Sweet Jonas

I can't really begin to express how proud I am of Jonas. He has dealt with a multitude of crazy changes so gracefully. Jonas began his third grade year (one of the most challenging on the elementary level) and has succeeded in ways that have astounded me. Not only is he speaking beautiful Flemish, but he is so brave in speaking! He speaks Flemish with no fear whatsoever; something I have yet to tackle!

He has also conquered cursive handwriting; something that children here learn from the beginning. Although he has had a bit of difficulty in coordinating his hand movements, he has worked hard to do his best. Jonas gets incredible test scores, especially in Math. I'm just so proud of him. I can't imagine going through the changes he has at his age.

In his spare moments, you will usually find our big boy drawing creatures, something he is just so incredibly good at.

Jonas is really introspective and keeps his feelings locked up inside when he really should speak up. I've found that the main reason he does that is because he is so concerned about hurting my feelings and Roels, that he would prefer to keep his hurts to himself. He doesn't like to worry us. What a sweetheart! I've assured him that even though I appreciate him being so considerate, I really need him to talk about his feelings. I hope that he can learn to be more open with sharing his hurts...that's something a lot of us still need to learn!

I'm just so in love with Jonas...this little gift to me continues to bless our lives every day. He is always so quick to hug and love and praise. Jonas is a blessing to our family and we just appreciate him so much.

Dj-Chuck

I'm sure that by now most of you know that Simon prefers being called 'chuck'.  Roel and I really have no idea why...that's just how it is.  Anyway, out little chuck loves to make music and DJ and here he is above looking quite a bit like jamiroquai.  Simon used his tooth fairy money to buy a little DJ beat kit with scratchers, and he really works it with mama's giant recording headphones and his phat dance-skills.  

Below looking quite a bit like Bompa!  they are both missing the same tooth now, which simon, I mean Chuck, finds really amusing.
We're really proud of Simon.  He is so amazing...getting super grades in school, being a kind friend, and really doing his best every day.  A couple of weeks ago, Roel and I bought a DS game for Jonas to help him learn his times tables...and wouldn't you know it, Simon loves the game and at 6 years old is well on his way to being a great mathematician.  He is multiplying and dividing very well already, and he's getting better every day.  I really love how much he enjoys doing math; I know it will really help him to succeed as he progresses in school.

This kid has got a lot of spunk, personality and dare I say...charisma!  He really knows how to throw on the sparkle and already has lots and lots of girlfriends at school (though I don't plan on encouraging that behavior!).  

these awesome boys!

I've been so terrible about updating the kids' blog lately.  Well, I guess being as busy as I've been is a good enough excuse, but here are some long awaited photos and updates about our little boys.

One of Jonas's highlights of our trip home to Visalia was getting to spend an afternoon with is buddy , Caden.  It was so great watching them run around and play together.  Plus, its so wonderful when your kids make friend with other kids who are just great little people!  Caden is such a bright, kind and super-fun little boy, and I'm really grateful that Jonas has a friend in him.

When we arrived back to Belgium, the boys had PLENTY of snow in the backyard to keep them busy.  Snow is such good, clean fun!  We even made ice cream out of it, which was REALLY fun!  I got the recipe out of a great book I have.  Basically you just make layers of clean, fresh snow and sugar, then pour fresh cream over the top, stir and eat immediately.  The snow ice cream tasted surprisingly yummy and REALLY fun to make!

And in VERY BIG news, Simon finally lost his first tooth!!!!  Shortly after putting our little guy to bed last night, we heard his little, excited feet running down the stairs.  He was so happy that it had finally come out, and he was even more excited when he woke up this morning to some shiny coins from the tooth fairy!

I can't express enough how much I enjoy my two boys.  They are such a gift to Roel and I, and I'm not surprised in the least at how spunky, silly and wild they are since Roel and I are both pretty spunky and silly (as for wild, well, I think that time has passed;-)

Thanksgiving

Emmanuelle came over for Thanksgiving.  Jonas and Simon helped me with all of the cooking, and I must brag about how wonderfully handy they are in the kitchen!  We had a beautiful holiday, and the food tasted great!  I was really proud of myself for pulling it off!

our first snow day!!!

..and it shows NO signs of stopping!

sinterklaas!!!

what a beautiful, special day!  the only way i can think to express how special this was is to our american family and friends is to ask you to imagine being in the front row at the macy's thanksgiving day parade, or the rosebowl or something.  sinterklaas (or sint niklaas) arrived in antwerp last saturday...this was a BIG deal.  we waited for him with thousands of other excited parents and kids - the only difference was that we were right in front!!!.  in this video you'll see a tiny sampling of the arrival of sinterklaas and all of de zwarte pieten on the big steamboat right into the antwerp harbour.  it was really special and beautiful - and the boys can't wait till december 6th, when he comes down the chimney to fill their slippers with goodies!

city life!

living in the suburbs of a beautiful, cultural city is fun!  There are yummy waffles to eat, weird sculptures to sit in and play on, and fountains to jump in!