S.A.D.

Ever heard of S.A.D.? Otherwise known as "seasonal affective disorder"? Well, we heard it is quite common around here and let me show you why...........

This is outside our mansion flat, AT 4:00 P.M.! It is this dark when I drive to pick-up Silly Chap #1 from school at 4:15! I didn't believe those who were telling me that it starts to get dark around 3:30 in the winter. It seems to be quite true. (It does make it easy to put the little ones in bed though!) However, we are now on the upside after the winter solstice and the daylight hours will be getting longer very soon. Just in time........as we get really "s-a-d" around here some days!

Platform 9 3/4

For all those "Muggles" out there.....we made a stop at Kings Cross tube station and found the Holy Grail for Harry Potter fans. Yep, it really is there - Harry's luggage trolley stuck halfway through the platform wall - and it really is at Platform 9 3/4!! Imagine that. (we weren't the only ones taking photos, either!)

Night Cap

"...and momma in her kerchief, and I in my cap, had just settled down for a long winter's nap."

I think Silly Chap #2 has been contimplating this seasonal rhyme too much recently, (though it definitely hasn't been his mother or father reading it to him...) for this is what I encountered when I went in to his room for a goodnight kiss.

I asked him why he had his "big boy" pants on his head. His simple matter-of-fact reply was, "it's my night hat, mom." "Your night hat?" I said. "Yes. My night hat. Dad said I could wear it to bed!" Well, allrighty then, I thought to myself. (those just happen to be Halloween skull and cross bone briefs) And then as I adjusted his sheets to cover him up I saw the next surprise...

He had decided to complete the ensemble, therefore making himself part Batman as well. (why they are on backwards, I have no idea!) And the scariest part.............he had no problem "modeling" for me. Ugh. Sweet Dreams!

Finally!

Ever since our arrival in London, I have wanted to get a photo of the boys with one of the Royal Guards. I was always "out voted" when it came time to pick an outing. My vote was always for a trip to Buckingham Palace to get a photo. Isn't that the ultimate? Of course, we are still somewhat "touristas" here so it really wouldn't be that ridiculous! Well, over Thanksgiving break we made a trip out to Windsor Castle with the Hogan Grandparents and Aunt; and guess what...they have "guards" there too!!! Ha. Now they had no way to vote me down! Sooooo here is the result. Not too bad, I say. Andrew was the funniest. We had to push him closer and closer to the fella. (We think he may have been a bit intimidated by the weapon.) The photo has also prompted a research project for me. I just can't tell you the number of times I have asked about the ER insignia.....and yet I continue to forget what it means. ALSO, I want to confirm that this is the winter uniform for the guards, rather than the typical red coats along with the 'fuzzy" black hats. So, I'll get back to you on those................

Thanksgiving in London?

Hmmm, the traditional holiday of "Thanksgiving in London"......? This was a new experience for us. Have you ever celibrated Thanksgiving outside the U.S.? Well, honestly, don't bother 'cause no one knows how to do it better than the U.S. for sure! I was told in advance by the other American Moms here, who have experienced it before, that "it just isn't quite the same." Well, now I know. Being the "oh, I can make it work" kind of person-that-I-am I disregarded their warnings and barrelled ahead in my planning. I, of course, would order my turkey and side dishes from Whole Foods! Won't they know how to "fix-a-turkey"?! I should have known it wasn't going to be easy when I couldn't (and never did) find an aluminum roasting pan in which to cook it! (ya know, the disposable kind!)

Here is Grammer Hogan grimmacing at the poor bird! ("i'm trying to enjoy this!!")

And here is "The Bird". I am sooooo naive (or maybe stubborn). When they brought out the turkey at the store, all wrapped in plastic, I thought to myself, "Oh, aren't they so nice! They have even seasoned it with rosemary already for me!" But when we got home and unwrapped that sucker - oh-mi-gawd!! - that wasn't rosemary, those were feathers!!!! Yes, friends, those are pin-feathers that we tried desperately to pluck-out before cooking. Was I told this beforehand by my American Mom friends? YES. Did I refuse to believe them? YES. Why, how could an American company like Whole Foods sell me a turkey with its feathers still attatched?!!! Next year it will be Butterball, or no turkey at all!

Happy Birthday to Me!

I guess sometimes it takes a move across the ocean to get what you want. Yep. After years of drooling over and admiring a friends handiwork, I finally have a piece! Ta-dah.... My girlfriend back in Richmond must have heard of my need for a scarf here in London 'cause this is what I found in a box sent to me for my birthday (which was Oct. 31). It came complete with instructions on how to wear it (like the French do, that is!) and arrived only a few days after my trip to Paris.....bummer! It is called a clapotis.....google it. The box from Richmond also contained other goodies much needed right now like mittens, and a couple of great books! Thank-you A.M., Sandy, Heidi and Terri - you certainly made my birthday great again this year even though you are a million miles away! I miss you!

Veni, Vidi, Vici !

Ah, finally I get to use my 2 years of high school Latin! Let's backtrack a little to our summer "holiday" to Rome......We were lucky enough to meet family in Rome this summer for our first holiday outside the UK since moving.



This was our first morning: a quick, self-guided tour of the Forum after breakfast. We could have our coffee every morning on the rooftop of our hotel with a beautiful view of the Colosseum in the background. What was on the breakfast menu? Prosciutto, salami, tomatoes, mozerella......

The next couple of days were a whirlwind. Here is Alex at the Trevi fountain. As is the tradition, both boys threw their coins in while standing backwards making a wish.

John requested that I take this picture of him in front of the plaque. Of course, you can't read it in the photo, but it says, "All roads lead from (this point in) Rome" and was requested on behalf of Caesar. (Ah, a transport engineer.)

We were in Rome for 5 days in August, the height of the tourist season, but never minded it because we were with great company; our Aunts Tamar and Cynthia and our cousin Ariel.

A beautiful afternoon at the Colosseum.

Inside the Colosseum after our tour.

Our next to last day included a visit to St. Peter's Basilica. We arrived extra early per the instruction of our tour guide, Anna. It was fantastic to be there without the crowds. This was approximately 8 am. (Tam and Ariel in the background!) The basilica is incredibly massive and overwhelming. A dress code is required to enter and we were warned ahead of time not to wear shorts or sleeveless shirts. This is me (typical bad hair day).

Here are the kidos as you look out from the front of the basilica towards St. Peter's square.