What a great place to celebrate such a chocolate-intensive holiday. We didn't want to make a huge deal out of Valentines Day, because I would rather stress the heartfelt, homemade gestures that children can share in. The girls each made cute cards at school. One says "JieJie loves mummy and daddy" in her teacher's handwriting and has a beautiful flower made of hearts that JJ lovingly glued to the paper. MeiMei's has a butterfly that she drew and it says "Liefste mama en papa, ik zie jullie zoo graag!" (I'm thinking it means Dear Mom and Dad, I love you so much!"
Dinner was salmon (hey, it's pink!) with various sides, and then for dessert I rolled out my surprise: a chocolate layer cake with marzipan flowers from Goossens, a bakery that has been around for over 100 years here in Antwerp. And it was REAL marzipan too--we've been alerted to the fact that much of what the world thinks is marzipan is mostly coconut, a cheap imitation of the rich almond paste that comprises the real deal. The marzipan banner across the little cake said "Valentijn."
John and I gave each other a nice bottle of red wine, and the girls got John some chocolates. The girls got cards from us and some strawberry candy. Why not chocolate? Don't read this part if you are easily shocked. JieJie "doesn't like Belgium chocolate." She says she likes Harrisonburg chocolate better because it tastes better.
SACRILEGE!
But it's ok. It just means I get to have hers when she tastes it and doesn't like it, heh heh heh.
Weather continues to be in the 40's and rainy off and on. Beats the snow and ice storm that has paralyzed our home town - JMU is closed today for the second day in a row!
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