"Brussels in Love"...

Or should I say I'm in love with Brussels?? Yes, I'm still at the "honeymoon stage" with my love of living abroad here in Belgium. Even with the zero degree temperatures (that's celcius, folks) I still love it. While I admit that I'm looking forward to the warmer temperatures approaching in spring, the seasonal changes here have been such a wonderful experience.

So, today on Valentine's Day, we took full advantage of the beautiful sunny day and headed out to the Grand Place. Before we started out, we had a nice heart-filled breakfast at home where we exchanged cards and the girls presented Daddy with the presents they had been working on earlier in the week...

Heart-shaped breakfast compliments of Chez-Ray

Instead of driving (like we usually do), we decided to take the tram and metro into the Grand Place. Ray and I wondered why we didn't take public transport on our previous trips there-- it is so much easier.

The girls validating their tickets on the metro

PS and DS having fun on the Tervuren Tram

After a nice lunch at Chez Leon, we headed out to see what Mannequin Pis was wearing today. Today he was wearing a dragon costume (perhaps because of the fast approaching Carnival). He reminded me of a Gremlin.

Moules, spaghetti bolognese and poulet roti at Chez Leon (with wine and beer, of course!)

Mannequin Pis (the Gremlin) in his Carnival costume

Of course, we stopped at our favorite waffle shop a few steps away. Mmmmm, so DELISH!!

After our tummies were happily satisfied, we strolled down a few blocks to the Place de la Monnaie where we took part in a special event, "Brussels in Love" held by the city in honor of Valentine's Day. Here, we were treated to free Belgian chocolates and an "Elixir of Love" (chocolate drink). We then proceeded to fill out self-addressed postcards which we attached to "love balloons" that were launched into the Belgium skyline at 3:00pm sharp.

DS writing her name and address on "love balloon" postcard...

Un, deux, trois... Let go of your balloons!!

The girls also got to meet the Smurfs, who wouldn't you know it, were created by Belgian cartoonist, Peyo. The Smurfs just recently celebrated their 50th anniversary as they were first introduced in a Belgian comics magazine in October of 1958.

After a fun-filled day, the girls have decided that they would like to go to the Grand Place on every holiday. No doubt they had a fabulous time!!