Happy Easter

To all of our family and friends back home, we wish you a Happy Easter! Enjoy your family and food of course. We have already had a full turkey dinner and  had naps- although Mark is still sleeping. 

Next week's post: Easter Break- What to do with your children for 20 days in a row while only losing half your mind. It can be done! 

The one about Mary Anne's visit to England

We had the good fortune of a visit from my sister Mary Anne a couple of weeks ago.  She was in the neighborhood (Turkey) and popped by.  The boys' put her to work in short order. 

Here they are reading books...

...and modeling t-shirts that they designed with Mary Anne.

 

Mary Anne and I then hopped on a train and barnstormed London - Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Parliament, St. Margaret's Church, Westminster Abbey, 10 Downey, the Horse Guard Cavalry, Trafalgar Square, the Tower of London, the Tower of London Bridge, Piccadilly Circus, Chinatown, Covent Garden and maybe a couple of pubs along the way.   Here is some proof.

 

 

Buckingham Palace

 



I don't think that they are allowed to shake hands Mary Anne.



 



Strike a pose, there's nothing to it.

Big Ben & Parliament. 

Westminster Abbey.

 

 

Mary Anne - no need to stand on your toes.  Its his hat that makes him look so tall.

Horse Guard Cavalry.

Let's just pretend that there isn't a trail of horse manure in this picture.

Doing something patriotic, I think. 

Trafalgar Square.

BAM! In the face!

 

Roar?

The Tower of London.

The Tower of London Bridge.

 

Deep thoughts (I hope that Timmy is not having a party at the house right now).

 

This one was for Manda. Something to do with her love of  Ripley's Believe or Not.

Our final stop. Punch & Judy's Pub.

Covent Garden

The next day we were up bright and early and headed to Higginson Park.

MaryAnne fearing for the boys' lives. Every thing they did made her nervous.

After the park we enjoyed a stroll down the path behind our house to the river.  We were protected by two very brave knights.

And over there is where I slayed a dragon.

 Charge!

Follow us...

We'll protect you...

Don't be scared.

Giddy up.

 We followed up all the fun with a game of Hungry, Hungry Dogs (not Hippos).

 

 

Thanks Mary Anne for coming to visit! You get a gold star for being the first Bowers to visit us.  We are already looking forward to your return.

 

 











Mother's Day at Ascot Racecourse

Last Sunday (March 30) was Mother's day here.  It snuck up on us obviously because we were expecting it in May. May or March, it really didn't matter because Mark and the boys made it really special.  The day started out with breakfast in bed.

Typical breakfast: Rice crispies, toast, apple juice (because we were out of OJ Oliver said), coffee and a banana. It was awesome. 

It was then followed by a day at the races! Ascot Racecourse had a lovely Mother's Day country fair and it was a very special treat to attend.  They had the races of course, but also had things for the kids to do: sheep races, petting farm, Wallace and Grommet made an appearance, mother's day crafts, sweet truck and ice cream truck. Surprisingly there was no bouncy castle. Whew. I've never been to a horse race before but it was very exciting.  For our first race, Mark bet on Simply a Legend.  He chose the horse on the name alone- he liked it. I can't remember the number- 4 maybe? This horse was dead last the first loop around. He told the boys that he must be tired.  Well, no sooner did he say that and he WON! That horse kicked into crazy gear and won- and so did we!  Not once but twice.  Mark bet on the last race of the day on a horse named Hey Big Spender. Again, purely on the fact that he liked the name.  This horse stayed at the front of the pack early on and just nearly beat out for first place! It was so much fun cheering them on and the boys really enjoyed it-especially the winning part.  Now we have to find something to lose at so they don't expect to win all the time. 

Since the races here tend to be on the fancier side, I went shopping earlier in the week.  You will be happy to know that I bought my first fascinator! It's been 7 months, it was time. 

This was taken by a magazine photographer walking around Ascot.  Who knows if we will make the publication, especially based on the boys expressions! 

Henry won the race! 

Oliver too but with a little more attitude. 

How lucky am I????

Oliver showing Wallace his candy floss aka cotton candy. 

And Wallace walking away with it.  Oliver was laughing but pretty concerned he wasn't going to get it back. 

To the races!!! 

Watching the horses walk around the Parade Ring. 

Nothing but class. 

Mark and I had so much fun that we are going to Royal Ascot ithis summer.  The Queen makes an appearance all 5 days of the races. Be on the look out for a new fascinator! 

It was such a wonderful Mother's Day. I couldn't have asked for anything more.  Thank you Mark, Oliver and Henry for making it a day I'll never forget.  I'm so blessed. I love you.