say it isn't so?!

A few days ago I was thinking to myself how nice the weather has been here in London - loads of sunshiny days. We have made the best of them and have had a terrific summer... and then yesterday it turned cold and rainy. Thankfully today is sunny again but I can tell that summer is coming to a close. The temps in the morning are cooler and it's getting darker earlier in the evenings. Pretty soon it'll be dark by 5 and then 4 :( As the saying goes "all good thing must come to an end". I will miss you summer!!

rubes is not happy about it either!

rosie LOVES summertime!

summer = fun snacks

and cute swimsuits

and playing in the water

and is an ideal time for potty training (that would be oatmeal in her hair!)

Last Sunday we spent the afternoon at the beach. We got a late start and the drive was hellacious and somebody complained the entire way(while they were driving and suffering a major allergy/sneezing attack). I have to admit that it was brutal but I was really trying to stay positive while somebody else was a total grump. Once we were finally there is was great fun and we got to hang out with Hannah, Rob and their kiddos. On the drive home we stopped at a country pub for dinner. It was delish and fun and I just love seeing the kids having such a good time together. Ava was cracking me up. She is such a little lady now - all grown up! She kept reminding Kaneu that "we're in public" and so therefore they had to behave. Hilarious that little lady is!

littlehampton beach (with rob and ava in the background!)

whee!!


the seaweed fort

these kids were cracking us up - covering themselves with seaweed

hannah and sweet baby grace


ready for dessert!

Kaneu starts Kindergarten next week. How did we get here?? Can somebody please tell me?? We have a busy day tomorrow. Grammy Sue arrives (for two weeks!!) and it's Orientation Day.

I will miss our lazy (and warm) mornings playing outside

and outdoor lunches

new kindergarten shoes - he wants to wear them every single day

fab-u-lous!

Here's how to make a birthday girl (who turns 36!) feel like the most special girl in the world.

Host a fiesta. Make homemade salsa, guac and fish tacos. Yum!! Serve the most delicious cupcakes ever.

Fly in her BFF from Virginia

Send her AND BFF to the best spa in all of London

Spend the evening hopping from pub to pub ... in style of course with a new outfit from her favorite Korean designer!

the man who made it all happen

Brian referred to us as "the angels" ... heehee

can you tell it's getting later into the night?

The next day ... let her enjoy a girl day out. Shopping and Afternoon Tea. Heaven!

Finish the weekend off with a few drinks in Little Venice ...

followed by more drinks and dinner over top of Trafalgar Square

Thank you for all of my birthday wishes! I truly had the BEST birthday ever. I'm spoiled for sure and loved even more and forever grateful for my rock star husband and jetsetter BFF, Diana (and her rock star husband who let her come!).

Would it be wrong to say that I am looking forward to 37?!

today

Another year older.

We have a very fun-filled weekend planned. My present is on her way and will be arriving at Paddington Station in the am. I am SO excited and in fact am a little bit in denial. Good times ahead!

xo

3 minutes

Last week I suggested to Kaneu that I take some pictures of him to mark his fifth birthday. He wasn't so interested but agreed to give me 3 minutes (I asked for 5) of his time. After about 45 seconds he appeared exasperated and declared "this is taking a loooong time". Meanwhile Little Miss was more than happy to have her photos taken. She is becoming a little ham. And I am thrilled that at least one of my kids is (for now) enjoying letting me do what I love - capturing the sweet moments that I don't want to forget. Pretty soon I will be bribing them. Thankfully I have a box of Trader J*e's lollypops that should do the trick.

during minute 2 of the photo shoot a package arrived

and it was over just like that

but Little Miss stuck around ... she was just getting warmed up!

bye!