Park, Park, Park & Park

Out at Hatchlands- a National Trust property in Surrey Our favorite climbing tree in Wimbledon Common Our breakfast together in the early morning

It's 7:15 on Friday morning. We've recently slipped into having breakfast together- just the two of us- before C and B come down. Usually sitting on the kitchen counter...

We've had repeated discussions lately with C about independence- walking places on his own. Tonight he took himself off to Cubs on his own- just down the street, out of range from this picture.

We just dropped off D at Holy Trinity Church after tea for her first Brownies meeting. Despite the look on her face in the photo,  she was excitedly looking forward to it.  (She's getting weary of Dad taking all these pictures). On a related note: C stayed home on his own for the 20 minutes while we ran D over. We're starting to test him independently holding the fort.

After a long week of activities outside the house, we've started the routine of a family game on Friday evening. All those crazy kids on Facebook have their "throwback Thursdays"; we had our throwback Friday,  listening to 1980's music and playing a 1980's vintage board game- Ratrace.

Jessie and D at the RAC An ice cream scoop the size of your head in Clarendon Hills, USA At Maggie Daley Park in Chicago D and Issy after Ballet At the pool in Bermuda

C and I in the stands- Cubs and Sox fans all sitting together. C eating a Chicago-style hotdog with EVERYTHING on it, including hot peppers! C, Will and Jake before the first pitch At the Picasso Sculpture in the center of the Loop Outside the Sears Tower

We stopped in Sheen on the way back from the race for a pub lunch.  The kids had their own table, and here's  the scene after lunch- all reading. D is hiding in the front chair.

...on a beautiful day in Richmond. In 2 hours and 9 minutes.

C is now in year 5. D is now in Year 3.

I took the kids and their friends swimming today at the RAC.  They all taught each other flips, tumbles, jumps and dives of the edge. Taro, C, Jessie, D And then we spent the afternoon at Coronation Park playing cricket and dodge ball... Alex, C, Taro, Issac