out and about with the boys!

Now that the weather has become sunny and warm, we've been spending a lot of time out and about with Jonas and Simon.  Last weekend we spent the day wandering around the city, just having fun together.  We grabbed a picnic and headed over to the city park to eat and play.
Here are the four of us enjoying a yummy lunch, which was especially yummy because we found a bag of ranch doritos (known as 'cool american' here in Belgium).  Yep, that's what is hanging out of Simon's mouth!
The kids always enjoy splashing in the fountain; we always marvel at how 'at home' they feel in the city.  The center is their favorite place to be, doing nothing in particular.
And bunny-watching in the park is a favorite activity.  A few years back, some students let a few rabbits free in the park.  Now there are hundreds of bunnies everywhere!  Bad for the park, but really fun for us!  Lately there are hundreds of baby bunnies and ducklings to watch and love.
Here are the boys at the market, marveling at the tiny seafood.  I don't think they'd eat these tiny octopuses, but they sure are cute!  (not as cute as the bunnies and ducklings, though).  

As much as the kids love the city, we have just as much fun lumbering around the countryside.  There is a lot of beautiful nature here to explore and enjoy.  On this particular afternoon, Roel and Uncle Tom took the boys fishing while Mommy enjoyed some quiet time at home. Here is Tom teaching Jonas and Simon a few tricks of the trade.  They didn't catch anything, but they had a great time.


After the boys returned home from fishing with Papa and Uncle Tom, we had a big, delicious bar-b-que!  

Yesterday afternoon we took the boys to a wonderful salon in Mortsel and got their hair cut.  We let them decide how they wanted their hair cut, and I think they made great choices!  Jonas prefers their hair a bit longer, and Simon loves his hair with 'spikes'.  I think they look just darling!
In other news, we were really lucky to find a new school for the boys to attend next year.  I have been less than pleased with the school they attended this year, and for Roel and I, their education is extremely important.  We just can't keep them in a school that isn't the best; only the best for our boys!  Although it's no fun having to put change on top of all the changes they've already dealt with, I think this will be a really positive change for the remainder of our time here in Belgium.

Their new school is an alternative school called 'Zeppelin'.  It is run in a similar fashion as a Steiner (or Wladorf School as its known in the states).  There are only about 9 kids in each class.  The classes have a 'meeting' each morning where they discuss what will happen that day, then they spend the remainder of the morning on their studies.  In the afternoon they work on 'projects' that the students choose - these are normally building, nature or science based.  If possible the projects are done out of doors, and although the children feel like they're playing, they're learning physics, biology and engineering etc.  

The students also work with other grades, and older students are responsible for helping younger students.  On Thursdays, the students make soup for lunch from the vegetables they grow in their school garden.

Much different from many public schools here, the teachers work more on establishing relationships with their students (which is easier when you only have 9 kids in your class!).  The teachers also work closely with parents.  Speaking of the parent's role, each parent is given a key to the school.  There are many reasons for this, but the point is that the school belongs to the parents as well - an idea I really appreciate! The parents also take turns caring for, and cleaning the school.

I really think the kids will be happy there next year.  I know that I feel SO much better sending them there.

We're so proud of our good, sweet boys - and it's like I said before, we will not accept second best for these kids.  They are just the best, best, best.  We love them so much, and it makes me so happy to see how strong and healthy our family is right now.  This past year has been challenging in many ways, but those challenges have also brought us together and strengthened our bond as a family.  We're so lucky to have each other!