Pairi Daiza

Today, we spent the day at a very cool zoo located near Mons, Belgium.  So many of parts of it didn't feel like a zoo at all.  There were Asian gardens throughout the park, and so much of it really felt like a work of art. It has a big price tag at 67 euros for the three of us, but it was worth it.  See for yourself....

Look at this place!  Isn't it beautiful!!!

There were squirrel monkeys on a small island.  They would just hop on your shoulder.  The kids LOVED this!

There were also bird enclosures, and these guys were friendly too.  This one is trying to eat Thomas' zipper, and he also tried to eat Amy's diamond on her ring!  

We were able to go back and feed the monkeys.  They like mealworms...yuck!  Notice the crowd.  It was nuts during feeding time.

I believe Thomas might be illegally feeding the giraffe some leaves from a  local shrub...the giraffe did not mind one bit. 

Another illegal feeding

I told McKenna to make her crabbiest face....

and this is her sweet, happy face.  But, the poor thing was so sick by the end of the day.  She held a plastic puke bag all the way home.  

It was at this point that Allison's pinky finger accidentally went up the elephant's trunk.  Gross!

More monkeys...with scary booties. :)

Everything is starting to bloom.  So pretty!

We attended a birds of prey show.  You know how we like owls. ;)

This was the look on Allison's face during most of the show.

And then we got to feed lemurs.  They were hilarious.  They would jump from shoulder to shoulder like the monkeys, but they were a lot heavier.  One even ran over the top of my camera! 

This guy was a riot.  He sat that way for several minutes in all his glory!

But, a lesson was also learned.  Poor Braeden REALLY wanted to hold one of the lemurs, and the lemur disagreed.   The lemur did quite a number on his little hand when he tried to pick him up.

This mama has a baby on her belly and her back.  The babies were only a week old.   After she came right down next to all of us, she took the babies back up to the rest of the group, and they all gave the babies a bath.  As they say, it takes a village to raise a child.

More Asian gardens

There were also rope bridges that extended over a large part of the zoo.

I'm sure the kids' favorite part was this massive playground.  It was really fun!

And, as we looked for souvenirs to take home, we found that name bracelets weren't going to be something for us.  We loved the very French names!

Wishing you all a very happy Easter weekend!  We are humbled by the ultimate sacrifice that was made for us, and rejoicing in the miracle of His resurrection.

Until next time,
Wendy

Fôret de Soinges

How lucky are we that we live within the Fôret de Soinges!  This forest, that lies southeast of Brussels, is 10,920 acres!  So, there is no shortage of amazing trails to follow.  My biggest worry really is getting lost.  A friend of mine recently took a walk with her dog and was lost in the forest for two hours!  If I were lost for two hours in the forest with my children...well...we just really don't want to think about that.  There is a map of the forest that comes complete with a waterproof bag when you purchase it...you know it rains a little bit here, and I really need to get one.  

Here is what we have been up to the last two days.  We've done a lot of walking!  I told the kids there would be no loafing around the house on this spring break.

On Monday morning, we joined the DeKunder family on a new trail through the forest.  There was a great playground, and we had lunch out there as well.  It was a perfect morning.

There is one thing I am having a hard time understanding.  There is tree cutting going on EVERYWHERE this time of year.  I hear chainsaws constantly.  And there are piles of trees like this all over the place.  I'm sure it is some effort to keep the forests from getting too dense and promoting more growth, but GAH!  Seeing these big beautiful trees lying in massive piles is a little tough for me.

See what I mean!

Here's the playground.  The kids loved it, and they enjoyed hiking up through the hills behind the playground.  That's where they had lunch...no where near us moms. :)

The trail in this part of the forest.

Thanks to Banu and Jill, whose photo editing I enjoy immensely on Facebook, I have a couple of news apps on my iPhone to edit pictures.  I'm having fun playing with them. :) 

Dinner on the trampoline.

This morning, we went for a walk in Overijse.   My friend, Amy, lives across the street from this part of the forest.  What a lucky girl! 

Allison and the Cundiff kids...and Trixie...the dog my children wish they could adopt. :)

I learned you can adjust the picture so there isn't black space around the pictures like the above shots.  I'm a quick one! ;)

This afternoon, we went to the commune of Rhode Saint Genese to have lunch with my friend Gretchen, from my Hints class, and her kids.  We wanted our kids to meet because the girls are the same age, and the boys are just a year apart.  We all had a fantastic time.  They live on a massive plot of land.  Their landlords (brothers who sound so cool) own the chateau you see above.  It's magnificent!  They are going to start renovating it.  Boy, would I like to move in there! 

This is the path behind Gretchen's house.  They sure did find a gem of a house! 

The chateau up close

I didn't realize it, but I was taking pictures while I walked.  Here's me traipsing through the forest, wind in my hair, and talking up a storm!

Another accidental shot

Standing at the chateau and looking across the meadow.  The first picture was taken at the other end of the meadow.

I am just in awe of God's beautiful creations!

Until next time,
Wendy

Daddy's Day in Brugge

Poor Daddy doesn't get out much these days, so we took the opportunity to take him to Brugge today.  The kids and I were there back on January 3rd for the ice sculptures, so it was nice to go back and spend the afternoon there on this beautiful sunny day.

The gorgeous square in Brugge.  Those two soldiers on the pedestal are the reason they speak Dutch, rather than French, in Brugge.

The kids opted for ice cream while Daddy and I had waffles.

A change from our last trip...all of the outdoor seating was set up and being used today.

Horse and buggy rides

Brugge is often referred to as the "Venice of the North".

This is NOT helping my diet.

Absolutely perfect!

The belfry on the opposite side of the square.

A horse and buggy ride for our family too.  It was worth the money.  We really learned quite a bit on this 30 minute tour around town.

The oldest bridge in town.

Dad and Mom

Pit stop

Look at those blue skies!

I promise you he is really having a good time.... 

How about that chocolate bunny?

Back to reality for Daddy tomorrow, but we are just beginning our spring break.  There is much fun on the horizon for us...after I take a French test tomorrow...blah!

Until next time,
Wendy