Where Has the Time Gone?

Nearly a month since our last post and we are winding down our time here in Oundle.  We have not
taken many photos of the house we have called home but will do so before we leave in four days.  In the meantime, here is one of our back "garden" that is pretty typical of our daily life - with no dryer, there are clothes on the line more often than not.  Since the East Midlands experienced an official drought this spring, we had plenty of sunshine to dry the clothes quickly.

Two highlights of the month included a Stewart Family reunion hosted by Mike's cousin Andrew and his family.  Gill prepared a fantastic lunch and then the sportier crowd gathered in the garden for American football and then rounders (British softball).  Carol's cousins Cindy and Mary arrived that same weekend and joined us for the party.  We went to Warwick Castle, Cambridge, and the beach at Norfolk to give them a bit of the UK outside London. 

Brothers 

 First Cousins

Second Cousins

Run, Andrew, Run

Cindy and Mary enjoing the game

A trip into London yesterday to the VandA Museum of Childhood was as much fun for the boys in getting there as the museum itself (maybe more).  Trains, tube, platform 9 3/4...

Jack has finished at one playgroup and came home with the crown for "Special Helper" because he earned it virtually every day he was there and they felt he should keep it.  Ian earned his 25 meter swim badges in front and back stroke and has finished his first year in school by learning to read.  Both adapted to life and routines here in the UK and some of you will notice a few English expressions have crept into their language.  That said, they are excited about returning home - as Jack has repeatedly said, "We are visiting our cousins but we don't live here."

School ends on Wednesday and that afternoon we will close the door to our cozy home here for the last time. We head to Legoland for a day (the boys have been waiting for this treat for at least two months and mention it several times a week), then camping on a farm in Normandy - check it out: http://www.unlitaupre.com/

We will finish with a day or two in Paris, return Andrew's faithful car to him and head home via London on July 15.  Mike is already planning his first project on the VT house!