We are the Champions!

It was a bittersweet weekend.  The International Festival was being held at ISB (our favorite day of the school year.)  And, it was also the weekend for the CESSIB basketball tournament in Paris.  We knew that Allison would be playing in Paris as she was a part of the Girls A Team this year.  However, we weren't sure if Thomas would be chosen as he was on the Boys B Team, and they would only take 10 players.  The plan was for the whole family to go to Paris for the tournament.  Well, Thomas was not chosen to go.  He was devastated, but there was the consolation that he could now go to the International Festival, which in turn made Allison miserable because she had to miss.  We decided we couldn't make Thomas go to Paris to watch his team play AND miss the festival.  It was a doubly whammy.  So, the guys stayed in Brussels, and the girls went to Paris. Allison left on Friday, and I drove over for the day on Saturday.  Yes, I was just in Paris two days before.  Crazy week!

I helped set up for the International Festival on Friday morning.  It looked great!

I arrived at the gated school welcomed by military personnel heavily armed with automatic weapons.  Personally, I think that wouldn't be a bad idea to have in Brussels.

It is still surreal for me to sit in a gymnasium and look at this sign across the way.  Dunlap...yes...Paris...I never could have imagined.  

I am thrilled to report that the Girls A Team took FIRST place!

Happy Girl!

The Girls B Team took first place as well!!!

And, so did the Boys B Team (Thomas's team!)

Our Boys A Team took second place.  I had a picture of their team too, but it seems to have disappeared...

This obviously calls for a team selfie.

Congratulations ISB Raiders Basketball!!

I spy the Eiffel Tower on the drive.

 I made it home in time to head over to the going away party for Kristin and Mark.  We are really going to miss them in Brussels.

Sunday afternoon, we celebrated the successful basketball season for Thomas's team. 

He decided to wear his uniform for the big day...interesting choice...but okay.

A pic with the tournament trophy!  You'll be there next year, Buddy.

What a super weekend!  Congratulations Raiders!

Until next time,

Wendy

ISB International Festival 2014

The International Festival at ISB is my favorite day of the school year.  It's hard to believe it was already our third festival.  Time here is going by so quickly!  This festival is the day where the nearly 70 countries represented at ISB come together to celebrate their culture with food, drink, dress, dance…you name it!  The theme for the USA booth was "Take Me Out to the Ballgame!"  So, hotdogs, popcorn, pulled pork sandwiches, cupcakes, root beer floats, Budweiser, Sam Adams, and Miller Light were served.  Does that say USA or what?

Set up on Friday is a team effort!

Miss America in the flesh!

All set and ready to go!

Festival Day!
 The USA booth looked great, and the ladies and gentlemen served with that USA hospitality.

YUM!

Recognize anyone in the middle of the festival program???

They have changed a bit since International Festival 2012.

The festival kicks off with a parade.  It has been inside for the last two years due to rain (go figure.)  The bagpipes always start us off.  Goosebumps!!!

Here they come….USA, USA, USA!!!

Someone is missing from the parade.  Now a middle schooler, Allison thought she was too old.  I disagree.  Sniff sniff….

Allison performed with the Select Strings.  She was first chair (proud Mom.)  They did a terrific job!

This is Heather!  She was 1/3 of the fabulous team that put the festival together.  She is a great friend, our neighbor, carpool partner, and dropped the bomb a few weeks ago that they are leaving.  All of our friends leaving will be a post in itself.  Can't think about that now. 

I'd say the event was well attended.  This was only one of the gyms.

Even our bracelets were jazzed up for the event.

2/3 of Shayna's darling children.

Speaking of Shayna…this was our anniversary.  We met at the International Festival two years ago.  Happy Anniversary, girlie. :)

I think he passed her up!

I commented on my first International Festival blog that I needed to get to know the Canadians because they seemed like they were so much fun.  Well, I can assure you that we have gotten to know the Canadians, they are the BEST, and we have a LOT of fun with them!

Ahhh….Spain.  Your food is just so good!

You can buy tulips from the Netherlands.

Of course, Belgium provides snacks, but the best part is the beer.  Even Smurfette is having a Duvel.

Allison and friends

Back at the USA booth

Go Cardinals!

USA, USA, Canada, USA, USA

Me and Lu!

Loving on their favorite Aussie.

Working really hard….

Our fearless leaders…FABULOUS job ladies!

Yes, there was even Vegemite at the Australian booth.  Chris was NOT a fan.  Hahaha!

Our beautiful Aussie friend Jo.  That's her fabulous husband, Nathan,  just above.  I borrowed the last five pictures from her.  Thank you Jo!

Clean up time!  What a mess….

We went to Mike and Lucinda's house for pizza that night.  Miss E. liked my hat.  I couldn't forget her on the blog.

She watches a lot of Toddlers and Tiaras.  She does the lip thing perfectly!

 Much to our surprise, we walked away with the ISB basket from the raffle.  It was filled with sweatshirts, t-shirts, a scarf, water bottles, pennant, umbrella, duffle bag, hat, etc.  Over 3,000 tickets were sold, so I can't believe we won one of the baskets.  We never win!  I guess I can't say that anymore.  And, that concludes another International Festival.  We're hoping to be here for at least two more.  Only time will tell….

Until next time,

Wendy