Long lost relatives...

Actually, they knew where they were going.

We rose at a more reasonable time this morning (at about 9am). Again, a long day of adventure was planned. Only, this time, we did not do the planning so we were sure to arrive with no mishaps.

To get the day started off right, we headed for a quick tour of Kensington gardens. We arrived back with 5 minutes to spare before the scheduled meet time with my relatives (Lousie and her father, Sydney). Not exactly sure what you call these relatives, Sydney's (who is 84) father and my grandfather were brothers....so he is kind of an uncle, once removed? Sydney is the true definition of "gentleman farmer." He strolled into the hotel looking dapper in a wool suit and tie (knowing the weather was going to be close to 80 degrees!)

Being a tourist is a marathon...not a sprint

This morning started bright and early (about 6am). As I am playing hostess on this trip, I thought it would be nice if I met my family at the airport. Since their flight was to arrive at 7:40 and the tube from the hotel was about an hour, it made for an early morning. As it turns out, I was very early as it took them nearly an hour to clear customs.

We headed to the Tube for our first adventure...finding our way to the hotel. After a first misstart - buying Oyster cards (which did not work for the tube, for some reason...only busses and trams), we acquired a 3-day pass and set off to our hotel. While it was no fun carrying their bags up and down the stairs at the various tube stations, we made it to the hotel with no mishaps and nothing or noone left behind.

Our hotel is the Copthorne Tara near the High Street Kensington tube station. One of our two adjoining rooms was ready when we arrived so we checked in. They had a quick wash up and we set off for more adventures. First stop, Westminster Abbey. The queue was not so bad but the price was highway robbery - gbp14. Then, as you walk in, they give you a "free" audio player for an audio tour. The audio tour was great. Walked you through high points of all the burials and some of the fighting that went on in the various periods. The place is beautiful but so much feuding and death surround it as well.

After breaking our feet in to the marathon that is tourism, we made our way to the London Eye for our 3:30 flight. We arrived to find the queue going well beyond the cattle chutes. There did not seem to be any way that we would be making a 3:30 flight. (Seems kind of silly to buy tickets for a certain time, when it seems that everyone, whether they have a ticket for a time or not, just shows up and stands in the queue.) As we were tired (from our early morning and from trodding around Westminster Abbey), we decided to pay the extra gbp 10 and upgrade to the Fast Track (which shortened our wait to about 15 minutes). The trip was great (if a bit stuffy). The view of the city, especially the House of Parliament and the Thames, was magnificent. Lots of photos were taken. (Of course, we all were shooting away so have many photos of the same things.)

Next stop, dinner with my coworker and her mother. We had a great time sharing stories and hearing of each other's adventures. (Turns out, they were at the Abbey just after us. Small town.) Phil had his first fish and chips. After Barb and her mom set off for their show, we decided we had a bit more energy and decided to go to our own show. The only tickets left for this evening was for a comedy called 39 Steps. We had no idea about this play at all...but, hey, we are in London. All shows in London have to be good, right?

This was a British farce put on by 4 Actors playing 100+ parts. At one point, one of the Actors has his jacket half on and he turns 180 degrees back and forth (putting on two different hats) and has a converstaion with himself. It was very funny. A great way to end a long first day.

Chicago....my kind of town

Met up with my coworker and her mom for a night on the town (of London, that is). They had just returned from a week in Paris so they regaled me with all of their adventures (I have been to Paris many times for work but have yet to enter a single museum or get close to the Eiffel Tower.). Sounds like they had a great time.

After a nice Italian dinner, we walked to the theater to see Chicago. EXCELLENT! The puppet scene was great. The singing was marvelous. I enjoyed every minute.

What Was I Thinking

My monthly trek accross the pond has come back too quickly. You wouldlthink that after all of these trips, I would have the packing and timing all set. I finished off my morning meetings at about 2. Had to rush home for a forgotten item. A quick, and painful, workout and off to the airport. As I wa loading my luggage on the parking bus, I noticed that my computer bag was decidely lighter than usual. Upon a quick luck....no COMPUTER! Argh! With time passing, I made the decision to drive back to work and pick up the erant device, which takes about an hour. No problems with the drive so made it back to the airport about an hour before the flight and at the gate at about 40 minutes before boarding. WHEW! One distaster averted.

I had a car service pick me up from Heathrow and straight to the office. I try not to do this as I am usually quite incoherent after the long usuallly sleepless and always restless rest on the plane. Had to be at the office for an interview of a new office manager. (I hope I did not yawn too much while the lady was telling us of her qualifications.) Hopefull, once this person is on board, I can lessen the nubmers of trips to every other month or once per quarter.

One more work day then the fun begins. One of my coworkers is on holiday (just toured Paris and now in London) with her mother. We are to meet for a show and dinner tomorrow night. Then Saturyday, my sister, mom and Phillip (nephew) will be arriving. It will be my sister's first trip to London. and my nephew's first trip otuside of the US. Can't wait. This is going to be so much fun.

Will be fun to scap an event rather than just little one blossoming in to a little person.

How did you start your day?

When little one does not greet you with a smile in the morning, you know it is not going to be a good day. She woke up (after 13 hours of solid sleep) still acting tired. A little rocking in the rocking chair to wake up a bit more and then breakfast. Since she did not keep down much yesterday, we went with the bland and the blander for breakfast. It seemed to be going well. She finished. Then she wanted on my lap for more hugs and rocking. Then the faucet turned on and mommy and baby were covered in sour, white yuck. My poor little girl! Daddy stayed home with little one for most of the day. Another shower and a new set of clothes for mommy and off to work.

I hope this passes soon. It is horrible to watch little one not feel well.

Barf-o-rama!

Was still on my Mother's Day high this morning happily munching on my cereal. Little one was eating her oatmeal, hubby was eating his cereal, and dog was sitting on her blanket watching to see if little one spilled anything. Then....urp. Little coughed a little and then up came breakfast. Niiiiicccceee (she says sarcastically).

By the sounds of it, I thought little one had just choked on something and in clearing her passages, she did too good of a job in clearing up and urRpP!. No fever. No other sypmpton. Little one was cheerful and talkative and then sat down for another breakfast. Did not really think there was anything wrong. The second breakfast seemed to be staying down with no ill effects so hubby was going to watch her for a bit then take her to school. Apparently, on the way to school.....UUURRRPPP, again!

Hubby and little one stayed home and played as though it was a normal day. Had a good lunch and a good nap. However, when she woke up from her nap, she then had a fever. So, off to see the doctor. They tested for strep and flu....nope and nope. There does not seem to be anything wrong with her.

Dinner was steak salad for us and crackers, avocado, and mashed potatoes for the munchkin. URP! Boy, this just makes meal time so appetizing.

Hopefully, she will feel better tomorrow. Poor little girl.

Happy Mother's Day

What a great day! We started the morning at church. Little one did not annoy too many people at church so we count that as a successful event.

Some friends were sitting in front of us. Their children (4 year old girl and 1.5 year old boy) go to the same pre-school as Rilee. We have been getting to know them little my little with our interactions at church and at school. They invited us for lunch at the wife's parent's house. They had also invited another friend with a 3 year old and a 1 year old. So was a kid-filled, food-filled, fun-filled afternoon.

The afternoon capped off with a swim in the pool. You know how the munchkin would not go near the pool during swim lessons without screaming. This afternoon, she was jumping in the pool at every chance. I had to keep my eyes on her every second as she would just let go of the wall and want to swim with the other girls. Too funny.

Another positive about today...Rilee has added three more foods to her repertoire. At the lunch they served bacon wrapped around shrimp and cooked little weenies. These were served up on tooth picks. Rilee was all over picking up things with tooth picks. She ate some bacon and a couple of the weenies. Also, we have a cherry tomato plant that has yielded one tomato. We let Rilee pick it, we washed it and then she ate it. Yippee...maybe we have broken her eating code. She will eat things that she is involved in (like picking a tomato, her first egg was one that she had colored and peeled) or that are fun to eat (like picking it up with a tooth pick).

Got say to Happy Mother's day to my mom. She is the best! She is all about the little things. A card here. A thoughtful word or gesture there. Plus, she still sends her little girls (OK, all of us are in our 40s now) stockings from Santa on Christmas.

Swim, Swam, Swum

In trying to get a jump on summer, I signed little one up for swim lessons. After last summer, were she was jumping in the water at every turn and going down the slide until her bum was sore, I figured she would take to the lessons like white on rice. NOPE! She did not want to leave me. Then, she sat on the edge and cried. The instructor stayed with it and by the end of the time, little one would pour water on herself and the instructor AND let the instructor take her out to the middle of the pool. Hopefully, this week was just to get her feet wet (so to speak) and next week her joy for water will return.

She seems to be in a bit of a weird phase. If you ask her if she wants to do something, she is all over it...verbally. Yes, I want to go swimming. Yes, I want to.... Then, when we actually do the acitivity, she gloms on to me and won't let go....all her bravado is gone. Last year, she seemed braver. She was the first one to do things. Now she is more reserved. That is not entirely a bad thing as I was worried last year that she would see a pool and just jump in....with or without me.

We have been working on please and thank you. She is getting the hang of it. It is so cute when she says "tanks" when given something she has asked for. I just want to scoop her up and hug her all day long.

Have a great weekend.

I Passed

Here is the deal. I got a speeding ticket about 2 months ago (my husband is now calling me a felon). I was going 46 in a 35. First, this road should have a 45 limit. Second, this must have been a speed trap because the local papers have letters to the editor that have people complaining about getting tickets. Anyway, when I went to pay the ticket, I decided to save a few dollars and take a defensive driving course. (Was not really worried about the report to insurance as this is my first ticket in about 20 years.)

I should have looked into this before I took this option. I did not realize the course was a minimum of six hours. Also, you have to apply to the Texas DOT to obtain your driving record. And, all of this needs to be done by the end of May. (OK, this would have been plenty of time if I had started this sooner...but...I am busy....so, of course, I have procrastinated until the absolute last minute.) I finally finished the course tonight and passed the test. Yeah. Now it is the way for the certificate. Then, the knuckle biter, I have to wait for my driving record from the state. I just applied for it yesterday and it takes 2-3 weeks. Hmm...today is May 6th. Plus 14 to 21 days...and all of this is due by May 24th. YIKES! (If you do not get all of this done, then there will be a warrant issued for your arrest and all the fines are doubled. Geez...should have just paid the money up front.)

I did a bit of scrapping last week. The inspiration was from my best friend at the "A Day with Twins" site...(that is a nice way to say I scrap-lifted her page ...I did tell her I did this today so at least I turned myself in.)

Summer is coming on. I signed little one up for swim lessons. Should be fun for her. The best part is that it will be fun for me too...as I will not be in the water. (Is that bad? I swam for 20 years competitively and have taught my share of swim lessons....but little one seems to listen better to others sometimes. Anyway, she and I will have many a swim together in between the lessons.)

First Corn

The fun thing about having a kiddo is being able to relive all the firsts. I have long since taken for granted many things. For the munchkin, these little things are all new and exciting.

Tonight was a new one for little one - her first corn on the cob. Rilee will usually take a bite or two of corn...but it is not her favorite. Thus, when it came to making corn on the cob, I did not make her one. Then, she got to participate in the entire process....first, we shucked the corn. (Well, anything that makes a mess is fun, right?) Then we put the corn in the pot. I thought that would be the end of it. As I put the little ear holders into the ends of the corn and started to eat it, she asked for a bite. She thought she was all that holding the corn. She mimiced how dad was biting on the corn, by taking little bird bites of her own. She got the hang of eating corn on the cob and, as you can see, did a pretty good job of cleaning the cob.

She had her first egg when she was able to color it. Her first corn on cob by helping to shuck and cook it. Now, my quest, is to have her help fix other foods to try to expand her food likes.