Inspection and Illness

This long week is finally at an end.  It began with one sick kid and ended with two.  It included an inspection by the Department of Work and Social Economy, a "To Do" list that only got longer, a lot of crying from both the sick and healthy children, and a lot of children's television I didn't understand.
On Monday, Camille stayed home from school with a stomach virus.  Luckily she spent most of the day sleeping, because trying to tell a sick little girl, that doesn't understand English, that she can't eat or drink is very difficult.  In the afternoon the doorbell rang, the first time I had heard it do so.  The locks in the house all use keys on both sides of the door, and of course my key was upstairs.  As quietly as possible I climbed two flights of stairs and came back down to find two men at the door.  They were from the Department of Work and Social Economy, which issued my work permit, and informed me that they had a few questions about my working and living arrangements.  We sat and discussed my time here in Belgium.  I was informed that I am only supposed to be working 20 hours a week, approximately 4 hours a day, all the while praying that the sleeping Camille stayed asleep upstairs.  By Tuesday, my 20 hours were completed while watching two sick children.  Thomas came down with a fever and cough , and spent most of the day laying in front of the television.  Wednesday was a half day for Marie, and the afternoon was filled with her birthday party.  Seven energetic seven year old's running around the house, speaking in Dutch at terrifying speeds.  I spent the entire party making food, and cleaning up after the girls.  Thursday Thomas went back to school, and Camille and I got out of the house and went for a walk in town.  It was nice to be outside, despite the frigid wind that blew all day.  Today Fabienne felt bad for me and called in her parents to watch Thomas, who isn't feeling good again, and Camille for the day.  My "To Do" list is finally getting smaller, though it won't be completed this week.
I am looking forward to getting away from the house from the weekend.  The family is going to Paris, and I get to stay an extra day on Monday by myself!  Next week I will post pictures of my weekend away!