Somewhere in the Middle

Welcome to the Double Digits :: The BIG 1-0!

This past week, Little C turned the Big 1-0! We had to make the day a little extra special... I mean it's the first double digit birthday. So in the middle of the night, I placed turquoise balloons all over C's bedroom. What a wonderful surprise to wake up to a room filled with balloons, right? C loved it. He actually told me he woke up in the middle of the night and was so excited when he saw all the balloons. ;)

No birthday would be the same without starting the day with breakfast in bed. The day of C's actual birthday was pretty hectic with school and karate.

    
Before dinner, we opened gifts which included art supplies, fun Halloween items, and lots of Moshi Monster items I managed to pick up in London. I also surprised C by making him Shishi, another favorite Moshling.

We ended the day with C's favorite dinner - pork tenderloin & cous cous. And for dessert he requested an Apple Split (apple slices, lemon sorbet, vanilla ice cream, milk chocolate cream, and three marachino cherries).

Over the weekend, we had a small get together with a couple of friends from school. It was very low key.

C requested I bake an Oddie - Moshi Foodie cake. I've never had much luck with cakes but this year I was shocked because my cake was actually cooked... it didn't burn, shrivel up, nor did the center collapse! I think after 6 years, my oven is beginning to like me! 

The children also played a few games along with a shrinky dink activity. 

When we talked to the parents, we told them we were going to have a small playdate for C's birthday. So most of the kids didn't bring gifts but C didn't even notice. Of course, had they brought gifts C wouldn't have complained. But I like how C wasn't so focused on gifts; he was just happy to have his friends come over and play. Which I think is great. After all, aren't birthdays more about spending time with people you enjoy & love.

Happiness

I love books but I'm not particularly fond of collecting them. I rarely read a book twice and space is at a premium in my home. When S & I married we used to buy lots of books and an Ikea bookcase was the first piece of furniture we bought. After living in Germany for 2 years we went back to the US with two pieces of furniture... an armoire and a bookcase! lol! Twenty years later we're accumulated a quite bit more. I've sold or given away most of my books but there are just some books I can not part with. And as I was unpacking some boxes I found my collection of "soul feeding" books. You know which ones those are... books that friends & family give you or those that have beautiful sentiments written inside. And of course those books that make you feel good or are just such amazing stories you can't part with them. 

For me, one of those books is "Selma" by Jutta Bauer. It's a sweet little book about happiness. And sometimes you need a little reminder to make you appreciate and love your life. 

For those who haven't read "Selma". The story begins with a lonely little dog...

When I just couldn't take it anymore, I went to the wise ram....

"What is happiness?"

"Happiness? Let me tell you the story of Selma..."

"Once there was a sheep named Selma... Every morning at sunrise, Selma would eat a little grass... She would play with her children until lunchtime...exercise in the afternoon... eat some grass... have a little chat with Mrs. Miller in the evening... and finally fall fast asleep."

Asked what she would do if she had more time Selma replied...

"Well, I would eat a little grass at sunrise... play with my children until lunchtime... exercise in the afternoon... eat some more grass... have a little chat with Mrs. Miller in the evening... and finally fall fast asleep."

"And if you won a million dollars?" she was asked. 

"Well, I would love to eat a little grass at sunrise... play with my children... exercise in the afternoon... eat some more grass... and it would be nice to have a little chat with Mrs. Miller in the evening... before finally falling fast asleep."

I read this story yesterday to Lil' C and I asked him what he though happiness meant and this what he said...

" It's when you're loved, cared for, getting attention, playing, and one more thing... feeling special."

I couldn't have said it better myself. ;)

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.”

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.

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...

Birthday Boy Goes Night Golfing

This year C decided he wanted to have his birthday party at an indoor blacklight miniature golf park. It's a really cool place... reminds me a bit of those nightclubs where everything glows in the dark.

Throughout the course were  many sculptures and paintings of different cities here in Belgium. The kids had a great time. And we had the place all to ourselves which was fabulous!

Compared to other years, where I've made cakes, organized games, and cooked for days this party was a breeze to plan. Not that I don't like to plan birthday parties because I do but it was nice to do something a little different. And since the birthday package included a cake I didn't have to spend hours baking a cake that ultimately ends with disasterous results. lol! No rabbits popping out of a top hats or Halloween spiders. This year C's cake was designed very much in the traditional Belgian style... very chic with fancy chocolate designs & shavings, macaroons on the sides, and filled with lots of chocolate mousse.

Hope you had a wonderful birthday C! Joyeux anniversaire ma chérie!

Birthday boy turns 9

Today Lil' C turned 9. He's growing so fast. It's hard to believe he's 9! lol! My sweet baby is growing into an amazing little man.

Being that today was his special day, I prepared his favorite breakfast (eggs & sausages, strawberries & plums, and a lime/orange juice) and he ate it in bed while S & I sang "Happy Birthday". What better way to begin your birthday. ;)

At C's school, the tradition is for the birthday boy or girl to give out little packs of candy. So this year we skipped the cupcakes and went for the candy per C's request. And since I volunteered at school today it was a really sweet treat for me to see the whole class sing "Happy Birthday" to C.

It was definitely C's lucky day because his French class was cancelled so he had the afternoon free. So what better way to celebrate than with a playdate with his best friend, Lil' J. 

Around our home, we celebrate the actual day of your birthday with a dinner of your choice along with your favorite dessert.

This year C chose home-made grilled pizza & a hot milk birthdaycake with lots of strawberries & fresh whipped cream.

Lil' J's family also had dinner with us so C was super happy!

Beach Day in October

So happy that Friday is here! And that my written & oral exam are over! There's no French school next week so it'll be nice to have some time to catch up on things. Like blogging & preparing for C's birthday.

The next few days are supposed to be gorgeous... classic Autumn days filled with lots of sunshine and cool weather. A combination I love!

About two weekends ago we had a mini heat wave so we took full advantage and hit the beach. That's right, the beach! lol! We had lots of fun with Backgammon Grrrl and her daughter.

The water was freezing but it didn't stop the kids from going swimming. ;)

Lil' C  & Lil' I also had lots of fun playing with the sand.