That's what we all feel like around here. I have the kind of bug that makes you feel like at any second your whole head could just explode (and send the contents flying for miles!) To top it off, my eyes, ears, and throat itch like crazy...I feel like I have sticks in my eyes and if I had any left over bottle brushes floating around I would shove them right into my ears and give them a good scrub.
Dean had his first "sick day" from school on Tuesday b/c he's got the same cough and crud. Addie isn't coughing so much, but she must be feeling low b/c she is not eating a thing (very unlike her.)
That aside, life is cruising right on splendidly (I love that word "splendid"!)
Not only do we have friends all over the world (due to our many moves) we now have friends from all around the world (living right here in Bury) that we are blessed to call our "family away from home" (we affectionately call our little group "the United Nations" with members from the USA, UK, Singapore, South Africa, Denmark, Greece, and Zimbabwe.) One of the greatest blessing of having friends from around the world is being invited to all kinds of amazing celebrations. On Sunday we celebration Fastelavn (the Danish festival of "beating the cats out of the barrels to mark the start of Lent"). We did not in fact beat any black cats out the barrels as they did hundreds of years ago. Instead the kids beat a barrel full of sweets. It was such great fun....really amazing to witness the age old traditions of another culture....LOVED IT!!
Dressing up is a big part of the festival (for the kids). Lucky for Addie she got a Valentine's Day package from Elana that was FULL of princess dress up gear... which she is crazy about.....and it's all or nothing...every necklace and bracelet or none at all....clearly she went for the "more is more". And how about those lace gloves....AWESOME!
Dean dressed up as a Seahawk (Seattle's NFL team).
The barrel (which our friend Jens MADE...yes...chopped the wood, shaped and tied it together) with the cats symbolized on the side (since we didn't want PETA after us for putting a live cat in.....kidding...we would not do that!)
The beating of the barrel....the kids LOVED this!! There were about 20-25 kids...they all waited so patiently for their turns and then went mad when the barrel broke and the candy was released.
The kids have a contest to see who can eat the most of their "bun on a sting" without using their hands....very tough!
It all ends with massive consumption of coffee and really sweet almond-y Fastaelavn buns (filled with a Danish version on marzipan...YUM!!!)
Very good time....thanks to the Kopps for including us!
We marked Shrove Tuesday (in England known as Pancake Day) with lots of pancakes and friends. This year we didn't take a single picture (shame b/c last year we had so many good shots).
OH....on another note... I saw Slumdog Millionaire last Friday w/my new friend (and walking partner) Susan. Now that was a hard movie to watch...so raw and SAD (sorry but the ending doesn't make up for all the brutality and horror!!) Very glad I saw it, but WOW...hard movie to watch.
Been reading loads....am obsessed with Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and Girl Who Played with Fire....amazing books!! (btw the UK/European covers are SO MUCH BETTER....and sorry, but looks like book 2 not released in USA until July). I actually told my mom NOT to read Girl with the Dragon Tattoo b/c there are some pretty creepy parts. It was one of those books that I could not get off my mind (and not really in a good way). But Beth read the second one (girl who played with fire) and told me it was a must read....and boy is it ever....SO GOOD!!!!!! It was one of those books you can't put down. It's a trilogy and I am just aching for the third one to be released!!!
I've been doing lots of scrapbooking....getting ready for all the classes I have coming up this Spring. Check the sidebar for dates/venues....I will be in Newmarket with Your Touch of Craft, in Stoke by Neyland with A Trip Down Memory Lane, and in St. Neots with Scrapping Angels (links on sidebar.) I am so excited for the classes and projects...I have been on a roll with inspiration! I've also been working my first article for The Scrap Review....don't forget The Scrap Review is kicking things off with TONS of give aways starting March 1st.
If you are a crafty blogger, get on over and grab a blinkie
Pencil Lines had a wonderful guest designer...get on over to check it out.
Love these pics of Addie (taken last Nov.) I have been "saving" them....very glad to have them scrapped! Love how simple the layout is...love the felt and scallops!
And with that I am off.
Have a great weekend!
XOXO
super cute pictures as always - and your so making me want to whip out that Fancy Pants Felt that i just sit and hoard. Love your layout! Hope you feel better soon........
Posted by: Brenda Hurd | March 01, 2009 at 00:56
Lovin all the fun you guys have been up to, and excited about launch of Scrap Review. I can't get any of their blinkies to work on my site - can you help me?? So want a prize!
Posted by: janine | March 01, 2009 at 08:57
I can't believe you got to celebrate fastelavn and had fastelavns boller too!
You all look like you had a fab time.
Tell your friend that the barrel looks fab!!!!
Posted by: Louise | March 01, 2009 at 19:54
I do hope you are feeling better now. I love experiencing and learning about other cultures. It is so much fun and it looks like you guys had a splendid time ;)
Posted by: Lisa | March 02, 2009 at 21:16
looks like a wonderful celebration!
Hope you're feeling better now. that sounds like a nasty bug. get him outta there!!!
Posted by: Haggith | March 03, 2009 at 20:31
I think your illness has migrated to Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. Now I totally understand your comment about wishing you could take a bottle brush to your ears! Ugh. Hope this goes away soon.
Posted by: Jan Connair | March 10, 2009 at 00:43
that barrel is so cool! What a fun idea! PS cute photos too. I love your photography! you have such cute kids!
Posted by: Heidi Sonboul | March 10, 2009 at 15:00
She's so SWEET!!!!!
Posted by: Peg | March 10, 2009 at 17:45
are you all feeling better now?
Posted by: Haggith | March 17, 2009 at 13:52
You're little Addie's a pretty princess!
Posted by: Michelle | March 20, 2009 at 14:19
Cute photos :-)
Hope you are feeling better.
Have a great weekend :-)
Posted by: Maya | March 21, 2009 at 08:25