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First Day of School
The summer holiday passed so quickly, helped along by three weeks travel back to the US, but nonetheless, Boo and Pea were ready to head back to school and see their friends. I think we were all also in need of getting back on a regular schedule. (My lovelies need structure, which is seriously lacking in the summer….) Boo is starting Year 2 (the US equivalent of first grade) and Pea is in Reception – which age-wise would be Pre-K in the US, although I’d consider what they do to be Kindergarden-level work.) Boo is very excited as he is “in the top of Key Stage 1 – we’re the…
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Wordless Wednesday: Sunset
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Vintage Tractor and Steam Engine Rally
Last month, after flying from Chicago to London, and riding in the car for three hours, we thought, for some reason, that it would be a fantastic idea to go look at tractors and steam engines. I think I operated my camera in such a stupor that I forgot we even went, hence the delay. It was a glorious day in Hay, and the views over the hills were beautiful. Boo, being mad for anything remotely related to a tractor, dragged everyone down to a field to watch a demonstration of a vintage steam engine pulling a plow-type-thingy. It took a lot of effort to plow one row. I was…
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When in Rome….or Hay
When by the river in Hay And you don’t have a swimsuit Sometimes, you just have to roll up your trousers And jump right in…. But sometimes, that’s just not enough….and when the little ones nearby stripped to their underpants… Mine did too! Happiness is sitting on the beach in your underpants!
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Welcome to Loserville
Can you see it? The big “L” on my forehead? It is there because yesterday THIS was delivered to me (cue heavenly choir of cherubs singing): Yes. It is what you think it is. It is a cordless electric sweeper. I know I mentioned that I was getting one in a prior post, but I’m just that excited about getting it that I had to share. (I know you care.) I am ecstatic. I am doing my happy dance. I know, its sad. I’m a bit of a neat freak, you see. (I think I’ve mentioned this, too…) And with the door opening and…
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Scruffy Face; or, too much Monty Python will warp your brain.
Over the weekend, the Hubs did not shave. The kids haven’t seen such a scruffy face in a long time, and commented on it over dinner on Monday night. He said “Do you think I should grow out my beard over Christmas break? I’ll look really scruffy, then!” To which I replied “or a lumberjack!” (since they are too young to get the “Grizzly Adams” or “Paul Bunyan analogies.) Unfortunately, with my brain so easily distracted (I prefer “works in a non-linear manner, thankyouverymuch), “lumberjack” promptly brought to mind Monty Python’s “Lumberjack Song”. (Years of watching late-night episodes of “Monty Python”, “Benny Hill” and the whisky swilling “Dave Allen at…
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OBX 2010
In my post-college years, I went on cruises with my friends every year. I’ve been to some beautiful beaches and islands, but when push comes to shove, one of my favorite places in the world are the Outer Banks (OBX) of North Carolina. My husband took me there a few years before we got married; he grew up going there with his family every summer, and when I went with him the first time, his big brother had recently begun taking his own kids there – continuing a family tradition, if you will. This year marked our seventh year doing to the OBX as a family – Boo’s first visit…
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Sock Hell
I’m jumping on board Mama Kat’s Writer’s Workshop. One of the prompts for today was to write about socks. (Ok, so it was supposed to be a funny story about socks.) I’m sure it will be, to you. In fact, I’m sure that in about – oh, say – 10 years, it will be to me as well. Right now? Not so much. As you may know by now, Pea is the QUEEN of the tantrum. (She would say “no, I’m the PRINCESS”).Whatever. The fact of the matter is that on a near daily basis, for the past three months or so, we have had meltdowns of EPIC proportions. Anything could…
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Sure, it rains a lot….
Wales, like the Seattle area, is very green. That’s because it typically rains. A lot. But when the rain stops, and the sun comes out? Beautiful. [Caveat: In general, my thoughts about the Washington State area was that, when you get that much rain, ANY day that its not raining, its beautiful. This is ALSO true for Wales.]
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Stormin’ the castle….
Today we took in yet another Welsh castle ruins. This one also had a recently restored manor house on the grounds. It was a beautiful sunny day, with a light breeze, and we were intent on enjoying every minute of it. I think my husband is intent on exploring EVERY castle within driving distance. It amazes me that we can be looking at hundreds of years of history…and my daughter is fascinated with the medieval toilet rooms. “Another toilet, Mommy”, she shouts, coming out of a dark, closet like space with a tiny window. Interestingly enough, they didn’t ask WHERE the toilet was – as there was only a stone…