The last time i posted Cathy had headed off for the weekend in order to get a break from the kids as well as attend a conference with Anne Graham Lotz (Billy Graham's daughter) thus leaving me in charge. Kevin had some adventures of his own with the other families for a Wine tasting night so i stayed home with the kids. Brittney, being a typical 7 year old, was bored and her sister was not a good playmate so she invited her British friend Emily over to spend the night. Sophie too needed some entertainment, so Elise came over for a sleepover as well while her parents went to the wine tasting. Needless to say it was a late night. And it did not help that be beginning of the Duffy Plague happened the second Cathy left. Sophie decided i had enough training in the diaper changing area, so she challenged me with a 103 fever as well as puke all over the kitchen, her room, and myself. Needless to say I am well trained to take care of children and all of their bodily functions. But i survived the weekend! and we topped it off with an ISE 4th of July picnic. For some reason (hehe) this is not an observed holiday here in Great Britain, but we were sure to celebrate anyhow.
And the week then produced one sick family. From sore throats, fevers, headaches, coughs, runny noses, and just about everything else, I became the nurse of the family. I managed to remain unaffected until Thursday when it hit hard, but only lasted a day. And i babysat and pulled thought alright although today....a full week and two days later, Cathy and Kevin are still suffering.
The usual babysitting took place...of course...this including some new families with Jenny and Dan leaving me to Max and Blake. These boys are more than perfect and lovable....they are the sole reason i have changed my mind and think that boys are fabulous. Probably the easiest children to babysit thus far. They got to jump on beds and play soccer....it was a good time. Gwen and Drake got some of my attention as well with another fun filled evening, sleep over, and full day of Whitney. Marti and Steve also decided to entrust me with their 5 children. So for 5 hours I was reminded why I only want two kids :o) but they were fabulous cuddle bugs and quite the excitement at lunch and dinner. It is amazing what patience their parents have with them. It's no wonder the kids are so well behaved. And Elise also entered the realm of the babysitting world.
Other than babysitting, a ton, there have been a few adventure. The family and I attended the Peterborough festival which is designed to make a family go broke. There are tons of rides but each ride costs about $2-$8 for one child to ride. And it is hard to say no to crying children, so eventually we were able to escape after the pocket books were empty.
Thus bringing us to today...Kevin's father was supposed to arrive this morning from the states, and stay with us for a month. However this morning at 5 AM we were informed that his flight was canceled and he would be arriving tomorrow morning at 6 AM. So Cathy booked a hotel by the airport so we could spend the day in London and then get him in the morning without a 2 hour drive. But then after the bags were packed, car was loaded, and we were ready to head to London, the phone rang and we were informed that Pappy (aka Bob/Kevin's dad) had become frustrated with the wait and continued to be delayed and freaked out. So he flew back to Pensacola Florida and will now not be arriving until next Tuesday. This obviously produced two very upset young girls who were missing school and not getting to see Pappy, so Cathy and i canceled the hotel and loaded the girls up for a day of shopping. with an hour in the car and two moody children, we played at a playpark for most of the day, but were successful in purchasing a new pair of shoes for all of us, thus making everything ok. After getting home Brittney and I spent some 'sister time' riding bikes, playing in the park, playing soccer, talking, and doing gymnastics in the fields. It was a wonderful day for sure!
A Weekend On My Own....
My weekend with the girls to myself....so we had a playdate with Emily and Elise. It was a sleepover
Emily....my favorite British child
Sophie got married
Elise trying to prove it was not bedtime
My favorite bilingual child Elise...
A head of curls and a mouth full of grinning teeth
A day with Max and Blake.....
my favorite view so far....yes it is just a field, but i liked it (Jenny and Dan's house)
Blake and Max loving each other
Maxwell jumping on the bed....(sorry Jenny, it's every child's right)
Blake tackled Max while they were jumping around
Jump Jump Jump
and we all fall down
Just a little brotherly love
Too cute for words...
The Peterborough Festival.....
Sophie and the Tiger...her hair looks beautiful like always, but she swore this is how it was to be worn
Sophie and Brittney riding the dragon roller coaster...this cost 2 pounds per child = $4 which is $8 for both girls to ride. YIKES
Another money waster but smile maker.....
The Day of Shopping and The Playpark.....
A beautiful Church on the way to the mall....
More of the HUGE church. it was breathtaking and quite phenomenal
Cathy swinging with Brittney at the Play park
Sophie, as cute as ever swinging on the swing
Playing together....
Another one of my favorite pictures
Brittney testing out the slide
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