Year of the dragon

I'm a little late with this, but: HAPPY NEW YEAR! May the year of the dragon bring you lots of once-in-a-lifetime chances, countless happy moments and an inexhaustable energy supply to face the less perfect days!

To start the new year freshly, here is a long overdue update on 'us' ....

December 2011

Auro started December by going to school happily, but soon he caught a nasty cold and had to stay home with fever. Still not feeling too well, but wanting to sing "zie ginds komt de stoomboot" to a live Saint Nicholas, we took him to Milan where the holy man was visiting all the Belgian and Dutch children living in the region. A little scared and slightly intimidated by the Saint and his enormously tall black helpers, Auro patiently waited his turn and totally lit up after Saint Nicholas shook his hand.Totally worth the long drive!!

The rest of the month, however, Auro spent mostly at home: caughing, sneezing, vomiting and looking pale. Many sleepless nights and an intestinal flu attack later, he recovered just in time to celebrate Christmas, which, despite the big plans to have a big Christmas dinner with my in-laws, we spent at home by ourselves. It was just perfect! Remo cooked, I baked a cake for the first time in my life and the children where healthy and happy!

My in-laws finally joined us after Christmas and we ended up having a very relaxed time then ast well, so we really enjoyed our holidays!

Auro doesn't look very happy in this picture, but I can assure you that he was.

After meeting Saint Nicholas, the children got some candies and a little present.

And then they tell me I am tall!! Even Tosca was impressed!

ready for Saint Nicholas

the next morning ;-)

Xmas Eve

Xmas Eve

the Xmas cake

January 2012 

Right before the end of the year, Remo's parents took Auro to the mountains with them. The week he was there, he was outside inhaling the fresh mountain air every day while stuffing himself with chocolate and other goodies that he usually is not allowed to eat in large quantities. When he came back to us he looked slightly chubbier, but the healthy colour had returned to his little face!

Anyway, after the Befana's visit, Auro was ready to start kindergarten again. He lasted exactly 2 weeks, until, on the morning of my birthday, he woke up with a fever... again. Soon the coughing and vomiting followed, but, now, one week later he seems to be on the betterhand. Unless snow prevents us from leaving the house, Auro will give it another try on Monday ;-)

the money (=chocolate) and lumps of coal (=sugar) that Befana left for Auro

On my birthday... Auro enjoying the return of the sun on our house (after about one month without direct sunlight)