The Illmans: April 2012

Sunday, April 22

Last week of Easter Break

Monday - I went into town to get the tire (tyre) fixed on the trailer and hopefully get my kickstand fixed - but that didn't happen. The tire did, so that's more important. Also got to go to RC to play piano for a few hours, which was nice but also frustrating to realize how much 'dusting off' these old pieces of mine need that I used to be able to play with no problem at all. Maybe one day I'll have a piano and have time to practice on a regular basis! I also cycled down to Scotsdale's Garden Center for more pots for the plants. That night David went out with a friend while his family was OOT.

Tuesday - went to Zoology Museum with a classmate from school and his family - Australians. Hardly anyone was there since it was during the week and all state schools have gone back already.

Kids and I to Adventurers/Sainsbury's that evening. I bought too many groceries to bring home, especially with two kids. Very top-heavy bike, but Schaeffer liked riding on the back and did well with it. I had to have Adelaide get out and walk over the bridge that goes over the RR b/c there was no way I could cycle over it, and I would have exhausted myself trying to push everything/everyone over the hill. Ah, live and learn - next time I'll go to the store by myself or do an order.

Wednesday - Into town with kids; Schaeffer fell asleep. Angeline over that night for spaghetti dinner; then I took her out that evening for drinks and dessert/pudding.

Thursday - Parkside pool with South African friend and her kids, another classmate of Adelaide's. Good swimming from both of mine; big improvement! David had Life in the Round that night.

Friday - To Scotsdales with another classmate and her mom. Nice to get a lift, with 3 bags of soil to be brought home! Baked that afternoon for David to take bars with him to the Youth get-together that he was speaking at that evening, on apologetics. He had to figure out the bus to get out there; it was where I go for Bible study on Thursdays.

Saturday - Wimpole with American friends from church. We joined zipcar on Friday so we could take a car today, since there's not a bus or train near Wimpole. Zipcar was really easy to use, so that was nice. Not as easy as a car outside your door, but they make it easy to make reservations, get into the car, fill up with gas, directions, etc.

Petting the huge "Shire" horses there..

The farm...

Petting "Charlie" the pony

Pigs!

Poor pig doesn't know what's coming!

Feeding the pigs...

Riding the mini tractors

Playground

On the old tractor

The Hall. The last owner was the daughter of Rudyard Kipling.

Adelaide petting "Ginger" the cat while the lady spins wool to knit into hats.

Adelaide and I went to piano/viola concert that evening at the Round Church performed by one of the apprentices (Pui) and his girlfriend raising funds for her medical missions trip to Uganda. Really nice concert, and just the right amount of time for a little girl. It hailed (big!) just as we were loading up to leave!

Sunday, 22nd - Church in the morning. Church at night, David preached. He walked, I rode with the kids (and made it up Castle Hill! No flat tire this week!). Very rainy - more hail! Very surprised that I even heard thunder, which I believe is the first time since being here.

It's fun to think about all the international friendships we have here. Just this week, I've gotten together with Australian, South African and English friends from school. Another school mom from The Netherlands stopped by for sunflower seedings on Thursday. I was emailing our neighbors from Iceland about coming over. I wrote our next door Persian neighbor a thank you note for the Easter chocolates she gave us. We went to the concert by our Hong Kong apprentice and girlfriend, and there saw another apprentice from Norway/Japan. I stopped to chat with our neighbor from India/US. It's nice to feel closer to the heartbeat of the world and a reminder that the world is a big place with many different types of people in it!

Sunday, April 15

Stay-cation

April 9-13 was a week off of work for David and the apprentices. With him gone the week before in Wales, we just decided to stay here and rest a little, as well as get together with friends and take a day trip or two.

Monday (Apr. 9) was a rainy day, so perfect for staying home. Got a little weeding done (our garden is so small it only takes about 30 minutes to spruce it up a bit!) before the rains came. We were going to go to a Welly Wanging tournament at a pub in Barton, but we didn't end up going because we'd have been cycling miles in the rain. BTW, welly wanging is a competition to see who can throw a welly (rain boot) the farthest.

Tuesday we caught the bus out to our South African friends' home in a nearby village and had a great time with them all day - the kids played really well together, and we enjoyed the time talking and grilling out (having a BBQ). When we were walking home from the bus-stop, it started hailing on us!

On Wednesday (Apr. 11) we decided to go to Anglesey Abbey. Addie and I went four summers ago and had a great time, but that was in July. It was still very nice this time, just to be out in a pretty place with lots of open space for the kids to run around and explore, dig with sticks, etc.

Addie enjoyed running up and down this hill (while Schaeffer napped in the buggy).

David and kids enjoying the hyacinths in the Formal Garden.

Chasing partridges...

The kids running by the lake (before Addie just about fell in and covered her bottom with mud!)

Adelaide learning how to use the pullies in the old Mill.

Schaeffer running the grain cleaner sifter thing.

The same door,

four years later.

Adelaide and Schaeffer in the little forest...

Adelaide in the same forest 4 years ago...

On Thursday we went over to our American friend's house, on the north side of town. So this time I made it up Castle Hill - small victory! Had a little time at the park before the rain came; then to their house for a play and packed lunch. That evening, David and I went to dinner at the Carter's house. David's gotten to know Andrew because Andrew is a pastor in a nearby village and has given some of the lectures at the Round Church to the interns. We took the train down to Royston and then Andrew picked us up and drove us to their home, up on a hill/plateau with a really nice view. We had a great time visiting with them and getting to know them better; a very like-minded couple with regards to theology, family, life, culture, etc.

Friday (Apr. 13) morning we had a school mate over, as well as her Mommy. It's really nice to chat with people and pick up new tips or things going on in Cambridge. I got to go to the store myself that afternoon - the trailer is very convenient for grocery store trips! That evening, Angeline and Jon came over for pizza and a movie, and Jon stayed with the kids while David and I went to another Carter's for dinner! This couple we know from Adelaide's school; I've gotten to know the mom pretty well and really enjoy her, so this was a great opportunity to get to know them better, especially her husband. Very intellectually stimulating dinner conversation!

Jon ended up staying over Friday night so we made a big breakfast with egg burritos. The Gobbitts came over 1-6ish. He is a pastor at a local church and David's really hit it off with him. We went over to their house for Sunday lunch back in December, so it was good to get the families together again. We went to the Gardens and then back here for a pasta bake dinner I had made that morning. Soon after they left, the Carters (Thursday night friends) called and asked if they could swing by. Their 4 and our 2 kids had a great time playing together while we caught up.

Sunday, Apr. 15 was church in the morning, and then that afternoon our church was hosting a tea (dinner) at 4:30 for a group of Spring Breakers from Tacoma, Washington. I made some food for that, and loaded the kids up in the trailer. David went earlier to walk. This time I couldn't make it up Castle Hill - and come to find out, a wheel on the trailer was completely flat! Thankfully David was just a little ways away and came to help us get to church. Afterwards, we all walked back into town; the kids and I were going to catch a bus, but Sunday evenings they are few and far between. Rather than wait 20 minutes for the next one, we called a taxi which I really didn't want to do ($) but the kids LOVED!

Our Lupin and Sunflower seedlings coming up - exciting to watch new growth! Our little garden will not be able to contain all of these! I think I have about 40 sunflower seedlings coming up!!!!

Sunday, April 8

Holy Week

Adelaide has had three weeks off of school - Easter Break - between 2nd and 3rd term. It's been nice - a little more time to sleep in, stay in pajamas, days out or with friends, etc. Here's week 1:

Palm Sunday - I missed Trinity Church today; really this whole week. I missed the music really. I missed my piano, an easy way for me to express myself, especially through hymns during this Holy Week. I compensated by listening to the Messiah all week. I dressed the kids up Southern Style (smocked dress, big bow; shortalls - we DID wear shoes however) for the church service and smiled to myself. After church, the kids and I went to the grocery store in town and then to the Market, which was fun with them. Schaeffer picked out some olives (the guy asked me if I was from Canada! pretty much couldn't be more opposite of the truth!), Addie picked out some bread, and both had ice cream cones which were big treats. I managed to get Schaeffer down for a nap and make mac n cheese for them (from scratch, as there are no handy Kraft boxes around here; this one turned out better than my first try a few months ago) before gobbling it down and racing off to church. We usually don't go to night church because it's too far to walk with the kids, and the buses don't run frequently Sunday night, and it's just a tricky time with dinner and bedtime. But since David's OOT and I can get there by bike now, we went for it. I couldn't make it up Castle Hill, and was a tad late getting into the service after locking up everything, helmets off, snaps off and on, etc. But glad we went for it. Very thankful for a doctrinally-sound church where we don't have to question what's been said or go home and de-brief. And very thankful for Addie's school. Having such a good church and school is a huge blessing and not something that most cities in England have. Afterwards, had to hurry home as it was getting dark and I didn't have lights (I think I accidently left them on my bike the first day I bought them, and they were snatched!). I'm much more confident on the main roads and intersections now, and am thankful for getting around easier and faster - although my muscles are having to catch up!

Monday (Apr. 2) morning was more spring cleaning. Then at noon, we had some relatives of a neighbor back home in Montgomery stop by. They're visiting Cambridge University, looking into a program here, so stopped by for a chat and a cup of tea before walking into town. Then the kids and I cycled down to Scotsdale's Garden Center after naps. It's a good distance, especially with two kids, ESPECIALLY with a big bag of soil to haul home as well. Whew! But this is all for my little lupin and sunflower seeds, as well as a free strawberry plant. I'm not at all a green thumb in the garden, but with such a little garden that needs a little more color, it's not as intimidating to me as a big yard. So here goes...

Tuesday to Thursday, Adelaide went to a Holiday Club (like VBS) at a local church. Five other classmates of hers went as well. She had a great time - she said yesterday it was one of the highlights of her Easter Break. So we had that every morning. I was thankful for being able to walk somewhere, after biking Sunday and Monday. While she was there: Tuesday morning Schaeffer and I came home to do some gardening. Wednesday we went to the playground (but too cold and rainy) and shops with a good friend. Thursday we went to the BeeHive (shopping area) and Tesco (grocery store). Tuesday afternoon, Elaine Cooper came over for a cup of tea and a chat which was very nice and encouraging. Wednesday afternoon on the way home from Holiday Club we came across this "Bubble walk on Water" which Adelaide really wanted to try, and surprisingly enough to me didn't get scared but really enjoyed it!

After naps, we went over to the Cubitts and ended up joining them for dinner. The kids LOVE going over there and playing with their girls and jumping on their trampoline, and I enjoy visiting very much with Estelle and Rob. Thursday night we went to the BBQ at Christ's Church to wrap up the Holiday Club.

Chaos and cold but nice to see what she's been doing all week. Schaeffer's been singing the theme song for weeks later! David got back in town and met us there - we were all very happy to see Daddy! He had a great time at the conference, although he'd never been so cold in his life.

Friday morning, Good Friday, we went to the morning service at our church. Jon came home with us for some minestrone soup; and surprisingly my kids LOVED the soup! Always nice to have a winner. I did some errands by myself that afternoon, which I must say was quite nice after being a single parent for 6 days. I looked at five stores this week for a 3x3 frame to put the little lamb picture I cross-stitched for the kids for Easter; and at last found at John Lewis (nice dept. store). Ah, love John Lewis, just not the prices. But they will have just about whatever is it you're looking for! Got new lights for my bike. The Sainsbury's in town didn't have leg of lamb, so I had to go to the Sainsbury's out at Coldham's Lane on Saturday for it, since it's 1/2 price. I've never cooked leg of lamb before, so a little nervous, esp. since we're having company over for Easter Lunch as well, and we don't normally have company over for Sunday lunch (read below). I'm also doing a new recipe with carrots and parsnips, as well as a new recipe for cheesecake. On Saturday, David took the kids to the Gardens while I rode out to Sainsbury's, with the trailer. Adelaide got to pet a duckling and she was SO excited and has been a duck ever since. That afternoon, we made little lamb cupcakes!

Sunday, Easter Sunday - leg of lamb in the oven just before church, planning to jump on my bike and race into town, but ALAS I can't manage in the dress I'm wearing! If I walk, I'll be late which I hate to be late to church, esp. Easter Sunday, and hate not to be there for D with the kids. So, just bit the bullet and called a taxi, and thankfully made it perfectly in time. Pui and Natasha (girlfriend) and Jan joined us for lunch, which was an hour late getting on to the table (we need to talk to this slow cook of ours!). Thankfully, the lamb and everything else turned out and we had a very nice visit with everyone. Jan stayed most of the afternoon before heading to the evening service which was nice to visit with him one-on-one. Usually Sunday lunch is so tricky we don't have anyone over - kids are hungry and tired right after church. But it worked, so that's good to know that maybe at this stage in life it's manageable, at least more than it was a year or two ago.