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2019-08-18T18:38:00.001-07:00

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Culture Shock

2019-07-06T11:18:00.002-07:00

Well we made it safely to the other side of the pond. The boys were such troopers despite little to no sleep, landing at midnight our time and the wait that comes with customs and baggage claim. We are a few weeks in now and the culture shock seems to be waning. The first few weeks were quite surprising though. It seems strange to even experience culture shock when we are coming back to the country we grew up in, but that seemed to make little difference. We grew accustomed to the English culture and way of life and I think to some extent it will remain with us always.

Upon landing there were a few things we noticed almost immediately. One was how diverse it is in America. Unless you are in a big city like London you don’t see much diversity in England. We recently stayed at a hotel and a woman working there was Hispanic. I had to stop myself from saying hola when greeting her. For the past 3 years any Hispanic person we say was in Spain where you had to speak Spanish. The second thing we noticed is how crazy hot it is. I thought I missed the heat but I think my body has become accustomed to the mild English climate.

More things started to pop up as we went about our days. The following is a list in no particular order:

- Everything really is bigger in America- the roads, the cars, the closets. Everything.

- The washing machines are ginormous! I’d forgotten just how small the English appliance is compared to the American. I could fit inside my parents washer!

- The drivers are insane. No one follows the common traffic laws. Fast drivers in the far left? Nope. Passing only in the left lane? Think again. Cars getting over so someone driving faster can pass? Wrongo! There is always a slow driver in the fast lane and if you should try to pass them they will speed up. Everyone seems to be in a race except there are no winners.

- Which could explain why cops actually pull people over for speeding and reckless driving. In England there are often places that have average speed checks, so if your average speed upon entering and exiting such areas is above the speed limit you are given a speeding ticket.

- Americans are entitled. This is something we noticed right away in the airport. Everyone seemed to think they should be at the front of the line, they shouldn’t have to wait, if they are late they can cut ahead of you, basically that they are above the rules. This in turn makes it necessary for workers to constantly state the rules and act like a scorned teacher who can no longer trust her students to use the restroom like a normal human being.

- The food. While we mostly complained about British food and were so excited to have some flavorful American cuisine, it has taken some time for our stomachs to get used to it again.

- Plastic, plastic everywhere! Plastic straws, plastic bags, plastic cutlery. It was shocking to me just how much disposable plastic Americans go through. Plastic bags at the grocery store are still free so there is no real incentive for people to use reusable bags, aside from the whole saving the planet thing. I had never really noticed it before but after living abroad where they are taking major steps to reduce the use of plastic I was shocked to see that the same thing is not happening here.

I’m sure a lot of this is starting to sound a bit negative and seem as though I’m putting America down. That is not my intention at all. To prove it here are a few of the positive things we’ve noticed.

- Shops and restaurants actually open early. Since our boys are early risers this is huge. We no longer have to wait hours at home before being able to go out and have breakfast or go to the shop or whatever.

- Restaurants have peppermints. Free for the taking!

- People are genuinely friendly here! They say hello to complete strangers when they walk by. Not only will they say hello but they may even ask how you are doing and will wish you a good day.

I’m sure more will pop up as we go along. It is a strange occurrence for the once familiar to become the unfamiliar. We are American so it feels a bit off to experience culture shock here. But we are also ex-pats returned. We no longer fit the mold of a typical American yet we are not British either. I suppose we have become a bit of both, not quite fitting in here or there completely. This article explains it all perfectly:

http://iamatriangle.com/triangle-story/

While it may not be easy all the time with the transitions, uprooting, and adapting a new culture we have found it to be so rewarding as well. We are thankful to God for the experiences he has provided through all of this. And look forward to what he has in store for us. The feeling of not quite having a home is nothing new to Jesus. He is God’s son, put on earth as man. Divine yet human, not quite belonging on earth but put here anyway. As believers it’s comforting to know that while we may not have a permanent home here, we have one beside him in heaven.

Cheers Cheltenham

2019-06-16T02:31:00.000-07:00

This place. Today we say goodbye to this place. The place that has been our home for the past 3 years. The place that I have grown to love more than I expected. The place that has stretched me- as a wife, mother, friend, sister, daughter, believer, and traveler. The place that has also strengthened me, seen me grown and change (hopefully for the better). The place that has challenged me and forced me to ask questions about my own country, how I live out my faith, my culture, the sort of wife and mother I want to be. The place that has forced me to juggle family, friends and a life spread across two continents. The place that has given me access to see and experience more of the world.

This place has seen Jack grown from baby to boy. This place has given us the addition of 2 more boys- Ben and Will. This place is where I've grown into motherhood. It's where I became a Mio, and then Mamo. I've learned the difference between a fake cry and a real cry and how brothers play. I've potty-trained, sleep trained and seen through the giving up of pacifiers. Seeing my boys go from bum shufflers to eventually walkers. Where Jack learned to ride a scooter and then a bike. I became a connoisseur of play grounds and kid-friendly establishments. This place is where Jack first started school and Ben came into his own a bit because of it.

This place showed me what a proper cup of tea tastes like. And a great coffee as well. That beans on toast really is a meal in itself, and a good one. That an English roast is lovely and that you can order a beer in real size, a pint. That Pimms is perfection on a hot summer day. That squash is a drink, not a vegetable. That a tip is where you go to dump trash, not the money you give a waiter.

This place has seen my vocabulary change a bit and Jack's accent waffle between American and British. This place allowed me to become a citizen thanks to a long line of Smiths. This place gave me the chance to go back to my Grandpa's hometown once again and visit his old school. And maybe see what he was always so eager to return. Why he loved cheese, Guinness and going for walks. Why he didn't mind walking in the rain. How true it is that there's no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing.

God has blessed me so much with this adventure here. With good heart friends, a welcoming church and community. He has shown me that he is alive and well outside of America. That his gospel is preached here. That we have met some of the kindest, most genuine believers here. He's shown me that there is a sweetness to a having a small church family and signing old hymns. He's taught me that he is in the future as well as the present, guiding me and sometimes carrying me through all these changes. And I know it will be the same for our next adventure. But for now I am grateful to him for the time we've had in this place. It will always hold a special place in my heart and will always be a piece of a place I'll call home. This place. This dear old Blighty.

Nearing the End

2019-06-13T07:12:00.002-07:00

As we get closer (as in 2 days) to our time here coming to a close I've been trying to think of the things I'll miss about England...

Proper tea wherever you go. Cream teas. Sunday roasts. Pimms. The Cotswalds. Cotswald yellow stone. Green rolling hills. Sheep. English cakes. A walking culture. Back roads. Hedgerows. Church bells. Hearing the Pip & Jim's choir from inside my house. Parks. Cafes at parks. English breakfasts. Cornish pasties. Yorkshire pudding. Sticky toffee pudding. English phrases such as: Hiya! Alright? Cheers, etc. The fact that so many words have a shortened version: breakfast=brekkie, present=pressie, fabulous=fab, etc. Play groups. Cafes with toys. Bank holidays. The Queen's Christmas message. CBeebies. Scaffolding.The NHS. Gas & Air as pain relief during labor. The midwives. Wearing wellies. Muddy puddles. Peppa. Cornwall. Trains. Everything is old. Old churches, houses, pubs, etc. The fact that dogs are welcome in most pubs. Having cheap access to Europe. The shorter work weeks. English summers. Ice lollies. Paddling pools. Father Christmas. The fact that you can wish people a Happy Christmas without fear of offending them. Pay-as-you-go phones. Cadbury chocolates. Chocolate Eggs at Easter. Mince Pies at Christmas. The Great British Bake Off. Mary Berry. The Royal Family. Castles. Paying when you order your meal; very handy if you need a quick exit due to unruly children.

I’m sure there are more things that will come to mind in the coming weeks, but for now that’s all I can think of.

And just to keep from ending on a sad note there are things I’m looking forward to in America. For instance, CFA, Target, Mexican food, steak, finding clothes in my size. Of course, seeing friends and family goes without saying.

Bittersweet is a word I’ve used a lot lately in describing the move. There are so many things we will miss. And a few things we won’t miss- English pedestrians, the constant rain and chill... but the good has far outweighed the bad.

Costa del Sol

2019-06-12T06:20:00.002-07:00

Our final trip abroad was to an all inclusive resort in Malaga, Spain. We found a great deal and thought a relaxing trip would be a nice repose before the chaos of the move. Of course our relaxing trips look a lot different nowadays. Gone are the days of lounging in the sun reading a book poolside. Instead I sat in the shade and played cars with Ben (who refused to go in the pool) or got lots of cuddles from baby Will. It’s not a bad trade off to be honest. And although it’s still tiring caring for 3 little ones no matter where you are, it’s a nice break to be able to just focus on family and spend time together as opposed to the endless laundry, dishes, or other obligations that come with life in general, not to mention an impending international move.

It is increasingly difficult these days to get a decent family picture.

Every day went a bit like this: wake up, go to the breakfast buffet, back to the room so Ben and Will could take a morning nap. Meanwhile Jack would go down to the pool with one of us and enjoy some time playing. After that we’d all meet back up at the pool for a little play before heading to lunch, then back for an afternoon nap before heading out again for a snack and more pool time. Showers, dinner, bed. Wake up, repeat. Add in a few drinks and diaper changes and that’s about it.

Here are a few highlights from our time in Malaga.

Pool time:
Jack would have stayed in the pool all day long if we'd let him. Ben wanted nothing to do with it. They had a shallow pool for little ones with a slide and some spraying parts. Jack made friends each day, especially with the boys who had water blasters.

Flexing

Falling asleep holding onto Mama's toe

Meals:
Most meals involved taking turns holding Will while the other one ate or juggling Will while trying to eat.

And ice cream.

Balcony time:
Anytime we were in the room Ben was likely out on the balcony with his binks watching the cars go by. Whenever a motorcycle would pass he would shout out, "Motorcycle!".

Misc:

Our daily ice lolly snack.

Jack wearing my hat on the way to the pool

The boys were forced to wear their caps every day to keep them out of the sun. For some reason Ben always insisted on wearing his backwards, which of course defeats the purpose completely. But it certainly is cute.

Too cool

You'd never know we had 3 kids scrambling around our feet in this photo.

Will looking dapper before dinner one night.

Malaga, you were good to us. Here's hoping we can find family-friendly all-inclusive places like this near our next home.

A Sunny Day in London

2019-06-11T08:00:00.002-07:00

Recently, we had one final overnight in London. The boys have been before but we hadn’t really seen much. They have a few books that take place in London, like Paddington and Peppa, so they are at least familiar with some of the sights. It was quick trip with a lot packed in but the boys did really well. We decided to take the train up which is basically the same amount of time as the bus but a bit more relaxing as we can see more of the country and the boys don’t have to be strapped in.

Upon arriving at Paddington Station we made our way to the Princess Diana Memorial Playground. Thankfully, it was a warm sunny day so after lunch we had a bit of a play. Even though it was a Friday it was extremely crowded so we didn’t stay long. Once we had our fill we wondered through the park to find an ice cream and the Princess Diana Memorial fountain. This fountain isn’t the prettiest, it’s basically a giant oval but the kids can play in it which is really nice if you find yourself there on a hot sunny day like we did. Ben is still a bit wary of the water so he spent most of his time by my side eating his ice cream and playing with a stick.

Captain Hook's Pirate Ship

Playing in a little house

Letting little brother have a go at driving

Here are a few shots from the fountain.

Mr. Smiles

Flexing

A boy, his stick, and an ice cream

After the fountain we made our way to the hotel for some late naps and a picnic dinner.

I absolutely LOVE British cabs mainly because you can fit a stroller inside!

The next day we did some sightseeing on one of the double decker buses. We got on at the first stop early in the morning so we were able to get prime seats that were up top, but covered. Everything was going great until all of a sudden the bus stopped and everyone had to get off because someone had an accident and peed all over the floor (it wasn't one of our kids). Since we were at the top, we were the last to get off and the driver started to pull away while Jack, Will and I were on the stairs. Unfortunately, Jack fell down a few steps before I was able to grab hold of him and John was able to yell for the driver to stop. He claimed he had to move because he wasn't supposed to block the stop (even though that's where he was to let everyone else off) and that he couldn't see us in the camera. He also went on to say that he thought we were getting off at a different stop even though they told everyone to get off there so that the bus could be cleaned. John was especially angry at the driver not only because of what happened but because he kept making excuses instead of admitting mistake and apologizing. Thankfully he wasn't seriously injured, only a little hesitant to go up the stairs on the next bus.

Despite the minor set back we were able to see Buckingham Palace and even catch a rehearsal for the Queen's birthday parade.

Standing in front of a motorcycle moments after the incident.

It was a little too bright for Jack.

Big Ben, covered in scaffolding

Our final leg of the bus tour was super relaxing as all 3 boys managed to fall asleep and John and I could just ride and listen to the tour.

2 sleeping boys on me

We got off at the Natural History Museum to see some dinosaurs before making our way back to the train station. It was a quick trip, so quick that we didn't even manage to get any pictures. We flew through the small dinosaur section so we could make our train on time, but the boys enjoyed it enough to make us want to take the to the one in D.C. while we're home.

A happy Daddy with a beer and heading back home.

London was a fast trip. We crammed what we would normally space out over a few days into 1.5. It definitely was stressful at times, but so is any day at home. We might as well get out and make the most of it.

Happy 2nd birthday, Ben!

2019-05-24T01:52:00.000-07:00

Today Ben turns 2 years old. In his second year of life he learned to crawl, walk, and talk. He gained a little brother and lifelong friend. He traveled to France, Scotland and across England. He has become very good at being a little brother, often antagonizing Jack and running away with a mischievous look on his face. He is our sour patch kid, going from sour to sweet and often back again. He loves cuddles and yet is fiercely independent, striving so hard to do everything on his own. He is stubborn, yet caring. If he hears the baby crying or Chewy barking to come inside he makes sure that we know. He loves animals and soft toys. He loves playing outside, especially if it involves muddy puddles and yet he strongly dislikes getting dirty. Most meals are paused if there is the slightest bit of food on his hands. He is a good eater and especially loves spicy food like his daddy. His big brother Jack is his best friend and he mirrors everything Jack does. Ben has also had to come into his own a bit and be brave as he's encountered new places and people while his brother attends school. He is a bit cautious and likes to take it all in before taking part. Ben loves to play with balls and tackle daddy after dinner. He is still addicted to his binks, or as he refers to them, mehs. He often reminds us that he's fast and strong. He loves to sing and has some adorable dance moves. He loves cuddling with animals and his current favorite is Benjamin Bunny from Peter Rabbit. I pray this next year we continue to see him grow and develop into the boy God has made him to be. We move you Benny Boo!

Devon

2019-04-30T08:10:00.001-07:00

Our most recent trip was a long weekend in Southern England. We stayed in a small town on the coast in Devon. We had sun and even some warm temperatures!

On our way down we stopped at Digger Land. It's a theme park filled with diggers that the children can actually ride and operate. The boys, especially Ben lately, have loved seeing diggers so we thought they'd enjoy this surprise stop. To be honest though, I think John enjoyed it even more!

The Sky Shuttle. They sat in the bucket and were lifted high
into the sky. I kept my feet on the ground and nursed Will.

If you look closely you can see John waving.

Ben and John ringing ducks

Jack and John operating a real digger!

Driving...another kind of digger???

Ben's favorite part of Digger Land was by far the stuff he could have done at home! He loved checking out all the cozy coupes. He also LOVED the play house.

A police car

Ever our little introvert, Ben loved going into the house and closing all the shutters. To which I would quickly run around opening them again. He thought this was hysterical and would quickly shut them again.

Benny Boo!

Right before we all reached the end of our rope.

After an ice cream we hopped in the car again and headed for our Air BnB. It was a lovely little apartment with views of the sea. The coast line was dotted with these little sheds which we later discovered were 'holiday huts'. Some you could rent for a day or a week, but most seemed to be owned by locals. Everyone was out painting and working on their hunt. I had a peak inside some and even though they are quite small they are pretty awesome. People had set them up with tea kettles, nice chairs, curtains; they were surprisingly homey.

There are so few shots of Will on our trips as he's usually in the ergo or stroller. He is such a smiley baby.

Our second day in Devon we took a walk down to the pier. It had a giant arcade that we quickly made our way through. The outside bit was much nicer and easier to breath. While the part inside quickly became crowded and a bit too much for us. Ben was asleep in the stroller the entire time.

Batman and Iron Man were there!

Motorcycle!

Basketball!

Putting out fires

Hot donuts are the best!

That afternoon we went for a walk along the coast. The tide was already coming in so we missed the opportunity for playing at the beach.

The next day we made a point to head to the beach early so the boys would have time to play. Jack absolutely loved it. Ben on the other hand didn't want to touch the sand. He was upset that the bottom of his shoes had sand on them. He didn't want to see the water. Basically he didn't want to be there. We quickly realized he was just tired and after he fell asleep in my arms he was able to have a nap on the beach, which is one of my favorite beach activities anyway.

After naps back at the apartment everyone was feeling much better. So of course we had to go out for ice cream!

Jack ordered a simple fruit ice lolly, so when this giant cone came out he was shocked.

Our sweet Ben sharing his ice cream.

His first cone all to himself. He devoured the entire thing.

On our journey home we stopped at a beach that a stranger had told us about. It was a warm, sunny day so it was absolutely packed. Ben decided the beach wasn't so bad and ventured out after spending some time just sitting back.

Pre-beach exploring biscuit

Once Ben thought the tide pools were puddles he was all about it.

Jack was all about the beach. I don't think he sat down once.

Even Will got to venture out into the sunshine.

All 3 boys in the back seat, tired and ready to start the journey home.

Aside from an upcoming overnight in London, this was our last trip in England. We have so enjoyed our time here exploring this beautiful country. And we'll enjoy the rest of the time we have left here just soaking up our English life and spending time at our favorite local spots.

Lake District

2019-04-29T07:44:00.000-07:00

The Lake District is one of the most beautiful areas in England I’ve seen. We stopped there for a single night in our way home from Scotland to break up the drive. We loved it so much that we just had to go back one last time. But what would a drive to the Lake District be without a little car trouble? As we were pulling out of the services (like a rest stop, but 100 times better. Instead of just bathrooms and a vending machine it has a coffee shop, mini-grocery store, food stalls and of course a fast food option.) John noticed a light for the oil. Thankfully there was a gas station right there and thankfully they sold oil. When John checked the level it was far below what it should have been.

Happy to find some oil!

We found a little converted barn to stay in. It was perfect; surrounded by rolling hills and sheep. There is something about the English countryside that I think is quite unlike any other place.

After exploring the farm for a bit, we ventured out to a local inn for some dinner. It’s always a bit nerve wracking trying a new restaurant for the first time with 3 little ones. Gone are the days when we’d wonder if the food was tasty and the service good. No. Now it’s, do they have a high chair? A child’s menu? If the boys are loud will it ruin the ambience? Is there a playground or space for them to roam. You say the food is awful, but you have a playground? Table for 5 please! Luckily, this place not only had delicious food, but it was quick, they had a back patio the boys could play on and it was early enough on a weekday that we were one of the few customers there.

The next day was spent in the car seeing as much as you can with 2 toddlers and a newborn who eats about every 2.5 hours. We started off the day with a little hike around Tarn Hows, a small mountain lake. And by hike I mean a man-made, flat, mostly asphalt path. Since it’s a mere 2 mile hike and Jack is already 3 we thought surely he can walk the whole way. So with Ben in the hiking pack, Will in the stroller and Jack on foot we set off. What ends up happening is Jack wants to stop at EVERY little inlet to see the water, which means his little brother wants to get down. This is all fine if you have an entire day blocked off to walk 2 miles, but we didn’t. After pulling jack along about halfway, we made it to a bench and bridge. Where Jack quickly soaks his trousers and the baby starts screaming because he’s hungry. Again. After a feed we set off down the path. Only now Jack is complaining that he’s tired and wants to be carried. Which John somehow manages to do for a bit even though he’s already got Ben on his back. Eventually this stops working which means the baby is kicked out of the stroller (I’ve brought the ergo for such an occasion), Jack hops in the stroller and we set off. The views were absolutely stunning as we neared the end of the loop and I quickly tried to snap some photos.

Tarn Hows

There were loads of trees like this one
with all sorts of coins stuck inside.

Wading through the 'river' and getting wet

John and Ben

Happy Ben

Will

Once we made it back to our car, it was time to feed the baby again before setting off for another pub lunch (delicious food, high chair and a playground!). Next stop, some famous Grasmere gingerbread. Some friends of ours were kind enough to let us sample some they had brought back from a trip and we felt the need to do the same. It is the tiniest shop I've been in and there was a queue out the door. The gingerbread itself has a crumbly exterior and looks as though it would be rock hard. It's actually quite chewy in the center and has a fresh, sharp ginger taste. Upon tasting it Jack said he didn't like the spicy cookie.

No trip to the Lake District would be complete without some Beatrix Potter, so we headed to Peter Rabbit world. This was our second visit to the small exhibit, but it really is fun for all so we had to go back. This time Ben was old enough to really take it all in and Will was actually on the outside and able to see it all.

The highlight of the day for most was a walk around Lake Windermere and riding the ATVs. We stopped here during our last visit and the boys loved it. We'd been promising them we'd stop by again.

Ben's race face

Jack's race face

Tenby- Part II

2019-04-23T00:39:00.000-07:00

This morning hit us with a parenting milestone and a bit of a surprise. I was still sleeping and John was in the shower. I heard Jack get up but then didn't hear anything so I assumed he went back to bed. Later John relayed that Ben came into the bathroom. Since Ben slept in a pack'n'play, John assumed I had woken up and gotten him out. Then Jack comes in behind Ben, announcing he got Ben out of bed and they went downstairs together to watch TV. We were shocked that all of this happened without any injuries or fights. It does give me hope of a day not too far off when they can get themselves up and out of bed, downstairs and entertain themselves while I have a lay in. Of course, we have a 3rd baby now so it will be delayed a bit longer, but we're on our way!

After all of this we made our way to a local dinosaur park. This place was definitely hokey- it had giant dinosaur statues everywhere and lots of games and rides. But the boys absolutely loved it- especially John.

Go-karting with Jack.

Shooting with John

Basically like giant hamster tunnels

The dinosaur trail

A stick seems like a good weapon to ward off dinosaurs.

In the evening we made our last trip to Castle Beach for some final sand castle building and exploring.

This picture may look ordinary but if you look closely
you'll see a pair of little feet hanging off the back.
Jack became too tired to walk, so we convinced him
to lay down in the storage compartment.

On our way back to our lodging we stopped to pick up some Chinese food. It was the BEST Chinese we've had since leaving the States, which was a nice surprise. The place was called Tasty Chinese, so I guess it shouldn't have been much of a surprise.

The sun finally decided to come out on our last day. So we went out for one final coffee and a final walk through town to get some sunny pictures of the beaches.

Ben asked for his picture to be taken, too.
Apparently the sun was a little too bright for him.

View of St. Catherine's Island

Tenby was a great place for a little weekend getaway. I realized on this trip that living in England for 3 years has changed my views on what is appropriate beach weather. Basically if it isn't raining, it's great weather for a day at the beach. We may be in for a shock when we are hit with the summer heat of the States.

Tenby- Part I

2019-03-25T07:28:00.001-07:00

As our time in the UK is coming to a close we have booked a few trips to visit some yet unseen destinations. This past weekend we went away to Tenby, a little coastal town in Pembrokeshire, Wales. I didn't really know what to expect of this place, but it was absolutely lovely. Our accommodations were a 5 minute walk to South Beach and a playground and about a 10 minute walk into the 5 arches where all the shops and restaurants are located, and then a bit further to Castle Beach.

Upon our arrival we made our way to South Beach since the boys were dying to play in the sand. After some convincing they got their wellies wet but they still seem unsure of the waves.

Ben in his Peppa goggles.

South Beach with Baby Bear

Throwing rocks into the sea

For dinner John picked up some pizza from Top Joe's. Somehow we ended up with a pizza that had anchovies. I was starving and thought, how bad could it be? But it was bad. Basically it was pizza that tasted like fish. Not sure why anyone would ever want that combination. The non-fish pizza on the other hand was delicious.

And of course since this trip took place in March, we ended the night watching Michigan State pull out a win. Jack even woke up several times that night with some excuse until finally we let him just watch with us.

On our second day we started out at the playground because apparently its torture to walk a child by a playground but not actually let them stop to play on it.

Flying Jack!

After a walk around town we stopped at a cafe for some coffee and to try some welsh cakes. I would describe them as a mix between a scone and pancake with some raisins added in. After one bite, I was good.

Walk through town

Going in for the Welsh cake!

One of the restuarants in town. On this side of the pond,
the word buoy is pronounced like "boy".

Post naps we made our way back through town to Castle Beach for some sand castle building.

Castle Beach and St. Catherine's Island

Exploring the cave

Ben's favorite book right now is "We're Going on a Bear Hunt".
He was convinced there was a bear in the cave.

Will's first trip to the seaside.

Mio and her 3 boys

I'm one lucky lady

We topped off the day with some proper fish and chips.

A&E Visit

2019-03-19T09:50:00.002-07:00

A&E stands for accident and emergency. It is the UK equivalent to the ER. Today, Benjamin had his first visit there. He also had his first ambulance ride.
It might be fitting that he landed in the UK ER because of a cup of tea...

This morning after dropping Jack off at school, Ben and I returned home to Will and John, who had been working late on a project and was planning to go into work later that morning. While John and Ben were playing, I started making breakfast. I brought John in a cup of tea and Ben an empty child's play tea cup. Shortly after returning to the kitchen I heard a scream I'd never heard come out of Ben and then some screaming from John. Neither of us actually saw what happened, but Ben must've grabbed John's tea cup to hand it to him, realized how hot it was, and jerked his hands away only to spill most of the tea on himself. Poor Ben!

We quickly undressed him and tried to put a cool, damp cloth on the burned area, which he hated and protested the entire time. From there I didn't really know what to do and had no idea how badly the burn might be. It's very difficult to google anything with a writhing, screaming toddler in your hands so I decided to call the non-emergency medical line for advice, thinking they would just tell me how to treat it over the phone. Instead they told me to put Ben in a cold shower for about 20 minutes while they sent an ambulance our way. Great! I thought the paramedics would take a look at Ben, see that the burns weren't that bad and instruct us how to treat it at home. Wrong again. The paramedics insisted they take him to the hospital to be examined.

So Ben and John rode in the ambulance and I followed after feeding the baby and picking up Jack from school. Of course, Ben was absolutely fine and the only thing they did was put cling film (saran wrap) on the burnt area. I'm not entirely sure why. A quick google search says that cling film doesn't stick to the wound and it seals in moisture, which prevents the burn from drying out and scarring.

We ended our A&E fiasco with lunch at a local pub connected to the airport. It's full of model airplanes and you can watch helicopters and planes take off and land. The boys loved it.

I was quite annoyed by the whole situation; that it happened in the first place and that we needed to go to A&E just to be told Ben was fine. But I was reminded that there was a lot to be thankful for in the situation: that Ben wasn't burnt badly, that we have access to emergency care if we need it (and even if we don't), that John happened to be home so someone could stay with the baby and someone could go with Ben. So, a lot to be thankful for in an unpleasant situation.

We were told to put Ben in the shower, but he's terrified of them so some water play in the bath had to suffice. The entire time he kept pretending to make and drink tea.

A helicopter landing at the airport pub.

Ben happily drinking juice surrounded by airplanes.

New Year, New Baby

2019-03-14T07:36:00.003-07:00

Now that Will is 10 weeks old I should probably include him in this blog. He has certainly been a surprise to us. He arrived 3 weeks early and has been keeping us on our toes ever since. As I type this he is laying on a play-mat next to me cooing away. He is sweet and cuddly and small, but he is certainly making up for lost time.

John had just gone back to work when he received a call from me in the afternoon telling him I thought labor was starting. Since Ben came so much faster than anticipated we figured we would have a baby within a few hours. But again, Will surprised us. We were at the hospital overnight and things just stalled by morning. So after sending me out in the cold for a walk, then putting me in a hot bath they sent me home to rest. We were back within 2 hours and then Will arrived. Again, shortly after arriving to the hospital and John parking the car. I had just gotten into the birthing pool and then he seemed to be there. Everyone kept saying it was typical for a third baby- to take forever and then all of the sudden just appear once things really kick off. Our midwives were so kind and encouraging and helpful.

After some tea and toast we were able to rest a bit and revel in this sweet new boy of ours, William James McIntosh.

Disneyland- Paris

2019-03-14T07:34:00.000-07:00

Right before Jack's 3rd birthday we took a little trip to Disneyland Paris. It took us the first day to get our bearings, but once we got the hang of it we really enjoyed our time. We were able to stay at the Davey Crockett Ranch, which was awesome. Jack is still talking about the pool and giant slide he went down with John. The highlights of the trip were seeing Lightning McQueen in action and meeting Darth Vader. I didn't go on a ton of rides since I was pregnant, but the upside was that I got a special pass which allowed us to skip the line for some of the rides.

Driving onto the Chunnel Train.

Ben and I hanging out while Jack and John rode Peter Pan.

Flying Dumbo!

Jack with Luigi and Guido.

Motorcycle!

Posing with Lightning McQueen post stunt show.

We can't wait to go back to Disney stateside in a few years.

McIntoshes take Cheltenham

2019-03-14T07:20:00.003-07:00

The McIntosh/Carpenter clans came to visit early December. It was so wonderful having the entire family in one place and we finally got to meet our new niece, Emma!

Here are the highlights:

A Christmas Do

Santa Steam Train

Presents!

Highclere Castle

And baby Emma!

Can't wait to see you all this summer!

SCOTLAND

2019-03-12T07:23:00.002-07:00

Last September we decided it would be a good idea to take a road trip through Scotland. 25 hours of driving, 2 toddlers in tow, 1 pregnant lady. What could possibly go wrong? Not too much actually. It was an epic trip and we want to repeat it every 5 years, with less toddlers and no pregnant women.

EDINBURGH
Highlights: Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, Chocolate Crepes, Jack's first ride in a ferris wheel, Cath Kiddston shoes, taking Jack to an art museum

PITLOCHRY
Highlights: William Wallace Monument, riverside lunch, the Braemar Games
Lows: missing the Queen

INVERNESS
Highlights: Driving through the Highlands, Loch Ness
Lessons Learned: lollipops are a good distraction that can allow parents to finish a meal

ISLE OF SKYE
Highlights: Basically everything we saw in Skye was amazing. We want to go back and spend an entire week there.

OBAN
Highlights: Fish & Chips, we had a roof over our heads
Lows: This was the least favorite stop. There wasn't much to see and what there was to see wasn't so great.

LAKE DISTRICT
Highlights: Beatrix Potter Museum, Lake Windermere, ATVs
Lows: Getting a flat tire
Technically the Lake District is in England but we had to break up the drive and it was absolutely gorgeous. A great place to cap off an amazing trip.

There are loads more pictures and stories to share but as I'm doing this 6 months past through a fog of newborn sleep deprivation this will have to suffice.

Pause. Rewind.

2019-03-11T14:26:00.000-07:00

Since the last post quite a bit has happened. We took a road trip through Scotland. Jack had his first dentist appointment. Went to an airshow. John ran a half-marathon. Had a visit from Carolyn. Carved pumpkins with English friends. The boys first trip to Disneyland. Jack's 3rd birthday. Jack started nursery! Thanksgiving with American friends. Thanksgiving with English friends. McIntoshes visit. John had a work trip back to the States. Grandma flew in to help. Christmas. New Year. New baby.
And now we are in the thick of life with 3 little ones 3 and under. The days are long and short, difficult and not, sweet and frustrating. I want time to slow down and speed up all at once. I'm trying to savor all of the little moments all while getting us to the next thing.
My goal is to document the above trips and happenings, but realistically I'm not sure that will happen. For now here are some recent pictures.

Grandma & Aunt Mimi's visit

2018-09-15T01:18:00.002-07:00

I'm on a roll with finally catching up with holiday posts so I figure I'll keep going to one of the more recent occurrences. With another baby on the way who knows how long this will last.

Just a few weeks ago my mom and sister (finally) came to visit. It was a busy but wonderful trip. Since it was my sister's first time out here I wanted to make sure she got the full English experience. So high tea, Stonehenge, English breakfasts, castles and a quick hop to Paris were all necessary.

First stop: High Tea. It was absolutely delicious.

Jack and Aunt Mimi

Swinging

Giant Jenga

Ta-Da!

The next day we had an outing to Stonehenge and Avebury. The weather was perfect and made for some great pictures.

What trip to England would be complete without a trip to a local castle?

The grounds at Sudeley Castle

Mom and the Roses

The chapel where Catherine Parr is buried

We spent our last weekend taking a whirlwind girls trip to Paris. It was short but we were still able to cram in some sights.

Of course, the Eiffel Tower

Inside the Louvre

A crepe making class!

The Eiffel Tower at night!

It was a lovely trip and I was so glad that Molly finally got to see Cheltenham and that Mom could come back for a third time.

Summer 2018

2018-09-10T06:19:00.003-07:00

Here's a few highlights from our last summer in England.

The summer began by saying goodbye to some of our dearest friends.

Strawberry picking is always a summer activity.

Sand pit and paddling pool for days.

Ice lollies and cars galore!

One of our favorite summer places, Evesham Abbey.

Around the house.

This is Ben's usual spot when I'm cooking.

He loves his dog.

The boys doing the dishes.

And playing in the liquor cabinet.

The latest favorite: couch diving.

Jack caught his first spider.

It's been a full, beautiful English summer. We are sad that it is our last, but excited for what's to come.

Holiday in Cornwall

2018-09-10T06:08:00.001-07:00

For the second year in a row we took a holiday to Cornwall with some friends. We stayed in a gorgeous house with stunning views. 3 families, 3 dogs and 4 kids makes for a very loud, but fun holiday.

The two lovebirds enjoying the view.

They love maps

Aquarium

Super dad!

Outside Doc Marten's house

The McIntosh boys

Happy Birthday Benny Boo!

2018-09-10T05:55:00.001-07:00

We celebrated Ben's birthday a little later this year with a Mexican fiesta. Since he was born on Cinco de Mayo and adores spicy food it was pretty much the perfect theme. He loved everything aside from being sung to and when the pinata got smashed.

Ben has been pretty much the best baby ever. A great sleeper, eater, cuddler and a bit independent. We are certain that he will be a tough guy since he has his older brother knocking him around. Since I am so delayed in writing this (he is currently 16 months), at the moment he is pulling up, has just learned to crawl after months of bum shuffling around. His favorite phrase at the moment is "I got it!". He can also say Dada, Mama, Chewy, Jack, upstairs and other phrases. He loves playing with Jack and copies everything his big brother does.

We love you Benny Boo! Happy belated birthday!

Grammy and Aunt Barbie visit

2018-09-10T05:29:00.003-07:00

Ages ago we had a visit from Grammy and Aunt Barbie. The boys were thrilled to see them and spend some quality time together. They got a ton of that as Grammy and Aunt Barbie were gracious enough to watch the boys so John and I could get away for our anniversary.
Thanks Grammy and Aunt Barbie!

Bedtime Stories

Jumping in muddy Puddles!

Stories and Playtime

After we got back from our anniversary trip, the girls spent the day at Highclere Castle.

Thanks again for the visit!

The Peak District

2018-06-25T13:25:00.004-07:00

We just returned from a weekend away in the Peak District and amazingly enough I'm writing about it now as opposed to 3 months later. It was a great weekend away- warm, sunny weather, a cute cottage, walks amongst farm animals, not to mention the fact that we were in Pride and Prejudice country. Our drive up took us through various villages decked out for summer festivals.

Bunting Galore

We also found ourselves eating at an English KFC for the first time.

Say Cheese!

Our little cottage. It was absolutely perfect. Aside from the fact that Jack locked himself and Ben in their room within 5 minutes of being there. Luckily after some explaining (and lots of prayers and panic)he was able to unlock the door. There was a chicken coop just past the back garden as well as acres and acres of fields for grazing sheep. We got to take a little walk one day through the fields and say hello to all the animals. Jack loves them and gets a little disappointed when they run away just as he wants to say hello.

Saying Good Morning to the chicken

Chasing Chicken

The second day we found ourselves hiking. First we set off to Stanage Edge, where a famous scene from Pride and Prejudice was shot. The hike was short, but steep. It's made much more strenuous by carrying a baby.

"Hooray!"

Later that afternoon we took a little hike to a place called The Nine Ladies. It was basically a small ring of stones, smaller than Stonehenge, but similar in design. What we weren't expecting on this hike was to run into a flock of actual gypsies. As we arrived at the Nine Ladies, the area was covered with tents. At first I thought it was just campers, but the giant pile of trash near a designated tree along with the general culture of the "campers"made it clear they were gypsies. We didn't fully realize this until after we sat down to have a snack. After a few minutes a woman brought her baby over who quickly started taking snacks from Jack and Ben. They were kind enough to share, but when the woman said her child had a 'dodgy' belly the past few days, I became very nervous about stomach bugs the rest of the trip. We didn't get any pictures of the site, so you'll just have to use your imagination. Stench. About 50 tents. Pagan symbols and signs promoting love. Alcohol. Marijuana. We even passed by a toilet tree, littered with tissues and you can guess what else. Despite all of this, the woman who talked to us was very friendly and kind. I'm not sure if they were there specifically to celebrate the summer solstice, or just because it was a place to go.

After our snack, we hurried back on our way.

The last day we visited Chatsworth house, or Mr. Darcy's house from Pride and Prejudice. The house and estate were beautiful. I was lucky enough to go inside and explore while John took the boys and Chewy around the gardens. Afterward we met up for ice cream and a trip to the playground. This place has it all.

Playing in a stream at the playground

Sleepy Benny Boo

Until next time, Peak District.

Pembrokeshire

2018-06-21T01:09:00.000-07:00

A couple of months ago we took a little family trip to Pembrokeshire, Wales. We stayed on a farm, visited English beaches, hiked, and celebrated Ben's first birthday despite him being ill and cranky. In most of the pictures he appears to be having a terrible time, but he did enjoy the trip overall.
Here are some highlights.

On our way we stopped to check out Caerphilly Castle and have a picnic lunch. The castle was pretty impressive, especially it's leaning tower. Jack's favorite part was the dragons.

Ben was not feeling well at this point.

Holding up the leaning tower.

A picnic lunch

Poor Ben!

Our cottage on a farm. This place was amazing. The perfect size for our little family with a fenced in back garden for Chewy. It was on a farm so we got to see puppies, sheep and even feed some baby lambs.

Jack loved the tractors

I was so excited to feed the lambs!

Looking out the window of our cottage

We spent one day exploring the nearby town, St. David's. No town is complete without a cathedral. Next door there is Bishop's palace, some fun ruins to walk around. We enjoyed the cathedral so much that we went back a second day when it was more sunny.

St. David's Cathedral

Bishop's Palace

Sunny weather at the cathedral

Another day was spent hiking along the coast to a pub. The hike wasn't that long, but considering the fact that we don't get to hike that often and we had two heavy hitch hikers on our backs it ended up being pretty strenuous. We enjoyed some much deserved drinks and snacks afterwards. The views would have been stunning on a sunny day, but of course we went on a day that was covered in fog. Still some nice views and loads of sheep to be seen, though.

Playing on the rocky Abereiddy beach before hiking.

Ben was not a happy hiker

Finally made it to the pub in Porthgain and to some sunshine

Post snack happiness

We spent one day exploring some of the local beaches. We managed to find a kite festival going on at one beach, but Ben was so put off by the sunshine that we ended up leaving early. He didn't even want ice cream, which has never happened before.

English beaches, where you have to wear wellies, sweaters, and rain gear

Pretending we are kid-free, despite Jack playing in the background

He loved splashing around in the tide pools

Kite Festival

We found a local playground one day while I did some grocery shopping. Finding a playground on a trip is like the holy grail for parents.

We even managed to find a rest area with a playground on our way home. Winning!

Ben was feeling much better at this point

Another successful UK trip in the books!

Ireland: Galway

2018-04-16T06:49:00.002-07:00

The night was quite eventful. Jack kept falling off his bed despite our efforts to wall him in. After falling off twice I brought him into our bed. He quickly cuddled up next to John and scooched him closer and closer to the edge of the bed. John didn't get much sleep that night.

We enjoyed a leisurely morning of breakfast, naps and play before heading to our final stop, Galway.

I enjoyed relaxing in bed and watching to boys
play while John showered.

More time in the car meant more stunning views. Most of our journey was along the Wild Atlantic Way which meant winding roads and views of the coast. Once we made it to Galway we went out to explore the town a bit and grab some lunch.

Exploring the Latin Quarter

It's almost like we're kid free...almost.

Eyre Square

Professional Puddle Jumper

The Spanish Arch

After some lunch at The Kitchen by the Spanish Arch we headed back to our Air B&B to unpack and let the boys play. After a quick dinner for the boys, John and Jack headed out for a walk to Mutton Island while Ben and I cleaned up.

We got very lucky in Galway with some sun!