It's the end of the month, our budget is blown, and we still don't have income. So, instead of heading to a park like we usually do when we need to get out of the house, we decided to head downtown.
We didn't want to pay for parking, so we found some free metered parking (Saturdays the meters are free) near TRAX on 3rd South. Our first stop was the new art installation next to Capitol Theatre.
The girls had fun running through the metal poles that move and make noise when you push them. It's supposed to resemble a field of grass.
When we had had our fill, we hopped on TRAX (we were within the free-ride zone) and rode the train to the Clark Planetarium. The exhibits are all free. We didn't pay to watch a movie, because our girls wouldn't have sat through one anyways. I wasn't sure there would be enough to keep the girls entertained, but we found plenty to do.
When it was time for lunch rode the train back to the car and drove a few blocks up to the State Capital Building and had a picnic on the lawn. We eventually wandered inside. I was glad it was a Saturday and no one was trying to work. You wouldn't believe the echoes!! They seemed to go on for minutes. Antalya was in heaven - a very loud, full of lots and lots of yells heaven! And Victoria thought the marble staircases were pretty amazing to run on.
It was a perfect outing - few tantrums, new sites, and all we spent was a few dollars on gas to get there.
I have always loved to camp. In fact before I got married I would camp almost every weekend during the summer, even if it just meant throwing a tent up late Friday night in a nearby canyon only to take it down at first light the next morning. When I am in the mountains I feel more alive, more like my true self.
Once I got married and then after Antalya was born, we still camped quite often. In fact, the within a week of Antalya getting released from the Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU) the three of us were sitting around a camp fire with friends for the weekend. She was still on oxygen (ya, I know, having my infant and an oxygen tank near a fire is not the smartest thing I have ever done - good thing I'm getting smart with age).
But then life caught up to us. And I suddenly realized it has been almost four years since I have been camping. So when my brother-in-law invited us to go camping with them, Jason and I jumped at the chance.
We were a bit nervous of how they would be with the campfire, how anyone of us would sleep all in one tent, and how to keep Antalya from wandering off, but they both did surprising well. Only once did Antalya wander off, and it doesn't even really count because she went to the horses at the camp next to us, they stayed a safe distance from the fire the whole time, and as far as sleeping in a tent - not a peep all night (which is a complete miracle for Antalya who normally wakes up crying several times a night).
I only got a few pictures before the camera died, but the girls loved roasting hot dogs over the fire, going for a hike the next morning, playing in the hammock, and even taking a short ride on the neighbor's horse.
Coming home is like hitting play on a movie that had been paused. It doesn't feel like we missed anything, and somehow we are just picking up right where we left off. It makes London feel almost like a dream, although I know that just a week ago it was our life and all the girls really new.
In many ways it feels so good to be back home, but then there are moments when I have to stop the tears because my heart aches for England - for the simple life we had, our friends, the noise of the city, the High Street shops, the sights and smells, walking to school, and so many other things.
So before I begin journaling our adventures here in Utah, I want to finish with our last memories in beautiful England.
Our last Saturday in London we had a great get together with some of our friends from our church. Not everyone could be there, but we had a great time with those who were. We miss our little ward and all the great friendships we formed there.
The day before we left, we had to say goodbye to all our friends from Antalya's nursery school. On that day, story time was all about Antalya, and Jason, Victoria, and I got to be there.
They looked at Antalya's book that documented some of the things she has done these past two years, and then sang some of Antalya's favorite songs.
We love these amazing ladies who have made such an impact on Antalya and helped her grow and develop so much during her time at nursery.
And then we took our final walk home. This walk from our house to the nursery has been the biggest part of my life with the girls during our time in London. We walked the path twice a day, five times a week.
Every day we would make the same pit-stops. The first stop was to walk on the wall.
Then Victoria would have to give two kisses to the elephant flower stand - one kiss in front, and one in back.
Next was the run through the woods (a line of trees with a small path running behind the trees), followed by jumping practice on the steps.
Then after a quick rest on the grass, the girls would usually ride in the stroller for the rest of the walk home.
That afternoon we said farewell to our not so beloved van. Although we don't miss how unreliable it was at times, we do have many fond memories surrounding that vehicle.
And then it was done - our bags were packed and we went to sleep for the last time in London.
The next morning, after a quick sandwich on the balcony for breakfast we were on our way (can you believe this picture was taken at 5:45am? I miss the early morning sunshine we had there).
The flight went reasonably well. We were so blessed to have an angel sitting right behind us that was so sweet to the girls and was happy letting them climb over the seat and sit with her when they needed a break from us.
And before we knew it, we were at Papa's house. And the girls haven't stopped since!
I recently heard someone say that life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer you get to the end, the faster it goes. That seems so true lately!
We are down to less than a month in England, and it seems each week is flying by quicker than the one before, and we are finding ourselves more and more busy with each coming day.
Here's a little of what we've up to:
Our favorite treat lately is California strawberries. I can't always find them, but when I do, they are worth any price I have to pay. They are by far the juiciest, sweetest strawberries we have had while here in London. Sometimes we even hand dip them in melted Lindt chocolate. I'll tell ya, it is as close to heaven on earth as one can get!
When I first arrived here in London, I started talking to another mom at the park. She had two year old twins, and was just as stressed out as I was. We were a good match! Over these past two years that friendship has really blossomed and our children have all become great friends. Two weeks ago they moved to Australia. It was difficult to say goodbye knowing we might never see them again in this life. We miss Linda and her cute Lewis and Sienna!
Mine and Jason's niece, Kristen was here for two weeks at the beginning of May. We had such a wonderful time with her. We began taking evening trips to the park. It was the perfect way to wear the girls out before bed.
Since we moved here I have been anxious to visit the London LDS Temple. A temple is a building different than our regular Sunday meeting houses, a place that is very sacred and important to those of our faith. But it's more than a two hour drive from our house, so I hadn't yet been able to go there. While Kristen was in town, we decided to make the journey. It was such a wonderful experience and so worth the drive!
The night before Kristen flew out we got tickets to see Hamlet performed at the Globe Theatre. It was truly the most memorable experience I have had here in London. We purchase the groundling tickets that the common people would have bought back in Shakespeare's time (meaning the standing room only area in front of the stage). We arrived early and were able to get a standing spot right next to the stage. We were literally leaning on the stage the whole night, with the actors only inches from us. It was incredible! An experience I hope never to forget. I'm kicking myself for not taking a camera with me - so this pictureI found on google will have to suffice.
Over this past weekend, my good friend Christine, and her family came to visit. They have been living in Qatar the past two years and are on their way back home to the states. We were so excited they decided to stop in London for a few days. While her husband took the two older boys to Paris, Christine and her two youngest stayed to play with us. The girls were in heaven having two play mates staying at our house.
And now, we have a couple days of calm before our last round of visitors arrive on Saturday. I feel like life has never than better than it is right now. I'm soaking up every last memory I can of London before I have to say farewell.
Antalya was playing with her Little People - talking to them, giving them rides in the little car, and fully engrossed in her own world.
Along comes Victoria and takes one of the Little People.
Antalya tries unsuccessfully to grab it out of her hand.
Both start yelling.
Now, normally this is where I jump in and negotiate the solution. But today, feeling both tired of the usual and a bit curious I just sat back and watched. I threw out a few reminders to Antalya to not hit and to be gentle, but that was it.
Within a couple minutes a new game had emerged between the two of them. Not a word had been spoken (one of them too little to know how to speak, and the other's words are only understood by me), but yet they both knew the rules of the game.
Victoria would take one of the Little People. Then yell. Antalya would take the Little People back. Then yell. Then both would laugh. Then repeat.
It reminded me of a conversation I had with a friend last week. We were talking about sign language, and somehow it came out that growing up she had a friend next door who was deaf. Neither of them knew sign language, but they would play together all the time. She quickly threw in, "I wonder how we communicated".
I've watched Antalya interacting with other kids long enough to know that when it comes to children - being able to communicate through spoken words is not a pre-requiste to making friends. Antalya seems to make friends where ever we go. And somehow, without any words spoken, games are created and understood.
I love this picture taken a few weeks ago because it illustrated so well what I'm saying. These four little kids had only met five minutes earlier. They had one thing in common - they were at the park and ready to play. They didn't care what each others name where, or age, or religion, or talents and abilities. And they didn't care that they couldn't understand a word Antalya spoke.
It seems most the time that the world makes more sense when I try to look at it through my daughter's eyes, than from my own.
And on a completely different note. I'm realizing I will never get "caught up" with posting pictures and details about our summer adventures. So here's a few highlights from everything I have been meaning to do a post about.
Antalya discovered tap-dancing this summer at my mom's house. She had a pair of tap shoes just Antalya's size. Take note of the outfit. This is the only way Antalya likes to play dress up - ten outfits piled on top of each other.
Happy Birthday Victoria! My baby turned ONE in July. We celebrated with a swim party, followed by pizza and Elmo cupcakes at the park.
A visit to Windsor Castle with my parents while they were visiting us. It has been the home of the sovereignty for 900 years, and one of my favorite castles to visit.
Searching for Robin Hood in the Sherwood Forest.
All the cousins on my side, minus baby Alivia who couldn't make it for the picture.
Antalya seems to find sticks where ever we go. This one was a real find - the biggest one to date. Found at Hyde Park in the London.
I wore this shirt when I was Antalya's age. Doesn't she look so cute!
And last, but certainly not least, I never got around to posting the adventures of our last day in Ireland. The highlight of the trip happened to be on that last day when we stumbled upon this old, abandoned ruin of a castle on the Ring of Kerry and got to explore.
Life is beginning to return to a normal routine after almost three months of "being on vacation". Monday night it was just the four of us sitting at the dinner table. The last time that happened was June 1, right before my parents arrived and our summer holiday began. But before I get too comfortable being back in real life, I need to get caught up on our blogging adventures. It's late, and I am oh-so-tired, so I'll just leave you with our Dover Castle adventure for tonight.
There is some fascinating history about the castle you can check out here if you have a minute. Dover sits right on the coast is the closest point to France, and so, although the castle standing today wasn't built until the 12th century, the place itself has been an important defensive city since the time of the Romans in the 1st century AD. In fact near the castle is the remains of a Roman lighthouse that is supposedly the oldest standing building in Britain.
During the Napoleonic wars there were a series of underground tunnels build throughout the castle. During WWII these same tunnels became a military command center and underground hospital. I was super excited to tour the tunnels and learn more about them, but unfortunately the traffic getting to the castle was a lot worse than I was expecting and so there just wasn't time. We'll have to make another trip out to Dover before we leave England to see the tunnels. But we did enjoy walking around within the castle gates and catching a glimpse of France in the distance.
The beautiful castle Victoria pointing the way we should go France in the distance The Roman lighthouse
PS I found us a new flat yesterday. I have two weeks to get us all packed up before moving day. It's not quite as nice as our flat now, but it has everything we need and we'll be saving a bundle of money on rent each month. It's only a half mile from where we are now. It will most definitely be the shortest distance I have ever moved :)
We've been back in London for a week now. It was a long (and I mean LONG) flight back to England. At the time it felt like the absolute worst flying experience yet, but now that I have had a few days to recover and look at it in comparison to the other times we have crossed the ocean in the last 10 months, I think it might of actually been the easiest trip yet.
That's not saying much taking into account the additional 3 hours we spent sitting on the tarmac in Atlanta waiting to take off, and the few hours that both girls were completely unconsolably crying. Granted, that might be a slight over exaggeration, but it sure felt like they were crying for hours.
Anyhow, I'm just glad the traveling bit is over and our little family is all under the same roof again. Although it felt really strange returning home to London after being away for six weeks.
When I first entered our flat it all felt a weird dream. It didn't feel like "home". It was as quiet and as clean as the first day we moved in. But slowly as the afternoon went by little things reminded me that we were indeed home. Little things like:
The familiar smell of chlorine when I filled the tub for the girls My favorite bowl of yoghurt and museli Hearing Jason sing "There's a hole in bottom of the deep blue sea" to Antalya. Listening the laughter from the bedroom float down the short hall and into the kitchen where I was washing the dishes. The familiar way that when it was nap time Jason quietly took Antalya to bed while I sat in the same spot where I have nursed Victoria to sleep everyday since she was just a few weeks old. The way I quietly tiptoed through the flat so as not to wake the little ones from their sleeping slumber. And finally as I curled up next to Jason's warm body to take a much needed nap.
And then I felt it. I was home!
And then we hit the ground running. Our niece, Laci, flew over with me and the girls to help me survive the flight (I couldn't have done it without her), and so the very next day we switched into tourist mode to show her this beautiful city. And we've been very busy. Buckingham Palace, changing of the guards, Westminster Abbey, The London Eye, Southbank, Trafalgar Square, Covent Garden, Stonehenge, Windosr Palace, Whipsnade Zoo. We've got just under two weeks to see the rest of the things on our list.
The day we drove out to Stonehenge was absolutely beautiful. As we were driving I was thinking about how unpredictable life is. Thirteen years ago I learned about Stonehenge in a art history class and decided I had to visit their before I died. Now, here I am living less than two hours away and on my third visit to the mystical place.
On the drive back to London I was taken with the beauty of the scenery. Big blue sky, huge fields of golden barley, and green trees. I tried to capture it, but holding my camera out the window with the car going 75 mph down the motorway didn't quite capture what I was hoping for, but you get the idea.
With every golden field we passed it hit me more and more how much I have fallen in love with this country. It feels like home. And although I know the day will come when we have to part and return back to our homeland, for now I am happy just being here. When the day does come to say goodbye, I know part of my heart will forever stay here in England.
