A Long List of Lovely

The month of May has and always will continue to be a month of celebration in our home.  If it isn't mother's day, my birthday, Tiger's birthday then it's Memorial Day, and if it isn't that then it is Whit Monday here in Belgium.

It has been an incredible month leading to our one year mark here in Belgium.

He finally learned how to get only three fingers up to properly inform everyone he is now three.

Tiger turned three.  The week he turned three he was able to work his scoot bike like a pro (instead of carefully walking on it like he had a load of hemorrhoids), he figured out how to climb out of his crib (boo, and double boo to all those who judge me for keeping him in a crib.  Why would I want to have a toddler go down deathly stairs in the night?  The crib was dreamy for him and me), and he loves to tell his own stories.  He is quite the charmer and we love him.

For his birthday we decided to forgo the fighting and tears of inviting other three year-olds and just let him play with his new toys all day long, with the comfort that he could play with kids this weekend. Stella stayed home from school to "help" him play and it was awesome.  We went to our favorite pizza store, got ice cream, and scooted along George Henri Parc which is paved with tombstones, we still wonder where they put the bodies.

George Henri Parc is paved with tombstones

The weather decided to become perfect and we had a visit from an old Manila friend and her new husband.  I love, love, love the foreign service and the connection you have with folks from an old post.  You don't get to have extended family when you live abroad so your friends became deeper, closer, friends and unlike family you get to be a bit more choosy.

Hanging with old Manila peeps, coincidentally once again at George Henri Parc.

At the park we were enjoying ourselves with the other 30,000 Belgians who were at the park, the conversation got good and I lost track of Tiger for a minute.  I went to find him, and after ten minutes I was in a panic.  I started running and screaming his name, no Tiger.  Finally I left the playground and found my tear streaked baby boy in the arms of a French speaking mom who knew the look of panic on a three year old.  It was a relief and a terrible moment.

We are enjoying are tour here.  I have decided to put a few FAQs about Belgium for those thinking about bidding because it is that time of year.  More to come!