SOOOOOOO NASTY!!!!

This morning, after I changed Jude's nappy (diaper), I went out to our bin (trash can) to throw it out. I was greeted by a disgusting plethora of white maggots all over the lid!!!!! Ewwwwwww, not only were they maggots, but English maggots at that. Trying to get back at me for the whole revolution tea party thing! jk So I did what any totally grossed out, yet patriotic parent would do. I went in the house, looked for my strongest cleaner (which is this case I opted for oven cleaner, and then a bit later some toilet bowl scrub and water to finish it all off) went back outside and sprayed the life out of my rubbish bin lid.

Oh how I hope, hope, hope that worked. Especially since the rubbish man collector only comes every two weeks here. EVERY 2 WEEKS!!!!! I have one whole week to go with a maggot bin. AAaaaaaaaaaaaa

Waddesdon Manor

Daddy and Jude hanging out in front of a beautiful fountain. Although James was nor Jude were that impressed, I certainly was. It must be an American thing. They seem to have these kinds of things all over England.

The house had its' own aviary. This bush really reminds me of Disneyland!!!! They have things like this all over there. Maybe Disneyland got it's ideas from this Estate home. :)

\Another beautiful Rothschild Mansion built in the late 1800's as a party and art house. Not really even built to live in. Just used as a vacation home! Can you imagine building such a huge place just to use sometimes? Crazy rich people. James and I wonder why rich people don't build these cool palaces so much anymore. It is such a shame. Art and culture just don't seem to be as valued as they once were.
This is the back of the house. Isn't it gorgeous! SO fancy! I can just imagine waking up to hot chocolate on the back patio. Ahhhhh...this is the life. jk

James and Jude took a quick pic for me of them near the entrance to the home. This is where all the maids and such would be waiting for you to drive up in your carriage and welcome you home.

This is from the very front of the property. There are gardens hidden to the left and right of the home. It is a great place for a day out and a picnic with the family. We went inside the huge house, and that was lovely as well. The owner no longer lives here, but he does occasionally use it to entertain and for nice dinners. He had the Queen over in 1995. He even still buys art for it.

Mmmm Pancakes

I have been feeling so domestic lately. This morning I made yummy pancakes with fresh strawberries for my hunny and sonny. Nothing wrong with a little bit of heaven on a Friday morning. :) Oh and the syrup is Lyle's Golden Syrup Maple flavored. It is delicious. I'm not sure if they have it in the states. I know they have it Canada. (I am half-Canadian by the way. yes it's true my mother was born in Canada)

Ascott House and Gardens

Is he not so sweet? Oh how I love my British Bloke.

Here are Jude and James in the Venus Garden. There are five seperate gardens on the Estate.

This sculpture was so cool. It is all done in slate stone and it had a plaque that said something about stone being of the earth and thus it is one eternal round and so and so. It was a neat modern art sculpture.

This is a huge sundial made of shrubs. The bushes on the arch outside of the dial actually say something. In 1880, the owner of this house had the gardens created for his wife and love. The bushes are pruned to say, "Light and shade by turn but love always". Oh how romantic the rich british people are. :) That is Jude running to play in the bushes.

Our little family of love walking down a garden path. And yes, we have our Rainbow sandals on. We try to wear them when we can eventhough it rains here everyday!!!

Ascott House and Gardens

Jude and James on top of a strange knoll in the middle of on of the gardens.

The beautiful and huge Rothschild home at Ascott. They still live here actually and the home in only open a few hours in the afternoon. You can only tour a few rooms on the ground floor.

A picture of us in what may be our future home in England. jk

Jude getting ready to take us out on our excursion. He loves to wear sunglasses and pretend to drive. :)

This is such a beautiful place with romantic gardens spanning 30 acres. It is only 3 minutes drive from our home in England and we had a lovely afternoon out as a family to explore it.

Ice Cream Truck

We had our first English Ice Cream truck experience. Instead of having wrapped Ice Creams, they actually serve you Ice Cream how you want it and it is called a whippy. The is us in our front yard.

My little drummer boy

We went over to the Wall's home for dinner. As we were hanging out we heard someone playing the drums in the backroom and assumed it was Peter, the Wall's 8 year old son. After a minute we realized Jude wasn't around but Peter was. Jude had found the drum set and started playing on his own. This video is just the end bit after we "discovered" him.
Later we all played rock band and Jude wanted to play the drums, but Josh already was. SO, Jude went into the backroom again, got the drumsticks and came back to play the fake drums with Josh. It was so funny.

Resting at the park, unless you are Jude.

Lovely Lynda, my mummy-in-law

Clockwise from top: James, Josh, Grumpy Jude, Lynda, and Bex

James's mom, Lynda, and James' sister, Rebecca, came to visit us on Sunday and to pick up Josh and take him back home to Kent. We had a lovely afternoon together. I made lasagna and salad which we ate outside. Then we took a stroll along the canal to the park to listen to "Summer Music in the Park" but ended up being 2 hours too early, so we decided just to hang out instead.

Uncle Josh Comes to Town

Josh in a Tree at the Park near our home

James' little brother came to stay with us for a few days and ended up staying for two weeks. We had so mch fun. We went on bike rides, walks along the canal, grocery shopping, etc. Jude loved his Uncle Josh and can't wait to have him over to watch Thomas the Tank Engine again soon.