Vastine adVentures: ISB Night

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…..