Family Fun Days

This summer our borough has put on  free "Family Fun Days". They usually have crafts, toys for babies and activities for toddlers. We've gone to a couple and the kids have loved them. I've loved to be doing something different than the park! 

Jude's favorite thing to play in is the tunnel. Notice the right leg, tucked under and scooting him along.

Livvy's favorite thing to do is to paint. She is very protective of her painting and space, if any kids come too close she gets very worried.

This country may be many things, but one thing is certain their government is very involved in community activities and for our little family it has helped us have a great summer.

Finally a reason to bust out the shades! So glad we've been enjoying summer sun!

Leeds Castle, Again.

A few Saturdays ago we went back to one of our favorite castles and spent the day walking, playing and eating ice cream. It was wonderful weather and a wonderful day.

Livvy the curious.

Livvy has been keeping me on my toes lately. 

These are a few of the questions that she's put forth for me to answer:

(While eating a turkey sandwich) "Mommy, how did this turkey die?" "Was he sad?"

"Mommy, how did Jude come out of your tummy?"

"Mommy, how did Jude get into your tummy?"

She's asked me a million more questions like this, but I can't remember all of them. I've been a little creative in my answers, but mostly I try some version of the truth (even if it is a very vague version). Lincoln, is never in this position, because if he's ever pelted a toughie he just tells her to go ask her mother....

Here is the silly girl dressing herself up in all of my scarves.

She has a few specifications that must be met when creating her ensemble. It must be a dress and it must touch her toes and it must have some sort of sleeves.

This brings me to my next Livvy point. Livvy is obsessed with wearing a certain shirt and skirt. The shirt she calls her "not-modest" shirt (because it has straps) and she insists on wearing it everywhere. I have to hide the coveted outfit so she will let me wash it! 

I love this little girl, who really is a little person and no longer a toddler. 

Jude's First Birthday Pictures

Happy Birthday Jude!

Jude turns one today!

Here are 12 things about the Jude Dude.

1. He loves to imitate Livvy. Today he tried to play Candyland..

2.  He looks like me, but acts like his dad, all smiles and so calm.

3. He eats more than his three year old sister, and sometimes more than me.

4. He loves to play with the remotes and point them at the T.V.

5. He has been dancing since he was in the womb.

6. He wants to play with whatever Livvy has, regardless of what other (better) toys are available.

7. He sleeps with a stuffed animal duck.

8. He loves to push cars around and play with anything musical.

9. He pretends to talk back to me and is constantly babbling.

10. He LOVES his dad. Whenever Lincoln comes home from work he starts jumping out of my arms for his.

11.  He scoots when he crawls..leading with his right foot and dragging his left.

12. He has four teeth.

Jude you have been the sweetest ever since the day you were born. You are such a big part of our family, we can't imagine it without you! Love you to the moon and back little buddy!

Irony

I can't wait for Jude's nap time in the morning, but I miss him while he sleeps. 

I can't wait for Lincoln to take Livvy on a daddy daughter date, but I find myself thinking about her all day long and missing her cute little voice that keeps me company.

I can't wait for a day to myself, but when it comes, I find myself just wanting to putter around the house with the kids and Lincoln. 

I can't wait to get the kids sleeping in their own room, together, but I know I'll miss Livvy rushing in  to snuggle next to me in the middle of the night. 

I can't wait to go out with Lincoln without the kids, but when we do they come with us in the stories we tell and the laughs that we share. 

I can't wait for Livvy to start preschool this fall, but I am scarred to not be apart of her mornings, 4 days a week. 

I can't wait for Jude to walk, but I want him to stop growing up. 

...

Lately I've been thinking about motherhood. About what it really means. About how hard, rewarding, crazy, and tiring it is. Mostly, I'm relieved that I miss my kids when they are asleep or out for the day. If I'm being honest, some days, like yesterday, when the stinky diapers, fussing baby and whining toddler wouldn't stop, I wonder "what is the point?!?"

But, then I remember this quote and I'm reassured that there is in fact a very important point to it all. 

"Motherhood is not a hobby, it is a calling. You do not collect children because you find them cuter than stamps. It is not something to do if you can squeeze the time in. It is what God gave you time for." Elder Neal L. Anderson

I am truly blessed to spend my time with my sweet, sometimes exasperating kids. 

Olympic Fever

Livvy and I had the opportunity to go and see an Olympic event on the first full day of Olympic action.  It was women's volleyball, which was perfect since I love volleyball and since I thought Livvy would enjoy seeing women play more than men.  It was Japan playing Algeria.     

Our seats were in the Japan fan section.  Everyone was decked out in Japanese attire, there were a ton of Japanese flags and even a number of people dressed up like Samurais.  Livvy decided early on that we were going to cheer for Japan, which was a great choice since Japan was clearly the better team and you don't want to be cheering against Japan when there is a Samurai sitting next to you--always a dangerous move.  

There was a lot of excitement and cheering, and it was quite contagious.  Even Livvy got really excited and cheered very energetically for Japan for most of the match.  

The tickets were actually for 2 matches.  China was playing in the second match, which would have been fun to see.  However, Livvy had had enough volleyball, so we took the Tube over to Hyde Park.  We had a nice stroll through Hyde Park and went to the Hyde Park BT London Live site, where they have I believe 6 huge screens showing Olympic action, food, and games.  Livvy and I had a lot of fun hanging out and watching additional events there before heading home.

I had been worried about how Livvy would do at the Olympics since it was quite the trek out there, we had to leave at about 6:30 am, we walked a lot, and we had to wait in line a while to get our tickets before the event.  However, she did awesome!!  She did so great that I let her pick out a treat on our way back that we took home to share with Vindie and Jude.  

All in all, it was a very fun and memorable daddy/daughter date that I'm sure Livvy and I will remember for many years to come.  Between watching the Olympic opening ceremony at the Visa Olympic VIP Lounge here in London, watching the torch go through our town as well as past the Tower of London on the Thames, and now watching an Olympic event live and seeing the festivities at Hyde Park, I'd say we've definitely taken advantage of our fair share of the Olympic festivities, which has been a lot of fun.  

This has definitely been an amazing summer to be in England due to the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebration, an exciting Wimbledon, and now the Olympics.  This summer alone we've been to Scotland and Wales, all over England, and had a wonderful 2 week trip in Italy.  We also saw an amazing Les Miz performance, and had a number of family members visit.  We are finishing up our summer here with a bang with trips planned to go see Stonehenge, Bath, the Cotswolds, and Cambridge, amongst other places.  Summer 2012 will be a tough one to beat, but this blog will hopefully help us keep the memories alive for many years to come.