Spring is in the air...

 Despite temps barely rising into the 40's, the sun has been blessing us with it's appearance quite frequently.  It is amazing how much grey skies and bone chilling cold, wet air can really affect your mood!  However, these last two weeks have brought at least 4 or 5 days of sun, which means bike rides, walks outside and a renewed hope that one day I will be able to pull out my short sleeves again!

After a pretty rough winter we are now beginning to see the evidence of spring. 

Flowers are beginning to spring up out of their bulbs,

The sun is rising earlier and setting later - at least on the days we can see it!

And I even found this little treasure at a British shop near the kids school...

Over the weekend, Jenna had her first sleep over with a French speaking friend from school.  She is such a sweet girl and everything went very well.  It was so cute hearing them speak French together, and Ethan piping in at times as well. 

They spent their time playing dress-up, doing nails and finished off the evening with a Barbie film in French!

After Jenna's friend left, we headed out for a late afternoon walk in the Forêt de Soignes.  It is a large forest reserve just outside the city that we drive through each morning on the way to school.  The "Bois", as it is known locally, is full of walking, biking and even horse trails!  After a week full of sun, unfortunately Saturday was a cloudy and cold day in the upper 30's.  However, we decided that we would bundle up and make the most of it.  If you wait for good weather to explore Belgium, then you wouldn't be able to see much!

We found a parking spot in the lot that was surprisingly full for such a cold day! 

As we entered the forest, one of the first things to draw the kids like a magnet was this downed tree.  I think they could have climbed on it for hours! 

Even Drew made his way up for a picture. 

A little off the path, we discovered this tepee type lean-to structure which was another big hit.

As we tried to plan a family activity for the day, we first considered going to another Belgian city close by, indoor play areas for the kids or even trying to find an English version movie.  I am so thankfuf that we opted for exploring God's beautiful creation, which the children never tiring of doing. 

Jason found everyone in the family a proper walking stick.  I wish we could have stayed for hours longer, but alas, the grocery store was calling and we needed food for Sunday.  We look forward to many more afternoons in the bois this spring!

The kids are on break this week from school for Carnival.  Which is the celebration around Mardi Gras leading up to Lent.  We have a few playdates planned and a trip to the Antwerp zoo on Thursday.  Apparently, it is one of the oldest zoos in the world and is located in the middle of the city.  We are taking the train with some new friends we just met who live only a few blocks away.

Today I am surrounding by more giggling and squealing as Jenna has four friends from school.  Thankfully, Ethan is at a friends house playing for the day, but Drew is doing his best to stay in the middle of the action.

It seems we are all thankful for a break from the hustle and bustle of the school schedule.  You know you've come a long way from the NC climate when you think sunny and 40 degrees is an indication of spring, but hey...we'll take it!