UK bound.

The children and I just returned from a 13 day trip to the UK. I was returning for a conference and, on a bit of a whim, decided to take the kids with me. So I booked the tickets and off we went! Flying with a low-cost airline, I was a little concerned, but it was great. The children behaved so well, and despite being very tired, were complete troopers..

We left Saco and Boston in the high 90s... 

Saying goodbye to daddy....

And off we went.

We survived the journey and Aunty Melissa (after a very, very long walk from our terminal to the passport control and baggage areas) picked us up and took us to Cheltenham.

Asleep within a few minutes.

And then we walked to Rory and Freya's school to collect them. Very happy cousins!

Best friends

Charlie was slightly sad just before I took this... but managed to throw his bouncy ball - accidentally - in a way that hit my phone just as i was snapping the shot. Hysterical laughter ensued! 

TWO!

Harriet turned TWO two weeks ago. Cliched to say, but this past two years has gone in a flash. Hatts is losing all her babyish ways - speaks in 5 word sentences, can scoot like a maniac, and is generally a feisty, funny toddler. 

Here we are... her final day as a one year old. 

And the next morning, her brothers desperate to wake her up so they - she - could open her presents.

A family pic taken at the time she was born... 7:33am (Hatts had JUST woken up).

And of course her brothers desperate for her to get those pressies opened. 

Charlie was very excited about the play doh set he'd bought for her.

We dropped off the boys at school and Hatts and I hit Starbucks (Harriet's choice!) for a cake pop and 'water'. Then a quick walk around the block before collecting Chazy.

We stayed and played on the playground for a little while. Harriet showing us she was a big girl by flinging herself down the slide.

We all finished work a little early and headed to Cape Elizabeth - specifically the Lobster Shack - for some chips.

I can't keep calm, I'm only TWO! Sums Hatts right up.

A little cake celebration at home.

She loves hearts.

And she loves cake.

Gifts!

A walk around the hood with a new hat and blanket.

And more gifts. Trying to FaceTime Nana but we couldn't get through so we held off on Nana's big gift.

Peppa Pig bus from raft.

The next morning - in her Peppa PJs... we got to some more pressies.

Thanks Aunty bex.

And thanks to Nana for the 'Old McDonald Farm' - the only thing Harriet really asked for. 

A lovely day celebrating our sweet girl.