Happy Birthday Alex!

This is my last night in London and we partied and celebrated Alex's birthday April first. Oona, Kiefer and I made a yogurt cake with straw-
berries and 'koklate' smarties. At 6am this morning Alex and I drove to the Canary Wharf area to Billingsgate Fish Market established in the 19th century when it was the largest inland fish market in the world. We and our clothes still smell of fish as we ate fried kippers at 8am sitting next to the merchants that were break-
fasting on beautifully cooked, fresh from the ocean, dover sole. We bought fresh mussels, clams and white fish for a fish stew. Sad to leave.

Liberty's of London

I should have asked how old these wood carved panels are in side the elevator at Liberty's of London. Beautiful peaceful old time department store in the middle of hectic downtown London. The main entrance took me to scarf heaven with an over-
whelming choice of patterns. I babysat Astrid tonight as S and A went out for Birthday dinner. Sidney came to help with Oona and Kiefer. We all did it!

Growing

Can you see that Astrid is growing by the day! She is a very calm baby but her voice gets louder and louder when she's hungary. Kiefer and I went to the park for a"koklate stick ice cream." And Oomi visited today. Oomi and Nana watched Kiefer at his football practice. Kiefer corrects me if I say soccer. Kiefer will definitely be the next generation of England footballers in what ever capacity.

Blossoms

These blossoms are very near Oona's school at the top of Portobello road. Everyone catches the sun as if it were the middle of summer with tank tops, shorts and sandals. The picture of 'The Girls" is in the village of Denham on Sunday. The last shot is at a brand-new mall in central where we sat and had lunch. It felt like a modern airport in Switzerland. Very chi chi.

Outdoors

Some outdoor shots of the village we went to for lunch on Sunday. And Astrid in her outdoor teeny knit hat. She is definitely getting chubby with a little double chin and an extra fold in her little legs.

Ballet

Oona will prepare for her ballet exam and is very serious, though she also likes to hang upside down like a chicken. This week-end was truly sunny, beautiful and warm with trees and magnolias budding everywhere. We picnicked in the park on Saturday and had a pub lunch outside on Sunday.

Falafels

Here's Astrid dressed to go about town again among sprouting daffodils.
















Kiefer waited patiently at the falafel lady's stand which is a regular stop on the way to swim-
ming and he munches happily away. We had a nice time floating about. Every morning and every evening Kiefer watches the Sick Turtle DVD and Oona watches the dolphin clip. Oona asked to keep the DVD.

Playdates, soccer and swimming

Oona is just playing and running in the sunshine with two play date friends after school. I took Kiefer to his soccer practice where he worked very hard on very elaborate exercises. Nimfa, meanwhile, took Oona for a swimming lesson. After dinner I attended a political discussion group put on by a group called "Front Line." Mainly the discussion by the panel of bureaucrats centred on Darfur and whether the UN should be declared a defunct organization or not. Excellent audience with excellent questions and input.

Hangin' Out

Spring is definitely here earlier than in Canada. Both Oona and Kiefer had long days at school today. Oona has after school activities like ice skating and the chess club, but on separate days. Oona took my queen in three moves as I looked on stunned. Kiefer is very tired after we pick him up at 3pm and complains, "its OK but its too long." Astrid Rosamund sleeps for a long time in her carriage outside as we walk but has trouble sleeping at night.

Sunday/Monday

This morning we dropped Oona with her cello and Kiefer to school and then had coffee with Astrid. She is so very small and sweet and wants to feed often. Kiefer was very eager to show me how fast he runs. And he does! After coffee with Astrid we went to a mini first concert by Oona's class. Twenty little ones in her music class playing violin and cello. Oona, was of coarse, in my eyes brilliant and did her little cello solo perfectly. She practices a lot and is very eager to learn. Very cool weather in London.