Battle Wound

Lately, I feel like my posts are all about Isabelle's injuries. Poor Izzie. Today, I must add yet another one to the list. I'm hoping, praying really, that it will be the last one for a long time.

This morning, Isabelle fell and sliced open the top of her eyelid. I was able to page her pediatrician and meet him at his office before he did rounds at the hospital. Luckily, he was able to close the cut with some steri-strips and has little concerns about scarring. The real challenge is to keep Isabelle from touching them or getting them wet. We'll be going back to the doctor in a few days so he can look at it again.

On our way out, a young lady in the lift looked at Izzie and asked her which war she'd been fighting in. Good question. I hope the war ends soon.

The Secret Garden

This summer, Maddie and I read "The Secret Garden". We watched the movie, and then, we set off to find two secret gardens that are close to home.

First, we went to Hampstead Heath. The secret garden is usually closed to the public but was open for a special day. We went with our neighbor, Shannon, and her six month old baby, Camille. Maddie was able to find some creatures in the pond, make a badge, and spend time with church friends.

Maddie with her net

Maddie with Shannon

Maddie with friends - Ethan, Parker and Sawyer

Next, we went to Regents Park. Although it is always open to the public, the secret garden is not on maps and is easily missed by most visitors. It is a well manicured garden with flowers, fountains, and benches. The girls could have stayed all day. We'll be going back to show Dad.

Maddie at the "secret" entrance

The Garden Lock

Isabelle taking a break while Maddie took photos of flowers

Maddie took this photo of what she calls "flowers that look like snowflakes"

Isabelle playing and having fun

Maddie posing for her garden photo shoot

Would you like a plait in your hair?

Summer has been hard on Maddie's hair. She was in desperate need of a trim. She always tells me to make sure they cut it "long". She loves her long hair. After going to the National Army Museum, we stopped by Trotter's on Kings Road. During her haircut, Maddie looked at a fairy tale book and watched the fish in the aquarium. Then, she had a blow dry with flipped ends, a braid and a new sparkly pink hair accessory. When the hairdresser asked Maddie if she wanted a plait, I had to translate - a braid as they call it here. To top it off, Maddie got some Smarties. Needless to say, you would have thought she spent the day at the spa. She is one very happy girl, insisted on taking photos and can hardly wait to show her Dad when he gets home from work tonight.

Cat Fight

Izzie looks like she got in a cat fight over the weekend. On Saturday, she walked most of the way home from the High Street and up St Johns Wood Park - a great accomplishment for her two short legs. I should add that the walk was her idea not ours. Half way home, she fell on the pavement. She has a scratch under her nose and another above her pretty, fat lip. Since the fall, she has also put in two scratches by her eye with her fingernails. The fingernails have been trimmed, and hopefully, the rest of her cute little face will heal quickly!

And on a happier note, Izzie stayed in nursery all by herself today. Her teachers said she was "cheerful" and "confident" for the full two hours. When Luke found us after church, he asked Izzie if she had gone to nursery. She said, "Yes." Then, he asked if she had stayed in nursery all by herself. She said proudly, "Yes." She's such a good girl!

And we thought we were just going to see Peter Pan...

Today, Kerryn and I took Maddie to see "Peter Pan" in Kensington Gardens. I wish I could tell you all about it, but I'd never do it justice. My favorite part was when Peter Pan, Tinkerbell, Wendy, John, and Michael fly over London on their way to Neverland. All I can say is that if you get the chance, go see it. It is an amazing production!

It was based on the book and not the Disney movie, so I learned something new. "The Lost Boys" were the ones who fell out of their prams in Kensington Gardens - the unfortunate boys whose nannies lost them in the park. When school starts, Maddie and I are going to check the book out at the library and read a chapter every night. I don't know who will enjoy it more - me or Maddie.

Here are a few pictures from our day out. The last picture was almost as exciting as the show!

Maddie and Mom

Maddie and Kerryn

Jack Black

During intermission, we headed to the bar to get drinks - just Diet Coke and apple juice. While we were standing in the queue, I saw a guy walk by with a young boy on his shoulders. I looked at Kerryn, Kerryn looked at me, and we both watched Jack Black head across the room. After we got our drinks and ice cream, we headed around back to see if we could spot him. Kerryn wins the prize for taking this photo of Jack. We found him chatting away on his mobile. Honestly, it was as if we were the only people there who recognized him. He went completely unnoticed until after the show. While he waited for his black, Mercedes people mover on Bayswater Road and the boy (His son? I don't know.) made a substantial amount of noise, Jack received a lot more attention.

So, now you know - Jack Black and Peter Pan are both in London.