bermuda arboretum

 

 

 

 

Continuing our theme of trying out some new adventures, we ventured into the secret oasis of green called the Arboretum.  I hadn't been there since I was about your age.  This park is just on the eastern side of town and full of secret gardens and, as the name suggests, loads of trees.  Schuyler was pretty convinced this was where fairies lived (and almost convinced us).  We swung on the hanging roots of the indian laurel trees just as Uncle Will and I did when we were your age.   We explored, kicked balls around, and drank in the beauty of a park in winter.

waiting

Waiting to go in the car, our cubs wait (im)patiently with (ahem) their stuff!

Kids, you probably won't get this for years to come but your mum and dad rarely feel like grown ups.  We know we're old and all that but I think everyone sort of thinks they are still 27 years old.  Every time a birthday rolls around we get that we are the new number but mentally we still feel 27... just with a tiny bit more knowledge and, if we're lucky, some wisdom.  You'll probably feel like this too, so don't let it scare you.  You'll never feel entirely ready for Big Things like a new job, a big project, a house, kids, a new educational step, etc. but you are.  Just remember that everyone feels daunted by new big things but you'll only get the most out of life and be happiest and most fulfilled if you leap into these Big Things with that very healthy dose of fear and excitement.  When we moved into this house and went swimming for the first time, there was a part of our brain that kept telling us we needed grown ups around.   Everytime we think about lighting a fire in the fireplace here, we think we need grown ups around.  But you'll find that grown ups only know so much and they too are constantly trying to figure out how to do things in this life whether it is learning to change a tire for the first time at 37, starting a new job in a completely different area, or giving a speech in front of lots of people.  Everyone in life is winging it a little.  Nobody knows everything.  Whenever you get opportunities that excite you and scare you at the same time, take them.  That's how life blooms in front of you.  There are no grown ups.  Just people who are a bit bigger than you and have tried lots of things.   Our job is to give you these opportunities and give you the confidence to grab the ones you want.

masterworks bermuda

 

 

 

 

Breaking out of our mold once again, we embarked on another adventure - this time to Masterworks.  Masterworks is an art studio with kids classes and, again, most importantly, a nice little cafe!  Charlie was safely ensconced at Baby Jail so we had Schuyler all to ourselves.  She made a turtle out of a paper plate and tissue paper and then we treated ourselves to sandwiches followed by giant sweets.   Schuyler adores arts and crafts so we're going to try to do more of this kind of thing.

schuyler on the town

 

 

dockyard

 

 

 

Amanda and Zikomo show us around their 'hood

 

 

 

 

So we were looking for something a little bit different to do so we ventured to the far reaches of the Western End of the island.  To add even more spice to the adventure, we jumped on a ferry.   Just getting out on the water can change your perspective and remind you of how lucky you are to live on such a beautiful little island.  Most places were closed when we got there but luckily the key place (the ice cream shop) was open so all were reasonably content.

Christmas in the Park

So we opened our presents and munched on our huge Christmas leftover stockpile and generally chilled out when we had the idea to get up and get out of the house for some fresh air.  The day was splashed with weak winter sunlight and the air barely crisp enough for a sweater, so we headed to the Botanical Gardens with some balls and some leftover energy.  We must have spent an hour of the kids kicking the balls down this little hill to their Dad/retriever who would attempt (in his malcoordinated way) to return them by kicking them into roads/flower beds/nearby houses.  They absolutely loved it though.
 

In front of Camden

Pretending they are kittens in the middle of the driveway of Camden ("The Street: A Great Place To Play")

Checking out the peacocks

 

 

 

Chasing each other around the round-a-bout

Charlie creeping everyone out with his constant "hiding".

gender roles

Charlie showing off the sporting abilities inherited from his father...

And pensively adjusting his memoirs...

Inspecting the elvish workmanship amended by Daddy (anything involving a drill is awe inspiring to the little lad)

Eduarda's gifts were a big hit:  A rescue helicopter for Charlie (which makes all manner of grating noises which is especially fun for the driver when Charlie insists on bringing it in the car) and a new doll for Schuyler (although the one pictured below is actually from Santa because it has "real" hair to style).

Now, what about these gender differences?  We've been keen not to prejudice the kids in terms of what they play with or what activities they do - Charlie routinely cares for the growing family of dolls (he is a caring father from what we can observe) and can often be found in a tutu or skirt (usually at his sister's insistence) and Schuyler often sets to work with a drill and trucks.  But, oh man, it is hard not to see the general inclinations - especially since the boy arrived:  Charlie loves caring for the dolls but he is obsessed with kicking/throwing balls, playing with trucks, riding his bike, "fixing" stuff with the tool kit... whereas Schuyler is a full time Mum to her dolls and adores "Angelina Ballerina" and puts on mini performances (often, instead of saying "thank you", she will curtsy (because, at ballet, they taught her it is how a ballerina says "thank you").  This aside, they have plenty in common - they both love swimming, running around the house, making pillow forts, raising the kids, real and pretend cooking, and general commotion.

 

 

 

fascinating

 

 

A light up necklace fascinates, young Mr. Charles.  Mardi Gras, here we come!

merry christmas!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So we were a little apprehensive about Christmas.  For the first time, it would be just the four of us, and our fear was that it might be a little lonely.   We wouldn't be in Vermont seing Grandma, Gramps, and Nan (and Frosty The Snowman).   We wouldn't be in Australia with Kim, Wardy Baby, and all the cousins down under.   Even Auntie Ardleigh would be ensconced in the heart of Florida sunshine.  We would be without family for the first time.  But it wasn't lonely.  It was a strange, comforting revelation that we are now a family.  Just us.   We woke up and restrained Schuyler from about 5:50am until 6:30am when Charlie eventually roused from his slumber.  Finally, we unleashed them on the small bevy of presents clustered under the tree.  Within what seemed like forty seconds, the presents were revealed from their festive coverings and two very excited and hyper kids were homing in on particular favourites and inventing a new reality around them.

The shoddy Elvish workmanship on a small basketball hoop brought by Santa was repaired by Daddy and Charlie using their respective drills and the incessant dunking began.  A helicopter from Eduarda that made noises specifically designed to ruin any Skype calls with relatives and friends was another favourite of Charlie.  Schuyler, with two new dolls to add to her burgeoning brood, got busy changing their clothes and conjuring names for them ("Emma" and "Scarlett" - could have been much, much worse).  Then she'd switch to hoops when it looked like Charlie was having too much fun.

After some breakfast burritos, we piled in the car for a voyage to Southampton Princess where we picked up the traditional meal that normal people (with normal sized kitchens) would make themselves.  After a Christmas lunch, it was off to Botanical Gardens to kick a ball, get some exercise, and get out of doors in the crisp Bermuda winter sunshine.

An early bedtime for overtired kids was Mummy and Daddy's Christmas present.

We love you all and to all a good night!