Crazy hair

Santa Claus gave Katya a present of lots of purple hair stuff, a purple comb, and a purple mirror. That afternoon she opened up the Katya ward hair salon. It only cost 20 pence a style. She did nanny, grandad, and my hair. She had SOOO much fun and it is basically the best thing in the world to her right now. I should by all of her chrismas presents for under a pound and she would still be happy! We used all of the hair ties and clips in our hair for these glamour shots!

Father Christmas!

For some it is a jubilant joyous time, for others it is downright scary. You can guess in our family who fit into what category. Nanny and Grandad took us to see Santa on Saturday. The kids got all dolled up in their Grandma Florence special Christmas outfits and were so excited for the day. We almost washed away getting there. It has been raining TONS and we had to drive through rivers of water to get to the garden center we always go to to see the man in the red suit. They enjoyed the white wolves and other many lights. Then the ride to the north pole began. I think Katya really believed we were in a dog sled on our way there. Oliver was wary from the outset. But Katya kept encouraging him and showing him the way. She sat very quietly next to Santa and whispered her answers to his questions. She was VERY serious about the whole affair. No smiling, no crying, just down to business. Ollie just cried and wanted me to hold him, no sitting on Santa's knee for him! Katya is so sweet with him, she wants him to do everything that she does. She mothers him like a proper oldest sister! She is learning from a pro though wouldn't you say younger siblings of mine? It was overall a really nice morning!

just runnin' around...

We have been so busy with multiple school concerts, church concerts, and weddings that it has been nice for the past 2 days just to hang around with my kids. Martin isn't feeling brilliant after a mega week of concerts he is taking it easy with us tonight! We are so looking forward to Christmas break and 2 weeks of cuddling up in a warm house and eating mince pies and the like. We miss you our family, but are glad you will all be together and we're not far behind this summer! Also notice that my children love to watch Hanky on the computer! Even Oliver tries to get a look in! You can also see wonderful examples of Ollie's favorite past time pulling things (like tissues) out! Such a fun stage!

Cheeky Mucky Puppies! (could they be more british?)

The first picture is actually from Halloween and I didn't realize what a great picture of Katya it is was until I really looked at it!

The others are from this morning and shows the cute cheekiness of my lovely monkeys! I don't think they get much nicer than these two. Especially since Oliver has decided sleeping through the night is a good idea. Enough sleep makes everthing happier!

TGIF!!!

Imagine the soundtrack to this dance...

Bicycle Race by Queen

We often boogie on Fridays because we have nothing better to do! Friday is our completely stress free fun day and today we did alot of colouring and dancing! Katya's FAVORITE CD is Queen's Best Hits and her favourite is Bicycle! She loves it!

Also notice the panpipes. She is a multicultural baby too! Got to love it!

Spooky!

So "Hallowe'en", as it is correctly spelled, all you uneducated Americans, is a much darker and spoookier affair here in England. You have to dress up like something scary, no princesses, superheros, or characters, just good old fashioned witches, ghosts, and all things black. So we had a scary spider and a little skeleton. Katya would correct you if you said she was a little spider, "No, I'm big and Ollie is little. He's just a baby". We spent the day with our Austrian friends Max and Gisella and their two kids Niki and Beni. They were all so cute together. We didn't trick or treat, because it isn't really done like it is in America, but I think Katya ate more candy on Thursday and Friday nights then she has eaten in her whole life combined. So she was in no means deprived. We carved pumpkin, ate pumpkin soup, and in general ate too many chocolates and sweets. The night ended in the parents sitting in the front room having a second round of chocolate fondue, while the children took out every toy, puzzle, and game and dumped them in the middle of the room. We thought it was suspiciously quiet and payed the price for our indulgence. But everyone had fun!