It's been a long time...

Hi everyone, it has certainly been awhile since I've posted. Time has flown and it is unreal that it is already October.  I want to give an update as to what we have been doing since August and I will keep it as brief as I can! Thankfully, Mark has done two very good posts about visits with our family so I will just fill you in on everything in between- in bullet style.

• The boys are 100% into super heroes. As you know, they were on a big pirate kick. That is over.  They live, breathe, eat super heroes and you will now see it as a common theme. 

• Uncle Justin, Aunt Margaret and Casey came to visit in the middle of August. Awesome time and here is the link to the post:   Everything is Awesome!

• I went back home for about 4 days.  It was amazing to see my family and the time flew by.  I was able to hold Natalie for as much as I could and was able to see my other adorable nieces and my beautiful sisters too.  :)

• The day after I got back from the states, Mark and I took the kids to Bournemouth.  It is on the southern coast of England roughly 2 hours from our house.  It has a fun pier and good size beaches. We had a fabulous day at a beach in Poole and spent the rest of the time overpaying for amusement rides for the boys! Still lots of fun.

• And then we did it. We took them to Lego Land. It was fun, exhausting, intense, exhausting, and fun.  We spent 8 hours there and we still didn't get to everything.  Maybe next year!  

• I took them to the Henley Rowing Museum.  Within the museum, they have an entire exhibit on Wind and the Willows.  You can walk through and listen to a story, it was very nicely done. 

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• We had park days, fair days and and days we hung out in our garden. 

 

Their first rock festival!

And lets not forget about those lovely, lovely face painting days.....

• Then all of a sudden, school started.  Reception! Reception is the equivalent
  
  
  to our kindergarten in the US. Kids start reception the year that they turn 5. For Oliver and Henry, this is a full year earlier that what they would have done back home. No one could have prepared me for their adjustment period they went through.They entered a bigger environment, more was asked of them, new school, new kids, new teachers and they were separated for the first time. The first month was unsettling with good and bad days sprinkled throughout. They are starting to find their way- and so am I! However, I am very proud of them for being able to take such a big leap at an early age. 

• Went to a fair in Henley. They tried the big slides for the first time.  They enjoyed it so much- despite their face showing otherwise! 

 

• My dear friend Katie came for a 36 hour visit! She was on vacation with her family in Ireland and managed to escape to England to see little old me.  I felt very special and we had a great visit. Thanks again Katie!! 

• We spent a day at Windsor Great Park.  Behind the Windsor castle is a mile long walk- great for walking and scooting!  

• We went to visit Mark at his office in Reading.  The boys have been asking for about a year to go to Daddy's work. They were very excited! 

• Wonderful visit from Uncle John and Sandy in the middle of September. Post can be seen here John and Sandy. 

As you can see, it has been nothing short of busy.  October is proving to be just as busy and we are already half way though.  My Dad, otherwise known as Grandpa, will be arriving tomorrow for his first visit.  The boys are extremely excited (as are we) and have big plans for him.  Also coming soon, a trip to Scotland during half term and of course we can not forget Halloween! In the midst of all that, my gorgeous god-daughter Annabeth, will be turning 5. She is having a solar system themed birthday which I think is amazing.  Annabeth- once you have studied the universe, please hurry up and perfect teleporting because it would make it much easier for me to give you a hug on your birthday. 

Stay tuned!