Sept 2-5, 2011 Have backed off obsessing over the house and started getting out a bit with Bryce and Ellis now that Stephen has started work. Thankfully the first week of bipolar weather was followed by sunny autumnal days last week. We even had our first (and second) playdates, thanks to Audrey & Emma, new friends we made at the playground at
Jesus Green. That's not to say we don't miss our playmates back home, we sure do! (I got to skype with Kathryn and Erika this week! Yippee!)
I met Ste's workmates on Friday, got a tour of his lab, and joined in the English version of Happy Hour at the (entirely too)
local pub. Bryce and Ellis were not the only kids there, thankfully.
We had a lovely weekend with Stephen's brother, Robert, and his family. Bryce is constantly asking for "Uncle Wohbut" now that he's seen him twice in 2 weeks. We packed a picnic and took a pleasant stroll along the river, stopping at the Jesus Green playground for fun & food. Avid swimmers, Bob, Daniel, and Charlotte were impressed with the 90m open-air pool and threatened to go get their swimsuits, but we managed to dissuade them with the prospect of ice cream and maybe even punting.
Did get iced lollies, skipped the punting (for now), and made it back in time for a little rest before dinner. Made chili-rubbed skirt steak which ended up a little over-done (I'm used to a broiler with one setting-- here it has 6!), potatoes, and strawberry-avocado salad, followed by a rhubarb crumble and an apple crumble (courtesy of Tesco)-- only to find that it is standard to serve it with custard, which I did not have. Thank you, husband, for not pointing that out earlier when you inspected my loot from the grocery store. Next time.
Skyped with Grandma & Papa Chisholm on Sunday night after Robert's family's departure-- happy to see Dad recovering well from his shoulder replacement and Mom diligently helping him with his rehab PT. Also got the chance to skype with Aunt Kelly, Uncle Bob, Lauren and Emma, which was fun, especially for Bryce.
Quick update on the boys: Ellis started carrots yesterday and evidently likes them, evidenced by the 3 large portions he gobbled up. He slept through the night for the first time in a month or so, so I think I'll stick with that routine until he turns orange like an Oompa-Loompa. Bryce is terrible only some of the time and extra sweet the rest of the time. He is nothing but gentle with his brother and is always up for giving him a "wiggle wiggle" (Eskimo kiss). He also endured his first wasp sting (in his bed of all places) and is thankful for his own room, especially now that we have been letting Ellis "cry-it-out" at bedtime. How will we ever re-adjust to 1BR Brooklyn life?
Miss you all! XO
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| To Stephen's dismay I kept referring to the ride outside ASDA (Wal-Mart) as the Pinocchio ride. (I think Disney could easily file a lawsuit against Noddy...) |
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| Pinocchio |
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| Noddy |
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| Telling Bryce that a climbing structure is for "big kids" does not deter him from trying it out |
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| Very lucky shot. There were tears before and after this was taken |
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| View across Parker's Piece as the sun set on Friday |
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| View across Midsummer Common ("Common" means that you can obtain grazing rights for your cattle if you so wish. Today (Wednesday 7 Sept) there were indeed at least 10 cows roaming around having a feast. |
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| View from the footbridge right by our house. We especially like to watch the swan couple and cygnet. Bryce insists the cygnet is a duck, but we are trying to set him straight. |
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| Hide-and-Seek is a new favourite with the beast, I mean, Bryce. |
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| Bryce and his cousin, Charlotte. Charlotte is perhaps one of the best toddler-entertainers I've come across. (Don't worry, Lauren & Eliza, so are you!) |
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| Ellis and his Auntie Steph enjoying the warm weather |
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| Uncle Robert, Auntie Steph, and Cousin Jack. Oh, and a bit of Daniel round Robert's neck |
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| So it seems the monkey gene is dominant on the Fearnley side |
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| Strolling along the River Cam |
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| Some sad fellow attempting to punt while numbers of onlookers chuckle to themselves |
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| Dan & Jack |
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| Bryce's hair needed washing. It's amazing what a toddler's hair gathers in the course of a day. (Butter, syrup, mud, spit, milk, yogurt...) |
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| Beginning to see why "Eensy Weensy Spider" is so popular here. I'm scared to guess how many spiders we share our living quarters with. And then there's that whole thing about it being bad luck to squish them... |
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| Playdate at Milton Country Park (LOVELY park just outside Cambridge city centre.) Managed to take the bus there and was impressed that there were no steps to get on the bus AND I didn't have to collapse my stroller. Easy breezy. |
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| Bryce and some new buddies, Alexander, Emma, and Xan waste no time in getting muddy. |
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| Xan & Bryce on horseback and Emma at the reins |
