Park, Park, Park & Park

It's a Bank Holiday weekend here, so we're enjoying it with family. Today, we spent most of the day on a 20 foot boat, cruising up and down the Thames.  Bella's relative Margaret Williams acted as Captain of her own boat, but we all got a chance to steer. We started in Walton-upon-Thames and went up the river towards Weybridge.  After going through a lock (very exciting for the kids), we moored up at a pub for lunch.  On the way back, we all piled out on a island for a stomp around.

I should have started this category a long time ago, but alas, I didn't... Just before bathtime this evening, C dramatically slammed the front door closed which had been open slightly.  I was upstairs, and when he came bounding up the stairs, I asked him what was going on. He said "The door was a bit open". I said "ajar". He said emphatically " No. The door."

While D and Mum went to a birthday party, C and I escaped suburbia and went to the beach  mano et mano.  A picturesque day, including C getting buried in the sand. Upon our return, Bells had made an excellent executive decision and bought steaks and charcoal for the grill.  So, before bathtime, the kids got to toast marshmallows and have a bit of chocolate.  Here's C with some of his fine results. And D with sticky fingers.

When I arrived home this evening from work, the kids had already had their bath.  So all four of us congregated in the drawing room for a relaxing drink.  We chatted about D's dance class and other events of the day. Our time together evolved into Storytime. C created an entire narrative about a tiger who emerged from a pillow, living in a cave created from more pillows, who could then wave an American flag.  And then C and D acted through another story together.  It was all really special. A tiger lives in this cave!

In our kitchen, we have a spot of wall where we’ve been measuring the kids for a few years now. Glancing at that this morning made me realise it was time to update the growth chart for C and D. Height- Deeds is now just shy of 3 feet at 35 ¾ inches or 91cm. Kit is 46 ½ inches tall or 118cm. Our kitchen wall Weight- Deeds is 25 lbs. Kit is 42 lbs. Here's the record from August 2010 . Here's the last instalment of the Proportion series .

My step-uncle Danny came through London over the weekend.  He is on his way back from living the last 6 months in Viet Nam, to Michigan.  C and D both really enjoy seeing him- Danny and C made a tank/army jeep/robot contraption in the backyard.   Here  are some of the highlights from past trips. On Sunday evening, we all ventured up for a juice and a pint at our local Italian restaurant.  While we were there, we played Peanut Word Bingo.  This is a great way for C to practice his reading.  Of course, he was the champion.

This past weekend, we joined our friends Duncan, Katie and their kids for a stay-cation (meaning you take a vacation in the UK, rather than flying somewhere)!  A weekend away from Southfields on the Essex Coast here .  We stayed in big caravans, at a place with lots of activities for the kids.  Duncan was smart enough to bring his Weber grill, so we ate well all weekend.  A highlight for the kids was staying up on Friday until 11pm!!!  Here they are trying to make the scariest face possible.

C has gotten really interested in science lately.  Part due to school activities and part due just to general inquisitiveness. We’ve been conducting experiments in the kitchen.   Things like watching what happens when you mix vinegar, baking soda and dish-washing soap.   Or making raisins dance up and down in a glass of water.   Or using magnets for magic tricks.   Video to follow. Grandma found this book and I’ve found tons of websites.

Bells and I went up to bed last night and discovered this in the kids room.

We brought this habit of what Bells calls a paseo home from Spain last year.  The entire family wanders up to the high street for a drink and a juice after tea, but before bath time.  The weather needs to be good; it works best when its sunny and people are out. We took my parents along the day before they flew back.

A while ago, C found his first pet - a caterpillar. Now, along comes number 2- very, very slowly.  A snail he found in Tiverton.  We built a small terrarium for him (or her?), and it seems content.  That's him, the tan spot right in the middle. The Palace of Snaily

I have a bit of catching up to do, now that the The Royal Wedding is past. Mom and Dad took C to Portsmouth a few weeks back- see here .  Two favorite things- HMS Victory and a toy submarine that works in a bathtub!