Cole's 3rd Grade Trip - Spa Sol Cress

It is customary at St. John's to start going on class trips when you reach 3rd Grade.  Trips...not field trips...for a few days...away from home...overnight stays...HAVE YOU MET ME?!  We arrived at St. John's and when we were taking the kids on their little mini-tour before they started school one of the third grade teachers handed me a packet and said here are the forms for the trip...AND...that was the end of that!  That is ALL the information that I received.  We arrived to late to attend the informational meeting...of course we did!  

The class when to Spa Sol Cress Domain which is located in Spaloumont, Belgium.  It is by the Ardennes, which are situated in south-east Belgium.  They are, "one of nature's unspoilt areas, rich in flora and fauna, with vast forests of broadleaf and fir, hills, and fast flowing rivers."  

They set out for their trip on Monday, June 18th.  The trip takes about 2 hours, give or take, depending on traffic.  We received daily email updates about all that they were doing and those made me feel a little bit better...just a little.  They stopped on the way at a Monastery and had lunch and then set off for Spa.  On Tuesday, we received word that they were headed to an Adventure Park and would go through a maze and complete a host of 5 other activities.  I looked up the Adventure Park's website and was a little nervous about what the 5 other activities would be.  On Wednesday we received word that "yesterday's activities were a great success and the children are having a marvelous time."  It went on to say, "Yesterday's activities were well received--"rock climbing" and "archery" were the firm favorites."  ROCK CLIMBING AND ARCHERY...what are you doing to my child?!  It continued to say that they were going to visit Franchimont Medieval Castle and in the afternoon "forrest activities" were planned where the kids were going to create art work and build shelters.  GOD BLESS US AND SAVE US (as my Mom likes to say)!  Cole is building forrest shelters?!  The update for Thursday was as follows..."After a fun-filled day yesterday, your children sang and entertained a group of elderly people who are also staying at the hostel.  They gave a fantastic concert and provided a good evening of entertainment.  They are still enjoying breakfast, after which prizes will be distributed (one for the tidiest room, too).  Later they will pack their suitcases and set off for home!"  What do I have to say to that?  We all know which prize Cole WON'T win!

I was forwarding the updates to my Dad each day after I received them.  One of the days my Dad responded with this, "Not only will Cole be able to take us "foresting" and build us a shelter, but now he will also be able to hunt for our food!  That school sure is teaching him some survival skills.  What do they know that we don't?  Did the Monks teach him how to brew beer?  Now that is a true survival skill!"  I was laughing so hard and it brightened my day...thanks, Dad!

Cole returned home yesterday.  Piper and I picked him up.  He was wearing his pajama shirt and a pair of muddy jeans with a smile from ear to ear!  He was glad to have gone on the trip, but was happy to be home.  Piper was really cute.  When she spotted him through the bus window she yelled, "C-O-L-E, Cole, Cole..."  Liv and Sophie were also glad to see him and gave him a big hug when we picked them up.  There have been no fights, yet...I just jinxed myself!  Cole is off today and is resting.  I think he slept about 13 hours.  He was exhausted!

HAPPY FATHERS DAY, JASON

Jason celebrated his FIRST FATHER'S DAY here in Belgium.  With it landing on a Sunday and with everything being closed on Sunday's we hung out at home.  It was a nice day.  Father's Day here is actually celebrated the week before.  I was not aware of that even when the girls brought their gifts that they made home.  I thought that the teachers were just being proactive and were getting them done sooner rather than later.  Just goes to show you what I know:)

Give us the LOOT and no one will get hurt

Jason had to make a trip back to Indianapolis for Finance Council the week of June 11 - 15.  Now, those of you who know about Jason and ALL of his traveling know that he HATES to check a bag.  If you need a frame of reference, and you have seen the movie Up In The Air...I firmly believe that George Clooney was channeling Jason when he was explaining to Anna Kendrick the "rules of business travel."  What do I have to say to that?!  You move us Internationally...get ready to become our resident pack mule, buddy!!  So...off he went...empty bag along with him.  

He told me to text him anything that I thought of and it got to the point that he had to tell me there was no more room in the bag.  His return flight was set for Friday, June 15th and it would have gotten him here at 9:30 AM our time.  However, there were problems with the plane and he ended up getting delayed and didn't get back until early Saturday morning, which was fun?!  I think that the kids are so used to him traveling that when he gets home it's just a "Oh...hey, Dad." from Cole and Liv.  Sophie and Piper flip out and get really excited.  

If I have anything to be thankful for from all of this business travel Jason has done over the years...Boy...that man can pack a piece of luggage.  He got a lot of stuff into that bag.  Cole was excited to see new movies and some PS3 games.  Because of the "regions" on the disc's DVDs and games that we purchase here will no play in our machines that we brought.  We need to "import" them from the US.  Liv got a tea set for her American Girl dolls.  Sophie got a dress up dress...a girl can never have too many, you know!  What was Piper most excited about?!  REAL Goldfish and 

Cheez-Its.  That girlie is too much!  She is easily pleased!  

All in, the bag weighed 55 lbs. at the airport!  We love our resident Sherpa/Pack Mule!

Another round of Cheerios, please...

The kid's have been so excited to have their Cheerios!  Sophie has been asking for them with every meal.  I didn't realize that you can substitute Cheerios for the words appetizer, entree, and dessert!  Did you?!

Look, Mom...I put them in a bowl for you!

The Monday after we visited Antwerp I was sitting at the computer...go figure...and Piper was watching Little Bear--or so I thought!  I heard her digging around in the kitchen cupboard and then I heard the telltale sound of VERY EXPENSIVE Cheerios being poured out.  This is what I came upon.  At least she thought to pour them into a bowl, right?!  Back into the box they went...the Devil didn't get them!

We visit Grare, The American Food Store--HOLLA:)

Jason and I were talking one night and he said, "We should really try to do something this weekend.  How do you feel about going to Antwerp?"  I responded, "Antwerp, awesome...that is where the American Food Store is!"  Jason promptly rolled his eyes and responded, "Well I was thinking more along the lines of some type of sightseeing attraction seeing as how we are in Europe and have a ton of excellent possibilities, but if you want to drop in to the store we can do that too."  So we went.

You know when you have certain expectations in your head of something...well, I had BIG expectations for the American Food Store.  To be honest, I really am not missing anything.  I think it was more along the lines of being around things you are familiar with.  The kids...NOPE...they are missing stuff.  We went and filled up our cart.  Piper was VERY excited to see the Goldfish...I mean...come on people...she has been deprived for a whole month!  They didn't have the cheese ones, are they nuts, but they did have the original cracker ones.  She was so desperate that she would take whatever she could get!  

We also finally found the "yellow" box of Cheerios.  We paid 7,45 Euros.  That is about $10.00.  Beggars can't be choosers, people!  Desperate times call for desperate measures.  Note to anyone reading this...If you are looking for a little side business might I suggest exporting Cheerios to Belgium.  You can make BIG BUCKS!

ZOO Antwerpen - June 9, 2012

ZOO Antwerpen - June 9, 2012 - slide show

We decided to venture to Antwerp for the day.  It's about a 70 km drive from where we are in Waterloo.  It was a chilly day, only about 60 degrees, and overcast...go figure.  In fact, when we returned home I was on FaceTime with my Mom and she asked me if I had a turtleneck and sweater on.  She, of course, with it being June was in a tank top and shorts...sweating...whatever!  

So, there we were, at one of Piper's favorite places to be...the Zoo.  She was very excited, but was surprised when we approached the Orangutan's and they were all just laying there.  She was calling to them...Joe, Ollie, Leila, Dasa...and no one moved.  For all of you Erie natives you probably know all about Joe, Ollie, Leila and Dasa.  Piper is IN LOVE with Joe and so we always make sure Aunt Gina is along to lure him down to the window to greet us--BIG THANKS TO AUNT GINA!  

She also loved to see the Giraffe's and was wondering why when she was yelling,

 "Mitch, MI----Tch!!" at the top of her lungs he didn't come over to the fences and check us out.  What the heck type of Zoo is this?!

All in all, it was a great day!  The Zoo is beautiful and we got to see a lot of different types of animals.  Cole especially loved the owls.  There was one that looked just like Hedwig!  Sophie had a discussion with the Reindeer to inform him that she was, in fact, being a good girl and was not a naughty one.  She asked him to let Santa know.

Sophie Martin, Master Gardener

The Pre-K class at Timber Tops has a garden, complete with fruit, veggies, and chickens.  Sophie has decided that it is the BEST THING EVER!  She loves to put on her "wellies" and go into the garden with Mrs. O'Neil.  She comes home with very dirty hands.  I had to get a nail brush for her nails.  It was  disgusting!  She has enjoyed it so much at school that she has decided to bring "her work home with her".  Her first plant was a strawberry plant.  So far the plant has sprouted 3 berries.

Love for Sophie

Sophie's Preschool class in Naperville sent her this picture.  It was really thoughtful.  She enjoyed it.

l'Atomium - May 27, 2012

l'Atomium - May 27, 2012 - slideshows

One of Cole's favorite shows to watch in The Amazing Race.  Shortly after we had heard that there was a possibility that we might be moving to Belgium one of the episodes aired and where were the teams...Brussels, Belgium.  We hadn't told the kids yet about the possibility, but Jason and I couldn't believe it.  It almost was like a sign!  The teams were racing through Brussels and one of the landmarks that they had to visit was l'Atomium.  After we told the kids about where we were headed next the first thing out of Cole's mouth was, "We can go to the Atom!!"  He was very excited, so...of course, that was the first place we had to go when we got here.

The Atomium was built for the World Fair in Brussels in 1958.  It is now the most popular tourist attraction and the symbol of Europe's Capital.  It has 8 levels spread over 5 spheres that are open to the public.  The permanent exhibition, dedicated to Expo58 is located on two levels.  The three other levels are reserved for temporary exhibitions that are usually devoted to architecture, design, and society.  The highest sphere overs a 360 degree view of Brussels, and when the sky is clear the view reaches all the way to Antwerp.  The upper sphere also houses a restaurant.

At night, the nine spheres light up with almost 3,000 LED lights that offer a very special show.

There are giant letters that spell out WELCOME right in front of the Atom.  The kids could not resist sitting on the first letter of their name.  There was no S for Sophie, so she sat on the O.

Of course we just couldn't pass up the ice cream truck on our way back to the car.  Do we ever pass up an ice cream truck?!  NO WAY...I was not brought up that way!  We were sitting down while the kids were enjoying their cones and there was a huge stone statue.  Liv asked me who it was and Sophie promptly answered for me, "Dah, Liv...that's God."  I couldn't stop laughing.  It actually wasn't a statue of God it was Adolphe Max.  He was a Belgian politician and Mayor of Brussels from 1909 until his death in 1939.

Don't be a hater!

So what does a family of 6 get as one of their vehicles in a country that the majority of people drive little SmartCar-esque vehicles...why a Mercedes Vito, of course!

We ordered our Volkswagen Van in April and it will not be in until sometime in November.  In the meantime my ride is this beauty!  The Mercedes Vito is a looker for sure!  Why do you ask?!  Well, because the only people that typically drive the 9-seater work for a car service or deliver furniture to your house from Ikea...hahahaha.  The other day, Piper and I were waiting to pick the kids up from school and I am pretty sure a couple of high schoolers thought that I was the Taxi that they had ordered.  They kept circling the van.  I was waiting for them to knock on the window, but I kept my head down and they never approached:)

While the kids are away...

I wash dinky little loads of laundry in my dinky little French/Dutch washer and dryer.  For as long as we have been here I do not think that these fine specimens of machinery have stopped!  They aren't the quietest of items either.  When I am on FaceTime with my Dad he always says, "Uh-oh, the washer and dryer are taking off."  They sound like an airplane taking off and landing.  I should at least be thankful for them, right?!

First day at the new school - May 21, 2012

I thought Sophie would be VERY NERVOUS about going to school ALL DAY!  I even asked her if she would want me to pick her up every day at 12:00 PM...nope...she was ready to blow this popsicle stand she even helped me make her lunch.  This would be the first time she would be eating lunch at school.  What did she want...a jelly sangwich (what she calls it), of course!

All of my duckling lined up...makes a Mama Duck tear up, it does...

Sophie is ready to rock Pre-K!

Liv is ready for Kindergarten!

Cole was digging his new uniform.  He said he felt like Harry Potter.

Piper is ready for....NOPE....she's staying home with "The Mama"!

Emptying boxes, jet-lag, furniture building...oh my!

So we began to unpack boxes and were uncovering items that we had not seen in almost 2 months.  It was like Christmas for the kids.  They were so excited to have their things back!  It also kept them entertained while we tried to put the house in order.  The girls decided to play dress-up with part of the $300 worth of dance costumes that we ordered, but weren't able to be in the recital because of the move.  Those are some pretty expensive dress-up clothes...but they sure are cute!!

Jet-lag hit Piper pretty hard...go figure...it must have been all of the NO SLEEPING she did on the plane ride!  She would just sleep at any given time she felt necessary for the first couple of days.  She would crawl up on to any flat surface and snooze!  She would also sleep about 7-8 hours at night.  We didn't have to worry about her being up all night!

So picture it...it's about 11 PM.  Cole, Jason, Sophie and I were still awake.  Cole, Jason and I were trying to figure out the lights in the backyard and Sophie decided to stay inside.  When we came inside...no Sophie...we couldn't find her.  See if you can spot her in this shot.  Can you find her?

Out like a light!

Looks like Jason decided to take a little time out from building closets.  Not very long though...he was up and going again in no time!

Piper took a little rest and was ready to rock...until the next time she crawled up on the couch, of course!

Our new digs

Here is our new house.  It is a lot different than what we are used to, but it will work out great!  No closets mean that Ikea will be our friend.  We moved with 45 boxes worth of Ikea stuff to be put together.  I am sure Jason is going to come to hate yellow and blue!

Let's check out our new school!

Cole, Liv and Sophie will all be attending St. John's International School in Waterloo, Belgium.  After we arrived in Belgium we headed straight to the house to pick-up the keys and then headed over to St. John's to show the kid's their new digs.  When we arrived at the school we took a tour and it was Lunch time for the Elementary kid's.  Mrs. Banbridge, the Elementary Principal, was talking to all of the children in the lunch room when we were taking a short cut through the cafeteria.  She stopped what she was doing and introduced us to all of the kids in 1-5 grade.  Nothing like Baptism by fire, right?!  The third graders all cheered when they heard Cole would be joining them and Mrs. White's class yelled the loudest when Mrs. Banbridge told them that is the class Cole would be joining.  Cole was excited.  It was a definite ice-breaker for him.

Liv (Kindergarten) and Sophie (Pre-K) will be located in the Timer Tops buildings.  They have their own play area, garden (complete with chickens) and "Nap" House.  Sophie's schedule will go from school MWF from 12:30 - 3 to every day from 8:30 - 3:30.  That is a little bit of a difference!

Here are the chickens.  I asked Sophie what their names were and she said Anna, Nick and Susie.  She said it really quickly so I am tempted to believe her.  Who knows...my money is on Sophie!

Yay....Go Liv!!

LOOK OUT BELGIUM...THE MARTIN'S HAVE ARRIVED!

So...we shipped all of our items in two shipments.  The first was the big container and the second was the air shipment.  CLEARLY we did not send enough.  The Martin's arrived in Brussels, Belgium on May 15, 2012.  We had 2 adults, 4 children, 9 pieces of luggage, 1 stroller, 3 American Girl dolls, 6 backpacks, etc.  Customs didn't check us?  Gee...I wonder why?!  I am pretty sure they RAN THE OTHER WAY when they saw us coming!!

Next leg...Dublin to Brussels

Hello, Dublin

We arrived in Dublin early Tuesday morning, and just had a little bit of a layover.  The kid's enjoyed knowing they were in Ireland and said they couldn't wait to bring Nana back here.  We only saw it through the windows of the plane and airport.

Look, Nana...Dublin!

As we boarded the plane for the last leg of our journey, Jason and I were struggling...check it out...

Pretty sure 5-Hour Energy can do nothing for this!

So...we are on the plane, finally!  Piper is sitting next to me.  We had purchased her her own seat, so because we did the flight attendant made me put her in the seat and she was not allowed to sit in my lap for takeoff--whatev--it's your suicide, lady!!  Now, many of you know how EASY GOING and SWEET Piper is...not after about a ba-gillion hours of being awake!  We have now entered what I like to refer to as CODE 10 TERRITORY.  She DID NOT want any one to talk to her, touch her, give her a treat, etc.  NOPE...she just screamed until she fell asleep.  IT WAS NOT PRETTY!!  (Take that mean flight attendant lady!)