So Much Going On In December!!!

December is always a busy month no matter where you live. Everyday life is continuing on all while holiday parties and events are scheduled and shopping, decorating and wrapping are taking place. Because we head back to Connecticut for Christmas, organisation is key for my sanity during this month. Essentially we shop in two places and decorate in two places, and then in the span of 12-14 days, we pack for 5 people twice, fly 14-15 hours, and visit with 40-50 people. It can be challenging and exhausting at times, but in the end worth it.

Before heading home on the 20th, we had a few school events that kept us busy. On the 2nd of December we had the Darell School Christmas Fair. This is an annual event that helps raise money for the school. This year we took the fair in a slightly different direction than years past and were extremely successful. We had a number of outside vendors, a whole room dedicated to kids games and crafts, Santa's Grotto, the school choir sang and our youngest dance class performed, and we served some amazing food from the BBQ, International Buffet and Cake Sale! We were thrilled with the turnout and the money earned for the school!

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Ryan and Mandy Decorating the Christmas Tree in London.

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On the 7th of December we went to the Kew Sparkle for Mandy to sing with the school choir. The Kew Sparkle is held in the village and is a fun little kick off to the holidays. There are holiday lights, various food stalls, mulled wine, school choirs singing and the stores are typically open late for shopping. It is a fun little tradition that we enjoy each year.

Mandy singing with friends.

Our crew, Cameron, Audrey, Molly, Rory,
Mandy, Liam & Ryan

Waiting for the bus home

Mommy & Kiddies

Aiden Being Cheeky 

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The annual Christmas Card Photo Shoot... Always an interesting event. Mandy is usually willing, Ryan usually not so much. Keith thinks I take too many, I usually want more. Then this year we had Aiden to consider...All in all I think it went well. It only took 51 shots to get what I needed, not bad if I do say so myself!!! Here are a few that we liked most!

Individual Shots

Double Shots

All Three Together!

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Time for the School Christmas Shows!!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE that the kids are able to do a Christmas show at school. Over here all religions and ethnic holidays are celebrated and recognised, which allows the kids to be exposed to all different types of celebrations. It is fabulous and something I really appreciate. Here are a few pictures of Mandy and Ryan in their shows. The theme of Mandy's was Christmas over the ages...Her class was Christmas present so no costume needed.  Ryan's was more of the traditional Christmas story. His class were the narrators so again, no costume needed!! I lucked out this year!!!!

As we all know, crawling/walking babies + decorated Christmas tree = undecorated Christmas tree!

Here is Aiden being cheeky with the ornaments!

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We're Home!! Going back to our house in Connecticut is always met with mixed emotions. It is so nice to be back in the comforts of our home with all our stuff and so much space, but also hard because we never really complete settle in. It is however wonderful to spend time with family and friends, let the kids reconnect with everyone and go shopping at some of our favourite spots! Here is a photo summary of our time at home!

 Fun with Lila & Julia

Play time with Tanner & Madelynn
(Missed you Jori)

Christmas Eve at Uncle Chris' House

Santa Came to see the kids!

Matching PJ's!

I Got What!!!

Can you say excited?

Ummmm...What's this?

Christmas Day Fun!!!!

Camden & Aiden...Buds

The Four Cousins

Grammy & the Little Guys

Favourite photo of Camden

These two are trouble!

Family!

Chilling with Daddy

Uncle Chris...Where's my DS?

Of course while we were home, there had to be a snow storm! The snow was beautiful and the kids had a blast, too bad it had to happen on the only night we had plans to meet all of our friends out for drinks!!! Oh well...Such is life in New England!!

Mandy & Luke

Trudging up the hill

Waiting his turn

After all the fun at home, we packed up the clothes and all the presents and hopped back on the plane to London. It was a great time at home but now time to get back to the routine...oh yeah and packing up the Christmas decorations...AGAIN!

November in a Nutshell

Starting the month off with our trip to Brussels seemed to get November off to a pretty fast start. Once the kids got settled back into school, it felt like in the blink of an eye it was the 15th of the month and Grandma and Aunt Sheryl were arriving for their visit. My Grandmother has become a bit of an international traveller again in recent years. This was her 3rd visit with us in two and a half years!! On this particular trip they stopped to see us for 3 days on their way home from Zambia, where they were visiting my cousin Maureen (Sheryl's daughter). Of course I had to take them into the city so Sheryl could see some of the iconic London sights!! Though brief, it was a great visit!!

Gotta See Big Ben!

Buckingham Palace from St. James Park

An Enormous Stork!

Quite a Photogenic Chap!

Of Course We Stopped to See The Queen!

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One of my favourite things about where Mandy and Ryan go to school, are the assemblies, I am pretty sure that I get choked up at each and every one. I am constantly amazed by how talented, enthusiastic and well mannered the students are not to mention the pride that they have in themselves, each other and their school. It really does bring a tear to my eye ( not to mention hearing them all sing with the British accents!!!). So this month, Ryan and his class had their class assembly. They sang a few songs, performed a little skit and showed off some of their creative work based on the book Mister Magnolia by Quentin Blake. Ryan has come a long way in a short time. He started school this year very timid and reluctant to participate, however as you can see by the pictures below, he is very much involved and doing a great job with it! Way to go Ryan!!

Showing off his cooperative project he did with Sophie

His Mister Magnolia Drawing

His Mister Magnolia Shoe!

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Well, it wouldn't be November without mention of Thanksgiving! This is always a difficult holiday for us to be away from home, simply because it is a non existent holiday here. The last two years we would have a little dinner with the four of us and skype with family back home. This year however, we had a proper Thanksgiving with all the fixings....on Saturday!!! Lucky for us, we have a great group of American friends here who helped make this holiday traditional and special! Thank you to The Walter, Wendel and Parshall Families for a great evening!!!

Molly, Mandy, Libby, Audrey, Molly, Aiden, Rory, Ryan, Liam and Cameron

Brian, Carol, Keith, Me, Katie, David, Erin & Daniel

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Here's a toothy smile of Mr. Aiden at 9 months!!  

So that is "November in a Nutshell". 

xoxo

Bring on Brussels!!

Half Term Fun!!!

November 1-4 2012

During the kids' half term break we hopped the Eurostar and in 2.5 hours we were in Brussels, Belgium. Brussels is a popular spot for weekend getaways and holidays. Apart from its famous chocolates and beers there are many sights and attractions to fill your time.  

This was our first real trip to a European City as a family of five. While going back to the days of traveling with diaper bags, formula and a stroller is always a challenge, the kids did great overall. We were able to see many wonderful sights and devour lots of chocolate and waffles (and Belgian Beer for Keith and I) despite the rain and cooler temps. Mandy and Ryan loved posing with all the various statues and street performers along the way and Aiden was happy as a clam watching everything pass by.

 

The Grand Place or Grote Markt is the central square of Brussels and is considered one of the most beautiful town squares in Europe. It is surrounded by guildhalls, the city's Town Hall, and the Breadhouse. The square is the most important tourist destination and most memorable landmark in Brussels. Here is a great link that details all the amazingly beautiful buildings in the square. http://www.trabel.com/brussel/brussels-grand_place.htm

Entering the Grand Place

The Town Hall

The Kings House

The Guild Houses

Another view of the Grand Place

More Chocolate shops than you can count!

Manneken Pis (literally Little Man Pee), is a famous Brussels landmark. It is a small bronze fountain sculpture depicting a naked little boy urinating into the fountain's basin. It was designed by Jerome Duquesnoy and put in place in 1618 or 1619. It bears a similar cultural significance as Copenhagen's Little Mermaid. 

There are several legends behind this statue, but the most famous is the one about Duke Godfrey III of Leuven. In 1142, the troops of this two-year-old lord were battling against the troops of the Berthouts. The troops put the infant lord in a basket and hung the basket in a tree to encourage them. From there, the boy urinated on the troops of the Berthouts, who eventually lost the battle.

Another story (told often to tourists) tells of a wealthy merchant who, during a visit to the city with his family, had his beloved young son go missing. The merchant hastily formed a search party that scoured all corners of the city until the boy was found happily urinating in a small garden. The merchant, as a gift of gratitude to the locals who helped out during the search, had the fountain built.

Some of our best moments in Brussels were simply spent together in the various pubs dining on Waffles, Fries, Beer and Hot Chocolate!!!

Seeing as we are so skilled with public transport now, we hopped the metro and headed over to Mini Europe where we were able to visit every European country and most major cities in about 2 hours!!!

     

The Atomium was one of the last sights we took in. 

This unusual monument was erected in 1958 as part of the World Fair exhibition. Modelled on an iron atom that has been magnified 165 billion times, it consists of nine metal spheres which are held in place by interconnecting corridors. The top sphere has a restaurant and provides panoramic views of the city. The remaining spheres contain exhibition spaces that tell the history of the 1958 exhibition and the story of the Atomium's construction. The Atomium was originally planned to be a temporary structure that would be dismantled once the 1958 World fair exhibition ended, however it soon became an icon of modern architecture and of the city, and quickly established itself as one of the city's major landmarks.

Traveling with three kids in Europe is hectic, unpredictable and yet exciting all at the same time. We have learned that packing light, lowering our expectations and being flexible is the best way to really enjoy ourselves. While we weren't able to get everywhere that I wanted, we were able to take in an amazing city and enjoy our time together, which is what really matters!