Christmas In Sept

Well our move went well- all things considered. It rained the first day (shocker) and the movers said there was no way they would be able to fit our Queen bed up the staircase (glad we left our king at home) but they did. The kids played in the the playroom with their toys from 3 months ago that are now new toys. Seriously, CJ mentioned a zillion times how did we get so many toys we are so lucky. So we are almost unpacked and have even hung some of our pictures. Seriously - Chris and I have the moving thing down -we literally walked room to room and pretty much knew where we were going to put up stuff. It helps that we only have 1/3 of our stuff as well. Since its a rental no need to pull out the Benjamin Moore paint book and pick a Charleston sage for the third time. (still a little bitter about moving ). Neighbors - chris and I have bet on how long it will take to meet them. I say 3 weeks he says 3 months. It seems British folks aren't the most outgoing.

Casey had her first day of school- it went well! We persuaded her to put on the blue tracksuit with a bribe of mommy painting her toes this weekend. yes - she is not even 3 and she wants her toes painted. We have resorted to bribes to get that tracksuit on 3 days a week.

Quick little answers to questions readers (all 4 of you) have posed-

1- No we do not get the current Hills or Gossip Girl and yes I am jealous ! No- I can't watch it on my computer because of some dumb Law .

2-CJ and Casey attend the same school the difference in uniform is casey is in nursery school and CJ is in their form of kindergarten.

3- I miss BIG parking lots- Target, Malls, Chain restaurants ( never thought I would say that but any American restaurant kicks England hiney for food and service). Bot most of all family and friends!

4- I like the fact that people make do with less here. Kids are disciplined and very well behaved (not mine -yet). Its green/hilly and not brown and flat. Feels like we have to sight see whenever we get the opportunity. Chris helps me out more that in the States. CJ and Casey finally have been playing well together!

First Day of School for CJ

Well, we we had a tough day yesterday. CJ was worried about school starting- will I have any friends- where is the bathroom at the school- the teacher won't know my name-no one will sit by me at lunch- if we were in TX the triplets would help me find my class if I got lost-(add another 100 worries and you get the picture)

Then the mail came-CJ's teacher sent him a welcome to my class letter which made his night.

Then we woke up -extra 10 minutes to put the uniform gear- CJ freaking out that we would be late for school. Casey Jane crying that she wants to go to school (little does she know it starts Monday!)

We arrive at the classroom and his sweet teacher says "Hi Christopher- who is your favorite planet hero" (they had the parents fill in cheat sheets a month ago on kiddo's likes and dislikes).

From there they were off and running. The school seems great but very formal- I think CJ got corrected a couple times for not handshaking properly to parents (he tried to high five) and trying to call the teacher Miss Tanya instead of Miss. McGrath. He seemed to be having fun and excited about going to school tomorrow all by himself. Let's see how we do with the battle royale with Casey and the blue tracksuit- should be an interesting blog

Hair Dye, Moving Boxes, and Biting

Well my first UK salon experience was a success. Let me say- my planning paid off! After we found out we were moving to England- I switched salons in Texas to Toni and Guy (since they are international). I then made an appointment here and had my colorist call the Plano salon to get my haircolor. Seriously I don't mess around when it comes to my hair color. So anyways- the colorist Mark scares me at first by saying- "I know how to do Texas hair". (I am envisioning Dallas tv show circa 1982). He stuck to the color and now my gray hair is gone! The best part was it wasn't ridiculously expensive (hair is $$$$ no matter where you live)

Spent the rest of the weekend packing- seems to be a quarterly thing for our family. Come Friday we will be in our house-Thank God. Dragged the kids to the electronic store with Chris- who spent hours picking out the TV. He's already bummed that college football is on and we are out of the loop. One of my high school friends posted that MSU and U of M lost and I had to inform him. (sad times for Chris- makes me know we will be coming back to TX!)

On another note- I found an American Women's Club in my area. (yes, friends I am joining another club). The women who is the president is in her 60s- she was so sweet. She is a LSU grad and was all concerned why Notre Dame doesn't have sororities because I sound like a Kappa something girl. (sounded like a compliment but I have no clue) She invited me to the first event and he club looks pretty cool- Book clubs, Gourmet Clubs, and just women that can relate to bad washing machines, crazy driving experiences, and bland food. The first gourmet night is TX foods- hopefully we get some spicy food.

Finally had my first day at the gym that has a daycare. Assumed since Casey Jane was pottytrained there is no way I get called on the loud speaker while running (was a running (no pun intended) joke in TX that I never made it past 2.5 miles without a call for a diaper, etc). Well it appears our little Princess bit another child- so we had to fill out an accident report. So as I type- CJ is watching berenstein bears and Casey is in timeout. I am destined to not run 3 miles until middle school with these rug rats

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:)