jousting at leeds castle

This is the girls' final half term for the year --one week off and then 6 more weeks of school! Of course, half-term means extra kids at our house--8 extra actually. What fun!!!!!

I think in order to avoid some of the chaos that 10 kids in a small house can create, Steve decided to take Michaela and Garrett (both 11) to Leeds Castle near London for a jousting tournament and a tour of the castle. Garrett's sister, Brenna, also ended up going and Emma decided at the last second she wanted to go also. (If we could have fit all 10 kids into one vehicle, we all would have gone). So Steve took off with the four kids and I stayed behind with the 6 younger kids.

They got rained on, but all had a great time!!

happy memorial day

Thank you to all of our friends and fellow Airmen who have fought or who are currently fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan--for the freedom of Americans and the freedom of others who cannot obtain it for themselves!!!

Freedom has it's life in the hearts, the actions, the spirit of men and so it must be daily earned and refreshed - else like a flower cut from its life-giving roots, it will wither and die. ~Dwight D. Eisenhower
The patriot's blood is the seed of Freedom's tree. ~ Thomas Campbell

Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves. ~Abraham Lincoln

It is easy to take liberty for granted, when you have never had it taken from you. ~Dick Cheney

a trip to torquay

HAVING FUN IN THE SEA

We are in the process of obtaining quotes for shipping our antiques back to the States, so of course that means...buy more to make sure we get our monies worth!!!! I was lucky enough to purchase a church pew from the mid 1800's last week. Unfortunately, it was located on the southern coast---3 hours away (+ another hour added on because it was a bank holiday and every Brit was on the road with their caravans). We left at 11:30, after Michaela's dance exam practice, and drove down to Torquay (pronounced Tor-Key). We arrived at 3:30, ate lunch, and then the girls and I walked the boardwalk and watched a boat race while Steve went to pick up the pew. When Steve got back, we walked around the boardwalk and looked at the boats and then headed to the beach. Let me point out here--it has not been above 70 degrees in a few weeks and we are wearing our long sleeves and light jackets. This fact did not stop the girls from going in!!!!!! They played in the sea for about an hour. I put my feet in for about a half a second and Steve survived for a few more than me!!!! We then headed back to the car for the 300 mile trip to Lakenheath where we stayed at lodging so we would be closer to church on Sunday!

SITES OF TORQUAY

aaahhh!!!!

I have been sitting here filling out the enormous pile of forms needed to register the girls for school in Kentucky.

Many things have gone through my head as I have been filling them out...but the main thing that has just popped into my head was.......

NO MORE UNIFORMS!!! WE HAVE TO BUY SCHOOL CLOTHES!!!!!

Uniforms have been so great.

We fly in on a Thursday evening, Friday will be spent trying to adjust back to America-time, Monday is a holiday, so the girls will begin school the following Tuesday--{Emma's 5th birthday}.

I guess I will be in the mall on Friday!!

Any chance Boone County has gone to uniforms??????

oops!!!!

Saturday, Emma and I were doing a craft at the table when all of a sudden she looks over into the kitchen and begins stammering and calling, "Mommy!!! Mommy!!!" I looked over to where she was pointing to find that the suds from my load of laundry where spewing all over the floor!!!!

So of course you laugh and you take a picture!! My floor needed scrubbed anyway!!!!!

***A cultural note....

...wash machines are in 90% of kitchens in the UK--where Americans dishwashers would be

...most Brits do not have dryers

...a cycle is between 90 minutes and 2 hours

all of the above are why this is only the second load I have done with his machine. The laundromat is cheaper and I can dry my clothes!!!

kids fun run!

PRE-RUN

Today was the Fun Run for the bases throughout the world.

The weather was a bit if-y, but the girls and I got up and got ready. We arrived at the base at 8:30 (Steve was at work). Signed in and got the t-shirts. The run began at 9:00am.

SOME OF THE GANG

The weather was still holding out--could we make it before the torrential rain storms?

The runners stretched and did a short warm up....

and then they were off!

Michaela's age group ran 2 miles.

2 MILES AND STILL SMILING

She did very well. She wanted to run without stopping. She stopped a few times BUT....she finished!!!!!

WELL DONE MICHAELA!!!!

My thoughts with Emma and her 1/2 mile were that she and I would run it together. I guess she had other thoughts. She took off like a rocket. I kept telling my friend that surely she would slow down/walk soon. I said this about three times before I realized Emma was not going to be stopping--or slowing down!!!! I cut across a field and met her as she came down the last leg--still running!!! She finished 1st!!!! (in the 5-6 yr. old age group).

THE BIG FINISH!!!!

YEAH EMMA!!

Then, can you believe, the little goober looked at me and said, "I want to go again!". So off she went--running two more laps around the course--1 mile!!!!!! A total of 1.5 miles!!! Never stopped!! To be 4--oh yeah, and in better shape:)!!!!

THE EXTRA MILE BIG FINISH!!!!!

some big shoes to fill

if only I found it as exciting

This is fun Mommy!

This morning, since Nahla went back to sleep when she got here, Emma was still sleeping, and Steve and Michaela had left for work and school, I decided to do my workout DVD (instead of waiting until everyone went to bed). Of course, as soon as I got ready to begin, Emma woke up! I fixed her her breakfast and went back to begin my quality time with Ms. Smith while Emma ate. Emma finished and then came in to critique my efforts. She watched the last part of the workout and then joined me for the abdominal section. When it was over, she asked "What's next?" I informed her I was going to take a shower. I asked her if she wanting a DVD in until I was finished. (using DVDs as a babysitter, good parenting, I know!!!!) Emma said yes and requested the workout DVD?????!!!! I put Kathy back in and headed upstairs. As I looked down the stairs at her efforts, I could not help but smile and grab the camera!!!!

First the right!

Then the left!!!

I am not sure how long she 'worked-out'! She was in her room when I came out of the shower and asked if she could watch SENSE AND SENSIBLITY!

I sure wish I found my time with Ms. Smith as exciting!!!!!!

happy mother's day

I hope all the mothers out there were showered with loads of hugs, kisses, and love on this our special day!!!!!

Steve took the girls to the base with him to do laundry so I could have quiet time--the best Mother's Day gift there is. They just sent a text and said they were on their way home--so I guess I am finished rambling on the blog!!!!

*** I HAVE ADDED A FEW PICTURES OF THE GIRLS ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE BLOG. THESE WERE TAKEN THIS WEEK!

pain at the petrol pump

Doesn't that price look good. $1.01!!!! If only that was per gallon. But look closely--it is per litre. This is $3.82 a gallon! (It was .65 when we came three years ago) I know that everyone is hurting with the petrol prices, but the thing we cannot understand is why the petrol on the American bases in Europe is more than the average in the states when we PAY NO TAXES ON IT!!!!!!!!!! I was told by the station manager that is the price of freedom. I guess freedom is more expensive over here!!!

hiking in uffington

WHITE HORSE HILL

The weather has been so beautiful for the last week, we decided to take advantage of the fact that there was sunshine, I was not watching any children, and Stephen was off work, and we headed to White Horse Hill-about 40 miles a way--near Stonehenge.

The mounds at the top are the bank and ditch that protected the castle

The horse is the oldest chalk horse in England--dating back from over 2500 years ago. There was a castle there at one point in history (300BC-43 AD), but as it was only a wooden fortress and is no longer standing. Directly down from the horse is Dragon Hill. Legend has it that Sir George slayed a dragon on that hill and where the blood was shed, nothing has grown there since.

DRAGON HILL

****Emma Shea wants you to know that the dragon is under the hill, so you are safe there!

THE GIRLS STANDING ON THE SPOT WHERE THE DRAGON WAS SLAIN

We walked about 8 miles total. The hills are incredibly steep and the the terrain rough at times, but we made and had a great time.

MICHAELA IS A SMALL DOT GOING UP THAT HILL

*click on the picture to enlarge it and see her*

About 1.5 miles from the White Horse Hill is Wayland Smithy. So of course we had to walk to that!! It is a long barrow used for burials approximately 5500 years ago. It was a nice leisurely walk with great views--and various bugs that Emma looked for to distract her from the fact that she was exhausted and her little legs were tired!!!!

THE ENTRANCE TO THE BARROW

my favorite time of year!

This is my absolute favorite time of year here in England. The countryside is coming alive with color. Because England is green all year long, the burst of colors that you see during spring are phenomenal. Any where you drive, you see the yellow fields of rape weed (used for making canola oil) contrasted against the vibrant green of the fields. It is spectacular!!!

our final few months

As you can see from the newly added countdown, we are coming back to Kentucky.

Michaela has cried. I have cried. It is happening regardless of our desires. (We are ready to be done with the Air National Guard, but love England and would gladly stay for a few more years.

But one never knows what the future may hold!!!!!!!!

On a positive note, tickets went down!!!! They were $1367.00 each! I was not looking forward to spending $4000.00 on tickets, but I knew I had to purchase them soon. I checked last night and they were $614.00.!!!!! I went online this morning to buy them and they had gone down to $572.03 (taxes included)!!!!! We are flying into Indianapolis. CVG was still over 800.00. Stephen will be flying into Cincinnati the day before us and then driving down to pick us up (the military does not search for the cheapest flight--they just buy. our tax dollars at work) So, if we have to leave here at least I am only out $1700.00--thank you Mr. Bush for the stimulus check!!!!

feliz cinco de mayo

Happy Cinco de Mayo.

OUR LITTLE SLUGGER

Today is a Bank holiday so the girls did not have school. We had planned to go to Blenheim Palace for a jousting tournament, but when we woke up it was cloudy and rainy. Of course, around 1:00pm it cleared up and was beautiful.

DADDY, THAT PITCH WAS TOO HIGH!

After 2 of the 3 children I was babysitting were dropped off, we headed to our friend's house for a Cinco de Mayo party. There were about 40 people, lots of yummy Mexican food, and loads of sunshine!

THE RELIEF PITCHER

Emma had a great time playing baseball!! She is pretty good! Our little athletic princess!