Pick a card, any card.

We have two three magicians in this house right now. Inspired by an episode of Dynamo at the beginning of half term...followed by a visit from Jer's childhood friend, Colin (who has mastered a few good tricks), the boys have become magic crazy. Its been primarily card tricks they are working on, but are also exploring a little slight of hand. If you see them soon, consider yourself warned and keep a close eye, because they aren't about to share their secrets.

So our super jet-setting friend, Colin, came for a quick visit over the weekend. He flew in on Friday and left us on Monday. If you know him, jet-setting and Colin don't really go together. He is one of the most real, relaxed, easy-going people you will find. But it did feel rather cool of him to just hop over the pond for the weekend! We enjoyed some beautiful sunny days while he was here. Saturday we walked along the sea from Hove into Brighton and back again. Sunday we showed him the country side and had a traditional Sunday Roast at a country pub. Hop again, Colin, hop again.

a recent winter storm tore off a piece of West Pier

can't resist the temptation...

oh how I wish this would have been in focus...

Happy (belated) Birthday Daddy!

We celebrated Jer's 38th birthday almost 2 weeks ago now. (You don't need to hear my excuse for not getting to this post earlier.) We did exactly as he wanted...we had Indian food, watched the Olympics, serenaded him and chowed some Rice Krispie treats...the entire 3 and 8!

You add a lot of photos.

Owen taught me how to use iMovie this week. We sat together while Walter was at a friends house and he helped me put this movie together from our Paris trip last fall. He couldn't believe how long my movie became and told me I use a lot more photos than he does.

Can I have another Starbucks?

The boys and I were off all week for half term. We had a wonderful week doing art, playing with friends, being at home and exploring Sussex. On Thursday we took the afternoon and spent it up at Wakehurst Place, part of the Kew Royal Botanical Gardens. The boys loved it and are itching to get back with Jer, my parents when they visit, and my girlfriends who are coming soon, too. We enjoyed it so much, we closed down the park...leaving after all the concessions were closed so we could get a drink of water or a snack. We stopped instead on the drive home at a little shop and on a whim I bought the boys some Starburst candies. When we got home, Walter asked if he could "have another Starbucks"...proof I don't buy them candy too often, right?!

FBF - February 2010

At the Sunny Hollow Gala I chaired in 2009, we won the auction item for a weekend up in Lutsen at a cabin on Lake Superior. It was such an amazing getaway for us. Beautiful winter weather full of skiing, dog-sledding, fires and admiring beautiful Lake Superior. It almost makes me miss winter...almost. Walter was 2.5 and Owen was just over 5.

Three things.

On our scoot to school the other day, Owen told me he had come up with the three things he'd like to do when he gets older. He wants to 1. wrestle in the Olympics, 2. be an artist, and 3. be a farmer. I have no doubt he will do all three. He is a determined, confident, creative, hard working boy. On his farm, he wants chickens, horses and sheep (for their wool). He kind of makes me want a farm.

We went to London on Sunday to participate in the the Chinese New Year celebrations. It was completely packed! We barely saw anything, the boys are to the point where its hard to lift them to see over crowds so that made it extra difficult, but we did see all sorts of Chinese lanterns, heard lots of fireworks and even found our own dragons. The boys told us the stories of why there were fireworks and told us about various decorations and items for sale, so that was worth it for me!

Waiting for the train.

Fried.

The school chicken have brought an egg revolution in our household. Previously, Walter would have a scrambled or hard-boiled egg and Owen would only eat hard boiled. Thanks to the school's chicken and her beautiful eggs, the boys are both enjoying over-easy and fried eggs. Yesterday they both ate 3 for breakfast...along with 2 bowls of porridge with walnuts and apples, a green smoothie & 2 pieces of toast!

We've continue to knock off miles on our 100 mile family walking goal. We did a walk up near Jer's golf club a few weeks ago.

Last weekend, we enjoyed a walk around Hurstpierpoint with a coworker of Jer's and his family, followed by a wonderful lunch at their home, conversation and, of course, play amongst the children.

We purchased an Ordnance Survey map of the area...time to scout this weekend's walk!

I can do any sum you give me.

Walter came home today asking for math problems. I printed out some graph paper and went to town writing numbers down. Sure enough, he got all but one correct. He even got the one adding trillions together correct.

Owen is now fitting a very special gift from my Grandpa Armstrong. It is a #5 jersey from the University of Hawaii Warriors. He gave it to Owen when he turned 5 as he had one as a child of 5 (although I don't know from what team) that he loved to wear and tell everyone he was 'thive'. Owen has worn it on and off since he received it, however its really fitting him properly now and he now wears it every Friday as they go to the seafront to play football...although they play a different type of football here...soccer.

Last weekend we ticked off another mile on our goal with a walk up in the Downs. We are so lucky to live in such a beautiful country and so close to the countryside.

FBF - January 2009

Walter's first time bowling. The boy, who's first word was ball, had a hard time understanding it wasn't always his turn.

2 miles down.

We set a family goal for this year. We would like to 100 miles together in 2014. Saturday was a beautiful sunny day so we ventured out and knocked 2 miles down. We went just to the other side of the Dyke to Fulking for our walk. We were all in awe of the beautiful paragliders in the sky and - surprise, surprise - Owen is keen on trying it out. The trail was good and muddy with a great steady climb to start us out. Thankfully, the boys are anxious to do more... as we have 98 more to go at least!

Tell us another story.

Al & Joanne have left us. They returned to Mpls on Monday after a wonderful visit through the holidays. We had a great time relaxing around the house, making lots of fires and playing games. We did some exploring, went into Brighton, saw a few shows, but primarily slept in, cooked here and enjoyed a slow paced holiday season. Al & Joanne started telling the boys stories about Jer & his brothers when they were little at dinner one evening which were really fun for the boys to hear. They asked a few other times for more stories of their dad and uncles and loved hearing the trouble they got into as kids!

Joanne, the boys & I made a trip to Royal Tunbridge Wells while on a getaway to Lingfield. 

We trimmed the tree...and let it warm us in the fireplace.

We watched Señor Heat (#6).

We played the 2P games at the Brighton Pier. 

The sun came out to say good-bye.

FBF - January 2008

Owen is a fresh 3 and Walter is 6 months old. We met my parents at WI Dells for a few nights...left them with the boys for a night so Jer & I could go to a holiday party in Chicago...and came back to pick the boys up and head back to Minneapolis.