Park, Park, Park & Park

Jone has arrived back in London, and the kids are excited.  She got here just in time for D’s official birthday party. Readers may remember that she stayed with us last year . This year, she’ll spend some time with the nursery and primary schools where the kids attend, to do teaching observations.  She’s studying to be a primary school teacher back in Spain.

We celebrated for a third time ( Part One , Part Two ) this evening for D on her official date.  A little bit of bubbly, some really good presents and a perfectly sized cake.  She even got a special call from Grand-Dad in America. Gifts today ranged from new outfits from the US to great toys to a like-a-bike (from C).  Video to follow.

If you didn't know how to make gnocchi or cheers someone, watch this!

Grandpa stopped by on Thursday for a second little party for D ( first one here ).  Michael had a few gifts for her to open.  One was this: We also had a wee cake for Michael whose birthday it is next week. PS: As I write this D is wandering out of her bedroom for the umpteenth time tonight; 9pm.

The Korpis flew the coup early Monday morning.  On Sunday, we barbecued ribs, drank Pimms and made American (with a British twist) S'mores on the good old Weber grill. Here's us all- Korpis well behaved. Parks slightly obnoxious. And then, getting them prepared for their flight home, singing "Put Your Hands Up for Detroit".  

Glasses- yes; Tie- not often!

Rolling on the bed after bath time.  Jumping like a rabbit.  Rolling off and hiding.

Ashley, Aleah and Andrea

We celebrated D's 3rd birthday yesterday, with a joint party with two of D's friends- Thomas and Oscar.  The St. Barnabas Church hall worked well, and The Korpi's chipped in to make it great. In the middle of the game Frozen Statues: Oscar's Mum made the cakes: Thomas Fisher, D and Oscar  And now back at the house opening gifts:

Here are Allison and Aleah (and Eric), with C&D up a tree at the park. And then in the bath, after a water fight in the backyard.

My cousin Andrea and her family arrived last Friday.  There’s five of them, so the house is full of people, food, wine and laughing kids. So, Saturday night after bathtime, I came upstairs to find- Andrea reading to Dorothy. Aleah the 11 year old, reading to Christian and Allyson the 8 year old. My pictures to follow, although I suspect you could find tons of pictures on facebook if you're connected to them.

D usually greets me at the door, or at least comes running from the dining room.

C's Godfather Andy has a fantastic tradition.  On his birthday which was a few weeks back, he gives gifts to all (5+ I think!) of his godchildren.  So, C got a Nerf Water Gun in the post last week.  Lots of fun in the back yard. In a effort to pass on from his mother the fine art of hand written thank you notes, we sat down and composed something for Andy.  We left the top and bottom blank for C to fill in which you can just see in the picture. C adding his name and Andy's name

Like the Great Lines from The Kids post here , I should have started this category a long time ago.  Best time to plant a tree is 5 years ago, etc, etc. Here's a random and recent sampling of both C and D artwork. Dorothy, Spring 2011 Christian, Oct 2010 Christians' card for Bella's 40th