August is soon over and we wonder where the time went. Aidan kept very busy this summer with week long day camps ranging from learning about the Asian culture to Farm camp. He also participated in Sports camp with his friend Will. That camp was interesting for Aidan; since all but one teacher spoke French and only he and Will spoke English. He had some issues but liked it anyway.
Jaxon and I spent our days playing in the yard and a few playdates with friends. Not too exciting for him. Everyday we dropped Aidan off he would say that he wanted to go too. With the visit of the grandparents that helped break up the summer.
The weather here has not been very nice. Cool, cloudy and rainy most days. All the "locals" told us since spring was so nice that summer would not be and they were right.
Jaxon will be starting school this year too. He will also be attending the International Montessori where Aidan goes. He was excited about going last May and June so we will see how this week goes. The 31st is a welcome day and September 1st he goes for a half hour as well as the 2nd. Then the 5th he starts his 5 days a week half days.
With this new freedom I will have I am looking forward to some group exercise classes and spending time with friends.
Greg continues to work.
We will be taking a cruise this September and staying in Barcelona for a few days before sailing. The boys are excited to go on a big boat.
The time has gone by really fast for us. So much still to see, not enough vacation time to see it.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Disney Sand Castles Part 2
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| The actually got them in the barrell, that's a lot of cig's. |
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| Waffle and hot chocolate while we wait for the rain to let up. They had this bar set up under the tent. |
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| Tower of Terror |
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| For Birgen! |
I thought Greg took some in the Toy Story area, but I guess not. There was RC racer, Buzz, Woody. Monsters Inc. and Wall E, too.Very cool, looking forward to see what they do next year!
Blakenberge Disney Sand Castle Exhibit 8/27/2011
We had stumbled upon this exhibit a few months ago on a trip to the coast but did not stop since the boys were asleep in the car. Yesterday we woke to what looked to be a nice day, got dressed in shorts, T-shirts and sandals, got a beach bag ready and headed for the coast to check out the exhibit. To our dismay it was 14 degrees Celsius = 57 degrees Farenheit and rainy; very cold.
I still have not mastered the Belgian weather fluctuations. I have decided to pack a bag with all types of clothes and leave it in the car. In addition, once we got there the rain stopped and we left the umbrella's in the car. Part of the exhibit was covered and parts where not. And the rain was not done, but at least the boys had rain jackets!
This was truely amazing to see. It appears that this is a yearly event that is recognized by the Guinness Book of World records.
I ran out of room for pics so I am going to post a second with CARS and Buzz.
I still have not mastered the Belgian weather fluctuations. I have decided to pack a bag with all types of clothes and leave it in the car. In addition, once we got there the rain stopped and we left the umbrella's in the car. Part of the exhibit was covered and parts where not. And the rain was not done, but at least the boys had rain jackets!
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| Mainstreet U.S.A. |
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| The Haunted Mansion |
I ran out of room for pics so I am going to post a second with CARS and Buzz.
Monday, August 22, 2011
Erperheide Center Parcs long weekend Aug 12-15th
Monday, August 15th was another Belgian holiday; I am sad to say I don't even know which one. Despite this we took advantage of a long weekend and took an hour drive to Northern Belgium and stayed at an indoor waterpark and indoor play center. Now this was a no frills accomodations, a damp cement building, you pay extra for bedding and towels, so we brought towels and paid for the bedding. You get one roll of toilet paper and then it is your supply. These kind of trips you need to pack like you are moving to a new house. Toilet paper, soap, shampoo, hair dryer, napkins, the list continues.
The day we were to leave I called the Center Parcs to see if we could get a "cottage" closer to the waterpark. I spoke with Wesley for about 30 minutes. Mostly talking about how he would love to go to the states, where I was from and how he felt so bad for all of us on 9/11, he even told me he remembered where he was and how all the channels here even the ones that did not broadcast news had it on. He was very nice and after our conversation he advised me not to pay the extra 150 euro for a closer cottage and that ours was a 5 minute walk to the waterpark. Ok, we will stay where we are. Mistake, it is a 5 minute walk if you know where you are going and cut through the woods. On our first adventure to the park we went through the woods and did fine. Then Jax and I went back for nap time. I wasn't sure which path through the woods so we took the roads that had directions to each zone, I think there were 8 zone's and we were in #6. And as always this is Belgium and it was raining so after about 15 minutes we found our cottage. After that we figured out the short way but not fun pushing a stroller, holding an umbrella and not having proper attire. My goal once the kids are in school is to get me some rain boots and rain jacket.
Here are some pictures from the weekend. Enjoy!
As you can see the indoor ball park was a favorite of Dad's and kids. I think Greg had more fun than Aidan in there. It had automatic guns that shot the foam balls where ever you aimed them. There was also places to load the balls to fill up a huge bucket when the bucket got full it dumped out on people below.
We ended the weekend with a round of bowling. I am sure Greg will tell you he lost because the lane was warped and it was but we know where I get my bowling talent (mom). Even the boys did better but they got to use a ramp.
All in all a fun time and only an hour drive.
The day we were to leave I called the Center Parcs to see if we could get a "cottage" closer to the waterpark. I spoke with Wesley for about 30 minutes. Mostly talking about how he would love to go to the states, where I was from and how he felt so bad for all of us on 9/11, he even told me he remembered where he was and how all the channels here even the ones that did not broadcast news had it on. He was very nice and after our conversation he advised me not to pay the extra 150 euro for a closer cottage and that ours was a 5 minute walk to the waterpark. Ok, we will stay where we are. Mistake, it is a 5 minute walk if you know where you are going and cut through the woods. On our first adventure to the park we went through the woods and did fine. Then Jax and I went back for nap time. I wasn't sure which path through the woods so we took the roads that had directions to each zone, I think there were 8 zone's and we were in #6. And as always this is Belgium and it was raining so after about 15 minutes we found our cottage. After that we figured out the short way but not fun pushing a stroller, holding an umbrella and not having proper attire. My goal once the kids are in school is to get me some rain boots and rain jacket.
Here are some pictures from the weekend. Enjoy!
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| Aidan's self portrait at the petting zoo in the park complex. |
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| Jaxon loved the goats, he really just loves all animals. Maybe he will be a veternarian someday. He is looking at this girl thinking, find your own goat, this one is mine. |
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| God only knows why Greg can't keep his eyes open for pictures. Jaxon is lauging not crying. There were 4 small cascading pools that were like this, the water was warmer and quiet. |
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| It is hard to get them both to look at the same time and smile. The way the set up was I could not view this video before posting, let's hope it is interesting.      This was a quick lazy river minus the tubes. |
We ended the weekend with a round of bowling. I am sure Greg will tell you he lost because the lane was warped and it was but we know where I get my bowling talent (mom). Even the boys did better but they got to use a ramp.
All in all a fun time and only an hour drive.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Disney July 29th-31st 2011
The boys got to go on their first high speed train ride.
The only time things aren't busy on this continent is when things first open "early" in the morning.
Jax is taking in the Small World ride, it is his favorite.
The boys had a lot of fun getting the characters signatures. Jax really loves Pluto, Pluto was Aidan's favorite at this age too.
Aidan dances like his Dad :). We are listening to a band at Disney Studios.
After all this we have figured out that train travel is not our best option. We only had 1 large suitcase, a stroller, backpack, camera and a boogy board. It was a hassle to get every thing on and situated when all the luggage space was taken, people stood in the doorway and were less than helpful. If it were just Greg and I, yeah that would be a great way to travel.
Vacation is always nice but it is a lot of work, between packing, lack of sleep/naps, and long days of being out and about. It is nice to be back home and in our routine. 6 days of running in theme parks was a lot.
After arriving we headed to lunch before taking on Disneyland, Paris.
Aidan dances like his Dad :). We are listening to a band at Disney Studios.
After all this we have figured out that train travel is not our best option. We only had 1 large suitcase, a stroller, backpack, camera and a boogy board. It was a hassle to get every thing on and situated when all the luggage space was taken, people stood in the doorway and were less than helpful. If it were just Greg and I, yeah that would be a great way to travel.
Vacation is always nice but it is a lot of work, between packing, lack of sleep/naps, and long days of being out and about. It is nice to be back home and in our routine. 6 days of running in theme parks was a lot.
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