Apples are perfect for keeping the doctor away (really). Apples contain an antioxidant that may stave off the decline of lung capacity that occurs over time from air pollution. In a study of more than 2,500 men, those who ate five or more apples a week could suck in and pump out more air from their lungs than those who didn't eat any apples. Aim for one a day!

For my running friends and for me:



When shin splints strike try ice to reduce inflammation. Another good treatment is to trace the alphabet (in a sitting position) on the floor with your toes. Do this with each leg. Or alternate walking on your heels for 30 seconds with 30 seconds of regular walking. Repeat four times. These exercises are good for both recovery and prevention. Try to do them three times a day.

Two nights ago, a very big thing happened for our little family. Frunty fell asleep on top of Daddy. He really wanted his Daddy and jumped on top and fell asleep just as he used to do when he was a tiny baby. Every other night, I am the only one Frunty will fall asleep with and I love this but have wanted C to enjoy the feeling again of a little baby snuggling into him and drifting off to sleepy land. It is very cozy and sweet and one of the best feelings we personally have as parents.

We really enjoyed our cousins' visit this past long weekend! They came up from Torino. We did a lot of fun activities together including face painting. I have graduated from using face crayons to actual paints and the hardest part is getting these little kids to sit still during the process as they are so excited! Green bunnies? Yep, that 's what they wanted!

We went to the Little Gym yesterday (www.thelittlegym.be) and Frunty really had a ball as usual. The teacher said, "Il est maigre mais si fort". It is true Frunty is slim but very strong and fast and loves jumping off of high things without holding my hand and lands well on two feet. He also likes doing somersaults and does them with such gusto sometimes that he rolls off the mat. He also likes swinging like a monkey on the bars and holds my hand while walking along the balance beam. Yesterday, on his own, he wanted to help the teacher carry the instruments back to the cupboard unit. The teacher had not asked for help. It was very cute.



Frunty is in the class for 2.5-3 year olds called Canailloux and it is fun because parts are organized and other parts are free play. Frunty is learning French too.

It's a cool and windy Monday morning but we went on a stroller run anyway to the playground because it looks like it may rain later. We had a very relaxing weekend with naps/movie watching/friends over for a sushi bonanza. Daddy is off to London on Wed. to find out about the merger as his company has been acquired by another...what else is new? This happens every year! And on Thursday we are looking forward to the visit of some cousins from Italy.



The next chance I get, I will write down some fitness/health tips that are helping me achieve my goals and I am recording them for me so that I can re-read them and remember them.



Hope everyone is well back home! And congrutulations to our dear friend, L, who just got engaged to B. We are VERY excited for you and will pop open the bubbly when you arrive at the beginning of October. Can't wait to celebrate with you in person.

Baby put on his own PJs tonight! He was able to do it all on his own. When attempts were made to help him, he said, "No. Fris' len do it." He has just scooted off downstairs and shouted to me, "Bye bye daddy! Goo' night". Now I can hear him ask, "Winnie Pooh, brush" so he can brush his teeth before he jumps into bed. He's very good right now for a little guy at 10 past 10.

Thank you, Daddy, for your contribution. It is the special, little moments like that that are golden and will be treasured and I am so happy that you don't scoot off in the morning early. I like your work schedule because working 10-6pm means time with us in the morning and you are right, Frunty is really extra sweets as he shakes off sleep.



Last week we visited our little friend, A. I was telling Frunty that we would go visit him and he said, "A has a bellybutton." I believe that this is Frunty's very first full sentence. It seems like ever since that day, the words, phrases, sentences have been pouring in. I was wondering if Frunty would mix in some French and Mandarin but he doesn't. Sometimes he says both like "hello, bonjour" or "ton ton, it hurts" (Mandarin spelling?). He also seems to love French and when I ask him what songs he would like to listen to, he tells me. The other day, Frunty said "chinese songs". I was shocked because I didn't know he knew the word "chinese". We usually say "mandarin". Anyway, it is just amazing what Frunty and all children pick up and never a day passes when I am not completely blown away by this little guy, my son. Blown away doesn't seem like the most fitting expression but I am dog-tired and cannot think of anything else at the moment.



Tomorrow is our first Little Gym work-out together with the two Js and we will celebrate after by going for Thai while both Daddies attend business affairs. We are looking forward to the new adventures in store for all of us.

This is the daddy writing about a little event that happened this morning. It was very cute. I was in the bathroom trying to be very quiet so as to not wake the baby. But just outside the door I could hear tiny footsteps going up the stairs. I slowly opened the door and saw the baby half way up the stairs! At first he frowned at me because the light from the bathroom was bright, but then he smiled and with the softest of voices he said, "Hi daddy." to which I replied, "Hi baby". Then with a quizzical look and a measured glance to the bathroom door the baby asked, "Mommy in there?" and with the slight disappointment of being second fiddle, I answered, "No. Mommy's upstairs." The baby smiled and his voice became stronger as he said, "Oh. Tank you daddy." and he continued up the stairs where I heard him cheer "Hi mommy!"



The mornings are when the baby is at his sweetest and most precious. His actions and inter-actions are calmer and more controlled as he shakes off his sleepiness. As a result, this little event has been one of his first proper conversations that I have had with him. I look forward to plenty more.

Yesterday we packed a picnic and set off for the Belgium beach called De Haan. Because of heavy traffic, we took a detour and ended up at the beach in Knokke-Heist. It was a hot and sunny day so any beach would do! Frunty had a ball running up and down the beach and doing circles, jumping over the waves, collecting shells and mussels, and rolling around in the sand. Mowgli enjoyed sleeping in the shade provided by our beach tent. We finished the day with icecream and Frunty slept almost the whole way home. Then we had a bbq and big fruit salad for dessert! It feels like summer here now and we hope it lasts.

September is here but a heat wave has hit us so it feels like July. 30 degrees celsius in the sun! The boys are at the Brico buying lightbulbs and doing other guy stuff and I have a moment to write in my blog which I haven't done for awhile. If it is hot tomorrow, we are definitely going to the beach. Thursday we had our first Baby Time after a two week break. I am offering three classes now actually and may have to add another as the numbers are growing and I can't say "no" to all these Moms and kids who want to learn English! Plus I do have an assistant who helps me during each class with letting in late comers, preparing crafts, serving drinks and snacks etc. so I am able to handle the extra classes this fall.



Tuesdays 4:15-5:15 pm Baby Time English (0-3 year olds with Moms)



Tuesdays 5:30-6:30pm English Time (3-5 year olds with Moms. The Moms may sit in the diningroom and have a cup of tea during the class...maybe I'll give them a project in English if they desire. Perhaps they just want a moment to gab in their own tongue!)



Thursdays 4:30-5:30 pm English Craft Class (any age, still songs, stories, puzzles etc. but the craft takes up the bulk of the time.)



The Moms are asking me to teach French to a new group of 2-3 year olds. My French is good enough and I may try it out for a month.



I have signed Frunty up for the Little Gym (an exercise class for Moms and children in French) on Wednesday afternoons and we will try to get to the pool once a week and the French library as well. So as you can see, we are quite busy having lots of fun. I have taken a break from the Old Age Home as it is very hard to cut Frunty's nap short. For Baby Time, he can wake up whenever he needs to and one time, he joined us during the snack. He got out of bed, came up the stairs and got right into the action...all on his own!!!



I'll add some pictures soon.