Summer fun

Love the London Transport Museum

I think that sweet Lucy might be Otie's first love.

Movie parties with Rylee and Lucy

Not as much snuggling when it's just the two of them...

Hyde Park Lido

London North Picnic with Pauline, Peggy and Jean

London North Primary paint party

 Family rides in the Christiania

London town.

 Gymnastics at the Talacre Center

 Freezing swims at the Parliament Hill Lido

Italy through the lens of Kjrsten Madsen

I love Kjrsten's photography style. I love that she uses only real film. I love her family. And I love her.

It was an amazing trip. When you live so far from family, it's nice to have friends that feel like family. July 2012

Cinque Terre and Lake Como, Italy

The Madsen's were going to Italy for a week in July so we decided to invite ourselves along for a long weekend.  We flew into Milan (courtesy of EasyJet, the cheapest and most uncomfortable mode of transportation) and drove a few hours to get to Cavi where we were staying. Milly got hand, foot, mouth disease a few days before we left and we weren't sure if we should go, but against all moral decency we decided to take her on a plane and go for it. I have no regrets.

Poor girl sat outside the hot tub while the other kids swam until the last day when she was mostly healed.

 Milly incognito on the plane. We had her wear Otie's shirt to cover her sores (*note: one doctor said they aren't contagious after the blisters appear) but I felt like a was smuggling a dangerous substance on a plane and was physically sick about it. Worst airport experience of my life.

We stayed in Cavi and took a ferry to visit the different towns of Cinque Terre. 

 Poor Milly June. It was hot and she had to stay completely covered.

 Lake Como 

 We rode the funicular, ate gelato (I think we had it 11 times in 4 days), and wandered around.

 Lake Como was beautiful. We took a boat ride around the lake, which both kids slept through making it quite a pleasant experience.

Now I will do a separate post with Kjrsten's pictures since her pictures never cease to amaze me.

LJS

Otis went to pre-school at the Liberal Jewish Synagogue 2 days a week last year. It was such a good experience, he loved it so much. They were loving and warm and I saw Otis start to learn to follow some rules. Here are some clips of the performance on his last day of school. He is the second one from the right on the front row.

Otis and Lucien, his best buddy from school after making flags for the Jubilee weekend.

Dear Otis,

September 11, 2012

I cried last night. Today you are 4. I kept thinking as I lay in bed last night, that maybe if I never went to sleep you would never turn 4. But here I am sitting next to you in your new super hero outfit and you are 4. You woke up and said, "do I look bigger today?!" Yes, you do, my love.

But you still join me in my bed at some point every single night to snuggle. You wiggle your way in right next to me and press your cheek against mine and drift back to sleep.

I love your wild and free spirit. You love to get dirty and usually get home at the end of each day with fingernails full of dirt from some adventure you've found. You're enthusiasm for life is contagious. Everyone who meets you is drawn to--or at least is impressed by your energy. You are a natural leader and easily make friends. You usually introduce me to your "new friend" soon after you meet them at the fountains or the park

I admire you confidence so much. Even though it often comes out as defiance. Just recently I have seen the normal inhibitions creep in. I know it is part of growing up, but I hope you keep most of your confident and care-free attitude forever.

One thing that stands out most about you is your sweet voice. It is low, husky and loud. You have absolutely no volume control and seem to be incapable of whispering. Whether we are at church or on a plane, your voice seems to carry like you are speaking into a microphone. And you do not like to be told to be quiet. You really don't like to be told to do anything.

You are a good brother. You tease and are rough with Milly, but if anyone else tries to do anything to her you are fiercely protective. Milly loves you and is your little shadow.

Everything you see is the best or worst "thing in the whole wide west" or the "whole world". In the middle of football class at Swiss Cottage yesterday you ran over to me and yelled, "wasn't that the most amazing kick you've ever seen in the whole wide world?!" You also constantly ask if you are bigger and older than other people. The other day at the park I overheard you asking a kid how old he was then explaining to him that you were older and bigger because you are 4 now.

Birthday cake at the Madsen's

We had a small pirate party with some friends in the garden today. It was a good day. I love you bigger than this whole wide world.