Christmas Presence (T)

Only three of us this Christmas but God-willing we'll be four in the next week or so.

More Christmas photos, including Eddie touching a (real) python at the London Stock Exchange children's Christmas party and me looking surprised at Kathryn's lovely Christmas day meal.

One highlight the last week was watching Ferris Beuller one morning (a gift from Eddie); it still feels decadent to me, watching movies before lunch.

McDonalds (T)

When I have a whole day to kill, especially a weekday when on holidays, I often find myself thinking that it would all be a bit better and I a bit happier if I just went out and bought something. Normally I'm not particularly sure what I should buy, it's just a feeling, and despite the evidence of a lifetime's experience. Clearly this is the promise of materialism - when the anticapitalists march much of their angst is about materialism, rather than capitalism - the argument used to be who was best at materialism, but after seventy years the communists gave up, though clearly hung onto some of their old banners.

Although I didn't find anything I needed in the bookshop and newsagents, I did take Eddie to lunch at McDonalds. On Anita's advice I asked for something called a 'nappy meal', which as Kathryn said sounds horrendous at every level; however the staff expressed no knowledge of this product so we went for a happy meal with healthy options. I've drifted out of McDonalds over the last decade, and it is nice to return, it's as much fun as you can have in London for £5, like most large-scale retail successes every last cent shaved off costs, and most of the savings make their way to me. Ultra low cost means little room for pretension (which is good), though possibly a little tight on wages (which isn't so good). Thanks to the supersize-me movement they now go on a bit about nutrition and so on, and although you don't often find yourself popping into McDonalds for a salad, if you navigate the menu carefully then you can end up with apples and grapes as well as the burger and excellent little toy (see the video below).

Optimistically I think that's the point, McDonalds + supersize-me = America.

Happy Christmas! (T)

Children, Married with Children (T)

On Monday A & I achieved the holy grail of marriage with young children; we went to see a film together. We saw the gritty and largely excellent new James Bond.


The boy says 'oh dear' at any opportunity. It proved useful on the way to church when his hat fell off, I was able to go back and collect it. He also has started referring to us as 'mumis', 'dadis' and 'eddis'; it sounds like a Greek affectation but he may just be mastering the genitive.

London Zoo (T & A)

Eddie has discovered the joys of London Zoo: "More, more" to the Zebras as they disappear into their sheds. It's the one problem with zoos, the amount of time the animals seem to spend sleeping and lying around.








Regents Park, which separates us from the zoo.

Aaah Bye Bye (T)

Eddie enjoying the lights coming and going.

Rachel and Victor's Wedding (T)

Rachel and Victor got married on Saturday, 9th December. It was a lovely service and reception with a strong Christian feel which was appropriate given their plans to work as missionaries in Northern Thailand. The wedding service was conducted by the bishop, in full regalia, on request of Victor, nevertheless he did not manage to upstage Rachel who looked wonderful.

It's raining again

We have had so much lovely rain. There was a storm on Sunday too, with iridescent orange light at 8am in the morning glowing like a big UFO had landed, grey grey sky then a crack of lightning and then thunder...then a huge downpour and wind, wind, wind. The boy loved it.


He and I have colds to match, which makes it very cosy to sit around at home watching the rain. We do fun things like watching Ellisio, the cleaner for our mansion block, vacuuming the stairs.



....gezellig heh?

Saturday Mornings (T)

The boy slept until 10am this (saturday) morning; I don't think we could ask for much more than that in a child.

The collective slow start meant that someone's mother didn't get her birthday call. Happy birthday Mum!!!

3 palaces (T)

Today's post shows two of the three palaces we visited this weekend. London has been lovely in the sun, we enjoyed roast lamb at sam and becca's after church at Ascension. Saturday we walked along the thames until Eddie ran out of steam.

33 weeks (T)

Autumn is developing into winter, we're seeing more of sam and becca, the boy now jives if he likes the song, Anita is now 33 weeks pregnant, all is well.

human aeroplanes and family friends (A&T)

Family friend Peter R has moved on from visiting the Adys in Seattle and paid a visit to the London Joneses, including my uncle & aunt the human aeroplanes.


I also found this excellent machine for clearing the autumnal leaves.

Merry November the 9th

more photos for Tom

Here I am early in the morning...hiding under Mummy's bump

Well, I guess it wasn't that early because it was 3 and a half hours after you had already left Dadda...but why are my sleeves so long?

As Mummy mentioned, we went for a 5pm walk round my favourite streets. Most of the time I was pretty happy, but then sometimes I got upset with my wagon or with Mummy, when she tried to rush me across the street too fast...but it was good to see the buses




I tried to kiss her several times over dinner...

and then we smiled into the camera for YOU

Just before my bath I played with the skittles, throwing them into the hall

I love you Dadda, I miss you

To Oslo...continued

OK, some photos of our day.....

Eddie playing with his cups after waking from his nap



We did go out for our 'last of daylight' walk...but as you can see it got dark very quickly...despite a few tantrums E was very happy walking his wagon around....




Peek-a-boo during dinner time

Kiss for mummy

Bath time

Book before bed

To Oslo with love

As Tom is in Oslo I am blogging a bit about the boy's day...so you don't miss the little fella too much Tom...


We had a relaxed morning...played with toys in the lounge room, lovely classical music on. Eddie ate a bowl of muesli and half a toasted bagel with vegemite. After eating the pieces on his plate, he soon enough came to me, carrying the empty plate saying 'mor mor'. Drank a cup of strawberry and banana smoothie. Beautiful bright pink moustache which he actually let me wipe clean!

Not quite so docile with the dressing routine. Had to bribe him with a gingerbread biscuit to put on his coat, shoes, and get him into the buggy. Once in, behaved beautifully, esp as there was a plethora of sirens, garbage trucks, motorbikes to keep him occupied.

Currently asleep (2.30pm), Eddie enjoyed a 'music with Margareta' session earlier today...we danced with scarves, hit drums and marched round the room singing 'Grand old duke of York' etc, etc. He spent a lot of the time with his finger in his mouth looking uncertain and clinging to his 'mummay', but he definitely likes it.

I am amazed he can sleep...he is halfway through his nap, as there are workmen everywhere round the mansion block and on the street at the moment. I hear them going up and down the firestairs using colourful language.

We walked home, past Planet Organic where I bought some more of those pasta shapes made from vegetables that he likes. Also Krispy Kreme doughnuts for me from the Russell Square Tesco, which have made me feel ill....I have eaten way too many.

It is overcast today.

.................Okay....it now 4pm, and he's up and full of energy. First thing he did upon waking was to run up and down the hall saying 'buh buh' excitedly - I think he was responding to the banging he could hear from the work they are doing in the bottom flat. Then i attempted to give him some vegetables for 'lunch' (which he wouldn't eat before sleep) but only succeeded in him eating one red kidney bean. Thus.....


It is cold enough for heating to be switched on! And is almost dark...must get out before the day is over...