Meredith Carson... Across the Pond and Back Again...

I have been a fan of Barefoot Books for a few years now, but I recently made a purchase that put me over the top. I bought a box of instructional cards called Yoga Pretzels , and they are fabulous. Last night before bed, the kids and I spent about 20 wonderful minutes doing yoga poses and breathing exercises. The color coded cards are divided into different categories such as "Breathe," "Balance," "Twist & Stretch" and "Time In." Emma especially loved our "Time In" card last night which asked us to relax with eyes closed and visualize ourselves 'being' a rainbow." What a nice way to wind down in the evening. So I am recommending these cards to those of you with children from 4 and up, but I have to say that I found them very enjoyable too. I love the words that we all read and repeated as we got into the poses. For example (for Warrior Pose I), "I step forward, breathe and focus. I plant myself firmly. I am strong....

This morning I realised I had to make a trip out to the most treacherous Tesco. It had to be done even though I did not want to do it. I asked the children if either of them wanted to accompany me, knowing in advance what the answer would be. Sophie replied simply, "No thanks." With Emma, however, nothing is simple. I heard her trudging up the stairs behind me, and this is what she said: I really appreciate you asking me, Mom. It's so kind of you, but I think I really want to just enjoy being a child right now, and I can't do that at Tesco. I had to laugh.

I was talking to a friend in the States several weeks ago, and when she asked how it was going, I surprised myself a little when I responded, "I think I finally 'get it' here." Thanks to my LitePod, I have not suffered from a depression this winter, but it's not just that. Britain has grown on me and with me. I still love the good ole USA and look forward to returning there someday (probably at the end of next school year), but I've been here for more than three years now, and it has become my home. When we return to the States to visit, I already feel a bit of reverse culture shock. Even when we're in a recession, the USA seems grand and decadent to me after getting used to life here. Since I regularly communicate with people on both sides of the pond, I realize/ realise how much my language (and spelling) has changed. Shortly after arriving in the UK, we picked up on a few word subsitutions that needed to be made: "diapers" became "nappi...

Yesterday afternoon the girls and I gathered 'round the television to watch the first African American man be sworn in to the office of the President. I must admit I was very moved by the occasion. Sophie was also very excited. She cwtched up beside me and asked every two minutes or so, "Is Rocco Bama president yet??" When it came time for him to take the oath of office, I looked down, and Sophie, who had been still and quiet for several minutes, was fast asleep. Too much excitment, I suppose. Emma was very interested in seeing Obama take the oath of office. She was very impressed by the size and shiney-ness of the Lincoln Bible, and she wanted to hear what President Obama was promising to do. When it was all said and done, she said she was disappointed that the oath didn't include a promise to "compromise so that both people are happy." She said that compromising is a really important thing for a president to do so that people don't have bad arguments. ...

I read an article this morning that made me chuckle. I am glad it made me laugh rather than cry. My SAD lamp is definitely doing right by me. Apparently scientists in the UK have done some sort of research to determine that today, Monday the 19th, is the most miserable and depressing day of the year. It is obvious that the writers are British and not wrapped up in the excitement of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and pre-Inauguration festivities. Anyway, you can check out the article here . The comments that follow also made me laugh. I felt especially British today since after baking fantastic cookies last night ( Oatmeal Scotchies to be precise), George and I had a " Frog and Toad Will Power " experience. After too many "last cookies," I decided they had to be gotten rid of...or shared, rather. (This is not the British part of my day.) After taking the kids to school, I chased down my friend Sonia to offer her some of my sinfully addictive cookies. (After his fifth on...

...THIS is what happens!! Bath crayons are fun...for kids and grown ups too. (Hope I don't get tagged for "inappropriate content"!) Oh yes, the girls and I also went to St. Fagans today since it was so lovely and sunny. Here is a photo...

Nothing new to report here. We are just having another one of our lovely, relaxing weekends. We got so spoiled over our uneventful Christmas that we have been having intentionally uneventful, wonderful weekends ever since. I'm sure our sense of adventure will return in the springtime, but for now, we are enjoying quiet weekends with games, movies and cooking. I also realized I hadn't posted any photos recently, so I just sat Emma and Sophie down in my office chair and snapped a couple. (Yes, Sophie is wearing a sun dress in January. Take it up with her if you have a problem with it.) I always think of my girls as being so very different, but boy, do they ever look alike in this picture!! They are sisters for sure.