Really, now. I was at the grocery store today to pick up crackers, and I discovered chocolate covered rice cakes. See: it's impossible to eat healthy here, when they even cover their rice cakes! (By the way, I did buy them, and they were good. Even the kids love them.)
Amelia continues to have a great time at school. They had a mom's morning at school 2 Saturdays ago, and Amelia showed me all the things they do. She's even beginning to learn to spell, and she's doing a great job at sounding out words. Her favorite activity is drawing, and we spent lots of time drawing a fish. She came home one day with a picture of a flower that she colored in, and she even labeled "pistil" and "stamen." I guess it's time I brushed up on my long-forgotten school knowledge, because I have a feeling that I'm going to have to start answering questions soon!
Jack was the proud recipient of me slapping him on the back the other day, courtesy of a "Nose of Ghent" that Jack started choking on. I'm not sure how urgent the situation was (given our history, I tend to be quick to slap on the back), but he was making choking noises with his hands clasped to his mouth. I flipped him upside down, slapped him on the back a few times, and he spit out several chunks. It was nervewracking, as usual. So much for cuberdons in our house!
Next week is Carnivale holiday week. Amelia is off school and will be participating in a camp. Amelia's school will dress up on Friday in costume, and Jack has a costume party next week. Mardis Gras is definitely a big deal around here.
I successfully navigated my way to the Taxipost centre last week to pick up a package from the Wordens. I figured I had plenty of time: 2 hours to get downtown and pick up the package and get home for my final French Lesson. HA! It was over an hour to navigate through the city at the end of morning rush hour, and finally made it to Taxipost. I walked in and saw about a dozen miserable-looking folk, all sitting there, clutching their receipts, waiting for their packages. I patiently waited second in line until a Belgian walked in the door and immediately got in front of me in line. Given that I now had only 40 minutes to get back to the house and that no one received their package in the time I was there, I left. AND I didn't even make it back to the house in time for my lesson.
But the next day, I waited until after rush hour, and I got in and out with no trouble. What an adventure!
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Our Alpine Adventure
We survived our first trip to the Swiss Alps, and it was a great success. We took planes and trains this time, and it was great. We traveled to Villars sur-Ollon (just around the lake from Geneva). The train station was flanked by our hotel in front and the snow kindergarten and sled hills (also known as luges and sledges over there). Here's where we were, in case you're interested: http://www.villars.ch/fr/welcome.cfm
Our hotel was fantastic -- the kids had their own bedroom, and we had a great view of the Alps (am I using too many exclamations here?). The children, mostly Jack, were fascinated with the bidet in the bathroom. Granted, it was the perfect height for them for handwashing, but they spent more time in there than I would have preferred...
We rented sleds and spent many a morning and afternoon sledding. The weather was perfect -- in the high 40s and brilliant sunshine, so we hardly needed coats. The kids loved sledding, and it was certainly the most athletic vacation T.J. and I have had in a while, with dragging the kids up the hills on the sleds (so not fair that we didn't get to ride down every time!). There was a 2 km sled run just up the mountain from the hotel. We took the train up to the next town, then we walked through the forest and took the sleds down. So much fun!
And on another day, we took a train down the mountain to a town called Friences. They had a kids sled run with a telebob (essentially a cable on pulleys running from the bottom of the hill to the top. When you got to the bottom, they hooked your sled to the pulley and it pulled you to the top of the hill.). So we got to have all the fun of sledding without the work of going back up the hill. We even got to have a nice mini outdoor picnic on our sleds, it was so nice out.
The food was very good. Lots of fondue -- one was the traditional gruyere fondue -- in a pot, with bread for dipping. but then we also got raclette fondue. they took a huge hunk of raclette and put it under a special broiler. They heated it up, then scraped the melty part off the top and onto a plate, where you eat it with little red potatoes. sounds weird, but very, very good. Lots of hot wine and hot chocolate.
There was a nursery at the top of one of the sled hills, and we took the kids there one morning while I took my first ski lesson. I took a 2-hour lesson and had a great time, even if I couldn't always understand my French instructor (he did speak English, but he used some creative words sometimes). My falls were minor, and I quickly bypassed the bunny slopes (which was good, since it was filled with 4-year-olds who were skiing far better than me). I even got to use the ski lift, even though my route down was very slow, going from far left to far right. The kids really enjoyed their time in the nursery, and they really enjoyed that we got to sled from "school" back to the hotel.
The airplane experience was a little different. We flew "EasyJet" (I know, I know, I wouldn't trust them either!) They have super-cheap flights, but you pay for convenience. For example, if you want to check bags, you have to pay for them. Any drinks on the airplane, you have to pay for. You can gate check your stroller, but good luck finding it after you land. They don't bring it back to the jetway -- they send it to the baggage claim with other oversized bags. (On the return flight to Brussels, the stroller didn't show up until 1/2 hour after all the other bags had arrived.)
It was a great vacation, and we can't wait for the next!
Now the Bad News
Right before we left, T.J.'s car was broken into (in front of the house, no less!). They broke a small window, rolled down the passenger rear window and ripped out his console, taking the GPS, radio, temperature controls -- everything! It was a true mess. T.J. had to drive to the police station to file a report, and the police weren't too hopeful that anything would come of it. Guess it's a more common occurrence than we had thought.
It's a little disquieting to know that someone smashed up and stole your things, and it was difficult to explain to Amelia in a child-friendly way. To kind of explain things to her without scaring her.
The worst part was that for a week, despite the fact that they stole the radio, music was still playing in T.J.'s car! Of course, he couldn't change the station or adjust the (slightly too loud) volume. But then today, the radio stopped working. Go figure.
Have a great upcoming weekend, all!
Our hotel was fantastic -- the kids had their own bedroom, and we had a great view of the Alps (am I using too many exclamations here?). The children, mostly Jack, were fascinated with the bidet in the bathroom. Granted, it was the perfect height for them for handwashing, but they spent more time in there than I would have preferred...
We rented sleds and spent many a morning and afternoon sledding. The weather was perfect -- in the high 40s and brilliant sunshine, so we hardly needed coats. The kids loved sledding, and it was certainly the most athletic vacation T.J. and I have had in a while, with dragging the kids up the hills on the sleds (so not fair that we didn't get to ride down every time!). There was a 2 km sled run just up the mountain from the hotel. We took the train up to the next town, then we walked through the forest and took the sleds down. So much fun!
And on another day, we took a train down the mountain to a town called Friences. They had a kids sled run with a telebob (essentially a cable on pulleys running from the bottom of the hill to the top. When you got to the bottom, they hooked your sled to the pulley and it pulled you to the top of the hill.). So we got to have all the fun of sledding without the work of going back up the hill. We even got to have a nice mini outdoor picnic on our sleds, it was so nice out.
The food was very good. Lots of fondue -- one was the traditional gruyere fondue -- in a pot, with bread for dipping. but then we also got raclette fondue. they took a huge hunk of raclette and put it under a special broiler. They heated it up, then scraped the melty part off the top and onto a plate, where you eat it with little red potatoes. sounds weird, but very, very good. Lots of hot wine and hot chocolate.
There was a nursery at the top of one of the sled hills, and we took the kids there one morning while I took my first ski lesson. I took a 2-hour lesson and had a great time, even if I couldn't always understand my French instructor (he did speak English, but he used some creative words sometimes). My falls were minor, and I quickly bypassed the bunny slopes (which was good, since it was filled with 4-year-olds who were skiing far better than me). I even got to use the ski lift, even though my route down was very slow, going from far left to far right. The kids really enjoyed their time in the nursery, and they really enjoyed that we got to sled from "school" back to the hotel.
The airplane experience was a little different. We flew "EasyJet" (I know, I know, I wouldn't trust them either!) They have super-cheap flights, but you pay for convenience. For example, if you want to check bags, you have to pay for them. Any drinks on the airplane, you have to pay for. You can gate check your stroller, but good luck finding it after you land. They don't bring it back to the jetway -- they send it to the baggage claim with other oversized bags. (On the return flight to Brussels, the stroller didn't show up until 1/2 hour after all the other bags had arrived.)
It was a great vacation, and we can't wait for the next!
Now the Bad News
Right before we left, T.J.'s car was broken into (in front of the house, no less!). They broke a small window, rolled down the passenger rear window and ripped out his console, taking the GPS, radio, temperature controls -- everything! It was a true mess. T.J. had to drive to the police station to file a report, and the police weren't too hopeful that anything would come of it. Guess it's a more common occurrence than we had thought.
It's a little disquieting to know that someone smashed up and stole your things, and it was difficult to explain to Amelia in a child-friendly way. To kind of explain things to her without scaring her.
The worst part was that for a week, despite the fact that they stole the radio, music was still playing in T.J.'s car! Of course, he couldn't change the station or adjust the (slightly too loud) volume. But then today, the radio stopped working. Go figure.
Have a great upcoming weekend, all!
Sunday, January 6, 2008
3 Urgent Care Visits, 2 ER Visits and a Stomach Virus in a Pear Tree
Of course, you know it's not the Byrds if we don't lead off with a health report. This time, I'll keep it brief.
The kids and I headed out to St. Louis before Christmas, and the kids did great on the Brussels to DC leg. But by the time our layover was done and we were on the plane to STL, it was the middle-of the-night Brussels time and the kids were exhausted. Jack was so tired he couldn't fall asleep and all he could do was cry.
I came down with a headache on the flight from DC to STL, and 2 days later, it was as intense as ever. I ended up in the ER, since no amount of Motrin was helping. They did an MRI and a neuro test, and decided that I just had a headache -- no stroke or tumor. I came out with some great pain pills, and a day later, I was feeling much better. Amelia came down with a stomach virus a few days later. Despite our magic anti-nausea medicine, we couldn't get her to stop throwing up, so we ended up back in the ER. Luckily, she was only starting to get dehydrated, but they gave her some strong antinausea meds, and by the time we got home, she was a whole new girl (even asking for pizza!).
We had a subsequent round of pinkeye (surprise!), but the rest of the US visit was sickness free.
The kids were thrilled with all of their presents and were, no surprise, seriously spoiled. We had some really great weather in STL, so the kids could go outside with their ride-on fire truck (complete with working hose and loudspeaker, plus a super-loud siren) and their first Porsche.
One of the big hits from Maryland were the boy and girl twin dolls that Jerry gave to Amelia and Jack (the kids had been BEGGING for them). We asked Amelia what their names were, and without skipping a beat, she said "Annabel and Mannabel." I don't think she knew how clever she was with the boy baby's name, but I had tears running down my face. She's a smart one.
We actually bought some beginning reader books for her (like "Dick and Jane"), and she's doing really well. Her teachers fully expect her to be reading this spring.
Back in the Routine
After a week of jet lag (I can't remember the last time I slept until 10 a.m. -- much less for 3 days in a row!), we've all gotten back in the swing of things.
The return to Belgium was a little harder for me than in the past. While I really like it here, there was a part of me that really misses shopping at 9 pm at the mall, and buying groceries whenever I feel like it. I had some big homesick pangs, but they seem to be in remission now (coincidentally just as the January sales heat up here??).
The Circus is Back
On the first day of taking Amelia back to school, we see the circus trucks setting up in the field across from Carrefour again. As a result, I now make a 4-times-daily detour to/from school so that the kids can see the animals. This time, it's 3 llamas, 5 little goats, 1 horse, 1 buffalo-like animal, and 1 camel. It's pretty sad to see them in their pens, but it was worse to see the tigers. There is one grown tiger and three babies, living in a semi. The doors are open just enough that you can see the animals. No room for them at all, and it's a pretty sorry existence. I really feel terribly for how they're treated. And I felt rather bad supporting it by attending the circus, but we did go today.
Jack is actually starting to be afraid of "roars" (which seems to be a general term for anything big and loud -- tigers, lions, dinosaurs). He keeps worrying about them being in the house.
But anyway ... we go to the circus today, and it's a mostly enjoyable experience. The "acts" are nothing spectacular -- juggling, clowns, plate spinning, doves, hula hoops. With few exceptions, it was more like a talent show than a circus. And despite the kids' fear/fascination with them, the tigers didn't make an appearance. The kids had a good time (even though there was no cotton candy), and we did too.
Other Stuff
Jack continues to babble at alarming speed. Most charming right now is when you say "I love you" and he replies "love too." He can count to 12, is practicing his alphabet, and can now touch the bottom of the pool in the shallow end ("mama, me so big"). We put in his application to attend Amelia's school (but a different classroom) next fall, which will be nice.
Amelia went on her first field trip and got to ride on a big bus. She still just adores school. We got the kids Leapsters while in the U.S. and it amazes me how quickly Amelia has picked up on it. She's practicing her letters and learning all sorts of things while playing. A great investment!
I had a humiliating wipe-out on my bike last week on my way to pick up Jack from school. I'll spare the stupid details, but I can assure you that I'll be sure to wear my helmet from now on. I've got some spectacular bruises on my legs -- right in advance of our first ski trip (snow trip?) to Switzerland. I'm really excited to take a day's worth of lessons -- but T.J. thought I was kidding. We've been so excited to be buying our snow and cold-weather gear, only to find that it will be in the upper 30s where we're going (fine by me, really!). I hope I don't have further leg injuries to report in a week or two!
We've been enjoying some mild weather (40s) here lately -- I just wish the sun would be up earlier. We're gaining a few minutes of daylight a day, which I'm thrilled about.
We're having Lingo (telephone) issues, so if you try to call, we may or may not be able to answer. My trouble ticket has been escalated by "Mike" in India -- I put his name in quotes because his real name CLEARLY isn't Mike -- and they *promise* to resolve it in 24 hours. Of course, our problems went from bad to worse once Lingo support started "fixing" the problem, so I'm not sure what will happen....
Happy Monday to everyone!
p.s. To those who are wondering, my birthday was much less ... how can I put this politely? ... unpleasant than it was last year. Jack's runny nose was the only illness, we got to go out to dinner, I sat down to enjoy a double lait russe (like a grande cappuccino) and I got some great accessories for our upcoming trip. Hooray!
The kids and I headed out to St. Louis before Christmas, and the kids did great on the Brussels to DC leg. But by the time our layover was done and we were on the plane to STL, it was the middle-of the-night Brussels time and the kids were exhausted. Jack was so tired he couldn't fall asleep and all he could do was cry.
I came down with a headache on the flight from DC to STL, and 2 days later, it was as intense as ever. I ended up in the ER, since no amount of Motrin was helping. They did an MRI and a neuro test, and decided that I just had a headache -- no stroke or tumor. I came out with some great pain pills, and a day later, I was feeling much better. Amelia came down with a stomach virus a few days later. Despite our magic anti-nausea medicine, we couldn't get her to stop throwing up, so we ended up back in the ER. Luckily, she was only starting to get dehydrated, but they gave her some strong antinausea meds, and by the time we got home, she was a whole new girl (even asking for pizza!).
We had a subsequent round of pinkeye (surprise!), but the rest of the US visit was sickness free.
The kids were thrilled with all of their presents and were, no surprise, seriously spoiled. We had some really great weather in STL, so the kids could go outside with their ride-on fire truck (complete with working hose and loudspeaker, plus a super-loud siren) and their first Porsche.
One of the big hits from Maryland were the boy and girl twin dolls that Jerry gave to Amelia and Jack (the kids had been BEGGING for them). We asked Amelia what their names were, and without skipping a beat, she said "Annabel and Mannabel." I don't think she knew how clever she was with the boy baby's name, but I had tears running down my face. She's a smart one.
We actually bought some beginning reader books for her (like "Dick and Jane"), and she's doing really well. Her teachers fully expect her to be reading this spring.
Back in the Routine
After a week of jet lag (I can't remember the last time I slept until 10 a.m. -- much less for 3 days in a row!), we've all gotten back in the swing of things.
The return to Belgium was a little harder for me than in the past. While I really like it here, there was a part of me that really misses shopping at 9 pm at the mall, and buying groceries whenever I feel like it. I had some big homesick pangs, but they seem to be in remission now (coincidentally just as the January sales heat up here??).
The Circus is Back
On the first day of taking Amelia back to school, we see the circus trucks setting up in the field across from Carrefour again. As a result, I now make a 4-times-daily detour to/from school so that the kids can see the animals. This time, it's 3 llamas, 5 little goats, 1 horse, 1 buffalo-like animal, and 1 camel. It's pretty sad to see them in their pens, but it was worse to see the tigers. There is one grown tiger and three babies, living in a semi. The doors are open just enough that you can see the animals. No room for them at all, and it's a pretty sorry existence. I really feel terribly for how they're treated. And I felt rather bad supporting it by attending the circus, but we did go today.
Jack is actually starting to be afraid of "roars" (which seems to be a general term for anything big and loud -- tigers, lions, dinosaurs). He keeps worrying about them being in the house.
But anyway ... we go to the circus today, and it's a mostly enjoyable experience. The "acts" are nothing spectacular -- juggling, clowns, plate spinning, doves, hula hoops. With few exceptions, it was more like a talent show than a circus. And despite the kids' fear/fascination with them, the tigers didn't make an appearance. The kids had a good time (even though there was no cotton candy), and we did too.
Other Stuff
Jack continues to babble at alarming speed. Most charming right now is when you say "I love you" and he replies "love too." He can count to 12, is practicing his alphabet, and can now touch the bottom of the pool in the shallow end ("mama, me so big"). We put in his application to attend Amelia's school (but a different classroom) next fall, which will be nice.
Amelia went on her first field trip and got to ride on a big bus. She still just adores school. We got the kids Leapsters while in the U.S. and it amazes me how quickly Amelia has picked up on it. She's practicing her letters and learning all sorts of things while playing. A great investment!
I had a humiliating wipe-out on my bike last week on my way to pick up Jack from school. I'll spare the stupid details, but I can assure you that I'll be sure to wear my helmet from now on. I've got some spectacular bruises on my legs -- right in advance of our first ski trip (snow trip?) to Switzerland. I'm really excited to take a day's worth of lessons -- but T.J. thought I was kidding. We've been so excited to be buying our snow and cold-weather gear, only to find that it will be in the upper 30s where we're going (fine by me, really!). I hope I don't have further leg injuries to report in a week or two!
We've been enjoying some mild weather (40s) here lately -- I just wish the sun would be up earlier. We're gaining a few minutes of daylight a day, which I'm thrilled about.
We're having Lingo (telephone) issues, so if you try to call, we may or may not be able to answer. My trouble ticket has been escalated by "Mike" in India -- I put his name in quotes because his real name CLEARLY isn't Mike -- and they *promise* to resolve it in 24 hours. Of course, our problems went from bad to worse once Lingo support started "fixing" the problem, so I'm not sure what will happen....
Happy Monday to everyone!
p.s. To those who are wondering, my birthday was much less ... how can I put this politely? ... unpleasant than it was last year. Jack's runny nose was the only illness, we got to go out to dinner, I sat down to enjoy a double lait russe (like a grande cappuccino) and I got some great accessories for our upcoming trip. Hooray!
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