A Perfect Saturday in Summer!

You may remember that super cool park we went to several months ago....Bloso Domein Hofstade....well, we went back today and thought we would try out the beach.  It was in the 70s and sunny, so that calls for time spent outside.  The cost was five euros per person, and we had to show our Belgian ID.   Be sure to bring your's if you plan to visit.  We asked about out of town visitors, and they said they would need their Passports for identification.  

When we arrived around 1:00, it was pretty empty.  The water was cold, but the kids enjoyed swimming out to the platform and jumping into the lake.

Poor Thomas is still so red and sore from our trip to the coast.  Nothing says "I'm an American" like a swim shirt and bermuda shorts.  Oh well!  Turns out, we had more than enough clothes on....there were several little ones in their "birthday suits".  Thankfully, their parents were clothed appropriately (by American standards.)

Daddy's girl!

The beach was very clean and well maintained.  There was also play equipment for the kids on the beach and two lifeguards on duty.

The kids thought this inflatable was so much fun.  Occasionally, there were 20+ kids on this thing.  I was waiting for it to sink.

This evening we went to the Cannon household for dinner.  They live in one of the coolest houses I've seen here in Belgium....unique house, in-ground pool, acres of forest and walking trails....and cows.  My kids are completely enthralled with the cows.  We came out here for a swim on Thursday, and the cows came up to the fence.  Tonight though, the kids thought they should go to the cows. 

No worries...we supervised and shouted things like, "Don't walk behind the cows...be careful...no running...watch for cow pies...."  And, it really helped too.  The kids were just fine. :)

Here are all four kids in the field.  Thomas is going to be a farmer, so he is really good with cows you know.....just ask him.

About half of the cows are Belgian Blues.  These cows have double muscling and solid as a rock.  

Sun, sand, and super friends makes for a splendid Saturday!

Until next time,
Wendy

A Provincial Park Visit

I started the "Hints" class last week at the American Women's Club.  This is a great class that offers tips to living in Belgium to newcomers....like myself.  A speaker talked about all of the interesting things you can do in Belgium, and really, the possibilities are endless.  We could fill every weekend of the year and still have new things to do.  One of the recommendations she gave was to visit the Provincial Parks.  These are spacious park areas that offer play equipment, walking trails, biking, swimming...you name it!  So, on this beautiful day (it was REALLY beautiful today), we decided to check one out.  The name of the park we went to was Bloso Domein Hofstade.  It was just 17 minutes from our house, and to say the kids loved it would be an understatement.  Here is our day in pictures.  Sorry, it's another day of iPhone photos.  I forgot to charge the battery in my camera.  But I will say, the iPhone 4s does a great job! 

After a great morning at church, we stopped for breakfast at our favorite cafe in Hoeilaart.  It was so sunny that Thomas wore Daddy's sunglasses through most of breakfast.  We are like vampires now... any sunlight, and we are blinded. :)  I already posted this one on Facebook because it might be one of my favorite pictures of Thomas.  I think he looks like he's ready for the Cannes Film Festival. :)

Can you say YUMMY!

Here we are at the park.  This is just one of the fun climbing things they had to offer.  And, all of the areas were marked with the appropriate age for play.  This particular one was for ages 6-12, and in my opinion, he is WAAAAY too high!

The token parent picture. :)

The zip line was Allison's favorite part!

I wish I had a video of this.  The giggling was priceless.  They even had the guy next to us giggling.  It was contagious!

As I was looking around, there were a couple things I noticed...

#1 Every child had an adult interacting with them and playing along with them.

#2 People were reading or engaged in conversation on benches, on the ground, or at picnic tables.

#3 Not one person was on their cell phone!  No one was checking FB and no one was even talking on their phone.  

It was so refreshing!!!

We ventured over to the beach for a little catch and a walk around the lake.

I'm assuming the mounds of sand along the beach have been brought in for the summer months.  They are getting ready for all the warmth. ;)

Here is a pic of my totally inappropriate footwear.  You would think tennis shoes would be good for a day of walking, but no.  You should still wear heals and tall boots.  Silly me!

The cyclists were out in full force today....even on the beach!

Daddy and his girl!

I love Belgian couples....especially "mature" couples (I did not say old.)  They ALWAYS walk arm in arm or they hold hands.  It warms my heart.

Isn't it so pretty!  I can't wait to come here in the summer.

Rolle Bolle court???  Maybe?!

They aren't much for having their picture taken together.  He has no idea how close she is actually standing, or this picture never would have happened.  This is an interesting sibling stage...to say the least....

This is the prettiest day we have had since we arrived.

Of course, we had to get ice cream.

As we walked by the swan, both kids said, "Stop staring at me swan!"  Do you think Daddy quotes Billy Madison just a little bit...

We hope you had an equally beautiful day!  Enjoy the last few hours of your weekend!

Until next time,

Wendy