Park, Park, Park & Park

Kelsey's month long stay with us has now come to an end- a sad day in the Park Household.  We had a little celebratory drinks and dinner last night (video to follow sometime), and tonight she put the kids to bed with a good-bye.  She has an early flight tomorrow. We all really enjoyed having her here.  She kept the kids active and found interesting things to do.  And I think she had fun as well- she's been to London before and has friends about town.

Our Basque friends from Spain- Idioa, Inigo and Laia- came to London for a long weekend, this past weekend. Sunday we all got together for a fantastic Bells-cooked roast (and a coffee chocolate cake from Salt & Pepper ). And then lots of time in the park- soccer, frizbee and running races.

D has been asserting herself recently.  Here she is as a swash-buckling pirate-type- complete with commando/camping vest and pants on her head, along with a sword- ready for any attackers (like her big brother). C has attended cricket camp for the last two weeks- a sport I enjoy watching but haven't fully grasped yet.  He's really enthusiastic about it, and now needs to teach Dad the rules. Here he is in his "cricket whites"- complete with first week grass stains. And here they both are, soon after returning from France.

D is learning to read this summer. Tonight she did a stellar job.  Lots of sounding out "d" and "b" and "i"'s. This was the first time D and I finished a full book together.  And it was worthy of a blog post. And here is the book we shared:

Now that the summer holidays are coming to a close, it seemed the right time to update the kids' height and weight. C: 49 pounds 4 feet, 1 inch tall. D: 29 pounds 3 feet, 3 inches. Here they both are with Sue from Salt & Pepper- our favorite little cafe around the corner.

Back to Tin-Tin...

At Hyde Park. New Order (the band "blur" later). Olympic closing ceremony concert. Groovin' on my shoulders. With Coke (official sponsor).

We walked into church today and were offered an opportunity. Margaret asked if we would like to walk the sacrements to the alter during the service. We said yes. And D carried the platter with the sacrificial bread perfectly to its intended recipient.

A family friend from America has graciously taken up the offer of "Au Pair to the Park Kids" for the month of August. Kelsey arrived in London a week ago, and she's settled in well with us.  The kids are learning that she is "in loco parentis".  They have taken a real shine to her, showing her all the local sights and activities. Michael came over last night and all 6 of us had a meal together.  Here 's everyone just after.

Jane and Merv with their new pool boy.

We all- Jane, Merv, first four letters- went up in the hills for lunch.  (Grandma and Grand-dad caught a train to Montpellier/Nimes yesterday). Olargues is a beautiful village on the side of a river. The restaurant had a garden on the hillside where our salads came from. The picture is not great, but overlooks the garden and river, and the bridge back to the village is in the background. Here we are on Pont Eiffel, jut outside of town.

In the background you can see the outline of a French Tart. This is Oppidum d'Enserune- an ancient settlement just outside Bezier.  The Romans set up the plots to assist with drainage. We then had ice cream after the kids behaved well in the museum (pottery and other boring adult stuff).