Park, Park, Park & Park

A little known budding actress captured the crowd this eve at St Barnabas. She deftly handled the always challenging role of Shepherd #3 with gusto. There was talk by the theatre-goers of a new star arising.

We all ventured through the rain into Central London this morning. After sampling the variety of foods on offer and getting a few gifts, we stopped in Southwark Cathedral to check up on an old family relation- Sir Frederick Wigan,  Baronet.

Capturing the Christmas moment, C decided he would like to read one of the lessons at the Christmas Carol service at church last evening. So in front of 50+ people, he read the the first few verses of Luke 1. He sounded great, and didn't seem nervous.

Sheringdale school does a christmas tree fund raising sale every year. So this morning we picked up our tree. Its about two dorothys tall. And we'll decorate it after my parents arrive later this week.

With C and D running around the house having a boisterously good time on a Saturday afternoon, it seemed appropriate to get this post up to the blog. One thousand posts is alot.  Alot of words, pictures, time, effort. As every parent knows, you're so proud, excited, in awe of your kids, you want to share everything- revel in them, glorify all of the experiences. Back here, I started... And here's another significant date...

Back on the 24th of November, we celebrated C's 7th birthday.  We took a load of kids up to the Roald Dahl Museum out in the the country.  The museum is very interactive, and we figured out some great last minute party games. The kids loved it.  I'll have some video in the future, but for the time being, here's the cake and the cast of characters. Grace, Austen, D, Alex, Rupert, Issac, Nicky, Tino, Matilda, C

D came home from Sheringdale with this award a few days ago. And here she is a C's birthday party.

Mike, Di, Penelope and Charlie made it over for Saturday lunch today.  Bells cooked a big beef roast, while the kids played upstairs. Here's the four kids back in 2009 . And here they are today- Charlie as Frankenstein. Charlie, Pen, C and D

D pen in hand as writer They can eat as much fresh fruit as they want!

A few recent developments: C lost another tooth last week.  So enjoyed putting his straw through the gap in his teeth whenever he drank. C with the second tooth gone.  We've begun practising writing at home.  In an effort to turn homework into something less dreadful, we've tried to find ways to accomplish the task in a somewhat fun way. Here's an example of practice- writing a list of the steps to build a paper airplane. How to make a paper airplane

We carpe diem-ed it at the end of last week, and ventured to a small cottage in Kent- in the town of Tenterden. D, who is sitting here with me now, tells me we did lots of fun things. Like play at the playground nearby. Go to the beach at Rye (horrible weather- video later). Saw army tanks out for the upcoming Remembrance Day. Went for walks. Drawing and writing (video to follow). Found mussel shells along a canal. Went to a fireworks fest for Guy Fawkes (the fireworks didn't work, although we did have mounds of cotton candy floss). On the shore at Rye on a cold and windy day Playing army in Tenterden C along the canal at Small Hythe D with the setting sun at the end of the walk

C and D are on holiday this week from school, so Bells brought them into Central London for a tour. I met them briefly for a walk up 311 steps to the top of Monument memorial. Its a memorial to the Great London Fire of 1666, which C has been studying at school. The kids didn't mind the height; Mum and Dad did though.

C's design. Dad's manual labor.

D has been coming along well with her reading.  Last night, she read a few books to me- Pip, Kip's Bed and I'm Dressed.  All three are simple and D sounds out each word well. This morning, I woke up to the sound coming out of the kids room of D counting in 2's.

C, D and I met my old Ashridge MBA classmate Arvind this morning in Central London.  He's here on business-over from Dubai. When I travelled to see Arvind in Calcutta several years back, his two kids were the same age as C and D are now. D even made a necklace gift for him.

After many days of hanging on by just a thread (vein?), C lost his first tooth today. Right in the front, middle, lower row.   It had been loose for some time- his tongue would flick it around, to the disapproving (grossed out?) looks of his parents.  Of course, it's the first of many.  Still a very exciting day for C; he couldn't get to sleep tonight. As I write, it is tucked tightly in a small box, awaiting the Tooth Fairy, under his pillow. The Sacred Tooth-Holding Box is actually the box that our wedding rings arrived in- fitting, I think.

We ventured out of London on Saturday, down to the deepest part of East Sussex.  Down to John and Sheila Van Mauriks in Hartfield.  See here and here for past good times. The walks in the Ashdown Forest were glorious, and the kids were suitably occupied with Legos and other toys. C even managed to put on a brave face after a tumble waist-deep into a creek. These pictures don't do the trip justice, but will bring back fond memories later.

There was lots of excitement on Pirbright about Dad making a quick trip to the US.  I went back to Hinsdale for my 25th high school reunion. American high schools are just like you see in the movies- parades, football games and dances.  C and D should experience it some day, some how.  I had a fantastic time. Staying back with Mom and Dad was the icing on the cake.  Here we all are before I left on Monday.

C is now a Beavers Lodge Leader.

The triathlon went well.  I completed it in a reasonable time and the weather was perfect.  Bella and the kids saw me on the run and at the finish line. Here's a picture taken by D!

We're all spending the night in a hotel in Slough- a town out of London near Windsor. I'm doing a triathlon race tomorrow morning and this was a way for the kids to have a bit of fun while seeing me compete the next day.  They get to s UPDATE: Slight malfunction with mobile posting Friday evening.  To continue- They get to swim in the hotel pool and eat in the hotel restaurant.  They then get to stay up late and sleep in the same room as Mum and Dad.  All very exciting.

We all visited Bella's Aunt LM over the weekend.  It was a short visit (because we had another party to get to), but a really enjoyable one. C and D even left with a few impromptu presents:  A set of vintage Carl Zeiss binoculars for C and some lovely sparkly bracelets for D. Here they are in the park the next day trying out the full Army command.

On Saturday, we all took ourselves off to Woodcote Park, down in the deepest Surrey forests. Woodcote Park is the "country house" for the Royal Automobile Club .  Through work, I have a membership to the RAC, and we try to take advantage of the opportunities it creates (like seeing the Jubilee there). Saturday, the weather was lovely and sunny, so we decided to spend the afternoon there.  That means a bit of a swim before lunch, and then a walk along the golf courses.  We got in a boys vs. girls croquet match as well. For Bells, the best part is just lying in the sun reading the weekend paper.  And getting in a second swim with the kids. Just before we left, C spied a chess board.  So we started a simple match to learn the movements of each piece. As an extra, here's a picture of D from Sunday morning.

We all took D to her first day of reception this morning. She was only a little aprehensive, and got involved with the other kids as soon as she got to her classroom. C started a few days back.

We're here for the morning. Seeing the athletics. It is a very impressive park, great organization/entry and the stadium will be dramatic when full in a few minutes. UPDATE:  We had a great time- saw a blind American take second in the long jump, finals of the javelin & shotput, and several heats for track races (both running and wheelchair).

Two major accomplishments in the Park Household this weekend. Number one: D rode her pedal bike for the first time.  You may remember, she inherited C's like-a-bike a while back- see here .  This summer, she's been using it consistently to get her balance. Friday, Bells took her out on C's first pedal bike.  She was off like a shot on her first attempt!  We were back out on Saturday and Sunday.  Video to follow. Number two:  C rode his bike while Bella went running.  They covered a total of 9 miles on Saturday together.  We then went back out on Sunday.  C and I covered another 6.  Not only was 15 miles on a bike great exercise for him, but it bodes well for future joint exercise.

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.