Adelaide's Party

The interns came to help us take everything to the center, and get set up.

And other friends helped up set up and decorate (and take these pictures!)

Decorating their party bags...

"Flower, Flower, Butterfly" (a.k.a. Duck Duck Goose)

Making flower fingerprint bookmarks

Simon Says...

and "Keep up the Balloon"

The ones finished colored their flower pack.

Another round of Simon Says while Moms set up for snacks.

Someone couldn't wait any longer!

Then the cake and ice cream!

Pinata -

Pin the Petal on the Flower...

We finished up with making some flower bead bracelets while the parents trickled in.

Silly glasses!

December

Thursday, Dec. 1 - Schaeffer and I walked out to the BeeHive. Before that, though, we went by a seller's house to look at a bike that I had seen on Gumtree, but the frame was too small for me. Will have to keep looking! Then to Hobby Craft (for crafts for Adelaide's party next weekend), Home Store (spice rack to create more room in the ever-growing-smaller cupboards), and Tesco. I booked it home in a record 33 minutes! Thankfully Schaeffer was able to finish his nap in bed.

We put most of the decorations on our tree that evening. We also got another Tesco order - I've been trying to order enough by December 6th so I get a 20 pound voucher. I made a Strawberry cake as a practice round for Adelaide's birthday party.

Friday, Dec. 2 - We went into town - looked around at the Market (and found an old stool and basket for bread!), went to Boots (like CVS) for medicine for all of us sick-o's, the bookstore, office store, and of course Sainsbury's. That evening we had a family over from church; they have 2 daughters, so the kids ate and watched a movie while we adults had our dinner and dessert.

Saturday, Dec. 3 - David had Saturday School of Theology; I took kids to Adelaide's sports clinic from 9-10. Then home. We all tried to nap that afternoon - I was trying so hard not to get the cold like everyone else, but am officially down with it now. I did muster enough energy to take Adelaide to the Fitzwilliam Museum to see the Vermeer exhibit before it leaves. Jon (intern) came over to watch football with David later that night. I went to bed!

Sunday, Dec. 4 - Another day to sleep in and try to get over this cold. It is fierce! We put the rest of the ornaments on the tree.

Monday, Dec. 5 - Cold today! I had a little more energy today - post office, store for broccoli, wrapped presents before Adelaide got home. She must have asked me 7 times if she could open them! "Just one!" We worked on some of the crafts for her birthday party.

We went to a dinner for Christian Heritage staff, volunteers and Board Members that evening. I was very excited to have a night out! Afterwards, we went out with the interns.

Tuesday, Dec. 6 - We just stayed home, as Schaeffer was too clingy and whiney to let me get ready so we could go to playgroup. His asthma has started to flair up, and he's still congested with this cold. It was good to just be at home and not go anywhere.

Wednesday, Dec. 7 - Didn't go anywhere again, except to take Adelaide riding on her bike with her new helmet. Worked on Adelaide's birthday party plans and crafts. Thursday, Dec. 8 - Thankfully Schaeffer woke us up at 8 am! We had to scramble but David and Adelaide were out the door at 8:30 - whew! By 10 am, Schaeffer and I headed into town - American store to see if they have Goldfish for Adelaide's party, Boots (like CVS), the Market - and ran into Mary Lown (husband Martin is Administrator/Director of CH)! She asked if we had time for a cup of coffee; we had a great time visiting over our lattes at Marks and Spencer's cafe. Then on to Waterstone's (book), Sainsbury's, and Schaeffer fell asleep there and through our trip to the library to return books. THANKFULLY he went back down even after waking up and having a mince pie that I had bought at the market. That afternoon, Estelle Cubitt had a Christmas tea for the girls in LP and UP, which was very nice. Schaeffer and I went along to help out.

David met us there, and we all left at 5:45 in the drizzle to go to Newtown's (our neighborhood) Christmas Celebration, complete with the ex-mayor lighting the tree, carols and mulled wine (squash for the kids - a drink), and a visit from Father Christmas. Schaeffer's eyes were huge! Afterwards we visited with a few people, including a girl from Syria who adored Schaeffer and wanted to get a picture with the kids!

Friday, December 9 - Went out to Beehive by 10 or so - Hobby Craft and then Homebase (found a lamp for our bedroom, 1/2 off!). To bus stop by 12:40, close but thinking if I could catch it in 5-10 minutes, plus 15 minute ride, then I'd be at school to pick up Adelaide close after 1. By 12:55, no bus still - so called school to say I'd be late and decided to just run back. Somehow Schaeffer fell asleep through it all?

Afternoon spent getting food ready for party, and managed to read a chapter with Adelaide during Schaeffer's nap (in the hallway in the buggy - 2 hrs total!).

It's cold now - I'm hoping 2 more months of this and then it will lessen - and have more sun light during the day.

Angeline came home with David for dinner - pizza and Shepherd's Pie. Cake decorating into late night, but happy with how it turned out - and with my new icing syringe.

November

Here's a few updates and pictures to go with on family life here for us in Cambridge during the month of November. 

This park is called Parker's Piece (which Schaeffer announces every time we pass it). We walk past it or through it to go out to Burleigh Street where the Charity shops are, to go to the Grafton Centre (mall), or to go to Eden Baptist Church for Tiddlywinks Play Group on Tuesdays. The autumn leaves were very lovely - I think I caught the tail-end of it in this picture. This was November 1st - Adelaide had just gone back to school after a nice, relaxing half-term (a week off, and a day for in-service). 

Schaeffer and I building a great tower (Nov. 3)

Saturday, November 5th I helped with a surprise shower for a girl at church; that was a lot of fun, both in planning and preparations for it, but also the event itself. Lots of games involved. 

After that, I went to go check out a table that a friend told me about this past week that she had seen for sale. Actually, one of her friends was selling it. It looked solid and rustic, and the measurements were just what we were looking for! Both sides are extendable to seat 8-10. Our friends (with a big car/van) helped David collect it on Monday, November 7 - so this is our first dinner on our new table! Now I need to find chairs (the nice embroidered ones are on loan to us right now).

Tuesday, November 8th - walking into town (or playgroup, can't remember). He did NOT want me to get his picture taken - I felt like the papparatzi!

Wednesday, November 16 - cheap child labor helping to wash the potatoes for the stew. Adelaide peeled the carrots (and cut herself - how bad do I feel!)

Thursday, November 17 - the library in City Centre. Of course he's a magnet to this train!

Thursday afternoon I had a friend over for some tea (and scones with clotted cream! A treat!) and to give me advice on how to condition the wood on our new table. 

Friday afternoon we had a classmate of Adelaide's over to play in the afternoon, as well as her mum and little brother. That was really nice to get to know them better!

 Saturday, November 19 - playing at Lammas Land with some friends from church. 

Tuesday, November 22 - Schaeffer and I went on the weekly Nature Walk with Adelaide's class, Lower Prep. We walked in the meadows looking for birds and their nests. This was the first time we were able to go, and we were all very excited - a friend the week before gave us a back carrier from her friend at church! This was much easier to carry Schaeffer than push him in a push chair - and my hands were able to help hold little hands. Adelaide was really excited we could go, and Schaeffer loved his ride!

Thursday, November 24 - Thanksgiving dinner! Adelaide was sick with a fever the entire day, so she and Schaeffer watched movies while I made dinner. David was able to make it home for a few hours before he gave a talk about Thanksgiving at Downing College. 

Saturday, November 26 - I took off while everyone was napping and walked out to the Bee Hive to do some shopping/looking around. They just opened up Hobby Craft, a big store with stuff true to it's name. Then to Home Store to return a pillow (cushion) and for a better baking tray, etc. Then out to Tesco to take my dry cleaning (as the one in town is way too expensive!) and do a little shop for tonight. I took the bus back to make it home by 3 (and thankfully it all worked out!) because David had to be at a training deal for the equivalent of "Spiritual Emphasis Week" in February. 

Later that night, we had an Iron Bowl party with 7 layer dip, artichoke dip, veggies, pecan pie, pumpkin pound cake, etc. We had 4 friends over and enjoyed it until the connection went out during the 3rd quarter - the guys caught the highlights, at this point at 1 am. 

Sunday, November 27 - a day at home due to tired, sick family members. We did manage to get some gardening done - thankful for the gloves I bought for Adelaide and I the day before. Adelaide was, however, up for letting me get her "Mary" costume arranged! I promise, she won't wear pjs underneath for the program!

 Monday, November 28 - My friend Jacky offered to take Schaeffer and I out to Burwash Manor Farms!!! So exciting for us to be in a car, get to use the carseat I bought for him (60 pounds off!), get to explore more of Cambridge and spend the day with a nice friend (and her cutie little girl). The farm has pigs, rabbits, an old tractor (picture below), playground, and then little shops and a tea room. Very nice! They had a Christmas shop, and I found a little hedgehog ornament to remind us of our 2 month long fiasco with the hedgehog stuck down the drain!

 Over here it's very common to order your groceries and they deliver them! Very convenient, except somehow I always seem to mess up something on my order! This time, it was the GIGANTIC bag of sugar that I purchased! 5 kg - that's about 10 pounds. I don't even have room for it in my cupboards!

Later on Monday afternoon, Schaeffer and I took the bus out to Scottsdale Garden Centre to find a Christmas tree. David and Adelaide were not feeling up for getting out in the dark (at 4 pm) and cold. The tree was delivered on Wednesday, November 30 - even with colds (and this round seems to never end!) we were able to manage to get it into the new tree stand I bought, and get the new lights on (that I found for 1/2 price, plus 10% off of that!). 

 Wednesday, Nov. 30 - Schaeffer and I had gone into town, as we do on most days. I knew that the state school teachers were going on strike because of a reduction in their pensions, but didn't anticipate a huge protest parade! It was so long, complete with police escorts!