First Day New Home

We spent our first night at the apartment.  Mom, the kids and I spent a beautiful, warm evening at the local playground.  A huge sandbox filled with climbing equipment, the kids relaxed and enjoyed being kids in their new neighborhood.  I made a big grocery trip and lugged all my miniature packages of food back to my pristine white kitchen in an attempt to cook dinner in our new home.
We have Internet but no TV which is okay since the internet helps a lot when I could not figure out why my Miele cooktop was flashing some sort of error message and my instruction manuals in French and Dutch were not helpful.  At least I could turn to Google.  The culprit was my cheap, temporary aluminum pan.  It was deemed unsuitable by my cooktop.  Wait until my cooktop sees my cooking.  Dinner would have to wait another day.  Bread with peanut butter was on the menu and I did not hear any complaints.
I packed our comforters in our shipment and although it was over 90 degrees during the day and no one has air conditioning in Brussels, including us, I thought we would be fine overnight without covers.  However, when the temperature shifts over 30 degrees overnight, you wake up freezing.  Temporary blankets were added to the running shopping list.

My dad landed this morning and I went to pick him up at the airport with Caroline.  Our first stop on the way home was Ikea - our 3rd visit already.  We bought suitable pans for Miele, blankets and another 50 things you realize you need from Ikea.  Then we finally returned to the apartment to an excited welcoming committee.
After another extraordinarily priced grocery trip, I took the kids swimming in our building's pool for the first time.  It is really pretty but I need to figure out the heater.  Cole swam the length of the pool on his own and Lauren went all over with her floaties.  It is going to be a really fun play space.
My dad and Jesse reworked the sofa to accommodate for the TV/modem installation location on the opposite side of the room and put together Caroline's dresser and I successfully cooked our first meal in our new home - pasta with pesto, greens, tomatoes, mozzarella and chicken.  With the cost of food here, I am much more sensitive to waste but the kids are doing really well trying the foods that are "the same but different," as Cole says.  Everyone loves the bread.

Furniture Assembly

We spent five hours at Ikea yesterday.  Today that had to be assembled. 

We started the morning by exploring the festival surrounding the King's abdication/Crown Prince swearing in ceremony in the Royal Gardens.  The kids went on a moon bounce and there was a marching band so in all a lively scene.  

Rest of the day at the apartment organizing then exploring local neighborhood.

Caroline turned 17 months old today!

Belgian Birthday

Today was my 35th birthday.  I told the kids I was their ages side-by-side (3&5).  They didn't quite get it.

We had a beautiful evening in the grand Place last night.  The kids ran in circles over the cobblestones, the adults had cold beers, the temperature was in the low 70s.

We're staying in a hotel in the Center while we organize the apartment in the Chatelain.  This morning the housekeeper woke us up from a dead sleep in our pitch black room.  It was 10:45am.  

Everyone got up and we ate the most delicious birthday breakfast at noon.  Crepes, Belgian waffles, runny eggs over easy, cafe au lait, no high chairs and no kids cups (luckily we remembered to bring one for Caroline).  

Then we spent the afternoon at Ikea.  Until 6pm.  They offer convenient taxi service of your purchases to your home as you depart so after meeting the delivery van at the apartment, we returned to the Center for a birthday dinner, complete with a delicious passion fruit birthday torte.

Mom asked if I ever could've imagined celebrating my birthday on my first day living in Europe with my family.  Quite a great start to our adventure!

On our way!

Two Suburbans from PA to Newark Airport, 22 pieces of checked luggage, 12 carry ons plus 2 carseats, 3 kids, my mom, Jesse & I.  We are a traveling light sort of crew.  When Jesse & I take a week's vacation, we can do it fashionably with one carry on and one personal item. I do not recommend moving to Europe with all your stuff.  Right now I think all my stuff is really heavy.

So we flew over the ocean - even over the sharks said Cole - with no hitches.  The kids slept, the plane landed and now I sit in the Brussels airport waiting as three carseats are installed for three kids in our temporary minivan.  I've never driven a minivan, but I am so great full that they exist here too, especially when you account for all our stuff.

The kids are so excited!  Cole said Belgium looks just like our land, except more colorful.  Lauren's so happy to finally get to Brussels and if Cole's excited, then she is too.  Caroline is probably just happy to get out of her carseat, at some point.

Cole is definitely up to the task of being my little man.  He tried and succeeded in grabbing several of our suitcases off the conveyer when they arrived.  He's listening for French over the loudspeaker and a bit confused by the Dutch.  

Lauren said we should just go home and take a little rest.  I have to say she has the right idea!  However movers are coming at 1.  No rest for the weary.  Good luck and sweet dreams to my mom at the hotel with three kids for nap time.