Jeb the Shepherd

Jeb also had his program last week. Very laid back, thank goodness. Jeb sat with me until it the point in the nativity when the shepherds entered. It all went well - the minute that he was up. BTW, the tea towel is meant to be the shepherds hat. Oh, and most shepherds aren't seen with Lightning McQueen - consider yourself lucky. This is a once in a lifetime sighting...until next year.

Adding a little video of Jeb. Ignore the craziness within the video - there is a lot of it, but the main point is Jeb's name for Jacob...

Sparkle Christmas Production!

Last week was the big Christmas production at school. With Jacob and Aiden both in it, you'd think I would have had a clue as to what it would be. Nope, they never sang a song at home and barely practiced lines/dances. I was worried. The morning of the first production, I set some ground rules for Aiden. 1. If you smile and do your dance, I'll pay you £1 at the end. 2. Don't pick your nose. You can itch it, but please don't shove your finger up there! You'll see that both boys were smilely (money works every time!). The nose thing, well that obviously didn't hit home for Aiden. Luckily his gal pal, Ruby, finally held his arm down to stop him. Thank goodness for that.

Jacob performed great. I didn't include his other line, but let's just say that many people commented to me that Jacob has totally lost his American accent. Amazing what peer pressure will do - he sounds so American to me, but when his friends are around, it's British all the way!

So, here is a glimpse of Sparkle. A story about a star who just wouldn't sparkle. The moral of the story is that God gave a gift to everyone - the sun, the moon (with it's moonbeams - Aiden), and to stars. Sparkle became the Star of Bethlehem.

Beaconsfield Festival of Lights

The official start of Christmas here in Beaconsfield. The boys have been talking about it ever since they put the lights up two weeks ago. So, of course, we had to go! We headed out with our friends the Rowlands. Two mums and six boys. It was great and at the end of the night we purchased cheap light sabers (which weren't so cheap). And, yes, one broke on the way home and one the next morning. They stick work quite well when hitting your brother...

Official Beaver

Jacob went through the Scout ceremony last week and became an official "Beaver." He is so incredibly proud, as you can see. And check out the sewing craftsmanship on those badges! Well done Mum!! (I'll admit it - I had to do one badge 2 times and it's still crooked!)

Happy Thanksgiving!!

This is our third Thanksgiving here in England and even though the Brits don't celebrate, we insisted that they do! Tom was traveling to Germany so we celebrated a day early, starting with the children's "tea." We had our best friends over: Fraser, Rory, Heath and baby Gregor, along with their mummy Sarah. All the boys are the same age as our boys, except baby Gregor, so it was bound to be fun.

Sarah brought the boys here after school and the turkey crafts started soon after. The boys glued on feathers and wrote what they were thankful for. Then we sat for dinner. The toughest part - making them sit while I explained what Thanksgiving was (I left out the part of the Pilgrims leaving England b/c of the tyrant King!). Then we went around the room to say what we are thankful for. The Clark boys - God and Jesus (they aren't Christians, so I was a bit blown away!). Jacob: his feathers were filled, but some of the best were: Mummy, Daddy, friends, Jeb, Aiden, beds, snow, and popcorn. Aiden: homework, brothers, school. Jeb: Cars. It was all very sweet.

Pumpkin pie - not eaten in England. So, the day before, I took all the boys to swim and there was a big discussion on eating pumpkin pie. Even my boys weren't too keen on eating it, so I gave them a back-up plan of apple pie. But when the pie was brought out, they ate it up - in fact I had to tell them to hold back so Tom could have some!

It was such a nice evening and even better when Tom and I sat down to have our dinner together. We do have so much to be thankful for.

Below is the English version of Thanksgiving - the Harvest Festival. We celebrated about a month ago. The kids bring in food to school and have a little play. This year Jacob was the star - Oliver. Very proud of him! Oh, Aiden was there too, but chose to not participate. Just depends on the day for Aiden...oh well, maybe the Christmas production!

Winter Wonderland

We started the Christmas season a bit early this year, but I guess we just needed to beat the crowds! Off we went to Hyde Park in London to "Winter Wonderland." This is London's version of the German Markets, which seemed to be few and far between this year. This year it was a bit more like a fair, with all kinds of carnival rides and greasy food. The kids were in heaven. The highlight, and reason for the visit, was seeing Father Christmas. Aiden was so shy last year, but a lot can change. He knew exactly what he wanted to say when he sat down - "A light saber, please." Jacob wants too many things, so he agreed with Aiden and added in Star Wars Lego. Jeb, who I was worried would cry, offered his usual plea - "Cars." Complete with his little British accent. A trip to Harrods followed, but was short lived when the crowds were too large to even see the candy in the huge candystore. Thank goodness for the toystore!

So, let the Christmas season begin! Well, let's give it a week.

Guy Fawkes Day/Bonfire Night

We celebrated Guy Fawkes Day on Saturday night. Ever heard of it? Neither had we until we moved here. Guy Fawkes was a man that tried to blow up Parliment years and years ago and got caught. He was hung, drawn and quartered...look that up, it's quite interesting! Anyway, from that time on, the Brits have celebrated Guy being caught - through a bonfire with a strawman being hung and burned above it.

Times have changed, no more strawman. At least not in Beaconsfield, but they have replaced it with fireworks. It's kind of nice to have the kids see the fireworks in the pitchblack darkeness of 8:00, rather than waiting until 10:30 in the summer on the fourth. The kids loved it with Jeb laughing the whole time! But, I'll still take the fourth of July. Can't give up my favorite holiday!

Crazy kids and the bonfire

Jeb loving the fireworks

On the way home with Alfie