January 2015

The months seem to go by so quickly here.  It's hard to believe March is tomorrow.  So, here is a quick recap of the fun we had in January.

Well, this part wasn't so fun.  Our first weekend back in Brussels after Christmas break, we attended the going away party for the Egge family.  This is another case where dear friends have to leave too soon.

Same night…we were off to Dwight's 40th Birthday party.  Such a young thing!  His lovely wife, Ericka, hosted the most terrific party.  She is quite the party planner!

The following day, it was time for me to celebrate.  No need to discuss numbers here.  I was thrilled to share the day with my birthday buddy, Jeremy!  He was the big FIVE!  Thank you to our wonderful friends for making my (our) day so special.  It was really terrific!

I'm so blessed!

The Krings got me a selfie stick.  I've been wanting one for a while now!  But, this selfie stick was extra special.  It was actual wood with an old cell phone rubber banded to the end.  Hilarious!!  The best part was Chris and Torben walking around the Grand Place and actually acting like they were taking pictures with it.  It was one of those nights where your stomach hurt from giggling.  I wish you could have seen the way people were looking at us.  A few weeks later, my real selfie stick arrived. :)

A coffee stop to end a great birthday!

Thank you to my dear friends in The Gift Boutique for the delicious birthday lunch on Monday.  I walked by and complimented the nice table not even realizing it was for me.  I can be so dense. What a great surprise!  It was turning out to be more of a birthday week!  Love it!  Hahaha!

January 15th, we had some errands to run in the city.  It was just a normal Thursday night.  I did notice an increased number of police cars with their sirens blaring.  And, traffic was worse than usual.  But hey, it's Brussels.  That evening around 10 pm, it was reported that 10 raids were conducted around Belgium to halt the plans of those affiliated with ISIS.  Apparently, these individuals have been on radar for some time, but following the events in Paris, it was necessary to make a move.  It took me a few weeks to make my way back into the city, but then I realized I could not live in fear.  They would win if our lives were changed by these events. 

Just admiring our lovely city…oblivious to what was happening.

Friday, January 16th was a sad day for all of us.  It was the last day of school for the Egge family.  Thomas was particularly sad because he had to say goodbye to Sophia.  On his Instagram he wrote, "Today my girlfriend left ISB.  I had to say goodbye and cried a bit.  Hope you have a wonderful flight and time in D.C."  Bless. His. Heart!  It's not goodbye…it is just we'll see you again soon.

SNOW!  It was the first time we've seen snow in Belgium in two years.  It snowed over Christmas break, but we were in the US.

ISB in the snow.

That weekend, we housed girls from The Hague.  One of the girls was the daughter of the CEO of Staples.  They have a house in Cape Cod, and they are neighbors with the Kennedys.  Bobby's family…just to be clear.  Ha!

Getting her point across during the game.

Do you want to build a snowman?  Sorry, I couldn't resist.

His snowman had a dead plant for hair.

Enjoying some Greek food in Brussels.  I paused for a moment as I looked across the table.  When did she grow up so much???  My beautiful girl….

I want this floor for my kitchen.

ISB hosted the Solo and Ensemble contest this year.  Thomas performed a solo and earned two blue ribbons.  He was also part of a larger ensemble that earned blue ribbons and the highest score!

His fan club!  It's the bow tie. 

I appreciate the mild winters in Belgium.  Forty degree temps and a little bit of sun and the parks are packed.  I also appreciate how fit the Europeans are and how much they enjoy being outdoors.

Maybe I'll get to February before the end of March!  

Until next time,

Wendy

Wait, Wait...One More Snow Post

Someday, this blog will hopefully be bound in a book and sitting on my coffee table, so I wanted to be sure these pictures were included.  These pictures are not from our most recent snow.  They are from one of the many others we've had....

My kids are good sports, and I wanted to practice taking some pictures in the snow (which I find very challenging.)  So, we grabbed a few shots as soon as we got home from school.  I didn't even let them go in the house first.  I promised them it would be super quick.  Here are a few of my favorites.

I LOVE his grin.  He rarely shows his teeth, and that's just fine.

Beautiful inside and out...and growing too quickly.

How did I get so lucky???  It's true what they say...Having children: It's like watching your heart walk around outside your body.

My favorite picture to date.  I love everything about it!

Until next time,
Wendy

"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