New flat!

We moved into our new flat on Wednesday!! We LOVE it! I will post pictures when I have decorations hung, etc...anyway, it is so great to be back in Aberdeen and to see friends again and have our own place. It is 2-bedroom, but with a loft, so we all have our own rooms (well, Josh and I still share one, of course). Rebekah loves her room and her play house for her birthday was delivered yesterday! She was super-excited and practically lives in it. In fact, Luke is pretty taken with it also- glad I went for the primary-ish colors rather than pink!

As usual, my kids astound me in their flexibility- maybe adaptability is a better word. We arrived at 9:30am and Luke went down for a 2-hr nap without a peep (typical honestly) at 9:45am. Both kids took afternoon naps and I was so thankful to have that time to unpack. Luke is in that delightful stage where when you flip on the light to get him up from sleep, he is either sitting or standing and knows exactly which way to face to see you right away. He just beams at me and/or giggles when he sees me. Melts my heart.

Today I worked on framing pictures and am debating how much of a shrine to devote to my precious children. Against my better judgment, I am thinking I will frame them a lot...I mean, you saw RO's handiwork- how could I not frame 50 of my faves??

I also must say how wonderful it is to have groceries delivered to my door! Knowing we would arrive on Weds morning, I set up a delivery for that afternoon and had groceries for the week without leaving my flat!

I also have to mention a few perks of this flat: eat-in kitchen- this means I can actually feed my kids in the very same room I prepare food!! There is a box in the freezer where I can dump ice cubes! That's right, I have enough freezer space to make as many ice cubes as I want via trays and there is also room to store them outside of the trays! The back "garden" is right out back of the kitchen, which affords Rebekah plenty of outdoor play time while I work in the kitchen or play with her (did I mention we have a play house?). Storage galore! We have real closets- you know, those things with doors on them? We have more than 1 and a basement to boot! We are also a mere 4-5 minutes form campus and you know we go there a lot!

Another little treat today was when we visited the HUB for the first time in a month. We arrived to find that the little shop where R gets a tiny bag of Skittles was closed for stocking. However, they saw us, unlocked the door, and pulled out a birthday present for her from behind the counter! It was a princess cup with 2 bags of Skittles and a card that said Happy birthday, Rebekka! They knew she had a k in her name so they did their best. Precious, no? I guess my darlings make quite an impression.

As you can see, we are doing great! Now, just pray that Josh can finish his master's dissertation, so we can move onto PhD work thereafter...

3 year old pics...as promised!

Several years ago, my best friend (aka Shannon Morton) mentioned how great 3-yr-old pictures are. She believed they capture the child in between the infant and the adult- still the sweetness of your baby, but the beginnings of a distinctive look that will characterize them for life. I made a mental note and have been eagerly anticipating this photo shoot for more than 3 years! A big shout out for my sweet photographer, Rachel, who is so patient and creative! Rachel had the idea of going to Crathes Castle...great backdrop! Anyway, sweet Rebekah really did try to smile...you can guess where she's posing and where Rachel caught her in action.

Here's my girl...her many looks :)

side note: I put my faves first, but in no order...not sure which is my absolute favorite...maybe the first one? Perhaps the 5th...so Rebekah!

Our fun-filled weekend

Horse and pony show

Yesterday, R and I went into town for a few things and saw, to our delight, there was horse and pony show! We managed to find a parking spot, run our errand, and go to the show!! It was supposed to cost 5 pounds, but I didn't realize it, and the guy heard my accent (only time it has actually helped me) and took pity on me, claiming good diplomacy! So, we got to go in for free! I felt like I was in The Man from Snowy River with all the beautiful horses and riders.

There were also snacks and a few things, like slides and a bouncy house. We opted for strawberries/marshmallow kebabs (3 pounds- expensive!!) and a turn of 5 slides on this great slide!

Castle Fraser

We meant to hit this castle with Josh's parents, but ran out of time and good (or even moderately decent) weather. Banchory is 45 minutes to the west of Aberdeen, and puts us closer to this castle, Castle Drum, Crathes Castle, and cuts the drive to Balmoral in half. So, we determined to hit them all while here, and now we have!

This castle is a new favorite of mine! There was an amazing "secret playground" with very organic and creative things to play on.

(yes, he is mighty cute)

The gardens were walled in, and I felt like I was in "The Secret Garden." It was lovely.

The castle was very pretty of course, too. It reminded me of a blend of Crathes and Drum- not as castle-y as Dunnottar (ruins) or Edinburgh, but very cool all the same.

As I was walking around, and looking at the grounds, the mountains in the distance, and the castle/gardens, I thought to myself, "We live in Scotland." It was a happy thought, by the way. I also thought to myself, to get this view, you kind of exchange convenience for it. I have loveliness all around me, but no Target or household conveniences (save the washer). And, obviously, our family and friends are not here. It's not that I would choose one over the other or even have that option, I was just thinking about it. (I choose family, by the way ;))

Owens

For dinner that night our fun friends, Mark and Rachel, brought burgers and we got to grill on a beautiful evening! Plus, Rachel came ready to take 3 year old pics of Rebekah! We went to Crathes Castle and hopefully they'll turn out! I have no doubt about Rach's abilities, just Rebe's ability to smile on command. My next post will be some of the pics!!

Sunday Lunch

We have tried 2 churches while in Banchory. The first one was earlier (hard for Luke to nap first), didn't have a car park, and no creche (nursery) for the summer. Suffice it to say, we did not go back. The one we've gone to the last 2 weeks, I love! The people were super-friendly, and I was quickly invoted to their women's conference in Sept, and I am planning on going! Actually, the woman who invited me was Heidi, and I know we would be friends. :) In fact, after talking a bit, we realized we had met each other yesterday at the show, while watching our kids slide. Small world!

The pastor and his wife also had us for lunch today, knowing that we are only here for a few weeks. I was really touched. It was a delicious meal!! A roasted chicken, potatoes, and veggies, with a meringue pie and ice cream. Wow. They were precious people, and we are having them for dinner tomorrow! I told them I thought they were cheating- they have the gorgeous Scotland scenery AND the conveniences of the States: a full-sized fridge and freezer (with an ice maker!!), a dish washer, and a dryer!

Rebekah

Things she has said this week

I miss all my grandparents. :(

Mickie just got up from her nap. She wasn't obeying, but I didn't pop her bottom. (seeing my disapproving look for undiscplined poor behavior)...But she changed her attitude. She's learning.

Mommy, let's go to Burger King. (I explain that it is in Aberdeen, and we are in Banchory)...no, Mom (in exasperation). Pretend-Burger King. It's in the bathroom. It's for Mickie's party. Al her friends are there. It's a girls' trip...(I ask if Daddy is invited)...well, it is a girls' trip...but I guess it's a boys' trip, too. Daddy! You can come, too!

Can I have some fruit snacks for the road?

I'm real interested in that toy.

Mom, you can swing from my bed, but it makes your hands sore, so you have to be careful. (Um, have you been swinging from your bed during nap time?) Yes.

I'm going to nurse Mickie (lifting her shirt and feeling out her chest)- I think this side is full. (What?!)

Mickie likes milk. She likes strawberry milk, as well.

(Luke was crying, I don't remember why. He got banished for a few minutes :)) Why is he crying? (me- I don't know, sweetheart.) Is life real hard for him sometimes? (me- stifling a laugh, Yes.) It's not hard for me.

(we found a Scottish Old MacDonald book here. It's greatness- it was made in 1975 and there are some inappropriate drawings, such as Old MacDonald (in a kilt no less) beating a dog or in a wife beater. Anyway, Josh coerced me into singing it in a Scottish brogue. I apparently did poorly becasue every time since, R has asked me to sing it normally.

You can skype on your computer, but we two are going because it's Mickie's party...and you can come, too, when you're ready, you can just call us when you're ready to go. I just told Daddy he can come, he can just say 'I'm ready." Okay?" (I typed this as she said it- evidently we are back to the Burger King party)

Luke

Luke has gotten very mobile and still wants to climb everything!! He pulls up everywhere and actually let go and stood the other day! For the first time ever, he'll hold my hands and cruise along. I realize that this is a little delayed, but we'll take what we can get!

He understands sooo much- he also is communicating a lot, too! He has lots of different ways of saying "buh" (the b sound), which could mean: ball, bounce, bye bye, etc. He also says Nuh-Nuh when he's sleepy (this is a last resort when we've missed his signs). He actually said Be-kah the other day while looking for his sister. :)

This was my favorite. Little man is very much like me and was quite excited about cookie dough. The funny thing was that after he cleaned off the beater, he crawled to the cabinet where it goes, opened it, put it back in (still dirty, of course), and closed the cabinet, as if nothing had happened.