Family Visit #3

We have enjoyed another family visit, this time from my mom. We have had a fabulous week and the boys have absolutely loved the attention that she has showered upon them! Although by the looks of this photo, it's hard to tell who is having more fun!

Here are the highlights of her visit:

Belated birthday parties with mom:

G and I took mom to Hampton Court for the day:

I tested mom's strength and endurance as she kept up with our daily school runs, errands and school matches:

I lost count of how many times S asked Mimi to work the Wall-E puzzle . . .

and read the new favorite dinosaur book:

The boys have learned to smile on cue:

Thanks for hopping across the pond to visit! I cannot tell you how much we enjoyed having you here! We're already working on plans for your next trip over . . .

G's 9th Birthday Party

We celebrated G's birthday last weekend with a party at Stamford Bridge, home of the Chelsea Football Club. G first held a press conference:

This was followed by a locker room tour:

And out on the pitch:

How can 9 years have gone so quickly? My little one is quickly turning into a charming young man! Happy Birthday, G!

Happy Birthday G!

I've had these photos ready to post for a few days now, but it seems that the boys have been plagued yet again with a nasty tummy bug that has induced high volumes of vomit, usually when we were least expecting it and often simultaneously. Yes, it's been quite a week!

But now that my hands are free of grabbing whatever bowl, blanket, bucket or bag has been closest in proximity, I have a few minutes to share photos from G's 9th birthday which was on Saturday while we were in Hampshire.

We started the morning off with our first lesson in English riding:

That was followed by a clay pigeon shooting lesson on the range:

The suspense of unopened gifts got the best of G, so present opening was next:

We ordered room service for dinner which G loved, followed by a birthday cake with trick candles:

Dinner was followed by a night swim:

We were watching the clock and I took this photo at precisely the moment G officially turned 9:

Happy Birthday, Love Bug! You are an amazing son, a loving brother, a loyal friend, a talented sportsman, a bright student, and a competitive, compassionate, courteous and courageous young man. I could not be more proud of you and I love you very, very much!

xoxoxo

mom

We've Flown the Coop

For G's birthday present, the boys and I gave him a weekend away in a beautiful resort set in the hills of the English countryside. We left yesterday for Hampshire, which is just outside of London along the southern coast of England. Hampshire is famed as the home of Jane Austen and Charles Dickens, and we have been told that Henry VIII courted his first wife, Catherine of Aragon, on the grounds of the estate in which we are staying. It is an idyllic setting and each of us are enjoying our time away!

Before we left yesterday, we pulled out the car seats to prepare for our trip. They are such a novelty to the boys and they played in them for well over 20 minutes as we were doing our last bit of packing. I have to say it was pretty handy to have the little ones locked in, I mean buckled in, so that we could finish everything up!

This was waiting for little G when we arrived:

And this was waiting for our little monkeys:

Baby B's was the first to go as he sniffed out the food before the camera even flashed. He quite enjoyed the taste of his little mouse!

Seems our little ones enjoy the high life! They have yet to take off their robes and slippers!