Extras

Before I get too behind I just wanted to share some random pictures.

Letty's school has been studying the Titanic.  They had an "Edwardian" dress up day and they had to go as someone on board the Titanic.  I encouraged her to be a maid since it was relatively simple.

 Caught red handed sneaking some cereal.

 During term break we went to a soft play place.  I found Gracie in line by herself all hooked up and ready to climb.  She had a blast.

 Sprout enjoyed a fast ride down the slide with Letty.

 Letty (Hermione) on dress up as your favorite character day.  Luckily it was easy since she has the uniform and she borrowed a tie from dad.  I must say I don't really enjoy dress up days.  I didn't like them as a kid either and now I'm plagued with them since her school seems to think they are really fun, ah well.

 enjoying her view

 Down the road not very far from us you find this.  The town to the right is called Rottingdean.  I'm not sure what their offical title is, but I call them the white cliffs of Brighton, and they are made from the same stuff (chalk) as the white cliffs of Dover.

 Rottingdean

 having fun

 Looking so big

 Collecting chalk.  The white "rocks" behind them are all chalk

Enjoying some time at the park (where we end up almost everyday)

Reeeeach

London

Several weekends ago we took the train up to London for the day.  We didn't hit as many spots as we would have liked but we left when everyone was still happy so we considered it successful.  

 The flight section of the Science Center.  Standing in front of the Wright brothers photos.

 Little A sitting on some flight ride at the Science Center

 Outside of the Natural History Museum, we didn't make it inside this time.

 Buckingham Palace gates.

 Buckingham Palace

Victoria Memorial right in front of Buckingham Palace.  Gracie was already pretty worn out.

Welcome to number 32

I finally got around to taking some pictures of our place.  Of course it is a cloudy day so the lighting is lacking...but what do you do?  Our neighbor told us these houses were built about 1903.  We are lucky it has newly been renovated but still possesses some fun charm.  So follow me as I take you on a tour of #32 with all of its 36 stairs (if you can't go out you go up).

 Living room

Living Room

 Entry with its awesome crown molding 

 Dining Room

Dining Room

Fireplace in the dining room.  Most of the other fireplaces are boarded up since the builders didn't put hearths in it's against code to burn in them.  We could take the boards off but there is only one other one that looks this decorative.  Plus baby makes a big mess of herself in them so we decided to leave them alone.

 Kitchen

 Play Room/Guest Room

Bigger Girls Room

 Baby's Room

 Our 3rd floor loft or Rapunzel's room as Letty calls it

 Our room

 The skylight from the loo.  I often hum "chim chimney" while showering :)

 Our odd rock garden.  The landlord wanted no maintenance.  It would have been nicer to just pave it but oh well.

Good bye.  I hope you come and see us soon!

First Day of School...again

Letty was so so so excited to finally start school.  She loved her first week.  She is somewhat of an American novelty, I'm not sure if there are any other Americans in her school.  Their uniform is the school sweatshirt or plain blue sweater, white or light blue shirts, grey or black skirts or trousers.  I LOVE uniforms, so easy.

She did it!

Gracie went and turned four on us!  We celebrated a day early since we moved on her birthday (good thing she is still young enough to not be upset by this).  The following day was Sunday so we loaded up into our newly acquired car to head to church.  About five minutes later we were heading back home since Gracie got sick all over herself and the car.  Poor girl, my friend reminded me that she was sick last year on her birthday as well, stinkin' winter!  

We are so blessed to have Gracie in our family!  As a four year old we are working on not having a melt down over how our clothes feel especially our underwear and also using the toilet before it's an emergency.  One of my favorite things is her amazing laugh.  She has had it since she was a baby and I'm so glad it's still around.  We were at our neighbors house and the kids were playing and laughing.  "Who is that laughing?!?" our neighbor exclaimed.  "Oh, it's just Gracie" I replied.  She was pretty amazed at her deep, loud laugh.  

We love you baby girl!

 "Is this how many fingers I am now?"

Trying to be a nice sister and put up with the hair brushing.  It didn't last too long.

                                                   All of her spoils

                                      Random pic of another awesome slide

Waiting around

We've been waiting to move from Corporate housing to another place.  Letty hasn't started school yet because we don't have an "address" but... we have found a place and we are scheduled to move in on Friday the 27th!  (Keep your fingers crossed that they finish remodeling work in time.)  As much as I dislike being a slave to the school schedule I am looking forward to it so we can have some normalcy in our lives.  Plus the kids are driving me and each other crazy....too much vacation.  We need to get rolling with things and be rid of this limbo state we're in.  Here are some pics of life here lately.  A couple weekends ago the girls and T-man enjoyed skating at the Royal Pavilion rink.  I've never seen so many adults that didn't know how to ice skate.  It was really funny as they all crowded along the wall, I wish I would have taken a picture of it.

 They had these cute little penguins for the kids to help them skate.

 If you're not careful you'll fall right off of the bottom of this slide.  Especially if your sister is going faster and pulls you off.  Letty had done that to Gracie just after this.  After that she stuck to the sides so she could slow herself down.

 Nice big sister giving loves.

 Sprout loves the geese.  She laughs and points and especially likes it when they go bottom up looking for food below.

 I don't think England is as worried about liability.   They had this awesome zip line also at Queen's Park not too far from T-man's work.