October 2014 A Little Bit of Everything

I could make dozens of excuses as to why my blog is months behind, but truthfully, we have just been busy with life.  So, I guess that is okay.  When you are exhausted at the end of the day and can be thankful for those last 24 hours, life is pretty good.  I'll just move right along through the next three months, so I can get caught up because 2015 is going to be a fun year…I hope!

Both Thomas and Allison played soccer for ISB this year.  Thomas was on the CESSIB (Council of English Speaking Schools in Benelux) team for grades 6, 7, and 8.  Allison was on the JV team this year.  Playing for the school, they have the opportunity to travel to other International Schools.  Rather than staying in hotels, the host players have our ISB kids for the night in their homes.  Thus far, it has proved to be a very positive experience with the kids truly enjoying different cultures…even if they have to eat strange, new foods.  

CESSIB B Boys - I should note this is only half the team.  With 42..yes 42…boys on the team, Thomas really only played half the season.  The boys alternated games. It was really a bummer, but he learned a lot about soccer and even more about being a good teammate.  His coaches were fantastic.

If there is one thing I have learned….sports photography is HARD.  This is about as good as it got this season.  I'm going to have to keep practicing with this one.

Distracting her brother on the sideline.

JV Girls
Allison didn't get as much playing time as she would have liked this season, but she enjoyed the sport, playing with her teammates, and being an ISB athlete.

A foggy Saturday morning game.

Halloween!

We celebrate early here because Halloween falls during fall break.  The American Women's Club of Brussels hosted "Trunk or Treat" again this year.  It was a huge success!

Our trunk all ready to go!

Trick or treating around the parking lot.

Wendy V, Wendy W-S, and Wendy K.  :)

I took some flower arranging classes this fall.  Loved them!

It rains here…a lot!  But, with a lot of rain comes these beauties (once in a while.)

Just a little storm that rolled through a soccer game.  They kept right on playing.  That line down the middle of the photo is a lightening strike.  Of course I was a little stressed!

The calm after the storm.

I no longer have the luxury of late night trips to Wal-mart to pick up cupcakes for treats the next day.  I bake here…a lot!  Thank you to Chris for bringing the candy corn pumpkins back from the states.

Each fall, the Elementary School celebrates with the International Community Morning. With nearly 70 countries represented at our school, it is a wonderful opportunity to learn about our different cultures.  For this event, parents provide food from their countries for the kids to taste while other parents share traditions/crafts/dance activities.  It is an amazing event!  Nothing says USA like cupcakes.

Note:  USA cupcakes are long gone.  They were on the Halloween platter.

Learning some new moves!

The Middle School participates in a Run-A-Thon each October.  I had the pleasure of helping with this event as well.  With a little hesitation and embarrassment, Allison allowed me to snap a picture of her advisory class.  I'm so embarrassing!

She did an awesome job!

Trick or Treat night before fall break!

Thomas opted to be a werewolf this time.  We heard there were actually a lot of kiddos out on Halloween night this year.  I think it is really catching on in Belgium, so we might have to be back in town to celebrate the real holiday for 2015.

Houses are marked where you can trick or treat.  They go all out!!!

What a scary bunch!

We loved seeing our favorite Aussies!

Yep, those are ISB moms!  Love it!!!

Friday market in our town.

Allison's creations for dinner.

ISB Night (our school fundraiser) is a fantastic night out!

Nice shoe tote!

Maybe a bit overdressed for public transportation.

FANCY!  The event was held at Concert Noble, a suite of 19th century rooms, originally commissioned to host the Belgian aristocracy.  This is not typical dining for the Vastines…..

The ladies of the table.

And, the gentlemen!

My date…not too shabby! ;)

Pumpkin carving (sorry, a bit out of order)

Signage in Belgium.  Oh darn.  I had to look at Rob all week.  Hehehehe!

And, those are the odds and ends of October.  We ended the month with a trip to Portugal. That is up next!

Until next time,

Wendy

Happy Halloween 2013

As I work on this blog, I am enjoying all of the Halloween posts on Facebook.  Halloween day is uneventful here in Belgium.  The holiday is not "officially" celebrated here, but the shops have been carrying quite a bit of decor and costumes...even more than last year.  Maybe by the time we leave, it will be an official holiday here. The expat community does a great job of celebrating though, so here's a look at some of the fun we have had over the last couple weeks as we celebrate Halloween Belgium style.

The American's Women's Club hosted a "Trunk-or-Treat" for the kids.  The event was a huge success. I tried to count the kids and got to somewhere around 70.  So exciting!

Thomas helping Dad hand out candy at our trunk.

Our kids had come straight from riding lessons, so to make my life easier (not nice....I know),  they were equestrian riders for Trunk-or-Treat.  

Family pic

Trick-or-Treating is always the Thursday before fall break because so many expat families travel during the break.  It is a huge event!  You must register online, pick up a wrist band at McDonalds, and join several hundred other trick or treaters in the town of Overijse (an event is held in Waterloo as well.) The homes that hand out candy are impressively decorated, and this year they even had a Thriller show.  The kids (and Chris) loved it.  I was too short to see from the back. :)

For this year's costume....they wanted to be nerds.  Costumes are hard to come by here (they still have the plastic masks with the elastic strap on the back) so you have to be creative.  I thought they were adorable nerds.

We met at the Smith's house for a pre-trick-or-treat party.  Thanks Karin!

Then, it was time for the big event.

Allison and friends from ISB.

These three are growing up too fast.  They went off by themselves. Sniff sniff

The neighborhood for trick or treating is beautiful.  

They asked that I send this to their teacher.  She loved it!

The mamas 

Thanks for a fun after party Justiniano family!

Two days later, the Keown family hosted their second annual Halloween party.  This year, the adults decided to join in on the fun of dressing up.  

Thanks Mary for letting me borrow your dress!

Shirley and Pat

Brandi is going to eat Allison's brain.  Her eyes still freak me out!

Cutie pie Karin

Melonee, Ericka, and Shayna

Sweet girls enjoying the party

The zombies were my favorite!  Sam and Cori....not usually creepy people.

"Rick" (Mike) and his zombies.  They were quite a group.  Loved it!!!

All ready for Oktoberfest!  Not as cool as the zombies.

That's gross, Lucinda!  But still our beautiful hostess.  LOL!

Jo and Misty

My dear friends!

My trusty assistant....gotta teach 'em young.

"Maverick" and "Charlie" aka John and Melonee

Family shot

Pat is so sheik!

My lovely Lucinda

I guess this is the sign of a good party.....

It was another successful Halloween!
Happy Halloween 2013 to all of our friends in the USA.

Until next time,
Wendy