A Day Spent at the Coast

Since Tom had off from work for Good Friday, we decided to take a day trip to the coast. All week had been warm and sunny, so the odds were against us for good weather. The odds were right - rainy and grey when we awoke. Oh well. Seize the day! So, off we went.

Our first stop was at Corfe Castle. The biggest ruined castle in Britain. It was built 1000 years ago and destroyed during the great war when the English overtook the Normans. Wow, they blew it apart as you can see from the picture. The kids loved running about, especially since there was yet another Easter Trail with a chocolate egg at the end. The views were great even with the damp weather and the rain didn't put a damper on our morning. The only thing that did (and just a little bit) was the fact that I left the memory stick in the computer. Thank goodness for disposable cameras! A bit embarrassing as we wound the film after each pic, but it did the trick.

After a picnic in the car we went to Lulworth Cove, the beginning of Britain's Jurassic Coast. Jeb was in the midst of a nap and the boys were itching to go fossil hunting. So, I stayed behind and watched the rain stop withing a half hour. With Jeb in the backpack we took off to find two wet, very happy boys. Jeb was eager to join in, so on went his little wellies and he went straight to the water...thank goodness he still needs a hand to walk so we could hold him back!

Next stop...Durdle's Door. A much easier beach to walk/crawl in due to great little pebbles, which Jacob spent much of his time collecting. The water was blue and the 'door' was actually a cliff that the water had worn through over time. Aiden was wet within 5 minutes of being there. I was prepared with extra socks, but not extra trousers. Noted for next time! Jeb continued to crawl towards the sea while Tom and I took turns dragging him back. A short walk to the chalk cliffs to explore the caves and Jacob was also ready for a change of clothes. You'd think that by now I'd remember that boys get wet and dirty when near the sea!

We got home around 8pm. Most people's children would be dead asleep. Not ours. They needed baths anyway. But, what great memories we made today. Gray skies don't mean much when you are having so much fun!

Days Off

We are on our third day of two weeks off from school and I think the consensus is that we are all loving it! No rushing around in the morning wondering where Jacob's tie is or hastily packing a lunch. Nope, we are gently easing into each day. I keep thinking that this great, 60 degree weather is going to stop. Each day has been filled with sun! Amazing that Jacob has a sun burn in England!

Today was a great day. We had a super appointment for Jeb with his CF doctor. All is well and he is gaining weight nicely - like a normal child! So, to celebrate (ok, it was a bribe to make the boys sit during the appointment) we went to Hughedon Manor (old English estate) where they were having an Easter Trail. Find the clues and get a big chocolate egg at the end. The boys had a great time finding everything and after we picnicked in the daffodils. One bug hunt later and we were on our way home for an afternoon of jumping on the tramp, playing football, and playing in the sandbox - poor Jeb got it in his hair thanks to big bro, Aiden!

I am trying to cherish each moment when they are home. I'm seeing just how fast it's going and it won't be long until they refuse to go on Easter Trails with me and don't want me near the trampoline. So, for now I'll let the floors get a little dirty and the dust pile up. We are having too much fun...

Hughedon Manor and their completed clue sheet

The chocolate reward at the end

Caring...

The last day of term was this past Friday. We were all excited to pick up Jacob and start our two week holiday. Jacob came out of class beaming and held up a little plastic plaque. It was the "Caring Award." It must be something new the school is doing and Jacob received the first award. He said his teacher picked him because he always brings children in for help when they are hurt. I'm more than proud of him, but not entirely surprised. I see his caring side daily. Well done Jacob!

Jeb FINALLY takes some steps!

Tonight you could probably hear our family screaming with excitement for miles! Jeb finally took his first steps at 18 months and 1 week old! We knew he could do it, but it seemed he needed all four of us paying full attention to him (doesn't happen too often) and he would perform. He was so proud of himself. His first steps weren't actually recorded - he was naked...too inappropriate! So, we quickly dressed him; check out his chunky legs. He's getting there.

It's been a pretty stressful couple of months here. Funny how something so simple can wipe every stress away. I went for a run tonight feeling like a hundred pound weight had been lifted from my shoulders. I think I had a huge smile the whole time. Simple, ordinary things. Yep, this is what really matters. Thanks for this lesson Jeb.

p.s. Little video at the end. Jeb seems to be a little bit of a joker. Hmmm...again, performing when we all were paying attention. Maybe we should do this more often??

Mothering Sunday

One thing about moving to England is that it has brought me luck with Mother's Day. Why? England celebrates Mother's Day in March, so I think I'm allowed to celebrate both the English version and American version. After all, don't I deserve it?! Alas, Tom said I had to make a choice (sniff, sniff) and since the kids were making stuff in school, I chose this one.

On Saturday, Jacob walked to town with Tom and came back with a huge bouquet of roses and lilies for me. The next morning brought my annual (well, kind of - it was missed last year, twice!) breakfast in bed. Not so easy with kids bouncing next to me asking if they could have a bite!

The trip to church brought about the statement: "You know, Daddy really deserves a mother's day - he just works, and works, and works." True, but what a blow to me! So I simply asked the question, "Who makes breakfast in the morning? (answer: Mommy), Who gets the food to make breakfast? (again, mommy), Who drives you to school?" Well, you get the point and so did they. Thank goodness. Their wives can thank me later!

With the weather being so nice we decided to take our second walk of the weekend. This time in the woods by Cliveden manor, a house built in the 1800s with a huge estate. There is nothing better than being surrounded by nature and all the boys in my life. With all the struggles that we face on a daily basis, from breaking up fights to hugging away an injury, this is the day that puts it all into perspective. I never thought I'd love staying at home as much as I do. And I don't know if I would've chosen this had we stayed in the states. It's truly God's gift to me.

Breakfast in Bed...thanks Tom!

Jeb in the Daffies!

The Science Museum

Last weekend we headed into London for a busy day. The plan was to make it to Hillsong Church then on to the Science Museum. Church was great - unbelievable music! But, a church in a theater in London's West End poses major problems with where to put children! All three kids were on different levels and I missed a good portion of the service just trying to get them where they needed to be! After was even worse, but what a workout I got on all those stairs!

Tom had wanted to drive in. We got back to the car all excited for the museum and were greeted by a parking ticket. A quite expensive ticket. Our spirits were down and we debated going on with our plans for the day. Especially as we sat in the St. Patty's Day Parade traffic!

Good thing all London museums are free!! We decided to go on with our plans and it was probably the best part of our day. The museum was so hands on. Water play for Jeb and Aiden (which Jacob loved too). Then on to the energy lab that had Jacob figuring out how a light bulb works and Aiden turning a huge wheel for a good 15 minutes. The kids begged us to stay longer, but our time was up at the parking garage. (I added this just to show Tom how great the train is!!) So, we made a deal to go again since we only hit 2 floors of the 6. Next time we will take the train!

Boy, was he upset when it was time to go!

Jacob figuring out electricity

Aiden's wheel energy

Just Say "I Don't Know."

Someone once told me that when a child asks a hard question to give a simple answer. I should have done that this morning.

Jacob asked me on the way to school, "Mommy, who was the first person to die?" I thought about this and in the back of my mind I really thought I could teach them a lesson about love. My answer: Abel. The next question: Who was he and how did he die. My answer: He was Adam and Eve's son and his brother killed him. Silence. Uh-oh, should I have said that?! Jacob said, "Why would he do that?!" My answer: "Because they got in a big fight and it sure wasn't good. Brothers should love each other." And that was that. So I thought.

After Jacob was dropped off. Aiden said to me (very proudly), "Jacob and I got in a fight and I didn't kill him, Mommy." Oh, no. He didn't stop. "You know, Abel was eating Cain's cracker and Cain got mad and push him off the chair and killed him. I'm not going to kill Jacob." And this continued all the way to school with me thinking, 'what will he say at school!!!'

So, next time, I think I will just say I don't know, followed by "just ask daddy.''