Water and Wellies...

Weekends tend to be a bit of a blur.  I feel like I blink and it's monday again.  From 7 am Saturday morning to Sunday at 8 pm it's non-stop kid swapping between Belinda and I.  Loads of fun but with these high energy boys you have to have your game face on all the time.  This weekend was water filled in all sorts of different ways...some better then others.
Saturday we decided to take the boys swimming.  Now this isn't just some ordinary local public pool we were heading off to.  Our swimming excursion included a drive to a slightly posh area called High Gate.  Unfortunately the driving time was doubled due to an event at Wembley Stadium but it was all worth it when we arrived at the house.  The house we were swimming at belongs to a true Lord and Lady.  How cool is it that they still are called that.  Historically you would just get this title by birth but now you have to earn it.  This Lord and Lady are friends of the family I am staying with and so we are allowed to use the indoor swimming pool.  George loves water so he had no problem just getting right in however Rudi is still bit skeptical about the whole situation so it takes a bit of coaxing to get him in onto the first step for some splashing.  At one point a reach for a pool toy goes array and Rudi goes face first into the pool (don't worry there were arm floaties involved). This fall is quickly turned into a little swim by Belinda which he hesitantly agrees to with some slight kicking but all the while saying "Bye Bye Swimming!" After drying off and having a cup of tea we headed home.  It really was a lovely day.  The Lord and Lady were so sweet and the house was beautiful yet very comfortable.  Just like how you would feel walking into a lived in, love filled home.
After the kids were in bed we realized something was not quite right with the dishwasher and washing machine....they were full of water when they shouldn't have been.  Not the best thing to discover when the man of the house is out of the country.  A few texts and a short phone call with the hubby and Belinda the Mum has turned into Belinda the Plumber.  By Sunday morning everything was working...Whew!   Two kids and a non functioning washing machine and dishwasher is not a good combo.
Sunday brought a whole different kind of water which involved wellies  We packed the kids up and headed to Brighton for a day at the seaside.  Yes this is the Brighton that is spoken of in many books and where Royalty would vacation or go to just be in the fresh sea air.

Hove Seaside (just outside of Brighton)

I think this might be my favorite place so far. Driving in I felt like I was entering a beach town but it still has that vintage feel.  It felt a bit like a combo of the playfulness of Coronado, the beauty of the Oregon Coast and the underlying class and sophistication of Del Mar also add in a slight dash of the old feel of Cardiff.  It is gorgeous!  I plan to go and spend a whole day there if possible.
We met Belinda's mum, sister and her sisters two kids at the beach.  The beach is half stones and half sand which is great for the kids.  They get the best of both worlds...rocks for throwing in the water and sand for digging and building castles.  Immediately the boys pull on their wellies and head down to the water to have a splash.  Of course Rudi (AKA Wobbles) ends up slipping in the small waves and gets drenched....Poor kid just can't seem to stay on his feet.  He took it like a champ and recovered nicely.

Wobbles mid tumble

We all had a brilliant time!  Belinda's family is so great and welcomed me in like I was part of the family.  Nannie (as the kids call Belinda's mom) may be one of the most lovely people I have ever met aside from George (her grandson).  The relationship they have was so beautiful to watch.  The only way I can describe it is they are connected to the soul...their sweet tender souls.  I feel lucky to know both of them.

George (in Rudi's stroller) with  Nannie

After the seaside we spent a few hours at Belinda's sisters house.  The cousins all played together and we had a cup of tea before we headed home.
Side note...I remembered the correct side of the car to get in on every time.  The small english gentleman who drove me from the airport was right...I am getting used to it.

Sunday night as I was laying in bed I couldn't help but reflect on the weekend and think how lucky I am to be surrounded by all these amazing people who are so willing to treat me like family.  It makes being far away from all of you my wonderful friends and family just a bit easier.....I still miss you all dearly but am so blessed here.

Beach Bath Huts  

Belinda and George...headed for a splash!