PARTIES AND PACKING

Bess the Pirate getting ready to plunder!

Ahoy! Fun at Cap'n Zander's birthday party.

Cowabunga, dude! Getting prepped for Sharm. Gotta go pack, then catch some waves.

SPEAKING OF MONEY

Bess went to the toilet at school, by now a common occurrence. She asked for her sticker (reward!) and they explained that now that she's a big girl and goes to the toilet, she doesn't get a sticker as a reward anymore. So she asked for money! I kid you not. (And know that I have never once rewarded my daughter with money.)

THIS IS MONEY

This will make you laugh out loud.

(Thank you Steph and Rosie!)

THE HUMAN FLY

Signing off...and ready for bed, hubba hubba.

THE PATIENT

One last look...

Triumphant post-op dinner of champions (read: Domino's!)

All went well. Back to the Prof in the am for the final analysis.

NO MORE GLASSES

After a lifetime of wearing glasses, Finbar is going under the knife this afternoon. As a tribute, here is one last portrait.

I like how he waits until there are no more babies, no more middle of the night fumbling ("Can't you find your glasses any faster honey!") to go and feed a baby...we are all very excited. He is particularly excited for the wardrobe of sunglasses to come! Stay tuned for the new and improved Finbar. Portrait to come.

FOOTBALL!

TEN MONTHS

EARTHQUAKE

I thought I'd just had too much Chianti last night!

Britain was shaken by a huge earth tremor at 12.56am this morning which was felt by people from Yorkshire to the South Coast.

FIRENZE WAS OURS AND WE LOVED EVERY MINUTE

15 years ago Finbar and Sammy met in Firenze while studying Art History and Italian. We went back in 2000 and we returned again, this time, older and with two kids. It was four fantastic days. More to come on that. The General and Bess are crashed out as Sammy and Finbar get organized. Here are a few pic's to tease you and of course tantalize you. Firenze was ours and we loved every minute. And Bess rubbed the nose of the cinghiale so we'll definitely return!

TREATING ONESELF RIGHT

Finbar gave himself a very special Valentine. The General, Bess and Sammy waited all afternoon for it to arrive. It was very exciting when it finally did...and very big.

We are off to Firenze to celebrate 15 years of being Valentines. We've promised Bess she can pee in the finest cafes in all of Firenze and be rewarded with yummy dolci! Buonissimo!

Arrivederci.

LONDON BEACH

KENSINGTON GARDENS

The weather was spectacular this weekend so we spent all day both days in the parks. We even had the first (and likely not the last!) experience of "losing" a child. We were chilling in the teepee's at the Princess Diana Playground in Kensington Gardens when Bess got up and left. She ALWAYS comes back. Until today. We circled the playground and approximately 200 kids for what felt like an eternity until finally, Finbar neared the pirate ship and heard the joyous words, "Daddy! Daddy!" She was playing pirate quite happily. In the words of pirates, "ARGHH!" Meanwhile, The General had the pleasure of tasting sand (again, not likely the only time this will happen!). We ended with burgers and milk shakes by Holland Park with friends and a big, much-needed bath for all! Bliss.

FAMILY LUNCH

CUPCAKES

These Dora cupcakes in no way compare to the Cookie Monster cupcakes I was privy to on my birthday but they are fun and easy and certainly pleased the 2.5 year old of the house!

The General is now a forward-facing passenger and we're all thrilled.
In addition, he's really getting around. Walking here he comes!!!!

It is all very tiring.

RECENT GOINGS ON

Daddy takes Bess on the school run.

The General chilling with Grandpa.

Bess and The General yucking it up in the bag.

Celebrating Bo and Sammy's birthdays in 'buryport.

Daddy and Bess in the cityscape.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

We're off and running. Just in time for Sammy to get on a transatlantic flight (ALONE!), we're taking Bess's nappies away. Finbar will be handsomely rewarded if Sammy comes home to one less person in Castle Stinkbottom wearing nappies!

Bess started school today after a very long holiday. She was very excited to be back!




The General is now a very proud member of the mobile set. The English have a word, chuffed, which if I understand correctly, means really pleased with oneself. The general is so chuffed to be crawling! Way to go. Bess has been warned...he's coming after her.

And from the desert highlands of Arizona, M&M&L came to visit us in damp old London for some New Year's mischief.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS, EVERYONE

A VISIT FROM THE J'S

A December visit from Grandma and Grandpa J. After London, on to Paris. Enjoy!





Finbar's Birthday muffins. Happy 35th!!

HOLIDAY PARTY

Witness the 3rd Annual Jacobson Holiday party. We set out a lot of food - strangely, our best sellers were champagne and Toll House cookies...







Bess and the Bus in the calm before the storm.





Outdoor decorations including pyrotechnics. How nice...

These give only a partial sense of the craziness. 50 people, many of whom were under the age of 6. Lots of monkeys jumping on the bed. Bess passed out from too much jumping on the bed!