Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Charlotte's 3rd Birthday

This past Saturday we celebrated Charlotte's birthday. (She actually turned 3 on Monday, but she doesn't know that.) She had 3 of her friends over for lunch and birthday cake. Originally I thought I was going to be all ambitious and organize some kiddie games-- but it was pretty obvious that the kids were happy just to play together and so I didn't force any party games on them. See, I can be flexible! (Sometimes.)

Ella, baby Kate, Jack, baby Lucas, and Charlotte having some lasagna and snacky foods with some of the parents. (My first time making lasagna, it turned out to be not so bad.)

Charlotte wanted a "Princess Castle" cake. I did the best I could... although I realized as I was attaching the ice cream cone turrets, that I should have leveled the cake before icing it. She loved it though, so that's all that matters, right? (Charlotte's buddy Anton in the background-- they are practically joined at the hip lately and get into all sorts of mischief!)

Charlotte loved all of her gifts! She got this Cinderella Barbie from Anton though (that he picked out himself) and I didn't remember it then, but not long ago at church Charlotte kept losing her shoe while she and Anton were running down the hall. He would bring it back to her and say, "Cinderella, your shoe!" Way to go, Anton. ;)

At 3 years old, Charlotte is:

- Hilariously dramatic. She is always posing, and dancing, and making up songs and stories. She has recently started blurting out Spanish in the car. (If only there were a German version of Dora or Diego!)
- Super social. She loves playgroup and storytime at the Library and going to church and any opportunity to see her friends.
- An expert traveler. By car, bus, plane, whatever-- she is ready and willing to go.
- A non-stop talker. The first sound I hear in the morning is often Charlotte talking to her stuffed animals, and she also talks herself to sleep at night... with very few breaks throughout the day. She has an immense vocabulary.
- A reader. Okay, maybe not. But she has memorized several of her books now and "reads" them herself. When she forgets a part, she points to the page and says, "Talk about it Mommy."
- A sweet, tender-hearted, stubborn, head-strong girl. We love our sweet girl, but sometimes she is a pice of work! She has her own ideas about how things should be and she is not afraid to express them. She can be a handful, but she is also quick to forgive and forget and often acts as a mediator between other kids when there are conflicts.
- Too clever by half. And creative. And silly. And adorable.

Happy birthday to my girl. :)

Monday, October 12, 2009

London Day 3

On our last day in London, we headed into the main part of the city to see the big tourist attractions there.

Rob and the kids with Big Ben in the background.


Westminster Abbey-- Charlotte and I went in while Rob & Toby strolled around outside. It's a pretty incredible church (no photos allowed inside) and also about 3,000 people are buried inside, including many kings and queens, what are believed to be the 'Princes in the Tower's' remains, and many, many others. My favorite spot was Poet's Corner in front of Chaucer's Grave-- T.S. Eliot, Robert Browning, Charles Dickens, and on and on.

Charlotte in front of Parliament.

We went over to Buckingham Palace to watch the Changing of the Guard (along with every other tourist in London that day.) Toby loved the view from his seat.

Charlotte was irritated to hear that the Queen was not going to come out and say hello to her. And after waiting for a little while we aborted early to St. James Park and spent some time at the playground instead. The crowd was just insane, and the kids were tired of being confined to the stroller, so we were all happier at the park.

Trafalger Square.

#10 Downing Street.
(Where the Prime Minister lives.)

Across the street from #10, there was a protest going on. Rob stopped to read the signs and talk with a Kurdish man about their cause for a while. It was a peaceful demonstration and there were many photographers, reporters, and police on hand. It was Rob's favorite event of the day!

Mind the Gap. ;)
(Charlotte's new favorite phrase, by the way.)

Having a chocolate biscuit in the hotel lobby while we wait for Daddy.

We really enjoyed our time in London, but it was EXHAUSTING. Overall, the kids dealt really well, but we did have our occasional meltdowns. Rob & I found ourselves talking throughout the trip about what we want to see "next time" and where our next trips will be to... so that's a good sign. :)

Sunday, October 11, 2009

London Day 2

On Friday, we took a bus tour out of the city to explore some of the English countryside and legends. :)

First stop was Stonehenge. Brrrr, it was cold and breezy!

The stones are pretty phenomenal though... I can't imagine HOW they brought them here and arranged them, nevermind WHY they did it. Those wacky druids.

Next we went to Glastonbury. We were unable to climb up Glastonbury Tor because of the weather, but we walked around the Chalice Well and Gardens.

Legend has it, that Joseph of Arimethea brought the Holy Grail here and dropped it down the well??? Um, okay. Anyway, the water is tinted red-- either because of the mystical blood of Christ or some other reason. hmm... Rob & I both tasted it--- pretty strong iron taste.

It is quite striking though-- and the gardens are beautiful.
Glastonbury Abbey was the next stop. Henry VIII had it torn down when he began the Church of England, but the ruins are spectacular. Joseph of Arimethea was also a visitor here, we are told and brought the crown of thorns. The Glastonbury Thorn tree was the result-- which blooms at Easter and Christmas.

Hands on history. :)

Part of the chapel.

The kids had a rough time with being on the bus so much, but everyone survived.

Charlotte is turning into such a little "poser."

I love this one in Glastonbury. The town was a nice spot for lunch (Cornish pasties are yummy) and for shopping for all of our New Age and Wiccan needs. Or not.

The last stop of the day was in Avesbury. This tiny town is in the middle of another ancient stone circle-- like Stonehenge, but bigger, free, and where you can touch the stones.
Our guide David is giving us the overview here-- he was pretty amusing, especially when he got into an altercation with another driver on a one lane road and had left his mic on. (She called us bloody foreigners!)

It was really neat to walk around this henge with the sheep.

Rob with the stroller. Thatched barn roof up ahead of him.

The end of the stone circle and Day #2. The ride back to London was AWFUL.

There was so much traffic, we were 2 hours later than expected. Thankfully, Toby slept much of it and Charlotte made friends with 2 Hungarian tourists who played with her and fed her candy, etc. Charlotte made friends EVERYWHERE we went on this trip-- she is so outgoing. It actually reminded me a lot of traveling with my mom. :)

London Day 1

Yay!! We are home from London safe and sound-- and I LOVED it. :)

For me, London was always the place I would say when people would ask, "If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be?" (I don't know why, but it is surprising just how OFTEN I've found myself answering that question.)

I took about 200 pictures in 3 full days of sightseeing. lol

Here is a break down of our trip (and just a few photos)...

Charlotte and Little Polar on the Tube.

Acting (as always) at the Tower of London.

This guard was outside the Royal Treasury-- where Q. E.2 keeps her crown jewels on display--- He was so young!!! And he had to periodically march back and forth in front of his little hut. What a lousy job.

Tower of London. We saw where they found the two princes bones under the stairway. And a really cool exhibit on Henry VIII called "Dressed to kill" all about armor and weaponry. And messages etched into the walls by prisoners. And Traitors Gate. And the ravens that live at the Tower (legend has it that if they ever leave, the Tower will fall and so will England.)

London Bridge over the Thames, just beyond the Tower walls.
Happy 4th Anniversary my love!

After the Tower and some lunch at a trendy place called Leon, we took a little rest by St. Paul's cathedral.
Then we headed to the British Museum... "the largest collection of imperial pillagings anywhere" according to my dear husband. ;) Here is Rob next to the Rosetta Stone-- terrible picture, but I love it anyway.

Some of the many sculptures from the Parthenon in Greece. Greece would like to have these back. Apparently, it's an ongoing debate.

After the British Museum, we stopped by the British Library to view their "treasures." SO COOL! I loved seeing Jane Austen's journals, Handel's draft of the Messiah, a Gutenberg Bible, an original copy of the Magna Carta (they handwrote several copies), Beatles lyrics on napkins, and on and on and on. :)

AFter some Indian food on Drummond St., we headed back to the Hotel Elizabeth on Eccleston Square (Churchill once lived a few doors down.) This was the TINIEST triple room (this is Charlotte's bed in the window bay)-- but very comfy and covenient, and had 12 foot ceilings.

Also, we loved that the hotel had access to a private garden across the street where we liked to sit in the evening and let the kids run and play on the playground. :)

Saturday, October 03, 2009

Thursday, October 01, 2009

big baby to little man

BIRTH day 2008

One year old 2009

We went to the Kinderarzt this morning for Toby's well baby visit.... and he is a well baby. :)

After examining our little man, Dr. Hachmann said he didn't have any concerns, and that Toby seems to be a healthy, happy boy. (I like calling Toby "little man" because he just has this maturity about him... he's very even tempered and easy going.)

Toby didn't even wimper when he got his MMR booster. He just steadily looked at the doctor the whole time, and was rewarded with a goldfish cracker for being such a tough guy. ;)

At one year:
Height: 31 in. 85th %
Weight: 24 lbs. 65th %

We go back in 4 weeks for another shot for Toby AND Charlotte's 3 year check-up.