Some weeks feel long and drawn out but this one did the opposite and flew by in a blur of work, school schedules, last-minute decisions, and a whirlwind weekend that packed in just about everything.
All week, we had been eyeing the kids’ softball and baseball games scheduled for the weekend in Belgium against the high school at SHAPE. We hesitated to commit until the last minute because of the long drive, the quick turnaround, and not having a dog sitter lined up. Then, in a bit of unexpected luck, we found lodging on base. Dogs are typically not allowed, but the manager made an exception for us and even gave us an incredibly affordable rate. That sealed the deal. By Thursday, we decided we were going and bringing the dogs along for the ride.
Friday did not make it easy. We left right after work and immediately ran into brutal rush hour traffic. What should have been a manageable drive stretched into a seven-hour haul. By the time we finally arrived at 11 p.m., we still had to navigate the added layers of security at the base just to check in. Exhausted does not quite cover it, but at least we could sleep in a bit the next morning.
We kicked off Saturday at the softball field, and it did not disappoint. Brooklyn pitched the entire game, battling through challenges behind the plate as the opposing team kept putting runs on the board. In the final inning, with the team struggling to hold their lead and get outs, Brooklyn delivered an incredible double play that shut it all down and secured the win. The team rushed over and lifted her onto their shoulders, and that moment alone made the long drive worth it.
From there, we rushed over to baseball, where the weather had other plans. The rain came down hard, turning the game into a soggy but memorable battle. Luckily, there was a tent for the parents to stand under, but Slinky and Daisy were restless and eager to run. They ended up having the best time splashing around in the rain with their friend Landry on the sidelines, keeping all three of them happily occupied.
Despite the conditions, the team pulled through with a win. The softball team also secured victory in their second game of the day. Two sports, multiple games, and all wins made it a great day for the kids.
As soon as the final game wrapped, we hit the road again. The car smelled strongly of wet dog 😂, but thankfully Saturday afternoon traffic was far kinder to us, and the drive home took only five hours. We pulled in around 8 p.m., tired but relieved. The kids, traveling separately, made it back later that night around 11.
Sunday slowed things down. We stayed close to home, getting ready for my parents’ upcoming visit and trying to reset after the chaos of the weekend. In the evening, we headed over to a neighbor’s house to try out their new outdoor pizza oven. It was a fun way to wrap up the weekend, and the pizza definitely lived up to the hype.
The day ended on a much different note. Late that evening, we received news that my grandfather had passed away. While it has been a sad time, we are grateful that it was peaceful and quick for him. Unfortunately, it meant our focus had to shift from preparing for my parents’ visit to making plans to travel back to the United States as soon as we are able. In the midst of it all, we are holding close the memories that made him so special.
Gilcrests Abroad 