• Jun. 4, 2007
How Weird Is It When...

You've been living someplace for so long that you start saying the words they use and forget the ones you use?  Recently, when trying to expain how to get somewhere to one of our guests, I simply could not think of the American word for the English word "diversion".  I kept trying to think of it.  "You know, oh what would we call it at home?  You know, a diversion.  No, that's the English word for it."  Then hubby chimes in, as our bewildered guest tries to figure it out, "Detour, Jo.  That's how we say it in America!"

Here are some more little words that might confuse an American visiting London:

A plaster is a band-aid.

An ice lolly is a popsicle.

A till is a checkout stand.

Give way means yield.

A dummy is a pacifier.

A nappy is a diaper.

A serviette is a napkin.

Pants are underwear.

Trousers are pants.

A biscut is a cookie.

Chips are fries.

Crisps are chips.

A jacket is a baked potato.

Post is mail.

A parcel is a package.

Donkey's years is a long time.

And a diversion is a detour.

Right.  Got it.  I'd better get home soon before I lose all of my American terms!

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• May. 9, 2007
Following My Shepherd

We've had some interesting and unsettling news of late regarding our time here in the UK.  We were informed at the beginning of this week that hubby's plant (he's in manufacturing managment) wants him back sooner rather than later because of some developments that have recently happened there.  We have a work visa here in the UK that is valid until December and definitely thought we would be here until at least October. 

In a sense we "just got here".  We've moved twice in the past two months.  Then the news came about yet another relocation as early as possibly the end of May.   It's funny, because just the day before at church, feeling yet again lonely and left out, I bemoaned our time here.  I was very homesick on Sunday, just longing for something familiar and in a word, easy.  But then Monday came, and with it this news.  And I was sad.  Not sad because I don't long for home, but sad because there are so many things yet to do here; things we want to see and do, people we'd love to get to know better, a culture we'd like to come to love and invest in.  Who knows what will happen?  And what is God's purpose in all of this --whether in be coming in the first place, staying, or going home much earlier than we'd planned?  Only He knows.

For the past two days, since we received this news, I've been questioning our decision to even come here.  Did we hear God wrong?  But in my heart of hearts, I do not believe we did.  Several things confirmed for both hubby and me that God was bringing us here for this season.  So, what of this apparent change in God's plan then?  I've been reminded of His sovereignty in all things of late as I've been reading through 1 Samuel and examining the events in the life of David before he took the throne.  Was David questioning if he'd heard God right  when he was hiding in the cave of Adullum, terrified that Saul would kill him?  Perhaps, as he sat there, he recounted his annointing in Bethlehem and his victory over Goliath, the good times he'd spent in Saul's court using the harp to soothe the king.  Maybe he was asking God the very same questions that we are asking Him right now.   "What are you doing God?  We thought we understood your plan."  Ah...therein lies the problem.  We will never understand His ways. For as Paul reminds us in Romans 11:33, "Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!  How unseaerchable are His judgements and His ways past finding out!"  Back to David, he must have wondered,  "What is a predestined king doing sitting in a cave, hiding from a madman who seeks his very life?"  Did David wonder, like us,  "How can good come out of this situation?"

In Psalm 142, verse 3, a contemplation of David when he was in the cave of Adullum, I read:  "When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then you knew my path."  Yes, again, I am reminded of His knowledge of his good plan for me and for my family, even when my spirit is overwhelmed with uncertainty.  And then another reminder from Job 23, verse 10:  "For He knows the way that I take and when He has tested me I shall come forth as pure gold."  Pure.  Yes, that's His ultimate goal for me:  my purity.  And His glory.

The words from this song by the Parachute Band were so comforting to me this morning:

"Lord, when I hear your call deep within my spirit calls, "Yes, I will follow."

Lord when I start to walk through that narrow gate, I cry, "Yes I will follow."

And in the valley of shadows no evil will I fear.

You are the Shepherd of my heart. 

I will trust you.

And I go wherever you lead me.  Safe in your arms I'll be alright.

How I love you. 

And I go wherever you lead me.

Lead me."

Yes, I will continue to follow my sweet Shepherd, wherever that may be.  I am his sheep.  And he knows the way that I take even when I do not. 

Lead on, Father.  Lead on.

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• May. 7, 2007
Umm, Am I Missing Something?

I just heard this coming from my telly:

"The smash hit USA classic game show is coming to the UK!"

"3,2,1....cue Donnie!"

That's right.  You know that smash hit, $500,000 Pyramid?  Apparently it's made it's way across the pond.  I do take issue with the words smash and hit, however.

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• May. 6, 2007
I Do So Love My Electric Tea Kettle!

"When moving house, the first item to be unpacked is the electric kettle.  Tea in conjuction with sitting down is so important in British culture that its consumption after unifying and world-shaping events (such as moon landings, cup finals, and the shooting of J.R. Ewing) results in millions of extra kilowatts of electricity being generated to cope with ten million British households putting the kettle on."  --From Nicey and Wifey's "Nice Cup of Tea and a Sit Down"

When we headed over to this side of the pond, coffee was my drink of choice.  To be more precise, a tall non-fat mocha extra hot with whipped cream from Starbucks, please.  I enjoyed a nice Starbucks at least 3 times a week.  Please don't try to calculate how much that equals in added pounds!  It really didn't help that the local Target housed a Starbucks.  I mean, I was in that place at least once a week, and the Starbucks smelled soooo good as soon as you entered the "home of the Spot".  I was almost always suckered into buying one.

But, alas, being in the land of tea, I thought I'd try it out.  Not that I haven't had tea before.  I'm a big iced tea drinker back home.  And, on rare occasion (and I do mean rare), I have been known to get a Tazo at Starbucks, but for the most part, I'm a coffee girl.  Hubby and I decided to try tea during our first week here, after visiting the Princess Di Memorial Playground with the kids.  They were having ice cream (in very chilly, windy weather, I might add!), and so we opted for a spot of tea.  Now, hubby had been here for a month previous to work, so he schooled me on the preparations of tea.  Add lots of milk.  And some sugar.  Milk?  Doesn't that go in coffee?  But, "when in Rome, right?  So, I added the milk and sugar.  And do you know what?  It really hit the spot.  It was good in a gentle sort of way that coffee is not and cannot be because of coffee's inherent bitterness. 

So, pretty much every afternoon now, I fill up my electric kettle (finally figured out what the thing was after 6 weeks being here) and have tea.  I have a little individual stainless steel pot to pour from and I love it.  I also give my children tea about 3 times a week.  They also enjoy it.  I think they feel so grown up, drinking out of the real china cups and all.  Although, as soon as this box of tea is gone, I will be buying decaf from now on.  They love the biscuts much more than the tea, but still.  They do enjoy it.

And do you know what?  I'm definitely bringing an electric kettle back to the States.  Voltage differences or not, I'm bringin' me home a kettle.  What would I do without it now?

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• May. 3, 2007
Boning Up on the Bard

This isn't something I'd be hearing if we were still in the States:

"Mom, you know what my favorite story was during my quiet time today?  King Lear.  It was about this king who had three daughters........."

It seems the Brittania story book that I got him has gotten him into Shakespeare.  Now he wants to go see the Globe too.  Ahhh, the things that this blessed 5 year old is getting to see and do.  Thank you, Lord Jesus.  Thank you.

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• May. 1, 2007
Why This Year Might Forevermore Be Referred to as the "Year of Spam" by Our Family

Have I spoken at all about how difficult I am finding grocery shopping here in the UK?  I think that it is, beyond a shadow of a doubt, the thing that I was least prepared for in coming over from the States.  I guess I was pretty ethnocentric in my thinking, because based on the fact that I have friends who have lived overseas and prepared my for culture shock and other things, and the fact that we had excellent inter-cultural training before we left, I assumed that buying products would be quite similar to that in America.  Wrong-ola!

To be sure, there are many American products here.  I can find Coke, Frosted Wheats, Skippy peanut butter, even Rice Krispie Treats.  But, oh how different many things are!  Take cheese for example.  They have a phenomenal cheese selection here, but all the names are different, so you're never quite sure what you're getting.  Plus, the american cheese that is a staple in our diet at home seems non-existent here, while cheddar seems to be used in that capacity here (Duh!  I guess it is called American cheese!).  Things like sour cream and whipped cream are very different in texture and consistency to what I'm used to at home. 

Now let's talk about meat.  Warning:  I'm going to discuss my distaste for English beef here.  I'm sorry, but it's just gross.  It's got such a different taste, being grass-fed instead of grain fed.  I swear to you, even the cows look different here.  Of course, this is quite a biased opinon, coming from the granddaughter of the best cattle farmer in all of Indiana!  So, I'm pretty much on a beef-strike until I get back home, except for McDonald's and Outback Steakhouse, which both import their beef. 

Onto another meat, the traditional Easter ham.  I couldn't find one.  Clearly, there were things that looked like hams but had different names, but I was afraid to buy them because I wasn't sure how to prepare them!  And it's a good thing I didn't.  An expat yahoo group I'm on has just gone through a discussion about how hams like we're used to in the States don't exist here.  You know --the pre-cooked, spiral cut ones?  Yep.  Not available.  The group suggested if you ever buy a ham here soaking it overnight in the fridge and then boiling it all day to rid it of the overly salty flavor.  No thanks!  

So, I guess now I'll explain why I think this year might be henceforth and forevermore known as the "Year of Spam" in our family.  I know how to cook it.  It's familiar.  It's available here.  And it has become a once-a-week meal in our house here.  Now, I know you might be gagging right about now.  And, I didn't think I'd ever confess that I was feeding my family Spam once a week.  I've had my run of guilt feelings related to the cholesterol that is coursing through my family's veins because of this particular meat product.  But, even with all these thoughts, it still makes an appearance as the main course once a week. 

Can anyone tell me what that slimy stuff is that comes out with the Spam when it comes out of the can?  Eeewwwww!  Just wondering.

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• Apr. 30, 2007
Our Weekend

We had a great time at Hampton Court Palace this weekend.  It is a huge and spectacular palace which was most famously inhabited by that scoundrel, Henry the VIII.  The gardens are varied and lovely and included a hedge maze, which my son, who is quite a spatial guy, loved! 

Below are some photos

Three little jesters entering the castle for the day.

Making our way through the hedge maze.

Examining the Tudor kitchen meat room.  We discovered that it was a sign of wealth to eat great amounts of meat, so the Tudor court's diet consisted of 75% meat.  I guess he was Atkins before Atkins was cool!

Playing hide and seek by the huge, old trees in the formal gardens behind the palace.

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• Apr. 25, 2007
Recent Fact File

Grossest thing that's happened in the past month (or maybe ever!):  My 4 year old dd caught chewing a random piece of (used!) gum she had picked up on the London Underground (subway).  She challenges my feelings of mommy-adequacy.  What can I say?!?

Number of times I've attemped to get into the driver's side of the van thinking it's the passenger's side: 5

Biggest surprise upon arrival at our new home:  No dryer (little did I know I'd be coveting my old one!)

Average number of trips to the grocery store per week:  5

Something purchased recently that I never had purchased before:  Peg bag

Average cost of our family to eat at McDonald's in the UK:  28 US Dollars

Two fresh things I LOVE in London:  The bread and the flowers

A holiday recently celebrated:  St. George's Day

A common English greeting:  "Y'alright?"

Number of emails in my inbox after being offline for a month:  88

Number of emails in my junkbox after being offline for a month:  536 (Note to self:  unsubscribe to lists before moving again!)

Number of phone calls made to people trying to figure out NHS:  15

My childrens' favorite snack with their cuppas:  Happy Hippos

Number of days until Mommy and Aunt visit: 19

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• Apr. 25, 2007
Just In Case You've Been Wondering...

where I've been, I'll fill you in now.  Actually, truth be told, I'm quite wondering if I'll have any blog readers left out there! 

We moved out of central London and into our permanent housing nearly 4 weeks ago.  On that day, I wrote a little email to all of my friends and family back home that we might be off-line for a "few days".  Little. Did. I. Know.  So, very long story very short, it seems extremely difficult to get anything done quickly here, including internet installation.  Being without the internet and my connections back home has been QUITE a challenge to say the least. 

And boy, do I have a lot to share with you -- I mean a month with no entries, come on!  So, check back often, 'cause I"m back online folks!  (You can't see me now, but assume I'm smiling broadly!!!!!)

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• Mar. 29, 2007
Our Adventures on Public Transport and Where We've Been This Week

We've been extremely adventurous in our public transportation this week as opposed to last.  We've even taken the tube.  I wanted to see if I could do it or not.  Turns out, I can, but it is difficult.  The tube is not very accomodating to strollers, with lots of stairs and escalators at most stations.  We've also taken several buses, including one route with a bus change.  Now, this is a lot for a girl who usually puts the children in their carseats and takes off.  We're definitely not used to public transportation!

The great thing about kids is that everything is an adventure to them.  So, while public transportation my be a pain in the rear for me, my kids love riding on the double decker buses, swerving through London traffic in the taxis, and speeding through London on the tube.  It seems we've also gotten more familiar with the routes and stops, at least in our little part of town here.  I'm definitely getting to know this part of London better, which is a blessing, because in May we'll have several visitors who'll want to be shown around.  Yay!

This week we've been to:

Regent's Park (fabulous park, with lots of flowers and many types of waterfowl)

Battersea Park Children's Zoo   (wrote about it a few days back in the Distracted Mothers post)

and the Natural History Museum (Awesome!  Loved the dino skeletons, and mammals exhibits.)

On a side note, I had heard from several folks who have lived in London, or visited for lengthy periods of time, about the lack of good service here.  I've not experienced that too much yet.  Although today, there was a very grumpy lady behind the information desk for children's backpacks at the NHM.  The backpacks are for under 7's and are full of things to help them explore the museum from their perspective.  I saw the backpacks all lined up, had heard of them through their website and knew they were free, and went to check one out.  That's where grumpy lady came in.   I inquired about checking out a backpack.  Her response went something like this:

"Well, (eyeing my three young children), they are for young children.  And they are hired out for 25 pounds."

I was confused, were my children, ages 5,4, and 2, not young enough?  And 25 pounds?  They were supposed to be free.  After more inquiring of grumpy lady, I found out that the 25 pounds was merely a deposit.  (Smart idea, deposits, especially since DD4 has already colored on our walls here, broken a glass, and gotten some kind of yucky stuff on one of the kitchen chairs, not to mention the DVD cordless earphones that she destroyed in our relocation rep's car a few weeks back.  Yep!  A deposit was definitely a good idea.)  I got out out 25 pounds, cash.  Grumpy lady's next response?

"Only credit cards, no cash!"

I had no credit card on me, so needless to say, we didn't get the backpack.  Now, here's my question...why do they put grumpy ladies behind counters where they will be exposed to children and mommies who might be a tad bit stressed out to be at the museum with all of their little people in the first place?  Why can't grumpy ladies be relegated to coat check or something?  Ugh.

Now, this long, rambling, focus-less post is ending.  That's been our week in a nutshell;  transportation, parks, museums, grumpy ladies, and all.

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• Mar. 27, 2007
A Multicultural Concern

DD4 at breakfast this morning, "Mommy, I don't want to speak Spanish when we get back!"

DS5 in a response of sympathy because apparently his language has changed:  "Yeah, 'cause I speak English now."

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• Mar. 26, 2007
Can I Just Fuss a Little About My Washer?

I don't mean to sound negative, but my washer over here drives me crazy.  Firstly, it is a washer/dryer combo, which until I moved to the UK, I had never even heard of.  It is also the size of a large stock pot.  That's literally as large as the drum gets.  No kidding. 

Now, I realize that I am spoiled at home.  One of the things we splurged on when we built our current house was the Whirlpool front-loading washer and dryer.  And I love those things!  (Oh, how I know realize that I love those things!)  They can fit boatloads of clothes into them.  And in this family, it seems that we do produce boatloads of clothes.  Now back to my current appliance...it fits...wait until you hear this...three towels at a time!  THREE! 

The term washer/dryer combo is also a bit of a misnomer because dry it does not.  Oh, I suppose it warms up the clothes a little, takes a little bit of the water out of them, but always, always the clothes are damp at the end of the dry cycle, and might I add, very wrinkly because the stinking drum is so small! 

Now, let's dicuss the fact that I also do not know how to use this appliance well.  Take today for example.  I wanted to dry the clothes that I had put into the washer earlier this morning.  I did not set my settings properly and the clothes started the complete wash cycle all over again. 

How about one more aggravating thing?  The washer/dryer cannot be opened until it is good and ready.  I'm not sure when that is exactly, but if you want to check on the clothes, forget it!  Not until the appliance is ready!  The door actually locks you out. 

Laundry just seems to be one of those little things that you take for granted in your home country.  Rant over.  Oh, and one more funny UK laundry note...our current letting agent told us upon explaining how to use the washer and dryer (which I obviously flunked that course!), that his own mum, to this day, handwashes everything with a washing board!  Now that was an interesting thought!  Seems she's not into these "new-fangled" washing machines. 

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• Mar. 23, 2007
A Long Post in Which Paddington Station, Krispy Kreme, Shopping in the UK, and the National Gallery are Discussed

We ventured out early this morning.  We started with a short walk to Paddington Station (or Pabbingtom Station, as dd4 refers to it).  We've been reading "Paddington Bear" by MIchael Bond, so seeing the station was a highlight for my children.  I had heard that there was a Krispy Kreme donut shop there, so we went for breakfast.  Just an aside, I have an addiction to KK!  On the way there, the streets were full of serious-faced people presumably heading to work.  I get some funny looks from people around here -- the lady with the three little children always in tow.  I'm sure most folks are wondering why my oldest two aren't in nursery school.

We ordered an assorted dozen at Krispy Kreme.  Then the next part of eating out in England is always figuring out what to drink.  In the States, we always get chocolate or strawberry milk with our donuts, which I didn't see, so I had to look carefully at which type of milk to get because they call 2% semi-skimmed here and skim milk is called skimmed.  Not that much different, I realize, but add new packaging, etc. and it always takes me longer than the average English person who is waiting behind me to figure out what we're getting, or in this case drinking.  Then, for me I ordered coffee.   The very helpful gal behind the counter asked, "What kind of coffee?"  WHAT?  Just coffee!  But then she kindly gave me a quick list of the types they offered such as latte, espresso, and lastly what she termed "filter coffee", which I assumed was what I considered just regular ol' joe.  That's what I got.

As soon as we finished our yummy donuts, we went to look around Paddington Station a bit.  There's a little mall area with a few shops, several places to eat, a Boots drugstore, and a few grocery stores -- Marks and Spencer and Sainsbury's.  We went into a beautiful women's clothing store --I know, what was I thinking?! --called Monsoon.  Lovely, lovely, feminine clothes with a bit of glitz to them.  I am feeling very, very duddy in my fashion here in London.  Everything is so trendy.  And most of the trends are things I wouldn't wear (large orange and brown circular print dress, for example) or would only flatter a 16 -year old, size 4 girl (skinny jeans!).  So, I've been feeling really Midwestern and sticking-out-like-a-sore-thumb and super duddy and yucky and old.  Not to mention the fact that I'm not sure exactly what was going on in my head when I packed for myself, but I seem to have brought my ugliest, most impractical clothes.  Anyway, back to Monsoon.  Now that was a store that I could find things that suit my style!  I do hope to go back there sometime sans children.  Did I mention that the sizes in the UK are two sizes higher than the US?  Does that stink or what?  So, if you wear a size 6 in the US (like say, what you wore before you had 3 children in 3 and a half years! ), you would wear a 10 in the UK.  I think that is an evil, evil way of sizing, don't you agree?!  Now, if you wear an even larger size (who would, really?), than you wear an even larger size here!  UGH!

After the little time we spent looking at the shops and tearing things from the baby's little grubby grasp before we left each one (Did I mention that she grabbed something unbeknownst to me in the shop at the British Museum the other day?  So, not only is she a macabre child who is obsessed with mummies, but she's also a little clepto-in-training as well.   We returned the item, by the way.), we headed out to catch the 23 bus to Trafalgar Square.  That's right people...silly little adventurous me was going to attempt public transportation alone with three children.  And silly little adventurous me was going to attempt taking the children to the National Gallery and exposing them to great classic works of art by the masters.  Stop laughing!  This could work, right?

The first bus 23 that made it to the stop was very crowded, and there was another one right behind it, so we waited and got on the less crowded bus.  And, yeah!  We did it!  And there were two seats together for the older two, plus room in the buggy (stroller) area for baby and me.  The bus trip was fine, just your usual kinds of squabbles between the two olders.  They are starting to get more used to our little part of London.  They recognize certain stores, such as Hamley's and areas, such as Piccadilly Circus.  They were excited to be getting off at Trafalgar Square.  The book that I had brought home for the children after my initial trip here, called "Katie in London", has been very helpful in getting them excited about Trafalgar and Piccadilly and other touristy sights here.  If you are planning a trip here, definitely invest in this book.  Amazon stocks it, I think.

We got to the National Gallery about ten minutes before it opened and it was cold and windy waiting for those doors to open.  When they did, we went straight to the information counter and picked up a children's trail, which right now happens to be looking for angels in various works throughout the museum.  Then we asked a few more questions and were off to the Art Action Zone computer room.  It is such a great place!  At the Art Action Zone, you can look through the collections in the gallery online.  Then you can print out your own specialized tour map.  They have tours already planned, or you can make up your own.  Tours are organized by artist, theme, time period, subject, etc.  And there are also some great tours for children like cats, monsters, and creepy crawlies, where the children are to find the paintings included which all have cats in them, for example.  We chose a post-impressionism tour because I had been in the Manet to Picasso exhibit before and also because I had brought home an art cube with some of the paintings we were going to see.  I hoped the familiarity might keep them interested and make them excited. 

I told the children that we were going on a treasure hunt and we printed out our map with prints included and headed out as detectives in search of  Bathers at Asnieres by Seurat , Sunflowers by Van Gogh, A Vase of Flowers by Gaugin, Avenue at Chantilly by Cezanne, and The Painter's Father by Cezanne.  We found them all quite quickly.  The favorite was probably Bathers because of it's size.  DD4 got bored quickly.  She was not really impressed and remembering what I had told her earlier about the fact that she was doing something that none of her friends probably had.  Early on, she was ready to go!

Since the first tour was done so quickly, we went back to the Art Action Zone and decided to take one more tour, this time with some images of Jesus.  We found two to look for, printed out our guide, and headed up to the second floor where the works could be found.  My son became very excited about finding the paintings on this tour and predictably, dd4 and now even dd2 were fussy, complaining, and ready to go.  But all of this changed as we entered the wings where Jesus as a subject in the paintings was more common.  DD4 became so excited to see anything where Jesus was depicted.  She was particularly drawn to this painting and wanted to linger there.  The child who wanted to go home 15 minutes into our first tour was now begging to stay behind and tarry at this piece where Jesus was on his way to Calvary, with Mary mourning behind him and Saint Veronica kneeling beside him wiping his brow.  When I inquired as to why she liked this one so much, she said, "Because that lady in the red is helping Jesus." 

You know the scripture where Jesus says to his disciples, "Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for such is the kingdom of heaven"?  Today, I felt like I was experiencing the reality of that verse.  I love that my little girl was drawn to the pictures depicting Jesus more than that of the Impressionists.  I am in awe of her noticing Veronica and am touched by her concern about Jesus.  I was struck by the fact that my little girl, who doesn't concentrate on any one thing for more than about 3 seconds, lingered there --looking, thinking, wondering at Jesus.  I hope that today never slips from my mind.  I want to remember my children's first experience with great art.  I want to remember my son's excitement at the scavenger hunt.  And I always want to remember the great concern that my little girl had for Jesus upon seeing "The Way to Calvary" by Jacopo Bassano.

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• Mar. 21, 2007
A Post in Which I Explain Why I Willingly Spent 41 Pounds Even Though the Museum Was Free

Taxi fare to the British Museum:  Ten Pounds (around 20 dollars)

Entry to British Museum:  Free

Lunch at British Museum:  Thirteen Pounds   (around 26 dollars)

Little Goodies at the British Museum Children's Gift Shop:  Six Pounds (around 12 dollars)

Taxi fare home from the British Museum:  Twelve Pounds (about 24 dollars)

Not having to take public transportation with three little children all by myself:  PRICELESS!

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• Mar. 20, 2007
Request From the Baby After Visiting the British Museum

"Un see mommies again, Mom?"

Translation:  "Can we see the mummies again, Mom?"

I guess she liked them.  Macabre little thing, isn't she?!

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• Mar. 17, 2007
Some Fun Little English Kid's Programs We've Been Watching

Here are some of the children's shows we've been enjoying in England.  (And yes, we've definitely been watching more t.v. than usual.  I'm trying to give myself permission with that and not feel guilty!):

Peppa Pig (cute little pig character with a baby brother, a mum, and a dad)

Underground Ernie (about an London Underground worker and his talking trains)

Postman Pat (about a Royal Mail carrier)

Fireman Sam (about a fireman and his helpful adventures)

Numberjacks (a math show -- very educational and fun)

Nina and the Neurons (a scientist who does one little experiement per day with some kids)

All of the above, with the exception of Peppa, are on the BBC or CBeebies, their preschool station.  Another thing we're enjoying are reruns of some of our favorite old Playhouse Disney shows, like Bear in the Blue House (DD2 loves it and everytime at the beginning says, "Ba mel me, Mommy!"  Translation:  "Bear smelled me mommy!"), PB and J Otter, and the House of Pooh.  And you do remember that the little characters on most of the American shows are dubbed with little English accents, right?  Cute!  One show that baby is missing is Sesame Street.  They have Play with Me Sesame, but not Elmo's World and the normal Sesame Street.    Most their children's shows are 10 or 15 minutes long, not a full 20 or 30 minutes.  (She says, trying to relieve more "mommy guilt"!)

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• Mar. 16, 2007
A Day at the Park

The three kiddos and I ventured out to the park today --Hyde Park that is.  It's about a fifteen or twenty minute walk.  It's a nice, sunny day and is probably around 55 degrees.  We found a Subway on our way (right across from Paddington Station) and grabbed some sandwiches, then we headed off to the park.  We had a picnic under a tree, then went to play on a preschool-sized playground.  The playground was perfect, because it was small in size and easy to see everyone, and had lots of little things that even the two year old could enjoy.  Whereas the Princess Diana Memorial Playground in Kensington Park is fabulous, but also very large, with several different areas, and lots of bigger equipment.  For mommy-minus-daddy, who was resposible for everyone, it was easier and much safer to be on this small playground. 

After the playground, we went to the fountains and the Serpentine and saw the water birds again, and lots of pigeons, which dd4 is fascinated by.  I think she'd take some home for pets if she could!  She's constantly chasing them around and saying, "Here, birdy!  Here, birdy!"  We saw some lovely swans in the fountains and on the serpentine. 

We then walked home, which after all that playing, caused a little complaining, because the kids were tired and it is quite a long walk for little people, I'm sure.  So, we played a little game that I made up called, "Can you make it to _____?", because my daughter said she could definitely not make it all the way home because those knees of hers were tired again.  So I said, "Well, can you make it to the hanging flower basket there?"  "Yes!" she said.  And then we just kept on with the next little landmark we saw until we got all the way home.  My son did have trouble spotting the post box because it was red and round and not blue and square like he was used to. 

All in all, a "brilliant" day, as they like to say around here!

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• Mar. 12, 2007
The Incredible Shrinking Apartment

Today was an interesting day.  This is the first day that hubby went to work.  The four of us were all alone in our little bitty apartment.  And, boy, did it feel small today!  I'm not brave enough just yet to use public transportation with all three by myself, so we're pretty much inside or walking down to our favorite new store, Woolworth's or perhaps frequenting a really healthy restaurant we found in London.  Maybe you've heard of it?  McDonalds?  I must admit that the television has been on much too much today and we've eaten lots of McDonald's and I bribed my kids in Woolworth's with candy.  I really broke all the responsible mom rules today, didn't I?  On a funny note, my son loves watching the telly here because all his favorite US programs are dubbed over with little English accents. 

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• Mar. 10, 2007
Great Sightseeing Day

Today was our best day here by far.  It was truly beautiful outside -- around 60 degrees, sunny and no wind (which is great because the wind here really makes things cold!).  Our kiddos are not used to walking as much as this city requires, so when we said we were going to go somewhere today, we were met with whines.  So, we decided to let them choose where to go.  My son chose Big Ben.  Middle dd will choose next time!

So, we caught the 15 bus to Trafalgar Square (or "Afawgar Squire", as my middle dd says it).  The children were excited to see the lions at Trafalgar, because we brought them home (from our original trip in January) a book called "Katie in London", in which the lions in Trafalgar Square come to life and take the children in the book on a tour of London.  Middle dd did ask if the lions were alive before we got there!  Anyway, they loved the lions, the fountain, and middle dd loved chasing the pigeons.

Then we headed down Whitehall to hopefully catch the changing of the horse guards.  We were able to catch the 2 o'clock change, which was very cool.  The children were enamored with the swords of the guards.  I must say, the solemnity and regality of the horses and the guards are beautiful.  Maybe I sound tourist-y, but I loved it.  And those horses are huge!

We kept going down Whitehall until we came to 10 Downing Street -- residence of the Prime Minister, currently Tony Blair, of course.  Not unexpectedly, it is strongly fortified and hardly able to be seen these days due to security, but it was still neat to see (well, what could be seen of it, anyway).  Let me tell you there is a major security presence there and they are packing some heat!

We continued to head south and soon saw Big Ben towering above the other buildings in the distance.  My son was so excited.  I think it was really important for him to be able to choose today where we went, and it really paid off in the complaining department.  He was very happy to have "brought us" there.  Big Ben is massive, and oh-so-pretty.  The parlaiment building was lovely as well. 

Kiddos (and mom, who am I kidding?) were getting hungry by this time, so we went to Tesco to pick up sandwiches for a little picnic.  While sitting across from Big Ben, a kind couple told me to put my camera closer to me for fear that it would get swiped.  I'm really not used to that, so I appreciated the heads-up.  Despite some rather annoying, thumping music from a group of three hare krishna's close by, the lunch was relaxing and fun. 

We then headed over the Westminster Bridge, in hopes of riding the London Eye.  The mall area outside the London Aquarium and the Eye were packed with people today, probably because of the lovely weather.  As we approached the London Eye, and my son saw it's massive height, he decided we should wait to ride the London Eye until grandma comes over!  Jubilee Gardens was right there on the South Bank and the atmosphere was so festive.  There are some wonderful living statues that will perform or let you take their photos for pocket change, so we did that.  The kids favorite one was a grown man dressed as a baby.  Yes, it was a bit weird, but very amusing!  We also enjoyed some ice cream on the lawn.  I was soaking in the weather, the sights, and the family time.

We crossed back over the Thames, this time on a different bridge.  I think it was the Hungerford Footbridge.  Absolutely breathtaking!  A dream come true for this little-traveled girl.  Big Ben was in the background, the Thames underneath, and the London Eye was overhead.  Wow!  What a gorgeous photo opportunity.  And you had better believe I got the camera out for that one!  The baby, who is really in the "twos" with her behavior lately insisted on walking the bridge, which was fine, because hubby and I always figure tired kids at night are best!  Getting off of the bridge was a bit of a problem, as no trolley/buggy path (handicapped accessible route) was available.  That's a big problem in this city.  Lots of hurling the stroller over one's shoulder, or bumping it down the stairs, or mommy in front lifting the foot rest while daddy picks up the umbrella handles and carries it down.  That aspect of sightseeing with three little ones in this city is trying, but it's definitely not going to stop us.

We bought a few postcards to mail, went back to Trafalgar Square, and then caught the 23 bus back home.  The children love riding the buses.  Truly, when we ask them their favorite parts of the days past, often they say "the double-decker bus!"  Easily amused, my children are.  And I love that about them.

Tomorrow it's off to Holy Trinity Brompton for church.  We're hoping things go well with the children here, as it's a church hubby and I felt quite comfortable in and drawn to on our first visit.  I'll let you know how things go.

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• Mar. 10, 2007
Yahoo!

Hubby and I were flipping through the telly last night and saw that my favorite show is on here!  That's right...we found American Idol!  I couldn't believe it.  And the cool thing is that it's on all in one night.  So, last night we saw the guys, girls, and the results show.  Well, actually, we didn't see the guys show, because we missed that part, but we could have if we'd known it was on. 

And on an American Idol note, what in the world are people thinking?!?  Haley over Sabrina?!?  Sanjaya over Sundance?!?  Come on people!  Like Randy and Paula said last night, this is a singing competition!  I can't decide yet who I want to win...either Lakisha or Melinda.  Both seem very down to earth and humble.  And both can sing their hearts out.

American Idol on Friday nights...now that's some major excitement from this side of the pond.

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