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."
Bryce called all the skeletons "dinosaur bones."
In his happy place.
Is this not a spitting image for Emmit Otter's mom, naked? Perhaps Jim Henson modeled her after the European water vole.
Two monkeys. Alright, I know, I know chimps are apes, but you get me.
Busted holding hands unprompted.
And, no surprise, getting into trouble.
Look at these beauts!
Silly kids head straight for the American candy! Must be the flashy florescent packaging.
Mmmm, lollipop. Bryce kept calling it little because he saw the crazy 8" one I tried to keep out of his view.
These few weeks were busy with College Christmas festivities as it is the end of term for the students. We went to a lovely carol service at St. Edmund's followed by a traditional Christmas dinner. The following Sunday we went to a family Christmas lunch at the college which was nice since we really haven't gone out of our way to meet other families at the college. Bryce obsessed over some awesome battery-operated trains while Ellis stuffed his face on something like three egg salad sandwiches. Then, the unthinkable happened. That's right, Father Christmas came. Bryce is starting to think Father Christmas should be at any event giving away pressies to naughty little boys.
The following weekend we went to Wimpole Hall and Home Farm after proudly becoming members of the National Trust. They had it all decorated for Christmas, complete with brass band, mulled wine, and carols. It was a great day out and about 8 miles from Cambridge, so we cabbed it both ways.
Now to be honest, I am writing this almost a month later, so I am bogged down by a house full of new toys strewn about, tons of laundry, and about 5 more blog posts to do, so I'll let the photos do the talking this time. Love to all! XO
Here is the 1 1/2" fibreoptic tree that we found in the loft. It is more of a disco tree than a Christmas tree, but it will do. Bryce is in this photo for scale.
Fearnley family photo before our last "do" of the season, the Carol Service and Christmas Dinner at St. Edmund's. Yes, Bryce has lipstick on, thanks to his smoochy mum.
"My round?"
Christmas crown!
Mill Road Christmas Fair. They don't quite have the whole street fair thing down like they do in Brooklyn, but it was still good fun.
Poor Ellis is always happy and barely makes it into any photos.
Shoutout to Peggy & Chris if you're reading this-- Bryce's favorite toy continues to be his stickle bricks that you sent ages ago. He had some help with these construction vehicles, but not much.
Dapper dudes
Something about this photo makes me laugh.
Family Christmas Lunch at St. Edmund's. Father Christmas made an appearance and spoiled the kids rotten.
Ellis falling asleep during his dinner.
Wimpole Hall & Home Farm- mulled wine and hot chocolate to start!
I said, "Wow, this is really fancy!" and Stephen said, "Dear, we are still in the stables."
Group dressed in period garb.
Oh, so this is it. Yeah. And it was just the country home... built around 1640.
The view from the front of the house.
I will assume it got a bit drafty if one needed such a cave of a chair to keep comfortable.
Central Stairs
View out to the back gardens
Bryce listening to a Christmas poem
Peering out the window with Daddy
How the table would have been dressed in those days.
What the Christmas menu would have been like-- mmm, turtle soup and marrow patties! My favorite!
Singing carols inside the adjacent chapel. They also had a full-fledged church should one be so inclined to leave the house.
