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The kids got a welcome surprise during our HS group’s park day today. The local fire department showed up to run a new engine through its paces. To quote our Esme, “This is just so awesome!”

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Three cute girls playing air hockey.

And look at all that hair!

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Celebrating our anniversary at the summit of Mt Major (with Lake Winnipesaukee in the background).

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Esme and I are so ready!

Looking for some great things to watch while you wait for Doctor Who and Downton Abbey to come back on the air? Here are some of my personal recommendations:

If you love Downton Abbey you might like-

Bleak House (2005) [pictured above]- Lovely costume drama, lots of familiar faces, complicated Dickensian plots.

The Foryste Saga (2002)- Drama, dark plot, beautiful relationships (and not so beautiful).

North & South (2004)- Richard Armitage, miscommunications, strong female characters and Mr Bates.

Gosford Park (2000)- Written by Downton’s Julien Fellows, Dame Maggie, murder mystery, lots of upstairs and downstairs storylines.

If you’re a Whoovian you might enjoy-

Outcasts (2011)- Future human settlement on the planet of Carpathia, killer dust storms, Daniel Meade (minus Ugly Betty) and a beach full of diamonds.

Hyperdrive (2006)- Misfit, demoted British space warship travels the galaxy selling retail space back home in England. Hilarity ensues.

Merlin (2008)- Young magician hides his skills, takes advice from a dragon and serves as Prince Arthur’s whipping boy. Lots of wisecracks.

The Decoy Bride (2011)- Romantic comedy set in the outer Hebrides. The 10th Doctor and the voice of Brave’s Merida engage in a verbal sparring match. There are also bagpipes.

Agree? No? Have other suggestions? Leave a comment!

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Until today, this landing at the top of the front stairs was a holding dock for unpacked boxes and other “where can I put this for now?” items from our move. I made a big-effort push to finish unpacking the last of the boxes today, and once I did it was clear that the space could be so much more useful.

I pillaged the other rooms in the house to furnish this little reading nook. A couple of chairs, a blanket, a plush friend…and a selection of books, carefully curated by Mama herself. What more could the girls need?

It’s a bit sparse at the moment and might get some redecorating down the road. Or it might not. Time will tell if this little spot is loved or forgotten. In either case, it is a whole lot nicer looking than a hallway full of boxes!

Our Esme hears the word party and runs for her party dress. Normally it just makes her look cute. During today’s festivities at Monkey Joe’s it gave me a bit of a chuckle as it went up over her head!

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“Mama, could you please put this maple leaf in my hat?”

“Sure, but I’ll have to put it in back. You won’t be able to see it.”

“That’s fine. It is so beautiful, I want other people to get to see it!”

(two minutes later)

“Mama? Could you take a picture for me? I want to see how beautiful my leaf is again!”

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Somewhere in the middle of our 13 and a half hour drive today, one of us made an attempt to mutiny.