Wah Wah Wah

I freaking miss America.

Do you know how I dry clothes in this country when it rains (which is almost everyday now)?

On my heated towel rack. This last week we had the stomach flu...imagine sheets and duvet covers. Be grateful for your dryers people. Be grateful.

I miss the food, oh the food. I am getting a list ready of all the things I'm going to eat when I'm home. Until I get there, please go eat an In and Out burger and fries, my mom's waffles, salt and pepper chicken at Orient Express in Danville, my mother-in-law's salsa, Zachary's Pizza,  and my mom's rolls. Thanks, that'll make me feel better knowing someone can.

There is a glimmer of hope in this world, actually. We have a few Chipotles in London!! So for my birthday I told Lincoln all I want is a big fat chicken burrito, with chips and a whole lot of guac. We're tots making a day around Chipotle. Done and done.

Ok, wow I just spent a whole lot of time talking about food. Sorry, England drives me a little crazy with their cornish pasties (meat pies), roasted chicken flavor crisps (chips), and American products that are just slightly different enough to make you crazy.

I have approximately 3 more months until we land in blessed Arizona, where I can't wait to meet my new nephew, squeeze my SILs, and bask in the glorious weather. Oh yeah, and eat lots and lots of glorious, greasy American food.

Preschool

Livvy started school at a local preschool up the road. 

One of the perks of living in this country is that the government (or taxes) likes to pay for things, like our healthcare, and 15 hours of school for children from 3 until 5 years old. 

So Livvy is all signed up for school 4 days a week, 3 hours per day, including a little break for lunch. 

The first day she did great, was so excited and pushed me out the door back home. Unfortunately that was short lived, the second day and every day after that she has been sad to be left. The teachers tell me she just likes adult attention and care, which makes complete sense as she's been pretty much solely around me the past 6 months. 

 

So, Livvy and I are both trying to figure this whole school thing out. I am debating on cutting back to just three days a week, but we'll see how she does in the coming weeks. It has been nice to have time with my little boy and for myself.

Grandpa-Man Comes to Visit

My pops was doing business in Ireland and opened up his schedule to come and spend a day with us! I found out approximately 30 minutes before driving to the airport...and was so thrilled!

Despite a pretty eventful airport trip that included 3 hours in a car and a three year old peeing on the side of the road, it was worth every minute to have Grandpa come to our house!

We ended up keeping things low key and going on a country walk near by our house. Lincoln was sent on a mission to help a sheep that had a branch stuck on his back.

It made a pretty good show to see Lincoln chase that sheep. 

Despite Livvy's scowl in the picture, we all loved having my Dad for a visit!

Summer Road Trip: Bath

And that was Bath. I can see why several Jane Austin characters went there on holiday. Gorgeous.

Summer Road Trip: The Cotswolds

Day three we finally went and saw the Cotswolds, a place that Lincoln has been dying to see since we came to this island.

The Cotswolds are made up of beautiful little villages that dot the countryside. We just drove from town to town and wandered around enjoying the small town atmosphere. 

 Our favorite spot was Arlington Row in Bibury. The cottages on this small walkway were built in 1380. They are so cute!

Livvy kept Jude entertained by splashing in puddles and getting all wet!

I think Lincoln wants to move there....I seriously had to pry him away from taking 09123098 pictures.

Classic Livvy. She is obsessed with three different skirts and shirts and refuses to wear anything different.

At one point we stopped in a town and went on the "Great Cotswolds Ramble". Ramble means walk or hike here I think and so we went walking along the meadows and picking flowers.

 

At the end of the "ramble" this inscription was on the fence. Pretty cool if they walked the same pathway we did! 

At the end of the walk Lincoln ran back to get the car, while the three of us camped out.

Cotswolds you did not disappoint!

Summer Road Trip: Wales Part 2

In the afternoon of our "Wales Day" we found a small village that one of Lincoln's ancestors lived in, Cowbridge. 

We found the old village church and Lincoln was excited to be where one of his relatives walked a long time ago! 

The kids, however, weren't that excited for an old church, but we found playground close by and then all was well.

 My sweet baby boy has recently gained a terrible fear of swinging (whether by seat or by mom's arms). He gets so nervous and just wants to go down slides!

Wales was cool. It was a nice relaxing day that had little driving and tons of time doing fun things outside.

Summer Road Trip: Wales Part 1

Sunday morning we drove 45 minutes away to just outside Cardiff, Wales and went to church. 

The meeting was held in English and it was a beautiful meeting. It's amazing how being in such a different part of the world, the church stays the same. Such a comfort. 

After church we headed to a near by town to see a huge castle. 

I love the rolling hills of Wales! It is such a beautiful country! 

It was a really nice first half of the day, the weather stayed nice and the kids were happy to run (and scoot) around! 

I love this classic picture of Livvy singing and Jude looking at her like what the heck is she saying! Love those two chickadees!

Summer Road Trip: Stonehendge

This was one of my favorite stops. It was just as cool, big, crazy as I imagined. 

The rocks are fenced off and tourists can walk around the perimeter to catch shots of the ancient monument. 

Jude has started pointing at things. Things he wants to eat, play with or touch, and he wanted to touch Stonehendge. 

Right after we finished walking the circle we were caught in a huge down pour and got soaked! Typical England summer weather!