So Charles's parents were savvy enough to show up with Golden Grahams after my earlier post about England not having Golden Grahams (thanks to Aunt Karen and Uncle Michael I think). Jack has thoroughly enjoyed a small bowl each morning while they have been here. He finished the box yesterday.
While Jack and I were out on a walk yesterday, I told him the Grandpa and Grandma were leaving today (trying to make sure he was prepared). He told me he knew that because they had told him. I then proceeded with something like 'that's kind of sad, isn't it?' Jack quickly agreed and then added 'Yes because then we won't have any more Golden Grahams.' Hmmm. Well that isn't really the emotions I was after, but I guess this is how how a three-year-old processes.
Saturday, 30 May 2009
I'm not dead...
but my in-laws are visiting. And before someone beats me to the punch, no, those are not the same thing! I have had a couple of comments about my lack of blogging recently. Charles's parents are visitng us. As a result, I have not had much time to blog because my normal blogging time has been taken up with card-playing and chatting. I promise that I have many pictures and stories saved up and will resume the normal programming soon. Please stay tuned.
Tuesday, 19 May 2009
Golden Grahams
A conversation from breakfast:
Jack: I would like Golden Grahams today.
Erin: We don't have Golden Grahams. They don't make them here in England.
Jack: They have them in America.
Erin: Yes, they have them in America.
Jack: Why don't they have them in England?
Long silence while Erin contemplates the answer and is amused by what a good question that is.
Jack: I guess that is just the way God made it.
Erin (with a little uncertainty in her voice): Yes, I guess so.
Jack: I would like Golden Grahams today.
Erin: We don't have Golden Grahams. They don't make them here in England.
Jack: They have them in America.
Erin: Yes, they have them in America.
Jack: Why don't they have them in England?
Long silence while Erin contemplates the answer and is amused by what a good question that is.
Jack: I guess that is just the way God made it.
Erin (with a little uncertainty in her voice): Yes, I guess so.
The Head of Theo Part IV
We had an appointment for Theo's head yesterday. He continues to make progress, although a bit slower than at the beginning. His difference is down to 10 (originally 17). We are still hoping for 9 or 8, although the therapist said 7ish yesterday so we will have to see.
We got to Wimbledon and back with a little less drama than last time. The one reflection I have from our trip though is that I am fairly sure that chivalry and manners are lacking during rush hour in London. Granted I was travelling in rush hour, but I did have two children 3and under with me, and no one offered Jack or me a seat. We had to stand for 30 minutes of the hour ride. I was fuming inside. We were even standing in front of a sign that said 'These seats are reserved for those less able to stand.' and then had a picture of a pregnant women, a man with a cane, AND a little lady holding a child's hand. After about 30 minutes a seat opened and I directed Jack to it. He then innocently proceeded to ask out loud, and pretty loudly, why aren't you sitting Mommy? I then had no choice but to tell him because there weren't any seats available. Still no offers of a seat! Oh well!
After getting off the train we needed to go down an escalator that is the equivalent of say two floors. It is pretty steep. Well, Jack normally does fine on his own, but this time he froze up. A nice lady stopped and asked if she could help. I was a little hesitant, but she looked nice and she was with her husband (which for some reason made a difference to me). I asked Jack if he would be willing to hold this lady's hand while they went down the escalator. He said, No. He then continued to say that he wanted this lady to carry him down the escalator which the lady happily did. I thanked the lady profusely as we rode down the escalator. About 1/2 the way down the escalator it dawned on me that this lady was a fellow American (the longer I live here the harder it is for me to tell an American accent, I know it is kind of amusing). About 2/3rds of the way down the escalator I found out that she was visiting London and was from California. Hmmm...
On the trip back home we were fortunate enough for Jack to get a seat immediately, but it wasn't right next to where Theo and I were standing. I just kept my eye on him and noticed that he was quickly making friends with a lady. This lady was really entertaining Jack. She was teaching him funny things to do with his hands and how to make the itsy bitsy spider etc. Finally a seat opened next to them so Theo and I joined them. It was then that I realized that this lady too was foreign, and a little crazy. She seemed super nice, but I think it is safe to say that she might have already lost a few marbles. I say this because she yelled 'Give me a call Jack' as she left the train at her stop. She was really nice and was a blessing to me because she entertained Jack very well, but I am not sure she was entirely all there.
But I tell these stories because after yesterday's trip I have concluded that if you want help in London you might be best to look for foreigners and crazy people. At least that was my experience yesterday!
We got to Wimbledon and back with a little less drama than last time. The one reflection I have from our trip though is that I am fairly sure that chivalry and manners are lacking during rush hour in London. Granted I was travelling in rush hour, but I did have two children 3and under with me, and no one offered Jack or me a seat. We had to stand for 30 minutes of the hour ride. I was fuming inside. We were even standing in front of a sign that said 'These seats are reserved for those less able to stand.' and then had a picture of a pregnant women, a man with a cane, AND a little lady holding a child's hand. After about 30 minutes a seat opened and I directed Jack to it. He then innocently proceeded to ask out loud, and pretty loudly, why aren't you sitting Mommy? I then had no choice but to tell him because there weren't any seats available. Still no offers of a seat! Oh well!
After getting off the train we needed to go down an escalator that is the equivalent of say two floors. It is pretty steep. Well, Jack normally does fine on his own, but this time he froze up. A nice lady stopped and asked if she could help. I was a little hesitant, but she looked nice and she was with her husband (which for some reason made a difference to me). I asked Jack if he would be willing to hold this lady's hand while they went down the escalator. He said, No. He then continued to say that he wanted this lady to carry him down the escalator which the lady happily did. I thanked the lady profusely as we rode down the escalator. About 1/2 the way down the escalator it dawned on me that this lady was a fellow American (the longer I live here the harder it is for me to tell an American accent, I know it is kind of amusing). About 2/3rds of the way down the escalator I found out that she was visiting London and was from California. Hmmm...
On the trip back home we were fortunate enough for Jack to get a seat immediately, but it wasn't right next to where Theo and I were standing. I just kept my eye on him and noticed that he was quickly making friends with a lady. This lady was really entertaining Jack. She was teaching him funny things to do with his hands and how to make the itsy bitsy spider etc. Finally a seat opened next to them so Theo and I joined them. It was then that I realized that this lady too was foreign, and a little crazy. She seemed super nice, but I think it is safe to say that she might have already lost a few marbles. I say this because she yelled 'Give me a call Jack' as she left the train at her stop. She was really nice and was a blessing to me because she entertained Jack very well, but I am not sure she was entirely all there.
But I tell these stories because after yesterday's trip I have concluded that if you want help in London you might be best to look for foreigners and crazy people. At least that was my experience yesterday!
Sunday, 10 May 2009
Happy Mother's Day
Today America celebrates Mother's Day. We are in England where people just carry on as normal today. I always find today a difficult day. It is a day when I am more aware that I am far from my mother. I had tears in my eyes at dinner tonight. I was feeding Theo his beef stew and thought how fun it would be to call my mom. I looked at the clock and realized that I couldn't because she would be in church due to the six hour time difference. There are many times when I wish I could call my mom but an not able to because of the time difference (although I am immensely grateful for cheap phone calls and email).
I hope that my boys want to call me when they are older. I hope they think I am as cool as I think my mom is. Here are a just a few of the many things my Mom has taught me and why I am so thankful she is my Mom.
1) My mom has taught me how to laugh. This has not been hard because she is one of the most entertaining and funniest people I know. It is hard to be around her and not laugh.
2) My mom has taught me that the best way to learn something is to just give it a try. I have inherited my lack of wanting to read directions and just going for it (which is slightly annoying to my husband) from my mom.
3) My mom has taught me that my siblings are some of the most important people in my life. I am so thankful that my mom instilled a love between all of her children from a very young age. My two brothers and sister are some of my best friends and this is largely due to the way Mom raised us. I hope my boys feel the same as they grow up.
4) My mom has taught me that you have a lot more to talk about if you read. My mom loves to read. I wish I loved to read as much as she did. I am trying to teach my boys to love reading like she does.
5) My mom has taught me how to parent. So much of what I say to my boys is stuff that I have learned from my mom. Some of it scares me; most of it doesn't.
6) My mom has taught me how to love my husband. I am so very thankful that I was able to see my mom and dad love each other and have the great opportunity to witness a Godly marriage and picture of Godly submission (without feeling it was inferior).
7) My mom has taught me the value of staying home with your kids. I am so thankful I had a mom who stayed home with us when we were little. We were very blessed.
8) My mom has taught me that family is important. Some of my earliest memories are of my mom caring for my Grandmother as her health was failing. More recently, I have witnessed my mom serving my dad's Mom (as though she was her own) as she fought cancer and died.
9) My mom didn't teach me much about cooking which was very wise on her part because it ensured that I called home often after I got married. It was an ingenious move on her part - remember the devilled eggs!
9.5) My mom has taught me a lot about being loyal and devoted. One of the best examples is how she always comments on my blog postings. I always know I can count on my mom to comment. This expresses love to me. I am very thankful for this.
10) My mother has taught me that God and his calling comes above all else which is one of the reasons I was able to tolerate the tears at dinner tonight. I am so thankful that Charles and I both have parents that are supportive of us being in England and serving God here.
Thanks Mom. And Happy Mother's Day!
I hope that my boys want to call me when they are older. I hope they think I am as cool as I think my mom is. Here are a just a few of the many things my Mom has taught me and why I am so thankful she is my Mom.
1) My mom has taught me how to laugh. This has not been hard because she is one of the most entertaining and funniest people I know. It is hard to be around her and not laugh.
2) My mom has taught me that the best way to learn something is to just give it a try. I have inherited my lack of wanting to read directions and just going for it (which is slightly annoying to my husband) from my mom.
3) My mom has taught me that my siblings are some of the most important people in my life. I am so thankful that my mom instilled a love between all of her children from a very young age. My two brothers and sister are some of my best friends and this is largely due to the way Mom raised us. I hope my boys feel the same as they grow up.
4) My mom has taught me that you have a lot more to talk about if you read. My mom loves to read. I wish I loved to read as much as she did. I am trying to teach my boys to love reading like she does.
5) My mom has taught me how to parent. So much of what I say to my boys is stuff that I have learned from my mom. Some of it scares me; most of it doesn't.
6) My mom has taught me how to love my husband. I am so very thankful that I was able to see my mom and dad love each other and have the great opportunity to witness a Godly marriage and picture of Godly submission (without feeling it was inferior).
7) My mom has taught me the value of staying home with your kids. I am so thankful I had a mom who stayed home with us when we were little. We were very blessed.
8) My mom has taught me that family is important. Some of my earliest memories are of my mom caring for my Grandmother as her health was failing. More recently, I have witnessed my mom serving my dad's Mom (as though she was her own) as she fought cancer and died.
9) My mom didn't teach me much about cooking which was very wise on her part because it ensured that I called home often after I got married. It was an ingenious move on her part - remember the devilled eggs!
9.5) My mom has taught me a lot about being loyal and devoted. One of the best examples is how she always comments on my blog postings. I always know I can count on my mom to comment. This expresses love to me. I am very thankful for this.
10) My mother has taught me that God and his calling comes above all else which is one of the reasons I was able to tolerate the tears at dinner tonight. I am so thankful that Charles and I both have parents that are supportive of us being in England and serving God here.
Thanks Mom. And Happy Mother's Day!
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