Bye Again. Posted from Canada

Good-bye again! I will continue this blog in November when S ans A and Oona and Kiefer will come to this side of the pond.

~I~

Last Blog Sun Sept 6th

Today is my last full day and evening with Alex, Sonja, Oona and Kiefer. I leave tomorrow for Canada. We stretched today and went shopping and for a long lunch at the Fish restaurant at an ancient market on the Thames called the Borough market. We needed elocution lessons from Alex on how to pronounce the word 'Borough'. Canucks. Can't do it.
We bought ducks eggs and shrimps and herbs and I could have spent hours at the mushroom stand there were so many different kinds. Food stands everywhere sold samples of international wares and the aromas were mouth watering.
Here's Oona in the top bunk of the 'Phil and Teds' pram in the rain. Kiefer is tucked underneath in a little sack-like carrier that swings gently from side to side. He slept for the entire trip in his cocoon.
Sadly packed my bags tonight.

Will miss everyone and writing about everyone. Allan is staying for one more week. I will try to get him to continue this blog. He says no at this time.

Farewell, Goodbye, Adieu, Uz Redeshanos ,

~I~

Biking in the Kitchen

Today Oona practiced biking in the kitchen because rain poured down for most of the day.
We did get out for a little while.

But mostly she climbs on and off and pedals backwards fast. I think she has to grow into her bike a bit.

She also checked out how all the bicycle parts move and got her fingers caught in the chain. We managed to untangle her fingers with no damage and lots of tears.

Kiefer practiced sleeping in the new pram. Bottom bunk for him and top for Oona.

~I~

Adverse Camber Thurs Sept 4th

Allan noticed this road sign as we crossed Baker St. leaving Regents Park after seeing Gigi at an open air theatre -wonderful acting, lighthearted and funny and the older main character was the lead in Fiddler On The Roof which we saw on our honeymoon first trip to England 37 yrs ago!

The meaning of the sign and what one should do behind the wheel generated much conversation on the way to dinner, during dinner and after dinner.

In Canada, you would have to pull over and consult a dictionary , in France you would have no sign and just spin off the road, but here they are nice enough to warn you, I'm not sure of what. Alex did try to clarify.

I thought that because the road curved to the outside, the centrifugal force would spin my car off the road and the sign was an actual warning to slow down. But Alex and Allan tried to explain to me that the pavement has a convexity on the outside edge rather than the inside edge where it would benefit the driver. But guys know all this. I figure my outside wheels would cause lift off and into orbit I would go.

Am trying to get a picture of Oona on her birthday two wheeler bike with training wheels. Will avoid adverse cambers.

~I~

'tember 2nd, 'tember 2nd

'tember 2nd, 'tember 2nd

Here's Oona on her long awaited 'tember 2nd, 'tember 2nd third birthday. Alex set up an easel with canvas on the roof terrace and all eight of Oona's party friends painted a swirl on the canvas. A great success to be repeated, and a keepsake. We also made hats. But most of the hat materials like pom poms and stickers, crayons and teeny specks of glitter decorated the floor.

We bought a plain chocolate cake which S and A decorated with smarties. One little friend leaned over his cake plate, squashed his slice and picked all the smarties one by one off the cake and popped them into his mouth. Hot dogs, ketchup and mustard were served as the main course. Most of the guest ate the dogs and left the buns.

A good time all in all.

~I~

Allan Arrived Mon Sept 1st

Allan arrived last night with a double decker 'Phil and Teds' stroller or pram in local lingo, Canadian gummy bears and presents from Chris and Marianne. Here's Allan with his introduction to grandson Kiefer. We set Allan to work immediately -jet lag and all - as Sonja and I had to shop for Oona's B-day party tomorrow.

Allan's work consisted of taking Oona to the park in the morning and then looking after Oona AND Kiefer for one and a half hours this afternoon.

He passed the test! Sonja and I came home to a quiet house. We found everyone zonked and snoring on the couch.

~I~