Tuesday 29 May 2012

From the Phone

The movers are here for day 2 of 3. So far so good since I have a minute to blog!

Curl of the day...


Bum up...


In one minute she managed to put her leg in the arm opening of her sleeping bag...


Reach...


Jubilee display at Harrod's...


Windsor Castle and the Queen was in residence.  This is the day we declared to be our last sight-seeing day...


First solid food...avocado...it was well received....


Sweet Chubbers...

Saturday 19 May 2012

Worse, Way Worse: Laundry

We have a Miele washer and dryer. Unknown to me until living here but are high-end German appliances. Take a look at the port hole opening...

The load size is tiny and the wash cycles are very long. The washing machine is running most days for several hours. We are a rather low laundry generating family.

Comparatively speaking it could be even more way worse if we had a washer/dryer combo. Those are terrible for clothes and worthless for actually drying clothes.

The other picture is the dryer water container. Neither of the dyers I have used here were vented. So the water in the clothes is extracted to the container and is manually emptied. My current dryer will continue and spill out if full. The prior dryer would stop running when full. Always a treat to discover a dryer of wet clothes because I tried to dry one more load or forgot to empty it. Mary Kate enjoys the emptying job. These dryers cause excessive wrinkles and more ironing.

Thursday 17 May 2012

Streaming

Streaming thoughts...

Celia, as the French say, found her nights or slept through the night early on. About a month ago when we were in Paris she lost them. She is back to sleeping through most nights but likes to keep things exciting. This is heavy on my mind because I am tired.

George is going to Texas in a week (all future events will occur in a week) in a biggie green plane. He is going to watch movies and drink juice on biggie plane. Daddy is in Texas all night (today is all night). George is going to potty train in Texas.

I am trying to catch up on blogging to mark the end of our time in London.

12 days until we leave!

On this side the move requires attention but is not overwhelming. Most electrics are sold. We are purging with the dreaded garage and guest room still to do.

On the US side we have temporary housing reserved. We know the general area we will live but the girls do not have confirmed school places. I do not like the uncertainty.

We still have boxes to tick but are finished sightseeing. It stopped being fun. Plus tourists are so annoying.

Loads of rain, little sun and chilly here. Even more complaining. I am savoring it because I hate being hot.

Speaking of hot, the summer is going to be a long one. A new city, reintegrating, four children and Brent will no doubt put in extra hours to get started, I am trying to think of it as an extended hols - ice lollies, swimming and summer hours.

George is looking goofy because all his clothes are too short. No need to buy long sleeves and trousers for the last few weeks.

Wednesday 16 May 2012

Monday 14 May 2012

Same: Parents of "Smart" Kids

Or rather I should say parents who talk about their smart kids all.the.time. These parents are the same on both sides of the pond. They generally fall into one of two categories:

1. The parent did not do well in school so they are unaware it is impolite to talk about smartness. They are proud they managed to produce a gifted child. Good for them. But they need to pick up the social grace to keep quiet about it.

2. The child is in fact not bright. I do not know why these parents feel the need to say their child is smart. Perhaps the parent feels guilty and pretending makes them feel better.  Again they should keep quiet and not draw unneeded attention to their less able child.

Either way it is so annoying to listen to them go on and on and on...

Saturday 5 May 2012

Recent Pics

Lounging in the Nordstrom lady's lounge...


"Helping" with post-trip laundry...


Princess Diana wallpaper at Kensington Palace...


Ireland preview...the view from our living room...


Eventually he wears out...


The return flight from Houston...


American Girls...Celia was a bit too round for the dress...


Rocking the leg warmers...


Easter was exhausting...


Friday 4 May 2012

Worse: Pampers

Pampers in the UK vs the US function the same - my top choice for disposable diapers for 10 years.  The sizing is a little different for weight ranges.  What is worse is the scent of the diaper or lack thereof.  When George was an infant I thought maybe he did not have enough output because his urine smell was strong.  Then on our first trip to the US and first pack of US diapers, I found the difference.  UK Pampers are fragrance free and have a chemical smell.  US Pampers have a nice soft baby powder scent.  Mmm...heavenly!  Celia currently has a supply of US diapers from our house-hunting trip.  I take a whiff at every change.  Mmm...heavenly!  

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Thursday 3 May 2012

Book Review: Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris



Mrs Harris Goes to Paris and Other Adventures are delightful tales of an English cleaning lady and her adventures. It is easy and light reading. I highly recommend them. Mary Kate has been very curious about the book. She said it looks good from the cover but they say to never judge a book by it's cover. True, true. However, in this case the pink cover is a hint as to the fun written inside and is a fair judgement. I am passing it on to her to read next.
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Wednesday 2 May 2012

Mary Kate's 10th

We sing because we love you
and we sing to let you know
For you will be queen for the day
and off to Paris you will go!
(Modified lyrics from Barbie and the 12 Dancing Princesses)

We surprised Mary Kate on her birthday with a little trip to Paris.  We awoke her with the above ditty.  Instead of a party she choose to take a trip.  She had no idea it would happen on her birth day.  She packed her bags and was off...


Brent saw us to Waterloo...


Play with Baby on the Eurostar...


The Eiffel Tower...


Spray whip cream in hotel robe and slippers...


Tea at Laduree...


Darling window display at Laduree...


Birthday butter and baguette dinner...


Sidewalk cafe steak frites...(Le Relais de Venise)


Tween....


She had a great trip and was spoiled...a memorable birthday!