Church

Third try is the charm right? We have tried 2 churches so far. The first is in Cambridge itself. It was child friendly, but just didn't have the righ feel to it. The second church is in another village not too far. It was so small that the family couldn't fit in one pew. While the web site said it was a lively church-we felt that afterwards everyone couldn't wait to get out. Turns out there is another church in the village right next to ours-I walk there to the butcher. I took it as a sign that the pastor's name is Fr. David. It has about 200 people that belong-very tiny building, but it has off street parking. I got a kiss on the cheek from the priest upon introductions and we felt welcomed. Fr. David's homily was a combination of Fr. Dave and Fr. Peter. Kaitlyn will start First Communion classes next Tuesday and there are even 2 other children from her school in it as well.

Exercise

Walking everywhere just isn't going to do it. Driving to the gym is too much hassel besides the creche is 8 pounds/hour. Solution: buy your own spin bike. Now I just need some music from Ken.
Jillian is sick now. But on a brighter note-the boat carrying our goods is set to arrive today. Too bad that by the time it gets thru customs Jason will be in Thousand Oaks for a week.

Kaitlyn's Birthday

Our little girl turns 8 today. I thought this one thru a bit more...a neighbor made a cake for Kaitlyn and I bought candles. Shopping for groceries is so much easier now that I was told to shop Tescos online.

Ski trip

Unlike America, a ski trip here is for a whole week, not just a weekend. We did it American style, good thing too. After finding an unbelievable price on plane tickets (we flew to Grenoble, France for around $300 for all 5 of us) we ventured off. The flight was the short part, we should've known when so many couples split up having one wait for the luggage while the other got the car rental. After a mere 1.5 hours of standing in line for our car rental we were off to the mountains of Belle Plagne. Enjoyed a nice alpine meal for dinner and went to bed but not before Kaitlyn decided now would be a good time for a 102 fever.
Day 2-Kaitlyn still not feeling well, but tries a ski lesson anyway with mom. Jason goes off to ski for the afternoon while mom and kids play in the snow and get a little sledding in. Nice weather...SUNNY. By dinner Kaitlyn is dry heaving and crying.
Day 3-Mom tells dad to ski since he is already renting equipment and paid for a lift ticket. Drop Griffen off a ski kindergarten until lunch. Pick up Griffen for lunch, drink coffee and beer (us not the kids). Kaitlyn feeling slightly better but not eating and mild fever. Griffen decided he doesn't want to ski anymore and his throat hurts. Send dad off to ski for the rest of the day. Late afternoon we make our way to the Olympic bobsled run. Wow. The sled goes so fast that you can't scream. I am unable to even lift my head up during the 60 second ride. In fact I feel quite nauseous when it is all done and it triggers a migraine for Jason. Not sure I will ever do that again. By dinner Griffen is crying with a sore throat and starts spewing chunks. Long night.
Day 4-get up, drive to the airport and go home. Griffen is down and out for the rest of the week,

Sunday Roast

Had our first Sunday roast with the neighbors. The kids have discovered Yorkshire Pudding, Kaitlyn tried a brussel sprout and showed how a piece of meat in her world must never be consumed without ketchup. Enjoyed my first (NOT LAST) piece of apple/black currant pie with custard.

Jillian's Birthday

A bit cold today, sunny, but cold. I swear the ground never dries. I have a nice supply of mud caked on teh jogger wheels. I had a driving lesson today (NOT with my husband). I stayed on the road and the instructor only complained about the mud
being splashed onto his car because I tended to go a bit too far to the left. If the ground was dry, there wouldn't have been mud.
Today was Jillian's 2nd birthday-we have no cake pan. I bought a mini cupcake mix from the store because it came with the little papers and didn't require a pan. We forgot about candles until it was time to light them. Two matches substitute just fine for candles! The neighbors across the street knew it was her birthday so the dad sang to her after school and their 2 daughters made her cards and brought over a little gift.
Advise from Kristie: "P.S. Regarding Jillian's birthday ... when you find the cake pans, just back date the camera and take a picture. She'll never suspect a thing. She'll be so thrilled when she's older that you just took a picture at all! Poor third child, I don't know how they survive!"

Baby its cold outside

Despite a request from our landlord to the renting agent our heat was turned off instead of on for our arrival. After 3 days and the purchase of an extra heater, I think we are starting to defrost.