Well most of you haven't even probably read my Part I ordeal yet - and alas - we've already had another!!!
Camille - I'm thinking this isn't going to be typical!!!
We went to "El Torito's" tonight - not quite like the chain at home - the had mexican (sort of), italian, & spanish tapas!! Ah, and host the Salsa Dance club on Tuesday nights. However this food was rather good for once.
So just before our 6pm reservation - little Lucas cries, My Ear Hurts.......................
Gave him some Tylenol - went to dinner - he ate was fine, then bam...... My Ear Hurts.... cries... I want to go to the Doctor!!!
Of course it is 7:30, no urgent care is open on a Saturday night. Back to the A&E - but I wanted to try the OTHER hospital tonight. All 6 of us in tow - such a better choice - they have a whole pediatric area - I think we stayed there only about 1 1/2 but it wasn't bad. They didn't know what Tylenol/Acetominophen was at first, but then our English translation finally came through. Got Amoxocillian and went back home. A much more bearable experience - and I asked the triage nurse about my Peanut Allergy care and she was surprised - she said they would have immediately taken one of those cases in.... live and learn....
Such a nice way to spend a Family Saturday Night....if I drank I'd take a "double" - of what exactly I'm not sure :)!
And yes, Julie - I think Linda should send me a care package every month too! Chocolate, goldfish, luckily they have Diet Coke here!!!
Saturday, September 27
Friday, September 26
A&E
No unfortunately not "Arts & Entertainment"
We have now been here almost 3 weeks. A month ago from today we moved out of our home in Ptown. I hear that it has been cleaned and my good neighbors keep watch over it - and I'm so glad they've also been pillaging my garden!!!! We had a huge garden this year and left it a complete mess - tomatoes, snap peas, onions, bell peppers, zucchini, yellow squash - a huge pumpkin.... ahhh I miss my garden.
So back to the A&E - it means ACCIDENTS & EMERGENCY - yes - we've already visited the ER. Luckily we have a really great neighbor - they are from New Jersey but have been here going on 4 years - everyone knows them - it's kinda like living back in Ptown next to Ms. Janeen :) Cathy offered to drive me & Ian - yes, Ian - who else do I dash to the ER for in the last 3 years??? Apparently Waitrose's (grocery store) Pesto has more than just pine nuts - Ian has eaten Pesto before back home - guess I'll have to resort to making it from scratch again - once I get a blender/food processor - we had a lovely dinner - Tyler made Caesar salad, we had pasta, butternut squash soup (oh, that's in my garden back home too) garlic bread - it was lovely - the kids help prepare, set the table - we had water goblets (mostly because the other 3 glasses we have were dirty). We served it on the "buffet" - the kids loved that -
(not the actual culprit, but you get the idea)
Mike got home, then Ian said - I don't feel well - and we did our regular - does your tummy hurt, does your throat hurt? Do you have to throw up... so immediately went in the Benedryl, about 15 mins later he was shaking and it came back up.
So I called Cathy - and then decided I should take him in. Now for those of you that don't know - London is a place although they are democratic - they do have a form of socialized medicine - National Health Care. So basically visions of the TV show ER should immediately materialize in your brain. We got there - I told him it was a peanut allergy - they told us to wait in the lounge... hummmmmm that should have been my first hunch. He didn't look too bad - not like when I've seen him when he had full on peanut or peanut butter. But then he started to get a welt under his eye - so I got the nurse - they gave him just more antihistamine. Hummmmm hint #2
2 hours later - he was passed out on the chairs - there were about 30 people in this tiny room with only 20 chairs - it was bad. They had a posted sign that said, "We strive to see all patients within 4 hours of arrival"
Both eyes were really puffy...... I got the nurse again - Hmmmm hint #3 I had to ask for steroids while in the waiting room - prednizone - FINALLY at 10:45 they gave him some, saw him 15 mins later, sent us home..... Hummmmmmmm 3 hours....
So kept him home today - took him to our Private General Practioner that I just registered with last week and took him (begrudginly) to McDonalds - at least the Chips (fries) taste the same. That was about it - and he got a toy - he didn't seem to mind the cheeseburger though. I've yet to find good food.
This overshadows my own Dr. appointment story - on the short side - I got to meet my new OB the other day - I hope I get more experience driving to the town I will deliver (which is where we went for Ian) it took me almost an hour to get there for my appointment - I was 30 mins late - they never tell you there isn't parking, I parked down a hill at a public lot, started raining, didn't have a jacket or an umbrella or socks.....but the good news is - the baby is still a girl :)
And the other great news - our stuff survived (I think) the hurricanes coming around the Panama Canal and around - it arrived this AM and almost unheard of - cleared customs already today - we'll have to see if it is DRY. Tuesday Stage 4 or 5 of our trip will come when we get to have our stuff delivered and unpacked!!! Yikes!
Thank goodness for blogging - I'm glad I don't have to email the A&E story to the grandparents - I can just type it once!
We have now been here almost 3 weeks. A month ago from today we moved out of our home in Ptown. I hear that it has been cleaned and my good neighbors keep watch over it - and I'm so glad they've also been pillaging my garden!!!! We had a huge garden this year and left it a complete mess - tomatoes, snap peas, onions, bell peppers, zucchini, yellow squash - a huge pumpkin.... ahhh I miss my garden.
So back to the A&E - it means ACCIDENTS & EMERGENCY - yes - we've already visited the ER. Luckily we have a really great neighbor - they are from New Jersey but have been here going on 4 years - everyone knows them - it's kinda like living back in Ptown next to Ms. Janeen :) Cathy offered to drive me & Ian - yes, Ian - who else do I dash to the ER for in the last 3 years??? Apparently Waitrose's (grocery store) Pesto has more than just pine nuts - Ian has eaten Pesto before back home - guess I'll have to resort to making it from scratch again - once I get a blender/food processor - we had a lovely dinner - Tyler made Caesar salad, we had pasta, butternut squash soup (oh, that's in my garden back home too) garlic bread - it was lovely - the kids help prepare, set the table - we had water goblets (mostly because the other 3 glasses we have were dirty). We served it on the "buffet" - the kids loved that -
(not the actual culprit, but you get the idea)
Mike got home, then Ian said - I don't feel well - and we did our regular - does your tummy hurt, does your throat hurt? Do you have to throw up... so immediately went in the Benedryl, about 15 mins later he was shaking and it came back up.
So I called Cathy - and then decided I should take him in. Now for those of you that don't know - London is a place although they are democratic - they do have a form of socialized medicine - National Health Care. So basically visions of the TV show ER should immediately materialize in your brain. We got there - I told him it was a peanut allergy - they told us to wait in the lounge... hummmmmm that should have been my first hunch. He didn't look too bad - not like when I've seen him when he had full on peanut or peanut butter. But then he started to get a welt under his eye - so I got the nurse - they gave him just more antihistamine. Hummmmm hint #2
2 hours later - he was passed out on the chairs - there were about 30 people in this tiny room with only 20 chairs - it was bad. They had a posted sign that said, "We strive to see all patients within 4 hours of arrival"
Both eyes were really puffy...... I got the nurse again - Hmmmm hint #3 I had to ask for steroids while in the waiting room - prednizone - FINALLY at 10:45 they gave him some, saw him 15 mins later, sent us home..... Hummmmmmmm 3 hours....
So kept him home today - took him to our Private General Practioner that I just registered with last week and took him (begrudginly) to McDonalds - at least the Chips (fries) taste the same. That was about it - and he got a toy - he didn't seem to mind the cheeseburger though. I've yet to find good food.
This overshadows my own Dr. appointment story - on the short side - I got to meet my new OB the other day - I hope I get more experience driving to the town I will deliver (which is where we went for Ian) it took me almost an hour to get there for my appointment - I was 30 mins late - they never tell you there isn't parking, I parked down a hill at a public lot, started raining, didn't have a jacket or an umbrella or socks.....but the good news is - the baby is still a girl :)
And the other great news - our stuff survived (I think) the hurricanes coming around the Panama Canal and around - it arrived this AM and almost unheard of - cleared customs already today - we'll have to see if it is DRY. Tuesday Stage 4 or 5 of our trip will come when we get to have our stuff delivered and unpacked!!! Yikes!
Thank goodness for blogging - I'm glad I don't have to email the A&E story to the grandparents - I can just type it once!
Sunday, September 21
Good and Bad
We're having a good time - there's so much going on and not at the same time - here are a few of my observations:
I have 9 weeks left of this pregnancy - can't wait to get her out, but it's nice to have time for me right now. I'm still relatively small but my bad leg is taking the brunt of the pregnancy - last years accident I think left my veins a little less than perfect. It's funny though - my other leg isn't have problems so that is why I believe it is more accident related
Things are basically coming together - we still don't have our sea shipment - but it's not such a bad thing - we don't have a lot - but we can keep the house pretty tidy.
Making new friends - EVERYONE is so nice and helpful here - at least through church, school and the women's group. I miss my old friends and talking to my girlfriends - and my more permanent neighbors haven't come out of their houses yet - hmmm
Kiddies - they are bonding, they aren't bonding - I think they are getting a little stir crazy lately - we don't have any bicycles, or scooters, or even a ball so they don't really get out much after school right now. They drive each other a little bonkers I think. Saturday was good though we got the boys into Football and Football. American & European!
The driving is getting a lot easier - guess there's no negative for that one
School - the honeymoon is ending- the kids are finally realizing they have HOMEWORK!
We finally have money!! But my ATM card doesn't work!!! Ha ha, guess things can't be perfect.
Ty & Lucas were both under the weather Saturday - Lucas slept about 6 hours during the day - he's been worn out by school I guess - but he's doing well - even on Saturday and Sunday he wants to "go to schoool"!! Not to church or other things - it's very cute.
Our ward had a Munch & Mingle today - it was really fun - everyone brings a goodie for after church and it's a really nice social - our ward has about 120 people total in it - it reminds me a lot of when we went to the singles ward in college - we met in the institute building then - it's like that here - the building is quaint and old - the cultural hall doubles as the chapel/Gospel Doctrine room & RS. I never have to leave the room for the whole block! One thing about these wards though - they do everything online! They send lots of emails for everything so it is very convenient!
That's my update for the weekend - gotta get ready for bed - I know - most of you are just starting your days!
I have 9 weeks left of this pregnancy - can't wait to get her out, but it's nice to have time for me right now. I'm still relatively small but my bad leg is taking the brunt of the pregnancy - last years accident I think left my veins a little less than perfect. It's funny though - my other leg isn't have problems so that is why I believe it is more accident related
Things are basically coming together - we still don't have our sea shipment - but it's not such a bad thing - we don't have a lot - but we can keep the house pretty tidy.
Making new friends - EVERYONE is so nice and helpful here - at least through church, school and the women's group. I miss my old friends and talking to my girlfriends - and my more permanent neighbors haven't come out of their houses yet - hmmm
Kiddies - they are bonding, they aren't bonding - I think they are getting a little stir crazy lately - we don't have any bicycles, or scooters, or even a ball so they don't really get out much after school right now. They drive each other a little bonkers I think. Saturday was good though we got the boys into Football and Football. American & European!
The driving is getting a lot easier - guess there's no negative for that one
School - the honeymoon is ending- the kids are finally realizing they have HOMEWORK!
We finally have money!! But my ATM card doesn't work!!! Ha ha, guess things can't be perfect.
Ty & Lucas were both under the weather Saturday - Lucas slept about 6 hours during the day - he's been worn out by school I guess - but he's doing well - even on Saturday and Sunday he wants to "go to schoool"!! Not to church or other things - it's very cute.
Our ward had a Munch & Mingle today - it was really fun - everyone brings a goodie for after church and it's a really nice social - our ward has about 120 people total in it - it reminds me a lot of when we went to the singles ward in college - we met in the institute building then - it's like that here - the building is quaint and old - the cultural hall doubles as the chapel/Gospel Doctrine room & RS. I never have to leave the room for the whole block! One thing about these wards though - they do everything online! They send lots of emails for everything so it is very convenient!
That's my update for the weekend - gotta get ready for bed - I know - most of you are just starting your days!
Thursday, September 18
INTERNET!!!!
What in the world did we do BEFORE the net????!!!! I literally just got on - so I have a ton of things to do - for one - pay bills!!!!!
It's been an emotional week and 1/2 but we're settling in - I will post much more later - but basically we miss our friends, we miss our house - although this one is pretty nice - I like my new car - (rental) Volvo - I think we've found a used one I can get - so funny - one place wouldn't write me any insurance for the Volvo SUV (XC90) because "it's such a big car" and I haven't had a London DL for at least a year - hellllooooo I should send them a picture of my Yukon XL at home! I am getting quite used to driving on the wrong side, I MEAN Left side of the road - just keep thinking left, left, left - and thank heavens for GPS.
Oh well - the money situation here has been really hard - we only brought so much - and you can't open accounts or do anything until you have proof of residency here - then once you do, you have to wait for the card, then you have to sign for a pin, then mail it in, then wait for another password, then register it online - they say it "only" takes about a month ....... - so I've been floating money like a professional launderer - you can ask me on tips on how to float foreign money!!!!! but things are coming together SLOWLY - and backward - or old fashion - only "your husband" can call for this or that - "oh, you are a housewife, you have no income, you can't have this or that" - and so on and so on - oh well, more work for poor Mike!
I will post pictures later - but just wanted you to know at least that WE'RE ALIVE!!! although grocery costs are going to kill me and to whoever told me there were Goldfish crackers here - NOT TRUE!!!! xoxo
It's been an emotional week and 1/2 but we're settling in - I will post much more later - but basically we miss our friends, we miss our house - although this one is pretty nice - I like my new car - (rental) Volvo - I think we've found a used one I can get - so funny - one place wouldn't write me any insurance for the Volvo SUV (XC90) because "it's such a big car" and I haven't had a London DL for at least a year - hellllooooo I should send them a picture of my Yukon XL at home! I am getting quite used to driving on the wrong side, I MEAN Left side of the road - just keep thinking left, left, left - and thank heavens for GPS.
Oh well - the money situation here has been really hard - we only brought so much - and you can't open accounts or do anything until you have proof of residency here - then once you do, you have to wait for the card, then you have to sign for a pin, then mail it in, then wait for another password, then register it online - they say it "only" takes about a month ....... - so I've been floating money like a professional launderer - you can ask me on tips on how to float foreign money!!!!! but things are coming together SLOWLY - and backward - or old fashion - only "your husband" can call for this or that - "oh, you are a housewife, you have no income, you can't have this or that" - and so on and so on - oh well, more work for poor Mike!
I will post pictures later - but just wanted you to know at least that WE'RE ALIVE!!! although grocery costs are going to kill me and to whoever told me there were Goldfish crackers here - NOT TRUE!!!! xoxo
Sunday, September 7
First London Tour
Well we took the tube into London today - I learned on the tour bus that there are only 7,000 that actually live in the actual city of London - all the surrounding areas are London Proper and are all the other boroughs (like Westminster, etc.)
We got on a tour bus and the KIDS LOVED it - we didn't really tour any of the sites, we figure we have time plus when friends and family come to visit we'll be going to the places often.
Parliament & Big Ben
London Bridge - they are going to close it soon to paint it Red, White & Blue for the 2012 Olympics.... should be interesting - there was scaffolding everywhere in preparation... guess after they saw China they thought they had some work to do...
Lucas & I were smart - we stayed INSIDE upstairs in the tour bus.
We actually went on a fun day too - there was a bike race, a marathon & a Gigantic Street fair on Regent's Street - they closed down the whole street (it is a main drag for downtown london!) - it was really fun.
We got our XC90 Volvo rental car - figured the only time I would ever get a volvo - for 15 days anyway - Mike did a great job driving on the wrong side of the road - we took the kids to see the house - can't get in until tomorrow - but here we are....
We go tomorrow to start Phase III - the move in with temporary goods...... Our first shipment of things by air may arrive as early as Wednesday - yahoo! We'll see - the other things aren't scheduled to arrive any earlier than Sept. 26th. Mike just found the Cleveland/Dallas Football game (it's 9:30 pm here) he's in sports withdrawl.
Won't have internet for a while so I won't be able to post for a little bit - I have to hurry and get it up so I can stay connected!!!! I miss my friends & family already!! Can't wait to catch up on all your blogs!!
We got on a tour bus and the KIDS LOVED it - we didn't really tour any of the sites, we figure we have time plus when friends and family come to visit we'll be going to the places often.
Parliament & Big Ben
London Bridge - they are going to close it soon to paint it Red, White & Blue for the 2012 Olympics.... should be interesting - there was scaffolding everywhere in preparation... guess after they saw China they thought they had some work to do...
Lucas & I were smart - we stayed INSIDE upstairs in the tour bus.
We actually went on a fun day too - there was a bike race, a marathon & a Gigantic Street fair on Regent's Street - they closed down the whole street (it is a main drag for downtown london!) - it was really fun.
We got our XC90 Volvo rental car - figured the only time I would ever get a volvo - for 15 days anyway - Mike did a great job driving on the wrong side of the road - we took the kids to see the house - can't get in until tomorrow - but here we are....
We go tomorrow to start Phase III - the move in with temporary goods...... Our first shipment of things by air may arrive as early as Wednesday - yahoo! We'll see - the other things aren't scheduled to arrive any earlier than Sept. 26th. Mike just found the Cleveland/Dallas Football game (it's 9:30 pm here) he's in sports withdrawl.
Won't have internet for a while so I won't be able to post for a little bit - I have to hurry and get it up so I can stay connected!!!! I miss my friends & family already!! Can't wait to catch up on all your blogs!!
Saturday, September 6
Happy Birthday Cman & We arrived!
Cman is Double Digits!!!!!
I did a great post for Cman's bday in our temporary hotel as his bday was before we left - but something happened to it. We love having this kid in our family - he is the first in the family so if his father were Chinese instead of his mother - he'd have great honor - instead - he's just gets to be known as a great kid. Chandler is one of those kids that would give the shirt off his back if you needed it - he's a nice boy - kind and considerate - he is so athletic I know he'll be some type of pro one day! Cman knows how to push buttons too (especially to his big sister - but I know she loves him) but we're so proud of all that he is and does.....
I wanted to do a quick post also of our travels to let you know stage 2 of our adventure has passes successfully ....
What a joke! Look at all that "baggage!"
"Where is our plane????"
We survived the flight although it left 2 hours late - Ty, Cman & I got upgraded to Business - Mike offered to stay with Lucas & Ian in Economy Plus - it was a good thing for my veracose ridden legs. The kids slept a good deal of the flight - me too - here we are just before we left with our 12 pieces of check-in luggage and here just as we got off.....
We have arrived!!! 1 buggy (stroller) and 4 luggage carts
We had weird sleeping times today - we all woke up about 3 am - so turned on a movie for the kiddies on my computer - then we took a 'nap' before breakfast - unfortunately we didn't wake up until 11:30. We aren't sure where any of Ty's closed toe shoes ended up so we ended up going into Kingston to go shopping - tomorrow hopefully we'll get up earlier then we'll go into London for our Red Bus Ride...
Uh-oh boys - what did you do now??!! Push boys push - look at Ian at the very end!
I did a great post for Cman's bday in our temporary hotel as his bday was before we left - but something happened to it. We love having this kid in our family - he is the first in the family so if his father were Chinese instead of his mother - he'd have great honor - instead - he's just gets to be known as a great kid. Chandler is one of those kids that would give the shirt off his back if you needed it - he's a nice boy - kind and considerate - he is so athletic I know he'll be some type of pro one day! Cman knows how to push buttons too (especially to his big sister - but I know she loves him) but we're so proud of all that he is and does.....
I wanted to do a quick post also of our travels to let you know stage 2 of our adventure has passes successfully ....
What a joke! Look at all that "baggage!"
"Where is our plane????"
We survived the flight although it left 2 hours late - Ty, Cman & I got upgraded to Business - Mike offered to stay with Lucas & Ian in Economy Plus - it was a good thing for my veracose ridden legs. The kids slept a good deal of the flight - me too - here we are just before we left with our 12 pieces of check-in luggage and here just as we got off.....
We have arrived!!! 1 buggy (stroller) and 4 luggage carts
We had weird sleeping times today - we all woke up about 3 am - so turned on a movie for the kiddies on my computer - then we took a 'nap' before breakfast - unfortunately we didn't wake up until 11:30. We aren't sure where any of Ty's closed toe shoes ended up so we ended up going into Kingston to go shopping - tomorrow hopefully we'll get up earlier then we'll go into London for our Red Bus Ride...
Uh-oh boys - what did you do now??!! Push boys push - look at Ian at the very end!
Friday, August 29
MOVING DAY & FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL
It has been CRAZY here - extremely overwhelming.... conveniently Mike had to go to SF for the week - so it's been me, Lucas & the movers....we're at the tail end and I just have to "be here" so I had a second - but it has been really really hard, much more than I thought - and quite embarrassing HOW MUCH CRAP we've accumulated over the years. I purged (what I could reach) but wow there's a lot going into storage that I'll have to purge when we come back.
The first day of school, the calm before the storm......
Ian's new teacher (aka Barbie)
Welcome back Muffins (lucas loves blueberry)
No explanation needed
It's truly happening
So we're in temporary housing - will be checking periodically - we leave for the 11 hours plane journey next Thursday - yikes! And a shout out to my friends & family just joining my blog - don't be a blog-stalker :) drop us a comment often so we know you're checking in on us!!!!
The first day of school, the calm before the storm......
Ian's new teacher (aka Barbie)
Welcome back Muffins (lucas loves blueberry)
No explanation needed
It's truly happening
So we're in temporary housing - will be checking periodically - we leave for the 11 hours plane journey next Thursday - yikes! And a shout out to my friends & family just joining my blog - don't be a blog-stalker :) drop us a comment often so we know you're checking in on us!!!!
Thursday, August 21
Bowling Par-tay
Well I survived the last kid party - we went bowling for Ian's early Bday - we had a great bargain though - we had planned the party a month ago - and it ended up being $0.99 for games and shoes and hotdog & drink .... hello - it was something like $2.97 per kid!!! Score!!
Good thing too because we ended up having 17 kids! Last week for Cman's party it seemed all his friends were out of town - this week (school starts next Tuesday) everyone was home!!! So random.
We had a good time - Ian's friends tend to be a bit more "rowdy" than my other kids friends - but they were all great and had a good time....
On Monday we went to see Rachel (side bar Brackett) and went to Chuck E's - but in a different town - I know - Linda is going to be SOOOOO thrilled that I posted my pictures!!
My good friend Grace came to see us too - such a great place - between the 4 of us we have 19 1/2 kids - luckily for Chuck E's we didn't bring ALL of them!!
After that I had to run down to SJ for ANOTHER surprise party for Mike at his work - his Admin put together a little ditty - it was nice - but now I'm exhausted between the kids activities & purging - my house looks so empty it's great!
This weekend my next door neighbor is throwing me a babyshower - the fun NEVER stops...
Good thing too because we ended up having 17 kids! Last week for Cman's party it seemed all his friends were out of town - this week (school starts next Tuesday) everyone was home!!! So random.
We had a good time - Ian's friends tend to be a bit more "rowdy" than my other kids friends - but they were all great and had a good time....
On Monday we went to see Rachel (side bar Brackett) and went to Chuck E's - but in a different town - I know - Linda is going to be SOOOOO thrilled that I posted my pictures!!
My good friend Grace came to see us too - such a great place - between the 4 of us we have 19 1/2 kids - luckily for Chuck E's we didn't bring ALL of them!!
After that I had to run down to SJ for ANOTHER surprise party for Mike at his work - his Admin put together a little ditty - it was nice - but now I'm exhausted between the kids activities & purging - my house looks so empty it's great!
This weekend my next door neighbor is throwing me a babyshower - the fun NEVER stops...
Tuesday, August 19
SURPRISE!!
My great friends help me carry off a great surprise 40th bday for my man last Friday night. I didn't obviously also talk about this party in my earlier post because Mike blog-stalks sometimes! ( I love what Hot Mama has nicknamed me: Marathon Mom! I totally feel like I am running crazy)
We went to a place called Campo di Bocce - so we played outdoor bocce ball!!! It was soooooooooo much fun. I love my friends - I am going to miss them so much when we move to London - but I'm also so grateful that so many of them are planning to come visit me already! My friend Christy has already booked her tickets to come out for Easter!
Mike's real bday isn't until November but I wanted to celebrate before we left - I had always wanted to do a big party for him - but this party was perfect - he was very surprised - Mike & I always do a Birthday Dinner every year with Linda & Chris - obviously this year with us being in the UK by November we won't be able to do it - so that was the guise to get him out to dinner....
All of our great friends that could make it
Heels aren't allowed so I had to remind the men not to wear Stillettos
Lots of friends: Todd, Mike, Linda & Christy
Let's eat Cake!
He loves me
Me & Lulu (Auntie Nu!)
We went to a place called Campo di Bocce - so we played outdoor bocce ball!!! It was soooooooooo much fun. I love my friends - I am going to miss them so much when we move to London - but I'm also so grateful that so many of them are planning to come visit me already! My friend Christy has already booked her tickets to come out for Easter!
Mike's real bday isn't until November but I wanted to celebrate before we left - I had always wanted to do a big party for him - but this party was perfect - he was very surprised - Mike & I always do a Birthday Dinner every year with Linda & Chris - obviously this year with us being in the UK by November we won't be able to do it - so that was the guise to get him out to dinner....
All of our great friends that could make it
Heels aren't allowed so I had to remind the men not to wear Stillettos
Such a good sport!
Me hiding my 25 week belly, Laura & Michele (my GNO girls!)
Me hiding my 25 week belly, Laura & Michele (my GNO girls!)
Miss Linda winning at Bocce
Lots of friends: Todd, Mike, Linda & Christy
Let's eat Cake!
He loves me
Me & Lulu (Auntie Nu!)
Chris & Mike
Dan, Herbie, Mike & Jimmy Cole
Dan, Herbie, Mike & Jimmy ColeFriday, August 15
Summer Fun
I am kinda ready for summer to be over and these little kiddies to be back to school - they are starting to pick on each other and keep saying how bored they are - I can't get them to read anything or do homework books anymore - they just want to watch TV or play the Wii or DS - so we have to keep doing things with friends to keep them busy. However on the flipside - once they go back to school - the next day we pack up our house for our great adventure....so there is a bit of a Catch-22.
With that said - we've also been cramming in get-togethers before we our big move. Ty got a small sleepover with girlfriends - so we did a tent sleep in the backyard thing - I made this yummy Monkey Bread for breakfast - doesn't it look delish?!
When the girls all left - we planned an early birthday party for Cman - we had our first swim party at our neighborhood pool - my kids always remind me we are the only ones in the neighborhood that doesn't have their own pool in the backyard, but hardly anyone was there - so it's just like our own private pool without the electricity bill!
He had a few friends able to come - it's tough in August - lots of friends were on vacation - but lucky for us - Linda's crew is a party in itself - so we still ended up with 16 kids with her 5, my 4, plus 2 friends for Ty - and Cman's real "guests"!
It was a HOT HOT day - so it was perfect - notice there are no pictures of the giant pregnant whale in the blue non-maternity swimsuit. Luckily 10 year old boys don't care what their moms look like!
Lucas & Hayden - Best Buds
KR, Lucas, Ty & MA (literally I always call these girls by their initials - something I've done for years, not cuz I'm disguising their names or anything! They just both always went by their first & middle name)
With that said - we've also been cramming in get-togethers before we our big move. Ty got a small sleepover with girlfriends - so we did a tent sleep in the backyard thing - I made this yummy Monkey Bread for breakfast - doesn't it look delish?!
When the girls all left - we planned an early birthday party for Cman - we had our first swim party at our neighborhood pool - my kids always remind me we are the only ones in the neighborhood that doesn't have their own pool in the backyard, but hardly anyone was there - so it's just like our own private pool without the electricity bill!
He had a few friends able to come - it's tough in August - lots of friends were on vacation - but lucky for us - Linda's crew is a party in itself - so we still ended up with 16 kids with her 5, my 4, plus 2 friends for Ty - and Cman's real "guests"!
It was a HOT HOT day - so it was perfect - notice there are no pictures of the giant pregnant whale in the blue non-maternity swimsuit. Luckily 10 year old boys don't care what their moms look like!
Lucas & Hayden - Best Buds
KR, Lucas, Ty & MA (literally I always call these girls by their initials - something I've done for years, not cuz I'm disguising their names or anything! They just both always went by their first & middle name)
All for one & one for all!!! If you enlarge - you will see Bowen - he is always trying to steal the limelight - I keep telling Linda that she has a starlet on her hands! I expect tickets to the Oscars one day - or walk down the red carpet as the second mom who always supported the arts......
Yes, us crazy 2 moms and 16 kiddies in the pool - I kept counting them 1,2,3..... (I tried to get a lifeguard/babysitter to help but she was a Driver's School - scary!)
So I had back-to-back parties and lived to talk about it - then next week we'll do bowling for Ian's early bday!!! Yikes! Within the next week too we'll also have a baby shower, then school starts, pack our house, then a good-bye open house!!!! Oh the fun never stops!
Off to watch more Olympics!
So I had back-to-back parties and lived to talk about it - then next week we'll do bowling for Ian's early bday!!! Yikes! Within the next week too we'll also have a baby shower, then school starts, pack our house, then a good-bye open house!!!! Oh the fun never stops!
Off to watch more Olympics!
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