I read about a “Fairytale Fantasy” class for 3-5 year olds at the Aberdeen Arts Center and signed Kalani up for 2 classes.  I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I figured Kalani would have fun.  I took her to the center thinking that I would be able to sit and watch the activity.  Instead, all of the moms dropped off their kids in their class and left and then the workers shut the door behind us.  I felt like a fish out of water.  All of the sudden I realized that I had 2 hours all to myself.  Since we have been in Scotland I have been with Kalani every minute of the day.  The only exception was for 1 hour when I did a behind the wheel training and then 2 hours on Sundays when she is in her church classes and I attend mine.  I wasn’t sure what I should do or where I should go.  So, I did what most other women would have done…I headed to the mall and went into stores that Kalani doesn’t really like.  It was great!  The next day I decided to sign her up for another 3 classes.

On the first day of her Fairytale class we walked all the way to the center…well I walked the 2 miles and Kalani rode in a stroller.  The second day I didn’t want to walk, I thought that we could drive to a library come home for lunch and then drive to the center.  Well, I was busy trying to get everything we needed and headed downstairs to our car.  I shut the door and then went to pull out the car keys, but they weren’t with me.  Yep, I left them in the house.  So, I didn’t have a stroller or a car.  I tried not to sound upset and made an adventure out of the situation.  Kalani did really well walking most of the way.  It was good that we had 2 hours before her class started so it gave us plenty of time to arrive.  Her treat was a bag of skittles and then a fun time in her class.  We also had to walk the 2 miles home.  To help make that an adventure we stopped at a few different stores and just looked around.  In a cooking store they had a small kids corner with a pretend kitchen to play with.  At the end of the day my feet were very sore, but at least we had a good time on our spontaneous adventure!

Our next stop was to Haddo House.  What a gorgeous house it is…plus another wedding was taking place.  (Yes, many people get married in castles here in Scotland.) Haddo House is a guided tour and our guide was very friendly older man.  He even let Kalani sit on a small children’s chair.  It just amazes me how beautiful these old buildings are and how talented people are with painting, sewing, and other talents that are on display in these castles and houses.

Last stop was at Tolquhon Castle.  This is a ruined castle that Kalani and Matt loved.  Kalani loved to explore every inch of the castle…she thought it was made just for her.  Matt said it reminded him of Ultima Online.

We became members of The National Trust of Scotland and Historic Scotland.  So, we plan on using our membership every chance we get!

For three weeks the Brigham Young University “Synthesis” jazz band has been touring the UK.  We were able to attend their concert this past week and the band was really great.  There were 19 musicians and one singer that played a wide array of music.  Kalani really liked the music…she jumped out of her seat and started dancing.  I listened to the music, but watched her dance…two performances in one!  After the performance 4 of the band members came to our house to sleep for the night.  We had 2 trumpet players, a tuba player and the drummer.  Kalani was so excited to show them our home.

What was a special treat was that one of the trumpet players that stayed at our house recently received his mission call.  He is headed to…El Salvador San Salvador East Mission.  Yep, my mission.  It was wonderful to remember my time as a missionary in El Salvador and to try to prepare him as best I could for the next 2 years of his life.  Oh El Salvador!  Maybe I’ll go back there one day…like when they have the open house for the temple that will be constructed.

You thought it was hard to take care of YOUR lawn. 

I saw this worker edging Duthie Park…and it isn’t a small park either.  No gas or electric devices, just manual labor on 44 acres.  I’m sure they use some big lawn mower for the fields, but I thought this was interesting that they edge by hand.  Just their muscles and a long pair of scissors.

My wonderful sisters-in-law came to visit us in Scotland.  Well, Felicia was doing “study abroad” in London for a term and Angela planned on picking her up and touring the country with her.  After they had their plans in place Matt got the offer to come to Scotland…but we will just say that they came to see us!  Kalani and I hadn’t seen them for almost a year, so it was fantastic to see them again.  We met up with them at Inverness, Scotland.  We arranged to have a boat trip on the Loch Ness and then toured Urquhart Castle.  This castle is where the most siting of Nessie, the Loch Ness Monster has been recorded.  We were also able to tour the Culloden Battlefield.  This is the location of one of the bloodiest battles fought.  Near 2,000 Jacobites and English men died in about 40 minutes in close hand to hand combat.  Our next stop was at Cawdor Castle.  This castle is still lived in during the winter months.

We were also able to take the girls back to our house and show them Glenburnie Park…our home.  Kalani loved to show her aunts her own room, her back yard and stream.  Matt also made his mission “famous” creme fresh pizza.  He has been telling his family about this pizza he would make weekly while he was a missionary.  Finally they were able to sample his pizza…and they liked it.

Thanks for making room in your schedule to come see us!