The Olympics

This weekend, our family had the incredible privilege of going to the London 2012 Summer Olympic games!  When we moved here, we had the opportunity to buy tickets from the U.S. ticket website.  At the time, we chose tickets for beach volleyball (because we thought it would be fun to see a favorite So Cal beach sport in the middle of the city) and basketball - but we didn't know which teams we would get to see.  So, we were pleasantly surprised to find that we would get to see Team USA in men's basketball! 

Now, our Olympic journey got off to a rough start.  Last Monday, I went into London with the kids to pick up our tickets at Will Call.  Our plan was to pick up the tickets (which I thought would take an hour or so) and then head over to the aquarium.  What I did not expect was to wait in line for SIX HOURS to pick up our tickets!  Good thing I had packed lots of snacks for the aquarium!  But I digress...

This past weekend was fantastic!  The venue for beach volleyball was exciting and well-organized (even the food was delicious)!  The weather on Saturday was beautiful so it was fun to sit in the seats and watch the teams play in the sun!  It was rainy and wet on Sunday, but at least we were headed to an indoor sport!  It was fantastic to go to the Olympic Park for basketball and see many of the venues for the various sports.  Travel to and from the games went very smoothly and the kids did really well over two long days!  Here are some pictures from our Olympic adventure!

 

Day 1 - Horse Guards Parade

Beach Volleyball

Team GB

Day 2 - Go Team USA!

Heading into London on the Train

Ryan & Wenlock, the Olympic mascot

The Olympic Park

Waiting to get into the Basketball Arena

Go Kobe!

Summer is here!

In the last week, it has FINALLY felt like summer here in England!  We have taken every opportunity to soak up the sun!

Last weekend, we had my step-cousins (Stephanie & Carl Bach) and their significant others out for lunch - and we ate in the backyard!

On Sunday, we took the kids for a family day at Ascot racecourse.  It was so amazing to watch the horses run right by you - and the kids also loved the activities, rides and face painting!

On Tuesday, I took the kids to Legoland and we hit up all of the water rides!

And on Thursday, we visited Warwick Castle.

We also had some nice down time this week to hang out around the house and on the trampoline and have a couple of playdates with the Ottos, dear friends from church here.  (John and I also got to have a double date with Stuart and Louise and enjoyed a lovely dinner outside in Windsor.)

Last night, we watched the opening ceremonies of the Olympics and this morning we are off to London to see Beach Volleyball! 

Juliette, Carl, Santi, Stefanie, John and I

Off to the races!

Waiting for the horses to come down the stretch!

Face painting!

Ascot

Legoland

Trying to remove the sword from the stone...

Both kids got to try archery

Warwick Castle

First Lost Tooth!

Another highlight of our trip to Disneyland Paris which I forgot to mention... Ryan lost his first tooth!  He pulled it out himself on Monday at breakfast (ewww!) and put it under his pillow when we got home on Monday night.  He was so excited to find a gold dollar under his pillow in the morning from the tooth fairy and exclaimed, "She's American!"

Disneyland Paris

The day that the kids got out of school, we all piled directly into the car and headed to Disneyland Paris!  Truth be told, John and I weren't really looking forward to this trip, as we had heard from plenty of previous travelers that we should expect long lines, rude folks, unhelpful staff and lots of expenses.  However, we had PROMISED the kids (whom we had just bought Disneyland passports in the Fall) that we would take them there.   So, off we went.  Perhaps it was the low expectations, but we really had a great time.  Aside from the occasional whining or crying child (others' and my own), we enjoyed the fun rides (Space Mountain: Mission 2 has a corkscrew and a loop!), the fab hotel (Disneyland New York), reasonable lines and fantastic staff who spoke perfect English!  Here are a few pics from the trip...

We took the EuroTunnel to France

It is the 20th anniversary year of Disneyland Paris

The castle is amazing!

The Rockets

Ryan LOVED Autopia!

Translation - "The Country of Fairytales" (Storybook Ride)

Adding to her autograph collection

Disney Village

Our only family picture!

Last Day of School

Friday was the last day of school.  And now our summer officially begins!

Sports at St. Piran's

In British terms, St. Piran's is a very "sporty" school.  As part of the regular curriculum, Lane has P.E. once a week, "games" twice a week (this means about an hour practice for the seasonal sport) and swimming once a week.  In her year, they have "A" and "B" teams competing against other schools in afterschool matches every week or two. 

All of this has been quite a transition for us.  While there are great aspects to the athleticism and learning good sportsmanship, it can also get really competitive (for the kids AND the parents).  I have to say that I've been particularly proud of Lane.  She's learned three new sports (netball, field hockey and rounders), always has a great attitude and tries her best.

Here's a look at some of the events we've had in the last weeks of school....

- St. Piran's Triathlon.  This was an optional event a couple of weekends ago, but Lane & Ryan wanted to join in the fun!  The course was really doable for Ryan - scooter lap, bike lap and a short sprint - and was really challenging for Lane (swim, bike & run at the standard triathlon distances for her age group).
- Year 3 Swim Gala.  This is when the Year 3 clans swim in a competition against each other.
- Lower School Sports Day.  This is a sports "decathlon" that includes events like the "shotput" (throwing beanbags).  Ryan really did well at all of the throwing events and received an award for outstanding effort!
- Middle School Sports Day.  Yesterday was the Middle School Sports Day.  This is usually an all-day Saturday event, but had to be postponed and shortened due to the rainy weather.  Again, the events are along the lines of a decathlon and, again, I was so proud of Lane... most of all for her great attitude and enthusiasm!

 

Lane crossing the triathlon finish line!

Year 3 Swim Gala

Lower School Sports Day

"Shotput"

Red was the highest mark you could get!

Ryan & Cato (from Holland)

Middle School Sports Day

High Jump

Long Jump

Hurdles

Ryan's class came by to cheer on Lane!

The Trampoline

I never thought that the day would come... but I have a trampoline in my backyard. 

I have to start by saying... trampolines are pretty popular around here.  They seem to be in every garden (backyard), with or without an enclosure net!  But we did not get it because of the "peer pressure."  We got it because I have a six-year-old boy with never-ending energy.  I am truly hoping that by giving him an enclosed space to (literally) bounce of the walls, I will save my own sanity.

We bought it last week, but it has rained for days.  Today, though, the sun unexpectedly came out... and stayed out for awhile.  So we rushed home after church and assembled our trampoline.  Then we all piled in and sat on it and prayed... "Lord, lots of fun and no injuries, please!"  Then they bounced!!!