Feels Like home......

I feel as though I am floating on a white fluffy cloud, high in the sky, without a care in the world.  Life is great as I am back in lovely London town.  Even as I write this I breath a sigh comfort in my favorite leather chair in the Kew Inn where I have spent many hours over my trips here.  It feels a bit like my office but better because there is beer and organic cider just steps away.
Travels went great arriving here.  No issues at all....apparently I've got the boarder crossing smile and answers down so they just wave me on through saying "Have a lovely time!"  My coach driver was quite chatty....basically got his life story in the hour.  I could tell you anything you want to know about his entire lineage (back to great

Spiderman Rudi shooting some webs in the garden

  grandpa).  I also was informed that he recently had one wisdom tooth pulled and it was "bloody painful"  When I said well you should try and have them all out at the same time...that's painful.  He responded "All of them?  that's crazy....so all your teeth are false?"  Oh goodness...really...yep he thought I meant that I had all my teeth pulled and replaced with fake ones.  Sometimes I wonder about people.  Anyway, I arrived at my London home and was greeted by my wonderful friends and amazing boys!  Oh my goodness they have changed.  As you can see...Rudi is all boy and hilarious.  For a nearly 3 year old he is talking up a storm and has opinions (which are the correct ones of course) on everything.  He is just as sweet as he is cheeky though.  Always wanting to included everyone in things and congratulating you when you do something well.  My favorite so far is when I do something properly like turn on the TV or fix something that is broken he says with genuine excitement "Well done Sara!"  Just melts my heart. The other beautiful little man in the house is not so little anymore.  George has blown my mind too with his changes.  He has grown leaps and bounds

Just having a bounce!

since I last saw him...sizewise and so many other ways.  I believe I mentioned last year that George has autism and has been mostly non verbal.  That is not the case anymore.  This kid has things to say and is communicating like crazy.  He has learned basic signs and words and is really engaging and communicating.  Bella, Michael, Lauren and George have obviously been working together beautifully together and it is clearly having amazing results.  As you can see from the smile on his face life is good.
I had a couple days before I started work so I stayed with Lauren and we enjoyed some nights out.  The

Kew Manor House

     
sun was gorgeous and we spent evenings at pubs on the Thames.  Stories of these nights are available upon request.
I then moved back to Bella's house to start work.  I say work but it really isn't.  It is enjoying time with some amazing people.  We had a great weekend together.  There were walks in the lovely Kew Garden that is across the street from their house.  The weather was gorgeous and people were out in masses soaking it in.  The pond you see in the photo had tons of little boats you could rent and paddle around in.  It was kinda funny watching people who didn't know how to

My little London Man

row going in circles.  Mind you I shouldn't laugh because I would probably be that person too.  We also hit up Ham Fair.   It had bubbles and a bouncy house which George was mad for. He had such a great time.  Rudi and I just hung out in the grass, looked at old cars, and he played with my camera taking photos.  I definitely ended up with some good shots of my pant leg and random families we don't know but he had a good time and my camera is still intact so that's all that matters.  I can't say no when he say "Sara, can I have a go on your camera?  Is that a good idea?"
Another day we were invited to come have lunch at a beautiful country home is Surrey.  There was a pool and a huge beautiful back garden.  We played football (not american) and the kids swam.  Now here is where I officially knew I was in England.  The temperature outside was maybe just barely 60 degrees at most and these kids were swimming like it was a bright sunny day.  They got out shivering but it didn't matter.  It's so funny because I am sure that any California mom would have never allowed there child outside with out a jacket in that weather let alone in a swimming costume to go in an outdoor pool.  I didn't get in the pool but definitely had my feet in...still wearing a jumper (that's a sweater for you americans).  I'm not quite completely acclimated.  It really was such a lovely day though.  All the kids just ran about while we had tea.  There was scooter riding, game playing and just good conversation with lovely people.  Bella and I were chatting and agreed that it was so lovely to spend the day in the country.  We also both realized how close it is (30 min drive) and how beautiful it is.  I feel like around every corner there is another gem that is wanting to be discovered.  After my first week here it has been quite interesting how different I feel then last time.  It is almost like the new sparkle of the town that I originally felt has given way to a different deeper level.  It was a bit hard to work out what was going on but now I am realizing that this place is really starting to feel like a place I know.  I am having to work harder to discover things that are really new.  I have moved way past the tourist level here and am now trying to dig into the city and find things that I haven't before.  Having this realization has taken me out of my momentary funk and rejuvenated me to get out and explore in a different way.  I am so excited to see London on another level.  Stay tuned for what gem I find next.