Thankful!

We had the best Thanksgiving, we normally go to our friends' house mid afternoon, to officially celebrate Thanksgiving and share a meal together with others, so the kids started out the day coloring and playing outside.

But it was just such a great day weather-wise that we decided to go for a family hike together. It was just beautiful. At first the kids were a little reluctant when we suggested a 'hike' so we changed it to an 'adventure' and got them all on board. Whatever it takes eh?!

 Poor Asia, we had hiked way out to a little alcove of a beach and we mentioned the tide was starting to come in and we should start to head back to the main beach and she COMPLETELY freaked out. She was absolutely terrified that she was going to drown, no matter how much we tried to reassure her that we were just planning ahead. No matter how much we cuddled and held her, even when we got back to the main beach she still was traumatized. It was SO sad. Don't think I'll ever forget that reaction and hope that she has not been scarred for life.

I decided to be 'present' for Thanksgiving, so no photos of the food, but it was, as always, a great time. We have so much to be grateful for.

Us!

I was bound and determined that we would do photos for a Christmas card this year and get it done in plenty of time. I picked out our outfits, checked sunset times, told everyone a couple of days in advance and got oks on the clothes choices.

The kids are so cute and we started out pretty well.

The sweet girls danced together for me and giggled.

And although there were a series of over 50 with Bryttain pulling a grumpy face because she'd decided she'd had enough and would rather be playing with friends (who'd knocked on the door as we were heading out) we still managed to get some of us all laughing together.

And even one at the end of James and I.

Love my precious family, SO much!

Easter Preparations

We love the traditions that we have as a family, that they expect and look forward to. Easter and filling eggs at the Busches (for the church hunt the next day) is one of those fun traditions that we get to share with friends. It used to seem a little overwhelming but the kids are all getting older and so much more capable that this year was a breeze, we seriously finished in record time.

All the kids minus Judah - that's quite the crowd. They were so little when we started (and the group much smaller)

Then we got to do a little trial run egg hunt.

Always fun to hang out with friends and it makes the work much more enjoyable. The kids all did a great job with such great attitudes. 

They're baskets are ready and waiting for them to find in the morning.

Oakland Zoo

At the beginning of the year I jumped on a deal from Mamapedia and bought us a family pass for the Oakland Zoo. It was a great deal (which of course I love), where the pass for the whole year cost us the same as making one visit. Saturday was our first time using our passes.

When Arran was little we used to take him to the San Francisco Zoo on the free days quite often,  and he loved it, but then they changed the rules and restricted the free days so that only those actually living in the city could get in for free. It was never a zoo that I loved, to be honest, I just loved that he enjoyed it so much. We had only been to the Oakland Zoo one time before, on Arran's first birthday, so it felt pretty new to all of us.

The amphibian displays have always been a hit with Arran, and of course they all love the petting zoo areas.

 Giraffes are so amazing. Asia really wanted to see them and they were the first animals she looked for on the map.

The weather was great and it always feels good to get outdoors and enjoy it. We certainly got some exercise with all that walking and the kids ended up exhausted (as evidenced by the sudden increase in whining towards the end) so much so that all three fell asleep on the way home. The girls have been know to fall asleep on occasion if they are really tired, but for Arran to do that at his age, well that was quite the surprise, we really wore them out.

Daddy's are the best. They come home tired after a long day at work, but all it takes is a child to ask them to read a book and they drop everything. I love how much my children love their daddy and I love the father that he is to them. We are all so blessed. Arran and Bryttain had been mid-battle, but they put down their lightsabers for cuddles and reading.

Indoor Play

 
Rain was scheduled for today, so Uncle Wesley told us about an indoor play area called Snappys. Maybe not the most exciting place for parents, but the kids loved it and were able to burn off some energy. They certainly did not have things like that in this area when I was a kid. There was climbing apparatus and giant slides and ball pits and rope ladders and tubes and probably much more that I did not take in. We even had (a pretty mediocre) lunch there.

This afternoon we went to visit and have a cup of tea with the Ways, a couple James and I lived with when we were first married. They have not changed a bit and it was lovely to see them again after all these years, have a good catch up and introduce them to our kids. Once again they did so great, they played beautifully while we chatted with people they did not even know.

James (and Arran) cooked a stir-fry for us all this evening. Uncle Ian (the youngest of the five of us siblings) came over and joined us for dinner and hung out for a little while too. The girls are funny, each time they meet a new relative they tell me they do not know them, but they are doing a good job of warming up to people quickly.

Quiet Day

Today was a leisurely day. The kids did so great just playing all day long as we took care of practical stuff, like sorting out a car.

Tonight we met up with some 'old' friends, the McGibneys. Their, older, kids were fascinated by our kids' American accents and it ended up being a late night. Poor Bryttain fell asleep on their couch, bless her. I am just so proud of them and how well they have all done on this trip. They have been extremely patient and uncomplaining and adaptable.

Off to Kent

This morning was our last morning in London with Aunty Caridad. I love how great she is with my kids, I love how much my kids love her and how comfortable they are around her. Despite the miles they have such a strong bond and with her consistent trips out to visit us she has actively worked for that. I am very grateful.

Goodbyes are always hard, but they know that they will see her again.

She drove our luggage to Victoria Coach Station while we took the bus and I cannot even begin to imagine how that would have worked if that had not been an option. We are so fortunate that the new film she was about to start work on was put off for another week and we got extra time with her. What a blessing.

National Express took us directly from London to Whitstable and aside from a slight altercation between our driver and another van driver (complete with foul language and requests for a fist fight) was uneventful.
We arrived exactly on time and were met by Uncle Wesley and 'Aunty Lou'.

The last time I was back in Whitstable was for Mum's funeral and the last time I was in this house was for the same. It looks quite different now and they have really done a good job updating it and putting their own stamp on it, which is a good thing. The kids were excited to see that they have a garden here and that they have their own room. Lou had also borrowed toys for them and had some DVDs ready, so things are looking pretty good.

Tired kiddliwinks watching a movie with 'Aunty Lou'.

A low-key day

We stayed local today. Daddy was meeting someone at lunch time, so we (the kids, Aunty Caridad and I) walked to Brockwell Park to feed the ducks (and geese and pigeons and crows and everything else that descended on us) and play on the playground.

Arran said it was the best day ever! We can spend all this time and money, but the reality is children are pretty easily amused, all they want is somewhere to play and have fun.

Tonight we had much anticipated fish and chips for dinner. Photographs will never ever be able to do justice them, you have to taste them. But if you have ever lived in England and moved away to a country that does not do the traditional fish and chips, you will know what I mean. I savored every single bite and ate much more than I needed to. Yes it was really that good. Definitely must go on every 'to do' list, if you ever visit England!

Our first big outing

Yesterday was an exciting day. Everybody woke up feeling much better; the previous night the kids were only up for a couple of hours in the middle of the night, instead of four. We were able to head further afield and have our first adventure. We decided to head to the Natural History Museum in South Kensington.

Waiting for our first bus.

There was much excitement as we waiting for our bus to arrive, that was one memory Arran did have from our last visit five years ago, the buses! They were overjoyed when we managed to sit at the very front on the upper deck. Apparently they felt like they were flying!

It is amazing, still, to me, that almost all of the museums in London are free of charge, it really is so great. The Natural History Museum is an impressive building, not just on the outside but inside too. These are the things that are so easy to take for granted when you are surrounded by them, but having been away for so long, I chuckled to myself as I realized how much I was appreciating all the details. I remember on my DTS in Scotland wondering why the Americans took so many photos of buildings of all things, but here I was, doing the very same thing.

There was so much to see and learn, so many great exhibits. I feel like we barely scratched the surface at the museum, we saw so much, but there was so much we did not get to see. I think one of the highlights had to be the dinosour exhibit, of course. We lasted as long as we could and by the time we left three of four hours later we were all thoroughly exhausted. Our return journey was on the underground, which completed the day's adventure.

Tired but happy, riding home on the London Underground.

Apart from the fact that we were all flagging, the other reason we had not stayed out longer was because my brother 'Uncle Ephraim' and Aunty Faith were going to be meeting us that evening. This was another event to look forward to. I am so happy for all the memories that are being built and relationships being strengthened on this trip. The fact that they brought some books and games did not hurt either. The girls were overjoyed to snuggle up with Aunty Faith and be read to, again and again.

The children did amazingly and I am so proud of them. They crashed as soon as we put them to bed and to be honest I do not know how they lasted that long, not only jetlagged but without the customary naps or quiet times, they are such great kids.

We chatted and caught up and had dinner and shared wine, then finished the evening with a rousing game of ...Scrabble! Old sibling rivalries surfaced, some people, for some reason, seem to think I am too competitive, but I think some people just do not like it if they do not win, not mentioning any names!!!