a night at the ballet

A few months ago, Michaela and I went to London to see the Royal Ballet perform The Sleeping Beauty. The next day, Emma Shea asked if she and I could go to London to see a ballet also.

I got online and began searching for a ballet that would not be too much for her to sit through. What did I find???? The National English Ballet performing Angelina Ballerina in The Sleeping Beauty!!!! What could be better!!! I called the box office, reserved three seats (Emma wanted Michaela to go with us too.) and the night finally arrived!!!

Emma had the best time and her facial expressions and excitement were worth twice the pounds we paid!!!!

She crashed on the way home and is now tucked in bed dreaming of dancing mice:)

***Photography was not allowed, so these pictures are off the website.

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!

anyone need a new laptop?

If so, boy can we recommend a strong, durable brand!!!!
Friday night, we decided to take the girls (or Emma really--Michaela just went so she had something to do) to see the Veggie Tale movie at the Community Center on base. Stephen was loading somethings in the back of the van and remembered that we had a Netflix movie we needed to mail back. So he sets his laptop bag on the ground (WHY????? I do not know!) and ran inside. I grew impatient (imagine that) and backed up the drive way to see what was taking so long. I felt a bump. Didn't think too much of it. Felt another bump and said, "What was that?" As I looked over into the doorway and saw the horror on Steve's face, I knew!!!!!!! He was very calm! (I think he was in shock and close to tears.) He picked up the bag, got into the van and just sat there. I of course had to laugh because Mr. Murphy, of Murphy's Law, has had residence with us for a quite a while and this is just another incidence in what is the chaos of our lives lately. Its going to keep coming at us, so you have to laugh. ( I have grown a lot in handling crisis and confusion in the last 3 years with the Air Force!)

Well, after rambling on this long..... Steve finally opened it--with some difficulty--turned it on AND IT WORKED!!!! There is a small dent on one side and some reader on the side is crushed. Pretty impressive for having been run over by two tires.
***This is the same computer that as Steve was putting it into the van, right after I bought it for him in July, he bumped the windscreen with the corner of the laptop bag and shattered the window!!!!

So, if you need a new laptop, we highly recommend the Fujitsu:)

spring break is over

The girls went back to school yesterday!! YEAH!!!! Two weeks off and we did nothing exciting.

Emma Shea is very excited about her new summer uniform. Steve thinks it looks like a tablecloth, but it is a dress so Emma is very happy. The only things that would make her happier would be if it was pink and it twirled!!!!

Emma is also growing her fringe out. This has been a conversation with her for months. She asked and asked and I told her she looked good with fringe. She would come up to us at least four times a day with her bangs pulled back and say, "Don't I look pretty with my hair like this?" A few weeks ago she asked me to cut her bangs up to the top of her forehead! "If I cannot have my fringe long, will you cut it to here please?" (Pointing to about 1/2 inch of fringe.) I have finally decided that there are so many other battles with Emma Shea to work through, I could let this one go. Plus, how many times can you see the look of hope in her face when she is asking if she is pretty with no fringe???

our friendly protester

Lindis Percy, famous around military bases as the 60 year old woman who despises Americans and their presence in her country. George Bush mentioned her in one of his speeches. She has snuck onto bases and turned the flags upside down. She was actually caught on Croughton, a trial was conducted, and she was released because the local MOD had not personally told her to stay off the base!! I would think the fences, barbwire, signs and the fact that she had to SNEAK on would have been a clue! She also likes to come stand as close to the base entrance as she can with an upside down flag with her message about 'the evil Americans'.

We haven't seen her for quite awhile, but she's back. Tonight, as Steve and I headed onto the base to play racquetball, she was there in orange coveralls, her face covered with a burlap sack, and a new flag talking about the shame of America.

What a life!!!!

**As a side note I would just like to mention that I FINALLY beat Steve at racquetball. I am not sure I have ever actually beat him but I took the 2ND game 16-14. YEAH!!!!!!!!!!

three days and 350 miles later....

We survived the recital.

Michaela was exhausted, but she had a great time!

Now she will have extra classes on Saturdays to get ready for her ballet exams!

She is very nervous about them, but she will feel great once they are done!

Emma Shea was sad when it was all over. She wanted to do a few more shows.

She was very excited today when I told her she gets to move up to the next class!

puttin on the ritz!

TARANTELLA

The girls' dance recital is finally here. The huge sigh of relief you hear tomorrow will be me--thankful that this year's recital is over!!! Michaela has had extra practices on every Sunday for the last few months--which makes it fun when your church is 2 hours away. We had dress rehearsal yesterday until 7:00pm and today is a juggling act of having the girls where they need to be at various times.

OUR LITTLE BUNNY

Michaela is doing all three shows so Stephen (who surprised me by getting the day off so I did not have to go crazy driving back and forth all day!!) drove her to the theatre (which is only 20 miles way, but for those of you who have never driven in this country, that is a 50 minute drive with the roundabouts and country roads). She will stay with the chaparones until the evening performance at 7:30. Emma is dancing tonight's performance. Steve and I will drive separately to the theatre. Emma will dance the beginning of the show and then I will take her home (or to the hotel on RAF Alconbury--if they have a room?) Steve is staying to watch the performance tonight. The show is sold out and we barely got a ticket for me. Because he was supposed to be working, he did not have a ticket until last week. We were very upset that he was going to miss the performance--the first one he would have missed since Michaela was three. Luckily a relative of another dancer was unable to attend so we were able to get a ticket for him. Tomorrow Steve will go to work and I will drive to church, with the girls in full theatrical make-up!!--leave at 12:00(hope the preacher is done by then:), drive the hour and forty five minutes to the theatre...AND HOPE THAT THERE IS NO TRAFFIC AS THEY HAVE TO BE THERE AT 1:45.. AAAHHHH

RAMA AND SITA

But after saying all that, they have done a great job with their dances and are having a fun!!!

NOTICE THE TONGUE!!!!

Oh yeah. Emma has a birthday party to be at in 20 minutes so I guess I had better gather up her stuff and head out!!!!!

some things are universal

We arrived from our afternoon out just in time to hear the ICE CREAM TRUCK coming down the street. Of course, as if it is an inborn trait with all children, Emma came running in yelling, "Mommy, the ice cream man is here!!!" Michaela was not far behind ( a little less exuberant!)

I think Emma enjoyed her first experience with the English ice cream truck!!!

it is good to try something new!!!

Today, in order to celebrate our life being in so much chaos and uncertainty:), we headed to Frankie and Benny's for lunch. Steve ordered some calamari for his appetizer...Michaela tried it not knowing what it was, and loved it until I told her it was squid!! Emma was not phased by the word 'squid'. She ate as much as Steve I believe!!!! She also ate a good portion of my mushroom Alfredo (whole button mushrooms sauteed in a Alfredo sauce).

She was very adventurous in her cuisine today!!!

murphy's law prevails

Ever have one of those days? Well, I am having one of those days ALL WEEK LONG!!!!!!!!

It has to get better, right?

Hope everyone's week is going well, and that there is sunshine where ever you may be living!

spring break begins!!!!

This week begins Michaela and Emma's two week Spring Break--the first week consists of watching 9 extra children. AAAAHHHHH!!!! Not sure what the second week will hold (all of my extra children will be back at school), but hopefully a family activity of some sort!

Of course, Spring Break began with 4 inches of snow!!!!! We unfortunantly(??) missed it. Yesterday after the girls' dance rehearsal, we headed up to Cambridge to drop Michaela off with a family from church--she and Rebecca stayed up until 1:00am watching a Dr. Who marathon--and Emma and I headed to RAF Alconbury to stay the night with Steve. ( It was the 21st anniversary of our first date--and they said it would never last) There was no snow where we were (60 miles north of Brackley) nor any in Mildenhall where we go to church. I was very worried about what I was going to find when we arrived back home since I had left two windows open upstairs (it was mild and sunny when we left on Saturday) but by the the time we arrived home at 4:00pm, this was all that was left!!!!

I think I can handle shoveling this!!!

Gotta love that GLOBAL WARMING!

angelina ballerina

It is National Reading Month --or Library month--I can't remember!!! The students at Emma Shea's school all dressed up as their favorite character in literature. Because Emma loves all books, the difficulty was choosing ONE!! We chose Angelina Ballerina because it combines a favorite character and ballet.

She was so excited to be able to wear the costume to school and not have to put on her uniform!