The Chemist

Germs have been flying around the Ludwig house over the past couple of weeks and today we've had to make our first trip to the chemist (the pharmacy).  Hoping to finally clear up some coughs & colds, incredibly chapped lips and an ear infection...

Laundry in the UK

I'm learning to do some things differently since we arrived - and one of those things in LAUNDRY.  Now, I am grateful to have both a washing machine and a tumble dryer (not necessarily the norm around here) in our home.  However, these babies are (like many things here) pretty small and water "efficiency" means that it takes a long time to do a load. (See the timer on the photo?  Yep, that's 1:29 to wash one small load.)  As you can see, especially with all of the linens from our shipment arriving, we've got quite a build-up...

It has arrived!

Today our sea shipment arrived!  We are so excited to have our things from home!  Away with the rental furniture and in with our cozy couch, favorite mugs and tons of toys!

Pancake Day

Apparently, today was Pancake Day.  Now, back in the States, I've heard it called Fat Tuesday, and even have heard Shrove Tuesday... but I have never heard the day before Lent begins called "Pancake Day."  (It has something to do with eating all of the ingredients you are supposed to give up for Lent.  See wikipedia.)

Anyway, that's what they call it here and, fortunately, I happened to have some pancake mix on hand.  (By the way, we're not talking about Saturday morning flapjacks...  Pancakes here are more like crepes.)  So, we had pancakes for dessert tonight, with a little Nutella.  Good thing, too, because I think I'm going to give up chocolate for Lent...

P.S.  They actually sell two kinds of Bisquick here.  They have this and they have one for "American-style pancakes."  I bought this one by mistake when we first arrived, but it's a good thing I had it on hand for Pancake Day! ;)

Mid-Term Break

We are just coming to the end of our first "mid-term break" and are back to school tomorrow!  The last week off wasn't quite what we expected... The first night Ryan came down with a fever, then spent the next several days laying on the couch.  However, we did manage to squeeze in one outing to London at the end of the week where the kids and I explored a bit - and even found "Yogland"! 

Although we had originally hoped to make more of our week off, I think it was what we needed.  Just some rest and relaxation...

Our little sickie

Exploring Princess Diana Memorial Playground

"Yogland"

Happy Valentine's Day!

Daddy/Daughter Date

Today, John is taking Lanie into London to see the premiere of the new Barbie movie (and meet Barbie herself)!  She was so excited to go on a date with Daddy!

Heading off!

Last night, Lane wrote her "to do list" for this morning.

Our New Addition...

So, we were hoping to look for a piano for the house so the kids could continue their lessons.  We weren't going to get something until after our furniture arrived and we had "settled" a bit more, but I saw an ad in the newspaper (while looking for more wardrobes & dressers!) for this piano... and we bought it yesterday.  It was an amazing deal for a beautiful piece of furniture.  It's dated between 1905-1910 and looks gorgeous.  Now, we just hope it sounds as good when we get it tuned... 

A Good Week...

Both kids' had great weeks at school where they were recognized for their efforts!

In the weekly middle school assemblies, one student from each class is recognized for excellent work in a particular academic area.  Lanie was chosen in Mrs. Mayor's class for learning cursive ("connective lettering").  She got to have her picture up for the week in the middle school lobby area. 

Each day, someone in Ryan's class gets to bring home a stuffed animal for doing well that day.  Ryan got to bring Bruce home last night and was so proud!  Ryan got Bruce because Mrs. Warman felt he had done "beautiful connective writing" that day.

And now, we get to take a mid-term break.  The kids have next week off school.  Not exactly sure what we'll be doing this week... all depends on the weather!  (More snow in the forecast for tonight!)
 

"The News"

Here is a taste of the local news in Maidenhead...  I just find the headline so funny...

Snow!

Yesterday we had snow here in Holyport!  The kids LOVED it!  We thought we might only get a tiny bit, but there was a blanket of white... plenty to build a snowman (or, as Ryan preferred, a snow fort).  Ryan spent most of Sunday outside.  He did not even notice his freezing fingers!  Needless to say, we had several rounds of hot cocoa and this was another point for England in the kids' books!

The view from our window on Saturday night. It was an oddly bright night.

What we woke up to on Sunday morning.

We played in the snow before we even went to church.  Lanie built a snow-reindeer-man (?).

Ryan perfected the rolling up a snowball technique while building his fort.

Cookie Delivery

It's hard to believe that we've been here for a month already, and we've been meaning to walk the street and introduce ourselves for awhile.  So, this afternoon, we baked cookies and made the rounds.  We live on a quiet street, but we greeted by warm and welcoming neighbors.