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.

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.

6 months in.

We've officially lived in England for a little over 6 months. I can't believe we're 1/4 of the way into this thing.

In some ways I feel like we just moved here in other ways I feel like we've been here forever.

Looking back at our first impressions and the craziness of moving to Tunbridge Wells I am amazed we survived. It was definitely a bleak and stressful beginning.

Then I think about all of the little miracles that sprinkled the gloomy months and I am so grateful.

In 6 months, we've been to Scotland, Wales, Northern England, and Italy. In 6 months my little baby has started inching towards toddlerhood and Livvy has become even more grown up then I ever imagined.

In 6 months Lincoln and I have dealt with more than we ever thought we could. I never knew I could love him as much as I do today. His patience, kindness and friendship has become more important to me than ever before.

I've realized that while I still ache for my family and friends, my home will forever be where my gummy-smiling baby boy and sweet girl are playing. And that little home and little family can be happy even in a new country with many new challenges and new adventures.

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Leeds Castle Part 2

After we toured the house (quickly with two little ones) we went to find the maze that is located on the edge of the property. 

Once we found it, Jude and I hung back on the picnic blanket and Livvy and Lincoln ventured through the hedges. 

After they found their way out, Livvy came running up to me to tell me that she saw a "scary green man!" At the end of the maze there was a small tunnel and built into the rock was a monster looking guy that laughed an evil laugh. Livvy has not stopped talking about how she "covered her ears to make him quiet" and how he was so scary!

We ended the day by playing in the "Knight's Realm", a sweet playground that Livvy could not get enough of.

Then to top off the perfect "take a Thursday off just for fun" Lincoln bought us all ice cream and I attempted to keep Jude from smashing his face into it! 

Some things about this country drive me crazy, like not being able to find enchilada sauce or all-purpose flour, but Lincoln having to work less has been something that I love! 

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The three of us are glad that the man in our lives can be around on a weekday! 

Oast Houses

Ever since we came to Kent Lincoln has been obsessed with these puppies.

Oast houses: (according to Wikipedia) An oast, oast house or hop kiln is a building designed for kilning (drying) hops as part of the brewing process. They can be found in most hop-growing (and former hop-growing) areas and are often good examples of vernacular architecture. Many redundant oasts have been converted into houses.


Lincoln is enthralled. Every town that we drive through has these houses and Lincoln always yells and points in enthusiasm.


So imagine his delight when while we were at Chartwell he found an Oast house to take a picture with. 

I don't understand Lincy-poo's love of the white coned house tops. 

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This wifey is glad that we full filled a Lincoln dream and took a picture with an Oast house. 

First day of work

V: Hope you like your new work!

L: Yeah, I guess, why? 

V: We moved across the country for it. 

L: True. I hope so too. 

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This wife is glad that he liked it.