Scootering and more

So Mia is finally getting the hang of scootering. Let me clarify - she had a scooter in Salt Lake and she rode it. But here, you really scooter to get around and you have to keep up with the parents, and do it for hours at a time (walk to the high (main) street, walk up and down the high street and back home again) and maneuver over brick walks, etc.
Once you hit 2 or 2.5 years of age, you are out of the buggy (stroller) and onto a "micro mini" scooter or a ride a runner/balance bike. The micro mini scooter is so clever and perfect for the 2-5 year old. I'll try to add a photo soon, but it's three wheeled, with two wheels in the front. The handle bar doesn't turn, but rather you just lean it to the right or left to get it to turn. Made in Switzerland of course. When I manage to get photos done and on I have to include one of her in her little piggie tails (and you can see them as no one wears helmets). Today for the first time, I didn't have to bring the buggy and Mia scootered home from school and then to pick up Chloe. She loved it. (as did I - no buggy to push - free as a bird walking!)


We had a good weekend - Saturday we walked up and down Northcote Rd, which is a great high street full of local shops (just a few chains) with restaurants, clothing and shoe stores, antique, butchers, cheese monger, bakeries, etc etc. Lots of children's shops as this borough of Wandsworth has the most children in all of Europe. Lots of fun.

Sunday we almost never left the house as we were trying to organize. Compared to our old house we've "lost" an office, a bedroom, and two dens so we have to be creative. Then Sunday night, Eugene's best friend from German high school came for Sunday night dinner, which Euge made. It was nice to have Markus here, but he'll be leaving London (where he's lived for the past nine years or so) to travel India and do a mountaineering course in the Himalayas. The girls adore him so we will all miss him!

Today, when I picked Chloe up from school, I was happy to see her hug both her teachers good bye (instead of the handshake they are supposed to do coming and going). And then as we are going home she says "Mom, I don't know why I'm even in that school. It's hard and I don't need to go to school because I'm going to cut hair when I grow up. I just want to be a hair cutter." :)

I'm sorry I haven't responded to everyone's emails -- I just can't keep up. I want to send a quality response and have of course composed it in my head, but just haven't written back. Just know that I LOVE hearing from all of you. As things settle, you will hear from me!

Also, we've decided to hold off on buying a car. It's not very clear to either of us that it is needed on a daily basis. Between the lease, insurance, and most of all the hassle of parking and driving, I think we're better off just using a taxi when we need one, or renting a car. We get our groceries delivered and most shops deliver, so the need is not clear. PLUS it's better for our environment and our health. Keep you posted.