"Spring" in Belgium ~ March Snow!

It's nearly mid March, and we are all ready for warmer temperatures and hopefully sunny skies.  And, then we get the surprise snow of 2013.  Flurries started on Monday night, and by Tuesday morning roads were nearly impassible.  You know, it doesn't snow here in Belgium (ha!), so the country is really not prepared for this type of accumulation.  I feel like I've said this before on the blog...oh right...I have...because it is always snowing!!!  The sweet lady from the Chinese restaurant we love told us this is the most snow Belgium has seen in March in 200 years.  That sounds about right...

Here are the accidents on the roadways of Belgium on Tuesday.  What a cluster!  I think Chris made the right choice to work from home.  It took our friend Lisa three hours to get to the office.  

The kids had a snow day, so we made the most of it!  

Winter wonderland!  We measured the depth in our yard, and in most places is was 14 cm (6 in.)  That's a lot of snow for here.

The forest is maybe 500m from our house, so it was a nice walk in the snow. 

It's always fun.....

until someone gets snow in the face and starts crying.  And, then their crazy mother starts yelling and screaming and disturbing all peace and quiet in the forest.....

She fell off the log.  He thought it was funny.  If looks could kill.

We're walking along, and he finds the ONLY puddle...loses a boot...and his sock.  Then, he can't get either back on his foot.  Oh, and his gloves are in his pocket.  I think it's time to go home....

Everyone is smiling again! 

Hibernating (I'm about ready to go to sleep until spring is here!)

After Dad finished work, we decided to go sledding at Chateau de la Hulpe.  Just 3 km from our house, we felt by this point in the day we could venture out.  We don't have snow tires, and it really makes a difference here.  I swear normal, everyday tires here are different than normal, everyday tires in the states.  The traction stinks!  So, next year we will be getting winter tires.

The sleds really weren't moving too quickly.  Allison blamed the "dumb sleds," but I really think it was just the powdery snow.  But of course, "We have the worst sleds in Belgium." 

The chateau is even prettier in the winter.

Love the sunshine at the end of the day.

That right there is pouting at its finest.  Someone was overtired!

Never too old to hold her daddy's hand.

Looks like fall colors, but it just the spectacular sunshine.  Hopefully it will be spring time very, very soon.

And, the fun didn't end here.  We had a second snow day on Wednesday because the parking lot and playground at school were deemed unsafe due to ice.  One snow day is great...two snow days is pushing it...BIG TIME!

Hopefully, this is my last post about snow!

Until next time,
Wendy

Our First Snow Day!

Early this morning, we received an email that school was in session.  Oh the disappointment was going to be monumental.  Sinterklaas visited school yesterday and told the kids they would have a snow day today.  Sinterklaas, seriously what were you thinking?  The forecast had said 100% chance of snow with accumulation and there was nothing on the ground.  Such a bummer!  Maybe 15 minutes later, Chris and I received texts stating that school was in fact closed due a drastic change in weather.  And, sure enough, it was snowing like crazy outside.  So, after sleeping in a little later than usual and watching Elf, the kids finally went outside to enjoy the white stuff.

Contemplation....Hmmm....Who is going to get this to the face?/?

The trees were gorgeous!

The snowball fights began.

Pure joy!

She would walk around to the trees and shake them, so all the snow would fall on her head...maybe a tad bit strange.  LOL!

And, then she was running along the trees and knocking the snow from them.

They never did build a snowman.  They used these giant snowballs for safety during the snowball fight. 

All of these shots were taken from the windows of my house. 

I finally stepped outside.

Lunch? 

We are thankful for sweet neighbors.

After all of that fun in the snow, we went to the Stockel Christmas Market.  The kids got chocolate, I got a Santa, and Chris bought wine.  And, Flat Stanley even made the trip.  It was a win for everyone!

Until next time,
Wendy