Brugge

Here we are, waking up in Belgium . This is one of the few times we are not staying in the uerocamps. We are staying In a house that's 100 years old. Almost brand new by European standards. We pulled our car in through the stone walls and a beautiful garden welcomed us. Big grey oval doors with stained glass ,vines cover the brick walls.to the left is a glass sun garden room where breakfast is served. I tell Jimmie how exited I am that at least once we get to stay in a place like this. What makes it better is we are meeting friends here. Mike and Annika, jarmo and Eila have arrived an hour before us. 

   Hans our host and the owner of the house is a tall man with brooding brown eyes. He is very serious and softspoken. Tristan and I glance at each other . He whispers to me " it's so quiet" we are nervous. We are NOT a quiet family. The campgrounds suddenly seem more " US". The room is nice. Cozy and big enough for all of us. We climb many stairs to get to it, then some more skinny short stairs that are more like a ladder. There is a small landing in front of the doorat the top of the stairs.

   We head into town. We cross the bridge and enter the city walls under the city gate. We have been so excited to come here. It's all about the beer. And the chocolate. We have dinner at a cozy little place where the chef and I'm sure owner is cooking on a wood fired oven. Tristan can legally order a beer here. I stepped in and asked the waitress for a low alcohol beer. She recommends one and says with her cute accent" it's a good one for a man" I look over and see the disappointment on Tristan's face. I micromanaged him ordering his first beer here. I did not mean to. It's just so hard to let go and recognize my baby can make his own decisions. I still remind him to wash his hands after he goes to the bathroom. When do you stop this as a mom? I'm figuring out I need to stop and let him spread his wings and fly. I will still run underneath him to catch him if he falls but I need to let go and let him fly. His beer was the American equivelant of a coors light. Not good. I traded with him to redeem myself. 

  The food was divine. I had ribs and crime brûlée. And beer really good beer. I think I'm going to need to get bigger pants. 

   Next we went to a special pub where jim was able to taste the best beer in the world. Literally. Had a great time sampling. Tristan was more interested in wifi than having another beer. See it was good to let him fly. The bartender was adorable. About 10:30 we decided to walk back to our quiet guest house. Jim decided to stay, said he would meet us in an hour. We got to the house and I was ready to dive into the beds. Jim had the key. Our friends kindly invited us to stay in their room. We climbed in their bed and visited for close to two hours. We were all getting so tired. They invited us to divide me and the kids in their beds with them. So jarmo and Eila could sleep with Brock my jolly giant man child and myself. Tristan and cole could spoon mike and Annika. Jim's phone was dead, no response. Clearly he was lost in Belgium with the only key to our room. What sweet friends we have willing to take us in like that. We opted instead to grab whatever extra blankets and pillows we could find and build a bed on the wooden landing outside our door. The bright fluorescent light that wouldn't shut off just added to our comfort. NOT! So so much for sleeping in our cozy B&B . 

   Close to three in the morning that turd rolled in. He came up the stairs and saw us all piled up on the wood floor our feet and heads shoved in the rails. The look on his face said nothing less than " oh sh##"  He actually had good reason, besides getting lost , it was a good night for him.It is okay. I shot lasers from my eyes when he came home but by morning I realized he did not notice he had the key, it didn't come from a mean place. And jarmo my friend who always has such wise words just said when speaking about him and his wife" there are will be only two losers when a man and woman fight"  so smart. 

   We'll today I'm pocketing the key and we are off to a French fry museum and drink some yummy beer!