Thursday 28 August 2008

BACK TO SCHOOL!

School started today! Yippee, yahoo!

It was a perfectly wet morning but we were out the door early and at school eager to start the new year! I pray that all three boys have a wonderful day and year and that they are blessed with good friends, teachers and the love of learning.


I now have all day to myself for the first time in a long time. I'm not sure where to start! I guess updating my blog uninterrupted is a good place. And coffee with friends after drop off was a nice change this morning! Anyway, I know I will miss having someone under foot all day, but I am excited about this new stage in my life!


Hope you all are having a great school year so far!


(don't know if you can tell from the pictures, but Charlie's hair is full of baby oil because we had to use it in the bath yesterday to remove all of the tattoos we've enjoyed this week!)


Familiar Things

Rain, rain and more rain. Everyday since we've been home. Okay, maybe we've had one dry day. Or dry bits of days. But really, it's been raining and raining!

The boys have managed to have fun while waiting for school to start. We've had a magic show, a backyard band, play dates, birthday parties, time to swim at the gym, we're starting extra curricular activities and we've rediscovered lots of toys that we'd forgotten about!


We have had a wonderful summer and we are ALL ready for a routine and to see our friends. And I am ready to complete a few tasks!


New York, New York

On our way home to Scotland, Scott need to stop in New York City for a meeting so we tagged along! The boys and I did lots of fun things in the city while Scott had his meeting then he met up with us in the evening. I'd been to NYC a few times but had somehow missed most of the main tourist attractions. It was fun to see them with the boys. We went to FAO Schwartz, Central Park Zoo and Lunch in Central Park with Marie Binder (her husband Ken is Scott's boss' boss and her son Jason worked for Scott in Dallas) and the Natural History Museum. Then we met Scott for a carriage ride through Central Park and to try out the boys' new Rip Sticks in CP! So fun, true NYC! We also squeezed in Empire State Building. And let me just tell you, if you want to splurge and buy the Fast Pass tickets for the Empire State Building, it is well worth every penny. Especially with small boys! We did not wait in one line while there and let me tell you, there were lots of them. This Fast Pass lets you skip them all and you are wisked to the top and back down, no waiting. Brilliant!









Tuesday we headed out first thing to see the Statue of Liberty then back to the Natural History Museum. This museum is where Night at the Museum was filmed and Monday when we were there with Marie, we could not get in because it was late in the day and they were closing to film Night at the Museum II! Kind of exciting to see the stars' trailers and be in the museum to think about which parts would be in the movie. Make sure that you look for the pictured red plane in the movie. Can't you see how excited Charlie is about the whole thing?











Ethan was a little disappointed that 1. we could not go to the top of the Statue of Liberty, and 2. that more of the things he remembered from the Night at the Museum movie were not in the actual museum. Poor soul, I know how he feels when something seems so big, real, exciting or whatever and then it does not meet your expectations.












We had a fantastic few days and will look forward to going back soon. We LOVE NYC! Thanks to Marie for showing us around and for an absolutely wonderful lunch!














The Girls

My oldest brother Chris and sister-in-law Kim have 3 beautiful girls Ashleigh (17), Caitlin (15), and Hannah (13). We refer to them as "the girls". Well, we were so thrilled that they needed to do a little shopping in Dallas on the same weekend that we were in Arlington. So Jane (Scott's mom) graciously cooked a wonderful meal for us to share and we loved having a few hours with them! We had a chance ot catch up on all things "teenage" and "girl". Chris and Kim are amazing parents and I really enjoy seeing the phases of parenthood through their lives. I always learn so much when we are together. The boys adore those girls and my big brother as you can see from the pictures!

The visit was way too short but we loved it! Thanks FitzGeralds for taking the time to come and see us! We love you!




Grandma and Grandpa's House

We were so excited to have a few more days with Grandma and Grandpa Nicol in Arlington, Texas. And I know they were so excited to see Scott. We enjoyed late night Olympic coverage, swimming in the pool, ping pong, Walter the kitty, more cousin time, birthday celebrations, an adult's only meal, kayaking, solitare, and much more!



The time flew by too fast but we tried to soak up every minute with each family member. Thank you Grandma Jane for all of the meals, treats and play time. And Aunt Kiki and Aunt Amie for organizing the adult dinner. We miss you all!