So Long Whitmore Gardens

It's now our last night at 56 Whitmore Gardens. Hard to believe it's all over. A few months ago when I was hating being here, I thought this day would never come! Now it's kinda sad... but only kinda.

Poor V & N are having a really hard time. I think it's with the concept of a change much more than they love London that much more because I know they don't. V says there's no mattress as good and she'll miss the bed! N was having a fit about her pants and suddenly cried out, "I just want to stay but I do want Chik Fil A." (One of the things we miss about the USA) It's interesting how they express their feelings and what form their closure takes. Once we leave this house and move forward with getting back they'll be fine. It is hard to say goodbye and embrace changes.

We've had an amazing 4 months here and I'm so happy Jason had this hair-brained idea. Thought he was nuts when he threw this one by me, and it was nuts, IS nuts. We've been living in LONDON with 3 kids! I think we honestly saw everything and did everything we wanted to do. Overall it's been a great trip and fascinating experience.

The bags are packed and we think under the 50lb weight limit, our scale is so crappy. The house has been scrubbed top to bottom...Jason is a machine. Check out is tomorrow. Tomorrow afternoon we should be relaxing at the hotel...anticipating our busy Sat. Wow.

Things I'll Miss About Living In London (in no particular order of importance)

• Jason having the flexibility to be home so much and spend lots of time with us.
• Spring flowers
• The 'yellow corner store'. Wonderful fresh baked bread, milk, bread, wine and other essentials are only a 2 min walk away.
• Watching V navigate the Underground map system, the girl has serious skills and one heck of a memory.
• The awesome folding glass doors.
• 
• Come Dine With Me- reality dinner party show with witty smart ass narrator
  
• Wagamama- stir fry restaurant (Mary bought the cookbook :) we can make it at home!!)
  
• warm toffee waffles on the street
• a million photo ops
• having my mom here to help and for my girls to have her in their lives everyday.
• Kensington Park
• Ruby Gloom & Braceface- my fav kid shows
  
• singing birds in our backyard (except at 4am)
• watching L's excitement from observing the birds that come to our backyard
• N collecting snails, rocks, and flowers from the garden
• Jason doing most the cooking
• opportunity to see some of Europe so easily
• little credit card machines- size of a labeling machine they bring to the table, very quick
• global awareness in the news and life
• watching N gallop around the house and city on her imaginary horse when she gets bored
• hearing "lovely", "darling", "bloody"and all the other British phrases
  

Things I Won't Miss

• relying solely on public transportation
• homeschooling
• the pine floor from hell that takes indentations from the slightest pressure...a spoon falling on the ground
• the lack of a child-friendly city
  
• schlepping the stroller up the Underground stairs (I do have to thank the MANY good Samaritans who have simply grabbed the front and helped)
• the evil step in the middle of the kitchen/living area that we have all tripped over at least once, poor L...a few more times than once
• renting
  
• the burlap carpet that really hurts (how Jason got puke out of it is still a mystery)
• the clothing washer/drying/no-still-not-dry-yet machine that has a max capacity of only 6 shirts
• limited wardrobe, so tired of these clothes
  
• double water faucets...absolutely insane...choice 1= scalding hot....choice 2= ice cold. (Their solution is to put in the stopper, mix the two and use the water in the bowl....EWWWWW.)
• 
• their bad tv commercials... can't explain...just bad
• having to share my laptop...with the kids...guess that won't change will it?
• dust...didn't appreciate how much dust a central ac unit collects and therefore prevents
• the bathroom being on the 2nd floor complete with the toilet that only flushes 75% of the water and content away...i know...gross
• the lack of locks on bedroom doors
• the door stoppers
  

Natalieisms-

• There was a 21 gun salute for the Queen's birthday and Natalie saw the photo in the paper and asked, "What were they shooting..foxes....wolfes...what?"
• A bird was singing outside and N says, "Maybe he's practicing for a show."

Jason and I went to see Wicked, had a wonderful time.

L getting a ride in the suitcase.
Nat taking her own photo.

We had a few things we didn't want to bring home so we put them outside with a "Free, take me" sign. The girls were so excited when someone took something! N finally sat out there with the stuff, waiting for 'customers'.
Fly Home Countdown: 2 days!!!!!!!!