Two and Two Half-Pints: Bryce's first overseas toddler visitor

12 Dec-14 Dec

First of all, Monday night of this particular week we got the students next-door to babysit so we could see one of our favorite comedians, Stephen Merchant, do stand up at "The Corn Exchange"- lovely venue in Cambridge City Centre. For those of you who don't know him, he is one of the writers of the British version of "The Office." Ricky Gervais gets most of the credit for its humor, but a handful of podcasts they did together gave him an opportunity to perform and brought him his own due credit for being ridiculously funny. Also, for those who cannot stand Ricky's obnoxious voice and swine-like laughter, he provides a calm and geeky sort of wit that others appreciate. (We also saw Gervais do stand-up in New York last year-- his performance was filthy, cringe-worthy, and hilarious.) Merchant did not disappoint and I got a healthy dose of my favorite medicine. It was nice to have a date that wasn't a formal affair.

Tuesday came and so did one of Bryce's best buddies from Brooklyn: Layla Mora. She and her mom, Kathryn-- expecting a baby in February-- were in the UK for their Great-Grandmother's / Grandmother's 102nd birthday. (Or was it 103? It was more than 100 which is a big deal regardless.) She got a letter from Her Royal Majesty and everything. Anyhoo, it was awesome to have visitors from home, and really exciting for Bryce. We managed to squeeze in a lot of sight-seeing and catching up in a matter of 24 hours and when the time to say goodbye came, we all felt a bit droopy.

The following is an excessive amount of documentation, but they were just so cute I couldn't stop snapping. Layla is 5 months older than Bryce, so the interaction since their last encounter was completely different and lots of fun to observe as a parent. Enjoy!

Sneaking up on a toddler conversation

The Big kid in the candy store. Too bad the kids were both asleep! We had to make our way back the next day when they were awake.

Best Sweet Shop EVER. Layla called it Willy Wonka's house since she is into the film at the moment.

A brief tour of Trinity College, the richest college in Cambridge.

Trinity College Chapel

Inside Trinity College Chapel and the beautiful organ

One of the many notable alumni, Sir Isaac Newton

View from Trinity Bridge

Keeping warm on Trinity Bridge

To be honest, Bryce was gentler with his own brother in utero.


Tubby time! My camera lens was foggy!

Rubber ducky, you're the one!

Pardon the nude toddlers. This blog is not meant to be shared beyond my facebook friends and family and Layla's mom gave me permission to show off her ass-ets.

2 little monkeys jumping on the bed...

Thankfully no one fell off and bonked their head.

Who was it that said bathtime was calming?

Pretending to sleep.

Practicing for when they start their band in 14 years.

Rock 'n' Roll!!!

We opened some Christmas crackers early so Prince Bryce and Princess Layla could practice their royal waves.

The gorgeous Kathryn and Layla

I don't know why my drink is in front of Bryce. That milk was mine, I swear.

Enough cheese & chutney to feed an army, but don't worry, we managed to get it all down.

The amazing Zoology Museum. It's always empty, the lighting is magnificent, and the kids and run around and make noise and no one cares! Oh yeah, and it's educational, too.

Kathryn gets busted taking Ellis out of the buggy and having a cuddle while the clever and bi-lingual Layla points out the seashell that is "amarillo."