Ode to Tom Thumb

Oh Mr Tom Thumb grocery store I miss you so much-
Your beautiful grocery carts that are large and have a nice handy rack underneath for my soda.
From the moment- you walk in and are greeted by Starbucks it is a joy
A free cookie sample is given to every girl and boy
Deli dept with boar's head meat and cheese- makes us happy with glee
Mr Tom I miss you -


As I type I have just finished sewing elastic straps in black ballet shoes. (nothing easy here- they make us sew even the shoes) Yes -it seems at CJ's school, dance is required (even for boys). Chris asked that I call the school and see if there was an alternate activity ( there's not). On a positive note- the boys don't have to wear tights just gym shorts and dance shoes. I think Chris has sufficiently brainwashed CJ not to wholeheartedly participate in dance. Next, I am on to sewing the pink ballet shoes for Casey who will not take off her uniform for dance (light blue leotard and light blue dance skirt). Anyone reading who knows me- knows that I tried to find someone to pay to sew the shoes since I can't sew but no such luck- (Darla where are you?)

Pitstops and Punting the River Cam

Headed for a weekend trip to Cambridge. We finally got lucky with sunny, warm weather. Park at the carpark and ask the kids if they have to use the bathroom; Casey walks in and says no. We head to the park and within 15 min of being at the park- Casey pulls down her skirt and uses the top of the slide as a pitstop. When asked why she would do this- casey replies "those bathrooms are disgusting"- classic Casey. From there- things picked up- we went boating down the River Cam and saw all the of Cambridge university. Then we headed to the botanical gardens and ate lunch outside. All in all we probably clocked 6 0r 7 miles walking around town. CJ pointed out that he has to walk all the time and Casey gets a free ride (stroller) so he should get more treats. Kid has a point at this walking rate we are going to be reclaiming clothes we gave away to younger cousin Alex. Then headed to the open air market- and checked out the shops and more of Kings College. Hit a local pub for dinner that had an outdoor playground- so we had a moment of peace while the kids play that we could drink a pint. Might export this concept back to Texas.

Forecast Rain and more Rain

Should be grateful for the rain since we haven't had hot water for 2 days in our temporary accommodations.

And yes Casey Jane picked out a High School Musical umbrella 2 1/2 going on 11 years old:) CJ went back to his passion from the 3's -Thomas the Train and me I am holding out for the Burberry goods!

IPHONE Delirium

Quick weekend recap

I had an awful crappy Friday. Show up to the local pool (kids are already decked out in swimsuits) to take them to open swim. My little fishes wanted to swim- I get stopped at the front desk and the lady informs me that I need another adult to swim with a 4 and 2.5 year old. That a single adult can only swim with one under 8 year old. So I go through the whole deal that I would not have paid $150 for this membership if I had to have another adult with us and when I bought the membership I explained that I would be the only one taking them to open swim (meanwhile CJ and Casey are screaming about wanting to swim). I then ask for the manager who proceeds to tell me that even though his staff sold me the membership I can't use the pool- so I demand a refund - and he tells me that "British people don't ask for refunds"- well the door was open so I happily told him "I'm an american and either the kids swim or I want my $$$ back". Needless to say I was so mad- supposedly I am going to get an "American" prorated credit back. Then I get a text ( he know s better than to call live) from Chris letting me know he has a happy hour to attend for "work". So 8:30 rolls around and I am furious after hearing about the cute little pub in London he went to while I battled baths with 2 antsy kids who know by heart the 12 books we have in the apt (Poor CJ thinks he can read since he can recite verbatim the books)


Saturday- God was looking out for me-First get up at 8:00 am (avoid serving breakfast and dressing kids for the day) in the morning say bye to chris and kiddos head to starbucks for a latte and then off to get my mani/pedi (started to like Hello magazine (similar to US weekly). Second ,call from cell phone store- IPHONE is ready for pickup. Then had a picnic at a park that recreates the 100 acre woods from Winnie the Pooh . Then off to dinner- kids behave well- consume 2 pints of beer as we leisurely eat outside. Lastly, stay up very late playing with IPHONE (I love it)

Sunday-

Head to the Science Museum in London ( perk is all the museums are free). Then- while we are on the tube - a couple offers us free London Eye tickets for the whole family (giant ferris wheel that oversees the whole city). Kids had a ball seeing all the sights from very high up, Get home and continue to play with Iphone. Chris purchased the bling bling pink case for it:)

Gold and Silver for US Gymnasts in the All-Around!!!!!!!

sweeping up the competition

olympic update

Well we lost the gold in women's gymnastics. 1 of our 3 US gymnasts (sacramone) fell on beam and the floor.(completely understand the beam but floor !) We were looking pretty good up until that point. I think its fair to say we know what China was doing in the years preparing to host- they created machines in diving and gymnastics (pretty impressive). Chris misses Russia's old uniforms with CCCP emblazoned across (we needed to google what the acronym meant). It is hard to tell which country the athletes belong to it seems everyone is in red white or blue. Still back to my old ways of screaming at the television wishing every other non US preteen gymnast to fall off the beam or bars. (Casey did point out "there all good -mom"). This just means we need to take the all around on Friday- go Shawn and Natasia!

Missing Crocs

Well we woke up monday morning with a Casey and CJ missing a croc each. Wouldn't be that big of deal if we had our stuff but our supplies are limited in the current state.

On Sunday - we were invited to a bar b que at a work colleague's house. On the trip to the house- Chris and I coached the kids about being well behaved , eating all the food that was served, etc-

1)We arrive at the house and our kids are so excited to have playmates and toys-they pretty much go berserk

2)CJ decides to chuck shoes over the fence into the neighbor yard. (at least it was his own and his sister shoes)

3)Food is served- I call the sausages hot dogs in attempt to get the kids to eat them. Casey eats one bite and spits it out saying in a crystal clear voice that "this is very bad". (never mumbles in toddler baby voice when a inappropriate comment is made)

4)CJ asks repeatedly to our hosts when will they serve the cookies we bought and don't forget guests are suppose to be served first. (classy with a k)

5)Hosts attempt to get a step ladder to scale the fence (neighbors not home) to retrieve the crocs to no avail. (seriously embarrassing)


6) One positive note-I have found a new summer beverage Pims- not sure exactly what it is but it's a great cocktail

So we are getting the crocs delivered tomorrow- CJ is in school shoes and casey is prancing around in ballet slippers as I type.

the elusive iphone

I've wanted an iphone since they came to market a year ago. Just when I thought I was going to get one this spring we decided to move to England and so we had to wait until we got here to get it. I could have bought one in Texas and switched SIM cards but as soon as they said your warranty is null and void I couldn't break the law.(I'm such a girl scout) Well- we have had obstacles to get this darn phone- need a British bank account- need the atm- need the pin for the atm- and now they tell me it can't be a brand new bank account-(it has to be some ridiculous amount like 2 weeks old in order to get one due to new restrictions with some terrorist act)- OH yes -I am terrorist material dragging 2 screaming kids to the store (in the burbs) after almost t-boning my car on a roundabout. SO yes my on hold iphone is STILL on hold!!!!!! Chris keeps pestering me on why I need the iphone- simple reason is its cool (could be getting VIP info from Frisco, Chicago, Denver,Philly, Boston, St Louis, Salt Lake City, Dallas, Michigan) and I want the pink case with the bling for it as well. So 2 more weeks until I have my phone- let the countdown begin.

On another note- Olympics start today and I am excited. I remember watching the LA Olympics with Mary Lou Retton and Ekaterina Zabo (the Romanian gymnast) on tv and then pretending to walk the balance beam in my backyard with Parker. Love the all around competition those girls are awesome. Chris and I love gymnastics (yes he actually knows more of the gymnasts than I do), track and field, swimming, soccer (rather see World Cup than Olympic). So GO USA!!!!

weekly confession

1) Let a stranger parallel park my car. I did this kind of thing all the time in Chicago and now I am resorting to this habit again. Guy did a great job!~ (the paid parking lot was full)

2)Watched a really awful Cold Case episode so scary that I made Chris carry CJ to our bed. (Casey is the room next door to us whereas is CJ on the first level) CJ of course wakes up mid transfer and asks if he still gets his planet hero point since he was sleeping in his bed. " Yes, son you still get a point."

3)I still haven't eaten beef in England yet. I know its safe but I have been sticking to chicken.

4)kind of glad I wasn't in TX for 107 degrees. I am in a hoodie as I type


5)No pals yet- met a few cool girls at the park who of course turned out to be nannies. I then of course try to poach them to sit for me- (I may have one taker)

6) Just went online to find a church- this will be chris and I first church that is not starting a building campaign. Yippee!!!


7) No iphone yet since we have not received our British account details. I am going to stalk the mailman until we get the bank info. Baby needs to make calls and check the Internet:)

8)Started laughing when we got satellite tv and CJ and Casey wanted to watch I SPY- only to complain the characters talk funny. (oh kiddos in a very short time you will be "Talking funny" as well)

9)wish more of my friends would start blogs so I could read their confessions.

10)having a glass or 2 of vino a day

London Bridges

Well- we had a non errand seeing the sights of London Sunday- Kids did well-considering we had a train ride- 2 tube rides- and a double decker bus ride. Rained most of the time but we had fun being tourists. CJ and Casey loved playing on a giant pirate ship in the Princess Diana memorial park and seeing the peter pan statue. I had fun walking around Harrods and checking out various Burberry bags I want to get my shoulder on. Going to have to find sitters to hit the Tate Museum of Modern art and the National Gallery.

Sat spent most of the morning at the uniform shop for the kids school outfits. Let's say I have my work cut out to these kids in the uniforms- CJ- white shirt/v neck sweater/blazer/coat/and gray wool pants (dead poet society cute but a lot of gear for 4 1/2 year old)- Casey Jane-blue sweatsuit with a crest on it- (mind you Casey has not worn pants in a year and only will wear clothes with pink on it). She screamed bloody murder as we attempted to try on the outfit on.

Should be interesting this sept