Countdown to Christmas Day 7

My lovely niece singing the song, “You’re Important” from her school nativity.  I love the words – simple, but important to remember.

Countdown to Christmas

Hello Few and Faithful Readers:

Because the money tree in the back garden isn't growing (I lie, we don't have a back garden or a money tree for that matter), I thought I might document my Christmas this year as a kind of gift to my most favourite women – Mom and Grandma.  It isn't much but I hope that the countdown in (mostly) pictures will be a little something from me to you.

This year Chris and I decided to get a real tree for Christmas.  Chris had never had a real one, and I hadn't since my childhood (yes Amy, I am excluding the tree we had in the apartment).  It is just the right size and now that I have to do the hoovering I realize what a pain the pine needles are (I know, mom – you told me so!)  The candle topper (or hat as Madie says) in the picture is from a friend and, it has to be my favourite decoration.

This is Madie being Mary and the teddy being baby Jesus. She’s gorgeous isn't she?

Autumn Catch Up

I think maybe I just do this blog for my mom and Grandma – and I don't even do that very faithfully.  I didn't know how much time had passed since I last updated it….. oooopppppsssss!  While September was a very slow month filled of not much at all – October (upon looking at the pictures I have taken) has been quite busy.  Chris and I are continually blessed to be able to be a big part of our nieces lives. 

Georgia’s Birthday

Georgia turned 5 this year!  It is crazy and even crazier to think that if Chris and I hadn't struggled with infertility we’d have a child nearly that old (although, I try not to think that TOO much).  She wanted to go to Pizza Hut with her family and me, Chris,  Nana.  These pictures were taken before dinner….

I love the last 2 pictures… Sisters and then…. Reality (just look at their expressions!).

Halloween Birthday Party

Georgia had a friend who was having a Halloween themed birthday party and when Naomi and I were talking about it I offered to make the girls costumes. I asked the girls what they’d like to be (from a list I made) and they picked – Georgia: Fairy Princess, Madie: Ladybird (In England they are called Ladybirds – I don't understand why, as I think Ladybug makes more sense), Lilly: Ghost.   I found some ideas (thanks Pinterest) and slowly put them together.  I really enjoyed it (of course I picked all NON-sewing costumes), but realized the stress my mom used to have when I couldn't find any fairy wings for Georgia or shoes to match for any of them (I completely forgot).  The day before the party I drove to the costume shop and luckily found some wings.  The day of the party (the day I remembered the shoes) I have never felt so happy about finding red shoes in my life!  I think they turned out alright. 

I have a million times more respect for my mom and all the other moms out there that put so much effort into even FINDING a costume.  Hey mom, remember when I was like, 22 and asked you to find and sew me an angel costume??  Did I ever say -  THANK YOU?

Thetford Forest

Last time we went to Thetford Forest it was so lovely we decided to take Madie this year and see the changing leaves.  We got there (FINALLY) after being lost 2 times and the sat nav taking us to places other than the park (Chris says user error – me – I say NO WAY – but really, yes).  We got there and the cafe had nothing on the menu for kids and didn't have the things Chris and I wanted.  We made due, but waited for AGES to get the food.  Then after that we went outside where it had turned quite cold and cloudy.  Madie play for about 10 minutes on the toys and after all three of us getting frustrated with each other Chris and I decided it wasn't worth it and headed for the hour journey back home.  But this time, the sat nav took us the back way so it took longer through tons of country roads.  That would be okay if it didn't double the time it takes to get home and if we weren't worried about the little girl in the back who we are finding gets car sick.  Needless to say we’ll think twice next year if we decide to make the trip out.

 

Ferry Meadows

After the disaster that was Thetford Forest, Chris and I tried our luck again at a more local place, when everyone was feeling better and this time we got to take Georgia as well.  It was a lovely afternoon until the storm clouds started to roll in and forced us to end our day out sooner than we wanted to. 

After the park, we went shopping, I got into a crash in the car park (both peoples fault after backing out of spaces into each other).  The guy in the other car was saying, “You should be careful!  You should look where you’re going!!”  Chris was dealing with him so I shut my door and as soon as I did Georgia said, “You should be careful!!”  He wanted our details but then Chris pointed out that we would need his as well, because our car was scratched too – and he decided just to leave it.  After dinner when we got in the car Madie said, “No more crashes!”

Halloween

This Halloween has felt so much more like Halloween than any other year that I have been here.  It has been so interesting to see England gradually pick up on the American traditions of Trick or Treat that, when I moved here, were pretty much non-existent.  They still don't go as crazy as us Americans – but they are getting there.  Our ward had a Trunk-or-Treat, thanks in part to the many Americans who live on the military base nearby.  It was so fun and we took Georgia and Madie.  Before we went we carved pumpkins.

God Bless America

22 August 2011

I may live in England, but I am sure my American influence can be felt by those around me – I am SURE it can when I encourage them do things like this.  Happy Monday!

The Show Must Go On

This summer Naomi and I were  looking for free activities to take the girls to around our boring little town.  I saw in the newspaper that at one of the surrounding towns there were going to be free kids shows put on every Friday morning. 

The first one we went to was Old McDonalds Farm, and because of a panic attack that Madie had, I missed most of that show (not that I cared too much).  But, while waiting for the show to start, was surprised at the rudeness of the  parents – especially the mother who was standing up in the midst of the sitting children – blocking everyone’s view without a care in the world.

The second show was The Circus School (the show Naomi was most excited about).  We went in and sat down and as we did so, this woman walked past with the strangest looking shirt I had ever seen.  She looked to be about 15 months pregnant (in reality only probably 8).  Upon further inspection we saw that it wasn’t a strange top after all – but she was wearing a polo shirt tucked into her maternity jeans.  And the blue that we thought was a part of the shirt turned out to be the extra stretching material for the pants.  It was hard to focus on much else during the show until we got to the plate spinning part.  And the main guy?  The teacher at the circus school?  Couldn’t spin the plates!!!  So his wife (pregnant lady) would spin them for him and then pass them to him.  It was all downhill from there – for their last trick they were going to do the Diablo.  It is hard to explain, but it is like a little rubber shape (think the shape of a sand timer) and you have to spin that on a string.  If you get it right it could be quite impressive – not that I’d know – because they couldn't do the trick at all – try after try after try.  Naomi and I got the giggles – and with tears of laughter in my eyes I had to distract myself (not only because it was rude to laugh, but because they were recording the show for their website).  After the show was done, Georgia turned to Naomi and said, “This show is boring.” we quickly left – missing the “try it yourself” part of the show. 

After that train wreck of a show, we thought nothing could top it.

Yesterday we went to the show that was Mr. Fuzzy and his mind reading teddy bear.  He was by far the best  show yet, but something unfortunate happened during his show.  Let me just explain that the shows take place in the Sunday School room of the local church.  It is annexed to the back of the church – yesterday there was a funeral in the church.   Mr. Fuzzy was in the middle of his quite funny magic finger bit and the vicar from the church came storming in – asking who was in charge.  After searching for the man in charge and have a quick conference – I over heard that the microphone was on the same frequency as the funeral – to make things worse the music was up very loud.  Looking like things were settled, the vicar walked out and Mr. Fuzzy immediately turned on the music  (Ooo Ahh, just a little bit, ooo ahhh a little bit more).  At this Naomi and I lost it – and the giggles started again.  Imagining the poor family at the funeral with that music playing in the background.   The giggles wouldn’t stop (and if they were bad at the circus this was worse, I even snorted – good thing the music was up so loud!)  Then the music died down (no pun intended) – the rest of the show went off without a hitch – until the end when he had the children stand up and sing (shout) “If You’re Happy and you Know It”.  Then I started laughing again (avoiding eye contact with Naomi) – and the closing song?? (played loudly) – Celebration!!!  Naomi and I quickly got the girls and walked out of the room – laughing.  We got to the front of the church (along with the other 75+ people who were at the show) just in time to have the hearse drive away.  All the adults hushed the kids, and we stood there in silence paying our respects (and apologizing) to this person who unintentionally had a soundtrack to his funeral.

Next week is:  The Frog Prince – Lets see if they can top this last one (I hope they can!).

Summer Post

Well we’ve been quite busy this summer – surprisingly.  After Naomi had Lilly we just started having the girls over every day.  It was helpful to Naomi and we love having them all around.  It makes our days less boring (VERY less)  and gives us a change to spend time with some of our favourite people.  Not only has it helped us develop a closer bond as a family, but Naomi and I have become more than just sister-in-laws – we are good friends and that is such a great bonus! 

The twins I look after have been on holiday for 3 weeks so I’ve not watched them – but have been able to concentrate on the girls.  If you came to our flat you’d be forgiven for thinking we have children, because minus the beds, we’ve tried to make our flat as fun and “homey” for the girls as possible – and it has never felt more like a home.

I plan on writing more once the summer is over , but for now here are some pictures loads of pictures from our summer so far:

Good Behaviour Chart – 5 animals they get a surprise!

Lilly’s Blessing Day Pictures:

More summer pictures: