Funny little X!

Everyday X seems to learn 10 new words and has new 3 word sentences. Some favorites are, “I try too!” “That’s funny.” “ I like (insert word here~he really thinks it is cool to express what he likes,)” “Lay down.” Everything has almost a twangy, drawn out sound. “Laaaay doowwnn!”

He is even telling me “I love you, mommy.” I almost cried the first time he said it. However, he is now also saying “I love cream cones!” I guess ranking with ice cream is pretty high from a 2 year olds perspective.

He has never been the same snuggler that S is unless tired or sick/hurt, but he loves to run up and give out random hugs and kisses. It is sort of a sneaky attack move. It is so sweet and special when it happens.

He also has one of his mother’s joys and simultaneous downfalls. He loves rides and slides and thrills. He has no fear and would gladly try anything he sees, unfortunately his height (or lack of) often counts him out. We have to convince S to try, while X begs to go. I feel your pain X. I remember seeking the thrill and missing the height marker. When he gets the chance to ride the ride, etc. he chants, “Again, Again, Again!”

His current favorite pass time is “block tower, build a castle mommy?” S often helps. Mr. Potato head is a winner too.

Don’t let this all fool you, he can throw a tantrum like any proper two year old (S just didn’t?). He is a fussy eater. He rarely sits still. He is a blur in motion. It is always so amazing when he sits to work on “project” or “reads books.” Then he can sit for 20-30 minutes at a time, but generally he is moving out.

Football for VW

VW played soccer (they call it football or footie) with some guys from work. He said it was a good time overall.

A car, A car, Hurrah for me

We finally bought a car for me while my parents were here. It is a tiny station wagon. Well, at least it isn’t a mini van and it is a BMW. We can fit 6 which was our goal. For example, VW drove, my dad was in the passenger seat, the kids (and car seats) and mom were in the middle and I sat in the back end with the bags. (Amazing, being that I am claustrophobic.) But we made it work. I laid back with my ipod and book.

Our First Visitors

My parents have arrived. Hurrah! We are glad to see them. Unfortunately, we greeted them with three days of staying home to let S mend.

VW took S and my parents to a bird zoo. They had a great time and X and I stayed home so he could catch up on some much needed sleep. Then VW came back for us and we ate at the Castle restaurant. Sophia saw a friend from school and they played. (We sat outside.) After we headed to Kirby Muxloe Castle. It even had a moat. However, I would call the castle more of a ruins. It was never finished as the owner got his head chopped off when the king he supported died. That seems to be a common theme among the royals of the past. (I am sure in every culture.)

We also took my parents to visit Bradgate Park. They both made the long climb up to the top of the mountain. We were impressed. It is so very beautiful, we are glad they tried the journey.












My parents loved the Leicester Market. (Especially my dad, because he found some fabulous candy and loved the yelling out of the vendors.) We haven’t even been yet. They went two afternoons. I can’t wait to see it and it sounds like great prices.

Another day with the little ones, my parents and I visited a local family farm. It was a nice, simple fun day. S had a pony ride and we all had a tractor ride, we ate lunch there and fed the animals.

We also went to the Zoo. The SAT/NAV (GPS for you yanks) took us via the long road to China. I am not sure why but it was an hour and ½ drive there and a 45 minute journey home. The kids fought half of the ride and X cried the rest of the time. It was a long, long day. The zoo was nice. It is a world center for research of primates. It had every possible type of monkey, etc. Of course, as we walked in and saw the first monkeys (not knowing it was the focus of the zoo), S announced she didn’t like monkeys. At the end we decided to go on a few kiddie rides. S panicked on the first one and that was it for her. “Some days are like that even in Australia .” (From: Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst and Ray Cruz.) At least they both slept all the way home.

Additionally, my dad and mom spent time chopping up cardboard Ikea boxes (there were so many!) They also put together a dresser and some chairs. (Well, we figured they should pay for their room and board some how) They even babysat so we could buy a car (Yippee) and have a date night. We saw the new Will Smith movie. It was pretty darn funny. My mom also helped as usual with cleaning and laundry and dishes. She wasn’t impressed with my washer/dryer.

The last weekend they were here, we visited Windsor Castle and LegoLand. They are near London and we stayed over night in a hotel. Windsor Castle is neat. The miniature Dollhouse was my favorite part. It was truly unbelievable.

VW and I give LegoLand a thumbs down! I think Disney spoiled us. However, we did see two cute shows and I loved the European cities made of Legos. We have also determined that with X being 2, we just can’t do much as far as historical, traditional site seeing. We need to be more creative and find some cool beach resort vacations for the family.

We sent my parents off this morning in a taxi to the train station. X cried the hardest, then me. S said “Well, it sure was nice that they visited, but I am not to keen on their leaving. Let’s color the picture grammy left for us.” So we did. Then I gave the kids a bath, played and cleaned the house. Thanks for coming Mom and Dad. We miss you already.

I am sure I missed a bunch of things, but I think you get the gist. If any of you decide to visit make sure to let us know before booking, we have learned some helpful hints.

Our Baby Girl in the Emergency Room

Here is the beginning of a big catch up session. Sorry it has been so long.

S came down with a mysterious illness, causing stomach pain and a fever of 105. She had been suffering with a mild tummy ache (a poorly tummy-said my little brit.) for almost two weeks. I thought it was constipation and nerves from school. (She cried everyday of her third week of school. She left school happy at the end of the day however.) Then three weekends ago, it really became sore. Monday night her temperature hit 105. We brought her into the ER Tuesday am. I was there with both kids for 7 hours. VW came back and forth. He had some important work stuff that day and all we did was wait anyway. We saw 4 or 5 nurses and 4 or 5 different nurse practitioners and I think one doctor. We left without a real explanation. She continued to have an up and down fever 101-104 until Tuesday afternoon, when I took her in again. She was in terrible stomach pain and we worried about appendicitis. VW’s burst when he was her age. (By this time, my parents had arrived for a planned visit and kept X home with them, thank goodness. More on my parents later.) Finally, we saw a doctor. He determined she had an infection that was swelling the glands in her stomach. Within two days of starting penicillin she was on the mend. I bet she lost 3 pounds, she was so thin! It was only her second time on antibiotics in her life.

Everyone was so nice and helpful, but I wouldn’t trade the US healthcare system for anything. Also, I thought it was interesting that no one had heard of Tylenol.

Bradgate Park

Here are some pictures of Bradgate Park. I mentioned this before, but this is an entirely different part of the park, we hadn't even seen before. The deer let you get so close, you could almost touch them. They are everywhere.







There is a picture of a bar we drove by. It was called "Minnesota, an American Sports Bar." It was out of business. Funny.

The Good, the Bad and I’m…

…not really sure.

Good
Brilliant water pressure in my shower.
Private, fenced, green back yard (or as they would say garden.)
Plenty of space in the house.
The turn off knob for the stove and oven. It makes is safer with little hands around. (Ok, so I liked it once I figured out how to use it!)
Incredibly friendly, helpful people. Unbelievable.
Knowing we have so many exciting things to see a head of us.
My new found time alone with X. He is really fun.
Despite the craziness of getting here, I really think we will have a slower pace of life, once we are settled.

Bad (the little things~like annoyances of a great roommate in college)
Some of the water faucets in the house-the faucets have one spout, but half of the spout shoots out cold water and half of the spout shoots out scalding hot water.
Small packages-think twice the price and half the size when shopping for cereal, paper towels, toilet paper, grapes-you name it.
No storage. We have 4 tiny closets in the entire house. No storage spot at all. Ikea here we come-again.
No outlets in the bathrooms. NONE. VW asked me if the curling iron I bought didn’t work. (I guess I am looking a little dumpy.) I said, “It works, but we don’t have a mirror in the entire house. And I need one somewhere with an outlet.”
S at school all day (for me, she is tired but fine and happy.)
The Bus-see previous notes!
Navigating the stores and the brands (this will only be a short-term struggle.)
Missing everyone.

Not really sure..
To be continued…..

Get to France

“Set a meeting with so and so and get to France as soon as possible.” So, really, if you were making a bet 10 years ago would anyone have guessed it was VW’s boss who said this versus mine? I must admit I am a bit jealous. VW has been in southern France from Monday to Thursday. He said, it is very hot and they are causal at that office~so in other words his suits were a mistake to bring.

The little ones have been really good, but I miss being able to get a sitter or mom and dad and have some me time or me time with friends when he is traveling. However, we will likely go with the next trip he makes and spend the weekend. VW says it is a great little town. No one speaks English though. I will need to brush up on my French. Yippee, I am excited just thinking about it.

Many have asked about posting pictures of our house. I will do that. I just wanted to wait until we had something other then white, empty rooms with boxes and suitcases.

Pictures of our great backyard.

Cheers!

Phrases

Brilliant
Really (they say it as often as we say “like” even when it doesn’t make sense.)
Lovely
Quite
Bless her, Bless him, Blessed. (It is so sweet, I love it.)
Steady. For example, if a child gets a little of out control or runs into another, or might have fallen and thinks about crying. (I really like this one too.)
The little (emphasis on the t’s) ones.
Bin=waste basket
Lads or Mates= "The Boys."
Wicked Keen- I really want it or want it to happen.
Call you Love or Dear. (I will miss that some day. It is so pleasant to be called such a sweet name, by even the bus driver)
End every statement with a question, “Lovely weather really, isn’t it?” “It is really quite nice, don’t you think?” So what do you think they would say if I answered “NO”
Or they end statements with "then." “So you all right then?” “We are headed to the pool, then.” “I packed for all types of the weather, then.”

The phrases are so much fun. I would love to know what they find funny, that I say.