We were literally at the window waiting for their arrival on Thursday afternoon, after a 1.5 hour drive from Heathrow. It was very exciting. We had not seen them since our departure in August. A lot had changed! Ellis nearly walking and talking, Bryce with his little English accent... it was so so so good to be able to catch up on the past 9 months face-to-face.
Ellis quickly learned to say "Maa-mah" and "Boppa" and Bryce was thrilled to be read to (pretty much constantly) for 10 days.
Next entry will document our road trip to Wales... stay tuned!
XOXO
Killin' time awaiting their arrival!
High five! Grandma & Papa trying some Cheese & Pickle and Ham, Cheese, & Pickle butties on baps! (Not to mention "crisps.")
To put things into perspective, the edge of the river is usually where that stick is poking out of the water. And the far side has a curbed edge, which isn't visible because it's under water.
First stroll along the River Cam, the afternoon of their arrival
Tubby time with Grandma!
Papa always makes him laugh. One of many shared books...
Christ's College
Dad stroking the beard of Charles Darwin, former student at Christ's.
Playing on the book train while I load up the buggy with library books.
Took a stroll through Emmanuel College for the first time before dropping Bryce off at Nursery School.
Emmanuel College's lovely grounds
Seriously a sucker for baby animals.
Cute Cambridge terraced house on a pedestrianized street
Checking out the new books from the library, while we wait for Ste to bring home dinner-- fish & chips from the local "chippy."
Strolling with Papa to the May Day Fun Fair after dinner
April was a VERY wet month. Record-breaking, in fact. We got by, got wet, and found ways to enjoy ourselves along the way.
We celebrated Stephen's birthday with a cake and dinner out after the boys hit the sack. Stephen got a wine tasting as a gift, which we redeemed later in May.
Spent the next few days getting ready for-- you got it-- the arrival of Grandma & Papa! The house was sort of in order, so I finally took some pics.
I swear the next post will be about our special visitors! XOXO
Mud soup
I look all sweet and innocent...
... but deep down I am a fierce warrior! Look out!
No, Xan didn't get whacked. Just needing a cuddle from mum.
Now THAT'S a puddle!
Hmmm, it's nice and dry up here!
Brothers!
This is not our house, for clarification. But the wisteria was popping up everywhere and I had to take a photo!
"Helping" to make Daddy's birthday cake
Happy and proud Ste on his, um, 29th birthday
The River Cam, creeping up onto the grass and pavement in front of the boathouses.
Our dining room
Living room
Ellis's room, obviously
Bryce's room, temporarily tidy
And the boy himself, anxiously awaiting the arrival of Grandma & Papa!
It works
Our room, nice and bright. As if it matters. The boys wake us up before the sun gets a chance to stream in...
We had to say goodbye to one of Bryce's best buds, Emma, as she and her family were moving to Cambridge, MA. The good news is that we'll be able to visit them when we return to the States. Regardless, it was an emotional moment and I'm beginning to realize the move back is going to have a much bigger impact on Bryce than the move over here did. He's much more aware and we really have a stable and predictable weekday routine which we didn't have so much in Brooklyn.
Ellis around this time was on the brink of taking his first steps, but much more confident with his hands held.
Stephen's cousin Mark, his lovely wife Paula, and their youngest, Natalie, visited us from Kent and we had a nice meal, punt, and stroll around their old stomping grounds. (They lived here when they first got married, so it was nice to hear them reminisce.) Natalie gets lovelier each time we see her and Ellis especially enjoyed her attention. We are hoping that is not the last we'll see of them, though August 10 is racing at us faster than we'd hoped.
Love to all and soon to come is the post from my parents' visit!
XO
Another round of gorgeous blooms on Christ's Pieces
Ranunculus from the Easter centerpiece. (Reminiscent of October 27, 2007? We had these in our centerpieces at our wedding.)
Funnily caught all three with sour faces: Emma, Delia, and Bryce. We miss Emma (and her mom Audrey) loads.
What happened to his baby face?
If left unattended with an apple or pear (often the case), Ellis will consume the entire thing-- seeds, stem, and all. He has multiple orchards growing in his tummy.
Stop. Too cute. Snuggling on a rainy day with some Wallace & Gromit
Ellis manhandles Bryce's normally-off-limits train track while he's napping
Literary playdate with buddy Xan. (Look at the size of the book he's chosen!) :)
Natalie manages to wrangle two toddlers temporarily!
Relaxing after an early dinner / late lunch
Aww, Mark & Natalie
The sun is shining on the lovely Coward family! (But not for long!)
Holding hands with Natalie!
I'm Henry XIII, I am!
Listening intently to (or tuning out?) the verbose punt tour guide...
Ellis says, "The sky doesn't look so good..."
Giggles on the punt... don't rock the boat, Bryce!
And... here' comes the rain!
Forgot to mention after our punting excursion I had a nasty spill while holding Ellis and thankfully only injured myself. Ouch! My knees eventually healed, but they were some pretty nasty bruises and I had to do stairs one at a time for a week.
Family day out on the town
Family pub lunch at the Castle Inn (burgers from heaven) turned into Family pub booze-up when we decided to try everything on tap...
Mummy, I like you after a few pints!
The Lineup
Did you ever wonder how ladybirds-- erm... do it? Wonder no more!
Best is when Bryce says "That one Bryce" to the loner off to the side.
