled in the Duolingo program to practise our French as we eagerly plan for a holiday to France this summer. Emma is loving, strives to be independent, and is very honest so ask away!
Tessa, aged 19, loves the water, puzzles, music, and baking. She is our resident geography expert and can label the flag, national birds and flowers from dozens of countries. Flags in particular are her go-to interest and Tessa loves to create puzzles and colour in the flags of the world. Tessa loves to explore and enjoys talking to everyone we meet, be prepared for a flood of questions. Tessa is caring and energetic, has a memory like an elephant and doesn’t have a filter. All three of us love to read!
We love the outdoors, hiking, walking and hanging out at the beaches. Markets, visiting musuems, eating local cuisine and spending time in antique stores are some of the things I enjoy doing in my spare time. I do appreciate wineries and craft breweries with adult company! As an English and history teacher, I love travelling to places that I read about and can bring authentic experiences back to the classroom particularly about European and World UNESCO sites. Most of my travel experiences with my daughters contain a history lesson or two!
