Week 4

Well - can you believe it? We've been living and London for almost a month now! I believe that summer finally arrived this week and that my friends is wonderful. It's still cool in the mornings (maybe in the 60's) and all this week it was in the mid 70's with the exception of Sunday where I think it reached the low 80's. I have to admit it's a very welcome change to a Texas summer.

This week started off with one very bad haircut which has since been through at least 3 iterations with mom fixing here and there. I think we are satisfied that it is as good as it's going to get and we are just waiting it out. We also got the news that we have carpet beetles. Don't ask. Just google it. I can't even talk about it. Treatment is $500. I'm waiting for an answer from the agent on if they will cover it. You can imagine my mood. These pictures were after only 1 revision of the hair.

I was finally able to meet up for a play date with a friend of a friend in Hyde park. Cade and I both had a great time (Cole mostly slept). It was nice to talk to another mom and get some weekend travel ideas. We hope to be planning a trip to the beach soon.

I also took Cade to his first Gymboree class. Not what I was hoping for. I was the only "caregiver" there who spoke English as a first language. C showed little to no interest in the class. He wouldn't participate. He threw a couple mini fits. He just wanted to play on the toys. When it was over, however, he promptly asked if we could go back and "play kids" again. Oh sweet child - you sometimes wear me out.

We stayed a little closer to home this weekend and visited the Tower of London as well as the Tower Bridge. Most people actually call this the London bridge, but in fact the London bridge is just up the river and completely unremarkable. The Tower bridge is quite beautiful and ornate - makes for much better post cards. Here my friends is your history lesson for the week. Study it - there will be q quiz when I return.

The Tower of London was also fun. Really interesting. Really Really old. We got to see the Crown Jewels. Wow. But this is also where both of our kiddos started to melt down, so we kind of rushed and didn't get to absorb as much info as we could have. Sue me.

Saturday night we did our best to make a "home style" meal. We made fajitas and black beans. Not the best we've ever had, but it certainly wasn't bad and it's nice to have something to remind you of home. We also watched the US lose in the world cup. Boooo.

Sunday Sunday Sunday. Sunday we went for pancakes (as we have made a habit of doing every weekend morning per Cade's request). We headed down to Hyde park...again. It seems like we go there all the time - and we do. It's just so big and there's so much to do and see it's just always a good option. We were planning on going to the Princess Diana memorial playground (you know Di - always for the kiddos), but it wasn't open yet so we headed over to see about paddle boats on the serpentine. Instead, we got sidetracked by our new favorite find - the Princess Diana Memorial fountain. This thing is so cool. It's a fountain/river/play pool/picnic area thingy. Clean, fun, super family friendly, Cade had the BEST time. I wasn't sure we'd ever get his to agree to leave. Cole even got to take his shoes off and dip his feet, but it was REALLY cold and he wasn't a huge fan. I'm sure we will spend much more time here in weeks to come.

And this little munchkin. I just can't get enough of that sweet face...or the scowl. I kinda like that too. He's a roll-y one, this boy. Starting to scoot. Eating me out of house and home. just want to Eat. Him. Up.

Not sure about next weekend yet. Maybe the beach? Not sure. But I promise there will be pancakes ;)

Week 3

Well, let's see. This week was some of the same and some new. The weather was good for most of the week, so we made a couple outings to the park - one with our new sitter Allie. We saw Kensington Palace

And lots of beautiful flowers.

Thursday I took the boys to the Natural History Museum. Cole did his normal thing and slept a majority of the time. That could have to do with the fact that I schedule most events like this during his nap time as to minimize my chances of being out numbered in a "cranky" situation.
Cade and I enjoyed much (but certainly not all) of the fun finds here. He loved the animals, but kept asking to go back to the zoo - Guess we need to work on some concepts here.

When we got home, we discovered that our baby Cole has not one, but tow new teeth!

Friday night was also eventful, but NOT in a good way. Friday I walked down to our bedroom just in time to see a mouse scurry behind the radiator. What? Um...Steve...head to the store. Do something - fix it - I don't care what! So Steve headed out at 10:15pm and came back with the only thing they had...so now there is a bowl of poison sitting on the floor...seems safe enough with two little one don't ya think? UGH!

Saturday we headed out on another train trip. I'm growing quite fond of them to be honest with you. We headed to Bath.

We of course saw the Roman Baths - which were amazing.

We also saw the fashion museum which was a display of over 400 years of fashion. Very cool.

We saw the Royal Crescent - beautiful and fairly spectacular.

Bath Abbey

Beazer Maze

Pulteney Bridge and the river boat tour

We also enjoyed much more that what you will see in the pictures. Bath is a small town, but really, really charming and beautiful. It's super easy to get around with lots to see. Shops all around, good food and treats. Entertainers in the streets. Very, very fun.

We are very thankful for our time together as a family on the weekends and feel lucky that we get to do things we would never have done otherwise. We are becoming quite seasoned at getting around with the boys and are getting use to walking everywhere.

We are still aching for home. Anxious for our own comfortable surrounding and our "real lives" back. The week days are harder, longer and lonelier than the weekends. We look forward to family and friends visiting in July and August. Miss you all and hope to see your faces soon.

Week 2

So this week, there's no great need to go day by day. As anticipated, this week was much M-U-C-H slower than last week. Most of the settling in has passed and now we are onto more day to day activities. I'm doing some searching for a play group or friends of some sort. I haven't had a ton of luck yet, but I'm still working on it. I did get a recommendation for a babysitter from a friend of a friend and I'm VERY excited to say that Allie will be helping us out a few evenings a week. Steve has been working pretty late leaving the witching hour, dinner, baths and bed all in my court. Having Allie will make for a much less stressful night.

This week it rained a lot. It's not like Texas rain - Git 'er done kinda rain. You know, where it pours for a while then you can move on with your life. Nope, this just comes and settles in for a few days. Kind of like a comic strip where that black cloud just hangs over your head and rains on you. Except here it's drizzle. Not enough to require an umbrella all the time even. Just enough to make you stay in and wish you had bought more cookies.

So, 5 straight days of...whatever this rain is and the boys (and their mama) hardly made it out except for a few quick trips to the store. Finally Friday we said forget it and headed out in the gray mess for an afternoon at the park. There is a fantastic playground at Hyde park - complete with the largest beach/sandbox area you've ever seen at a park, lots of fun play stuff and even a huge ship! I would have taken pictures, but due to the weather, I left the camera at home, so I'll have to post later. Cade opted to swing for about 45 minutes straight which was perfect with me. I don't really dig sand anyway - so messy! Oh, and we were practically carried off by the birds wanting our sandwiches. One even landed on Cade's leg and tried to take it right out of his hand. Needless to say, Cade isn't a huge fan of birds anymore. All the way home he said "mommy, birds scary" Indeed Cade, Indeed.

Saturday was our big adventure for the week. We got up early for a pancake breakfast courtesy of McD's, then headed to the airport via the "Heathrow Express". It's the rather pricey new train that gets you to the airport in a little cushier style in 1/2 the time. There was no one on the train at 8:40 when we left, so they put us in "first class". Nice.

Next, we catch a shuttle to the car rental place. Isn't it always the case that 3 hertz shuttles pass before 1 alamo? Guess which we rented from. So we get there and the line is HUGE and not moving at all. We ended up spending an hour waiting for our car (so much for my master planned schedule).

So finally at 10:35am, we get everyone strapped in and begin the adventure. If you know me, then you know about 2 minutes in to this road trip, my armpits started itching. I've never been so nervous in a car in my life. But Steve did great (only hit the curb a few times) and we are all still in one piece!

So off to Stonehenge we go. It took about an hour and 45 minutes. Lots of highway, but some scenic English roads too. A fun drive. Really pretty. Unfortunately, all of my pictures are through a car window, but you get the idea.

We got to Stonehenge around noon. There's simply not a ton to say about the rocks themselves. They're rocks. Big ones. Cool to think about and hypothesize on how and why they are there. But still. Rocks.

The flying/attacking beetles however...now I have A LOT to say about those. I mean - what the? They were everywhere. You couldn't escape them. They were all over our clothes. In our hair. On the babies. Horrifying. I just. I'm glad it's over (the bugs I mean).

We decided to add a way point on our trip back to the airport. Windsor Castle. Unfortunately, our GPS can't read signs - like the one on the street it told us to turn on that says "no motor vehicles". So we could never figure out how to get "to" the castle. Just this pic from a distance will have to suffice.

We made it home about 4:30. Took short naps, dinner then bed. Allie came to babysit and Steve and I enjoyed our first night out....possibly ever since C2 was born. We went to a pub to watch the world cup - US vs England. It was utterly uneventful. The game ended in a tie. The food was mediocre at best. And we enjoyed every minute of it.

Sunday we trekked to Oxford street. Whew - what a busy place. Too much shopping even for me, so you can imagine what Steve felt like. I'm not sure, but one time I think I caught him trying to jam a fork in his eye to alleviate some of the pain. And by the way - if anyone who was part of the design of the London tube system is reading this blog - I have some serious bones to pick with you! Really London? Really? Even your stations with lifts (which are NOT MANY) have stairs too. It's impossible to travel with a stroller if you are by yourself. What about wheelchairs London? Crimmany.

So all in all, another great weekend. We'll see what this week has to bring. Cheers!

Week 1

So I'm going to try to keep more of a daily/weekly diary of our trip. Mostly for my own records, but you are welcome to keep up if you are interested.

Day 1 (May 29/30) - We had a 7:35 flight out of Dallas direct to Heathrow. Dad suggested that we get to the airport around 4:30 to we could try to get a bassinet for Cole (which I was informed by 2 AA agents were available on a first come first serve basis). Mom and Dad would take me to the airport and help me give the boys dinner (our dinner time is 5:30 - I mean, if you were someone who followed a schedule or anything). Of course Dad suggested this at 4:15...so we didn't actually get there until 5:00, but close enough.

Fist things first I go to check in. Lets see - there is only a bassinet available in row 20 which is coach, but since my husband so lovingly used ALL his miles to fly us business class, no bassinet for me. That's ok, surely I can hold a 7 month old for 9 hours straight - no problem.

Next...oh what? you dont have a return ticket because you don't have a return date set in stone yet? Well you have a visa then right? NO!!! If we will be gone for under 6 months we don't need one. But according to the airline, no return trip means a visa - so I have to buy return tickets...and thus the crying starts...

OK, so I get out of having to buy the tickets by making a reservation to buy tickets and aparently my fragile state has thankfully persuaded the gate agent to break the rules and allow my mom to accompany me through security. Thank GOD! Cole's "special" shoes set off the metal detector and we spent the next 20 minutes dealing with that. Where's Cade - with YaYa of course. What would I have done if she hadn't been there??? I don't even want to answer.

So on to the gate and immediately they call for boarding. I can't even breathe I'm so stressed, but as soon as I get settled on the plane I can relax. 9 hours. Overnight flight. Already past the boys bedtime. Piece of cake. Uh huh.

So of course the shortest version is Cade screamed for 4 hours straight. Then finally fell asleep. 30 minutes later Cole woke up and was up for the next 4 hours. So 1 hour before we landed everyone was asleep finally. Except me. Joy.

Customs was a welcome suprise as I wheeled my stroller and 3 carry on bags, wearing Cole (which I have been doing without respit for 10 hours now). A nice girl motioned me past the 500 person line straight to the front and I was through...how did that happen? Don't ask, just be thankful. I went to gt our bags (all 5 huge suitcases) and they were already off the carousel and waiting for me. WOW!

We get our porter and go to meet Steve and our car...oh wait...no car. So apparently, the reservation was lost and no one showed up to get us. The company sent someone "right away". 45 minutes later, a station wagon showed up. Not a van. No car seats. Hell, I don't care anymore...shove everything in and take me somewhere to lie down!

Aparently my flight information was wrong and we showed up an hour earlier than posted, so the realor wasn't at our apartment to meet us. So we just hung out on the street. For 45 minutes. Suitcases. Babies. And all.

And oh the apartment....there are just no words. Just. No, Words. Lets just say that a working oven, dishwasher, washer/dryer, a single faucet in the house without a leak...aparently not part of the ridiculous rent we are paying. So then I LOSE it. The tears turn into sobbing. The sobbing into hyperventilating....you get the idea.

Day 2 - After a little rest, I'm starting to pull myself together. We tool around our new neighborhood. Stop in at McDonalds. Get some groceries. I ordered a crib and stroller and am anxious to get them, but it's a bank holiday here and nothing is going on. We try to get me a cell phone (which is called a mobile here...MOW BILE...get that straight!), but the network is down, so no luck.

Day 3 - Rain. I wait at the flat all day for my deliveries, but nothing comes. Except the plumber who confirms that my washer is dead, my oven doesn't work and our sink is leaking. He "repaired" my sink with a 2 inch wide strip of caulk. Did you know Caulk is not waterproof? I did. Maybe they don't teach that in plumber school. Whatever...except my small leak is now a BIG leak. Oh, and to make my dishwasher work, he's run an EXTENSION CORD from the dishwasher under my LEAKING SINK and to the wall. Huh. What could possibly go wrong there? Dont' worry - We'll be back tomorrow to bring you a new washing machine...

Day 4 - Crib and stroller delivered - Eureka! So happy to be able to get out of the house. Still no work on my oven and suprise suprise...no washing machine today. Who needs food and clean clothes? Apparently not the Hiltpolds. But I got a mobile finally. Back in touch with the world.

Day 5 - Hyde park part 1. After naps, I packed lunch, a blanket, a soccer ball, the camera...oh yeah, and the munchkins. We headed to the park where I laid everything out and we had the BEST 5 minutes...Then Mr. "I just turned 2" threw his first public tantrum and boy was it a doozy. So I repacked the 40 pounds of stuff and 2 kids and we marched back home. I need a nap.

Day 6 - Hyde park part 2. Exactly like part 1 but sans tantrum, so we stayed about 2 hours. We rode the carousel (which is WAY to fast by the way). We saw the swans. We napped really well. YAY - Our toys have arrived! Finally, something other than light sockets to play with...Oh - and a new washing machine. Which overflowed within 2 hours of having it...of course it did.

Day 7 - It's Saturday and Daddy is home. This is the BEST! We started out with breakfast. Hmm...baked beans are on the menu for traditional english breakfast. We were hoping for pancakes, but baked beans it is. Then over to Whiteley's (the mall) for a run in to H&M and Gap. POW! What? A gun shot? No...That was the tire on our brand new stroller blowing out. Good times. Now we only have to get a 45 pound stroller, picnic stuff, camera, and 2 kids 1/2 a mile to the bike shop to get it fixed. Thank goodness for Daddy.

OK, stroller fixed. Off to Hyde park again. Same fun.

Home for naps (all 4 of us). After naps, we set off again and end up at Portobello market. Very interesting. About a mile of street market. Cool shop at the beginning with "sewing machine walls".

Day 8 - OK, we are going to find some pancakes in this city. Wolseley's! Yum! We took our first taxi and thoroughly enjoyed this breakfast! A must do! Then a walk through Green Park to Buckingham Palace. A tube ride home, more naps and a quiet afternoon at home.

It's been quite a week! I can't even imagine what's to come. I miss Texas, but I am determined to make the most of this once in a lifetime experience. Here's to you London!

How did we end up HERE?

And by Here, I mean London!

About 3 months ago, Steve had a business trip to Seattle. He was leaving on Sunday and Saturday he said to me "hey, do you and the boys maybe want to come with?" Um - No! I mean, everyone knows the saying "nobody likes change", but I take that to a whole new level. I don't do change. Not even a little. I shut down. Panic. Throw my hands up and shout to the world "I can't do this!!" So, no, the idea of getting myself and the boys ready to go to a city I don't know in a matter of hours with no PLAN was not on my agenda.

I was recanting the story to my sister kind of like "can you believe he'd even ask me that" when she responded in her usual optimistic way "why not, It would be fun". So it got me to thinking - maybe I should be more like Amy. Go out on a limb every once in a while...

Then last month, the question came again..."I think I'm going to have to go to London for work and it could be about 4 months...what would you think about all of us moving there?"...and with Amy's voice shouting in my head, my mouth blurted out "sure" before my brain could stop it. And here we are...Holy Cow.

It was a whirlwind 3 weeks. I started looking for apartments and planning every last detail before I even had final confirmation that we were going. When the call came in though, I was no closer to having a place to live and panic took over. I gave up sleeping. Got up at 4 am Texas time every morning so I could start calling estate agents in London. Every nap time was spent online - searching searching. Then Steve boarded a plane and I was on my own to get myself and two boys to London...with 4 months worth of stuff. Oh - and STILL no place to live.

So we finally settled on a place to live - which I, of course, had never seen. 2 days later the boys and I got on a plane (which was no easy feat..eh hem...security) and the adventure began.

Oh, and just for those who missed it, Cade turned TWO in the middle of this mess and I didn't even blog about it! Here's the cutest invitation ever (thanks Amber) for the party that wasn't really a party, but I needed an invite for his baby book.