Cookie dough fun!

So the kids are off of school for the week (1/2 term), Dean is studying for his final, and I am busy, busy, busy keeping everyone entertained and happy. Today I promised Abigail that after our trip to the market we could bake something. She wanted to make 'Grandma's Speciality'- cinnamon buns, but it sounded like too much work for me. We compromised and made chocolate chip cookies. I had Samuel and Aleah happily playing with playdo at the table (at least for a little while), and Abs and I were getting on with it. I found a baking tray that a friend gave me that makes star-shaped cookies on a stick. They didn't turn out too bad. I could only put the stick in half of the stars because with all the sticks in it wouldn't fit in my oven.

Towards the end, Sam and Aleah became more interested in the cookies than playdo. They each wanted a turn to scoop out some cookies...Aleah also noticed that Abby kept dipping her fingers into the mixture so she thought she would have a go. Then Abby, who was in an incredibly weird mood, stuck a chocolate chip on her nose and of course her siblings followed...encouraged by their Dad who was on a five minute break from studying!

Final Days

Well, it is the final few days before the FINAL! Dean has been very busy over the last few weeks working on his final essays. They were turned in on Friday and he is now hitting the books to study for his Final Exam. Please pray for him that his studying will be fruitful and he will be able to confidently and successfully sit his exam on Wednesday morning!

Picnic at the park

Here are some pictures from one of our lovely picnics at the park, before the weather turned cold again! Dean and Sam had a go at frisbee.

Abigail striking a pose! (of sorts)

Aleah enjoys going down the rather large slide, and then stopping to have a chat underneath it.

And of cours, all the kids love the swings.

I've been tagged

My sister-in-law, Kelli, has just tagged me and asked me to write 7 random things about myself. I'm not sure if I can even think of 7 random things, let alone 7 things that other people would even care about knowing about myself...but here goes!

1. I once saved my little brother (Robbie) from starving to death when he got locked in our bathroom. The door got stuck and he was panicking thinking that he was going to be stuck in there for a long time. I passed potato chips under the door to him (too make him feel better). Then told him to step into the tub so that I could kick the door in. The plan worked and he was saved! (That one's for you Kel!!!)

2. Following on from the first item...I have rather large calve muscles. For some reason, God decided to bless me with very muscular legs that are the topic of many conversations. (Why he didn't give them to any one of my 3 brothers will be a question that I ask him in heaven!)

3. Even though I have had a driving license since I was 15 years old. I am now having to take driving lessons in order to pass the UK driving test. (How humiliating!)

4. I have to have ice in my cold drinks in order to feel satisfied. At least 3 cubes, but preferably 4.

5. I think I'm a 'pseudo-vegetarian'. I could go weeks without eating any meat, much to my husbands disgust and disappointment. I don't have anything against it, I just prefer vegetables, and often don't even think about adding meat.

6. I prefer coffee to tea. (Skinny vanilla latte, please!)

7. I am still afraid of the dark...just a little bit!

There you go...some things you maybe didn't know about me, or maybe didn't even want to know but at least I'm playing the game!

So let the sunshine in!!!

Praise the Lord for the beautiful sunshine!!!! We have had absolutely amazing weather for 8 whole days now!!! Can you believe it!? This Florida girl is loving it. Last week I went out to the park with the kids almost everyday...and some days I was out at the park for most of the day. We have some beautiful parks in this city, and I must say that I am thankful for them!

Dean was working on one of his final 3 essays for his Youth Ministry course, and I was doing what I could to keep the peace.

I am so thankful that God blessed us with beautiful weather during this time. Tuesday evening, after piano lessons, I took the kids to the park for a picnic dinner. Wednesday morning I took Aleah and a friend's little boy to the paddling pool/sand box where we met up with another friend and her toddler. We had a lovely time splashing in the water and playing in the sand. Had a picnic lunch and then went home for naps.Aleah showing off her cool shades!

Paddling pool fun!

After naptime, it was time to pick up the older two from school, and because Dean was still working on his paper....it was back to the park for us. I packed bathing suits and a change of clothes for all the kids and we went straight to the paddling pool after school. (Forgot the camera at this point!) They all had a great time, and then we walked to McD's for dinner.

Thursday and Friday were both gorgeous and we spent our time after school at the park again. Saturday we did a 4 mile walk down the River Thames for Samaratin's Purse...(to raise money for water wells in Africa) with a group from church. Sunday after church we headed out with friends and family to the park for a fantastic picnic lunch!

When the sun is out in London, the whole city seems to 'cheer up'! People come out of their homes/flats and actually seem to be a whole lot friendlier! I must say that I really do enjoy this kind of English weather!