Rain, Costume, and Lace

It was a rainy, stay-inside Monday. Mondays are always the most difficult days to get out and about. Kirk is back to work and for some reason it is always cold and raining. Yuck. A hard way to come down after fun, full weekends together.

So this morning we stayed in our PJs and played in our apartment. We read lots of books and Connor found some new favorites. She was talking about Sam's Cookie and Sam's Ball ALL DAY long. She couldn't go 15 minutes without another reading of Sam. Connor especially loved the page where "Sam cries"??? I don't know why, but she puts on a very empathetic squished up face at this page. Dudley sent these books to us - she is a world-class children's librarian so no wonder she always knows best.
We also built "houses" with the foam letters. These foam connectible sheets are wonderful. Everyday we use them around the perimeter of the couch because I am phobic of Connor bouncing off the couch and falling on her head on the hardwoods. They are fun and colorful and provide a tiny cushion if Connor were to bump her head. But today they served as fun forts. Connor thought it was wonderful. There were several versions of our "house" and it was the most I have ever seen Connor sit still. She played in the "houses" with play dough and dolls and toys for a while.
Finally, after naptime we were getting pretty stir crazy and despite the rain I was determined to get out. In looking through our Brussels tour books I saw there was a Museum of Costume and Lace not far from our home. So I grabbed an umbrella, covered Connor's stroller in plastic and off we went with a map to find the place. I walked around in circles for a while (in the rain!). Brussels has the craziest twisty streets with very few street signs so finding the simplest spot can be pretty complex! Finally I found the elusive Musee and in we trudged wet and but victorious in our location challenge.

The museum was gorgeous and definitely my kind of place. The only challenge was - like so many places here - no strollers allowed. This despite huge aisles and an elevator to upper floors. That is crazy! Anyone would agree that a stroller is better than a wild toddler running around the antique garments. But I clutched Connor's hand and we went through the museum on foot "practicing the colors" of all the beautiful gowns.The museum reminded me of the Princess Di Dress exhibit I saw the summer I lived in DC or the Jackie Kennedy Dress exhibit we went to during my Bachelorette Weekend. Very girly and the variety and detail of the dress styles were stunning. So fun to take it all in - even if I did have to hold my breath the whole time that Connor stayed on her best behavoir!

The lace was also an extra special treat. Have you ever seen the way lace is made?!? It is woven with countless bobbins in complicated patterns. My eyes squinted and hurt just thinking about the practice.

There were beautiful full lace and antique satin wedding gowns on display. I wish they allowed photography so I could share those with you, but no cameras.

Finally tonight I took this photo for you at dinnertime.
I always try to serve something Connor likes (mac & cheese) and slide in some type of veggie. Tonight it was tomato. It is unbelievable how Connor knows how to eat completely around the nutritious component. Tonight she managed to pick out every last pasta piece. Just look at that face when I encourage the tomato. Oh well. Will keep trying!

Wildcats and Sunday School

I know I am posting a lot this month, but I am just having so much fun with our family and our travels and am anxious to share and document. So hopefully you are having fun with us too - and not sick of us already! I am taking the tactic of trying to take more bite-size pieces with my posts rather than to overload too much in one entry. But as any proud parent, we think everything is super cute so the filter is very difficult.
Last night we all cheered on the Davidson Wildcats in their nationally televised game against Butler. Unfortunately Stephen Curry and the team played hard but didn't win this one. But it wasn't for lack of us cheering! We still have our fingers crossed for another Cinderella March Madness run - we'll see!

And this morning our family served as greeters for our church service at the International Protestant Church. I snapped some photos before we left and they were just too sweet not to share right away.
When I look at Connor all dressed up I think immediately of all the donors of the outfit - she is literally dressed in their love. The dress was Aly Yamamoto's, the shoes mom got us when they were way too big (kids feet grow fast!), the tights were Rose Mary's, even the diaper came from Carol stuffing some American Pampers in her suitcase. Thank you for making Connor look so pretty!Click here for Wildcats and Sunday School (full album)

Ode to Oscar

We had really fallen out of rhythm of seeing movies while living in Atlanta. The theatres were not close to our house and the company of good friends and a happening neighborhood (hooray Oakhurst!) meant there was always something better to do, trumping a night at the movies.

But the temptation of having a theatre 3 blocks away in Brussels and my new stay-at-home-mom status means the movies make a perfect escape for me. Kirk has generously stayed with Connor several nights to let me indulge several shows. And it has been a great year for movies!

I had never been to the movies by myself until coming to Brussels. It always seemed pretty lonely to go dateless. But it is not true! There is something about nestling in amidst strangers (especially strangers speaking a foreign tongue) that is peaceful and calming. Plus the theatre around the corner is also a historic building. It originally seated nearly 3,000 and opened in 1933. Check out the main auditorium of the last movie I saw. Isn't it breathtaking? Kinda reminded me of The Fox Theatre in Atlanta. The golden hue was warm and wonderful.

The differences about movie-going here versus in the States are not too many. First-run American movies run as "Version Original" meaning in English. The previews however are often in French for European movies. The only strange difference is that Belgians tend to not have as much awareness about personal space. They don't really abide by that unspoken "leave a seat between you and your neighbor" rule. And when the film is over they don't make quick moves to gather stuff and leave. I end up waiting til the credits finish and lights come on before I can skirt past my neighbors to leave. Oh! And you have to pay 35 Euro cents to use the bathrooms here. I will never get used to paying to go to the potty!

After my solo movie nights I skip back home in the cold night air and come back renewed and alive - ready to resume role of mother and wife. And usually with tears still in my eyes from the show. I am a complete sap and always cry at movies.

Recently I went to see "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" starring Cate Blanchett and Brad Pitt. I usually don't swoon too much for movie stars, but Brad is quite debonair in this film. And the plot is one of the more unusual I have ever seen. It is a terrific love story with a twist. Plus the leading lady is a stunning redhead, which is always a plus.

I also saw "Bride Wars" - predictable plot and the paper here only gave it a measly one star...so know that going in if you see it. But honestly, I loved it. The tale of friendship among women made me long for my wonderful girlfriends back home.

Down the Road to Ghent

This morning we traveled down the road to the town of Ghent. Ghent is on the way to Brugge and is comparable with canals and enchanting architecture - just not as much of an established tourist hot spot. Ghent was a vital city in the cloth trade way back when and the place is saturated with history and lore of times of castles and Counts.

We popped in all the old churches and Connor again looked for "Baby Jesus!" in each one. We stayed just a few hours, but we all really liked Ghent. Like Leuven and many of the other Flemish cities we have visited - it seems like a town that will really come alive in the warmer weather. There are welcoming and trendy restaurants and canal cruises all over.

Click here for Ghent (full album)

Travel Intervention

We may need an intervention. We know we have a problem. But we prefer to see this "problem" more as a unique opportunity to seize the day! I mean, you only live once, right? If you have been following our blog, you know we are filling every possible moment with travel experiences. Since we are "in" most every weeknight (Connor's bedtime is 7 PM), we usually spend evenings researching trips and travel deals. And then the weekends are to go, go, go.

I have started reading this book, How to Fit a Car Seat on a Camel, and truly our Connor is an awesome travel buddy. She naps well in her stroller and rolls with the flights and new places with relative ease. I doubt we will be putting her on a camel, but she does have quite a few stamps in her passport!

One of the first things we put on the walls of our apartment was a big write-on calendar. It is like a big jigsaw puzzle staring us down and beckoning pieces to be fit in strategically around vacations and holidays. I also started a big list of all the places - local and international - that we hoped to visit in the 18 months we are here. Museums, festivals, ancient ruins, and sporting events. Everything went on this list of possibilities to be sifted through later and sorted to reality. Somehow making a list helps with fitting the pieces of adventure together and matching calendar dates.

The other piece to this "problem" is our love of travel books. We brought many of these with us and our library brings hours of inspiration, fueling our addiction. Most of these books came from half.com and cost us only pennies apiece, so the investment has been very worth it. We may not make it to all of the spots on our travel wish list, but we are having fun dreaming nonetheless!

I know what you must be thinking but.... It is hard to believe but the travel bug is not as much of a financial drain as it may appear. With time, perserverence, negotiation and flexibility there are serious deals to be had. Discount airlines offer flights at rock bottom prices and with E&Y providing both a car and free gas for us, it is often less expensive for us to travel than to stay put and spend money. Expense prioritization and budgeting is key.

Stay tuned for our next adventures. We are so grateful for this opportunity!

Let's Make Music

One of the best recommendations I got when moving to Brussels was to enroll in La Chaise Musical classes. These are a combination of nursery rhymes, songs, instruments, and dance - one hour courses every Friday morning. Conducted totally in French. Luckily though there is one class a week made up of totally "Anglophones" (English-speakers) which we joined, so while the class is totally French there is camaraderie and commonality amongst us. Although we are the only Americans - everyone else is British or Irish and living in Brussels.

And after class every week we cross the street and converse as a group over coffee and croissants. It makes for the most delightful morning experience. I took some photos today so you could peek into our music class fun.

Connor's all time favorite song (which she can sing in French!) is "Bateau, Sur L'Eau." The above 2 photos show the group singing the infamous Bateau song, creating a boat (bateau) for Mr. Elephante! Lyrics are: "Bateau, sur l'eau, La rivière, la rivière, Bateau, sur l'eau La rivière au bord de l'eau. Le bateau a chaviré Tous les enfants sont tombés Dans l'eau" Not sure if I should be concerned that Connor's favorite song is about children falling out of a boat into the water!

My Meme must be smiling down from Heaven at this photo!

Click here for La Chaise Musical (Full Album)

PS - Carol, Thanks so much for downloading Picasa to our computer when you were here. I am having a BALL with it - clearly!

The Bubble Man

So when you live in the heart of down town of any major city, there are oddities. The perks are good transportation links, an abundance of restaurant choices and always something going on. The challenges are "always something going on" and some rather strange folks from time to time. Don't get me wrong - I feel very safe in Brussels and especially in our apartment. But you never know what or who are you going to see in the day.

Case in point - Last week I was walking to the ATM and noticed that strangely there were bubbles floating all around me and Connor's stroller. Hmmm. Bubbles? In the heart of the city? That is a little strange. I looked around to see if there were any children with bubble-blowing parents around...and this is what I saw:A random guy just blowing bubbles into the air on the street corner while the world bustled all around him during the morning rush hour. Not sure what his backpack is all about and I couldn't help but crack a smile. I mean he is seriously living in his own world just blowing bubbles over and over again to no one in particular. It was funny to see everyone hurrying by in the oncoming bubbles and not even pausing, just pretending like they weren't there. And also watching the bubbles stray off by themselves far and wide - in groups and the occasional solo bubble.

I thought maybe this was a one time thing for this guy, but wouldn't you know it yesterday I saw him again in the same spot doing the same thing. Needless to say Connor thought it was the coolest thing since sliced bread. I didn't get very close to the guy, but must admit he did add a little odd happiness to the day!

And speaking of bubbles - have you ever used Gymboree bubbles? Carol brought us some last week and MAN they are some rockin' bubbles! They last 10 times longer than the drug store brand and are super strong. They sit on the floor (unpopped) for hours until you pop them. Another hit with my little one:

Antique Toy Museum

We joined Brady and Karen at the Musee du Jouet yesterday morning. Karen's parents were visiting from North Carolina, so we were a gang of 6 ready to play! When we arrived I was a little uneasy because the unassuming museum seemed at first glance a little overcrowded, junky and dusty and there were a lot of glass display cases with antiques. I wondered how our busy toddlers would take to this type of play.
But when we started meandering around we found so many treasures! All of the toys were antiques, nevertheless play was highly encouraged. So Brady and Connor climbed all over these amazing old toys. You definitely would NOT find this type of toy museums in the USA - too many fears about recalls and other cautions. But for us it was a real treat. There were cars, buses, trains, and planes. Goldie Oldie familiar favorites from my childhood and from generations before. I got the sense toys were donated from families and they just put them out on display til they break. Quite a concept!
Connor loved the antique baby carriage and a rather plain doll with a turquoise dress - which she proceeded to carry with her throughout all the floors of the museum. The museum keeper seemed more amused by it than bothered by Connor's attachment.
As our eyes adjusted to the packed toy museum we had so much fun spotting all the treasures in every corner. There was even a marionette theatre similar to the one they made on "The Sound of Music" with real puppet shows for school groups.
The photo below is one of my favorites. It was just like the "Little House on the Prairie" schoolhouse! An abacus and folding desks and everything. Connor still with her doll with the turquoise dress!
It was a gem of a museum. What a cool place! We couldn't stop thinking of how much Cara would have loved it given her collection of antique toys.

Click here for Fun at the Musee du Joet (full album)