February Updates

It has been a busy month with school and activities. The weather has kept reminding us that it is still winter. Most every morning, there is frost. One or two days we think it crept above 40, but otherwise we are solidly in the 30's. The boys are now playing table tennis after school, as well as soccer and rugby. There is an Easter Play coming up and Matthew volunteered for a speaking part. I don't have the whole story yet, but we think he is Judas? Nick's class is all about studying for their SAT's exam in May. So he has extra classes 2 days a week for "test practice". You can only imagine how happy he is about that turn of events :) Bridget felt she wasn't busy enough with activities 5 days a week, so she and her friends started a "bring a friend" scheme, where they each had to do another activity with someone else. This has added, volleyball, lacrosse and cricket to her repertoire! She has been invited to play up a year in volleyball and was voted player of the tournament for the recent "Borough Match". Her team came in 3rd out of 7 or 8 schools. As we all know she is happiest when she is busy, it is fair to say things are good for her right now.

The end of January brought a world-wind visit to all of you in Seattle as we toured high schools. It was the warmest I've been in months! Thanks to all of you who fed,clothed and housed us that week. Now we are in the very messy process of choosing which school! She was accepted into all 3, which is exciting, but doesn't help narrow it down. The paperwork is due Feb. 25th and I think we have made progress...the clock is ticking!

1/2 term break was last week. Frank was out of town the week before in Paris and Serbia and spent break week in Barcelona. We had our dear friends Christina and Clare come and visit. They experienced our daily trekking throughout the city and even a horrid rainy hike through Richmond Park. But we rewarded them with a delightful Tea at the Petersham Hotel in Richmond, complete with finger sandwiches and clotted cream and scones. The boys drank a whole pot of cranberry tea and finished of the sandwiches and scones with delight! As you can see from the pictures we also went to the Tower of London, whereupon all of the children were knighted. It was the highlight of the week! We also visited the science center and they were having a rocket demonstration. Nothing like exploding balloons and open flames to get my boys excited. For each event , they were front and center and were picked for demonstrations.

We have been watching Olympics and the TV coverage is pretty good...snowboard cross is our most recent favorite...but you wouldn't even know the Olympics were happening by reading the newspapers. Reports from friends who went up to Vancouver, said it is great and Christina is going up next week and she promises to give us updates. We have our souvenirs from last year's Whistler trip, so we bring them out and cheer along. We route for the US, Canada and Britain.

I have procrastinated long enough here and have to get on with my day. Know that we are thinking of you and if anyone wants to visit.....we are here!

Cheers

The cows and more

Well, here are the cows, they stared us down, but did not attack. After successfully navigating that field, we climbed another stile to find the Poison Bait sign. Do they really not want us here? As you can see we wandered through rolling hills, open fields and finally covered woods. That was when we heard the gun shots! We met some bikers and occasional dog walkers who were non-plussed, so we just hurried ourselves along and made it out unscathed. To reward ourselves for surviving another adventure, we gave in and collapsed at the Starbucks in town for a nice hot chocolate.

Attack of the Killer Cows

As winter has continued here, we are always trying to get out no matter the weather. The local paper regularly publishes 20 best "walks" throughout England. We have been trying to get in many of them. One was a walk through the "Hundred Acre Wood"..which was a drift in snow, this one was The Wind -in-the-Willows" walk. As with our other adventures, the maps and directions are a little odd involve finding obscure signposts..like the one above. It looks huge, but rest assured, to the uninitiated, it is very hard to spot. These were what we had to follow! The town is Henley-on-Thames, very beautiful and full of farm country. There are laws about public right of way and so you find yourself climbing over "stiles" or stepping fences between peoples farms to continue your walk. Then you see the above sign and wonder...do cows attack? We are supposed to "be aware" not beware...

Becoming a Knight

A visit to the Tower of London with friends Christina and Clare brought about knighthood for all!

Process of Knighthood:1.) Page..whereupon you are taught to serve your lady, carrying large trays of food to strengthen your arms. Also, dancing..for balance for horse-back riding. 2.)Squire...where you help your knight and learn to carry and use armor..some of it is bigger than you! 3.) Knighthood..we were knighted by King William I with instructions to return in a month's time to ride with him to Scotland!