Spring mud

Who would believe that even here in such an overcivilised place one can experience a challenging and muddy biking adventure?
Well, apparently not everyone was happy with that...

"De slechte collectioneur"

Maarten’s school is working on a cultural project dedicated to the Belgian artist Roger Raveel and his work. The children worked diligently on their drawings inspired by Raveel’s paintings.
Their work was printed as postcards and now being offered for sale to support the school project.


PS: Despite the heavy rain Maarten walked around our neighborhood trying to sell his postcards.
(pic taken by his 'paparazzi' mom).

“No High Fives Allowed!”

"Koukni, mami, tady se nesmí dělat high five!"

Hunting and fishing

Maarten caught a baby toad in the backyard. It might be the offspring of the big toad living in our cellar.
Maarten was about to hold the little guy hostage in an old glass jar. We reminded him that the toad’s mommy was probably looking for her baby and convinced him to free the poor creature immediately.
In a dignified manner and somehow provocative the released toad took all her time before it disappeared into the bushes.


Too bad that this hunting luck left Maarten when he went fishing later that morning. But I don’t think to catch a fish was the real target. To do things like that with daddy is already a big deal.
You know, manly things!


PS: Despite the heat, the school party was quite a success with a lot of games, races and a of course a lot of ice cream.

How much is too much?

Today Maarten almost got run over by a car when walking to school. The person reversing out of the parking spot didn't look behind her before starting to back out.
She was only centimeters away from hitting Maarten. He had to jump back.

I know Maarten is still a little guy but come on! I am not that hard to see!
She was just backing out without checking. In fact, she didn’t even know we were passing. She was really surprised when I knocked on her window.
Well, it can happen...

Yet this accident doesn’t really surprise me.

Every day I’m relieved when I safely reach our driveway.

I still haven't gotten used to the Belgian driving style. I don’t understand how such friendly and timid people got that aggressive as soon as they sit in the car.

Everyday I’m confronted with impatience, rubbernecking, harassing, speeding... you name it!

I also noticed that people react surprised when I yield to them, even the pedestrians in crosswalks.
Would someone wait when I need to drive out of the parking space? Forget about it!

In my opinion the local driving is everything but courteous and very far from safe.

Speaking about safety, what do you think about little kids being transported without a car seat and even without a seat belt?! I even see children hanging out of car windows on sunny days!

There was a birthday party in Maarten’s class the other day and to get all the children to the party they all cramped into one car as long as they fitted.

I know I’m probably comparing again with the US where everything is about safety and precautions but considering our kids safety, how much is too much?

PS: Photo Courtesy of Miss G.