Halloween

Hayden and his friend the Werewolf

Shea getting some fairy advice

Halloween isn't a big holiday here in Belgium.  Only a few homes have festive decorations and when entering the grocery store you might be lucky to find 1/2 of a shelf on half of a aisle tucked in the back with anything Halloween.  The only trick-or-treating I heard of was organized by an American expat living in Belgium.  I voted against the OD of candy and in favor of taking a "walk in the woods" with some friends at the city of Ottignes' "celebration".  It was a mash-up of Halloween meets a "Mid-Summer's Night" -only in October.  Different, but really fun.

Do blonds really have more fun?

Oh, but I'm a GOOD witch.

Upon arrival we followed the masses, many of whom where dressed up, into a tent with music by a live band and an offering of free pumpkin soup for the children.  They wouldn't eat it, so I indulged.  (A little spicy, but not bad.)  Onto the trail of lights winding through the park.  The next couple of hours were spent wondering the path of lights and stopping in on little gypsy looking wagons.  There were children crafts, pumpkin carving, zombies dancing, story telling, fairy/elves dancing around a bonfire, a puppet show, pumpkin carving, flashing lights in the woods, and a mid-evil wooden dragon puppet that blew fire.
We went back to the tent and bought our children a hot dog and soda. A little healthier than candy, but probably not much. It was a very cool enchanted Halloween.

©ColleenFisher

Musee Du Jouet (Toy Museum)

Today's adventure led the Fisher Family to the Musee du Jouet (Toy Museum) in Brussells. We thought to ourselves, "What could be cooler than a museum that actually lets you play with the toys? We are so there!" So off we went.

We got there a little early and had time to talk a short walk to the Botanical Gardens. It was a crisp autumn day, but in the sunshine it was quite lovely. We strolled around for about a half hour. In that time we met a man named Ben from England, who has lived all over the world, and made the decision to move to Brussels on a whim. (The last part sounds a bit familiar, and all that information was given in less than 5 minutes. I think if the Minute Menu Plan doesn't work out, I think I might have a career in the private investigator field.) (Picture-Me trying to show the kids how much fun this museum can be. I realize I am riding a "rocking motorcycle"...The real "rocking horse" was missing the handles.)

Back to the museum. It is run by a very nice elderly man, who let me attempt to speak to him in French and spoke V E R Y S L O W L Y back to me. I loved it. What I did not really care for was the museum. I was a little disappointed with the lack of toys my children and myself, could play with. Most were in glass cases, and kinda reminded me of hmmm.......an attempt at a collection of antiques, but to the untrained eye (mine) the leftover garage sale toys that manage to make it to the shelves of D.I.

We were checking out a electric train and Shea turned around and said, "If you are going to ask me what I think about this place, it's kind of weird but mostly dumb. All these toys and you can't even play with most of them."

I concur. Oh well, can't win 'em all.


(My children in their constant state of excitement. I have stopped trying to have a "great" family picture that shows everyone with beautiful smiles. It's just not possible. Plus, these make me laugh WAY more.)

©ColleenFisher

Playing with Food

Sometimes you just have to PLAY with your food.

It's WAY more Fun,

AND less filling!!

©ColleenFisher

Vossem Light Parade

Last night, with some old and new friends, we went to our first ever night parade. The city of Vossem Belgium was hosting the festivities and it was definitely a first. We had such a great time.

We had dinner at our new friends home and then made the short walk to the city center. There aren't many street lights in these small cities, but people had their homes decorated with christmas type light, candles in jars and luminaries. We found a perfect spot on the street and waited for the parade to begin.

This parade was similar to other parades that I have been to in some respects, but cooler. There were people dressed up in "traditional" Belgium costumes on differing heights of stilts all painted to look like the Belgium flag. There were others dressed up like witches with their broomsticks aglow running around the street and straight toward us. (Hayden saw one coming and let's just say the kid has good reflexes-he was outta there fast) There were the "friendly giants" of great Tervuran-2x's as tall as most men-maybe even Uncle John! And my personal favorite-A funky looking bicycle pedaled float with monks dressed up sitting around a bar-handing out beer to the parade-goers. Forget candy for the children. (They did have cool glow stick though.)

Fun night.


©ColleenFisher

Not If, But When...It's When

In my post, Pete and Repeat went to the Hospital, I mentioned that because my children were so active it wasn't a matter of IF we went back, but WHEN. Well, the when happened less than a week after Shea got her cast removed......

Shea flashing the "Peace sign/2nd time sign".

I was in the lovely town of Tervuren, with my friend Wendy when I got a phone call from Brent telling me that Shea got hurt again at school and I needed to go get her. Seriously!!! "Now, don't freak out." Brent says, "She hurt her hand, and we need to take her to the hospital, but she's ok." Off to school I go, again.

This time I needed to take Logan and Hayden out of their classes too. We only have one car and I knew I wouldn't make it out of the hospital before the school day ended. The best part? I was able to tell the Director I needed to take Logan and Hayden out in French. (Well, enough that he could understand me at least.)

What happened you might ask? There is a gate connecting the "playing field" to the "school yard" area. There were two boys (5th year) on one side of the fence pushing one way and two girls (3rd or 4th year) pushing on the other side. A sort of a game let's say. You might be able to see where I am going with this. Shea came along and knew that she, with her superwoman strength, could help these girls beat those puny boys, plus she wanted to go to the school yard side. (Never mind that she could of just walked around the building the other way.)

She starts pushing one way on the girl side and manages to move the gate inches, in their favor. To keep her stronghold she puts her hand in between the gate and the building to keep hold of the girl's small, but well-earned gain. The boys get a sudden burst of energy and SMASH. Yep. I thought for sure her hand was broken. Off to the emergency room, again.

After our visit to the E.R., radiologist and back to the E.R. We are assured that her hand in NOT broken, but that all the tissue underneath her skin is bruised badly, probably worse than a break. No cast, but and interesting hand wrap with a metal support taped to her fingers.

Thankfully it is not the same doctor who said on our last visit when the cast was removed, "I hope to not see you again." We don't see him...until the next week. When we enter, he shakes his head and he automatically knows he needs speak English to us. I felt a little like Norm on the TV show Cheers. "The crazy Americans are back." Yep, they've got us pegged.


©ColleenFisher

Deutchland Oktoberfest- Family Style

I love Autumn. It is my FAVORITE time of year. I love the smell of good-things baking, the feel of the crisp air, the sound of the leaves crunching under my feet and the ABUNDANCE of color. Autumn is my Spring.

This past weekend, we enjoyed this time of year in one of the most famous/infamous places known for it's "Fall Festival". Germany. We went to visit our friend Ron Hubscher in Stuttgart. We left right after school on Friday and drove east, through the beautiful Ardenne Mountain range and onto the autobahn. After a long scenic drive and an interesting wrong turn (given to us by our moody GPS guide that we have named B, short for Beatrice when she is helpful and good, short for something else when she is not) we arrive at our destination.

Ron is gracious enough to let us stay at his place. We not only stay, we take over. He gives us his bed and he sleeps on the couch. Nice guy, right. I think so.

Saturday morning we are on the train headed for the Volksfest. Yippee! It's around 10 a.m. and people are piling into the trains dressed in their finest lederhosen and dirndls, bottles of beer in hand. (Never wanted a drinkl so bad-some were really cute) Some drunk college age kid started talking to Hayden in Germany and Hayden runs over to me. I say we only speak English and his friend translates that his "tipsy" friend was trying to have a joke with Hayden about him being and old man. Obviously the joke didn't quite work out as well as he had hoped...lost in translation I guess.

The festival was alot like an enormous carnival. It reminded us of Lagoon in Utah. They even had a roller coaster that was exactly like the Colossus. Only Hayden and I braved the roller-coaster. Shea, Logan and Hayden enjoyed riding the "musical express" three times and doing the bumper cars. (Holy crap. I have never seen bumper cars move that fast before. Hello whip-lash!) The festival/amusement park even had a log ride set up. A fun time was had by all. I think my children's favorite part was the cotton candy. I was taking a picture of Shea when right on cue an obliging German jumped in. This picture makes me laugh every time I see it.

We enjoyed eating carnival food and taking in the spectacle. We ducked into one of the restaurants for lunch. Traditional 1/2 chicken, potatoes and apple soda. I was a little disappointed in the pretzel. I was hoping for large, warm, deliciousness. Got the opposite. Next time warm delicious pretzel, you will be mine.

We did peak in some of the "tents". Really they were Ginormous building chuck full of people. Lots of laughter, music and dancing. On the day we were there we only saw 4 ambulances. The Germans sure know how to have a party.

The next day we went to the gardens at the palace in Ludwigsburg. This palace has AMAZING gardens. They have this whole "children's" section set up with famous fairytale story rides and houses. We took a boat ride featuring the story of Pinocchio, saw the Frog Prince, Little Red and the Enormous wolf, and looked through the magic mirror. Shea was of course, the fairest in the land. Hmm. Does that make me the wicked step-mother? (Just depends on the day..ask my children. Rarrr!)

We picked the best day to go. They just happen to be having a fall festival. Gourds of every shape, color and size were there. Through out the grounds there were "statues" made up of gourds. We ate our picnic lunch in the sunshine and enjoyed a wonderful day.

I'm telling you, Autumn should be called Awesome. Just saying.

©ColleenFisher