and more

I do have 2 other kids but they are always at school so Bells is my little model. Dan has had time off work and so we've been relaxing (more like being lazy since it's so hot and no A/C). We hit Cambridge the other day and I found some killer deals at some stores I love to shop at. Bells has had another growth spurt and so I've been shopping. I think she looks so grown up in her little outfit....she is afterall 10 months now!

Yes, my kid is just in a diaper....we're in the house and it's like so hot here....I seriously look forward to having A/C in my house again. We've been without for 5 1/2 years now since Washington didn't believe in it either!

Total random side note...we've been totally watching the World Cup this year...maybe since we live in a country where football is so popular. I was sad US didn't make it, happy Germany beat England (yes, I'm saying that even though I live here. Germany had one SUPER cute player and they have such scrumptious food and I love visiting there...the people are so nice!) and I feel sad for all the teams who do lose and have to go home.

Balloons, a ball and a foot all make one little girl happy

Last week I surprised Dan with some balloons I left in his car. He's been oh so sweet doing surprise things for me I thought I was overdue for doing something for him. I am so impressed they are still up! Super helium or something. Anyways...Bells has been loving them and pretty much can play with them all day.

She loves baseballs too. I don't really like her playing with them...I can foresee something breaking.

Trying to grab the camera.

She loves being tickled....she does the cutest laugh when we tickle her with our foot.

She's so stinking cute!

The Bells

So we've been up since 5 am...nice. Yeah, I'm so not a morning person. We've accomplished a lot...especially since I was stranded at my house all this morning due to the lovely "we'll be there between 8 and 12" saying....our dishwasher's spinning things weren't spinning....the man had a good laugh when I called to report the problem. And so we cleaned out my car, did some dishes, showered before 7:30, and played and read stories.

I had a good laugh with Bells....she went from this:to this:
all in a matter of like 10 seconds. I know....so immature...but like our conversation with a friend we had the other night....it led to using the toilet and mainly number 2 and I seriously hadn't laughed so hard like that in forever. Yes, I'm 28 and I still laugh about poop.

Oh and my sister, Christina would be so proud. I let Bells feed herself. I hate messes and to be honest, my other girls never wanted to touch the food if it was in front of them. We don't have a messy birthday cake picture....I think they poked their finger in the cake and got a little bit of frosting when we told them to but that was it. And so Bellies wasn't sure about it but she did it after awhile. She really didn't make that big of a mess either...granted it was a quesadia (I don't know how to spell it...I'm so drawing a blank and why isn't it on spell checker???!!!) and banana but still she did it.It's crazy how she reminds me so much a Madison one minute and then Hannah the next. She is my little twin though....Dan calls her little Bobbie.

Dinosaur Park

While the girls had a school field trip to Norfolk, Bellies, 2 other ladies and I went to London for the day. It was HOT! We stopped at a cafe in Convent Garden, then one had to break off since she was meeting her hubby for a surprise Anniversary dinner and so we headed to St. Paul's Cathedral. SOOOOO beautiful! We walked along the millennium bridge (I was like...that is the bridge that is in Harry Potter!) and ate at a scrumptious pub right by the Shakespeare's Globe. Now that I saw the outside of the globe....Dan and I HAVE to go see a play there. Anyway....lots of walking, talking....a fun day out for us mom's. And Bell's is of course a champ. You forget she's there she's so good. We got back in time for 5:00 pick up and the girls had a blast. It was a really warm bus ride since the A/C broke and Hannah got her head stuck in between some bars at the park....but they still were so happy and excited to tell Dan and I what they got to do and see. I LOVE school field trips....especially since I don't/can't volunteer for them (I have a baby!)

So sad....there were 2 of us and we didn't bring a camera....so my friend took a couple on her phone....it's better than nothing. And I was not eating 2 ice creams! I was holding both of ours!

Happy Father's Day!

My kids have one of the best dads (I say it plural since I think my dad is pretty great too). I picked a good one. He's so sweet and patient and even though he complains (joking of course) how he is stuck with all these women he loves each of them differently, as in the way they need to be loved, but with the same amount of love for all. Madison is his little buddy....she's always willing to help him out with pretty much anything. Hannah is his cuddle bug and Bellies has her number on him. I have never seen a man change so many diapers or get up with her. He says she needs her dad....she does. Dan and the girls have trampoline jumping competitions....they make me laugh. They get so serious with it. Dan and I had one and he laughed at me....I haven't been on the trampoline with him since. I love that he's such an involved dad. We love him so much!


Happy Father's Day to my dad as well. He's in the BAHAMAS so I can't wish him one....yeah I'm just a little bit jealous. He's always been there for me and always knows what's going on...I can't keep anything from him....he already knows. It drives me crazy...it makes him laugh.

Well we had a low key day...Dan likes simple but it was nice. We went for a drive, I made dinner and made him pancakes in the morning. Bells loves pancakes....I can't believe how much she ate. Madison made the cutest card for Dan....she drew an American flag on it....she's really into the World Cup...it's so cute. And even though it was Father's Day...Dan spoiled me. He kept telling me that if I wasn't happy, then it wouldn't be a good Father's Day for him....so sweet. I'm going to keep him forever.

Excited

It's how I've been feeling lately. I know it's stuff others wouldn't be excited about but for some reason I have been super happy these past few days. Perhaps it's the cutting sugar and carbs from my diet that has made me a bit loony and making me feel this way. I have to admit...I did eat half a cookie today and I did eat a tortilla that was in my casserole that my stomach is now aching since it did not like it like how my taste buds did....but it's been so nice. I guess since I've been seeing how blessed I am. I'm excited Dan has a 3 day weekend even though we are kind of stuck here since he has a car wash he needs to do Saturday. It's still going to be great though...who knows what we will do but I'm sure will figure something out.

And she's off!

She's been really crawling around since yesterday, of course when I just wish she would sit there and play with her toys, she was under my feet while I was making the beds. I so forgot this stage....ummm....I now remember why I don't like it.

Happy 5th Birthday!

Hannah is 5! I can't believe it. I look at pictures around the house (I'm terrible at changing them out for new ones) and she's my little Hannah with the long pigtails at 2. She woke up to pancakes....no they weren't Grandma Nancy's Swedish pancakes but it worked. She went to school, I brought in cupcakes....I picker her up and then some kids came over for dinner and cake. Dan and I have been able to escape a big birthday party for her....she wants to go to Legoland Windsor instead. I'm up for that! Madison informed me that I can't try that one on her...she wants a birthday party...and she's like inviting her whole class....I'm so hiring a place out for that one! Anyway...so we finished up the night with just us 5 and watching Hannah open up her presents. Thanks everyone for the gifts...she loved them. She was super excited about all the birthday calls....my favorite...when she had called my dad and Nicole back and told them how it was her birthday and now she's 5. It was just the cutest how she said it. Happy Birthday my little princess....you'll always our baby girl.

Castle Rising, Sandringham and the Beach

We headed up to Norfolk Saturday and had a fun filled day. It was mid 80s and a little warm but we've learned not to complain about it since those nice days happen so few here. The girls enjoyed seeing all we did...but I loved how at the end of the day....there was a big thank you for going to the beach! They LOVED it! While Dan and I were sitting on the blanket watching the girls play in the sand...we both thought how Jacksonville or San Diego would be pretty nice. We also decided we need to get a VW bus so we can take it to the beach....I was not too happy about all the sand in my car...yeah...that's going to take forever to get out. We will need a beach car and that is just the perfect beach car for us. And so my need for living by a warm beach (Whidbey Island doesn't count) and having my Old...but fully restored and pretty VW Convertible Bug and Dan having his VW Bus (the old rounded one...not the square one) has once again taken priority in the things we want after this adventure in England has come to an end. I always have to smile when I think of how much Dan loves VWs....I like to think I started that....I grew up with them...loved working on them with my Dad while in High School since I had 2...yes, this prissy girl did get greasy....times I will always remember with my dad. I hope some day my girls will have the opportunity to do that with Dan...it's good for us girls! And I have to mention what a great The Bellies is....we forget we have a baby...she's so easy going and makes traveling such a breeze. We also have decided we need to take the 1.25 hour drive up to Hunstanton more often...such a cute old Victorian beach town....Dan was just sad they didn't have a Starbucks!

Castle Rising...built in 1140 AD....and one of the most famous 12th century castles.

Sandringham Estate...the Norfolk retreat of the Queen.

North Beach.