The New Neighbor

Our new neighbor, Camille, was born on Friday, February 13th. Mom was able to see her in the hospital on Saturday, but Maddie waited patiently until Tuesday. When she finally got home, Maddie couldn't wait to hold her. Eric and Shannon, Camille's parents, have been so great about letting Maddie cuddle, kiss, and smother their first baby.

Camille is absolutely perfect. She's a beautiful baby. We're all excited to have a new neighbor and sweet little friend!

Cheetah Girls - Friends Forever

Recently, Maddie decided to start a club. She had a lot of ideas - cheerleading, High School Musical, cooking, drama, dancing, and Cheetah Girls. After weeks of careful consideration, Maddie has decided to start a Cheetah Girls Club. She wanted me to be sure to tell you that she was introduced to the Cheetah Girls by her cousins, Cicely and Hailey. Since she made her decision, she has spent a lot of time writing Cheetah Girls songs for her club. She does her best work at night after she's been tucked into bed. She'll lie there for hours, working on the lyrics and singing loudly. When she's perfected the lyrics, she dictates them to her Mom who writes them down on carefully selected pieces of paper. Here are the lyrics for her first hit:

Lita nita cheetah friends.
Cheetahs are friends.
Cheetah everything is yours for good.
Cheetah dancing is for them as well.
Cheetahs stay together forever and ever and ever.
Cheetahs are really good together.
Cheetahs do everything together.
Cheetahs help each other.
Cheetahs never fail.
Cheetahs are dancers forever and ever and ever.
Cheetahs are good dancers.
Cheetahs are best friends forever and ever and ever.

Next, I'll try and have her make a music video.

And while we're talking about Maddie, I should tell you that we were on the corner of Exhibition Road and Cromwell Road on Friday where they were getting ready for London Fashion Week. Through a window, we could see them doing hair and makeup. She had lots of ideas about what kind of makeup the models should wear for the occasion. The best part - You should have seen her face as she watched them unload racks of clothing from large trucks. She was so interested in the styles and colors. What I would have given to take her inside to see a real fashion show!

And she sleeps...

... through the night for the first time. HOORAY! It only took her fourteen, long months. Of course, Mom didn't sleep through the night. Izzie has her programmed to wake up more often. Hopefully, Izzie will do it again tonight.

Mom was so excited about Izzie's big night that she had to take pictures of her and her trusty side kick, Minnie Mouse, before she got them out of bed.

The Green Loch

For Valentine's Day, Luke bought a painting. Our friend, Jacqueline Adcock, is an artist and has done the most amazing things with paint and texture. The painting we chose was inspired by the Scottish Pines in the Green Loch. So, here you have it - The Green Loch.

Unfortunately, the photos don't do it justice. The second photo is a closeup of part of the painting so you can see the texture. Please feel free to come see it in person!

Baby with a Black Toe

Isabelle pulled a small, wooden chair over and onto her toe. Luckily, she just bruised the nail and didn't break the toe. She's getting around just fine even though it doesn't look pretty. You should know that the toe looks a lot worse in person! Here are some pics of the walking wounded.

February Break

Maddie has been out of school this week for February Break. In the past, we've raced around the city going to the museums, shopping, and walking through the parks. Surprisingly, Maddie has chosen to watch her favorite movies - HSM 3 and Mamma Mia, enjoy her toys, and play with her friends in lieu of hitting the town. For our one big outing, we went to the zoo with the Ashton's. Shannon is a photographer so I always trust her to "capture the Kodak moments" when we're out with the kids. I only took a couple of pictures, and silly enough, didn't get any with the animals.

Here are Trev, Madeleine, and Madeleine on a safari ride.

The two Madeleines on the way to see the giraffes and the zebras.

The two Madeleines on the carousel.

Maddie and Izzie drawing with Izzie's new crayons. I was just happy she was drawing on paper instead of the playroom table.

The girls have really enjoyed spending so much time together. We've had a nice, quiet week at home.

Valentine's Day

For Valentine's Day, Luke did his shopping for the girls and me at the Wedgwood store. He got us...

2 of these,

4 of these,

1 of these,


4 of these,

and 1 of these.

The china is inspired by the artwork of Will Broome which was on display at the Royal Academy of Art. You're all invited to a tea party at our house!

Accident & Emergency

About 8:30 pm on Friday, I made my first trip to the emergency room with one of my children. Maddie decided to stick a shiny, green bead up her nose after I tucked her into bed. I tried but couldn't get it out, so I decided we better head to the A&E. After waiting to see a doctor for 45 minutes, the treatment only took 2 seconds. The doctor had me sit down and Maddie stand up in front of me. I had to plug her other nostril (so push down on it with my finger), and while doing so, blow into her mouth. The bead popped right out! Maddie grabbed the bead and threw it in her bag. I guess she wanted a souvenir. Unfortunately, I don't have any pretty pictures to post from the hospital. I'm just hoping that if something like this ever happens at your house, I can save you a trip to the A&E!

Snow Day 2

Last night, we got another text from ASL about 9:00 pm saying that school would be closed again. So even though the buses are moving people, the sun is shining, and the snow is melting, we got an extra day to enjoy what was left of London's rare snowstorm. After lunch, we took Izzie out to play in the slushy snow. She absolutely loved it and didn't seem to mind when she'd tumble over in it. She just smiled and laughed the entire time.

Snow Day

Maddie chasing Mom.

Maddie posing patiently for Mom.

London had its best snow day in 18 years, today. ASL sent out a text about 5:00 am letting us know that school had been cancelled for the day. No buses, barely any tube lines running, and few taxis makes for a quiet day in London. Luke worked from home, so while Isabelle was having her morning nap, Maddie went out to play in the snow.

Class Reunion

Recently, Maddie had her first class reunion. Her teacher, Suzanne, moved to Hong Kong at the end of last year. She came back to London for a visit and was able to come to a reunion with the kids who are still at ASL. Here are some pictures of Maddie at the reunion.

Maddie and Suzanne

Maddie with Suzanne and Lynn

Too Cute

Isn't she just too cute?

Outfit by Baby Gap

Accessories by Maddie

Hair Styled by Sticky Lunch Fingers

Sisters

Even though they are four and a half years apart, Madeleine and Isabelle still love playing together. They think it's great fun to push each other around in the doll stroller. Here are some action shots of their adventures down the hall.

Just getting situated

Looks like fun

Crash and burn

Here they go again

If you look closely, you'll notice Maddie's Fancy Nancy shoes and Izzie's shopping bag hanging from the stroller. Isabelle doesn't think that a stroller is ready to go unless it has bags hanging off it. She knows best... shopping bags!

Christmas in Tokyo

We had a great time in Tokyo. We arrived just in time to visit the Imperial Palace and celebrate the Emperor's birthday.

The Emperor giving his birthday speech accompanied by the royal family.

Izzie with the flag that the Japanese Boy Scouts gave her at the palace entrance.

We may not be royal but we're a happy family.

Papa Ricky, Maddie and Jack heading for Ginza.

Maddie, Jack and Luke at Ginza to do a little shopping.

Grammy Bammy and Papa Ricky took us to all the fun playgrounds.

We spent Christmas Eve at Tokyo Disneyland. We got home just in time to eat dinner, read Luke 2, and make cookies for Santa.

Tokyo Disneyland

Maddie's Favorite - Minnie's house.

Maddie made herself right at home in Minnie's chair.





It's a Small World

Izzie at the playground next to Goofy's house.

Dumbo

Izzie's Favorite - Mickey's House

Santa's Cookies

We tucked Maddie in for the night, and when we came back to check on her, this is what we found. She must have put on the reindeer hat on before she fell asleep. We quickly took the picture and ran out. We were laughing so hard that we didn't want to wake her up!

Izzie in Japanese fashion with her Japanese talking mobile phone on Christmas morning.

Maddie in Fancy Nancy/Japanese fashion.

After opening presents, we headed out to visit the Senso-ji temple.

The day after Christmas, Luke, Ally and Izzie headed to Kyoto and Nara on the bullet train while Maddie stayed behind to entertain Grammy Bammy, Papa Ricky, and Aunt Krissy.

The Golden Pavilion

Izzie walking around the grounds at the Golden Pavilion.

The Zen Garden at Daitoku-ji Temple

Izzie and Luke with Buddah.

Izzie and Luke overlooking Kyoto from Daigo-ji Temple.

Kiyomizu-dera Temple

Gion - We saw five geishas going to work.

While we were out seeing the sights, Maddie was going to the playground and eating at Wendy's.

Ally and Kristina at Harajuku.

The girls only get McDonalds in London so going to Wendy's in Tokyo was their favorite outing.

Izzie just likes fries.

Maddie is all about the burgers and fries.

One day, Grammy Bammy stayed home with the little kids. Papa Ricky took the big kids to Kamakura.

Ally should have practiced using chopsticks before the trip. Papa Ricky had to feed her a snack.

Luke, Ally and Kristina with Daibutsu, the Great Buddah.

Luke and Ally with a little but very cheerful Buddah.

Papa Ricky and Grammy Bammy took Maddie to see Hachiko, a statue of a loyal dog who waited for his master every night for more than a decade after his death. Grammy Bammy has a storybook about the dog and Papa Ricky read it to her before the outing.

Thanks for a great holiday, Papa Ricky and Grammy Bammy! We had an amazing time. Come visit us soon!