A Three Hour Tour...A Three Hour Tour...

Cruisin'. Many think this is something reserved for when they get old. Ok, we thought that too, but we decided to take a risk and take three little boys for 7 nights. Would we love it at the end or would we need another vacation? The verdict: we loved it. Having said that, there were a few things worth noting...

1. Prior to boarding, I pulled Aiden (our shy one) aside and explained that a lot of people would be wanting to talk to him. All he had to do was smile and say hi. He looked at me with his big blue eyes and said, "I'll try, but sometimes my heart says I just can't do it." By the end of the trip he was actually telling people his name - huge for him!

2. "Three Boys?" We heard this so much. The kids got a lot of attention - especially Jeb. Every Grandma that was missing her grandkids wanted to hold him. And he ate it up! The waiters were the same. As a result, Jeb went from laidback boy to cheeky monkey in less than a week.

3. Kids club! The best invention ever! There were a few other families on board and they all seemed to have boys. When I dropped the boys off they were so excited. Then, the hosts told me that you have to be 5 to stay. I've begged like I've never begged before! And, they accepted Aiden.

4. Average Age. This was probably about 70. But, we loved these people! Tom went out one night and shared some scotch with a few. The disco ball lit up at midnight, the canes and walkers were thrown aside and the dancefloor was packed. Good to know that you can have fun when you are old! I sat with a woman one night who told me about raising her three boys (now in their 50s). Her eyes filled with tears as she told me to cherish every moment. Great advice.

5. Sickness. I was a bit nervous about being on the ship with swine flu going around so much here. But, before we got on the ship we were given antibacterial gel and there were bottles everywhere on the ship. Impossible to get sick right? Well, not for us. I took Jacob to lunch one day and he sat down and said, "I need the toilet!" We ran from the restaurant outside to the rubbish bins. Then I saw that they opened from the side not the top! For a split second I thought about shoving J's head through the opening, but it was too late. 24 hour bug. Poor guy.

6. Small space. The room was sufficient, but not huge. One bathroom, 5 people. The boys figured out how to make that work better. Yep, we caught Aiden going #2, while Jacob went #1 between A's legs. Only our boys. Urgh!

Many more things happened, but overall, it was the perfect way to see what we saw. I was so proud of the boys when people would stop us to tell us how well behaved they were. (good thing they didn't see them when they got home!) But the best part was...I didn't cook or clean!!

Top Bunk watching a movie

Aiden showing off the boat (nevermind his face!)

British night (I know, we are traitors! But he was so cute!)

Country Night

Jeb's favorite night spot - the piano bar. Dancing to a song dedicated to him

The Fjords of Norway

Norway, a place I never really thought of visiting, but am sooo glad that we did! It was a pretty intense trip taking us from Bergen, up to the middle of Norway (Olden), then to the deepest fjord in the world, and last to the Eidfjord. The weather was typical for Norway, a bit damp, but it seemed to stop when we were on our excursions. It was endlessly beautiful, like nothing we've seen before.
We'll start at Bergen, once the capital of the viking world. A walk through the fishmarket was the highlight of the morning for the boys. Oh, the fun of looking at lobsters!! Then up the funicular to view Bergen from above and see all the surrounding fjords - islands dotting the sea.


The next day we were in Olden. I awoke early to watch us cruise though the fjords on to the port. Mountains rising out of the sea - wow! This was a day we were a bit nervous about. We booked to go up to Briksdel Glacier, a 1 1/2 mile walk to get there. Oooh, will Aiden make it? Yes, after a sucker and some "magic gum" (just Orbitz, but what does he know??). The walk was amazing! We walked though the mist of a huge waterfall and were surrounded by mountains with small waterfalls all around. It all ended by a blue lake at the foot of a glacier. The boys found chunks of glacier ice and we all held some. 6000 years old! So very cool! It rained when we got back down for tea and continued the rest of the day, but we lived on the high of the glacier all day!

Wednesday, Flam. Up early again with Jacob this time. We watched the boat cruise through a lower fjord. Much different looking. These mountains go straight up and it is so narrow that I wondered if we would make it through! Today we booked "Norway in a Nutshell" a train and coach trip through some of the best scenery of Norway. The train ride was great - green lush mountains and cascading waterfalls. Kind of hard to concentrate with three boys who could care less! We reached the midpoint and had lunch. Jacob said, "that sure was a long way to go just for lunch!" Again, they just don't get what they are seeing!! The coach took us to a viewpoint like no other. A valley cut out by a glacier millions of years ago. Unbelievably gorgeous! Then at our last stop we were at a lake fed by the sea. Icing on the cake as I watched seals frolic in the water. Wow, it was a stunning day!

Thursday, Tom woke early to watch us dock. Only we weren't there yet due to engine failure in the night. So, we arrived at noon. Lunch and a walk to a glacier lake to build stone castles (beach was full of rocks). Jeb napped in the backpack and we relaxed and took it all in. This was one amazing trip that exceeded every expectation. So glad that we went!

A Week and a Half In...

Summer holidays are upon us. Can we really call it summer? Every day since school broke up, I have woken up, looked out the window and wanted to scream, COME ON! Rain, rain, and more rain. Ok, I know this is England, but even the Brits are starting to complain. However, based on the best advice ever given to me regarding raising boys, I have been taking my boys out and "running them like dogs." And they are still bouncing off the walls. This week, rather, they are fighting. Come on, sun!

Anyway, we have been doing a bit despite the weather. Last week was their intensive swimming course. It started each day at 9:30, so there was so sleeping in (like that happens in this house!). The boys were on their scooters at 9:00 each morning with me running with the pushchair behind them. I got to view their progress on Friday and it was amazing! Jacob is now diving deep and swimming across under the water. Aiden has no help as he swims across the pool and is starting to master the backstroke.

On Thursday, I traded kids with a friend and took Jacob, Aiden and J's little girlfriend to see Ice Age 3. I must admit, I was a bit scared as I waited for the dinos to appear. I looked over at the kids to see if they were ok and caught Jacob asking his pal if she was scared. She said no as if he were crazy. Immediately he sat up and said he wasn't either. Right!

And lastly, on Friday we received two guinea pigs and a bunny to babysit for two weeks. I think I bit off more than I can chew on this one. I have worked up enough courage to pick up the pigs, but I'm not touching the rabbit, who seems to bit and scratch. Sorry, Hoppy, no sitting in the grass until Tom gets home. Silky seems to be doing fine, but poor Chocoletta is scared out of his mind every time he sees one of the boys coming. He squeaks unbearably and he should - Jacob has dropped him, Aiden almost stepped on him and Jeb is constantly chasing him and moving his "house". I hope they make it the full two weeks!

So, we soldier on. The forecast? Rain. Seriously.

School's Out for the Summer!!!

School is out finally! We are all ready! Today Aiden said goodbye to his preschool where he has been going to for 1 1/2 years. Hard to believe that when he started he was still in diapers! He will miss his friends, but is really excited about 'big boy school'. Yesterday we got the great news that he'd be attending Jacob's school. Great news for everyone, especially me as I won't have to race from one school to another dropping off kids!

Jacob finished Year 1. A year filled with 3 teachers (due to maternity leave), lots of reading, and tons of homework. Next year should bring even more. Hard to believe that my little boy is growing so fast.

In between picking up Aiden and Jacob today, I stopped to get some diesel in the car. I went in to pay and came back to Aiden saying that he needed the toilet. I asked him why he didn't go at school. He didn't need to back then (5 minutes ago!!). I told him he had to hold it b/c there was no toilet. He said that he didn't need a toilet b/c he already took care of it, "see, I just went in here!" And I turned around to see a water bottle filled with yellow liquid. Indeed he did take care of it. Clever boy!

So, we start our summer. I hope it's filled with fun and relaxation!! We all need it.

Below is a video of Aiden singing a song that he learned this term. The first time I heard it I was confused until my friend said that he was counting in French! That was a surprise from school!

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