Normal service has resumed!

Hello! Hope you are all well and looking forward to the end of your week! This week seems to be going quite fast for us here!

We have started our normal routine this week, which has been good. Naomi and Esther both went to Gym class on Monday and although the morning needs a little fine tuning and getting used to the new way of doing things, both girls enjoyed their class and we had a good time! Naomi is now in a class on her own, whilst Esther and I watch and then Esther and I do her class whilst Naomi watches. Esther was very frustrated at having to watch Naomi and Naomi was grumpy that she had to watch Esther, but they will both get used to it! Other children do it, so that will help them both, I hope.

On Monday lunch time, both of them refused to eat their lunch! I was so cross with them! Esther went to sleep and then did eat a yogurt and Naomi ate some fruit eventually but they were both pickles! Naomi did not have a good day either Monday or today - I hope she is better tomorrow. She gets herself into these bad moods and lashes out! It is very tiresome! She is not eating well at the minute, despite knowing that when she finishes her tea, she can have a sticker and a chocolate button! Twice recently I have taken her tea away without her finishing it! I hate to have to go back to feeding her as she is perfectly capable of doing it herself but she is being so stubborn, I am tempted to leave it another month and try again! Children!

We did a bit of shopping on MOnday afternoon and then went to the park. In the evening, Tim and I went to visit our Russian friends who were celebrating a birthday. Some other friends were there too, which was fun! We had a good evening! I am really enjoying Turkish food - they make some lovely salads!

Yesterday, after I took Naomi to school, Esther and I went to her first music class. She really enjoyed it and loved dancing and singing and banging sticks together! We were listening to the CD in the car today and she was singing "tra la la" just like in the song! Both girls have enjoyed the CD and I have heard Naomi singing it too! There were only 5 children (including Esther) in the class, so it was nice and small and the children were able to soon settle down and enjoy themselves. I think it will be a fun session! After the class, Esther and I did some shopping in Issaquah and then went to collect Naomi from school.

Yesterday afternoon, I went to Microsoft to participate in some usability testing! Tim looked after the children whilst I spent 2 hours testing some beta software for a British guy! He had studied at the University of Hertfordshire and knew the Fighting Cocks pub!! how funny is that?It was fun and I didn't curse the computer too much!!

Today we went to Seattle in the morning for our Mom's group, which was good and then we went shopping this afternoon.

We have one piece of exciting news, before I go - we are coming back for a holiday in February! We arrive on the 4th and stay until about the 27th, so book your slot!! I am very excited about coming home and seeing you all again!

On that note, I shall go to bed as it is late and will write again at the weekend! Bye for n ow!

Eyebrows!

Hello! Hope you are all well! We've had a lovely warm and sunny weekend, which has been great but we know we can't have too many more before the weather breaks! It has been cooler though and is quite chilly in the mornings, but the rain that Seattle is so famous for has not yet arrived this autumn! The sky was so clear this afternoon that we could see both Mount Baker and Mt Rainier on the I90 bridge, which was quite spectacular!

We have had a busy few days and are beginning to get settled into our normal weekly routine, which is good; it starts in earnest tomorrow, with Gym class, hopefully for both girls. On Thursday Naomi was at school in the morning whilst Esther and I did some playing and then went shopping briefly. I popped into a cafe to buy a cup of tea whilst we were out and as I walked in with Esther she shouted "Hiya" at the top of her voice. Literally everyone stopped what they were doing and turned round to say hello back! It was so funny!

In the afternoon we met our friends Vanessa, James, Maddie and baby Alex in the park, which was lovely as we haven't seen them for so long! They were all jet lagged but surprisingly awake in the afternoon! Fritzi and Ulrike were also there and the girls had a wonderful time playing at the park and the parents had a good natter!

On Friday, the girls and I went to Kent to see our russian friends - I was so exhausted when I came home! It is quite hard work! Still, it was nice to see them after such a long time and to see that they were all doing well. They are beginning to go to college or work now and are learning how to function in America. They may even be able to start driving soon - a scary thought! Tim and I go back tomorrow evening to help celebrate another birthday and then we won't go for nearly a fortnight!

After we came home, Brooke came and played with the children whilst I cleared up and then we had surprise visitors in the evening! Melinda and Chad came round, which was great fun and we had a very entertaining evening! It was great to see them!

Melinda, Tim and I had a Children's ministry meeting yesterday morning and then in the afternoon the girls and I were in the garden for a while whilst Tim was busy with some jobs! I took the girls out briefly but otherwise we were playing with the sand, slide and shells in the garden.

Today Tim and I were helping in the children's work; Tim was leading worship for the kids, which went well! I was helping in the nursery, only there were only 3 children and Esther was one of them! After lunch we met Vanessa, James and the children and we went to the Aquarium which all the children loved! Esther spent all her time saying "Memo" but that was to be expected! She was so funny though; we saw an underwater diver in the largest tank, which Esther recognised as an "an" and so she was shouting "hiya" to him! He didn't wave back! Miserable man!

The girls enjoyed seeing the Nemo fishes and spent a long time looking at all the colourful ones! We also saw some otters and some seals and an attempt to feed the octopus! We had a wonderful afternoon! IT took ages to get out of Seattle though as there had been a game on - we must find out the schedule to avoid them again in the future!

NAomi was so funny this evening! She has suddenly learnt how to raise her eyebrows and it is the funniest sight you can imagine, she has had Tim and I in giggles this evening! She does it so well! She knows she is being funny too, so she keeps saying "Mummy, look" and raising her eyebrows to you! I don't think that you would be able to see the subtle difference on a video, otherwise I would take one of her doing it! It's funny the things they learn!

Tim was practicing the piano this morning and as soon as Esther heard the piano being played she was there, standing next to Tim and thumping the keys! Tim was singing, too and so Esther was also singing! She looked very sweet and funny standing there playing the piano and singing just like Daddy! She and I start a music class this week - I think she'll love it!

Anyway, that is all for now!

PS: We had only just got onto the I90 this afternoon before Esther said "Memo", which is 12 miles away from the fish! Believe me that is a lot of "Memo's"

Au revior Granny and Grandad

Good evening from Seattle. Hope this finds you all well. We have had a sad day today and have had to say Goodbye to Granny and Grandad. We have had a lovely time with them and the children have enjoyed the cuddles, stories and games that we have shared! Both Naomi and Esther were upset today and saying Goodbye is certainly the hardest thing that we have to do living here.

On a positive note though, our friends Vanessa and Maddie (and family!) arrived on the flight that Pam and Ken took home so we are hoping to see them soon! We are looking forward to meeting Alexander! Another positive note is that we ourselves hope to come to England in February for a visit and so that is not too long away either!

We had a packed last few days with Pam and Ken, which was fun! On Sunday, Ken and TIm went to watch an American Football game, which they enjoyed whilst Pam and I took the children to church and then to Green Lake park. We had a great time! We met a couple with a dog whilst we were having lunch and the children were petting it. We were talking to the lady and she said that this particular type of dog was hypoallergenic as it didn't shed. However, she had a slightly unusual accent and both Pam and I thought that she said that the dog didn't shit! We both said pardon? Neither Pam or I could believe what we were hearing as the dog's lack of excretory function seemed such a funny and out-of-context thing to be discussing! Thankfully we realised what she had said before one of us asked whether or not she should take it to the vet to get it's excretion system sorted out!! It was so funny!

We walked around Green Lake park to a very good children's play area. We saw boats on the Lake and many runners, walkers and cyclists. We watched a man catch a fish and a kayaker turning his boat over! The play ground was great fun and large - it needed 2 people to keep an eye on both the children really! We came home and met the men in Issaquah's Cold Stone Creamery - a real treat for us all! We bought a sorbet with raspberries for Esther and Naomi to share, thinking that Naomi would get most of it but Esther really enjoyed it and Naomi really had to fight to get any! Naomi wasn't too bothered though as she wandered round having the odd spoonful of each of ours instead! We have a wonderful picture of her looking very glum after we had said that she couldn't have any more!! We didn't have much tea that night and Naomi and Esther just had fruit. I asked Naomi what fruit she would like and she said " I would like crumbs, Mummy"! I was surprised by this answer and when I said this, she replied " No Mummy, I was only teasing you!" It was very amusing, bless her! She likes making a little joke!

In the evening Tim and I went to meet little Zoe, our friends new baby - she was adorable! I can't believe mine were ever that little and quiet!

On Monday, Tim had the day off and we went to Whidby Island for the day. We had a gorgeous day on the island. We had lunch in a cafe over looking the beach and then we spent over an hour on the beach in the afternoon. I was disappointed with the beach as it was not as pretty as where we had stayed (much further north on the island) over Christmas. However, Pam and Ken enjoyed it and we were able to collect many shells and stones! Both the girls were disappointed that we weren't going in the water - Naomi said "Mummy, I am so sorry we can't splash today - perhaps we can next time!" Poor deprived child!! We were all shattered on Monday evening and put it down to the sea air!

Yesterday Naomi went to school in the morning whilst Pam and Ken did some gardening and Esther and I went shopping. As soon as we picked Naomi up we headed straight for the Science Centre in Seattle, which was brilliant! There is a Tot area there and I seriously think that my 2 would have spent a good couple of hours there without being bored! We did drag them away though and took them to see the rock pool area and the dinosaurs. Esther gave this poor anenome a really good poke and it completely closed up, poor thing! The man in charge then went onto explain to me that anenomes close when they are digesting their food and that this one must have had a really good dinner! I didn't like to correct him!!

Esther is obsessed with Nemo (the fish, from the film "Finding Nemo") at the minute. We bought it for them when we were on holiday and they watched it again last week. She calls it Memo and clearly enjoys the film. In the meantime, Issaquah Ford Garage has placed an enormous inflatable fish on top of its roof to celebrate the Salmon Days in Issaquah in October. WEll, Esther is delighted at this and shouts loudly "MEmo" when we drive past it. We are now planning our routes so that we can see this fish! The funny thing is that she obviously knows where she is on the I90 when we are coming home; yesterday we were 2 miles away when she started shouting "Memo", today we were 4 miles away!! Heaven help me by the end of the week! She is very funny!

Well, that is about it for now!

Los Angeles

Hello there! The wanderers have returned and now have time to write about their exploits! We have had a busy week this week and there is lots to say!

On Monday, Esther had an appointment with the Allergist at 10:00 am in Bellevue, so Naomi, Esther and all left the house swiftly in the morning and trotted up to Bellevue to see this man. He was a friendly man, who was good with the children but even so, after 2 hours in a tiny room with a few toys and no natural light, the children and I were desperate to come home! Esther was very good during all her tests and we discovered that she is allergic to both milk and eggs! In fact her skin had a worse reaction to the egg than to the milk, which surprised me! Anyway, armed with that information we can now check for eggs hidden in things and eliminate them. We have had mysterious reactions a few times in the past but now believe that she was reacting to eggs. At least we now know!

In the afternoon and after a good sleep for the children we went to collect the bag of vegetables from Microsoft, have a very short time in the park and went to the shops! We had a busy afternoon but the girls were very good and enjoyed themselves! In the evening I wrote some emails, which was fun!

On Tuesday we took Naomi to school, which went well! She was so funny at lunch time. She suddenly gave a little laugh and said "Mummy we didn't sing the bee song today we sang about Grandma's hat" ( a nursery rhyme that we know that the children enjoy! She that it was great that she had known it! She also came home with some shapes and a necklace that she had threaded! Esther and I had had a busy morning as Esther went to see the doctor again as she has lost a lot of weight after her long diarrhoea spell. We also had some shopping to do and so we didn't get home until after we had picked up Naomi, but we had had a good morning.

In the after noon we met Fritzi at the park for a while and then came home to have tea and go to bed. Pam and Ken returned from Canada after the children had gone to bed and it was lovely to see them and to hear about their trip! It also gave us plenty of time to discuss the children as I was going away very early next morning!

My flight was at 10:00 the next morning to Los Angeles and I had to be at the airport for about 8:30. The journey and the parking was very slow but there were no hiccoughs and the plane took off and landed on time. Going, I sat next to a German lady and her son who were also joining the husband in LA for a few days! We had pleasant chat over the course of the journey, which made the time pass more quickly!

After we landed I had to go and collect the hire car from the garage, which took a long time! However, I was upgraded to a very smart Mazda from a very cheap Ford so I did well and it was very nippy! I was not complaining! I finally found my way to the hotel and left the car with the Valet parking attendants - the only option at the hotel! It was a bizarre experience leaving your keys in the car and the engine running and leaving it! I kept of having panics about the car keys the whole time I was in LA - only to remember that I didn't have them! It was late by this time and so I popped into the shops to have some lunch and to buy some pyjamas!

Tim came home early, which was lovely and we set off to go to Universal Film Studios for the Microsoft evening party! This was such fun! We ended up driving as the coaches were very slow but at least this meant that we could come home when we were ready to! We had a really fun evening and it was lovely to have some time together and do something fun and different without the girls! we went on lots of rides and hardly had to wait at all. All the food and drink was paid for too and we had a lovely pudding! There were tables of melted milk, white and dark chocolate fountains, into which you dipped fruit or rice crispy cake or biscuits etc. It was seriously yummy!!

We went on several of the rides - some were more scary than others! I liked the Jurassic Park and the Back to the Future ones and the Shrek was good too! I was glad that I didn't have to queue for an 2 hours to get on any of them though! Mind you - my back was so stiff for the next couple of days though! That will teach me! I thought I would have to go and see the Chiropractor and confess that I had been on the rides, but it is better today and I think I won't have to!!

On thursday I had a very leisurely start to the day and then went to find the famous Hollywood sights! I drove down Sunset boulevard and to Hollywood boulevard, where I parked the car! I walked along reading all the famous names in stars along the pavement and went to see where they hold the Oscars each year. I also went to see where the actors had put their hands and their feet in the concrete which was fun!

After lunch I took a tour and saw where famous people lived like Tom Cruise, CAtherine Zeta Jones and Julia Roberts! I also saw the famous sign and learnt how much LA as a city is really just one very big film studio! It was interesting and entertaining but I am very glad that I don't have to live there as the traffic is terrible and it really is quite tatty! The tour took me to see Beverly Hills and the very expensive shops but that bit is really the only nice bit of the place!
In the evening Tim and I had a meal in the bar and read our books before having an early night! We were both too shattered to do any more exploring!

On Friday I went to the Getty Musuem which was an amazing place. It is very famous for its art collection and it does have an impressive collection of Rembrandts, Monets and Van Goughs. But for me, they paled into insignificance against the sculptures, the roman collection, the exhibit of early illustrated Manuscripts and the furniture. now, I appreciate that none of these things sound exciting, but believe me, they were breathtaking when you saw them. There was a room set out in the time of Louis XIV that was complete with the pannelling that you would find at that time, the furniture and the china. It was truly amazing. If you ever go to LA, you have to go here (it is also free, which was an added bonus, although I would have quite happily paid!)
After I had had a very quick glance at the museum, I went to pick up Tim and go to the Airport.

We arrived back in seattle last night around 9:45. Pam and Ken were weary after looking after a disturbed night with Esther and 3 busy days with the girls, but they had had a good time with them and they had had lots of fun I think.

They had taken a taxi on Thursday to Naomi's school but Esther had been disturbed both ways by the drivers as they both wore hats! The first man wore a turban and the other a trilby hat and all Esther could say was "at!" She is funny!

Today we have been shopping, which was fun and there was a play ground there which the children enjoyed! Tim and Ken are off to a Football Game tomorrow (American not English!) and Pam and I have yet to decide what we are doing!

I will write again on WEdnesday! Until then, take care!

Rain has come!

Hello everyone! Hope you are well and have had a pleasant weekend. We have had a very quiet weekend and have very little news I am afraid, so I don't think this will be a long blog! Our nice weather has gone too; it feels quite autumnal now! It may pick up as the week goes on but I think we have had our last day at the beach for this year!

Thursday saw Pam and Ken head off to Vancouver for a few days, which we hope that they enjoy. I then took Naomi to school and afterward Esther and I went home for a play together and to catch up on some household jobs! Naomi had another good day, which was excellent and in the afternoon we went into Bellevue Square to buy the girls some winter shoes - something I was glad I did this weekend! Esther thought she was in the best shop ever as she loves shoes and spent the whole time wandering round saying "shoes" and picking them all up! I spent all my time chasing her and putting them all back! However, we ended up with 2 nice pairs of shoes for the children and I ended up with a cardigan! AFter our shopping the children had a play on the boat, which they loved! There is also a bridge at the boat and Naomi and I were playing at being Billy Goats and a Troll! Goodness knows what everyone else thought!

On thursday evening Tim and I met with the lady who coordinates the host families for the refugees which was productive!

On Friday morning we had to take Esther to see the Dermatologist for her skin. They are fairly pleased with it but want to see her at the beginning of the winter to see how she is coping. The doctor also suggested that we see an Allergist, which we are going to do tomorrow. I think this might be helpful in establishing if she is allergic to any thing else! I know she is allergic to milk but she sleeps so badly that I wonder if she is allergic to something else that we don't know of that upsets her at night! She could always just be a tyke of course!!

On Friday afternoon we had our usual routine of Brooke coming and I did some housework. In the evening Tim and I were busy on the computer before going to bed!

Yesterday it was pouring with rain! Esther and I went to PCC (posh supermarket!) whilst Naomi went with Tim to do some other jobs! In the afternoon we took my car to the garage and then went to the library and to the park before coming home for some tea. Last night Tim and I watched a little bit of television but I had a bad headache and so didn't stay up very long. Unfortunately we didn't have a good night last night and so I woke up with a headache this morning! I felt quite poorly this morning and went back to bed; we didn't get to church, which is unusual! Tim looked after the girls this morning and then we took him to the airport just after lunch for his flight to LA. This afternoon the girls and I went to the park for a short time and then popped into Target to buy some tights and trousers for the girls - it really is quite chilly today!

The girls are fine and have coped well with all the coming and going this week. However I am worried that they will be a bit unsettled on Wednesday as Pam and Ken arrive after they have gone to bed on Tuesday night and I go early in the morning to join Tim in LA for a couple of days. I hope they are not too disorientated by it all! However they will enjoy having Granny and Grandad to themselves I am sure and I am looking forward to a couple of days away!

Esther has been saying new words every day this week and now has quite a vocabluary! She can say "down, up, shoes, book, apple, dada (this means both daddy and baby!) and dandad" to name but a few! She has taken a real liking to stories in the morning after breakfast and will come bearing different books for us to read saying "boo" for book. She likes Maisy and Spot the best but is also enjoying Duck in a truck, which is fun! She was funny yesterday as I was shading my eyes from the sun whilst she was sitting on the hippy chick seat. She didn't like me doing this at all and kept on removing my hand when I did it!!

Naomi's imaginary friends continue to thrive and increase in number!! She now has one called Bibi! She tells us all about them and has already started to talk to them about a teacher! she said the other day that it was time to "stand in a line"! I was amused that she had learnt this after such a short time at school! She tells me that she has been dancing and singing at school but I am not sure how true this is!! She was able to tell Tim where the park was yesterday, which was good because I had popped into the shop and he didn't know where it was! I thought she would know!!

Both the girls have been enjoying dancing the last few days but do get quite dizzy! However it is good exercise if they can't get out much! They are funny to watch!

Anyway, will end it here! I am not sure when I will next write as I will be in LA on Wednesday to Friday; hope you can be patient and wait for the next one! Bye for now!

September Sun!

Greetings from Seattle! We have had a lovely few days here and the weather has been fine! It was a bank holiday on Monday and so we were able to go enjoy another day being all together before Tim had to go back to work on Tuesday.

Monday was very misty when we first woke up but by the time we were ready to go out the sun had burnt off the cloud and we were able to pack a picnic and head a short distance down the I90 to see some water falls. The walk was described as very toddler friendly but we would not agree with that description! Naomi is an excellent walker but she was struggling as it is all up hill and round corners and steep in places. However it was a good walk and we enjoyed the water falls when we got there! They were very impressive! Naomi and I took it very easy coming back and she did very well! Tim gave her a piggy back when we got to the flat bit which she thought was very funny!

When we got back home, Tim and his parents popped to do some shopping for us whilst Naomi, Esther and I made the cake mix that Aunty Hannah had sent for Naomi. wEll, this was a big hit!! The cake was really simple to make - all you had to do was add an egg and some water! - and Naomi started to put the mixture in the cases by herself. Howver, they mix was supposed to make 12 and we just about got 10! If Naomi had continued to put the mixture in the cases by herself then I think we would have just about made 2!! However it was fun and she enjoyed it! Esther was also keen to help but she was happy playing with the cake cases, so that was good!

AFter the cakes cooked, we were able to ice them and stick on the Thomas the Tank Engine stickers which both girls enjoyed! There was a lovely sticky mess to wash up (Naomi thought that was fun too!) and all in all it was a good way to spend an hour or so! I must look for them here as they would make a good rainy day activity!

Yesterday morning was Naomi's first proper day of school and I was really proud of her! She did really well and did not cry at all. She was smiling when I picked her up and the teacher said that she had had a happy day, so I was really pleased for her! She is going tomorrow and so I hope that she has an equally good day tomorrow too.

Yesterday afternoon we all had a nap (Esther is not sleeping too well again!!) and then we met Fritzi in the park. The girls really played well yesterday and we had a lovely afternoon. The sun was shining and it was great to be outside!

Today Naomi and I went to the Opthalmologist to see if she still had a magic nose and ears (she does - the animals still move when Naomi wiggles her nose and ears!) and as a sideline check to see if her eyes are OK! HEr eyes are doing well and she is to return in another 4 months for a full check up.

This afternoon we went to the beach and had a lovely afternoon splashing in the water and making sand creations! It was much quieter at the beach today as the schools have gone back and so it was nice! We all enjoyed it! When we came home the girls had a quick tea and then Pam and I left them to Ken's devices for a short time whilst we went for a manicure and pedicure, which was very relaxing! Naomi likes my new pretty nails!!

The children have loved seeing Granny and Grandad and will miss them for the next few days. Esther has become very good at naming fruit and can now say "apple" as well as "melon!" She was looking at a picture of Mr Clever today in one of Naomi's stories and said he was "dandad (Grandad)" all by herself which we were very amused by!! Naomi continues to tell us about "Little boy" and all his antics, which keep us very entertained!

Tim bought me a large inflatable ball to sit on and do exercises with on Monday in an attempt to help my back, but the children think that it is the best thing ever! They roll on it and just laugh when I sit on it!! I am sure it is going to cause endless hours of fun for us all!

Anyway, am going to bed now as I need to try and have a good night's sleep for a change!!

Good night for now!

Granny and Grandad are here!

Good evening! Hope this finds you all well. We are fine here and have had a wonderful couple of days with Pam and Ken here! They arrived on Thursday evening and have acclimatised well to the time difference!

On Friday we all went to Naomi's school open day, which was a great opportunity for Pam and Ken to see where she will be going to school next week and for Naomi to meet her new teacher. We were again impressed by the school's atmosphere and facilities and I am sure that Naomi will be fine once she gets used to going. She was happy on Friday anyway!

On Friday afternoon, we went to the park and played in the play ground and fed the ducks! Esther thought this was great fun and Naomi was very brave once she was on the bench!

Yesterday we had a day trip out across the Puget sound to Bainbridge Island where we had a delicious lunch and then drove to a place called Port Gamble where we had a look around! Port Gamble is very old (established in 1860!!) and had lots of old houses to see! There was also a shop selling wooden sculptures made from the roots of trees which was very interesting! The original grocery store now also holds a museum of shells and sea fossils which we all enjoyed looking at (although the children would have preferred it if they could have touched the shells, but there you go!) Esther made lots of fishy faces whilst looking at them which was very funny!

The village also had a wedding going on and Naomi was fascinated by the dresses and the presents etc and was talking about her own wedding!! She was funny!

Today we went to church after dropping Pam and Ken off in Seattle and then went for a quick bite to eat before coming home. It has been raining here today and so Pam and I took the children for a wet walk around the block hunting puddles which they enjoyed! Ken cooked us a delicious dinner and then I have done my usual jobs this evening!

Naomi and Esther have really enjoyed seeing Granny and Grandad and Naomi's hair is looking beautiful again! The children have enjoyed having stories read to them and Naomi has been chatting away to them about "little boy" and things! Esther is learning new words daily - yesterdays was "melon!" It has been fun!

Anyway, will write soon! Night night!