A Day at the Beach!

Doesn't that view look fabulous!  It is actually starting to feel like summer here (although I will not assume this weather will last for long.)  We joined the Wheatleys on a trip up to De Haan.  This quaint town is located on the North Sea and about an hour and a half from our home.  We have visited a couple other towns in this area, but this was my favorite so far.  The beach was great and the boardwalk was super cute.  I was worried it wouldn't really feel like "the beach".  I'm a little spoiled by the white sandy beaches of Destin, FL, but this was really great.  It was very, very windy, but the sunshine and surf made up for that.  When we arrived, it was a long way out there to the water, but the tide came in and came up to the nearest horizontal line here on the beach.  Pretty amazing!

Someone was not cooperating...so I threatened to post this on the blog.  So, here it is. :)  We just won't mention that it's on here. 

She's growing up so quickly. 

Klein, Thomas, and Allison

He hates living here...can't you tell?!?

There were so many cool shells, but my kids didn't pick up any of them.  They are growing up. :(

The boys spent most of the day digging this hole, and their poor backs suffered.  We wanted the kids to get a little color in their cheeks.  We'll just say they got a little more than we bargained for all over...but their poor backs suffered the most. 

Allison and Canon

Me and Mackenzie

Allison took dozens of pictures of Canon, and they were all adorable and cracking me up!  She is a riot!

The Wheatleys!

Beach Babes

A little sangria after a fun day at the beach.

And, milkshakes for the kiddos.  

So long De Haan...we will most certainly be back!

Until next time,
Wendy

Saying "Goodbye" is Never Easy

Being a part of this expat community has allowed us the opportunity to meet some really amazing people.  But, with this expat life comes the sad moments of saying goodbye.  

Some of our goodbyes are only for the summer, but when you are used to spending a lot of time together that seems like a super long time.  The Adventure Club had lunch on Thursday.  Next summer, we need to plan our departures for the same time.  We're pretty much going to miss each other the entire summer with trips back to the USA.  Thank goodness for Facebook!

I just love this shot of Allison and Ella...school and church friends.  Thankfully, they are only parting for the summer.

Thomas' friend Patrik is moving to Prague.  We are hoping to see them in October when we travel there for a long weekend.

Christen and family are headed back to live in the USA.  We sure will miss them, but at least there is an opportunity to see them once we are home!

Two out of four of these boys are leaving Brussels for good.  It's not often you see nine year old boys hugging on the playground.

Thomas is going to miss Patrik's little brother too.

Thomas and Caio are such good buds.  Caio is off to China. :(

This is Patrik's mom Minna...we are both trying hard to smile.  It was very emotional.  Love her!

Adriana and Allison...she belongs to Christen (see above), and the girls already have plans to meet at AG in Chicago.

And, today I said goodbye to my friend Mindy.  She is off to Sweden!  Gretchen and I will be taking her place in running the "Hints" class at the American Women's Club.  We sure are going to miss her!

Even though our friends are off to new places, they will always be our dear friends and in our hearts.  Prayers are with all of you as you embark on these new and exciting adventures.  Let us know when you're ready for visitors!

Until next time,
Wendy

London Girls Weekend

What do you get when you have a Brit, German, Slovenian, and three Americans?....a really, really good time and probably too much money spent!  I thoroughly enjoyed myself this weekend on a trip to London for nothing more than shopping and seeing a musical.  There was absolutely no sightseeing, so it's a good thing we just took a family trip there last month, or I would have been chomping at the bit to see Big Ben.  But, there was no time for that because Oxford Street, Regent Street, and Covent Garden were the destinations of choice.  Here are some pics of the fun-filled, relaxing, and girls only weekend!

Olympic fever is in the air!  My kids were excited about their official Olympic t-shirts and keychains they received from Mom's shopping trip.

St. Pancras hotel and train station.  So beautiful!

Saturday night, we saw Rock of Ages!  It was FANTASTIC!  I am an 80's music lover, so it was my cup of tea.  I will absolutely make sure that Chris sees this on stage.  I'm sure it will renew his faith in musical theater as Rent and Les Miserables are not among his favorites.  What is wrong with this man???  It should be noted that I haven't had a haircut in six months...hence the frequent ponytail in pictures.  In the states, it was pushing it if I waited six weeks between cuts.  I'm going a little nutty with it, and it's going to be time to break down and make the call.

All the girls! 

The kids would have been REALLY bored on this trip, but it was paradise for the moms!

The hats and fascinators were so much fun.  This little number was over 100 USD.  I totally wish I could get away with this in Belgium or the USA.  I think I'm going to start the trend. ;)  I better see about getting a waterproof one for Belgium... 

Shopping at Covent Garden was fun!  It was filled with markets.  There were handbags, framed prints, jewelry, crafts, giant framed bugs.  You name it...they had it! 

Off to the GAP, Banana Republic, and souvenir shops.  I never thought I would find the right t-shirt in Thomas' size.  His mother really loves him! And, I never get tired of the red phone booth.  They had all different decorated booths around the city, so I have many phone booth shots from the weekend, but I will spare you. :)

I wonder if anyone has ever made it big from this school???  My guess is...no.

All decked out!

Shopping on Oxford Street on Saturday.  It was crazy busy!

Leicester Square

Kings Cross Station

It was a fantastic weekend!  Thanks girls for making me a part of it!

Until next time,
Wendy

Last Day of School 2012

The 2011-2012 school year has finally come to an end.  It was a memorable one to say the least.  Today was bittersweet.  The kids are so excited about the summer ahead, but it was really sad too.  Thomas has two very good friends who are moving to Prague and China.  One of Allison's closest friends is moving back to US.  Such is the life of an expat kid.  Your friends become your family and too quickly you are forced to say goodbye.  There were tears shed...mostly by the parents.  And, then the buses all pulled away and honked their horns as they left the school.  It was emotional and just verified how much we love it here and how blessed we are by the friends we have made.

Here are Allison and Thomas in Morton, Illinois starting 3rd grade and 5th grade back in August of 2011.

And, ending their year at the International School of Brussels in Belgium.  I now have a 4th grader and 6th grader!  Wow!
Not many smiles from Thomas.  He said he doesn't like summer and just wants to stay at school.

I'm happy to report that these two had phenomenal report cards, and I am looking forward to a fun-filled summer with activities around Brussels,  Tim, Cheryl, and Brandon visiting us in July, and a big trip back to the US!

Until next time,
Wendy

Allison's Birthday in Pictures!

I'd like to start by saying "Thank You" for all of your messages for Allison whether on the blog, Facebook, by phone, or email.  She was thrilled to hear from so many of you.  It really made her day.  

This is the first time Allison has been in school on her birthday.  Normally, we are at the pool and having Dairy Queen, but that was definitely not the case this year.  It was, however, the 5th grade party, so that was a super fun way to celebrate her special day.
There was wheelbarrow racing,

the three-legged race,

more wheelbarrowing,

running races,

and fun times with friends!

Here's Allison with her teacher Mrs. Cook.  She is phenomenal and has made Allison feel right at home at ISB since day one.  She is a terrific teacher!

Miss Canon gave Allison a darling flower for her hair in honor of her birthday.  It is resting on Canon's right shoulder and blends  right in with her coat.  These girls have a passion for all things cute in the hair.

Sophie and Sawyer called to sing Happy Birthday!

Allison decided to have three friends over for dinner and playing after school.  It turned out to be a great way to celebrate.  Adriana will be leaving this weekend to move back to the US, and Allison wanted to have a gathering before she left.

Fun chocolates from Freddie.

The cake and cupcakes

Just for the record...that dress is recycled.  Yes, it was my prom dress.  Yes, it fits her.  Yes, I wish I could be that "fat" again.  Why did I think I needed to lose weight then?  Geesh!  That's just ridiculous.  Please note...Allison chose to wear the dress for the rest of the birthday celebration.

Trampoline time

Sweet friends!  All of the girls are Americans except our favorite Brit.  She is second from the left.

She wanted the big pig from Angry Birds.

But this is what she really wanted...an Ice Watch.  She also received a huge makeup kit.  Too bad she can't actually wear that makeup outside the house.

I wonder what she wished for? 

I pray it comes true!

Until next time,
Wendy