London. . . Ah. . .London

On our way back to our India home, we took complete advantage of the need to change flights.  For example - from Bangalore, there is no direct flight to Chicago.  A plane change is needed.  This trip home we changed in London and decided to stay a week before reaching Bangalore.

It truly was a GLORIOUS trip.  The hubby was not able to make it, he had work commitments.  So while we missed him terribly - we went off to discover this grand city.  Our friend, Miss Di, came to join us from the States.  Miss Di is not only a great friend - she is also Olivia's physical therapist back in the States.  We go a long way! 

We were complete tourist!  Olivia - aka Lover of History - was in her element.  There is so much history here that she was like a kid in a candy store!

Let me say - Miss Di and I 'buddied' up with one kid a day.  Olivia, naturally, hung out with Miss Di and Paz always gravited to me.   
Enjoy the pictures!

Ok - so Paz and the bar tender in the lounge got a little chummy.
It was a virgin drink!!!

The Queen and I had a play date!

Waiting for the changing of the guard.

The girls and their beloved Miss Di

Quite possibly the cutest picture!

Cat nap on the way to Harry Potter

This was MY favorite spot in London!

Hanging out in the crypt!

Hanging out in the crypt!

Hanging out in the crypt!

Selfie in the crypt

Etchings

St Martin in the Field Church - there is a cafe in the crypt.  We are walking on DEAD PEOPLE!!!

St Martin in the Fields

Trafalgar Square

See Paz? 

My little monkey!

Entrance to the Royal Academy of Arts

Royal Academy of Arts

Royal Academy of Arts

Suppose to be a pic of Miss Di - but between the flowers and stripes - it is just too much!

BAM!

BAM II

BAM III

Random break

Random man! 

Love her smile.  She loves this hot chocolate!

These kids put so much milage with their little legs - when we got home  - they crashed!

These kids put so much milage with their little legs - when we got home  - they crashed!

At the Tower of London

Olivia thought of Mr. Chowning - her 4th grade teacher in the States

Olivia thought of Mr. Chowning - her 4th grade teacher in the States

Break Time!

Olivia was so happy here.  Give the girl History and she is in heaven!

Tower Bridge

Tower of London - where the Crown Jewels are kept.

At the train station where that we frequently took. 

On our way to our India home!

My Summer back in the States

I was very fortunate to be able to head back to the States when the girls got out of school.  We quite literally left the same day.  Kids made it home from school half day and off to rest for our 11pm departure for our 2 am flight.  (Details are a bit cloudy now)  

We spent a very quick month with my mom - who I believe has OCD.  So you can imagine the chaos of my family - 2 messy girls and my 'organized' self - to her 'over clean' everything self.  We were a happy coupledom for a month!  (I LOVE YOU MOM!!!)  It really was good just to have lazy days with her and I am sure she was happy on the days we were away from the house.  :)

I was able to see most of the neighbors.  We spent time with the Nelson's.  How I have missed them so much.  I missed the bon fires at night.  The kids getting together.  Vacations.  Talking about everything with them.  

We were there to cheer Bruce during his Triathlon!!!

We were also able to see the Armstrong's.  This is the family that I car pooled with before I came to India.  Well in my short months that I have been in India.  The eldest Armstrong is taller than me and the the second eldest is .25 inches away.  REALLY?!?!?  They are a fun family and my kids love to spend time with their kids.  The Armstrong hubby makes the best drinks so you can understand why this is a 'hot' spot for me to visit.  Must keep nice with the neighbors!

I hope this young lady realizes how much my young ladies look up to her!  Love you M!

Need I say more?

Lastly and certainly not least are the Winchip family.  Many know that Mr. Winchip and I like to throw on the tool belt and fix things.  (Let me be honest - it is more like him fixing and me just providing moral support)  So this short stay did not disappoint.  We fixed a fence, a closet (sorry Winchip's had to throw that one in), a door, a gutter and I am sure I am missing some other things.  It was nice to get the DIY in.  In India - I find it hard to put the DIY hat on.  I don't have all my 'stuff' with me to do it and I am not entirely sure where to go to get supplies.  

Little Winchip sweeping my drive way

The walk to the pool!

There were others we spent time with.  Allen's, Fritts's, Miss Di, Miss Gayle, Dara, Anderson's and my girl's friends . . . .and my Small Group!!!  Oh. . small group!  It was so great to see all of you in ONE place!  How I miss your fellowship and LAUGHING with you all.  Laughter is a great gift!

(I did miss hanging with J - my thrifting buddy.  NEXT TIME!!!)

Besides filling up my social calendar - I was able to spend time with a pretty influencial lady in my life. . . .my mom.  She is the lady that really counts!  :)  

She is the best!  She hasn't changed much.  She is still her busy self - tending to her garden and yard, cleaning her house. . . .and now - having to put up with me and my brood!  Truth.  She wouldn't have it any other way.  She loves to cook for people - that is her way of showing she cares.  I never had a chance in my youth to be skinny. I mean, when ones mom cooks to say 'I LOVE YOU' - How can I NOT eat?!?!?  So I blame my mom. . . . .:)
I am very luck to have a happy mom.  I notice that some people when they get older - get meaner.  Not my mom.  She is still nice.  She has never been as outgoing as me (I get that from my dad) but she has always been kind.  Kindness just ROCKS!!!  
Can't say enough about Madre.  I hope I can have her energy as I 'mature'.  :)
So blessed to have her!

Paz's Early Years Fun Splash

*late post*

This past week the school has a 'Fun Splash'.  It was an opportunity for the little ones to show off their swimming skills to their parents.  

As all things in India. . .the timing of things need to be considered. So my day was ENTIRELY dedicated to this.  That is ok. . .I am after all a stay at home mom. . . .I am suppose to do this. . Right?  I think I am also suppose to drink wine. . . .oh wait. . . .I do.  My day started off getting the girls onto the school bus, rush home and shower and go in to work with the hubby.  Is it sad that the security at hubby's work doesn't even question who I am anymore - I've been there that many times.  I drop hubby off and head -so very early to the 'fun spash'.  I had to go with hubby because if I waited for Murali (AKA Driver) to come get me after dropping off the hubby. . I would have been late.  So I leave prepared and bring a book, snack and drink while I wait.  It is a good thing that the school is prepared for parents like me.  They have a parents waiting room.  Off I went to prop my feet up and lie on the couch.  

When the time came. . .I headed to the pool and Paz was waiting for me. 

My little fish waits

My children have always been water babies.  The fact that swim is part of the curriculum is a plus.  At this age, they want to have the kids get confident and comfortable in the water.  The reality is that Indians, in general, are drowning in large numbers in the local rivers and lakes.  The Government sees that this is a problem and are 'requiring' that swim be taught at an early age.  Lets face it - we all know not every school has the facility and funds to do this.  

I digress, So these little kids were showing off for their parents.  Paz has always been a fab swimmer and she showed it.  She was part of the small groups of kids that can actually swim the entire length and keep going.  Enjoy the pics. . 

She finished and sat for a second and did a couple of more laps.

More and more laps