Windsor Castle (the famous one)

A few weeks ago Lincoln booked our last couple weekends away before the weather gets unbearable. I couldn't have picked a better time to get away from house work and making food for a few days. 

Saturday morning we woke up to the coldest morning since last winter. So we grabbed everything we could think of to keep us warm and Lincoln punched in "Windsor Castle" in the "Points of Interest" category of our GPS. 

After an hour of driving and feeling bewildered about the lack of signs pointing us to the second most visited site in England, we pulled up to the following restaurant in the completely wrong direction called "Windsor Castle."

Woops! Just for the record I was the one driving not navigating...

So after another hour of driving we arrived in freezing cold Windsor. I love how Jude is bundled! He can't move, but he is warm!

Windsor Castle is the Queen's preferred weekend residence and houses many state events. The rooms and the decorations were over the top. They were gorgeous.

Despite it being freezing, the kids did great. At one point in the day Livvy said "Mommy, Jude told me he wants to go to the hotel and go swimming." That girl is a sly one.

After stuffing ourselves with amazing hamburgers and fries we made it to the hotel that was way too fancy for us and Lincoln and Livvy went swimming in a low-lite pool in the middle of a restaurant and bar. Lincoln is one good dad.

Life with the four of us

I like to write about my life at home with the kids periodically. I think someday I'll look back and think wow that was so easy. Or wow, I'm glad that phase is over. Or please teenagers stop sassing me and be sweet babies again!

We've had quite the sick October, which presented a new challenge for me as a momma. The stomach flu is a beast that I had avoided until a few weeks ago. The kids are over it, thankfully, and we survived and now I know that I can deal with some pretty gross stuff, because I am their momma.

On to the cute stuff though.

Jude Dude: 14 months old of cuddly goodness

This little boy is such a sweet heart. He's always so cuddly and loves to have someone's lap to scoot over to.  He can walk across the room, but is still not confident enough to walk completely on his own.

This boy LOVES his dad. Every night when we here Lincoln knock on the door, he starts screaming "DA! DA!" and scooting as fast as his little bum will take him over to the door. As soon as Lincoln comes in he holds his arms up for him and once he's being held starts yelling "BALL! BALL!" because he wants Lincoln to go play ball with him. Seriously it is the cutest thing in the world.

Livvy Alice: almost 3 1/2 years old of sisterly love

Livvy LOVES school. She didn't for a few weeks and it was really hard for me to leave her so upset. Thankfully though, she has made a friend, "Ronnie" and they play house together. She is the mommy and he is the daddy and he brings her a baby...or so she says. Her teachers tell me they are inseparable and they follow each other around just gabbing away. I am so glad that she is happy and now she only cries when I come to take her home.

She is constantly making me laugh...here are a few things she has said lately.

 (While helping me shred a whole chicken)
"Mommy did this chicken die so we could eat him?"
"Yes."
 "That's so nice! He will live again, huh mommy?"

After taking a big drink of water "Gorgeous!"

"Livvy who did you play with at school?"
"Batman."
"Oh the toy batman?"
"No, this boy that looked like batman."

These two kids have become such good buddies. Livvy is always making Jude crack up and they love tackling each other.

Two little kids keeps me busy and sometimes I feel like all I do is fulfill their every need, but I have so many moments like the one I caught above, that makes me so grateful I have their little needs to fill everyday.

Lincoln turns 30

Despite wanting to throw him an outrageous dinner party, Lincoln declined and we ended up with what my quiet, understated man wanted. His favorite dinner and an apple pie.

Lincoln is such a great dad and husband. Last night I literally could not stopping for like 2 hours straight and he listened the whole time and pretended to be truly interested.

He loves to see the kids at night and is always so sweet and attentive to them. Despite all my gripping about living in this country, I am so glad that he has been around more and not had busy seasons.

Happy Birthday, old man. I'm so glad you robbed the cradle and married me! ;) Love you! `

My cup of joe

The other day I was driving in my car and heard Frank Turner's song If I Ever Stray. I'd never heard of him or the song before, but I loved it. Maybe because I'm in England it's from an English artist, but I think even more so I loved the lyrics and the way it made me remember how music literally rocks.

I do have iTunes, but only for Livvy's kids music, and I might be the last person in the world to not own any form of an iPod. But I love music. I loved going to concerts in college, I loved discovering new artists and songs in high school, and music was always on in my room and car.

The funny thing is now the only "me" music in my life is what I play on my phone while I unload the dishwasher in the morning.

And you know what I love it. It makes me not feel so overwhelmed by house chores and the whiney (but mostly sweet) babies. It makes me think about things bigger than what is for dinner and how to get the stinkin' laundry dry.

Sometimes it's Les Miserables, sometimes it's Some Nights by Fun, and heck sometimes its One Direction. Whatever it is though it makes me happy. It's something that is for me, that makes me feel and think and love to be able to dance around in the kitchen and put those cups in the cupboard and face another day of trying to be a better mom to my kids.