Edinburgh Festival

As I am not a great descriptive writer, I will let the pictures tell the story.  We had a lot of fun going  into the center of Edinburgh two nights in a row to the Royal Mile to witness the mayhem and fun of the performers.  On our last night in Edinburgh, we came back to Leith and ate at the Grainary.  It was a good way to end our time in Edinburgh.

No these are not performers, just spectators trying to get a better view.

Did we do enough?

With the approaching of our departure from Scotland, Bobby and I both kept asking each other, “Is there anything else you wanted to do?”  We like to do and see as much as possible, but there is no way we will be able to see and do all that a city has to offer.  In these last two days the Edinburgh Festival was in full swing.  I am going to do another post of pictures of the performers filling the Royal Mile with their acts.  There was so much variety, it has to be seen to be believed.

On my plane rides back and forth to the States, I read the first Harry Potter book.  (Yes, I know I am a bit late on that craze.)  So, I wanted to see the birth place of the Harry Potter books.  We even saw the actual school, George Heriot, for which she based her description of Hogwarts. 

We made it through Greyfriars Kirkyard to see the statue of the most faithful dog in the world.  This dog became known as Greyfriars Bobby because he supposedly spent 14 years guarding the grave of his owner until he died himself in 1872.  Now that is loyalty!

We enjoyed our time in Scotland.  We had amazing weather during the majority of our stay.  It was cold, but for more days than are typical it was sunny.  Although our apartment was small, I will miss it and the area.  I have found that moving on to another city is fun and hard at the same time.   I enjoy having familiarity with my surroundings and having a semblance of a routine, but I look forward to learning new routines too.  I loved Scotland and the beauty of this city.  Bobby was getting antsy because he was especially ready for a new challenge.  However hard it is to say goodbye, we all are ready for new adventures that await us in a new country not yet explored by us. 

Here are some fun shots of the outside of our building and the street that we lived:

This is the back of our building.  We lived on the 5th floor.    Too many times, one of us would forget the keys and the other would throw them down from the window. :)

Walking back home towards the front of the apartment. 

The entrance to our apartment.  

I loved this building.  It was across the street from the local grocery store. I loved the detail.  Built in 1864! 

Liam jumping off on his own. 

Amelie waiting while dad had to run up to the apartment to get something.  We do a lot of waiting. :)

Mr. Mom

You know you have an amazing husband when you can leave to another country for a week and all remains intact and normal with the two small children and the apartment by the time you return. 

In order to process paperwork for my job, I had to travel back to the States.  Although this was not in our plans, we rolled with the punches and made it happen so that I could be a full-time employee.  We are excited with this opportunity for me to be able to continue to work for an amazing organization that serves the needs of a diverse population of students.  I really do love my job.  So, although I hated leaving and being away from everyone for a week, it was worth it in the long run.  We had a tearful goodbye at the airport, but Bobby was able to get everyone in good moods with a McDonald's treat for lunch. They waited to watch me go through security because I went back with 4 large ziplock bags full of sea glass.  I did get stopped and questioned but then was able to proceed. Because I only had a carry-on (full of sea glass mind you), I was actually able to have a smooth travel experience to the States.  My original flight was delayed until the following day but I was able to hop on a plane at the last minute flying out the day intended because I only was traveling with a carry on.  Once at the Atlanta airport, I realized I didn't do a good job communicating with my parents a meet up spot.  Oops!  Thankfully, as I was trying to find free wifi to be able to use my phone, I saw my mom jump out of her car to run into the airport.  Perfect timing if you ask me!!  So, while I attended a meeting in Atlanta one day, went shopping with my mom & sister for things we needed, and worked; Bobby manned the fort with the kids.  He kept everyone entertained and well fed.  They did not miss a beat even though mom was not around.  I am one lucky girl!!  We did Skype with each other at least twice a day.  Gotta love technology! :)  Below are pictures of the fun things they did while I was away.

Amelie posing as an archeologist at Our Dynamic Earth.

Amelie touching a large iceberg at Our Dynamic Earth.

Amelie and Liam had the most fun playing in the ball pit.

Entering into the Insect and Butterfly World.

Amelie holding a millipede.  She held it for a second and jerked her hand away so wasn't able to handle it after that.

She did a wonderful job holding the snake.

Mirror maze in Camera Obscura. 

Aaahhh! Amelie shrunk or Liam became a giant!  Another illusion at Camera Obscura. 

Of course, time had to be spent at Leith Links Playground. 

I made it back to Leith safely and was able to successfully navigate different airports and bus stations getting home.  Amelie and Liam were ecstatic with the "presents" I brought back for them.  We were all happy to be together again.

Old MacDonald in Perspective

Visiting a farm within the city is a must-do with small children.  Gorgie's Farm is located in the heart of Edinburgh.  It helps put Old MacDonald into perspective for the kids as we saw a chick here, a chick there, here a chick, there a chick, everywhere a chick, chick.  

It also helps them understand the noises animals make.  Comedian Louis C.K. says it best and I wish I could include his 30 second stand up piece here, but I can't find it right now.  He has a bit that I find hilarious talking about how sheep don't sweetly say baaaa, but instead it sounds loud and scary BAAAA!   He also talks about how their fur is not soft and white and fluffy, but matted brown and super dirty.  It really is true!  The farm animals stink and are dirty and were constantly scaring Liam with their loud noises. 

Although that introduction is true, we actually had a really fun time walking around the farm.  We even helped the farmers by seeing then reporting that 2 goats had escaped from their fence.  We then watched while they had to chase them around and get them back into their fence (twice).  The workers forgot to fix the fence first so as soon as they put them back in, they immediately ran and jumped out again.  They were not laughing, but Bobby and I thought is was humorous.

The goats escaped to eat the nearby apples.

After we finished touring the farm, we made it to the playground just in time for the rain to start.  Everyone was okay with the change in weather as it was lunch time and we now had to take shelter in the Farm Café.  We enjoyed eating delicious sandwiches and homemade soup while listening to the rain. The kids were also given small plastic farm animals to play with as a treat with their meal.

After we finished up, the downpour had ceased and we could easily walk to the bus stop in the light drizzle.  We all were dragging our feet a bit because with the approaching next morning meant I was leaving for a week.  I really dreaded being away from my family for an entire week.  Thankfully, I am writing this after returning so all was well and everyone survived.