Language Mix-up

I have a tough time with different accents. When we first moved here it took the whole first year before I could understand the lovely British accent. (Which I can't stand, btw. Jason has it and it's so annoying!) Telephone conversations are especially difficult, even now.

Apparently I'm not the only one with this problem.

When I called the mechanic to ask about the total cost of the axle repairs. He thought I was asking the cost of replacing the clutch. So the price we were quoted of a whopping $1,200+ was a mistake. The actually cost was less then half of that.

I mentioned that there was an impending costly repair, involving some welding of the rear floor, in order for the car to pass inspection next year. That was going to be around $800. That repair was fixed along with the axle for less then the cost of the welding...Yeah!!!

So we have a vehicle once more. We are still going to use the bikes as much as possible though. Whatever gas prices you are choking on over there...we are paying over twice as much here. We would definitely like to save on gasoline whenever possible.

Father/Son Outing

Caleb took the oldest two down to Glynllifon Park for some fresh air and some burning of the excess energy. But as this is the two-way road we must bike to get there...


...I stayed home. The locals don't drive on this expecting to see a woman with a child on her bike riding on the road for the first time in 10 years. They zip along here like they are the only ones in the world.

In reality they're only going about 20, but on this road 20 is zipping! And sure it is a quiet road where traffic is few and far between, but to me this spells D*A*N*G*E*R. So I stayed home where I and my child are safe.

Caleb, on the the other hand, braved the perils of this road and had a great afternoon in the sun. He said he didn't see a single car, but I know if I had gone there would have been swarms.

Here are a few pictures of their fun...

And so while the youngest two napped I burned my excess energy reading a book.

Father's Day a little late...

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

Seth and Jason with beards...

...just like Daddy.

Morgan

Little Morgan is 9 months old! He's had one more tooth come in on the top making a total of 3. He hasn't really learned anything new this month...just getting better and more confident with his accomplishments of last month. He certainly has grown, though. I'm not sure how much he weighs, but he definitely feels heavier.


He's still nursing full time. I did give him some peas on his tray, which he enjoyed playing with and even managed to eat a few. I've noticed that he is beginning to take notice of food so I expect that his eating will take off this next month.


He says..."Nananananana" His brothers think it is really cool that he keeps asking for bananas.

Wishful Thinking

I want to go to Paris.
Can we fly to Paris on an airplane, Mom?

Um...not today, Seth.

Car News

• We've lost our car...again. I took it shopping and half way to the store the rear axle broke, only I didn't know that was what was wrong. I just knew that I couldn't steer the thing anymore. It felt like the back end was sliding around...which it was. So I left it at the garage and got a ride home with the nice tow truck guy.

• We are not going to fix it. The cost of this repair plus the cost of a major repair we already know is needed in order to pass inspection next year makes it not worth it to us.

• After buying so many lemons we are fed up with cars. So at the risk of being labeled extremists we are going green...bikes it will be for us. Or if it is raining the bus. Our other option was horses, but well, we don't have a field or a barn...so bikes it is. :) It will take us about 6 months to save up for another car. So until then our carbon footprint will be very, very small.

• How can a family with four small kids ride bikes? Glad you asked...I'll tell you. One double bike trailer + two rear child seats = room for 4 kids. Something like this celebrity family...
  

Won't we look cool!?!

• I can't say that I am thrilled with our new mode of transportation, but Caleb says I can have the money we are saving in petrol to buy some things that I need/want. So yippee! Maybe being car-less won't be so bad after all.