Yesterday Julia and I went to Kings Junior Voices, a sort of choir thing. We are to go every Saturday from 10:30-12:00 in the morning. When we got in we signed in and got a folder each (mine was number 13 ) then we started with saying a tongue twister. After that we played a game, then we sang 2 songs and went in a circle and sang a poem. Then our teacher told us that we could have a 5 min break to go to the toilet or drink from our water bottles, then we sang two last songs and it was time to go.
Jim and I are excited to have the girls join this children's choir. The school where they practice (Kings College school) is a boarding school for 'choristers,' children who are prepared for major singing events. This school is where the King's College boys choir comes from. Obviously, our children are not part of such an elite group, but it is still wonderful for them to have this opportunity to sing while we are here in Cambridge.
The rest of the family walked to downtown Cambridge (while they were practicing) and did a little shopping, enjoying the sunny day and looking for construction sites (Andrew's favorite thing.)
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Friday, January 11, 2008
Rain and Bikes
The rain began today in torrents. My high hopes of walking into town to return something were squelched as I drove home from school and realized, "this rain is not stopping!" Cambridgeshire actually has less rain (for some reason) than much of England. But not today.
Andrew and I set to work and began to clean~here is my favorite three year old helper hard at work~
He is awfully cute, isn't he?
After school the rain had virtually stopped and several of us Tyndale House moms went outside to admire our friend Kathryn's new purchase. I have never seen anything like this bike. It isn't like a Burley (obviously the children are in front) and it isn't a separate attachment. It is actually PART of the bike. It holds 100 kilos (220 lbs.) which means this contraption can be fitted out for four children.
We decided to test it out with a full load, but Kathryn only was able to move it about an inch. So we unloaded a few pieces of cargo, and the bike worked great!
Claire and I also took a turn up and down the alley way riding this fun new bike.
Although it looks like evening it is only 4:45~but we are thankful for every extra minute of sunlight we are getting now that the days are growing longer
Andrew and I set to work and began to clean~here is my favorite three year old helper hard at work~
He is awfully cute, isn't he?
After school the rain had virtually stopped and several of us Tyndale House moms went outside to admire our friend Kathryn's new purchase. I have never seen anything like this bike. It isn't like a Burley (obviously the children are in front) and it isn't a separate attachment. It is actually PART of the bike. It holds 100 kilos (220 lbs.) which means this contraption can be fitted out for four children.
We decided to test it out with a full load, but Kathryn only was able to move it about an inch. So we unloaded a few pieces of cargo, and the bike worked great!
Claire and I also took a turn up and down the alley way riding this fun new bike.
Although it looks like evening it is only 4:45~but we are thankful for every extra minute of sunlight we are getting now that the days are growing longer
Thursday, January 10, 2008
A good word
"Rather, train yourself for godliness;
for while bodily training is of some value,
godliness is of value in every way,
as it holds promise for the present life
and also for the life to come."
I Timothy 4:7b-8
for while bodily training is of some value,
godliness is of value in every way,
as it holds promise for the present life
and also for the life to come."
I Timothy 4:7b-8
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Julia's half-birthday
Julia turned 8 and 1/2 today! We celebrated with apple pancakes for dinner.
We don't really celebrate half birthdays, but somehow through the years the tradition seems to be growing that certain things happen on this day in the life of the child. For instance, Julia informed us today that she shouldn't do chores on her half birthday. (A cardinal rule on their real birthdays.) We acquiesced with 1/2 chores. "And I shouldn't be disciplined for anything" was the next request. "We will half discipline you" we retorted (now, what does that mean?) Fortunately there was no need to have to figure that out!
Today was a good day to honor Julia, however. Our philosophy is, "Honor as much as you can!"
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Molly Dancers and famous ME
Two fun things happened yesterday. While picking Andrew up from pre-school we happened upon a strange event at the girls school.
There, in the play yard, were a group of dancers (all men) with crazy outfits and flowers around their knees, dancing. There were several accordion players performing music for the dancers, and it all resembled some sort of Austrian folk dance (costumes too.)
One man was dressed up like a woman having fun doing some crazy things, and the children loved it. What was this, Andrew and I thought?
Well, we had stumbled upon something called "Molly Dancing," which is a traditional English event that happens very specifically in East Anglia, the region Cambridge is in. Most Brits probably don't know what it is, but in our little area, this tradition is still practiced.
On "Plough Day" every year, (January 7th) which is traditionally the first day back for farmers after Christmas, these dancers (traditionally) would head from house to house dancing for money. If they weren't paid, they would plough a furrow in your front lawn. This has become now a fun tradition to break up the winter doldrums. (Although I didn't see a plough anywhere!) Anyway, it was a fun diversion for this mom, too.
The other funny thing that happened yesterday is that I was on television! Yes, that's right, I am famous. At least, that's what the children at school think! You see, I was stopped at the market in downtown Cambridge and asked if I knew who the character "Arthur" was. (The children's show.) I simply pointed to the character amidst many others on the reporters hat, and voila! I was put on T.V. I haven't let the glamour and glitz go to my head, however, I am still the same old Mom who made soup again for dinner!
There, in the play yard, were a group of dancers (all men) with crazy outfits and flowers around their knees, dancing. There were several accordion players performing music for the dancers, and it all resembled some sort of Austrian folk dance (costumes too.)
One man was dressed up like a woman having fun doing some crazy things, and the children loved it. What was this, Andrew and I thought?
Well, we had stumbled upon something called "Molly Dancing," which is a traditional English event that happens very specifically in East Anglia, the region Cambridge is in. Most Brits probably don't know what it is, but in our little area, this tradition is still practiced.
On "Plough Day" every year, (January 7th) which is traditionally the first day back for farmers after Christmas, these dancers (traditionally) would head from house to house dancing for money. If they weren't paid, they would plough a furrow in your front lawn. This has become now a fun tradition to break up the winter doldrums. (Although I didn't see a plough anywhere!) Anyway, it was a fun diversion for this mom, too.
The other funny thing that happened yesterday is that I was on television! Yes, that's right, I am famous. At least, that's what the children at school think! You see, I was stopped at the market in downtown Cambridge and asked if I knew who the character "Arthur" was. (The children's show.) I simply pointed to the character amidst many others on the reporters hat, and voila! I was put on T.V. I haven't let the glamour and glitz go to my head, however, I am still the same old Mom who made soup again for dinner!
Monday, January 7, 2008
The Pilgrims' Church~
On New Years Eve we went to visit the church where the Pilgrims worshiped before setting out for the New World. They came to Holland for freedom to worship and found a home in Leiden. And Leiden has not forgotten them, as the plaque below attests.
You'll notice Andrew is not in the picture; we left him sleeping in the van under Aunt Carole's watchful eye. :-)
The Pilgrims had an 11 year stop over in Leiden but it wasn't all they hoped for. After they became concerned with the morals that their children were picking up, they decided to leave for the New World.
The first plaque is in honor of John Robinson who pastored this church. The second one lists the family members who died in Leiden--notice how many young children.
Notice this cool bridge. We were amazed at the unique bridges that Dutch have built. Even the small canal bridges like this one in Leiden were made beautifully.
Funny Cheese
Stephen and Joy (Jim's brother and sister-in-law) bought some cheese for our New Years festivities in Holland.When they asked about the cheese on the left, the store employees could not translate what type (or flavor) of cheese it was. After asking an elderly woman in the store, they were told with confidence, that is was "poison ivy" cheese. Curious, they bought the cheese anyway and discovered that in actuality it was "Nettles" that flavored this cheese. Similar to poison ivy, but the sting doesn't last as long!
Actually, it was quite good! (With no sting at all~~) And we've since noticed that nettles are used in other foods here, too. Anyone interested?
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