March Madness

It's been a little hard for me to get blog-inspired lately - that and I feel like a walking zombie! Things are good just busy - which I'm not that used to anymore. I guess it's just that it is a "different" kind of busy here.

In CA I would do 2-3 errands a day plus carpool to 2-3 different schools, after school activities and then all the night time stuff. Here I only plan one outing if possible (except on Wednesdays!) and my kids take the bus! But I guess it's that it takes so long to get anywhere and it is WORK to shop here. So it isn't as much fun. So on the good side - I don't spend as much $$, on the interesting side - I've only gotten myself less than 5 new items of clothing for myself (considering I don't have a lot of post-preggo items to wear still) since we moved here in September. Oh well - if I don't go out - I don't need to worry about how cute my t-shirt and jeans are!

The last few weeks have been busy with my parents visit - we either took them or sent them to Windsor Castle, Stonehenge, Hampton, London - Buckingham Palace, Harrods, London Bridge, oh and Costco.

Tristan is 4 months and had her 3rd round of shots - they don't see her again until she is 1 - kinda scary in my mind - they don't do well-checks here?? But she is cute - doesn't like a bottle much any longer which is bad for any free time for me. I'll be starting cereal for her in a bit. Someone gave me a free highchair - so nice :)

Lucas is turning 5 on Saturday! He was "Child of the Week" this week so I had to make a big poster for him - I took a picture of it so I'll have to post it. Today he brought in his favorite Monkey, tomorrow his favorite book, Thursday I get to go read in his class, and on Friday it's the Spring Party.

Ian is still a huge reading bug - he goes through about 3-4 books a week. His teacher has great books he lends him - but considering the amount he reads I need him to put a little more effort into his reading and math - he knows them but breezes over them way too fast so he can READ

Chandler had a Spring Concert last week - he does really well on his Clarinet and loves it (I think I see Band Camp in his future - one can only hope!) He's a smart boy - there are about 14 clarinets in the 4th grade band, he's the only boy.....

Tyler tried out for Track (all the kids that try out will make it) I'm so glad for her - all of her friends are doing it so she thought it would be fun. We'll see how it goes - at least track here is done in do-able weather! Tomorrow she will also face another right-of-passage - she is getting braces!

Mike was in Paris the last couple days. He said the Spring weather was beautiful. It was very cold here today so I wish I was with him! That's about all on the home front. Here are just a few of the new pictures I've taken in the last few weeks - I wish I could get picasa to work for me to post more at once but this is what I've got....

Yikes - "4th" Times a Charm??

Okay - I'm almost too exhausted to post this - definitely too tired to post pictures today - gosh you'd think I had a 4 month old.....

But the latest is just this.....we've been here 6 months - and I've gotten my 3rd calling (job) at church - although they have released me from the other two - activities & RS Teacher to give me.......wait for it...... Homemaking Counsellor!!! Now for the friends that know me really well - you will note - this is the 4th time I've done this calling - with the last time I did it for 2 Presidents for 6 years straight - collectively I think it is 10 years - ugh - I've either really not learned what Heavenly Father wants me to learn from this calling yet or I've done it so well... well I'm just sure it isn't that part.

My friend (or so I thought! ha ha) Margie was called as RS President - and I know why - she is one of THE most compassionate and giving person I've met in a very long time. When I grow up I want to be like her! Well we should have some good times at least but ugh, when they called I was worried it was to be Nursery Leader - now I'm wondering if that's what it should have been!

I'm going to bed!

Memories

Ahh, so cute - this is one of Tyler's old dresses - we found them when we cleaned out the attic before we moved....I found quite a few of her old dresses for Tristan to wear. How fun is that?

My parents have been here so we've been busy but I'll post an update very soon!

Picture Catch Up

It seems like there is always so much to report about - these beautiful "roses" were made by one of the ladies in my ward - it's made up of artificial roses and Onesies and baby socks!! It's gorgeous! My friends had a baby shower brunch for Tristan and we had a really nice time. She got some adorable outfits of course - so fun to shop for girls.


Last weekend we also went into London for the day - the kids really like going into town - we just walked around and explored - partly also because many of the tube stops were closed so we kept walking until we reached the next one!

Trafalgar Square (London's Times Square)

Ian got to go to a birthday party for one of his classmates - it was called Bocketts Farm - it was wonderful! They had so many fun things to do for the kids and there were so many signs of spring - so many cute little new lambs and kids - it was so fun!

Saturday night was Blue & gold - so we have a Webelo and and a Bear now! So fun - their pack was terrific and they had so many fun activities for the kids and prizes and it all turned out really nice (I'm glad I wasn't in charge!)

Last night Mike & I worked on our taxes - in the states we've had our great tax advisor helping us and I would just pass over the paperwork - here - it is very different - we had to input everything onto a website -meet with our advisor ehre to do US Taxes & UK taxes which they are of course on different schedules - I hope it works out!

Today I got to go to Pilates again with my friend Sara - we have a great babysitter - she really is like Mary Poppins - I love that we can get experienced babysitters here during the day and not worry about anything! I think it would be a nice job to have whenyou are a grandma!

Well now off to do more sorting!