Had a relatively quiet birthday-- babysitter was away on holiday so we celebrated as a family-- at the Moscow State Circus. Having been to the circus only once before in my lifetime (the spectacular Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus), I prepared Bryce for what I remembered-- tigers and horses and elephants and such. I now understand why RBBBC is called the "Greatest Show on Earth." There were no animals at all, only boring hula-hooping, juggling, rope-skipping humans. Oh well. Bryce was entertained anyway-- mostly by his multi-colored flashing sword which I reluctantly purchased after an incredible amount of whining. He now sleeps with his sword flashing next to his face and I wonder how he stays asleep with a disco just on the other side of his eyelids. Anyway, we left a bit early to stroll over to the pub and have dinner before he melted down-- steak & Abbott Ale pie with sticky toffee pudding for afters, my favo(u)rite.
The following weekend we were pleased to have a visit from Kath & Oliver Schlieben and their delicious son, Rocco. (For those of you who don't know her, Kath is my dear friend from college and NYC who I have missed terribly since she relocated to London for work, fell in love, got married, and settled in Fleet with her gorgeous family of 3.) We managed to catch up between toddler-wrangling sessions and had some nice walks about Cambridge, though the sidewalks were much more congested with the students back! We had our first really Fall-ish weekend and were thankful to come back from our crispy walk on Saturday to the Guinness Stew on the stovetop. Took a gamble and it turns out that it tastes just as good when cooked on the stove as in the slow cooker-- whew!
Last week was dominated by Bryce's stomach bug which I hope Rocco did not catch. I am so so thankful to have a washer in the house this time. So I had a reason to finally register with the NHS at our local surgery (The Red House Surgery) which was completely painless, by the way. By Thursday we were able to get out of the house without Bryce losing his breakfast and by Friday he was 100%-- just in time for our trip to see Auntie Steph & Uncle Robert in Andover.
We rented a car, which turned out to be a Toyota Auris, a hybrid that got like a million miles a gallon. We drove to and from Andover (2 1/2 hours each way) and used like 1/4 tank of gas. It was great, except for that part where Stephen turned right into oncoming traffic. In his defense, it was late and we had just come off of the motorway.
Steph arranged for a spa morning on Saturday for the girls-- 1 1/2 hour facial with head, neck, shoulders, back, arm, hand, foot, calf massage. It was decadent. Haven't done anything like that in a long time. Must have managed to relax because I woke myself up snoring. Met the boys and Milly (the niece-dog) for tea and took a scenic walk back to the house in time to feed Bryce and put him down for a nap. Sunday, we went out for a Full English and strolled the Garden Centre with Bryce before driving to the village of Stockbridge where we took a nice stroll along a creek to a lovely meadow where there were a few horses and Milly could run off the leash. Bryce soaked up his surroundings and had a good time throwing the tennis ball for Milly until she knocked him over in excitement. Stopped for a quick spot of tea / coffee / biscuits / cakes at the sweet, talented, and hospitable Mavis & David Duke's (Steph's parents'), then scooted home for some drumming, packing, pizza & goodbyes, and headed back to Cambridge. We are all really enjoying seeing Uncle Robert & Aunt Steph so regularly and we're trying to live in the moment without thinking about saying our goodbyes next year...
Now, some photos and video!!!
The Moscow State Circus tent on Midsummer Common
Mmmmm, popcorn. (Which turned out to be sugary-sweet kettle corn- yum!) No, no Ellis! You can drool all you want, but you're still on purees, sweetheart.
Sir Bryce and his sword.
Rocco looking extra yummy and even a bit naughty (though he isn't at all)
This child is seriously a looker. Lookout ladies, he is going to be a heartbreaker!
Stephen & the Schlieben family strolling the streets of Cambridge (say that 3x fast...)
Passing through Clare College.
The Schliebens crossing the bridge
The Fearnley Family
When you can't get both to look at the camera, get both to look away.
Ellis knows how to ham it up for the camera...
Having tea in Andover
Uncle Robert bought an unhealthy amount (is there such thing as a healthy amount?) of candy "for Bryce" which he and Stephen consumed. I may have helped.
Fancy a spot?
Milly & Ellis were best buds by the end of the weekend. Just look at them.
Also at the top of Ellis's list: Auntie Steph
Those crazy Fearnley boys
The Village of Stockbridge
Pretty meadow
Rock collecting. (I now pull handfuls of rocks from my pockets when searching for change)
Picturesque countryside in Stockbridge
Admiring the crystal clear water
Beautiful day
Milly!
Taking a dip
Bryce spotted a helicopter
Ready to chase Milly!
Pretty horses that tried to block the exit gate!
Father & son
Robert & Milly looking for trout
Bryce tries out the organ at the Duke's house. Oh boy!
Turns out he's more of a drummer and Uncle Robert showed him the ropes.
Uncle Robert, Auntie Steph, Milly, and Bryce in the lovely, recently-renovated conservatory
Alexander, Xan, and Bryce being silly on a playdate at Milton Country Park
Ellis gets a head-butt hug from Alexander
Ellis doesn't mind sharing the swing with his brother. Bryce, on the other hand...
Our calendar is starting to fill up with activities: I've figured out the best playgroups to take the kids to during the week, thanks to playground chit-chat and the internet. They are going to come in handy in the Winter and when it gets rainy. We've also started trying to find a spot for Bryce in a Nursery School a few days a week come the new year. The waiting lists are long, so we are hoping.
We had a nice visit from The Great Aunt Laura and Uncle Tim a few weeks back. They offered to swing by Ikea on the way to ours from Sevenoaks and I gave Laura an overambitious list which she generously and meticulously collected. We are so grateful and so is Bryce! We have our very own duvet set and Bryce has a train set which he does not separate from, even during sleep. Thankfully he doesn't sleep with the more cumbersome but AWESOME double-decker bus they gave him for his birthday, not that he didn't try. We explored the Food & Produce Festival, highlighted by some tasty samples of mini sausages and a petting zoo. Laura has a newfound appreciation for the beauty of chickens, despite their odour and I met my first baby pygmy goat. Sooooo cute.
We had a lovely time catching up and pretty spectacular weather, aside from a few scattered and brief showers. Auntie Laura & Uncle Tim got their fill of chubby thighs and toddler giggles to last until Thanksgiving, when hopefully we will see them again.
Our heat wave just broke and it's starting to feel like Fall. Am thinking we should fit in some apple or pumpkin picking before it snows-- this month, they are forecasting!
Our love to our family and friends. We miss everyone and are generally available on Skype 7-8AM and 11AM-12PM EST. My Skype name is Libby Fearnley.
Being silly as usual
I know, Bryce, it's hard not to pinch the rolls.
I mean seriously. One day he will forgive me for posting this photo for public viewing.
Beautiful, but stinky chicken
£1 to hold a bunny. So cute.
Bryce and I entered the veggie sculpting competition. Our veggie sculpture looked alright until Bryce painted a blue beard on it. I am guessing we didn't win since it's been 3 weeks and they still haven't called.
Our competition. Note the "Don't you tuch" sign.
Our veggie head, complete with googley red onion eyes, spiney gourd eyebrows, potato nose, and gourd stem wart.
Someone remains happy, though often neglected in the back of the double buggy.
The Food & Produce Festival
Auntie Laura can't resist a cuddle!
Cousins!
Uncle Tim and The Great Aunt Laura (title coined by Graham Chisholm Heath)
That's mighty close to the edge. Are cows any good at swimming?
Laura and I looking equal in height
Someone tell me why they caution against crib bumpers but not cribs themselves? Poor chubby thighs pinched to the point of numb toesies, I'm sure.
Dino Bones!!!
Do I see paleontology in his future?
Ellis doing what he does best. (Look cute)
Bryce and I peeking thru a porthole at the World Rivers Festival
He didn't want to get off the boat
Autumn is upon us! Lunchtime on Christ's Pieces (yes, that's the name of the park)
Ellis is starting to grasp the concept of the mirror. He thinks he is SO funny.
If this kid ever mars his perfect, creamy skin with tattoos, it will be the death of me.
Finally able to do double-duty at bath time with Ellis sturdy at sitting up. Now, how to keep buckets of water from being splashed out of the tub... ideas?
Breakfast in London with Jen, my old boss and also former Aeropostale design employee. We had dinner the night before at an awesome Moroccan Restaurant called Sidi Maarouf which was lively and delicious. Crashed in her super-cool hotel room at The Langham London and managed to "sleep in" until the leisurely hour of 7AM by my baby-trained body.
Ate breakfast right next to my old stomping grounds circa 1998- London College of Fashion
Views of the countryside on my way back to Cambridge
Reunited and it fees so good! My 3 boys.
Ellis makes even me look tan!
Always an action shot with this kid! Enjoying the Autumn leaves at the park on Sunday, the last of our 80+ degree days. Watched a youth football game and had to keep Bryce from running on the pitch!
I challenge you to make this child frown!
Another unplanned match of "Fetch the Runaway Toddler"
