we have 2 recesses

Our time in Belgium has been filled with many experiences that I didn't anticipate. Both good and bad! For example, I don't have a mop here yet, so I had to take a kitchen towel, wet it and push it around with a 'long squeegy thingy' that I found in the house. Or the fact that I can't read the settings on the washer or dryer so it's anybody's guess as to what temperature or setting I am washing or drying...which...and speaking of temperature..the digital screen on the oven is broken, so its a guessing game too as to what temp. you cook something. But on the brighter side, I just LOVE driving round in the countryside or the quaint little towns and seeing the sights... little villages with cute little shops, or what looks like an old building front, but when you walk in, it's a shopping center/mall type place. So neat!
We are all adjusting to the many changes. We have made many trips to the grocery store trying to figure out what things are. We paid $13 for a bottle of syrup, which had the american price on the bottle..$2.49!... $8 for a squeeze bottle of grape jelly. But wine is pretty cheap...so we have enjoyed a glass...I mean bottle with dinner each night!
The girls have been really good about going out and about to visit new places...the Grand Bigard Castle, Robaix France, Brugge, and Waterloo. But I think they were at a point where they are 'ready to go home to Houston'. They don't necessarily say it, but you can just see it in their faces. They don't have many toys here yet to play with, limited tv/movie time as we are viewing tv on an ipad via slingbox. But we were invited by some Solar friends/expats to have dinner at their house. They have 2 boys ages 3 and 5. They also invited another family who have 2 little girls, one which is in the girls class. We had a great time hanging out with them. It was great to see the girls smiling and having fun being a kid again.
Isabella has been pretty frustrated and Amelia, my happy go lucky girl, has been a little sad...so it has been breaking my heart. Their time with other kids helped them to 'see the light at the end of the tunnel'. So as we were saying our prayers last night, Amelia prayed that she would get to sit by "Claire", her new friend.
So this morning I walked the girls into their new classroom and her teacher showed Amelia where her seat would be...and it was right next to Claire! Amelia's face lit up! And Claire came over to greet her and took her hand and showed her where to put her lunch. Another little girl named Allison handed the girls a card she made then took Bella's hand and showed her where her seat is. It was so cute. I knew that they would have a great day!
So my heart is smiling tonight...the girls had their first day of school today and they LOVED it! (i was very worried about how they would adjust...and it has been very hard to see the girls getting depressed about leaving Texas) but when they got home I heard ... "mom, there are 2 recesses"...'mom, we get to clean up our own classroom", and my favorite from Amelia "mom, we get to eat a snack before lunch!". The other kids in the class were SO sweet to the girls..some made cards for them. It was such a warm welcome from the faculty, students and other parents. I hope they stay this excited for a LONG time.
I FORGOT to take pictures today as I was so nervous..but I will try to remember tomorrow and add them to this post. The rest of the pictures from our travels here will hopefully be added once my computer arrives.
time to get ready for bed..
bon nuit!