7 Things about Caroline

 Sweet Caroline is 7 now.  My top 7 things about her:

1.  Her smile.
2.  She likes to sleep late.
3.  She is very funny.
4.  She is has mastered the art of doing nothing. 
5.  She still wants to hold hands when walking.
6.  Her yellow hair.
7.  Just being Caroline!

Christmasness

Christmas in London is festive but comparatively dialed down. No stress. Just a little busier than our usual day to day. We lit the Advent wreath nightly. The girls and I watched the English National Ballet's Nutcracker from the front row. We decorated little gingerbread houses. We enjoyed a pre-Christmas snow. The girls had a nice Christmas lunch at school. We looked forward to cards in the post.  We visited New York.  We watched loads of Christmas movies.  A snapshot of it all...

Caroline was Mary in her school Nativity play...

Tea towels and Tinsel....

Mary Kate's orchestra played at her Carol Service...130 school girls singing are angelic...

Little swags on the pot rack...

Christmas kitchen mantel...

My only decor addition this year is bunting from: Blue Moon Studios

O Christmas Tree...

The picture is tilted.  I finally pulled out the tripod and I am working on technical skills both with the camera and how to use the tripod.  It is hard for some people. 

Merry Christmas!

Our Christmas was indeed and continues to be merry...

The week before Christmas I was hit with the dreadful strep throat - thanks for nothing New York.  So our celebrations are continuing into this week...!

Bruges

We used our Eurostar tickets for a complimentary transfer to Bruges (the g kinda makes a sh sound and the s is silent) - sometimes called the Venice of the North.  Bruges offered more oustanding chocolate, beer, and waffles.  Overall it was rather touristy but venturing just off the beaten path always helps.  

We stayed in a castle:  Kasteel Ten Berghe.  The adult highlight of the castle was the self-service bar.  The little room was filled to the brim with several varieties of Belgian beer.  They kept the window open for refrigeration.

Bicycles are very popular.  Although Brent and the girls only rode around the grounds.

There was a little chapel in the castle...

Out of desperation we ate one meal at what appeared to be a tourist trap and indeed was a disappointing lunch.  But dinner made up for the experience...Bruges Zot and the Belgian national dish:  Mussels.  

Waffles in action...

More chocolate...

I bought the middle one for Brent for Christmas.  

Shhh...don't tell. 

We had a luxurious lounge in our room...

A Bruges canal...

Another canal view...

We had extra time when we returned to Brussels for our return train.  We explored  the area around the Royal Palace and park.  And of course bought more chocolates to bring home.