Mom and Mike are Here!

My mom and Mike arrived safely in Brussels on Thursday morning.  In an effort to keep them awake and get used to to our time zone, we decided to hit the Grand Place.  We rode the tram and metro to get there.  It's always fun to introduce Mom and Mike to new things, so riding the tram seemed like a great idea.  It was a nice relaxing ride but nearly put them to sleep.  Shoot!  Working against my plan.

We were so glad Lucinda and Emerson could join us.  Look how excited Emerson is about Mom and Mike being in Belgium!  She is saying, "Yay, they are finally here!!!"  LOL!  We had lunch at a Greek restaurant, bought some chocolates, and made our way back home.  We actually didn't have waffles....can't believe it!  We had kiddos to pick up from school. 

The kids were SO EXCITED!  Both came running out on to the playground and nearly knocked Grandma over with their giant hugs.

Mom and Mike slept in on Friday morning.  Later that morning, we had to go to the American Women's Club and do a little Gien shopping.  We HAD to. :) Then, I was off to school to help set up for the International Festival.  Mom and Mike opted for a relaxing afternoon at the house.  Friday night, we enjoyed dinner at Fat Boys (they came all the way to Belgium to eat American food) to celebrate our friend Cary's birthday with the rest of the Collins family, Keowns and Westercamps.  We enjoyed some NCAA basketball and Belgium soccer while we ate.

Saturday was consumed with the International Festival at the kids' school.  It's my favorite day of the school year.  All of the countries come together and set up booths where they sell food, drinks, and items native to their countries.  We enjoyed empanadas from Latin American, paella and sangria from Spain, sparkling shiraz from Australia, and of course there are cupcakes, hotdogs, and rootbeer floats from the good old USA (the dads enjoyed the Budweiser.)  The event really kicks off with a parade of nations.  I was so proud of Thomas carrying the USA sign...only to find out he stole the sign from his sister and refused to give it back.  Sounds like it caused a nice scene during the line up.  Proud Mom for sure.  Ha!  They have a way of keeping it real.

Grandma joined right in on the fun!  It really was strange for me in the beginning to drink alcohol at the kids' school.  It's going to seem so lame when we're back to drinking water and soda at the school carnivals in the US.  LOL!

Allison's select strings group performed in the theater during the festival, so Grandma and Mike were able to hear her play.  It's the first time they've heard her play since she started violin here in Belgium.  Later in the evening, we enjoyed a fabulous dinner at our friends the Hauxwells.  It's so much fun having Mom and Mike meet so many of our friends while they are here.  Our friends are our Belgium family, so it's important they get to know each other.  No pictures were taken, so you'll just have to envision what a lovely evening it was shared with good friends and good food...like we hadn't eaten enough all day. :)

We had big plans to head to Germany today, but with the snow and no winter tires we are stuck here at home.  So, we are still in our pajamas and making soup, and Allison gets to attend the Easter party she was bummed about missing.  It's just the relaxing day we need, I guess, for the busy week ahead.

Until next time,
Wendy