Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Animal Stroller Derby
Today Brayton's playgroup went on a field trip instead of our usual two hours of indoor play. It turns out we live within 15 minutes of a zoo!
Brayton was super excited to see the animals:
As we were looking around, Brayton's friend M got super interested in his stroller (which he had been ignoring up to this point):
Brayton eventually regained control of his stroller and enjoyed pushing it around for a bit:
But then he saw the flamingos and dropped all thoughts of the stroller:
This momentary lapse in attention opened up the door for M to try and reclaim possession:
Eventually we reached a compromise (although I do not believe M agreed with the solution):
Unfortunately the sky went from overcast at the start of our visit to pouring as we were getting ready to leave so it was a bit of a dash to the car!
Brayton was super excited to see the animals:
As we were looking around, Brayton's friend M got super interested in his stroller (which he had been ignoring up to this point):
Brayton eventually regained control of his stroller and enjoyed pushing it around for a bit:
But then he saw the flamingos and dropped all thoughts of the stroller:
This momentary lapse in attention opened up the door for M to try and reclaim possession:
Eventually we reached a compromise (although I do not believe M agreed with the solution):
Unfortunately the sky went from overcast at the start of our visit to pouring as we were getting ready to leave so it was a bit of a dash to the car!
Monday, May 23, 2011
A Day Of Palatial Splendor
Saturday we drove south to our hotel in a little town called Buc. There really is nothing special about Buc, it just happens to be a suburb to the city of Versail.les.
And the only thing on our agenda for Sunday was the Château.
Too bad we had to wait in a massive line to even get in:
Eventually we got to the front of the line and were able to take a few pictures in front of the golden gates:
Once inside we were nearly crushed by the huge mob of people all working their way through the state apartments. Thankfully by the time we got to the Hall of Mirrors the crowd had dispersed a bit:
Once outside, we took a moment to rest in the courtyard before continuing our tour:
We made it outside just after the morning fountain show had ended:
Luckily one of the fountains was putting on a continuous show all day, so we made sure to catch that:
Brayton could have cared less about the fountain - there was dirt and rocks to play with!
After wandering the grounds for a bit and trying to figure out if we were going to have time to make it out to Ma.rie-Antoinette's Haml.et, we ended up deciding to just stay in the gardens because it was time for all the fountains to come back on:
After much searching, we found the fountain that Arianna and Tim most remembered from their previous visit. It surprised them how different all the fountains looked with the water flowing (during their previous visit none of the water was turned on):
Finally we staked out a spot to watch the N.eptune Fountain. It can only be turned on when all the other fountains in the garden are turned off because it uses so much water. It is only turned on for 10 minutes at a time:
We spent one last night at our hotel in Buc before dropping Arianna and Tim off at their hotel in Paris this morning. Unfortunately we had to say au revoir to France (and Arianna and Tim) and come back to our home in E.ngland.
And the only thing on our agenda for Sunday was the Château.
Too bad we had to wait in a massive line to even get in:
Eventually we got to the front of the line and were able to take a few pictures in front of the golden gates:
Once inside we were nearly crushed by the huge mob of people all working their way through the state apartments. Thankfully by the time we got to the Hall of Mirrors the crowd had dispersed a bit:
Once outside, we took a moment to rest in the courtyard before continuing our tour:
We made it outside just after the morning fountain show had ended:
Luckily one of the fountains was putting on a continuous show all day, so we made sure to catch that:
Brayton could have cared less about the fountain - there was dirt and rocks to play with!
After wandering the grounds for a bit and trying to figure out if we were going to have time to make it out to Ma.rie-Antoinette's Haml.et, we ended up deciding to just stay in the gardens because it was time for all the fountains to come back on:
After much searching, we found the fountain that Arianna and Tim most remembered from their previous visit. It surprised them how different all the fountains looked with the water flowing (during their previous visit none of the water was turned on):
Finally we staked out a spot to watch the N.eptune Fountain. It can only be turned on when all the other fountains in the garden are turned off because it uses so much water. It is only turned on for 10 minutes at a time:
We spent one last night at our hotel in Buc before dropping Arianna and Tim off at their hotel in Paris this morning. Unfortunately we had to say au revoir to France (and Arianna and Tim) and come back to our home in E.ngland.
A Day Of Invasions
Friday night we drove to Ba.yeux. Saturday morning we decided to explore the city and its nearby beaches.
Once again our first stop was a cathedral, this time B.ayeux Cath.edral:
We all actually liked B.ayeux Cathedral better than R.ouen Cathedral. Bayeu.x was luckily not damaged during WWII and it retains much of it's 12th century artwork.
After the cathedral our next stop was a visit to something that used to be inside the cathedral but that now warrants it's own museum - The B.ayeux Tapestry:
The Tapestry was AMAZING. No picture you have ever seen does it justice. It is much more intricate, colorful and multidimensional in person. Even the boys enjoyed listening to their audio guides and learning about how and why William The Conquerer left Normandy to become the King of England. (William's half-brother actually commissioned the tapestry. He was also the Bishop of Baye.ux.)
Our next stop was a lovely beach to the north of Bayeux. Based on this picture you would probably never guess that this is Oma.ha Beach of the D-Day Invasion:
On the bluffs overlooking the beach is the American cemetary full of white crosses:
And a memorial that contains maps of the invasion:
After one last stop along the Normandy beach to eat, it was time to drive south!
Once again our first stop was a cathedral, this time B.ayeux Cath.edral:
After the cathedral our next stop was a visit to something that used to be inside the cathedral but that now warrants it's own museum - The B.ayeux Tapestry:
Our next stop was a lovely beach to the north of Bayeux. Based on this picture you would probably never guess that this is Oma.ha Beach of the D-Day Invasion:
On the bluffs overlooking the beach is the American cemetary full of white crosses:
And a memorial that contains maps of the invasion:
After one last stop along the Normandy beach to eat, it was time to drive south!
A Day In The Footsteps Of A Saint
On Thursday we picked McColley up from school and then drove down to Folkest.one to hop on a train. The autotrain:
After only 35 minutes on the train we arrived in C.alais where we picked up Arianna and Tim. Then it was off to Ro.uen.
We arrived in the city, checked into our hotel and then headed out to dinner. Our hotel was actually hidden away on a pedestrian only street (you can see it's blue sign reflecting off the wall behind Tim's head):
Our hotel was actually called 'H.ôtel de la Cathedrale' - literally Cathedral Hotel... and yes, we did have a view of the cathedral:
It just happened to be the back wall of the cathedral.
However, if you leaned out the window a bit, you got a much better view of the Church of Sa.int-Mac.lou:
On Friday morning we got up, bought our breakfast at a local patesserie and then ate in front of the cathedral that inspired Monet:
As we were eating a group of musicians began playing in the square. The boys had to give them a few euros for setting the atmosphere:
We then went into the cathedral. It is very interesting because it was severely damaged in 1944 and so much of it has had to be restored and/or replaced (in fact, some sections are still unfinished). The only side chapel on the south side that was not damaged during the bombardment of R.ouen was the Chapel of St. Catherine (it's survival is the only thing that kept the entire cathedral wall from falling down):
After our cathedral visit, we decided to climb the medieval Gro.s Horlage (or clock tower):
At the top we got an amazing view of the city:
Our next stop was the Church of Saint Joan d'Arc. The large cross to the left of the picture marks the spot where she was burned at the stake. The church was built in 1979 using the stained glass salvaged from the church that previously stood there. The new church is supposed to evoke the flames that consumed Joan:
Our last stop in Ro.uen was the Tower of Joan d'Arc:
After hitting the highlights of R.ouen it was time to head off to another spot along Nor.mandy's coast!
After only 35 minutes on the train we arrived in C.alais where we picked up Arianna and Tim. Then it was off to Ro.uen.
We arrived in the city, checked into our hotel and then headed out to dinner. Our hotel was actually hidden away on a pedestrian only street (you can see it's blue sign reflecting off the wall behind Tim's head):
Our hotel was actually called 'H.ôtel de la Cathedrale' - literally Cathedral Hotel... and yes, we did have a view of the cathedral:
However, if you leaned out the window a bit, you got a much better view of the Church of Sa.int-Mac.lou:
On Friday morning we got up, bought our breakfast at a local patesserie and then ate in front of the cathedral that inspired Monet:
As we were eating a group of musicians began playing in the square. The boys had to give them a few euros for setting the atmosphere:
We then went into the cathedral. It is very interesting because it was severely damaged in 1944 and so much of it has had to be restored and/or replaced (in fact, some sections are still unfinished). The only side chapel on the south side that was not damaged during the bombardment of R.ouen was the Chapel of St. Catherine (it's survival is the only thing that kept the entire cathedral wall from falling down):
After our cathedral visit, we decided to climb the medieval Gro.s Horlage (or clock tower):
At the top we got an amazing view of the city:
Our next stop was the Church of Saint Joan d'Arc. The large cross to the left of the picture marks the spot where she was burned at the stake. The church was built in 1979 using the stained glass salvaged from the church that previously stood there. The new church is supposed to evoke the flames that consumed Joan:
Our last stop in Ro.uen was the Tower of Joan d'Arc:
After hitting the highlights of R.ouen it was time to head off to another spot along Nor.mandy's coast!
Monday, May 16, 2011
I'm On The Edge...
Of Viability!
Today I hit 24 weeks exactly - only 16 weeks left!
Tomorrow I have another prenatal appointment with the military midwife. Then in the evening I will be taking a tour of the British hospital's labor and delivery ward, I will actually be touring with another military wife who is 35 weeks pregnant while B watches our combined four kids - hopefully the two pregnant ladies can remember all the questions we've been compiling!
Today I hit 24 weeks exactly - only 16 weeks left!
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
We Grew Something!
Unfortunately Aunt Roberta had to fly home yesterday. But before she left, she gave us some advice.
You see - our plants are actually growing!
Since the peas are growing visibly every day it shouldn't be long before we see if they like our 'teepee':
Since we were already outside, B decided to do a bit of weeding. He finally worked his way to under our grape vine and pulled this out:
Yeah, it's a dandelion that's about four feet tall. Luckily the roots were pretty shallow!
You see - our plants are actually growing!
From the top of the picture:
red onions
herbs
artichokes
carrots
peas
corn
pumpkins
While she was here, Aunt Roberta informed us that peas are actually a vine plant (who knew?) and that they would need a structure to climb.
Tonight we built that structure:
Since the peas are growing visibly every day it shouldn't be long before we see if they like our 'teepee':
Since we were already outside, B decided to do a bit of weeding. He finally worked his way to under our grape vine and pulled this out:
Sunday, May 8, 2011
An Estate And A Castle
Today we decided to visit a royal estate (San.dringham) and a castle (Cas.tle Risin.g Castle... yes, we mostly went because of the name).
Our first stop was Sand.ringham where we had a bit of a walk to get to the house from the entrance gate. McColley noticed that the path was lined with large spheres... and he had to climb on them:
Eventually we turned a corner and spotted the house:
We toured the house (including an area that isn't normally opened to the public) and then made our way to the museum. McColley was super excited when he found some narwhal horns hanging on a wall:
We then headed toward the gardens. Both boys got tired at the same time and B came up with a compromise:
Eventually we made it to our destination. When the boys saw the B.uddha statue they ran to it and started bowing... I have no idea why:
We had to get a picture of our whole group with such a lovely background:
Our next stop was C.astle Risi.ng Castle:
It has the best preserved keep in the country. Aunt Roberta, McColley and I explored it while B stayed on the ground with a sleeping Brayton:
Aunt Roberta listened to the audio guide while McColley and I just looked around. This was the chapel (which was used for over 400 years) and Aunt Roberta is looking into the Grand Chamber (which was Queen Is.abella of France's room while she lived here):
When the three of us finished exploring the keep we switched places with B. The grounds surrounding the castle are actually the largest medieval earthworks still in existence. The grounds also still contain all the foundations for the original outbuildings:
Our first stop was Sand.ringham where we had a bit of a walk to get to the house from the entrance gate. McColley noticed that the path was lined with large spheres... and he had to climb on them:
Eventually we turned a corner and spotted the house:
We toured the house (including an area that isn't normally opened to the public) and then made our way to the museum. McColley was super excited when he found some narwhal horns hanging on a wall:
We then headed toward the gardens. Both boys got tired at the same time and B came up with a compromise:
Eventually we made it to our destination. When the boys saw the B.uddha statue they ran to it and started bowing... I have no idea why:
We had to get a picture of our whole group with such a lovely background:
Our next stop was C.astle Risi.ng Castle:
It has the best preserved keep in the country. Aunt Roberta, McColley and I explored it while B stayed on the ground with a sleeping Brayton:
Aunt Roberta listened to the audio guide while McColley and I just looked around. This was the chapel (which was used for over 400 years) and Aunt Roberta is looking into the Grand Chamber (which was Queen Is.abella of France's room while she lived here):
When the three of us finished exploring the keep we switched places with B. The grounds surrounding the castle are actually the largest medieval earthworks still in existence. The grounds also still contain all the foundations for the original outbuildings:
Saturday, May 7, 2011
The Annual Display
Today was McColley's Annual Display (or dance recital for you Americans).
We got him there right on time and I got him settled into the creché where he gave me a sneak peak of his costume:
His class was the second to perform:
They danced to 'It's A Sma.ll W.orld' (and McColley was EXCELLENT):
When the Display ended Daddy had some things waiting for McColley in the car:
Just as requested - a multicolor bouquet and a box of chocolates:
We are so proud of him!
We got him there right on time and I got him settled into the creché where he gave me a sneak peak of his costume:
His class was the second to perform:
They danced to 'It's A Sma.ll W.orld' (and McColley was EXCELLENT):
When the Display ended Daddy had some things waiting for McColley in the car:
Just as requested - a multicolor bouquet and a box of chocolates:
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