Snow Day!

Not really, not today I mean. Just pictures I never posted from about a month ago when snow dumped on London and the kids were out of school.

But before that, I should say that the baby's due date is less than a month away. It's hit that point where I'm not really savoring being pregnant anymore (though I'm trying) and I'm just excited about him coming--though I have to say I haven't packed my hospital bag, I've merely accumulated a pile. (Thanks to Hannah who also informed me that I should pack a bag for my kids too in case we need to scramble them to someone's house--that really hadn't crossed my mind but good thinkin') I've really been feeling good 'til about 8 or 9 in the evening when I can not bear to be on my feet anymore because my back hurts and I start to stiffen up. However, today was totally different. All it took was a little housework in the morning, to prepare for having a meeting here, and I was a bit uncomfortable. My abdomen hurt and I was wondering if the baby was trying to reposition himself for some kind of exit. And then I felt better but a bit uncomfortable here and there throughout the day. I'm not trying to say that the baby's coming, at all, but acknowledging that this is how it could be for another month. I am definitely hoping that he will not make and exit before I am 37 weeks because I am looking forward to that enormous shiny bathtub at the Barkantine Birthing Centre and if he's earlier than that, they won't take me. Umm...I am also looking forward to my free dental cleaning on Friday that post-birth I will not receive free because that's right, when you are pregnant, you get free dental care here. Other things I'd like to get around to are purchasing a fabric covered rocking chair (can't believe they're so hard to find, I mean really!), finishing painting, putting a curtain up in the baby/guest room for real (those of you who have visited know the temporary sort-of crack house curtain job we utilize in some rooms), planting some seeds so I don't have to eat salad forever out of plastic bags, and cleaning and repairing my pushchair since I am so stubbornly preferential to the size of my stroller.

I made a commitment to myself and to a small group of women that I would be in bed by 9 these days so that I don't consume my life with busyness so this is all I have to say. Nitey-nite!

Luci is 4

So before I post some pics from her party, which we had yesterday on her birthday, I have to write about some of the funny things Luci's been doing since she is her ever-entertaining self.

Last week when I was playing Settlers with Jeannie, Rory, and Anna after the kids had gone to bed, I found the most un-Peanut like fur on Peanut. It was soft like down and it was growing and peeling off near her backside. Since I didn't want to get up from my chair and we were in the middle of the game, I just made a little pile of it on our already scuzzy rug and totally forgot about it.

The next day when I got up, I found Jesse and Luci sitting at the table eating bowls of cereal. And right next to Luci's bowl was her art project, entitled Furball, a nickname she has for Peanut. It was a blob of my almost red homemade old wholemeal playdo with the fur that I had left on the rug, plugged into it. Added onto that were big melty beads for Furball's eyes, ears etc. All I can say is that it was a sight to behold. As disgusting as it was, I had to save it in the window of my kitchen for several days because of it's utter Luciness.

These days, Luci is good on the phone. Both kids now answer, which is quite handy. Whenever I put Luci on the phone to talk to Darren and I've already said it's Daddy, Luci gets on the phone, asks who it is, and to the answer "Daddy", she asks, "Who's Daddy?" She does this every time she talks to him. Is this some kind of joke?

On another note, Luci loves her show Numberjacks, a very educational show that feature the blobby character "Problem Blob." I admit, I am DEFINITELY blobby now given that I am quite rotund, but a few months ago when I was getting dressed, she likened my body to the Problem Blob and thought that the Problem Blob had gotten ahold of me, which in her accent is Pwoblem Blwob.

Alright, so here are some pictures from yesterday. The party was pretty tame and pleasant. Darren was very lovely to set up the food for us and it turned out to be a nice time for the kids and the ladies. We didn't do anything except hang out and open presents--no pass the parcel or party favors, and therefore more laid back for us and less of an environmental nightmare, which is how children's parties usually appear to me.

Girlie Girls

My college friend Jeannie is here visiting from the States. Since she has visited London before and done that touristy stuff AND since it's been raining we decided that a shopping outing was on the agenda for the day. A little twist in the plan is that Luci tagged along as she was low-energy and getting over a coughing resurgence on Sunday.

Just to diverge for a moment. Sometimes I just adore her beyond words when she is sick because she is so quiet--her voice, her mannerisms, everything. She got up before the bunny clock and climbed in bed with us and then did not get out of bed until 10 and she let me feed her oatmeal in bed. I'd almost do anything to savor moments with this low-key, doll-like ginger head in my bed, she's so cute!

We got to Canary Wharf around 12:15 and set off to find Carluccio's, which apparently I need more practice locating, and I took the ladies to lunch. We had a yummy and fabulous time together and then browsed a few shops, some more seriously than the others. I never know if it is a mistake to take your girlie girl daughter into Monsoon but there's no doubt that it happened today. It is impossible to describe how wonderful the clothes and accessories are in there, especially for little girls and of course Luci instantly started asking me if we could get something off the accessory rack. Usually I say "no, we are not shopping for us", but since her birthday is on Sunday, I thought I'd indulge. She was so cute trying to choose which head-band to pick and we must have stood there for 20 minutes while she tried things on and said, " Now just give me a moment mummy while my head is winding up", which must be her words to describe the decision making process she was intensely in. She did finally decide but then we walked into Accessorize, which is connected to Monsoon, and was distracted again by beautiful things and wanting more. Thankfully we were able to opt out the more expensive item at Monsoon and buy a little more for our money, which included a hawaii outfit, headband, and hair elastics. I have to say that Luci was adorable and seemed to really enjoy the process of selection, instead of demanding 5 things in an ugly voice.

FYI for those of you who are familiar with shops here or wished they were able to find a fabulous winter coat while visiting (because England does at least give the illusion that you can find a winter coat that surpasses all other styles, colors, etc.), Jeannie did come home with a steal of a cream colored coat from Zara with boots from there as well.

WINTER WONDERLAND!

We had about 12 inches of snow in less than 24 hours, starting yesterday, so the kids' schools were cancelled and I was home with them today. I was going to keep them home anyway since this is not a common occurrence but it was great to have the council's blessing.

I cannot tell you what a different neighborhood I experienced today. From morning to night, children and fairly grown people were throwing snowballs at each other and the few cars going by. It was awesome to see some head coverings cast aside by young women as they opted to run around smashing each other with snow. Jesse and Luci were in and out and I was putting on their gear and then taking it off to place on the radiator more times than I can count. I was wishing for a sled and some waterproof gloves, but this is not weather that we are prepared for.

The night before, our friend Rory, who just moved in around the corner, came into our house whispering "Darren" (and it sounded exactly like Rory whispering) to announce that we had left our keys in the door and to invite us to go tobboganing at Hampstead Heath today. I decided that that adventure was out for the humans today but that if he wanted to take Peanut, he could gladly take her. So Peanut had a day away at the Heath with Rory and a family, and came back tired and (Jennifer skip this part) with a bloody toenail due to a little run-in with the escalator at the Tube station.

Today was so much fun. We built a snowman in the backyard with lots of care--walnuts for eyes, parsnip for nose, raisins for buttons, and of course a knit-hat and scarf. After the snowman lost its identity under a further couple inches of snow, Jesse smashed him to pieces, no permission asked, just with all the thrill of an excited boy.

We also saw lots of friends--Yvetta and her kids from across the street, my friend Yasmin and her 2 who came over, a friendly boy named Ike from upstairs, and my friend Noel who came kidless to drop off some baby clothes for me. Our parking lot, concrete courtyard and estate were filled with children and intermingling neighbors and in the words of one mum, "It is great--we've spent more time with the neighbors than we ever do during the summer." I have seriously never seen so many people on our estate, and I know it was that way all over town. It was also pleasant to have no cars on the road.

My highlight was opening the door to let Jesse in after he'd had a brief evening romp in the snow tonite, to be greated with a snowball in the face and a big burst of laughter.

I'm peopled out and going to bed and will have pictures for tomorrow.