Piles, Lists and Packing Bags

The countdown is on. This time next week we will be 30,000 feet up, winging our way towards Britain. Six long years and two kids later, we are finally returning to England to visit Mr G's family in Newcastle.

If we survive the 27-hour plane trip (with three active kids - eek!!) we will spend a month in the UK visiting family and friends, introducing our little brood to lots of lovely aunties and uncles and cousins and great-granddads.

We'll take side-trips to Cornwall and Scotland, and a day-trip to London to see the sights. I will get to stay three days with my dear friend and bridesmaid Mrs T and catch up with other great pals V&A in their quaint Midlands village.

Dash will get to visit the Dinosaur Museum, the Newcastle Football Stadium, and go to a match (even though Newcastle United were relegated to the 2nd Division, boohoo).

Princess will be taken out for Tea and Shopping with Grandma and Co.

Scrag will be kissed and cuddled and squeezed and tickled by all.

Grandma is getting excited. She can't wait to show us off to everyone - it's been so long. The last time we were in the UK, Dash was just an 8-month-old baby. Now he's a tall lad of nearly 7 and we have a Princess and a Scrag as well. I am imagining some tearful reunions!

(I'm just glad Princess's fringe is nearly grown to a respectable length)

It's an epic pilgrimage. One for which must be thoroughly prepared. There are piles of clothes waiting to be packed (the end of an English summer... clothes for all weathers!) There are lists to be made, treats to be bought, activity bags to be filled (bribes to help us survive the trip).

We will employ the Token Strategy with the older two. Each hour of good behaviour they'll earn a token. At the end of the journey, the tokens will be converted into pounds. That will be their spending money for the trip. We still have to work out a fair exchange rate for tokens... maybe .5op per token?? As for that Scrag... I'm just hoping the Vallergan will work a treat (I don't want to think about it - 27 hours with him squirming on our knees... argghhh!)

Then there is the house to be cleaned and made ready for our good friends who will be housesitting for us while we are away. I can live with stuff just shoved into cupboards but I think I'd better sort out the linen closet or they'll never find the towels!

Last night Mr G cleaned the oven... gasp!! He also vaccuumed under the couch cushions (eek)and I washed the cushion covers off one couch. I am embarrased to look at the unwashed one and see the shocking difference. Oh Dear. Better get onto washing the other one in a hurry.

The kids will miss three weeks of school. But the educational value to them of visiting places they've only heard about more than makes up for it. And how wonderful to get to see where their funny-talking dad comes from?! And to meet their family on the other side of the world! Amazing.

So, after I finish this post I will start typing the lists. And sorting the piles. And Packing the Bags. Six Days to Go!

P.S. Don't worry I plan to keep posting in England from Grandma's computer... I'm sure you'll be relieved to know that!!

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