Queens day

Since we don t celebrate Queens day here in Belgium, the kids had to go to school. Hubbie and I did some chores and worked in the garden, as we want to get rid of our pond. So we pumped water out of the pond all afternoon and still the water is not halfway... And there are so many rocks in the pond, the guy that built it must have had time...
Hopefully tomorrow the pond is empty and we can see what animals are still in there...We have a big barrel ready if we find fish or frogs, ...

We have been busy this week, with school, work and our daily live. Yesterday I switched the four replacement car... But we are still mobile and that is the most important thing.

Have been crocheting on my hexagon afghan and was wondering how I could finish the blocked parts of the afghan, and then I found this tutorial for a half African flower. So I will try that, if it looks good, I can start finishing the afghan, as I think it has the right length.
Saw another great project to make a crocheted bag, so maybe...

Cup cake party

Son #2 had a birthday party from a friend, and she had a cup cake party. Her parents had someone come over and make cup cakes with the kids.
But as I have a real boy, he decorated 2 cupcakes and then he was out of inspiration and wanted to paly on the trampoline, so this is the result. Two decorated cupcakes and 4 undecorated, all the girls had decroated them all...
But he and his brothers only ate the undecorated ones...  But he really enjoyed himself and that is the most important thing.

Car accident

Today, our day ended differently then we expected. When we drove back home from the swimming lesson and were queing in the standard traffic jam to enter our town, we were hit from behind by a car. Actually two cars, because it was the last car that pushed the car behind us against us.
Luckily I left enough space, so we didnt hit the car in front of us. The boys were very upset, since it is the first time something like this happened to them, but I guess they are fine. The ambulance came and had a look at them.
They were impressed when the police officers put them in their van, because it started to rain and we had to wait for a tow truck.
The car was towed and we got a replacement car, the boys were brought to my mum and dad by a friend, while I did the paperwork, so I guess we were just very lucky.

Ferry opening

Today, the ferry between Lillo and Doel opened for business. It s a free ferry that connects the two last villages in the harbour of Antwerp. So we had a look and took the ferry to Doel.

For the boys the small boat ride was awesome as you pass one of the biggest container terminals and other chemical companies. Doel is home to a large nuclear power plant.

But one of the sad things is that Doel is no without inhabitants, the village was the subject of many problems between the inhabitants an the city of Antwerp. And finally, they demanded that eveyone left, so it is sort of a ghost town where only a few people remain.

The feery was cold, but when we were back in Lillo, the kids had pancakes and we had a lovely supper in one of the local pubs.

Finally, we took a stroll back to the car. And as you can see, it was low tide...

Circus camp

Son #1 spent the last week in circus camp and he loved it. Today, we went to pick him up a bit early to see what he learned. And we were very impressed.

He loved the juggling with the handkerchiefs, and he is really good at it.

Beach and cookies

The boys stayed with my parents this week and yesterday they made cookies. They were delicious and they looked good to, dont you think?

This afternoon we went with my MIL to the beach and there were heeps of shells, this is not always rhe case, it hasds to do with the wind and current. But we were lucky, so we looked for some nice ones to use in son #1 s dreamcatcher.

As you can see, the weather was great, and we had a lovely time at the beach, even if it was a bit cold, as the wind came from sea. But the sun made up for a lot.

Thi spicture was taken by son #3.

Play room

This morning when I almost killed an entire population of lego men, I think that it is time to get them a decent home where they can be stored.
Then I saw the picture aboven on a swedish blog and I like it. I think this is a porject I can do with the boys as they are on Easter break.

Egg hunting

Today we did some easter egg hunting. The company for which DH works, does this every year for the kids. First an egg hunt, afterwards there is a big brunch and traditional dutch games for the kids. The kids always have a great time and the brunch is always lovely and good company. So we enjoy going to these events.

Son #1 found out where the dessert buffet was and he took advantage of it...

There was also a lady that made glitter tattoo s, they look really great. The boys loved them.

bye bye

Today our au pair left our family to endeavour new projects in her life. She was a major addition to our family. The boys and us will miss her. The boys made drawings on fabric and I also printed a picture of them and made a quilt out off all the material. I think she really liked it.
The boys were spoiled with gifts and for us she made a great photobook of all the things she did with the boys, really appreciate that, it is a great memory, also for the boys later.
Yesterday evening she invited us and our parents for a German BBQ, which was yummy, all sorts of German goodies. We all had a wonderful diner. And this afternoon lunch since we had so much left :-).
By the time I write this I think is will be home with stories of us to tell to her family. How time flies...

Son #2 = 6

Son #2 had is birthday today and he was all happy about it. He wanted a blue and a green cake, so yesterday evening I made them both, but the green cake did not come out of the bund and it was desytroyed, it tasted great, but it really looked awful. So I made a vanilla cake as well. Turns out, all the kids perferred the blue one...

As you can see, a blue cake. The inside looks really like a Smurf. In the meanwhile Joop is doing great.

Train

Yesterday, son #1 and I travelled by train to Holland to meet with my PIL s, since it was my DILs birthday.
DH and the two other boys went a day earlierbecause DH went skiing with his friends and he left from Schiphol airport.
The train voyage was pleasant and to my big surprise they sold...

Yes... Starbucks coffee on board. So Katleen, you should take the train to Holland...

Son#3 in action

When I was in Germany, I got a text message that son #3 fell out of bed and was hurt, but that everything was OK. So when I arrived home, he was vast asleep so I couldnt look at it.
This morning however, I had a sneeking suspicion that this was a broken colorbone (think that is what it is called).
So I went to the ER and they confirmed it, so now son #3 is walking around with some sort of harnass to keep his shoulders streight. Poor little man. But he doesnt seem to mind, and is still doing dangerous games, so... to be continued.

ICE

Today I travelled by ICE to Mannheim in Germany for work. I took it in Brussels and you transfer in Köln, which is the station in the picture. When you are sitting in the train waiting for it to leave, you can see the Kölner dom, a big cathedrale. Really nice view.

New roommate

Son #2 wanted a hamster for his birthday, so when I looked on internet it turned out that there was someone in our town who had a litter and wanted new homes for the babies. So I called her and it turned out that she is living about 500 m from us...
So here is son #2 new roommate: Joop. He is a month old and son #2 picked him out of two babies left.
So welcome Joop.

I have been quilting while the boys were at the cinema, they went to see Puss in boots and they loved it. So we had a quite weekend, it was nice after a couple of weekends filled with social events.
And on another note, I passed my exam! Joepie! I cracked open a bottle of champagne when I found out.

Belgium in shock

This morning when I heard the news of the bus crash in Switzerland, I couldnt grasp the news, it seeped in slowly once I was at work and heard more details. We are all in shock.
My thoughts are going to all the victims and their families, and also to those who have helped the kids in their time of need.
I heard someone say that when good people die, the weather is great, it was a beautiful day today...

Exams are over

Exams are over. I took mine this morning and I have to admit, I am glad it is over. And no, we didn t do it like the picture below.

It was all on our own. Ouf, tonight I am going to relax with some crocheting...

Son #1 birthday

Saturday, we had son#1´s birthday party in pirateneiland, an indoor playground in Antwerp. he invited some friends to celebrate with him and they had a great time.
yesterday we went to visit a cousin of mine who lives in Limburg, where they celebrate Halfvasten, so we visited the corso. The kids came back with bags full of candy, cookies and evensome toys...

Yes, that yellow bag was filled with goodies at the end of the afternoon.

And since son #1 doesn´t like fancy cakes, we made him an improvised donut cake with candles.

Then, this morning it was time to celebrate his birthday at school and as you can see,he enjoyed every minute of it. I made a regular cake and a rainbow one, but I forgot to take pics.

Again, one year older and hopefully wiser. Enjoy!

Birthdayparty

The boys went to a birthdayparty of a friend and she held her party at a pettingfarm. The boys loved it and played almost two hours in the rain outside with the animals.

The also made candles, which smell yummy.

The boys liked the Shetland pony because they run very hard.

The loved the horsebackriding and even the cleaning afterwards.

Fun afternoon, even with the rain.

Farmer market

Yesterday morning we went to the farmer market in Herentals. And this cute little fellow was sitting next to an elderly man that sold rabbits. As we promised our au pair a rabbit at the end of her term with our family, this was a nice moment to buy her a nice female rabbit.

We had a delicious breakfast at the market at a Marrokan stand, as you can see. Bought some yummy things for the afternoon.

Then we had coffee in an old public bus, that was transformed into a café, great place, nice service, yummy chococcino...

Then... up to Lier where the Zimmertoren is, it is a tower built more than a hunderd years ago with a big clock that runs almost as accurate at the atomic clock. It is a very nicely decorated clock, only not now... it is closed for renovation, so there was nothing to see. So only a pic at a small statue of the tower.

And finally, here she is... DAS Konijn, as we baptised her. Officially she has another name, but we like. DAS Konijn.