mplsMOMMY

A lovely way to be remembered
Originally uploaded by dsmithsteeves
Today I decided to be a tourist while the boys were at school. Probably should have been packing boxes, but oh well. I went to Highgate Cemetery, which makes the “London Top 30″ in our guide book. It was beautiful and peaceful, and not [...]

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Music in the Garden Puppies (Finn & Q)
Originally uploaded by dsmithsteeves
Yesterday was a big day for our family. Dan and Elliot, who somehow is now old enough to completely help plan for and enjoy this kind of day, took the Eurostar to Paris. They had an a amazing time, which you can find [...]

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Our tickets for our move back to Minneapolis are booked. July 29th. There it is. Wow. Only a bit over a month left. I’ve decided to add a new section to each of my blog posts, to capture the smaller things I know I will miss from life in London, [...]

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Martin with boys getting the fire going
Originally uploaded by dsmithsteeves

Today marked yet another school festival for the boys. Off we went back to the Queen’s Wood to celebrate St. John’s. Everyone wore red for the occasion, and that along with the children’s streamer wands, the fire and the gorgeous weather made for a [...]

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The tormented Elliot did have a better day today. Anxiety significantly lower at school drop off, and much less cranky in general. I did take him to the GP this afternoon to make sure there weren’t any physical ailments that we’re missing (and to give my frantic-worried-mommy-self a little peace of mind), and [...]

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Four Year Old Bliss
Originally uploaded by dsmithsteeves

It’s official. Not only do I no longer have any babies, I don’t even have a toddler. I’d be quite depressed if we hadn’t just had such a beautiful birthday day for a very excited and sweet Quinton. We started this morning all in our bed, [...]

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I just dropped a once again very teary Elliot off at school. I have to say that I would rather have a week chock full of back-to-back root canals, gynecological exams and immigration interrogations at the UK border than to watch one of my children work through emotional pain. Elliot is sorting through [...]

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I am happy to report that a very non-toxic mixture of warm water, Ecover non-chlorine laundry bleach, baking soda and a little elbow grease from Quinton successfully removed the red crayon “Q” that has been decorating our wall.

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He’s been waiting for this moment as long as me.
Originally uploaded by dsmithsteeves
On Saturday afternoon we were violated. Violated by Madame Tussaud’s, the famous home of wax figures. We usually avoid these sorts of tourist traps like we do Chucky Cheese back home, but we had a weak moment fueled by a Saturday [...]

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Summertime Legs
Originally uploaded by dsmithsteeves

. . . this is what your child’s legs look like every day. And this picture really doesn’t do it justice. Scrapes, dirt, bruise on top of bruise. We just shower it off each night to figure out what, if anything, needs further attention.
The London summertime is treating [...]

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