A Weekend of Sunshine

This weekend was such a tease! The sky was blue, the sun was bright and the air was COLD. Mike, Liam and I spent the weekend exploring as usual. Mike is thinking about joining the AF Hurling team so we headed to Cambridge on Saturday to check out a game. Liam went to a practice with Mike and now thinks he should be able to play on the team as well. Mike is planning on ordering Liam his very own hurley so they can play around.






On Sunday we decided to check out the horse rescue farm. It was FREEZING outside but we still enjoyed tromping around in the mud and checking out the horses. We also enjoyed a spot of tea at the farm cafe. They have a great facility and I look forward to going back when it warms up a little.

Commercials

I am not a huge fan of the TV in this country. All my shows are a season behind! Don't get me wrong there are some great things about UK TV; lack of blurry patches on naked parts, crazy content, no bleeping, and pure craziness. All of these things are great as long as your children are in bed of course. The thing that is bugging me the most are the commercials they choose to air on the children's channels. Some examples; animal neglect, starving children in third world countries, and TONS of "save money on your insurance". Of course the first two are worth while causes that need attention from adults. I don't want to explain to my three year old that some people are mean and cruel and hurt animals. Liam doesn't need to know that there is a little five year old girl living in a hut on the street with no clothes, she has to carry her body weight in water from the polluted river, care for her one year old brother, and can't go to school all because she doesn't have a sponsor. There are just some commercial topics that don't belong on Nick Jr and cartoon planet in the morning. I would rather Liam see naked people running through the streets!

Our Budding Photog

Liam is really enjoying the camera his Mema and Popcorn got him for Christmas. He wanted to put them on the computer so he could see them. Unfortunately, the camera doesn't always take the best quality pictures. Mike and I always try to make sure we have the camera with us because he always ends up asking once we get to our location. Below you will find a few of his latest picture.

Our New Home in England

Finally some pictures of where we are living.


This is our garden just outside the kitchen.


My Kitchen



Half bath


This is the entry hall (as seen from the kitchen)



This is the dinning room


1st Level living room (to us this would be the 2nd floor)


The only thing Liam wanted to do was make smores. I have to admit it was pretty fun! I am really enjoying our little gas fireplace but still paranoid I will find Liam in flames!


Master





Liam's Level


Liam's Bath



Liam's Room



Guest Room

Our Jouney

Everything seemed to be going smoothly as our journey to England began in Columbus, Ohio. Liam, Mike and I arrived at the airport with no problem and said our goodbyes. Do to all the crazy happenings in air travel we arrived 3 hours early. Thankfully there was a small arcade near our gate and Mike and Liam wasted some time playing. Mike checked our flight status when we got down to the gate area and all was well so we didn’t even think of rechecking. As frequent travelers this was quite the rooky mistake. With an hour till our flight we headed to the gate.

Delayed???? Won’t make it to Dulles till 945pm??? But our flight to Heathrow leaves at 10:07pm! Can we make that connection???

After a quick panic attack and Mike checking with the gate agents, we were able to figure everything out. We lucked out and had two very nice gate agents (Thanks United) that were able to get us on a flight to Toronto, Canada and on to Heathrow only a few hours behind schedule. I must give high marks to Air Canada for the free wine with dinner in COACH! Yes people! You heard me right. White and Red wine was complementary to all. Sure the flight left the gate late and arrived to Heathrow late but they gave me wine and got all our luggage to Heathrow.

Liam has officially gotten the Golden Traveling Child award from mommy. He was well behaved even though he was tired at the airports and he slept the ENTIRE flight from Toronto to London. Mike and I actually had to wake Liam up after we landed. Liam even held strong on the 2-hour car ride to Littleport.

Currently we are all trying to get our bodies on England time. We are all going to bed really late and waking up around mid-morning or lunchtime. Hopefully we can get on time by next week.

The house is great but desperately needs furniture. Mike did buy himself a big flat screen TV and DVD player but didn’t look too hard for beds or sofas. Typical male! To his credit, Mike did buy a sofa on one of the bases but it was too large to fit up our narrow staircase. Keep your fingers crossed that we can find some furniture next weekend.

Stay tuned for pictures of Ely and Ely Cathedral and a few of the house.