Swim, Swim

Last week was also swim lesson viewing week. The boys have been taking lessons for the past 12 weeks and when we were in Italy I was wondering why we were paying for lessons! Jacob couldn't swim. Turns out, he can, just not for us apparently! I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw him. He also managed the back stroke and breast stroke. Amazing.

Aiden was also a surprise. This was his first term for lessons. Maura was even surprised. She said that he is swimming just as well as the others who've been taking lessons longer. We always knew he was a fish!

Sports Days 2009

Last week was Sport Day week. Jacob's was rained out the first day, so we piled on the field the following day only to be drenched in rain. So, we moved into the very tiny hall. It's too bad, but the kids had fun anyway.

The following day showed sunnier skies and we were able to watch Aiden outside. He was so excited this year and loved the races!

Well done boys!

A Day Out with Aiden

Aiden had his first school field trip last week to a farm park about an hour away. So, Jeb got the pleasure of going to my friend Jane's house (who spoiled him rotten) and I got the ultimate pleasure of spending the day with my middle child.

Aiden was up so early and practically bouncing off the walls. We got to school as the coach rounded the corner - oh, was that exciting! We got to the farm and that is when I discovered that the Aiden I was with was a different Aiden then I know everyday. Smiley, chatty, and so confident. I was loving just watching him interact with his friends. Amazing what can happen when your older brother isn't there to speak for you!

So, we had a great day at the farm - Aiden with his friends and me with the mums catching up on all the Beaconsfield gossip. I'm so glad for the opportunity to spend time with Aiden!

Aiden with his mate Ethan and the guinnea pigs

Panning for gold

What Have We Been Up To??

Well, it's been sunny and warm - no, hot - here in England. A rarity that it would last longer than a day, let alone two weeks. The grass is brown, the Brits are complaining, and we are LOVIN' it! The problem with this is that some things are getting a bit neglected as we are hanging outside in the paddling pool. Yes, ironing, the house, and other meaningless things, but the big thing is the blog. A lot has been happening and I'm not documenting it! So, now that it has cooled a bit and the rain is settling back in, I'm vowing to catch up. Here we go!

Tom has been gone. A lot. I'm used to this during the week, but we are talking weekends here! Let's see, he was in the states for works three weeks ago, St. Andrews golfing two weeks ago, and to a stag party (aka bachelor party) this weekend. The stag party was pretty tame if you are wondering. Water skiing in a loch near Glasgow with mountains surrounding. Ah, bliss!

I can't really complain, as I have gotten a shopping day upon his arrival from the states as well as a day in London last weekend to celebrate a friend's 40th birthday. West End show (Priscella, Queen of the dessert - a bit reminiscent of my bachelorette party!) followed by dinner. I still think that I'm down one though...

St Andrews in Scotland- where golf was born

Girls day out in London

Tom waterskiing on the Loch, Scotland

Daddy's Day

We welcomed Tom home from the states this past weekend and even with him being a bit jet-lagged we were able to have a nice father's day.

Tom received his annual breakfast in bed followed by peace and quiet (well, kind of) for a bit more sleeping in. The special day was coupled with Jacob's school summer fair. Not our first choice for father's day fun, but at least it was nice weather! So, we went, we spent and came home tired. Jacob made a nice tie for Tom, which is pictured below. We did have a chuckle at that one. I guess you always love your dad, but you don't always have to like him. So, we'll take that as a compliment!

The day was lovely, but not as lovely as our everyday life with our very special daddy!

Breakfast in Bed. Tom sitting with 'mini-me'

Jacob's homemade tie. Take note: no more 'daddy' and love is now like. He made it with a friend...can you tell?

Boys, Not Another One of THESE Questions!

I hesitated to write about this one, but it's too funny and I don't want to forget it. I'm sure the boys will be highly embarrassed by it at some point, or think it's funny. Anyway, please excuse the subject of this one...

Tom is in the States this weekend and next week, so I thought we'd do some fun stuff while he is gone. So, we went to the farm park today - one of the boys favorite things to do.

We arrived and started to walk in when Jacob noticed they had changed the goats around and that the "mommy" pen was now the "daddy" pen. This led to the question: "What is THAT big thing?" when we saw the goats back side. (Why do these questions always come up when Tom is gone??) I thought very hard before answering and decided to keep it simple. Here is the conversation (sorry for the words!):

Me: Well, you know how you have those little balls by your willy? That is what the goat has too.

J: Are mine going to get THAT big?

Me: Umm, probably not that big, but they will grow.

Aiden: I've got two balls too. But Jeb doesn't have any.

J: No, you only have one ball, Jeb has none and I have two.

This leads to an argument over the number of "balls" each one has. No one was in hearing distance, thank goodness!

Me: You all have two balls each, even Jeb. They are just different sizes. When you grow up they will all be big, just not as big as the goats. Hey, there are the cows.

And, because they are men, they were easily distracted and the conversation ended. But I'm still laughing.

Mom and Dad in England

It's been a few days since my mom and dad went home. Last time they had come for a visit was in December/January 2008. That is just not a very nice time of year to come - cold, rainy, rainy, and cold. So, this time I was excited for them to see the pretty side of England. They arrived a few days before we left for Italy and the weather was, well, like January!

The plus side to the cold, rainy weather was that the flowers were already in full bloom - rhododendroms, irises, and roses, just to name a few. It was also a week after U.S. mothers day, so I treated my mom to high tea - something she always has talked about. We went to Cliveden, an old manor that is one of our favorite places to go to. We sat for 3 hours and caught up while the boys walked around with Tom and my dad. It was unforgettable!

When we returned from Italy, the weather was unusually warm. So, we got to go to Odds Farm, Marlow on the River Thames, and ate outside (highly unusual!!).

It was hard to say goodbye. The kids had attention 100% of the time whether it was playing cars, legos or jumping on the trampoline. I was able to relax because I am lucky to have a mom who loves to help around the house - the kitchen was always clean for the school run and my laundry never sat in the basket for long. I won't even mention Tom's ironed shirts! But, it was much more than the cleaning, it was the quality time spent together. It's hard to be an ocean apart and have to wait a year to see loved ones. Being an ex-pat comes with the guilt of knowing that there are four people in the states who long to see their grandboys. Thank goodness those four people love us enough to understand why we are doing what we are doing. And hopefully they know the door is always open...

Thanks for the great time mom and dad!

High Tea

Bikers

Odds Farm Goats

Eating at the oldest pub in England - Royal Standard