Parent & Child Parking Space Rant

Quite often here in the UK there are designated "parent and child" parking spaces at stores and in some parking garages which, like handicapped spaces, often have more space the sides and are located a bit closer to the front, or exit. This is probably because the parking spaces are normally ridiculously small. Anyway, it's nice that they have them, but it's infuriating when people abuse them. So I've decided not to be a passive person, (surprise surprise!) but to say something about it to people when I see it happening. So last week I took Savannah and Hadrian to the town center, and we parked in a parking garage. They have only about 4 spaces designated for p&c, but I was lucky that 2 were free when we got there. Within a few minutes a newer Jaguar pulled into the other free spot. I noticed that it was driven by a middle aged lady, without anyone else in the car. After she got out I pointed out to her that she was parked in a parent and child spot, and pointed at the sign in front of her car, giving her the benefit of the doubt that maybe she just didn't know. So she made some sort of acknowledgment and went to pay for her ticket. I was still in the process of getting Hadrian and the stroller out when she came back. I swear until this point she was walking totally normally! All of a sudden she starts with this limping, and asks me if I know where the disabled parking is, which I informed her was just around the corner and actually closer, she gets back into her car, but then didn't park in disabled, but went up to another level. It was the strangest thing, maybe she really had a limp? I think more likely she just felt guilty at getting called on parking there.. hmm

Fireworks!

Apparently people here in England are extremely fond of their fireworks: Last weekend and this we have had the good luck to have seen Legoland's end of season fireworks while sitting on our couch. Legoland is about a mile south of us as the crow flies, so we can see them thru an opening in the trees out of the window. As tonight is actually the last night, I suspect they will be spectacular. They even had some that looked like giant happy faces! I guess this is what it's like for people who live in Anaheim...

Last night we went to the Royal Windsor Racecourse's "Fireworks Spectacular" and fun fair with our friends Oliver and Andrea. There was some live music, a couple of bars to get drinks and whatnot, and carnival rides. Andrea took Savannah on this "horsey" ride on which you sit on a "horsey" and it gallops and trots along a windey track. I'm not sure who had more fun, Savannah or Andrea! I really wished we had brought our camera, that would've made some great pictures! Especially since Savannah was wearing jeans and her jeans jacket! (she decided to wear her wellies, so the cowboy boots would've really made it perfect!) Then we saw one of those big bouncy slides- you climb up about 2 stories high on a big blown up bouncy thing, and jump or slide down. When Savannah saw how high she was at the top of the big slide (by herself) I don't think her face could have contained a bigger smile! She looked like she was on top of the world! Actually we thought she might just accidentally "bounce" onto the slide just as she was walking on the bouncy platform above! She has the cutest smile of any little kid I've ever seen- but I can say that since she's my daughter! :)

The fireworks started a short time later. They were really cool- the whole thing was set to music, kind of reminded me of the Bellagio water shows. In the distance we could see at least 3 other fireworks displays going on in other places too, so I suspect it is because of "Guy Fawkes Day" that is coming up next weekend.

On a side note: Andrea and I have decided to try and figure out exactly what this drink "Pimms" is: is it a brandy? Apparently they have 3 types of the stuff, which is some sort of alcohol popular to the English. Last night we tried a "Winter Pimms" but were less than impressed. Anyone have any experiences with Pimms?

Yesterday I took Hadrian to get his 3 month shots, poor little guy was already tired and just really cried , he had to get 2 shots :(
So the doctor also reviews Savannah's vaccination history fom Germany, and realizes that she needs a meningitis one. Asking if I wanted to do it next month when Hadrian comes back, or that day- Savannah said ok to doing in right away. Guess she didn't realize what she was getting herself into. As soon as she saw the needle she ran behind the chair and I had to literally drag her onto my lap. Poor little girl!
While we were there I figured I'd haveHadrian weighed- 6.66 kilos- 14.65 lbs! What a chunk! He is wearing 6 month clothes now...

The First Entry!

Well I finally did it- I've joined the trend of weBLOGGERS. Does that make me a dork? Actually I think it will be easier to just post stuff here once rather that write the same things over again in various emails. So mark this page, and come back to visit!