John Robbins...

If my 'friend', John Robbins, heir to the B&R ice cream fortune, and author of The Food Revolution, (the book that almost made my husband a vegetarian) can go a year without updating his blog, surely I, a mere HOUSEWIFE can be forgiven for missing a few months.

It always feels like nothing BIG is happening...yet, looking back, soooo much has happened.

In June, we had the big 'gradulation' ceremony for Little A.  She had a solo singing part, in her graduation ceremony and told me "I wanted to make you proud of me, mommy".  What a difference from the child who refused to read on stage at any of the previous presentations.  I AM proud of you, little monkey.  Every day.

A and Nathan

She has just spent the past two weeks taking intensive swimming lessons, and now is balking at wearing her water wings in our pool.  I have to hold my breath every time she jumps in from the side of the pool.  At the end of two weeks, she 'gradulated' from Beginner level 1, to Beginner level 2, which she will take in September.

Pickle's language has really taken off.  Upon reuniting with his beloved speech therapist, Paula, she was thrilled to report he had so many new words, and she could understand up to 75% of them.  We had a little 'drama' with Paula, as I returned from holidays to learn she had QUIT working for STARS in May or June (they weren't really sure when).  After getting off the phone with them, I took a chance at calling Paula, on her personal number.  I was so thrilled to hear her voice, but sad to learn how poorly she was treated by STARS (who had let her go, for 'restructuring'...which is what they call it when someone is a challenge to authority).  We have resumed our speech sessions at home, and in the fall, Pickle will also take speech at one of the nearby nurseries.  I am hoping to start getting some of this therapy covered by Daman soon (who used to cover it...then didn't...but might once again...cross your fingers).

From our time on holiday, Pickle has coined a new nickname for himself, from a song that I like to sing to him:  Baby Sunshine.  I love when he refers to himself in the third person, such as "baby sunshine doesn't want to go to sleep."

Hoping for rain outside Bentinck Cottage,
Marylebone, London

The Magoo--well--what can I say.  She walks, she talks, she makes jokes.  She continues to shine.  She is just crazy, in the best way.  Yesterday morning she told me (as I walked in with my eyes barely open, to say 'goodmorning' and give her dad some more sleep) "I love you mommy, just the way you are".  Bruno Mars is a big favourite around our house.    

Ms. Magoo

We have spent the last week, organizing our house.  I went cuckoo looking for hooks for our sail-shade, and then a circular extension cord--neither of which I managed to find.  I decided it was time to get my house in order (literally).  In another few days, I think I will be close.  By the time Peter's sister and brother-in-law Gerry arrive in December--it will all be ready (I hope).  

Our holiday was amazing.  I LOVED the Netherlands.  Amsterdam was good fun, and I want to always remember the old couple living in the apartment on the main floor, who gave our children the Disney figurines.  It took them a few days to warm up to us, but once they did, it was delightful to chit-chat with them when we were ascending and descending the death stairs to our third floor apartment (with three kids, two strollers and groceries).  

Death stairs INSIDE the apartment in Amsterdam

Captain Peter and his first mate

Pictured below is one of my favourite places--a tea house, where the children ran around chasing rabbits, roosters, chickens and ducks, while Peter and I had a few minutes of quiet time with tea and cakes.  I loved how natural the country-side was.  It was like re-visiting my childhood, growing up in Forestburg.  So much more beautiful though, with all the canals...

Ducklings

We spent every single day outside.  And it even got cold enough that we lit up the fireplace in Zuidewoude.  That is also something else I love and missed--the smell of a real fire!  The best part of camping, hands down.  

Our place in Marylebone, Bentinck Cottage, was a lovely little hobbit-house in the mews.  It was just enough space for the five of us, and we even managed to accommodate all of our friends and family who came to visit us (though at times the space got SMALL and HOT and STUFFY).  I was thrilled to be able to reconnect with so many Sharmas, some of whom I hadn't seen for over 10 years.  It was also great for the children to meet some family on my side, and to watch how quickly they warmed up to everyone.

So much so that Peter and I managed to get out to the Dorchester hotel, to celebrate our wedding anniversary.  Instead of begging to come along, as is her usual song and dance, little A was sooooooo excited to stay up with her cousins (who she called "Aunties") Liz and Caroline, and Aunty Louise (our three babysitters).  

To infinity and beyond

 We were also happy to come home, and have spent the month of August just hanging around at home.  Dr's appointments, swimming lessons, play dates and cats have kept us busy so far.  One of our stray cats, whom Little A has named Twinklebell, will be having a 'happy ending' and should be reunited with her families in early September, when they return from holidays.  I discovered, when I took her to the vet for spaying, that she was chipped.  The German Vet managed to get a hold of the owners (on holidays) about two weeks later, which suited our family perfectly, as it was the same day THIS little one showed up in our garden:

"Kitten"

So, soon we had the cats wars--involving hissing and yowling, as this little kitten seems intent on making Twinklebell (real name Sandy) into his foster-mom.  I got on the phone with the vet, and asked them to ask the owners to board Sandy at the vet--as I am afraid she will not stick around much longer in our yard (as it is, she is only returning in the evening).  Hopefully, tonight I will take her to the vet, and just a little bit closer to her family reunion.  

Last week we celebrated "Raksha Bandan", which I am teaching my children is "brother's AND sister's day"--so that they realize that siblings are interdependent on one another--love, loyalty and care is a two-way street.  Everyone got red-strings and presents (not just Pickle and Phinn) and everyone loved it.  Especially little A, who got to dress up in her "Indian clothes".