On Sunday night we returned from our ten-day-dream Christmas in Rovaniemi, Finland. Visiting Lapland's Arctic Circle was an idea I first came up with over ten years ago when we were living in Amsterdam. To be able to take our kids with us all these years later was really, honestly, a dream come true. From Brussels to Helsinki to Rovaniemi, we moved up into the north of Finland where there was only about two hours of daylight each day. Covered with snow and light flurries while we visited, we enjoyed all the area had to offer.

The highlight was meeting the "real" Santa in his village with our new friends we met up there from Nantes, France, the Havarts. The kids all had a great time. For our individual family, I think we all agreed that the husky ride through the snow-covered trees and hills, was really amazing. We fell in love with a white husky in particular who reminded us of Mowgli.

Of course, the reindeer ride was cute although a bit too short, and the Christmas Eve mystical walk with the elves to Santa's command center in Kovatunturi was fun but the huskies were awesome...maybe because we are all dog lovers.

We also enjoyed our Santa Sport Hotel with the big spa/pool area, different saunas and indoor play zone. A great choice of hotels away from the city center in the forest. Daddy and I took turns cross country skiing but our main, snowy activity was tobogganing with the kids. We even hiked through the forest and made a fire to warm up. On Christmas night, we rented a Havuuka with our French friends and had a gourmet dinner prepared by Fred. The trip was really a once-in-a-lifetime experience and I am so happy and grateful we went for it!

Today our friends, K and E and baby, F, came over for lunch. They are visiting from Twickenham for the weekend. We had such a nice lunch (I made Indian) and then a lovely walk in Woluwe park. Baby F is adorable. After we said good bye, I went over to our Norwegian friend's house to join our two boys (whom I had left just before the walk so they could play a bit before baking) and some others to make Christmas cookies. One of our friends, Annebeth, made a gluten-free/egg-free/milk-free gingerbread dough and the cookies were excellent. I was so grateful that she made them. I brought some allergy-free speculoos with me and they got devoured by all the kids but it was nice our kids could make some cookies that they could eat too.

We are trying our best to eliminate the foods as I mentioned but at the school's Christmas market last night, it was next to impossible to say "no" to hot dogs/cookies etc. I felt like I broke down a bit but it isn't like a peanut allergy which can be fatally serious. Today we are back on track though and that is what counts. It is cold here but not snowing...clear blue skies but who knows, it may still snow again before and after Christmas. We'll have to get down the Grande Place for the market.

Time for a nice, hot cup of tea...we keep our house a little cool so the heat doesn't make our skin dry. Plus I am tired from all the festivities lately and also, coming home late from the comedy show last night! It's a fun time of year...just gotta pace ourselves. Tomorrow, packing for Finland and 4 pm Christmas fete at our British/Indian friends' home where we will stay a short time so we can keep our routine with the kids in tact. Good night all!

Happy St. Nicholas!

St. Nicholas came early this morning to our home and found a hot chocolate, some speculoos cookies, a carrot and some hay for his donkey and left behind a present. Frunty woke up so early but has to wait for his brother to wake up so they can open it together. So Frunty is watching Wall-E beside me as I type. I had hoped to sleep in this morning but alas, it is just too exciting around here! And to top it off, my friend's dog is staying with us and started licking my cheek and my hand which was hanging off the bed.

I did have a super nice snuggle with Frunty as I tried to get him to fall back asleep. This afternoon we are off to the club where St. Nicholas will arrive with Zwarte Piet and tomorrow, he'll come to the Little Gym. Mind you, we already met him at Colruyt a few weeks ago when he gave the kids a big bag full of candy, an Advent Calendar, a Winnie-the-Pooh mug and piggy bank, puppet etc.

Tonight our friends are coming over with their little boy, Leander. We invited them about a year ago and something kept happening to postpone our dinner together.

Day 3: Vegan attempt: well, last night I went to the Lounge 81 for Anna's baby shower/dinner and although I managed to get a vegetarian pasta, it was not gluten-free and was full of cream. Imagine carrying around your own tupperware and asking it to be heated up? I am not going to go that far! Obviously, avoiding the "restricted" items as much as possible is reasonable and hopefully will show results. Absolute restriction will be next to impossible especially when we travel up to Finland at Christmas.

Day 1: We are vegans.

Okay, this is really different but I am game for anything...no pun intended. There won't be any game or any other meats for quite some time. Our md wants us to be very strict for the next six weeks and I love the challenge. For breakfast, lunch and dinner, I had LENTILS.

The kids are absolute peaches and don't like meat anyway. Well, they like Daddy's sugo and sometimes sausages. Frunty was hilarious. I asked him to eat some lentils at lunch and he made the funniest face and said, "I will try!" It was so funny, you had to be here. Pit didn't eat lentils but he eats enough of everything else and I know it is balanced...based on hours and days and weeks of research...

Anyway, I have been wanting to be a vegetarian for a short while now so I am glad the doctor told us to do so...however, omitting eggs as well is hard. I need to get to the Asian food store this weekend and buy boat loads of other types of "pulses" otherwise, how are we going to make it!?

The kids didn't even notice the can of white beans I pureed in with the spinach pesto!

Gotta go, need time to think about what I can serve tomorrow. Probably vegetarian sushi.

Let's get one thing straight. I'll try anything once...well, almost anything.

Last night we returned from a weekend at Paris Disney. Daddy said that before leaving for Finland, we'll think of the next time we'll go to Disney as we have a pass valid for one year and it is coming up. We will not renew as far as I know so want to make the most of our time there.

It is so much fun on the one hand. On the other, the crowds this weekend were absolutely unbelievable and we could hardly walk down mainstreet when the park closed at 8pm. Because of Fast Passes, we were able to enjoy Buzz Lightyear and the Studios were not as crowded for some reason so we got to see the Stitch show. Stitch noticed our boys wearing the marshan hats and asked them their names. At the end of the show, as Stitch flew out into the galaxy, he yelled, "Good bye F and D!" The kids were thrilled.

One of the highlights was our hotel which had a kitchenette and was very close to the park and by the shopping center. We never make time to go shopping really, just whip into the pharmacy for products and grabbed a coat for Pit at GoSports as his (from Travis) had a broken zipper.

The main highlights though were meeting Santa in his village at night, posting Christmas letters to the north pole and seeing Mickey's Christmas Wonderland show. Daddy might disagree. He might say the main highlights were his burgers and his texas bbq which he loved so much that he stopped to take a picture of the restaurant!

For my part (that is very French) I do love Thunder Mountain Rollercoaster! Just scarey enough to make me say "yipee" but not make me sick to my stomach! Frunty tried it this time but found it too scarey so he would disagree with me. I am so proud of him for trying it though because we almost ruined him with rollercoasters for life by taking him on the ultra-scarey "Crush's Rollercoaster" from the movie, Nemo, a few visits back.

Pit was such a good sport, waiting for us while we did "baby switch" for Thunder Mountain so he could two times at the Cars Rally, two times on Aladdin's Flying Carpet and his first choice, the Stitch Show. Anyway, I am just way too tired to keep writing. It was a lot of walking as these parks are huge. Gotta get to bed now!

Cheerio! And happy first day of Christmas!

Frunty was almost losing his voice last night. He didn't look well in the morning but because he has missed some school due to his eczema, we thought it would be a good idea for him to go. But by last night, I knew that in the morning, I just wanted him to sleep in and take it easy. Pit had the day off anyway as his teacher had a pedagogique day so we turned off our alarms and woke up at 9:30 am. It was nice to lounge in our jammies.

We did some Kumon homework, the method we are using with both kids to help them along with their English and then some playtime and I enjoyed playing charades with them very much. Pit was funny because he kind of gave it away but then did the action as well so we knew what it was but who cares, it was fun.

In the afternoon, we took Pit to the Little Gym. Frunty did a bit more Kumon and drew a picture of Leroy and Stitch. We had a tv lunch with Daddy today which was nice. Pit did well in the Little Gym. I saw him kiss the calf of Amina and hug Pierre's legs. He is lucky to get his two favourite teachers each week!

After we dropped by Gudrun's for a tea while Frunty stayed home with Daddy and played Brain Academy on Wii. He is quite great at it. I think I'll play tonight when Daddy has time. Frunty will go to school tomorrow. It is only a half day so that is manageable. His second tooth is almost ready to fall out on the bottom, front right. The tooth beside it fell out on Saturday! It was great! He was so excited!

Shortly after I took Pit to class today, the school phoned me and I had to pick him up. He had thrown up. He did spit up a bit at breakfast but still seemed to want to go to school. When I got him home, he had a really nice bath and now he is is all warm and cozy and watching the new Dragon Hunter movie as I write beside him. He seems ok, eating his banana. We have the circus this afternoon and perhaps if he rests til then, we can still go. Caroline will bring Frunty home from school so luckily I don't have to take Pit out at noon.

Today Frunty had a day off from school: un jour pedagogique, a professional development day for the teachers. So Pit stayed home from school too although we didn't stay home. We went to the club for a swim during which we played our usual games: Kung Fu Panda or Chicken, Tickle Monster and touche touche and stretching eachother by the ankles! This is funny and feels good on the back.

After swimming, we had a picnic lunch at the club and then, off to the Little Gym. Pit was a bit sleepy for his class but still seemed to enjoy most of it. Frunty and I did English homework. To keep him up to speed with his Canadian counterparts, we are using the Kumon Method with Frunty. Just because he can speak English, doesn't obviously mean that his writing and reading will progress without effort. I find that he is quick to count in French or say letters of the alphabet in French, but needs to practise them in English more. The Kumon Method is fun and he enjoyed doing quite a few pages. Frunty likes when I put an "E" at the top of the page. The first time, he said, "thank you".

Now both boys are sleeping. Frunty went to sleep without scratching. Last night, he didn't wake up during the night scratching...the first good night in about three weeks. We have stopped the fish oils, as of yesterday morning. Is that a coincidence? I don't know. My brain hurts from trying so hard to help him. Let's just hope that this is the beginning of better sleeps for all of us and to reduced itching for Frunts.

Dr. Who time...but I think I'll read beside Daddy as he watches. Not my bag, baby. Tomorrow afternoon, we are off to the Robin Hood Circus with Perdie and Leo. Normally we go to the club on Wednesdays but since we did so today, I really want to take the kids to the circus. Should be great fun! I am so lucky to be a mom, look at all the awesome things I get to do with my mighty mouses. Speaking of mighty mouses...we just booked for a Christmas adventure weekend at Disney, the last weekend of November to kick off the holiday season with good cheer!

Can't wait!

We had a really nice lunch today so I want to write about it. The kids have been coming home for lunch for a few weeks now and there are a few tricky parts like getting Frunty back to school although he eventually complies. Also, they are pretty excited to play and so sitting at the table is hard. So today I got them to make Japanese rice balls and Frunty remembered we had to dip them in soya sauce before frying them. Yes, I know...no soya but last night I phoned the doctor and he suggested easing up a bit with the elimination diet.

The truth is, since we started this whole diet, Frunty's eczema has never been worse. I think we have thought too much about it...although the doctor claims that Frunty's body is reacting to no longer receiving the foods that were bothering him. Who knows!? It is very annoying. Eczema is a pretty hard skin disease to wrap one's head around. I really don't want to see Frunty suffer like I did as a child. Even though I still have eczema and sometimes, pretty bad flare ups, I don't let it stop me from swimming. Frunty wanted to quit swimming. So I have talked to him about that we are back in the pool, loving our Kung Fu Panda or Chicken fights!

So after we made the rice balls and ate them, we played with toilet paper rolls that the kids had made into binoculars/camera and a hammer. We jumped on the raft (bed) to avoid the sharks. I decided I could load the dishwasher later. Time now to pick Frunty up to take to karate. Pit is watching a bit of The Lion King. The first time he has had tv this week. I fast forward all the scarey parts so it is quite a short movie for the kids.

Tomorrow night we have the comedy show with friends followed by, if we aren't too tired, a costume party at another friend's. Never a dull moment. Last night I took my girlfriend for a sauna experience at the club. Boy, did she love it. Me too. A couple of saunas a week...ah, living the good life!

Gotta go. Hope whoever still reads my blog gets a chance to pamper him or herself from time to time too!

What is going on lately with our family? Well, we had an excellent trip to Scotland followed by a long weekend with Canadian friends in the tiny village of Linay, France where we celebrated Armistice Day at the new town hall. After two trips in a row, we are pretty wiped out but had a lot of fun.

Frunty and Pit were running around naked this morning, using toys to hit themselves in the behind, like one does while riding a horse to make it go faster. It was pretty funny but we did have to get to school. We have had several hard weeks with Frunty's eczema getting worse not better since the exclusion of his "intolerances". He did sleep through the night finally, thank goodness. He must be so tired. Tomorrow we head off to the dentist as his adult teeth are growing in but the babies haven't fallen out yet. This is because Frunty refuses, I think, to use the two loose ones on the bottom because he doesn't want them to fall out...I think! It started when Daddy went off to the States and told Frunty not to lose them while he was away!

Pit is growing like a weed and the other day, went to his friend, Igor's house, for lunch and a playdate and was a delight. Igor's mom, Carolotta, said that when Pit first arrived, he didn't talk at all but at the end, was constructing entire sentences in Italian. He loved playing Gormiti.

By the way, our Canadian friends' two year old son, Mario, has renamed our kids Freenie and Mill.

More details later, off to French exchange now with Caroline!

If you or your child has ever suffered from eczema or another skin disease that is chronic, you'll understand the definition of torture and you'll understand the tears of joy I experienced today as I moisturized my child's perfect skin...for the first time in almost 4 years.

I am hoping that eczema is gone for good...that we aren't just into some cycle and that there will be another flare-up down the road. As we wait for allergy test results, I am continuing with the reduction of gluten, the elimination of dairy and soya and finally, bananas, and seeing incredible results so far. I will continue to pray and hope for the very best. Seeing Frunty's skin so beautiful is the biggest gift I could receive and I am so grateful that I have the strength and brain power to NEVER GIVE UP. I have been criticized for being like a dog with a bone in the past. But guess what, I don't give up until I have a solution. So call me a dog anytime you want! I am proud of it.

We are enjoying some sunnier weather now although the rain never bothered me. I love rain. Maybe I am the only one in Belgium! This weekend we'll celebrate, rain or shine, Thanksgiving with our Canadian friends! Gotta look for a turkey!

It has been raining here a lot lately, sometimes day and night. I don't mind because we are cozy inside with candles, in our jammies and me with my new, pink laptop from the States that Daddy just brought home to me! We spent much of today, a lazy Sunday, researching our next trip to Scotland and fleshing out a road trip plan. We are looking forward to it and the scenery looks incredible.

Since I last wrote, K had her baby in Twickenham, a boy named Freddy. We are thrilled for them all and looking forward to meeting this new bundle of joy at the end of October on our way to Scotland. Today we visited our new Canadian friend, who was at Waterloo the same time as Daddy, and she'll have her baby girl, due on October 19th. It's funny because I now feel like an old married woman with big kids! I can't believe I am finished with the tiny baby stage. What a delightful journey! Pit still feels like a baby in many ways but Frunty is such a big boy now, one might call him a little man.

As I write this blog entry, Frunty is doing some homework with Daddy and I hear them talking in Italian a bit. We need to get down to Italy soon for some more practise. It is just so hard going to Torino now since the death of our beloved cousin, A. But anyway, not to end on a melancholy note. All is well here...despite the rain.

So great to have Daddy home from the States. I think the kids and I did very well while he was away but boy oh boy, am I happy he is home and you should have seen the kids snuggle with him every chance they got!

October has begun and so have the almost non-stop rains which I don't mind at all. With candles on, even in the morning when friend(s) come for tea, it is cozy. We are looking very much forward to spending Halloween in Scotland and seeing baby Freddy in London on our way up north. Congratulations to our dear friends for his recent birth!

Then we'll have a rest before heading even farther north to the Arctic circle to visit Santa's hometown, Rovaniemi, and his village. Elves, reindeer, husky rides, you name it. We'll be tobogganing with glee at Christmastime this year and I am so grateful we can finally go. I got this idea when we were living in Amsterdam. Now, almost 10 years later, we are realizing this dream and I am so excited.

I hope this email finds all of you very well indeed and enjoying the early fall days wherever you are.

The kids have been going to school for two weeks now and I am so pleased with how it is going. On the first day of school, Frunty ran all the way, he was so excited. Pit was fine too and didn't cry as he went into Mme Claire's class. We have a good system now in which we drop off Frunty and then go to the "snuggle bench" with Pit and spend about 20 minutes cuddling and chatting, even singing some songs.

Frunty got his first report card for grade one and received an E for excellence in every single category. Mme Maricq says he is doing great and getting better at sitting quietly. Pit gives big hugs and smiles to Mme Claire, she reports, and gets along well with the others. We were really impressed today when we saw how well he coloured the King, from the movie cars, picture. He really stays inside the lines.

We just came back from a busy weekend in the Champagne-Ardenne, having visited two caves, Pommery and Mercier with our friends, the Simpsons. So I need to catch up on sleep. Cheerio.

Yesterday at 5 am we made it to bed after two weeks in Greece. This trip was a dream come true for Mommy who had wanted to visit Athens and some islands for many, many years. Daddy had already done his Contiki tour years ago. So I definitely was thrilled to see all the sights, the Parthenon, the wonderful area of Plaka with a pleasant nightlife, the ferries full of backpackers (I was one of them, although I pushed a stroller at times!), the sandy and rocky beaches and the blue and white churches. The trip was everything I had always hoped it would be and I feel like we saw the quintessential parts of Greek culture and life.

Seeing it with our two little ones was wonderful as we watched their excitement. We also travelled with their two cousins, M and D, and brother-in-law plus the nonni. For two whole weeks. It was fun to watch the cousins playing with eachother and my two really adored their older, role models picking up, among other things, a passion for chewing gum!

When we discussed highlights, we all decided the warm, clear waters of "baby beach" in Antiparos was great but mostly the time spent together. We ate a lot of Greek food. I mean, A LOT. I have never in my life had so much Greek food, day in, day out. I think I had previously had about 3 or 4 Greek restaurant experiences! By the end of the trip, I was pretty happy to eat Chinese food for a change. And getting home, I discovered I had gained 5 pounds in two weeks. The yogourt everyday, full fat, includes cream. I didn't have baklava everyday but the pitas I did have were fried. It was definitely worth it as I enjoyed the food very much...even though it was indeed covered in a lot of olive oil, as Mom and Dad warned.

We found the Greek people to be very friendly and great with the kids. They care about giving good service which is quite a contrast to what we experience, in general, here in Bruxelles. The warm weather and sunshine makes everyone relaxed and evidently sunny. So we enjoyed interacting with those we met along the trail and discovered that while we were away, it rained here and was pretty cool. I look out the window now as I write to see grey, threatening to rain skies. I don't mind it but when I am at a beach, I want heat. I actually thought Greece would be hotter but at night, their was always a coolish breeze from the ocean. And the water was, in general, cooler than expected. Anyway, not to complain about weather as many do...I loved Greece and am so happy we went.

Just a re-cap, we started in Athens for three nights in the Plaka district near the Parthenon, staying at a youth hostel called Travellers' Inn. Next, the island of Antiparos where we rented a house and stayed 4 nights. Then came the island of Naxos where we stayed in a resort-like hotel for 5 nights. We were a ten minute walk from the beach of Kastraki. Finally, a small hotel on Santorini steps from Perissa beach for 4 nights became home called Stelio's Place. Mr. Stelio and family were quite friendly as were the other people at each and every one of our accommodation. I am grateful for the warm welcome and definitely left with a great taste of Greece in my mouth!

What a wonderful day! While I was getting the poussette out of the garage to take the kids to the museum (the first Wednesday of every month is free) Frunty asked me to wait a second and dashed into the garage. He brought out a piece of pink sidewalk chalk and drew a big heart which he said was for me and that he loved me. This really made my day. What an absolute sweetheart.

We went shopping and bought items for our picnic which we enjoyed in the playground by the big GB. A student was doing a study about housing in Brussels so I participated in her project by answering questions. It was a good way to practise French and vent out all of our situations. Then we went to the museum at Cinq. to check out the Greek section this time but had to visit the Egyptian again as the kids love looking at the mummies. We even saw some strange mummies, a cat, a bird and a baby alligator!

Then we went to the park with the sand which was fun although I am covered in a thin layer of sand now! It was like being at the beach. Stopped at the GB and the kids chose the dinner for tonight. Frunty chose cherry tomatoes with mozarella and basilique, hamburger patties and Pit chose mushrooms. I chose two steaks for Daddy and me. It was such a beautiful night but I had to rush a bit as I have my prayer group at 7:30pm. I gave thanks for having such beautiful and loving boys. (and I mean all three)

I am so grateful that we leave in a home full of peace...most of the time! That our family meetings help us communicate with even Pit giving his two cents' worth now as well. Daddy has been making awesome Egyptian crafts with the kids lately and I still take them regularly for swimming and they are both doing so well. This is just a magical summer so far and we haven't even made it to Greece yet! Can't wait! Two more sleeps...

Hope everyone is as happy as I am today. Time to wash off that sand!

Last weekend we went to London for a mini getaway to visit our dear friends, Canadian K who is pregnant and her British husband, E. They moved to a lovely home in Twickenham, near the Thames which we walked along on a Sunday afternoon.

I took Frunty on the Friday, just the two of us. The train now goes to St. Pancras so the trip is shorter and we enjoyed it. Upon arrival in London, we went to the nearby Euston Flyer Pub and shared a hamburger. Frunty was so cute "playing" the games in the pub. We stopped at bookshops on the way to the British Museum to see the Sphinx's stolen beard. In the shops, Frunty sat on little stools, looking through books. It was so cute to see him there. I was, of course, like a little kid in a candy shop and could hardly get my head around all the wonderful books for sale.

We met K at the British Museum and took a double decker/train to her home where we enjoyed grocery shopping at Waitrose. Frunty got to choose his dinner which was pasta, sauce and sausages because "sausages come from England." He asked me several times if we could visit Leo's gramma but she lives 7 hours by car from London and in any case, she hadn't invited us!

The next day we relaxed before taking the train back into the city to see The Lion King. It was a beautiful show with great performances, awesome singing and amazing costumes for sure but three hours in a dark and hot theatre made us quite sleepy! Afterwards, we came outside of the theatre to find our beloved Daddy and Pit! After a nice cold drink, we proceeded to K and E's.

On Sunday, as I mentioned, we meandered along the Thames, enjoying the warmth and sunshine and took a little boat over to the other side. We made it to Richmond which is a great little town and had a pub meal. The kids weren't allowed in this particular pub so we all had to sit outside where it was pretty freezing...in the shade and in a wind tunnel. Poor E shivered his way through dinner. After the meal, we visited some bookshops while K and E did their own thing and met up later back at their home. We watched In Brugges, a movie, once the kids were in bed. Daddy wanted to play Carcassone but the others just wanted to veg.

On Monday we took the kids into town to see the London Bridge, Frunty's choice, Tower Bridge and Science Museum and because we just missed a showing of a space movie, decided to return the following day. The kids really loved their time in the museum, especially playing with the water system in the kid zone, wearing their little smocks. We came home to a really nice vegetarian meal prepared by K and the following day, Tuesday, we said good bye as we headed back to the Science Museum and also visited the Natural History Museum. The kids loved both and the movie was worth the visit as well as the IMAX 3D is always neat. The NH Museum had a wonderful discovery zone for kids where they could touch everything and draw pictures of items like fur, skulls, tortoise shells as well as looking at things through microscopes. That was fun.

Finally, we had a good bye pub meal at the Euston Flyer near the station and head home to Bruxelles. London is so busy, so crowded with tourists, so expensive but also so neat for kids and a few days there felt like being in the real world again!

The kids went to the Little Gym today for a morning stage and Frunts said he wants to go again next week. The staff, whom we know now so well, said they were really impressed with Frunt's French. They can tell he isn't French because of a tiny, unknown accent, but he speaks very very well and I was thrilled to hear this. I definitely want my kids to continue with their French no matter where in the world we live!

Afterwards we went to Pit's friend, Mandy's house for playtime. It was ok although we were all tired. While we were there I got an sms from Raj as Jess had her baby boy today, at 2:17pm! Congratulations! What really impressed me was how we walked all the way home and Pit did not complain one single time, even though he was just wearing his crocs. The boys walked at one point with their arms around eachother which was adorable. They also loved it when I gave them a little whack on the bottom with a stick, telling them it wasn't me, it was the power of the stick and it was pushing them forward. Although the sky was a gorgeous, dark grey it held off from starting to rain again.

Daddy is on his way home now. We are enjoying a little Volkswagen substitute car while our car gets fix. I think I hear his arrival now. Gotta go.

I start the day by writing that Ninong has undergone his surgery and is now resting so thank goodness that is over. The sun is shining, my sunflowers are beautiful on the table and I am ready to start the day by making jam with Freeland although he still sleeps now.

We are off to the club today for more swimming but I will go for a much needed shiatsu first. I was rear-ended a short while ago and my back aches at times. An osteopath said thank goodness I do yoga/tai chi/pilates so my back is strong and also, that I was in an amazing car at the time of the accident. But running around with the boys at the park yesterday, playing scarey crocodile (which makes them scream!) was fun but hurt a bit...so off for a massage I must go!

The kids played so well yesterday with their lego, building towers/buildings etc. They were really in the mood for that and preferred playing to watching a movie. With this cold, rainy weather, I am happy I have kids who play well inside but it sure feels good to get out and run around a bit too. It is supposed to get colder starting tomorrow. Two summers in a row here where the weather has been the pits but we have fun anyway. Before you know it we'll be sweltering in Greece!

Have a great day, everyone.

Both kids are swimming so well now and today we enjoyed our time at the pool after they attended their morning English camp with Sophie at Anna and Rich's house. Frunty is always asking if he can go to school in English so I thought he would enjoy this camp instead. There are two children from Spain and Frunt says he is picking up some Spanish too!

We took Sophie to the pool and I think she did her first little swim! So it was a special day and we are all really tired now...the kids going pretty easily to bed, that's for sure. Frunty insisted on painting a house he made with Daddy, an ancient Egyptian house in fact. Today at the pool, he put his towel around him like a toga and called himself an Egyptian. Actually, he looked like a mini-Ghandi!

So far it has been a really rainy summer here and quite cool. It feels like fall actually and although I usually don't complain, I do find it kind of annoying because, for example, I like to walk to the club without getting soaking wet. And picnics outside would be nice although we are making the most of it and still doing tons of fun stuff like last summer. (which incidentally was rainy and cool like this!) Hopefully Greece will be awesome but before that, could London be nicer weather wise? Ah who cares!? We'll be inside the smoke-free pub after seeing the indoor musical, Lion King!

Hope anyone reading this is having a lovely summer too...regardless of the weather!

The kids started an English camp this morning which will run all week at Sue's house, the owner of Lounge 81. Her daughter, Anna, is running the programme with her husband, Rich and Sophie, Frunty's friend and classmate is also attending. He told me that she doesn't really want to speak English very much and so he helps her. Obviously our kids know English but we hope they will just enjoy singing/games etc. and help the others learn some of the language. Frunty always asks to go to English school so this is his chance to have a taste of it.

On another note: Since Egypt, we have been reading about life in ancient times and received some more books from the nonni. Thanks so much! We will be making ancient crafts in the weeks to come. We had better change gears though and start learning Greek before our Odyssey begins in a few short weeks!

Speaking of languages, it was really funny when Pit said to Frunty, who had just brought him a banana, "Merci madame". We all laughed at the table when he said it...funny voice and all! His French is progressing and it's adorable, as is his pursed lips as he swims under water with our resident dolphin, Frunts.

What fun these little ones and all their "stages", pun intended!

Trip to Cairo to celebrate our three birthdays, the 18th, 20th and 21st...so many highlights! Picture Pit and Frunts sitting on a camel, with the pyramids in the background, as the sun rises and Pit putting his arm around his brother and exclaiming, "Frunty, it's my birthday!" with absolute glee so pleased with being 3 and being there.

Picture Frunty running in and out and back in again the one particular pyramid of Queen H., wanting to show us something new he had discovered as Daddy and I took turns accompanying him. And then later, looking at all the treasures having been taken from the pyramids and other places in Egypt and placed in the museum with great interest.

Sitting by the pool, watching Pit make great gains with swimming underwater without his water wings, lips pursed, goggles on, swishing his arms about...you can't get any cuter than that. Frunts dancing to Egyptian music at the hotel bar as we celebrate with our third, Movenpick cake of the week.

There were hard bits too. Pit throwing up in every taxi ride we took! Being bothered by camel owners trying to sell their wares. Small annoyances well worth the incredible adventure our family of four enjoyed.

I will write again soon with some more details of our birthday trip extraordinaire.

Yesterday we hosted a joint birthday party for Frunty and Pit at our St. Anthony's Parish church. It was fun! We chose this venue because of the beautiful grounds and despite the rain, we did the Treasure Hunt and played a little game of soccer.

We invited 15 kids and any adults who could stay for this Fancy Dress party. One child could not come at the last minute but the others did wearing pirate costumes, Flamenco and princess dresses and we even had a ninja turtle. Our swimming teacher, Pierre Antoine, brought his little baby, 7 month old Margot which was really sweet.

We played pass-the-parcel after the kids decorated wooden picture frames with a photo of them and the birthday boys. (I took these photos prior to the birthday party and it was a real hit!) The kids do just beautiful artwork and I love seeing their creations.

Perdie and I, dressed as a witch and a pirate, enjoyed doing a little skit with an overflowing magic potion which Frunty said was his favourite part of the party, other than the presents! Who needs to hire a clown! Daddy was excellent as a bar man and we had a baby bathtub full of ice (compliments of Delhaize and chez Andy and Perdie) and lots of fun drinks.

I made a soccer themed cake with the boys the day before but they didn't see the decorations until the party which included two Playmobil soccer fellows, one with the #6 on his shirt, one with #3. I made grass out of green coconut and put flags all around the cake which the kids loved getting on top of their piece, of their respective countries. Inkeri was at first sad there was no Finland but accepted graciously a Belgium flag! Of course, there were tons of candies on top and later I saw little mice scurry around, stealing them. I just had to laugh.

I think it was a really lovely atmosphere, with good spirit, lots of laughs and amazingly, only one tiny cry by Max because someone took his seat but that really only last a second before we cheered him up. Amazingly moreso that neither birthday boy cried which is a first for all the parties I have been too in recent memories. I mean afterall, they are entitled to do so but I was thrilled they didn't because it meant they had a thoroughly good time, as did I.

Well, I really could go into business doing these parties as I enjoy the work. The hard for me is getting the cakes right. Because I want the kids to help and they enjoy doing so, it means the cakes aren't store-bought perfect. Also, I make hypoallergenique cakes which are really wanting! But with all the allergies in the class, we have to be careful! Sandro loved the raspberry clafouti and was our photographer thoroughout the party as well as my personal translator!

Today Frunty took 22 party bags to school and two cakes, one banana with fresh cream/orange frosting and one chocolate for his classmates at school, a tradition here in Belgium. I hope he has fun.

And now, ready for a surprise???!!!! I am! Tomorrow we are off on a big, birthday adventure, shall I write HUGE! So stay tuned.................

Having fun as always with my glorious little ones and thanks be to the great spirits what watch over us all...and may the force be with you all too,

Party Mama

Yesterday was swimming day so when I picked up the kids from school, we walked to the pool together which takes around 45 minutes. We looked for treasures at the park which at first meant that perhaps someone dropped something neat but ended up being baby swams, croacking frogs and other natural wonders that the kids noticed. We got to the icecream job seconds before 1 pm. Because of Pit's recent tongue procedure, I told them they could have a sorbet. As we arrived, the employee was locking the door and pulling down the shade. She made quite a grimace but opened for us and by the end was smiling at my cutie pies as they licked (with the new and improved tongue!) their delectable delights!

At the pool, we enjoyed playing around and Pit can stand well, put his face under water and do little swims by the stairs. Frunty likes when I pull him backwards under water by his ankles and he pops his head up now and then for air. Yesterday he held hands with Charles, an older boy who wrestles with Frunts in the water, and I pulled the two of them around for awhile. What a work out for my legs.

After goofing around, Frunty has swimming lesson and Pit and I watch and play and then we all head to the showers to get ready for Les Petits Explorateurs which the boys really like. Frunty says he loves one game in particular, his words, which is a tag-like game. I hit the steam room for awhile and then take them to AspiriniLand to play for a bit. They just love it there too and we met a nice boy named Pablo who, despite some screaming which annoyed me, played really well with my boys.

Luckily Daddy could pick us up as we were pretty wiped out at 6 pm. Nevertheless, I went to my
my "prayer group" for the third time in a row at 7:30pm.

Now it's soccer day but Frunty says he doesn't want to go anymore. He really like Coach Eirik but there is another member of the team that picks on him and so next year, perhaps he'll just stick to swimming and Karate which would be enough anyway, considering he'll have homework after school as well.

Pit didn't maybe have the best night last night after his tongue procedure and neither did we but in the morning, he went to school anyway even though he was a bit cranky. At noon, I picked him up and he was smiling but still quite tired and I hoped he would fall asleep in the stroller on the way back to school to get Frunts at 3:15pm but he didn't. So he should fall asleep any second now.

Frunts is working on his animal project which he will present on Friday to his teacher and class. This is to make up for not having listened well during the field trip to Planckendael Zoo last Friday. He has chosen three animals to talk about: camel, lion and parrot and has learned some interesting facts about them already with me tonight. When I quizzed him, he easily answered. I am so proud of him as he sat well and began writing the names of these animals in French and will also draw a picture of each one as well. He has a good attitude although he did complain once or twice about having to do this project. I asked him how he could avoid doing a project like this the next time and he really did know the answer!

Daddy is out with Chris from the States and a bunch of others for dinner. So we had leftover bbq, pasta and a lot of fruit for dinner after having played a short time at our friends' home, Andrew and Michael also from the States. We usually just play with them at our club's pool and the two older boys have karate together but one day, Pit asked if we could go to Michael's house. We brought Kidibul and popcorn! Yum!

Time to enjoy some Curb your Enthusiasm and study a bit...you know, psychology stuff.

Today, dressed in his new Batman tshirt with cape (a secondhand purchased from St. Anthony's Fayre) Pit had his tongue operated on at St. Elizabeth's 2 Alice clinique. A few months ago our dentist noticed that Pit's tongue was too attached and referred us to a specialist who agreed with Dr. Michiels and referred us directly to a surgeon who took a look today. He agreed and they were about to find an appointment at the end of July when I asked if they could do it today and voila. It's done.

Pit was a real trooper. When the doctor asked him if he wanted to be spoken to in French he shook his head but for English, he nodded. He cried a tiny bit when his tongue was frozen and didn't like the serviette put over his shirt even though I tried to explain that it would get the cherry cream off of it.

Anyway, it went quickly and we came home right away for frozen lollies that Daddy had waiting and we practised licking a Chuppa chuppa with big brother, Frunty, showing Pit how it is done! Pit could for the first time, stick his tongue out and no longer will say, "I can't, I can't". He wanted to phone Joe and Peggy since lunchtime and so we did so after we got home and we told the story. It will take a few days before his tongue gets used to having more mobility and we may hear a difference in his speaking ability very soon.

I am just thrilled for Pit. Although his three languages were really coming along well, he is no longer tongue tied and should make big strides from here on out!

Our church's fayre today was really fantastic and we enjoyed getting nearly new puzzles, games, Lego and a child's bike as well a the pony ride, fishing game and throwing stuffed toys at tin cans not to mention the awesome bbq hamburgers! It was a lot of fun. Check out: www.saint-anthony.be There was a lot of Irish music as well and Daddy enjoyed a Guiness! We were really blessed with sunshine when it had been raining for many days before.

I am quite tired now but before I sign off, I want to say that we really enjoyed talking to Ninong in Calgary and that his sense of humour is inspiring. But what happened to the balloon I sent him along with the flowers?!

We went swimming today after school which was lovely and quiet, compared to on a Wednesday afternoon. The pool was almost to ourselves. We played with putting dinosaurs on floaties and repairing submarines and these kind of activities in between bubble beds and jets. We have really taken advantage of that club and enjoyed what it has to offer.

I took some bags of baby clothes and women's clothes to the shelter before the pool. The woman remembered me from Christmas and thanked me about 5 times for these donations which I collect from other people, mostly members of the BCT whom I do not know. I felt really great. It is a small thing that I can do but cleary, it means a lot.

We officially became members of St. Anthony's Parish church in Kraineem on Sunday so I am saving some other used clothing for Sunday's sale. We like this international church and was introduced to it by Tasha, my girlfriend from Australia. The pastor is Irish and I enjoyed his pro-active sermon last Sunday which Claudio and I talked about at lunch today.

Well, time to watch Dreamgirls. Hope it is cute.

All the best to all of you...I almost signed my name!

Today was hot and muggy but then clouded over and a storm passed through with lots of lighting and thunder...I love that calm before though when the skies are so grey and brooding. It was really beautiful. We invited Frunty's friend, Leah, to visit afterschool. We spent a bit of time at the park and then came here to feed Felix Ashley. I set up the paints for the kids on the deck but we all had to move in when it started to rain. It was so green and lush looking out back, with the grey sky and my bright red geraniums.

Pit decided to paint one arm gold and then got furious and cried when I explained we had to wash it off. He was tired from having gone to the pool with his own little friend, Etienne and his mom, Heike from Germany, this morning. The kids all made really lovely works of art. Frunty is awesome with his combination of colours. I enjoyed my time with the three kids and was able to prepare dinner while they painted away at the table...the beauty of open-concept.

I know no one is reading my blog anymore. I quit writing for a very long time. I did not record the day to day things anymore in the blog format, only on my wall calendar. Sometimes we all need breaks.

Pit calls our bunny "Actually" instead of Ashley and we are swapping his name to Felix who was our original rabbit but because he was so wild, we traded him for the calmer one we now have.

We enjoyed a bbq with the Running Club, Moms-on-the-Run and Friends which I co-created with Bente. It was really very nice company and there were lots of cutie kids. The little ones enjoyed the trampoline and tennis court with various games while the big folks played a bit and discussed how our 20K run went last weekend. My sore throat has returned so it reminds me how crummy I felt running last Sunday. I am glad I don't have to run this weekend although I would like to do so.

I just feel really grateful that our club has taken off so well and that we have some super great guys and gals as members. We are thinking about the Paris-Versaille run in September as our next goal and it is only 16K. I think if we all keep on training, it'll be just fine. The Amsterdam half and full marathon sounds good too because it is flat so we will have to decide which one we will go for...I guess some of us could do both.

Gotta get to bed. Great day!

After karate today, I told Frunts I wanted to take his picture with his teacher, Frederique. The way he put his arms around his teacher was very touching. It touched me. Frunts looks up to this teacher and told me in the car, on the way back to Annaya's birthday party, that he is going to try to get each and every belt but that he doesn't want me to wash them but understands now that I will have to do so. I am so happy that he is enjoying his karate which is supposed to help the nervous type.

We got back to the party where Pit had stayed and he gave me a nice kiss good-bye but didn't notice us return. He sat and kept eating his cake. He is such a sweetie and seems quite secure when we leave him at school as well. This is a dream come true for me...to foster a sense of security and confidence in my children. I work on this everyday, in lots of ways and so I love seeing signs of this in them.

Annaya turned three and it was a lovely party. Jess' folks from England, originally AFrica, are really sweet and I enjoy seeing them when they visit.

We miss Mowgli. Our kids gave Annaya a barbie with dog and named him Mowgli already. Hope she likes it. Gotta hit the hay. It was a busy day with the Little Gym, pool, party for Pit but fun. I had really hoped he would have fallen asleep before the party in the car but he was too excited I guess. Frunts was also tired tonight but got pumped up again with Episode 1. Boy are they into Star Wars right now!

May the force be with you.

It was a beautiful day today, weird with the sun and foreboding grey clouds yet it never did rain. The wind was lovely and not too cold. Just right. We walked from our home to the club for swimming. I enjoyed an hour in the steam room while the kids played in Asprini Land. Then Frunts had his lesson and we played in the warm pool. Pit is getting more and more comfortable swimming just around the step area, from side to side a little and diving a tiny bit for his ball. Frunty says he enjoyed his lesson even though his favourite teacher, Phillip, aka Sporticus, was not there and there was a sub.

Pit has started school and it has been a few weeks now! I already here him speaking French in the playground to other kids. It is amazing to watch the wee ones grow. Pit has picked up some funny things from school as well for example, all of a sudden, he wants to hold his doo-doo and suck his thumb. Luckily it is not a habit so he just does it once in awhile and Frunty does too, I think for fun. If it keeps up though, we will have to discuss the implications on the teeth.

On May 24th, Pit swam for the first time at our club's pool. Daddy put a ball in his mouth and went under water. Pit, who had been dunking his head for a week or so, went under water to get the ball at which point Daddy would move backwards and bit and Pit would swim to grab the ball. It was just so fun watching him do this.

Frunty is really doing well with his swimming, soccer and karate. I think next year he will just choose swimming and karate though even though we all love Coach Eirik from Norway, Albert's dad, it just gets to be a bit much. Afterschool is for unwinding and after a full day of sport/play/study, it is good to just take it easy. Frunty's karate teacher is the number one karate whatever you call it in Belgium and Luxembourg. Frederique is about 18 and his dad always comes on Friday to watch the lesson too. Frunt looks up to Frederique and I think he is a good role model. Learning a martial art is very good for anyone and everyone and when we settle, I will start myself. Our club doesn't offer a martial arts class for adults but just started with a self-defense class which I plan on trying.

As you all know, we put our dear dog down on May 15th at 10:30 am. It was a really traumatic experience and we have all suffered in our own ways since. Kids are more resilient so they are getting over this loss quicker. We bought them stuffed toy dogs which they cuddle. This was Pit's idea. I still find dog hair here and there and we haven't put away Mowgli's bowls, bed and other items. I can't write anymore other than to say that if you have ever lived with a pet for more than a decade, then you'll know how quiet the house has become and how heavy our hearts are now.

On a happier note, I completed the Brussels' 20K even though I was quite sick leading up to race day and had almost no energy during the hot, sticky route. My head was pounding and I had to walk a lot. I really should have been in bed but after 5 months of training, running up vineyards in Italy, around fields of gold Colza in France, through thunderstorms and severe wind warning, hopping over fallen down trees in Brussels, I was not going to miss this event. I know I could have done a lot better than my 2 hours 33 minutes but there it is.

I will write again soon. It's a good habit. I just find that I get busy living and enjoying the kids and that is fun too...to enjoy it in the moment. But on the other hand, I don't want to forget...not a second of it.