I keep seeing weird things around the house...

And I think it might be elves. (Owen)

We celebrated our first veggie Thanksgiving on Sunday. I was feeling rather bummed about missing celebrating on the actual day, but did a full day of design and retail therapy on Friday in London to make up for it. We then had an Indian feast at Jer's colleague's in honor of Thanksgiving on Saturday, followed by our own on Sunday. A pretty great Thanksgiving weekend after all.

at the V&A 

Wondering how it has taken me over a year to get to this place...

We also got our tree and decorated our house on Sunday. Jer had some wood delivered so we are now enjoying fires nightly, with the glow of the Christmas lights as well. The boys are anxiously awaiting the arrival of the first gifts under the tree...which will likely happen while they are at school on Friday! Such an exciting time of year.

did I mention the new tree house?

FBF - November 2007

I just learned my dad has pneumonia. Boo. This is his favorite time of year and he normally spends 95% of his waking hours out in the woods this time of year. Now he stuck in the house, recuperating. Thinking of you Dad & wishing we were around to help take care of you. I'm sure the boys would happily snuggle up for a snooze or a movie with you...or maybe read a book to you in these crazy glasses!

#YOLO

Maybe I haven't wanted to admit it and that's what has me dragging my feet on this post, but my Owen is 9. NINE! We have had a wonderful time celebrating him. He is such a beautiful, kind, creative boy.

On Owen's birthday, we had a day celebrating as a family. Jer came back from Vegas that day, specifically to be with Owen on his day. He made it in time to pick the boys up from school and per O's request, we had Indian takeaway that evening. We also had a roaring fire, presents, singing and a wonderful family night together.

On Saturday we had his birthday party. Although I tried my hardest to sway him to many fancy, exciting destination party ideas, he opted for a project party at home. We did decoupage, friendship bracelets, introduced the English to s'mores (roasting the marshmallows in the fireplace!), dancing, chasing and all sorts of laughing. I got a foretaste of tween/teen years when a few of the children (with older siblings) started saying '#YOLO'. Thankfully I have my bopper hubby to translate and keep me somewhat hip on pop culture as these tween years approach. For now though, I'll just enjoy my little 9er!

FBF - O's parties

Our sweet little Owey has turned 9 on us! Tomorrow we will host his 9th birthday party here (more to come on that and all the celebrations) but for now here is a peek at the parties he has had:

4 years - fishing party

5 years - mini golf party

6 years - bowling party

7 years - rock climbing party

8 years - skateboarding party

We all have a garden of love in our hearts.

Warning...tissues may be needed...

Last night at dinner we were discussing our days and Jer said he didn't get much done because his computer had contracted a virus. The boys wondered what this meant and as Jer started to explain, he said 'You know how there are some bad people in the world?' I then said, 'Wait, I don't agree with that statement, but I would say that sometimes people makes bad decisions.' Walter chimed in and said 'Actually, we all have a garden of love in our hearts. Its just sometimes that garden doesn't get the nourishment it needs and it can lead to bad choices.'

What a beautiful statement, yeah?! He said he heard about it in one of the great lessons at school. I was discussing this with my colleague today and he said it comes up when explaining war and violence. I'm telling you, if we can figure out a way to make Montessori education more widely available, we could make this world a much more peaceful place.

Here are a couple photos of the boys before and after a big trip to the shop a few blocks away that they did without Jer or me! They went on a Sunday morning mission for potatoes, onions and a newspaper. They seemed to have come back with a bit more confidence, too!

Before

After!

I feel so proud of myself!

Owen's birthday week is on! We kicked it off yesterday with a long awaited trip to The Making of Harry Potter.  Jer is in Vegas with his dad & brothers, so the boys and I headed to the station              Saturday morning for our own adventure. On the train journey up, we read Harry Potter, and on the journey home, we read Harry Potter. When I'd take a break from reading, we'd talk about Harry Potter, and when we stopped to eat, we'd talk about Harry Potter.. The boys have been saving their allowance for this for quite some time and had 90 & 80 GBP each saved up. After the tour, we conveniently ended up in the gift shop where the shopping and temptation kicked in. In the end, Owen bought a wand (Professor Slughorn's), a chocolate frog, a key ring and an extendable ear. Walter surprised us and decided to not buy one thing! (This is a boy who walks into a grocery store and if he has a pound on him, will spend it.) As were leaving the shop, he looked up at me and said "I feel so proud of myself!"

The tour was pretty amazing. We walked through the dining hall, saw all sorts of costumes and props, saw how they sculpted the various creatures and made them move. We all rode a Nimbus 2000 (photos of that to come...), drank Butter Beer in front of 4 Privet Drive, got on the Knight Bus, saw so many drawings and plans - it was really humbling. Strange but true, humbling realizing how much goes into a movie. I have a new appreciation for the artistry and talent it takes to make film. My favorite was seeing the details on the made up books, newspapers and wizarding products. What fun.

Gryffindor's table

Potion's classroom 

Diagon Alley 

FBF - November 2011

I couldn't not share this one...she's such a great role model for her grandchildren! :)

FBF - November 2008

Walter is 17 months, Owen is nearly 3 and Griffin is 8.5...but forever going on 2. This has always been one of my favorite photos of my boys. Pure joy!

What should I make? What can I have to eat?

Owen decided these two questions pretty much sum up 90% of his speech these days. He loves making, creating and doing...and he is certainly a growing boy with a never ending stomach.

Our last day in Paris was another beautiful one. We started with finally climbing up the Eiffel Tower. We made it to the second level, climbing up the 700 stairs, and enjoyed beautiful views everywhere we looked. The very top was closed due to high winds, but we were pleased to make it up regardless.

After our climb, we explored a few shops...I bought myself a beautiful pair of gloves...and hit up a grocery store for some train ride nibbles. We caught a 4:30 train and made our way back through the chunnel to London and Brighton. 

Unfortunately we missed the Louvre and Monmarte, so unfortunately...we'll just have to go back!

FBF - November 2005

Owen woke up today pretty pumped that it is his birthday month. Here's my little cutie when he was about to turn one!

I'm going to make one.

Day two of Paris started a little later than day one. We woke up to rain and may have been a bit exhausted from day one so took our time getting moving. We thought we'd head for the Louvre but once we were ready to leave, the sun was shining and enticed us to head to Jardin du Luxembourg instead. We had a lovely relaxing time sailing boats in the Grand Basin, playing in the playground and riding ponies throughout the park. Owen is now on a mission to make his own sail boat...so much so that we were in the woods yesterday searching for materials and will be hitting up the hardware store tomorrow...where is my dad when I need him?!

 After hours in the park we decided to make our way to the Eiffel Tower...again. After a pit stop for food we arrived along with some rather dark clouds and many other tourists. We stood in line for 5 minutes and decided we'd rather go to a circus and come back the following day, so we jumped the metro and made our way to Cirque Hiver for an amazing show...that managed to knock our socks off even in French!