A Month

Wow, it's been almost a month since our last post. Geez, you would think we were busy or something. Well, you'd be right.

But never fear, we'll get you caught up in no time!

Easter in Belgium

Easter morning was a rather tame affair for us. Dave worked all day but we did get to enjoy some fun before he left to film some footage of the Tour of Flanders. We had a delicious breakfast (check out the size of that brioche bunny!) and the Easter Bunny found the kids. Although, between you and me, Ellie did say that morning, "Mommy, you're the Easter Bunny. I'm going to write you a thank you note." I guess buying the candy with the kids in tow the day before kind of gives away the illusion. Sigh.

But I think her kid self-preservation kicked in because she hasn't mentioned me being the Bunny again. It's almost like she wants to keep the dream alive. And to me, that's pretty cool.

Our First Days Abroad

So we're not really doing anything that fab in these pictures. But they do capture a few rare moments in those first days where J-man seems to be enjoying himself. The first picture is of us waiting for an outside table at a nearby restaurant. We grabbed a seat on a bench. It was our first day there and the children were amazingly grumpy. But then again, jet lag, an eight-hour flight and one and a half hour car ride will do that to one.

The rest of the pictures are from our second day when we discovered a small playground. That playground was a life saver! You can't possibly be grumpy on a seesaw.

Tour of Flanders Winner Hanging with the Kids

Here's a picture of the kids with Alessandro Ballan the day before he won the Tour of Flanders. He and his teammates were wonderfully nice. We passed them on one of our walks through the market square during their training break. I asked if we could get their picture and they were more than happy to pose with the kids. What a great team!

note: Check out the puss on Jonah boy's face. He looks completely unimpressed. Doesn't he realize this guy is about to win a huge race the very next day?

Our Hotel Room

When we arrived to only two twin beds in the room, we knew there'd be some trouble. We did have a crib/pack-n-play for Jonah in the room but that left Ellie sharing a bed with either Dave or me. And twin beds aren't often labeled as spacious.

So we asked for a cot. But the hotel was out of cots. They said they would bring something up for her. Weren't we surprised when the concierge and one of the staff from the restaurant knocked on the door carrying an extra twin bed for Ellie!

Anyway, it all worked out and I truly cannot say enough good things about the staff at the hotel! Bringing an entire bed? Now that's customer service.

My Grudge with United

Okay, so I've got a slightly slanted perspective on flying. My perspective is that of a mother of two young kids. So if you are reading this and you love flying United, I say this: You must be traveling sans children.

First let me say, I thought most of the airline staff was great—once we were in the air. That wasn't necessarily the issue. But here's my beef: they don't preboard kids. They preboard first class, which hey, okay you paid four times what I did for my ticket so you're entitled to special treatment. However I don't think you want to be comfortably settling in to your seat when I come down the aisle hitting you with my car seat and trying to wrangle two children running ahead of me into finding our seats. This is where the staff could be um, slightly more helpful. The aisles are very narrow and there is no conceivable way I can hold both my children's hands (heck, I can't even hold one of them) to guide them down the aisle.

So our boarding looks a little something like this: Ellie wanders aimlessly and bright-eyed afraid to advance down the aisle because she is overwhelmed by all the strangers and where to sit. Then there's me with a carseat slung over my back and holding our carry-on in my other hand while urging Ellie down the aisle. This is where the first-class passengers snarl at us. And then the first-class flight attendant smiles bitterly and says, "keep moving please." Of course, wild-boy Jonah is running amuck in and out of the aisles further annoying the first-class passengers and Dave is bringing up the rear with the rest of the carry-on and doesn't have a free hand. All this and we haven't even made it through business class yet. There, we go through much the same scenario.

Finally (and seemingly against all odds) we find our seats. This is just in time to get the carseat shimmied in while passengers flying coach wrestle with each other trying to get passed us to find their seats.

Here are my thoughts. Why don't you let the kids get on first? I would imagine that first class passengers would like to ride in peace. That's why they pay all that extra money. I think having my carseat (or one of my children) thwack them on the head might not be the best way to start off their 8 hour flight. But, hey, what do I know? Plus, why not have a flight attendant there to help you into your seat? Perhaps they could escort the kids? And they could hand them off to the next attendant in the next seat class (since I understand they're not allowed to leave their class). I dunno. All I know is that even Southwest lets kids board first (in fact United is the only airline I've ever flown that hasn't allowed children to board first). And there's a smart reason for that.

Picture Preview

While I'm still recovering from jet lag (and trying to process the whole experience), here are some pics to whet your whistle.

Home Again, Home Again

Well we made it back. It was a long trip and there's lots to tell. Unfortunately, the internet connection at the hotel was verrrrry slooooow (make sure you read that with a slow motion voice) so I wasn't able to update the blog while we were away. However, I'll try to get you all caught up on our Belgium excursion over the next couple days. The highlights include: Jonah Boy tantruming in and around much of the country, tours of medieval castles and hanging out at breakfast with a bunch of pro-cyclists.

Goodbye Old Man Winter

That's right, we're packing up our winter gear and we're not looking back. Okay, well, maybe we'll just take a brief glance back. Just a peek really. Oh, all right. Fine. Here's a formal adieu to that crotchety Old Man Winter. We don't want to see you again anytime soon. Well, to be fair, actually Ellie does. She made a wish on a penny for it to snow again. Come to think of it, she actually wished on several pennies and a quarter. Oh boy!

April Fools

We missed April fools day this year. The entire day went by and not one prank. Not one joke. Not one silly thing. And with this I am woefully saddened. What type of parent am I if I don't teach my children to enjoy the feeling of self-satisfaction that washes over you when you trick someone?

Ah well, there's always next year.

Happy April Fool's everyone!