Tonight we were in the restaurant having supper and Tori was talking about her future. She wants to be a surgical oncologist in pediatrics preferably. She has strict goals set for herself and I admire her for that. I know that she will make her dreams come true. I then asked Mara-Grace if she has any idea what she would like to be when she grows up. She replies, "A Mirror"...... A Mirror???? She then continues on to demonstrate how she will put her arms, legs, head..... She was certain! She never ceases to amaze me!

Christmas in July- part 2

As a little add on to our special day at Santa's, when I talked about making Santa a picture and perhaps a list of something Mara-Grace may like for Christmas (yes A LONG way off?!!!!), M-G told me the following instantly!

Without batting an eye she quickly said, "A headlamp!" A headlamp?!!!!!!! Never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine that response. I wasn't even sure what it was:) Well, Mara-Grace explained that she would love a headlamp to wear on her head (hehe) like Diego's. Ahhhh, ok.........

She also added the following to her list:

-button...... no actually buttons now. (much later she explained that the buttons would not be used in her usual manner. Usually Mara enjoys "planting" them in the "Ground" (floor) and describing that they will be 'bootiful' flowers. But these special Christmas buttons are for making snowmen!

-candle (hmmm)

-RED flower

-little spoon, bowl, cup

-'tend' (pretend) microwave (as opposed to the real microwave Santa would bring for a toddler?!!! :))

-little tiny phone

For some reason, I think Santa looked as though he could handle that list!

xo Jen

Christmas in July

This week we went to see one of our very favorite people..... Santa!!!!!!!! We had a beautiful day at Santa's home and here are a few pics to prove it!

Merry Christmas in July!!!!

Enjoy the slurps! Mara-Grace 'discovers' Gravy!

Note that we have all eaten, cleared the table, washed the dishes and Mara-Grace was still enjoying her gravy! LOL She CHERISHED it!

Mara-Grace loving her music!

What a trip!

Well, we are now home from our trip to London.

First off, our girls had a wonderful visit with their grandparents! They had the chance to spend some time alone, and did many special things with them. They also got to spend some extra time with their cousins, which is always nice. It gave us such peace of mind to know that our girls were in such good hands.

We did our very best to prepare Mara-Grace for her first experience away from us. I made her a countdown calendar with a note and heart in each little pocket. Apparently she loved reading her 'mail' every day. Also, I had wrapped a little present for her to open each morning. They were small little activity type gifts which were also a big hit.

We talked twice each day via Skype. We had our webcams set up so that we could also see one another. We enjoyed lots of kisses via the computer!

Given it was our first time separated, all went very well. I have to say though that it was wonderful coming home to give our kisses in person!

What a trip it was! As I have mentioned, I always hold London close in my heart. I was so thankful to have the chance to visit again. The last time I was there I went with my Dad and it was primarily to see Concorde fly before retirement. It was an incredible holiday and one I will always appreciate for so many reasons.

We arrived in London on Saturday morning and spent the day walking around. We went for supper and then despite not having slept, we went for another long walk in the evening. We slept like babies that night and got straight onto the time difference!

We took a bus tour (The Original Bus Tour) all around London and also took a boat trip to Greenwich. Greenwich, England defines both time and place for the whole world. All time is measured relative to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and all places have a latitude (their distance North or South of the Equator) and a longitude (their distance East or West of the Greenwich Meridian). It was quite interesting but quite an uphill climb!

I should note that the entire time we spent in London, they were having an extreme heat wave. Hotter than it has been in many years! Not to be a grinch, but I was so looking forward to some cooler weather and voila extreme heat! Although, uncomfortable at times, really..... I was in London........ All was well!

Sunday night we went back on the bus tour and hopped off in Hyde Park. Although the concert was sold out, we got to peek through the walls and saw a glimpse of Bruce Springsteen who was putting on a great concert in Hyde park! We walked through the park listening to the Boss, and then all around London, and then eventually back to the hotel (Southwark Rose Hotel) on the southbank. We figure we walked around 5 miles that night. If you ever have the chance to walk in London at night, I highly recommend it. Drink all of it's splendour in! Gorgeous!

Monday we took a tour of Westminster Abbey, walked some more and went out to dinner. We walked again in the evening and back to bed! Tuesday and Wednesday Kev had a seminar in the daytime. I mapped my way and took the tube to Green Park. Walked to Buckingham Palace and I did what I dreamed of doing. I walked for a long time, alone in St. James' Park. It is my favorite park in the world! Something so entirely magical to me. I wandered along, sat for a bit, did some dreaming and it may sound weird, but just let the beauty of this park, fill my spirit. I am never alone.... And I am so thankful for that... But at the same time, walking alone, in the silence of my dreams was so incredible. I did a lot of dreaming and thinking and it was wonderful. I made my way back on the tube and stopped and had lunch ALONE in a restaurant. Ok, this NEVER happens. At first it felt entirely odd. It was definitely different for me. I sat and took my time:) After lunch I headed back to the hotel, took a shower and met up with Kev and his colleagues. We had a dinner reservation on "Bateaux London". It was a three hour, dinner cruise. We went up and down the Thames and had a beautiful dinner. There was dancing afterwards and really the setting was pure bliss! It was a lovely evening. We walked to Piccadilly Circus and stopped in at a pub on the way home. We didn't stay long and headed back to the hotel. What a great night! Definitely one for the memory bank!

Wednesday, I opted to take the bus tour again and hopped off and on. It was brutally hot though! The open double decker red bus was well enjoyed despite the heat! Even the guide was so hot that he had to stay below. I thought he was about to faint! He started talking to me, and I had also gone down below before I got off the tour. He was saying that it was much hotter in London than Africa that day! I believed it! Also, interesting bit of info. The final Harry Potter was being filmed while we were there! Tori was so excited to hear about this! Also, Wednesday was Canada Day! They had a party in Trafalgar Square! They were serving Bison burgers! ?!!!!! hehe I have never had one! LOL Apparently a popular thing to eat in Canada....????!!!!!

Wednesday night was our last evening in London and we ate with our group on the terrace of a lovely restaurant with Tower Bridge all lit up in all it's glory in the background. Simply breathtaking.
As we walked back to the hotel, I stared, mesmerized by the beauty of the bridge. I love London. It is beyond majestic to me... I pray I will return again one day.

What a gift this trip was to me. It was pure magic for my spirit. It was a wonderful present to us as we celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary. I am so thankful for everyone I hold dear. I am home now, and am thankful to be. Life is so incredibly appreciated.

xoxo