Addie and Harry's Goodbye Party

I cannot tell you how amazing all the people in this picture have been to me and my children. The mums, the teachers and the children have been so amazing in being our friends and getting us involved in this absolutely amazing village. They are such amazing souls and we will miss them soooo much. Today the mums held a going away party for Harrison and Addison filled with crafts, games, and goodies. It was such a fun time yet filled with so much sadness as the two hours progressed, know this would probably be the last time in very long time that we would see our dear friends.

Juliet is always a character and her little girls, Ella and Robyn, have been such lovely friends to Addison. Juliet was always finding the funnest little things to go and do and I think we spent most of last summer break doing things together and I will always cherish those fun times we did things with our kids and all the fun things they invited Kevin and I to do for grown up fun.

I brought three huge boxes of items from my pantry to see if anyone would be willing to take any of it.

Joanna and her three boys have been such a treat to get to know more in the past couple of months. She is an amazing baker and lovely hostess. She always has a kind smile and gentle demeaner. I loved learning about their Polish traditions and I only wish that we could have spent even more time together. Her little boys love Addie and Harry and have warmed up to me as well in the past couple weeks and it's so hard to leave that.

Clare has been phenomenal ever since I moved to Glinton. She was one I would often visit with at Tots group and now that we had preschool in common as well she's just been such a joy to visit with each morning. She organized so many special things for us before leaving and I will miss her and her three boys, Luke, Taylor, and Kai so very much.

For a special treat to share with our friends I made a batch of cupcakes using White Betty Crocker mix (very American). I found some little American flag toothpicks at the party store to top them off. Also found some small American flags to give to all the children so they had a little something to remember us by.

Alison is a peach and she couldn't get over how light and fluffy my sponge cake was...I told her my secret was Betty Crocker. I don't make homemade cakes very often and you can't mess up Betty Crocker. Alison is a hard worker and she was one I loved visiting about gardening since she had a massive one. Her little girl Grace is a shy one but Addison seemed to have a good influence on bringing Grace out of her shell. It was so great to see her let loose at my going away do last week. I will miss her dearly.

Of all the children, I think little Joseph was going to miss the kids the most. He is the sweetest little boy with a huge heart. It was his idea to ask his mum, Gemma, to make Addison and Harrison a special cake for the party. Also with his own little pocket money, he bought Addison a big stuffed bear that had a heart in its hands saying "Special Friends." I loved hearing all the stories Gemma would share about cute things little Joseph would say about Addison. The latest one was that he wanted to become an airline pilot when he was older so the could fly to America and see Addison. He's also the one who wanted to come live with us in America as well, but I told him he needed to stay and help his mummy with the new baby coming!

As we came upon the last few minutes of the party, we all worked hard together to get things cleaned up as in past parties, but it was just so hard. How do you say goodbye all at once to a group of some of the most amazing ladies and children that we have encountered while being in this amazing place. Each of them have touched our hearts and we never want to forget them.

Last Little Play with Louisa and Robyn

We found time for one last play with Addison's closest friends - Robyn and Louisa. The two girls are in reception this year and it makes it a little harder for the three of them to get to play, but we gave them one last little time together. Of course they are all a bit young to really know what's going on but they do understand something is going on. They know Addison is going back to America but it's us mums who were standing around looking at them who welled up in tears knowing this might be there last time together for a very long time.

Addison was obviously very at home at Robyn's house...she looks like a future pianist!!!

Harrison also will miss these little friends. He was alway quite partial to Robyn and little Ned is about 1 year younger than Harry and probably his closest little play buddy at Tots group. We love you Roybn, Roen, Ned, Louisa and Sophie (and mom's Linda and Nicki) so very much!!!

A Collection of Blessings

With the kids in one of the last days of preschool I thought I would take time to stop one last time at the Glinton Mum and Tots group to visit with friends there. I felt a little out of place without the kids, but everyone was happy to see me come. I wasn't going to stay long but they seemed to want to keep me there for awhile. And then after a few minutes I found out why....they brought out this absolutely amazing quilt of picture squares of all the children from Tots group and preschool. I was completely overwhelmed and immediately started sobbing. They just keep coming up with more and more surprises and they have just been SOOOO wonderful. I honestly don't want to leave this place as so many people have touched our lives and filled our hearts with love and joy. Thank you so much ladies for everything....you are truly AMAZING!!!

Gathering at the Pub

We wanted to hang out at the Blue Bell one last time so we invited up some of our neighbors to hang out with us and reminisce. It was so nice to see them come and share a few drinks and memories with us. Sandra and Alan lived across the street to the left from us....Alan being from Scotland had a hoot with us when we hung up our American flag during the World Cup. This couple has two super cute twin boys, Andrew and William, and it has been a joy to know them and see them walk their two huge dogs every day (one now in doggie heaven). Sandra shared with me how her ironing room looks out over the front of our house and told me how much she loved watching our children standing in the kitchen window sill every morning waving to Kevin as he headed off to work.

Jane and Alan Wright, along with their adorable children, Jack and Holli, live directly across the street from us and have been so wonderful as well. Our children played a lot together out in the street and we had fun visiting with each other while watching them.

Other neighbors, Kev and Cheryl Scott, Simon and Sarah, Linda Pilsworth, and Debra Lakey and the Beales' came up to hang out with us as well.

Of all the pubs we've been to, I never got to get behind the bar. I always want to pull a pint of beer...(well, I didn't really get to do it but I got to at least pose like I had.)

I think Kevin would have liked to have just transported the whole bar back to America with us. We so loved going to the pub, especially in the summer time when the kids could run around in the back garden and play on the swings and play football. Pubs are nothing like anything else I can think of in the US, other than meeting up at a good friends house for a few drinks and good times and feel that you bring your kids along as well.

Play Date at Stash's

Today we were invited to a play date at my friend Joanna's house and we were all so very excited. My kids quite enjoy Stash and Peter, Joanna's boys and her boys just adore Addie and Harry. They actually live in the neighborhood just north of us and if it were possible to walk across gardens it would be faster to walk there than drive all the way around. They have such a lovely home with a massive back garden and we enjoyed an amazing afternoon with them. Harry jumped right on one of the motorized little cars.

Stash, Luke and Addie went straight for the sandbox.

Later I caught Harrison taking a break from the little car to give Luke a little push on the swing.

Joanna had said that the boys wanted to have play dates in the past but she was nervous about hosting anything. Well, Kerry and I got her over that fear and we both agreed that Joanna was the greatest hostess. She had this huge spread of goodies for the kids and for Kerry and I as well.

As always, one of my favorite things about meeting new people and having lunch with them is all the new things I learn about their cuisine. Joanna made this amazing salad with cubed up cheddar, sautéed mushrooms, corn, pasta, and mayonnaise for the dressing. I immediately asked for the recipe and of course in true Joanna format she said she just threw it together...no recipe...everything she makes is so amazing and she never has a recipe. Are we just so structured as Americans that we have to have a recipe for everything??? Of course she made us some Polish cakes that I wanted to eat them all. Kerry and I tried talking her into selling Polish cakes at the market somewhere as they would go so well.

Since most of the kids were a little older than Lexie Lou she hung out at the snacks table.

Next thing I know Joanna does the bravest thing I've ever see a mom do. She brought out a few pots of paint and told the kids to go ahead and paint the house (the little play house that is).

They had an absolute blast....it looked like the coolest thing ever to do, but I kept wondering about how to get all that paint out if they get it on their clothes. After a few minutes, I didn't care anymore and just let them have fun.

They all had so much fun painting and even little Lexie left the snacks table to join in.

They took a break from painting to catch bubbles blown by Stash's dad, Stan. He doesn't speak any English, but Joanna is very insistent that he at least waves hello to us all when we say hello to him. He is a very nice gentleman and my kids think he's pretty cool because he always has extra sweeties for them after preschool when he brings them for Stash and Peter.

Of course after all the painting they start playing with water to get washed off, but the cleaning off turned into an all out water stamping. They all got SOAKED!!! But again I think they all had more fun than a kid could have.

After the water episode it was getting about time to go so we borrowed some dry clothes to head home, but I think if you only saw this picture as the aftermath of a playdate that you would have to rate this as being a 10!!!

Thanks so much Joanna, Stan, Stash, Petrov, and Lukaz for being such wonderful friends and opening your home to us for such a lovely day and last few moments left in England.

I Finally Make it to BEANS!!!

At our ISE going away do, I got to talking with some of my girlie friends and had a thought. What are those few little things that I haven't done yet that I could sneak in before I leave the UK. We already did London a couple of weeks ago, but something they always seem to talk about is having a coffee at BEANS in Oundle. It's just a little place on the corner in city centre Oundle which is apparently the most "posh" place to live south of Peterborough (next to London that is).

My friend Wendy actually works at Beans and on her day off I asked her to join, Holli, Katie, Glenda and I to enjoy one last little girly thing before I left. I of course don't drink coffee, so I was weird and ordered a chocolate milkshake at 10AM.

Dearest Holli has been my greatest spiritual guide and one of my dearest friends during this whole experience. I know she has many special friends but she will always hold a special place in my heart forever. We used to joke about being part of the "pro-England" club because we both love living here so much. I remember the first time I met Holli on my house hunting trip four years ago. I called my mom that day and said I met my new best friend and she doesn't even now it. Holli has this effect on every person she meets as God radiates through her and her love is unlimited. Love you so much Holli and I hope you enjoy your next adventure in France, but hurry home!!!

Glenda Houston is such an amazing woman. I had always heard about Glenda from other ISEs and I finally got to meet her on a girl's night to Toby Norris. It definitely took me some time to start understanding her as her Northern Ireland accent is pretty thick and at times she starts talking so fast that I do have to ask her to repeat herself. Glenda is another woman who I see God radiating through. About six months after steadily attending Kings Gate church, I inquired about joining a small group and after some trials, I found Glenda and Warren's group which embraced me and they changed my life.

Thanks ladies for one last hurrah...I love you all and can't wait to come back and visit you all!!!!

Most Special Sunday Roast....

We've had a pretty eventful past few days, so we wanted to relax and enjoy this lovely Sunday. But to make this Sunday even more special we invited the Beales' family out for some leisurely fun. Michael even offered to make us up a very special Sunday roast dinner as well. So he brought everything and then some. While he started up the dinner we took the kids out for some boating on the lake. Gemma checked out the row boat with Kevin and the kids, while Emily and Kyle tried out the kayak.

Harrison was a good little boater and really enjoyed himself. After a bit, Gemma and I went out on the kayak together and explored the far side of the lake. Kyle chased after us with the single kayak and really made us nervous with how wobbley he was. Well, all stories have to have a fun ending. We were all making our way back to the dock and no more than 6 feet away, Kyle topples over and ends up in the water. We were all laughing so hard...and the poor kids were crying because they thought he as hurt.

Kyle was a good sport and we worked on getting his clothes cleaned while finding him some other clothes to get by for the rest of the day. This is the best outfit we could come up for him.

With life jackets still on everyone moved over to the tennis courts to hit a few balls and shoot some hoops. Debbie told me later that when we she pulled up to the house and saw us all out their playing, she just had an amazing feeling come over her. It really was so nice to just have space to play. This day was making me feel like a family get together we would have back home.

After plenty of playing outside we moved inside. Addison got Debbie to do some dancing.

Lellie got Harrison to sit still for about 2.6 seconds, but she kept working on as many cuddles as she could get. This young lady has become such a special part of our family that I'm almost contemplating either adopting her or kidnapping her in my suitcase. I don't think her mom and dad really want to loose her yet.

Then the Beales' pulled out some special gifts for us all which was way too much as they had already brought over gifts last week. But these were all very unique to us all which made them so special. Kevin got a set of cuff links with the crest of Cambridgeshire as Michael works for the Cambridgeshire police and Debbie is part of the Cambridgeshire NHS. Debbie presented me with a little sterling silver charm of a double decker bus. I had totally forgotten to get my England charm and they remembered! Also Emily gave us all a beautiful Union Jack quilted pillow with a stitching in the back from our favorite "Supersitter Lellie."

The kids each got a Union Jack piggy bank with their names on them.

I caught Michael getting the roast all ready.

Then we laid out all the food and filled up our plates.

I LOVE English Sunday Roasts!!!!

Sitting down together as a "family" for dinner.

Harrison gets in some play time with his best friend - "Tyle" (Harry gets his T's and K's mixed up). Kyle is really a great guy and we enjoyed having him spend today with us as well.

No meal is ever complete in England without puddings and we weren't short on them today. Apple blackberry crumble....

swiss roll, and I made up some no-bake chocolate cookies! Oh, soooo yummy!

Gemma had also done some backing and made up some jam tarts and cupcakes to share with us as well.

What an amazing day and an amazing family to spend it with...we love you all so much!

Relaxin' at the Lake Lodge

After Emily got off work, Kevin went to pick her up for her second job...babysitting for us every night for the past and next week!!! We love her!!!

We checked out the tennis court and basketball hoop, but got the basketball confused with a football apparently.

Then the kids wanted a boat ride so we got them suited up.

Kevin was very brave to take the kiddos out in the little dinghy. There wasn't much room for any extra weight and it took him a bit to sort out the ores. Emily and I just watched for a while. Then the two of us hopped in the two person kayak for a bit. We found that somehow the boat was set up that some water found it's way into our seats so to say the least we had wet bums for while.