Somewhere in the Middle

Happy New Year!

This New Year began with lots of enthusiasm and excitement! Thanks to my Secret Agent I spent the New Year in Times Square. That's right, baby! New York City! It was absolutely fabulous!!

We were having dinner with C's Godfather, his partner, Mr. "NYC-On the Street", and of course Mr. Secret Agent. Around 11pm, Mr. Secret Agent asked, "Are we going to do this? Who wants to go to Times Square?" S said he'd pass and stay with Lil' C. He didn't want to be with all the crowds. When Mr. "NYC-On the Street" & R said they didn't want to go either I was completely shocked. Not me! How many times in your life do the stars align and allow you a special pass to celebrate New Years in Times Square without the 5-6 hour wait? "I'm in!' I told Mr. Secret Agent. Immediately, R, Mr. Travel Man changed his mind too.

We left the house at 11:15pm and walked to Times Square. It was a beautiful night too. It wasn't really cold which was perfect! There were people EVERYWHERE! It was absolutely crazy. Hand in hand we walked or I should say they walked, I jogged. lol! Mr. Travel Man & Secret Agent walked so fast. We went through about 5 blockades. The first one was a little crazy because there were hundreds of people who wanted to get through the blockade but the police officer kept yelling at the crowds to get back. But when Mr. Secret Agent used his secret powers the police offficer told us to go through. After a minute or two the crowds disregarded the officer and started running through the street. But there were blockades at every street so when we arrived at the next blockade we had to wait a bit. I think the police were worried that if they let us through the crowds would again rebel. So we squeezed our way to the corner of the street and the NYPD escorted us through. It was such an amazing experience! The sidewalks were completely empty except for the NYPD and us! lol!! Now I know how celebrities must feel. lol! 

With Mr. Secret Agents superpowers, the next 3 blockades were a breeze to get through. We ended up in an area reserved for family & friends of the NYPD & NYFD which was great. We had space to move around and we weren't completely crammed in.

By the time we arrived to this spot it was 11:45pm. Beautiful! We counted down to midnight, watched the fireworks, and sang Frank Sinatra's "New York, New York" along with thousands of other New Yorkers as billions of pieces of confetti fell from the sky! It was so amazing!

Afterward, we had drinks with some of Mr. Secret Agent friend's that work for the NYPD & NYFD. These guys were true New Yorkers... with their deep NY accents and mannerisms. I loved it. 

Here are a few photos from that night. I also took these videos but because I wanted to focus on the moment not on where I was taping it's a super crazy video.

The photo quality is absolutely horrible but really I don't care... everytime I look at these photos & watch these videos my hearts beats a little faster and I just can't help but smile and think about what an awesome night it was! Thanks Mr. Secret Agent!! I owe you one! ;)

Why I love where I live.

* Lunch with the girls yesterday.
* 1 Turkish, 1 Greek, 1 American, 3 Italians, and 1 Spaniard
* Just one of the reasons I love this community.

My Little Man

Shopping for clothes is definitely not one of C's favorite things to do. Just mention shopping and you'll hear groans & statements like, "Mommy, please I don't want to go shopping. You take TOO long", "No more stores Mommy, PLEASE!!", "Mommy, only three stores and no more." lol! Yes, I think I may have scarred him for life with my 5-8 hour stateside shopping excursions. Lucky for C these events only occur once or twice a year.

The last time we were in Florida we went into Target & C sighed and my Mom told him, "Don't worry, C. Your Mom is going to be quick." His response? "Mema, you don't know my Mom!"

So needless to say I tend to do all his clothes shopping online but recently he needed a pair of jeans and the skinny jeans from the GAP that normally are fine didn't fit him. So last Friday we took a trip to the mall. C & I made an agreement... no more than three stores. Deal!

We struck out at Zara's but found lots of stuff at H&M. C was a trooper and tried on a ton of clothes for me. Of course, I promised to buy him some ice cream. C really likes to dress up & has wanted a tie for some time now. So it was perfect when we found these shirts. He looked so cute and grownup. I just couldn't help but snap a few photos with my phone.

Doesn't C looks so serious. This next photo in particular reminds me so much of when S puts on his ties in the morning. I love how grown up he looks.

But he wasn't serious for long. lol!

Saint Nicolas comes to Town

Here in Belgium, the 6^th of December is one of the most exciting days of the year for children. Why you may ask? Well, on the evening of the 5^th children place their shoes near the fireplace or the backdoor in anticipating of Saint Nicolas’ arrival. The following morning, children wake up to find chocolates/candy, Speculoos cookies, oranges, and presents inside their shoes.

Celebrating the 6^th of December is a new tradition for us. So Saint Nicolas tends to give C small gifts unlike the larger gifts Belgian children receive. For Belgians, the 6^th of December is all about the children and Christmas Day is more about gift giving among family & friends.

This year C woke up to find two “Magic School Bus” books along with a chocolate coin on top of his shoes. According to C, these are the best books because…”they have the two things I love – reading and science.”

It all started with an alcoholic host Mom....

Celebrating Thankgiving in Europe is just not the same like it is in the US. The spirit of Thanksgiving is so much more than just the actual dinner.

In the US, everyone is talking about Thanksgiving. It's all over the radio, TV, shops, etc. The weeks leading up to Thanksgiving are all about where you're going to spend the holiday and what you'll be cooking. Strangers wishing you a good Thankgiving. Seeing little hand printed turkies taped to windows and doors. And of course there is the famous Macy's Day Thanksgiving Parade. I have some fond memories of watching the parade as my Mom cooked and the smell of turkey filled our house.

Since we've been living in Belgium we've celebrated by having a small traditional Thankgiving meal (excluding the turkey of course). My oven just can not handle a big bird - lol.  But this year, I wanted to do something bigger. And it all started with a conversation I had with Mademoiselle Strawberry Shortcake, an American exchange student in my French class.

During our break in French class, Mlle. SS sometimes tells me funny stories of her first two months in Belgium. I can completely relate... when you're in a foreign place and don't speak the language normal little things can turn into funny adventures. Like how she arrived late to school and couldn't figure out how to get into the school since here in Belgium they lock the doors if you're late. Mlle. Strawberry Shortcake has a wonderful positive spirit. She has a way of telling stories that make me laugh even when she's talking about her alcoholic host Mom or how her host family hasn't quite adusted to having a new person in their family and she sometimes comes home to an empty house with no notes or message about where her host family has gone. Mediterranean Man & I were horrified to find out her mother was an alcoholic and the director of the exchange program is fully aware of this issue. But when Mediterranean man & I asked her whether her host Mom was a sleepy drunk or a mean drunk we felt a little better when she told us the host mother was the former. I know that sounds dreadful but Mlle. SS will get a new host family in January so let's hope things start looking up for her.

A few weeks ago, I asked Mlle. SS what she was doing for Thanksgiving. She laughed & said, "Oh, I don't know. My host family will probably want me to cook for them and I don't even cook!!" And that's when the seed to have a Thanksgiving get together was planted. I know if C was alone in a foreign country over a holiday I'd love for an American family to adopt him for the day. And technically, I could have a daughter Mlle. SS age so I think my motherly instints came out. ;) But let's keep that info tucked away. lol!

In addition to Mlle. SS, I also invited Mediterranean Man & Backgammon Grrl along with their families and last but not least an American bachelor.

Backgammon Grrl helped me a ton. Luckily, she has a big oven so her husband had the honors of making the turkey. ;) So for three days straight I cooked… my traditional apple, walnut and sausage stuffing with home-made croutons, roasted brussel sprouts with lardon & shallots, garlic mashed potatoes, stuffed mushrooms, cranberry sauce, and home-made pumpkin & pecan pie. I also brewed a few bottles of coquito; a sure sign (in any respectable Puerto Rican household) that the holiday season has begun! lol!

I have to say I put a lot of love into my food. I really wanted everything to come out good especially since this was the first Thanksgiving Mediterranean Man and his family have ever experienced.

I was extremely organized… probably the most prepared I have EVER been for a dinner party. It was nice not scrambling around at the last minute or eating dinner at 9pm. But even though I was organized the time between when the guest arrived and when we ate flew and I just took a few photos.

Everything turned out pretty well & I believe everyone enjoyed the evening. In the end, Thanksgiving isn’t just about the food… it’s about enjoying time with your family & friends and being thankful for all you have in your life. Which I am. ;)

Danny, where's your leather jacket?

A few weeks ago C went to a "Grease" theme birthday party. Even though C hasn't seen the movie yet he had fun dressing up. Now that I look at this photo I can't decide if C looks more like a mini version of Danny in "Grease" or maybe the Fonzie in "Happy Days"!

Making ART at the Musuem

Before the Fall break, I accompanied C's class on a field trip to a local museum. The theme of the exhibit was movement and I have to say it was really awesome. Not only was the exhibit interesting for me but for the kids had lots of fun. The museum guide did a fabulous job engaging the children. She asked lots of questions &  she photographed the children in several positions to make a short film exhibiting movement.

At the end of the tour, they lead the children to a workshop area which was like a little art-making heaven filled with all sorts of art supplies. It was fab! Each child received a canvas where they traced a figure multiply times to illustrate movement. And then they painted the piece.

I was really impressed with the museum and it's art facilities. I spoke with the guide and she explained that the museum has different art programs for kids throughout the year. I'd love C to participate in an art camp. Who knows maybe I can help too! And we can both work on our French! lol!

Before we left, they gave the children blank reindeer kits to decorate for the holidays. Aren't they pretty? And I'm not sure but either the reindeers or the children's movement pieces will be displayed in various shops throughout the city. Cool stuff.

Riding at Dusk

So have I mentioned lately how much I LOVE my bicycle. We've own them less than a year now and already I've ridden it more than I ever rode my mountain bike.

Over the break, C & I went bike-riding at dusk and it was so peaceful. I love this time of the year. We're surrounded my beautiful colors.

C was thrilled to bike-ride at dusk; it was the first time he used his bike lights. We both loved watching the sky change colors and pointing out various shapes & figures. Like this one...

Doesn't that look like an amazing wave?

Boy creates own fun while Return Queen wraps boxes.

So this is what happens when you need to pack up 9 boxes of worth of shoes!

C was super excited to share the news that he is now big enough to drive. He told me he knows how to work everything in the car.

Plus...

And...

Money talks... at least in Spanish it does!

Teaching your child to speak another language especially when it's your second language is quite challenging. For me, learning Spanish was easy. I spent a lot of time with my grandparents who only spoke Spanish in the house. There were also several summers where I accompanied my grandmother to Puerto Rico and was surrounding by Spanish speaking relatives. Unfortunately, it's different for C. I have to make a conscious effort to speak Spanish to him and it doesn't come naturally. But I'm trying. It's so important to me that he knows Spanish. I'm happy to say that he at least understands about 80 to 85% of the things I say in Spanish but he's apprehensive about speaking. Which I understand. I feel the same way about French.

The other day I was talking to my sister about it and she recommended I approach it like a mini Spanish course. Choose a few words for the week and practice making sentences with those words every day. As a reward if C creates sentences using these words or any other words in Spanish he receives money. Monoply money of course... which can be used to buy some of the things he enjoys like Coca-Cola, marshmallows, and bubble gum. So far it's working out pretty well. I've also purchased a few workbooks in Spanish that are helping me choose which words we work on each week. I can then use the exercises to reinforce what he's learning each week.

During dinner last night we practiced making sentences with our flashcards and I think C had fun. We were making up crazy sentences like... Do you like to eat spider sandwiches? And then we'd poke fun at S (who knows very little Spanish) and ask him the same question in Spanish but of course C told him "araña" meant mushrooms so S said, "Sure, I like arañas". lol!