Visit summary

Done me good to visit the girls.. we had some fun time activities .. some alone with Celine playing Llamas in Pyjamas matching game.. sometimes together. Leen sparky with fractions sums. She loved the spirograph..she worked out the patterns for size of wheels and pen points ..and that she can do on ordinary paper and card with pencils.  So please my bargain clothes from John Lewis sale fit and was liked, the flamingo pjs from our Olivia's Avon business fit lovely with room to grow on Leen & Celine... in fact they had both had a growth spurt since my last visit in May. Good that my Our Generation Dolls Clothes order from the Netherlands came for me to see the girls enjoy dressing up their dolls.. their friend Natalie came round to enjoy too. 

Note: I had booked this August trip in advance as there had been plans for Bushra's sister, Asma and her children to come to Belgium from Germany, so was looking forward to meet up. But Asma's husband was taken ill with Renal colic and had time in hospital. So travel out of question.  One day we will be Family Link Up with more of this amazingly brave family together for me to meet all in person. I see others on messenger video calls.. one of Bushra's other sisters in Turkey looks just like a twin but there is few years age difference..

Through the darkness of war those of us that befriend and work with refugees over the years feel honoured and blessed with our friendship and togetherness in care & compassion. Was good to meet up with local vrijwilligers volunteer again. Monique my Belgium friend vrijwilliger has turned 70yrs & enjoys time with other cultural groups .. it is fun sharing, learning and caring together. Believe me we can all have a good laugh together..amidst the caring support. 

Roof Garden Waffles

last Saturday in Oostende after shopping was lovely to sit in the Roof Top Cafe and relax with mega yummy fresh made waffles, strawberries, ice cream & chocolate sauce. Lovely decor for a photograph backdrop of Leen & Celine 

Compass fun

 

This idea worked out well and fun .. using the hula hoop circle to get across 360 degrees of a circle and Compass directions. We took it in turns to give one another direction commands .. Leen was impressive when we looked at a Europe Map unfolded with all roads and rivers and border lines. She worked out by running her finger East from Oostende on the map to find where her Auntie Asma lived in Germany.. Seeing her town north of Berlin.. Quick to grasp new study ..but we do it in fun. 

If you have read on my Cup of tea share care blog I had been preparing to introduce compass directions to Leen. 

"🏡 interesting coffee morning finding out where I am hhhh reviewing compass navigation. Why? you wonder! preparing something fun for my two Princesses... 

Remembering this with my granddaughters too ... We would have fun with me standing with my arms out to the side .. my head North, my Feet South, then which arm is West and which is East we noticed that the direction of west and the direction of east..spells WE .. to remember which way..

.there are fun mnemonics (crazy spelling mnemonics silent m 🤔) to remember the directions starting North then going clockwise round  

"Naughty Elephant Squirts Water" 🐘 This one I like lol

  ..... N ........

 . W . . E ....

 .....  S

Leen and Celine loved the Naughty Elephant 🐘

Picnic in the Park

Sunday we had a picnic in the park with the Syrian women's group. A mix of goodies including brexit expensive Scottish Almond shortbread bought from Peter's English shop in Oostende.  I gave him some business as its a struggle now with the brexit incurred costs.  But the shortbread was yummy with our flask of Syrian coffee.

Recent trip to see Family

 

Sorry for gap in posts as was ill with covid a few weeks ago as it seems many have been to the mean critter! But thankfully recovered regained energy to be able to travel to see my two Princesses in Oostende last week. All my stressing over rail strikes not a problem all went well to get to Paddington from Hayes & Harlington then to St Pancras station. Was early to board so enjoyed Rose Turkish hot chocolate at my favourite Pink  cafe EL& N and lovely staff packed up a sandwich for my journey.. I picked up a brilliant children's story of Mogg the Forgetful Cat ..which Leen can read! She read out aloud to me when we shared the story time and Celine listened in.

Beautiful sunset on a walk by the sea and felt good to have a paddle .. met some lovely locals and chatted... while girls at home asleep with Bushra.

Saturday night was a women's night with the kids and a good time of sharing and chatter..the women shisha.. and we listen to Arabic songs. Leen & Celine took their Our Generation dolls to play with others and even the boys joined in pushing dolls around in a dolls pram was so cute.. love how the Syrians are rebuilding their lives with work & businesses .. More of Bushra's art adorns her friends wall .. great coming together and supporting one another.