Sunday 26 October 2008

not sure if toys r us will carry this


Me: [Holding Mia's toy telephone] I'm talking to Santa Claus. What would you like for Christmas?
Jack: A Spiderman bike! With fire - so it can go REALLY REALLY FAST! Fire coming out of the engine!!
Me: Okaaaay. What if Santa can't build you a fire bike? What else do you want?
Jack: [Puts a finger up to his chin and ponders] Hmmm...I think I need a new pet because Jasper is getting old. I want a black Labrador.
Me: What will you call it?
Jack: Hugo Monkeyhead!! [Bursts into hysterical laughter] Um...Charlotte.
Me: What else would you like?
Jack: A new football game so I can shout out GOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!
Me: Right, okay. What should Santa bring for Mia?
Jack: Not a fire bike because she's too little. A regular bike.
Me: And for Daddy?
Jack: A fire bike!
Me: What about Nanna?
Jack: I think she'd like a new toy. I think she'd like...A FIRE BIKE!
Me: And Grandad?
Jack: FIRE BIKE!!!!!!!! [Jumps up and down]
Me: And for me?
Jack: You can have a fire bike, too! A red one!
Me: Okay, Santa - did you get all that? Five fire bikes, a football game, and a new dog.
Jack: YAAAAAAAAY!

Tuesday 7 October 2008

wish we were there


Jack looking less terrified this time We're back from two glorious weeks soaking up the sunshine and frolicking on the beaches of southern California. And we're none too pleased about that. I arrived at LAX in a summery flippy skirt and sleeveless top, went to the bathroom and changed into jeans, long sleeves, and a cardigan for the plane journey home. On board, the pilot announced that it was 10C in London. It took a lot of self restraint to not stand up and shout "TURN THIS PLANE AROUND!!!", but here we are. Jet lagged, slightly tanned, and the kids now have a fabulous autumnal wardrobe.

I won't bore everyone with lengthy holiday details, so here are some quick points for those with busy lives:
-I want to open up a chain of Whole Foods supermarkets here. Specifically, I would like to open one within 5 miles of my house.
-the peanut butter pie at Rainforest Cafe is insanely good. And probably lethal in high doses.
-the "credit crunch" meant that Disney was pretty quiet; we waited around 5 minutes for each ride. Recession, shmecession - no queues means happy Lisa.
-Gymboree now has all of my money.
-Saw "Ironman" on the plane, loved it.
-I think the hypnotherapy has worked because I felt absolutely fine about flying both times, and wasn't too fussed about the bit of turbulence we had.
-We stayed down the road from Oprah.
-didn't work out, ate like a pig, didn't gain any weight. Oh yes.

Photos can be found here.