Park, Park, Park & Park

Artwork from C

2012-02-09T21:25:00.001Z

Hands on the Table

2012-02-09T21:23:00.000Z

In the proportion series- see here and way back here- we have an added instalment below.

Top C, Dad in the middle and then D in the pink.

Mobile version

2012-02-05T18:07:00.001Z

If you are so inclined, you can now view this blog easily on your mobile. With the help of blogger, I've set things so that it works simply with any mobile phone in the world. Same address name- nothing extra to type in.

Pictures, vignettes and the odd bit about Mum and Dad. Anywhere. Anytime.

Beavers Video plus D

2012-02-04T13:43:00.001Z

C Joins the Beavers!

2012-01-31T21:02:00.000Z

Here in the UK, the earliest stage of Boy Scouts is called Beavers. C and a few of his mates joined recently, and last night C made it official- he was "invested". That means that he said the oath, holding up three fingers. A video snippet to follow in a few days.

C and Writing

2012-01-29T16:05:00.001Z

As we saw earlier, C is practising his writing alot. Here's a few recent examples:

All in the family

When D was sick, C wrote this.

D and Reading

2012-01-29T16:00:00.001Z

D is starting down the path of reading- sounding out words, identifying other words that begin with the same letter and mimicking C's reading.

Learning to read now a days seems to be about phonetics. Words don't begin with D(ee); they begin with D(uh).

So, we're finding lots of D(uh) words- Duh Oo Arr Oo Thy.

Bella and COI

2012-01-24T22:21:00.001Z

Usually, this blog is about the kids. They're the ones with the interesting lives right now.

But we passed a milestone recently around here that didn't involve the kids.

Bella finished up working at COI- The Central Office of Information; the UK governments communication arm- on Monday.

It was a really great experience for her that lasted 11 years. Good work. Good people. And the flexibility to balance kids and professional work.

And she is already on to greener pastures.

I Can See...

2012-01-24T19:58:00.001Z

I can see the trees blowing in the w(ind). CRP

Found this on the floor of the kids bedroom one morning...

Christmas Gifts from Nettie

2012-01-24T19:56:00.003Z

Bowls that Nettie made herself for the kids.

Gymnastics at the O2: Video

2012-01-14T19:15:00.000Z

Piggy back rides

2012-01-14T17:43:00.002Z

There is a genuine excitement with C and D about me as transport. Whether riding on my shoulders to the high street or on my back going upstairs, they perceive it as a treat or reward. At 6 and 3 (and coming up to 43!), I can still manage to carry both of them up the stairs -one on front, one on back- at the same time.

Here is D after a family drinks party, in pjs, going up for book time.

January Video

2012-01-09T23:49:00.000Z

Height and Weight for C and D

2012-01-08T15:36:00.003Z

Christian-

47 1/2 inches
45 lbs.

Dorothy-

37 1/2 inches
28 lbs.

Here's the score last May.

In Church Today

2012-01-08T12:39:00.002Z

Slightly blasphemous taking pictures in church, but the moment needed to be captured.

This is D and her good friend Gwyneth waiting in line for a communion blessing.

The end of Christmas

2012-01-07T15:02:00.002Z

We all had a drink after bath time Friday- toasting the tree before we take it down and to open the last Christmas present.

Ironically, the gift should have been the first one opened but US Mail and Royal Mail conspired against that idea.

The emerging family tradition is a gift of PJ's for the kids from Grandma and Grand-dad which gets opened on Christmas eve.

Here they are modelling their new footie pjs.

Random pictures from Somerset

2012-01-05T21:47:00.000Z

Notes on our holiday in Somerset:

D poolside

We stayed in a converted farm/barn, and across the courtyard there was an indoor pool. That helped a bit because it rained often.
The rain was balanced by the fact that we enjoyed some good pub lunches in little villages- The Bull Inn and The White Hart.
And we came prepared with a box of food and wine, plus stuff to keep C and D active and engaged- Legos, dominos, etc.
And we had some nice walks in the countryside.
And The Seymore Arms- no food, just local cider!

C and I built this catapult on a rainy evening.

At Alberts Tower

Bella's Godmother Elinor

2012-01-05T21:23:00.003Z

On our trip to Somerset for the New Years Eve holiday, we made a side trip to see Elinor. She enjoyed seeing the kids, I think. Here's our last trip in April.

More artwork: C

2012-01-05T21:17:00.002Z

Pants being the British version.

D's Early Letters

2012-01-05T21:14:00.002Z

Here she is with her efforts at a D. This is from the great cafe where we had PB&J's, in Frome, Somerset.

Our biggest year yet

2011-12-28T21:00:00.000Z

As I look across the posting stats since this blog/journal/scrapbook started way back here (!), this year turned out to be the best yet, as measured by quantity.

The total is 169 posts for 2011. And there are now 88 videos in YouTube.

I'm not sure why that was- more photo opportunities, many good experiences, more time on my hands?

Is that much a bad thing? Should I change that path in some way?

Maybe it means focusing on quality over quantity- better pictures, better video editing.

But something gets lost, I think, down that path.

Extra Video for December

2011-12-27T17:36:00.000Z

D's Proportion

2011-12-27T14:47:00.002Z

Some earlier shots of D's hands are here and here.

And below is the latest update in the series.

Out with the Fisher kids

2011-12-27T14:44:00.000Z

Merry Christmas Everyone

2011-12-24T18:36:00.002Z

C and D at the St Barnabas Nativity service

C, D, and Mum

D did a runner for this one.

More Christmas Art

2011-12-23T19:55:00.001Z

Here's more art to supplant the stuff from here.

D's Xmas Tree collage from nursery

C's version of Santa delivering presents

Performance Videos

2011-12-17T16:16:00.001Z

D and dance class

2011-12-16T20:36:00.003Z

D has been going to dance class for the last 12 weeks; 30 minutes with Ms. Claire on Friday afternoons. She has really enjoyed it!

Today was the end-of-the-series parent performance class. It was the first time I've seen her in class.

Her enthusiasm was clearly on display- hand up first, jumping up for everything, leading the other girls.

Here's a few pictures- some video to follow.

Grandpa, the kids and the French deli

2011-12-16T20:24:00.000Z

Michael has made it over to Southfields several times in the last month to see the kids. A few times picking them up at nursery; other times supervising bath time and then reading them bedtime stories. He's witnessed some very sweet exchanges. And a magnificent all-school Sheringdale musical performance of Christmas tunes (video to follow at some point).

On reading bed time stories, a favourite is "Now We Are Six". A. A. Milne is the author of the Winnie the Pooh series. He did Now We Are Six in 1927, and it was illustrated by E. H. Shepard- a family friend of the Wigans. A very nice connection for the kids and the stories.

Bella and I are then the beneficiaries of his trot past the French deli on the way from the station. Perfectly ripe cheeses, fruity tarts, and, of course, the world famous baguettes.

Recent Christmas Artwork- C

2011-12-12T20:47:00.000Z

And Now It's C's Turn

2011-12-12T20:45:00.001Z

Following on from last week!!! C had his Gardens Xmas play this evening. On Sunday, we made a bird costume-in the performance, he flies to the last remaining Christmas Tree in the forest to decorate it. He said he was a little nervous, but it didn't seem so on stage.

C as"Bird" at The Gardens Xmas play

In full beak!

December Video Collection- Lego and Singing

2011-12-12T10:45:00.001Z

D's Stage Debut

2011-12-10T15:38:00.001Z

Like in years past, December brings Christmas musical performances by the kids.

This year, D treaded the boards for the first time. Dressed as Cherub for the Gardens Musical, she, of course, stole the show. Perched upon high, looking over the stage, she sang well. And she enjoyed the experience, especially the chocolate coins at the end.

Someone to watch over you

2011-12-04T21:24:00.001Z

In the bath, D with her guardian of the day...

Thanksgiving in London

2011-12-04T21:17:00.001Z

We had a rollicking good time for Thanksgiving this year. A big collection of half Brit/half American people (with a bit of French and Kiwi thrown in for good measure)- including my family friends who just moved to London from Beijing.

So big that we had to have two seatings- one for the under 10's and then one later for the over 35's.

The dish that got the most attention was the true American one, and not the Turkey! The sweet potatoes with marshmallows on top!

C's recent birthday

2011-12-04T21:12:00.001Z

Lego was the big hit for C's 6th birthday.

This is what he got built in the few hours the next day. There's still more kits knocking around which he hasn't opened yet.

Recent mobile phone pictures

2011-12-01T20:27:00.001Z

Guy Faukes Night- early November. C and his friends up against the fence at Wimbledon Park for the fireworks.

The newest sweater of D's- knitted by my Mom this fall.

Recent artwork. From lunch at Salt & Pepper, 30 November 2011.

Angel, Superman, Vampire

2011-12-01T11:51:00.001Z

One morning on the way out the door to school,Bells called to the kids to come along.

To C she said “ Hurry up, my angel.”

D then responded by saying “He’s not an angel;he’s Superman.” Because C had his jacket hood hanging down his back like acape.

C then said “I’m not Superman. I’m a Vampire!” and ran out the door.

Recent efforts: C and D

2011-11-22T20:29:00.001Z

On display at Sheringdale School in the hallway.

Snapped on my phone at church (C wasn't that interested in Psalm 95). The top
part is a counting line to help with addition and subtraction.

C's Party: The video

2011-11-20T14:36:00.001Z

Don't give up. Show resilience.

2011-11-20T14:15:00.001Z

D and I started to make a puzzle this afternoon. She got a little frustrated and bored with just a few pieces put together, so I asked her if she wanted to stop.

C overheard our conversation in the next room.

He got up from the playroom and his cherished Legos, and came to see us.

As he stood over us, he said: "Dorothy, don't give up. Show resilience."

And then all three of us finished the puzzle together.

C's 6th Birthday- Part 1

2011-11-20T13:23:00.001Z

Saturday afternoon we celebrated C's 6th birthday with a Deadly 60's themed party. After going on a expedition to the park to find giant deadly bugs, we came back to Kung Fu Panda, cake and lots of charging around the house.

The saving grace was the drinks with the parents- only martinis- when they arrived to haul their monsters away.

Jacob, C, Rupert, Nicky, Issac, Alex, D

Legos were a bit hit this year- cars, planes, and bases to build things on. C has spent most of his free time building things the last 24 hours.

Fall videos

2011-11-17T14:16:00.001Z

D and Sunny

2011-11-13T20:48:00.001Z

D brought home Sunny the Bear from school on Friday. The idea- the same as Thomasina with C- is that D shows Sunny around, does some fun stuff and then reports back.

D did indeed have a great time with Sunny and pictures were taken and compiled for school.

Here's one of a situation D managed well:

C, D and dogs

2011-11-13T20:30:00.001Z

Bells and I had a lovely time at Lucy Fishers' 40th birthday last night, held at our fantastic local pub the Earl of Spencer.

Due to that, we were feeling a little ropey this morning. Bells suggested a sure-fire cure (after a cappuccino for me)- a stomp around Wimbledon Common.

The unintended consequence was C losing his aversion to dogs (D still has it a little, but that's due to her relative size, I think).

As we approached a small pond there, a lady walking her lab arrived. C then proceeded to spend a good chunk of time throwing an old tennis ball out into this lake for this black lab to retrieve. Over and over. And over.

The lab would drop it right at his feet, and C became less and less afraid of reaching right down to the labs mouth and picking it up.

Even said "I want a dog when D is older..."

After that, D led the charge into the woods and up the trees.

The Ryans and kids

2011-11-12T12:34:00.001Z

And who D is trying to keep up with...

2011-11-06T22:07:00.002Z

More progress for D and the bike

2011-11-06T22:05:00.000Z

As you will have read, D is pretty committed to learning to ride her like-a-bike. Again today she was out, putting it and herself through the paces.

Right now, it's a go slowly, some tumbles, Dad push me routine. But the fact that she is going slow, falling over and has to have me stoop over to help, doesn't lower her enthusiasm or determination.

Hence the smile AFTER her ride today...

A day out in London with the Ryans

2011-11-06T21:58:00.000Z

Here are C and D at the Tate Britain just before getting on the boat up the Thames:

And at the Golden Hind...

And then Bells in front of Tate Modern, St Pauls across the river in the background...

C gets hold of my camera...

2011-11-06T21:51:00.000Z

And here's some of what he took...

Could be the beginning of a new proportion series...

Not bad.... Thanks to the Ryans for the subject matter

Not sure why our broom closet made the cut...

Excitement at the pool

2011-10-31T18:00:00.001Z

We all went swimming Sunday afternoon at ahealth club in Wimbledon. A popular place- we bumped into Julian (famous from our walk) and Anna, and their kids Ruby and Casper.

It was thesecond trip in three days for Bells and the kids, so C showed me theway around the locker room and out to the pool.

C really enjoyed it. And his swimming has come along reallywell. He can doggy paddle about15 feet, popping his head up every few seconds for air. A big improvement from 2 weeks ago, even moreso from back here when discovered independence and water.

D is still in the “very excited to jump off theedge” stage, which she does over and over, farther and farther.

A quick snap at church

2011-10-30T13:32:00.000Z

I had to very stealthily get my phone out to snap this during the sermon.

C's recent art projects

2011-10-29T13:59:00.001Z

Swords and cups to go with the Roman soldier

A wooden spoon Roman soldier

The bird from Rio, fruit bats, fish and a croc. This may go to my office.

D and I out for a juice on a Saturday morning

2011-10-29T13:55:00.002Z

Seeing Uncle Ernst in East Sussex

2011-10-25T19:19:00.000Z

We found ourselves down here again last weekend- in deepest Sussex.

Bells, C Ernst- aged 95, Nettie, D

The reason was to visit Ernst Van Maurik (Bella's first cousin twice removed) with Nettie (Ernst is Nettie's Uncle).

He's famous in the family for his stories from WWII and his exploits as a British Special Operations Executive. Here's some background on him and a video. He told C tales of parachuting into France and working his way undercover to the Swiss border.

We then stayed at John and Shelia's house for the rest of the weekend. Some nice walks, good pubs and a campfire to toast marshmallows.

Homemade sweaters

2011-10-18T19:33:00.000Z

As I was dashing out of the house this morning, I spied the kids ready for breakfast in these matching, homemade sweaters. My Mom knitted these.

Tenacious D and the Educated Reader

2011-10-16T20:02:00.000Z

Most Americans of my generation will be familiar with Tenacious D- a comic rock band fronted by Jack Black. We have our own Tenacious D in the Park Family.

Randomly, Dorothy took a shine to her like-a-bike today (a like-a-bike is a bike that has no pedals and teaches kids balance while steering). It has been the un-used birthday gift in favour of her scooter.

She decided to ride it to the park down the street. Even though she is about an inch too short to put it to full use. And has never spent any real time on it in the past.

On her tiptoes, very slowly the entire way. Lots of wobbles and falling over. Tears even at some points.

I offered to help but she vehemently would not allow it. She was going to get to the park on her own on the like-a-bike or die trying. She made it.

C has been really enjoying learning to read. He's very good at sounding out words and then repeating them.

Today, he picked a book that my parents gave him- The Cow in Apple Time. A poem by Robert Frost.

It is more advanced than anything he's ever read.

The interesting bits were the fact that he picked something to read which he has never read before, and that when he encountered tough, strange words, he just kept on going, sounding them out.

Maybe a bit like D.

Off to the South Downs with no kids

2011-10-16T14:38:00.002Z

A few fellow fathers and I from Pirbright Road took ourselves off to Sussex for a bit of a walk yesterday. Jointly organised by Rich (Thomas and Ben), Jules (Ruby and Casper), Mark (Lena) and myself, we trained it down to Alfriston Friday and walked the 15 miles from there to Eastbourne on Saturday. Then back to reality for bathime that evening.

Fuelled up on good food from The George (Lamb or beef, sir? "I'll have the one with the most fat, please") and local brew, we made good time. Especially with no one demanding to ride on our shoulders.

The scenery was pretty impressive- we started out at 9:45am on misty country trails and then the second half was the high, chalky bluffs of the Seven Sisters and Beechy Head right along the coast.

UPDATE: According to google maps, it looks like we walked about 11 miles.

Jules, Mark and Rich outside the B&B, ready to set off...

Daily video rushes from September

2011-10-10T15:31:00.002Z

Sissinghurst in the sun

2011-10-09T19:50:00.000Z

We spent the day in Kent at Sissinghurst Castle- cloudy around Southfields, sunny in Kent.

It was a random excursion, and it turned out really well. We all had a great time walking the grounds and even came home with a bucketful of blackberries and sloes!

Trying to fly with the wind

Budding "too cool for school" look?

D as budding ballerina

2011-10-09T19:43:00.002Z

D is taking ballet lessons with a bunch of the other local kids. Angelina Ballerina is a growing part of her life right now. Maybe she's headed here?

She got her first set of slippers just last week, and was told to sleep in them to wear them in.

Recent artwork and C's name

2011-10-08T10:03:00.003Z

C's name at the top of his picture

C and inventive Lego building

2011-10-06T19:35:00.001Z

As documented earlier, C has taken a shine to Lego. Very little tv is called for now; it's straight out of bed in the morning and right to the playroom for tweaking on the stuff he built the night before.

This is a modification off a set he got some months back. He took the original plane kit and added his own improvements.

D in the sun, a water fight and our secret handshake

2011-10-06T19:30:00.001Z

We had a beautifully sunny and warm weekend just past. So warm that both Saturday and Sunday, all four of us had a big family waterfight in the backyard. The big guns came out- a super soaker squirt gun. And even the nuclear bomb of a bucketfull of water from the paddling pool. It was a really good laugh.

Here's D in the sunshine.

She and I now have a bit of a secret handshake going. We do a thumbs-up to each other and then press our thumbs together.

We're back!

2011-10-04T20:29:00.002Z

New laptop in hand.

I have a backlog of stuff to get up over the next few weeks.

Legos, D in the sun, etc...

D's First Full Day at Nursery

2011-09-27T08:57:00.001Z

She came back today with a big smile on her face.

To celebrate we went to Rubino's for extra special pear juice.

A break in our regularly scheduled programming

2011-09-19T15:24:00.002Z

Posting will be a bit light for the next few weeks. My laptop unexpectedly went into the repair shop today. Although all my pictures and video are backed up to the cloud, it does mean I can't edit stuff straight off the camera.

And the pictures are the best part of the blog, right?

D's first day at big nursery

2011-09-12T16:43:00.000Z

I took D to Sheringdale today for her nursery orientation time. They provide a few 1 hour sessions for the 3 year olds to get acquainted to the teachers and surroundings. All of her teachers know her already since they saw her picking up C over the last few years.

She handled herself very well- no tears, lots of confidence.

Deadly 60 and the demise of Moo Moo Brown Cow

2011-09-11T19:30:00.000Z

C has also focused on a CBBC program called Deadly 60. It's a travel show where a guy and his cameraman go all over the world in search of very deadly animals, fish and reptiles. Things like Bengal Tigers in India and Humboldt Squids in Mexican waters. It is pretty compelling to me, but even more so for C (a little less for D).

On a sad note: We're going to retire one of the most highly cherished books in our collection. This has been a stand-by for both kids. They've outgrown it and it's now falling apart.

Lego

2011-09-11T19:21:00.000Z

C has immersed himself in Lego recently. We awake to him pawing through piles of Lego pieces on the floor of the playroom at 6:30 am.

I don't mind much- my brother and I did the same thing as kids.

Here are some of his creations:

D and her Dress, Plus a great comment

2011-09-04T16:23:00.002Z

Trying to get a few good pictures of Deeds in her Sunday best.

PS: D had a fantastic repartee with C yesterday. She wanted his attention, so she called for Chris. He said that wasn't his name. She then called for My Angel.

Finally, he responded to Christian.

Izzy's American Contribution to French Breakfast

2011-09-04T16:19:00.000Z

We have this special treat that we indulge ourselves with every once in awhile. It's called French Breakfast.

On the high street is a very good French deli. On a weekend morning, we'll venture up there early (by 9am there is a line out the door) and get several croissants, pain au raisin and pain au chocolate pastries. And then come home and make a big vat of hot chocolate. And then cut up some fresh fruit.

We do this for house guests as well, to give them a little taste of Continental life.

Well, my Uncle Izzy and Aunt Bonnie got a taste last November when the came over. So, when we arrived to see them in the Upper Peninsula, Izzy had a gift for us. Four beautifully designed mugs, with their own spoons, Green & Blacks Cocoa mix and, a true American indulgence, Fluff.

We put all the ingredients to use this weekend!

Before:

During:

After:

D's New Shoes

2011-09-01T19:50:00.000Z

We bought D some new shoes over the weekend, and this picture just emerged in the front hall on our return.

Teaser preview: Park Family Reunion video

2011-08-30T08:16:00.000Z

At the Park Family Reunion back in America, I collected snippets of family memories from various aunts and uncles. I then pulled these all together into a 30 minute long video.

I'm going to send the link out in the Park-Wigan Family Newsletter later in the week, but here it is for the loyal readers.

The weight of the kids

2011-08-29T18:06:00.000Z

C taps in at 42.6 pounds.
D at 24.6 pounds.

Here they are in the recent past.

Extra Pix from the USofA

2011-08-27T13:36:00.000Z

A visit with Uncle Nate out to Cantigny.

D atop a tractor at the Museum of Science & Industry.

The kids in front of Grand-Dad's homemade blueberry pie.

C as astronaut.

We have entered the age of Video Games

2011-08-27T08:12:00.000Z

Earlier this spring, C discovered busythings.co.uk- a site with simple games for kids his age.

Just before we left for America, I downloaded Angry Birds- a simple game where you slingshot birds at pigs to get points- to my phone, thinking it would be good entertainment of the flight. It was.

But now it's grown. And there is an increasing amount of questioning about when C can play Angry Birds next, again, etc...

At heathrow: bells and the kids return

2011-08-26T07:03:00.000Z

I'm at the arrivals area at terminal 3. the flight has landed. the house is ready.
its a rainy morning in London- not perfect for a return from a month long holiday.

Food of America

2011-08-24T09:22:00.003Z

While we travelled around the Midwest, the kids immersed themselves in American food culture.

Early in the trip, we ate at a restaurant called Redamaks- famous in southwest Michigan. It has all kinds of American stuff hanging on the walls- old neon signs, sports memorabilia, and old pictures of the local area. We ate hot dogs and cheeseburgers and drank lots of lemonade.

On our trip north, we got the American diner experience here in Port Washington.

While in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, we had lunch at Donckers, which has been in Marquette since 1896. The big draw for the kids was the full candy counter! All kinds- some from when I was a kid, fudge, hard candies, gum, everything!

On the way back, we stopped for gas in a small town in northern Wisconsin. While inside paying, the girl behind the counter was taken in by C’s accent. So, we had to hold up the guys behind us buying bait for fishing and explain where we were from and the differences in US/UK vocabulary (loo vs bathroom, trousers vs pants, etc). She got a big kick out of that.

After the Air & Water Show, the kids stopped at MacDonald’s for lunch- a big treat which only happens in America.

At home, I made pancakes one morning. With blueberries and chocolate chips.

All very different than the kedgeree at the sushi place the morning we left London.

UPDATE: Forgot to mention that we had pasty's in the UP. The first night we arrived. At the cabin. With everyone- aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, etc. On the beach. Really good, local ones. The ones Uncle Nate would say look like catfood.

And then made s'mores around a campfire!

And how could I forget- Domino's Pizza while we stayed in Hinsdale!

And Micky Mouse pancakes at Grant Square restaurant!

BTW: This is the 800th post for this blog. Remember this? Or this?

Nuthin' But D

2011-08-22T19:41:00.000Z

Chicago Air & Water Show

2011-08-20T21:44:00.001Z

While I'm stuck here in rainy, cold London, Bella and the kids are still in Chicago. In the warm and sunny weather.

Today, they went into Chicago for the Air & Water Show- a fantastic event along the lakefront where all kinds of jets fly past. Here's a great taste.

They apparently had a exciting time- C loved the jets and fire boats. D found it a bit noisy, but still enjoyed the planes flying right overhead.

Here's a link to video of the US Army parachutists that landed on the beach nearby.

A secondary highlight was a stop at McDonalds on the way home.

Updated: Here's a picture from Navy Pier where they watched the jets fly over.

Our Michigan Trip- The Video

2011-08-19T22:34:00.002Z

D's Ivy Crown

2011-08-17T01:46:00.000Z

Grand-Dad made Dorothy a leafy crown today with ivy from the flower beds.

Here she is reciting Caesars' Gallic Wars. "Gallia est omnis divisa in partes tres..."

Waterfall Glen and bugs

2011-08-17T01:44:00.000Z

We journeyed a few miles south of Hinsdale this afternoon to Waterfall Glen. It's a really good forest preserve, but today it was swarmed with mosquitoes. There's a small waterfall which the kids are standing at the top of- video to follow.

I fly back tomorrow, so I'm getting some quality time in with the lovely kids.

D in America- A Collection

2011-08-16T19:08:00.000Z

A letter back to the UK

2011-08-16T18:44:00.000Z

C- On our Paseo Monday Evening

2011-08-16T18:43:00.000Z

The USA Trip Experience List; Part 1

2011-08-16T18:37:00.000Z

In no particular order-

Catching frogs and crayfish and seeing a bald eagle at Lake Beaufort.
Learning to go over their heads in the various lakes.
Finding bear poo in the woods.
Picking up American vocabulary like "ahsum" and "no duh".
Jumping off the big rock at Great Grandma's house.

Our Last Night in the UP...

2011-08-11T01:31:00.001Z

...was spent eating pizza at the famous Congress Restaurant and reading.

Across the street from the pizza joint is the statue of Old Ish the Indian which we're all in front of.

Then it was off home to the cabin for reading books on the end of the dock at sunset.

Bruce, Andi, Erik, Aleya, Ali, C, D, Bells, me, Danny

Various Waterfalls

2011-08-11T01:28:00.000Z

We toured part of the UP looking at waterfalls that my Uncle John has scouted out for years. Here we are at the Silver River Falls:

And here we are at the Quartzite Falls:

C, Uncle John, D

My Grandma = C & D's Great Grandma

2011-08-11T01:19:00.001Z

Here she is:

And at The Big Rock in the back yard. Kids in this family (going back to my Mom) have been jumping off this rock for generations.

Up to Sugarloaf Again

2011-08-11T01:16:00.000Z

Back in 2009, we journeyed to the UP and climbed up Sugarloaf Mountain- see here.

On this trip, we did it again- always a good experience. Here's a collection of the pictures.

Out at Little Presque Isle

2011-08-11T01:09:00.000Z

Little Presque Isle is a secluded beach on Lake Superior- a fantastic place. We all went out there on a sunny afternoon and the water which is usually freezing, was really warm.

About 50 yards off shore is an island we waded out to and hiked around- D on my shoulders; C bravely wading waist deep.

Here's all the kids half buried in the sand and D in the background.

A map and description.

Arrival at our UP cottage

2011-08-10T13:51:00.000Z

We got to Ishpeming in the middle of the afternoon, and then were led out to the camp/cottage/cabin where we would stay for the next 4 days by Bonnie.

All the cousins and their kids came out, along with Aunts and Uncles, for a big dinner of pasty's on the deck.

Some of the cousins played a bit of american football- here's D trying to to get in on the action.

The cottage was right on Lake Beaufort- the kids splashing right up to til the sun went down at 9:15pm!

A bit of Americana on the way to the UP

2011-08-10T13:41:00.000Z

Last Thursday, we all piled in the car and drove north from Chicago to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. As we journeyed through Wisconsin, we stopped for breakfast in Port Washington. So the kids could experience an American diner, we ate at Harrys- a place we stumbled upon. C and D had pancakes with lots of maple syrup. right at the counter.

After breakfast, we then skipped across the street to Bernies- the local butcher and picked up some provisions like Polish sausage and local beer.

D and nudikins

2011-08-03T01:50:00.000Z

There is a word that has developed around our house- nudikins. Which means nude, no clothes, usually coupled with running around, yelling the fact that you have no clothes on.

D refused to put her swim suit back on after a late evening dip (attempted bath); hence the pictures of her toasting marshmallows in the buff.

C's Exploits

2011-08-03T01:45:00.000Z

In Michigan, we stayed right on the beach. Just down the steps from the house. So we spent lots of time there- early swims in the morning, chunks of the day, and then bonfires at night. C really tanned and his hair got blonde.

He learned how to dive through waves, swim under water, and had a riot with this green float. Video to follow at some point.

The Ryans in Michigan

2011-08-03T01:38:00.000Z

While at the family reunion, we traveled a mile down the beach to see an old high school friend Michelle Ryan and her family. They now live in LA, but come back to their cottage every summer. It happened, like with Greg and Mark on Friday, that our global paths crossed at the right time.

L to R: Max, Russ, Sophie, Ronan, Me, C, Bella, D, Michelle, Lily

The Park Family Reunion

2011-08-03T01:31:00.000Z

On Saturday morning, we all hopped in the car and drove around the bottom of Lake Michigan to Lakeside, Michigan. Friends of my parents have a cottage there, and we gathered my Dad's two-of-three brothers, plus spouses and cousins, for a family reunion.

L to R: Pat Keegan, Joel Park, Uncle Nate with C, John Park, Dad with D, Me, Greg Park.

I'll post more on some of the other adventures we got up to over the next few days.

The Godparents Party

2011-07-30T11:35:00.000Z

Friday afternoon, after a absolutely horrendous nights (lack of) sleep*, we had C's Godparent Ubu and D's Godparent Mark over. History here of Ubu and Mark.

*At 2 in morning, a storm blew through- the kids woke up from the jetlag and proceeded to run around the house telling us how they wanted to go back to England. Nobody slept from then on.