Clapham Common Ward

This week was our last Sunday going to church in London. We are going to miss all the incredible friends we have made here and wish them all the best!

London Eye

Today I took the kids on the London Eye. Justin has been begging to go since we moved here and we kept waiting for a clear day . . . and waiting, and waiting. Yea, right, it's London, what were we thinking?! We bought our tickets and stood in line for nearly an hour (before McKenzie announced she had to go real bad and we convinced her to hold it for a while), then hopped on board for our flight. British Airways funded the project so there are lots of air travel innuendos. Other interesting facts, it took seven years to build and it has 32 capsules representing the 32 boroughs of London.

It takes almost 30 minutes to go all the way around but the excitement wore off quickly. Justin became more interested in the ice cream truck and playground he spied below. It was a spectacular view and now we can say we've patronized "the UK's most popular paid for visitor attraction."

A Royal Day Out

That's what thy called the ticket package. We visited all three and I must say it was EXQUISITE! Oh, to be queen for a day!

First, we went through The Queen's Gallery . . . lots of artwork and fancy jewelry.





Then we visited Buckingham Palace and it was a gem! We were in time to see the State Rooms decked out for a feast and the ballrooms gleaming with gold. Justin loved all the ceilings (why?! they were beautiful) and the organ pipes in the dining room - he asked if this is where "The Choir" sat. McKenzie kept asking where the queen was and if she was going to dance. I told her that the queen was living at another palace for a while and asked if she would like to be queen. She said yes and that Justin could be a queen too (to sit on the other throne) - how thoughtful! I loved the grand staircase and the silk room where all the walls were covered with pink silk - not really something I'd want in my own house, but they were gorgeous! The kids kept debating whether it better resembled Anastasia or Cinderella. I just wish we could have seen all 775 rooms!

We weren't allowed to take pictures in either The Queen's Gallery or Buckingham Palace, but here are a few photo ops of the back of the palace and its gardens.

Finally, we saw The Royal Mews. McKenzie conked out for this one, but Justin was thrilled! "Mews" are traditionally rows of stables and carriage houses with residences above, built around a paved courtyard. The Royal Mews is where the official State vehicles are kept and maintained, including the horses and carriages. The staff and their families live in the flats above. Many families have been there for years as caretaker positions are frequently filled by members of the same family when they become old enough. [I sound like a dictionary, but that's what the sign said.]




This police officer was kind enough to let me take his picture with Justin. You can tell from the smile on his face that Justin's thinkin' this is pretty cool. If not, you should have heard him talk about it all the way home!

Our "royal carriage" awaits!

Victoria and Albert

We're down to our last few days in London and we're cramming in as much as possible. Thursday I took the kids to yet another museum and they really seemed to like it. The Victoria and Albert is the world's largest art and design museum so we saw a little bit of everything.

McKenzie enjoyed seeing all the dresses in the fashion exhibit - especially those of the Supremes.

Justin thought the "collaborators" exhibit was "fantastic" (yes, still a major word of his vocabulary). The collaborators display is a collection of miniature theatre designs. These two are for "Evita" and "One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest."

Justin was also excited to see a marble boat display in one of the China exhibits and, since his fascination with pirate ships, lots and lots of swords.

My favorites were the musical instruments and the period furniture.

The building itself is a work of art!

All culture aside, the kids definitely had the most fun in the splash pool in the center of the garden. I didn't know it was there or we would have come better prepared . . .

By the time we left, McKenzie had fallen face-first three times and was shivering, but still asking to go again. We dried off a little and visited the souvenir shop where I found these rings and earrings . . . Can't wait to show them off!

Back to day one

When we first moved here, I began keeping a journal on the computer - not online. I called it "Musings of an Anti-Blogger." As you can see, I didn't keep up with it for more than a week. I ran across it tonight and, rather than delete it, I thought I'd post it here. It's an interesting read, but wait until you have a few minutes.

Wed. 21/11/07 – We made it!

Things to remember: local time is 5 hours ahead of EST

Thurs. 22/11/07 – Yesterday was a blur due to sleep deprivation. During the 8-hour plane trip, Justin slept about 6 hours, Alex about 5 hours, McKenzie maybe 2 hours, and I don’t remember closing my eyes for more than 10 minutes at a time. McKenzie and I caught up a little during the 1½-hour cab ride to the house, being lulled to sleep by Justin’s continuous cries of “Look, mama! Another double-decker [bus]!” The 30-minute train ride would have been an option if we hadn’t had so much luggage (to which Kendal can attest! THANK YOU for the ride to the airport!)

I LOVE THE HOUSE! (Not so much all the hairballs from the cat we didn’t know they had. Being the perfectionist that I am, I wouldn’t let anyone unpack a thing until I had vacuumed the entire house.) We didn’t unpack much anyway. We took the kids to the park to run around – but they both fell asleep on the way – and to Sainsbury’s (the local grocery store). When we got home, Alex ordered a few more groceries for delivery the next day and then we all fell asleep. McKenzie slept for about 16 hours, Justin for about 14 hours, and Alex and I for nearly 12 hours. I mention the sleep again because it literally feels like we lost a day somewhere.

Now for today. The stroller came! Thanks again to everyone who chipped-in on the perfect going-away present. We ended up buying it through Mothercare.co.uk – a Maclaren Triump twin in red. It’s beautiful! We put it to the test today and it passed with flying colors!

We went to IKEA (about a 20 minute train/tram ride) for some of the essentials. The best purchase were six lovely orange slip covers for the dining room chairs – they were only £1 each! (Renee, think textured velvet, should I save them? I’m reminded of you everyday!) We also purchased a can opener, a colander, cooking utensils, storage bins (for clothes, there are only two small drawers in each of the kid’s rooms and four in ours – and McKenzie doesn’t have a hanging closet), bathroom floor mats, and dustbins. I’m sure we’ll be going back.

House description: Kitchen – deep purple walls, silver appliances (on a much smaller scale), no microwave (that might have to change), lots of windows and a back door to the garden. Love it! Dining room/sitting room – taupe walls, fireplace with red tile accents, a very big red/orange/yellow painting (? ) above it and built-in shelves on either side, double doors to the garden with gold/orange satin curtains, and one over-stuffed, but very used, green plaid armchair. Living room – green walls, fireplace with green tile accents and a large mirror above it, similar armchair, sofa in different green plaid material (may need a slip cover), two floor lamps with yet different-colored green lampshades, tv and stand, two nesting tables, and, of course, green curtains. All-in-all, six shades of green – Elaina, I need you! But, very comfy! Justin’s and McKenzie’s rooms both have soft yellow on the walls and are perfect! Kenzie’s in a cot for now, but we’ll move her into the “big girl bed” as soon as we can find a guard rail. Our room – perfect! Two bathrooms with hand-held shower hoses. The kids love the huge footed tubs (i.e. swimming pools). Ours has a shower head with a curtain ring which is simply decorative as the shower head doesn’t work (so you have to use the hose) and a shower curtain that doesn’t wrap all the way around (so you sit anyway or mop the floor afterward). What an adventure we’ll have!

Things to remember: BOTTLED WATER IS A MUST! showers are a luxury, recycle everything, semi-skimmed milk = 2% milk, no Lucky Charms?!?!, the sun goes down at 4:30 PM

Fri. 23/11/07 – This morning we set out on our first sight-seeing trip. We took a 10-minute train to the London Victoria station downtown (reportedly the busiest train station in all of Europe) and set out on a two-hour walking tour of Buckingham Palace (the flag was up so the Queen was in!) and surrounding neighborhoods. Well, it was cold! We attached the rain cover to the stroller just to keep the wind off of the kids. We stayed long enough to see the changing of the guard, take a few pictures and walk around the Victoria Memorial. We headed for the park thinking the kids would want to run around, but Justin didn’t want to get out from under the stroller cover and McKenzie just wanted to be held. So we grabbed lunch and went home.

The groceries were delivered! Everything’s packaged a little different, or not at all, and comes is much smaller sizes. Eggs aren’t refrigerated, refuse sacks come in a roll (no box), milk is in long narrow jugs instead of tall square ones (to better fit in the fridge door), there are no individual juice boxes (except for Capri Suns), no fruit snacks (except for real dried fruit) and no Goldfish or Wheat Thins. Will we survive?

I’m told that the movers will be coming with our things on Tuesday.

Justin’s got a pretty high temperature and is coming down with a cold/cough.

Things to remmber: always carry a map and Chapstick, no Prison Break?!?!, platform 9¾ doesn’t really exist

Sat. 24/11/07 – Justin still had a temperature when he woke up and slept most of the morning. This afternoon he was up and running around again with McKenzie so we put on several layers of clothing and went to investigate the local Balham library. The children’s area was fantastic – a large enclosed room with a train engine in the center. At age three, each child is given “My Bookstart Treasure Chest” and actual chest with two books (Duck in the Truck by Jez Alborough and Each Peach Pear Plum by Janet and Allan Ahlberg), colored pencils, a pencil sharpener, a coloring book, a “great books” list for 3-5 year olds, eight book labels, a parent’s guide to help your child develop a love of books, and a “Top Secret, Keep Out!” sign to hang on your door. Justin loves it!

They have story times and activity days just like in the states. Alex and I both got library cards and apparently the kids can too. We’ll do this another day as a special outing.

Things to remember: hotdogs don’t have to come in a can!

Sun. 25/11/07 – church at 10:30 AM – Justin has a temperature of 103 – won’t be going “When we get back from London, we can go to Benjamin’s house”

Mon. 26/11/07 – A story for Elaina: Today was my first experience with NHS (National Healthcare Services). With government-sponsored healthcare, the whole experience was quite exhilarating. First of all, Justin checked out okay – no ear infections, no strep throat, nothing serious – a virus his little body will have to overcome on its own.

We simply looked up the nearest GP Surgeries (that’s General Practitioner Surgeries) and made an appointment for today. The conversation went something like this: “Hi. I need to make an appointment for my son.” “Can you bring him in at 11:30?” “Yes.” “What is his name?” “Justin Eastman.” Typing in the background. “He’s not registered yet.” “Then you’ll need to be here at 11:20.” “We’re here on a work visa. Is that going to be a problem?” “No.”

So we showed up at 11:20 and she handed me one 5x7 card to fill out which simply asked for the patient’s surname, first names, address and telephone number. I didn’t even need to sign it! Then we waited all of about 10 minutes until Justin’s name and assigned room were flashed above the big-screened tv on a digital board. (It did take me a few minutes to figure out that the loud beeping meant a new patient was being requested to report to the back, so we may not have needed to wait so long.)

A young unimposing doctor checked him out, declared him lovely, and gave him a prescription for Calpol (Tylenol). Now, if you buy it over-the-counter at, say, the grocery store, obviously, you have to pay for it. But with a prescription, we took it to the pharmacy just down the street, presented the prescription and it was given to us with a smile, FOR FREE! I forgot to mention, when we left the doctor’s office, I asked the receptionist/phone advisor if we needed to check out and she said no – ALSO FREE!

This sure beats sitting in Snellville Pediatrics for four hours and again at Target for the prescription.

Also tried to buy a broom on the way home at a flea market but didn’t have the right kind of cash. Came home empty-handed, will try again tomorrow.

McKenzie’s 19 months today.

Tues. 27/11/07 – McKenzie and I are now sick too so it looks like it’s going to run the gamut. Good news, though, Justin’s fever broke this afternoon. The cough will probably hang around for another couple of weeks. Didn’t go anywhere today.

Wed. 28/11/07 – All feeling terrible but needed to get out of the house. Took the kids to the park this morning and to McDonald’s for lunch. McKenzie made a friend on the slide. Sophie (age 2) wanted to keep going down together holding hands and McKenzie was more than happy to oblige. I think she was there with her grandmother and when asked what McKenzie’s name was, she responded, “My, that’s quit modern!” We all took long naps.

Thurs. 29/11/07 – It’s Christmas a month in advance! Our things from Atlanta finally arrived. We were all going stir crazy being sick and not wanting to stray too far from home in the cold. What perfect timing! With everything I unpacked, screams of “That’s cool!” or “That’s like the one we have in Atlanta!” echoed throughout the house. Now we’re buried in heaps of toys, boxes and packing paper – and loving every minute of it! The first toy to be set up? Geotrax, of course. McKenzie’s recognizing her stuff too, squealing “Kenzie’s room” when anything pink is unwrapped. Groceries were delivered again today too. Now that we sort of know what to buy and what NOT to buy, our cupboards don’t look quite so bare. And, with the suitcases put away, it’s starting to feel more comfortable here. Justin’s new game is to collect all the junk mail (which is dropped through the slot continuously throughout the day) and playing delivery man. Still desperately missing all our friends back HOME.

Alex’s first night away. There is a client about three hours north of us where he needs to be today and tomorrow. He wanted to here tonight but I think he was relieved when I said I’d be okay without him. He left this morning at 5:30 AM and wouldn’t have been back until 11:30 PM only to do it again the next day. What an awful trip!

Bekonscot Model Village

For Justin's birthday we went to Bekonscot Model Village and Railway (check out his blog for more commentary). We had a blast! Here are a few more pix!

Happy Birthday Justin!

Yesterday was Justin's birthday. I can't believe my baby boy is 4 years old! When he first woke up I asked him how old he was and he said three. I told him that he as actually four now, and he said "not until I have a birthday party!" First thing Justin got his present from me and Alex - a Playmobil pirate ship. In the last six months, he's really taken an interest in big boats, ships in particular. So this as a hit! That morning we all hopped on the train to visit Bekonscot Model Village and Railway, the world's oldest model village - it was awesome! (But I promised not to blog about until Alex has his say - check out Justin's blog!) When we got home, he played with the pirate ship all afternoon . . . and opened more presents . . .


a new Geotrax train - the most "admired" train - "Knight" and "Sir John" . . .

the Amazing Machines series - trains, planes, and automobiles . . .

And finally, THE BIRTHDAY PARTY . . . We had most of his favorite friends over for a BBQ and cake and ice cream.

Karen and Brody, Miriam and Timon, Elana and Kevin (and Katrina and Isabel), Sara and Jonathan

At the end of the day, he was back to the ship.

Justin is the sweetest little boy. He still loves to hold my hand and often asks for "snuggle time." He still has an intense passion for cars, trucks, trains, boats, planes - anything that moves! But he also likes to sing, read, and play games. He loves to run around outside and play with McKenzie. He's an incredible big brother! He's always looking out for McKenzie and teaching her the right way to do things. He's a leader and an awesome example. Justin is a great friend. He gets along with everyone and attracts lots of friends with his enthusiasm for life. He's smart and eager to learn. He loves going to primary and school and can't wait to see all his friends in Atlanta. I'm so proud of Justin and I love him very, very much!