Gammy visits London!

Gammy came from the US to visit me (and only me)! While she was here, we did all the things that I like to do.

We played in the sand.

We rode the Underground.

We played with toys and read the Elmo book.

We visited all sorts of touristy attractions...none of which impressed me much.

We met up with my grandma and grandpa W in St. Albans. Although mom and dad said that it was not far outside London, it was far enough for me to throw up in the car on the way. (Damn those crazy roundabouts!) Here I am with Grandma and Grandpa W soothing my tummy with a gentle swing.

Later, however, I was feeling better and got to ride on a carnival ride. Can someone tell me why a car seat brings on nausea while a painted red fire engine spinning in circles to Disco music brings only shrieks of joy? More importantly, can someone tell me how I can get one of these spinning red fire engines home with me?

Country Toddling

Apparently, they do not celebrate specific three day holidays over here. President's Day, Columbus Day and Memorial Day (or the British equivalents) are not observed. Instead, throughout the year, there are randomly placed three day holidays which are all given the identical (and in my opinion, rather bland) designation of "bank holiday." Last weekend happened to be a "bank holiday" so mom, dad and I rented a car and explored the English countryside.

Here I am with mom at Heathrow airport where we picked up the rental car. You might think that I consider myself too big to be a papoose. But you would be wrong. I still enjoy riding in my carrier. I can carry on extended conversations with mom and dad when I am right next to their ears and if I happen to loose their attention, I can regain it quickly with a simple hair tug!

Did I mention how much I like to ride in my car seat? It gives me a great sense of power sitting in the captain's chair.

On the first day, we drove Southeast out of London to Kent. We found rolling hills, picturesque villages and lots of sheep. On the second day, we drove Southwest to Hampshire and found more of the same!

Here I am with dad at a village pub. Yes, I did try to drink the lager but my mom snatched it away just in time.

Ooops! Quick front seat diaper change!

And so, after a pastoral weekend, I am back to my urban grind. On Monday morning, Iam back to work in the office (also referred to as the sandbox) and the very serious business of digging, burying and sharing with others.

The Latest Buzz from Blighty

This might be the point where I would humbly place myself at your feet and beseech you for forgiveness after such a long and chilly silence. I might launch into a lengthy and probable list of reasons as to why I have been unable to update this blog. In desperation to win back your affection, I might even sob gently producing large sticky tears and get so worked up my eyebrows turn red.

But I won't. I know that any Saxontologist worthy of the title wouldn't fall for or even appreciate such vapid melodrama.

I was busy, okay? I didn't blog because I was busy. Yes, even a 16 month old gets busy now and then and just can't be bothered to switch on the computer. It isn't all Elmo and naps, you know.

So, let's not waste time on silly apologies and empty excuses. Let's get down to brass tacks. Let's talk about life in London.

I have formulated an easy three step plan to helping any toddler get settled when relocating (for personal or professional reasons) to London.

Step 1: Find a job or advocation.

While living at my gammy's house in upstate NY, I discovered an interest, nay, a calling to vacuume. Gammy bought me a vacuume named Dusty who, in fact, traveled all the way with me in my luggage to London.

Since coming to England, I have discovered a talent for climbing onto any piece of furniture often shocking my parents at my ability to scale near vertical surfaces. In addition, it has come to my attention that there is a traditional British profession that specifically combines my two greatest loves: climbing and cleaning. Therefore, I have recently begun sending out my C.V. in hopes of landing my dream job--chimneysweep.

Step 2: Guilt can get you some good presents.

Dad felt bad that I had left all my Brooklyn friends and had to make new London friends. So, he got me this little hot rod to take to the playground so I might impress some of the kids and make a few friends. So far, it has taxed my "sharing skills" more than I might have wished.

Step 3: If you can't be with the one you love, love the one you are with.

The poodles are still in NY in "quarantine" at gammy and poppy's house. I guess I didn't realize how much I missed them until I met this furry pig at Kew Gardens last weekend. He looked so like a poodle to me, I just climbed in the pen with him. He let me pet him and before I knew it, I had spontaneously kissed him. Who could resist those golden curls?

Well, aside from Dickensian aspirations, tricycle international diplomacy and pig kissing, life in London is business as usual for the Saxonator.

Next on the horizon is...nursery school. Will these Mary Poppins know what hit them?

What a long strange trip it has been....

The Saxonator is back. He lives. He breathes. He eats mass quantities of fish and chips.

Watch this space for more...(oh, I assure you THERE IS MUCH MORE TO TELL!)

The Vagabond Tales of Saxon Begin....

The strangest thing happened to me last week. Three very large men came to our apartment and started to put everything in our house in boxes. My bed, my toys, my clothes, my books all went into boxes. Then, they took all the boxes and carried them out and put them in front of my house.

Then, they put all of the boxes into one very, very big green box. And THEN, the big green box drove off!

How is a baby supposed to make sense of that?

Mom, dad, Kari, Kiki and I got into the car and drove to Gammy and Poppy's house. The next day, Dad left for a strange destination that Uncle Tim calls "blighty." Meanwhile, Mom and I are staying here at Gammy and Poppy's house with all the poodles for a while.

During the last week in Pawling, I have discovered the joys of alphabet soup, systematically opening every kitchen cabinet for Gammy, riding in the grocery store cart, screaming at the Japanese restaurant and, of course, there is always the old standby--tormenting the poodles. I even learned how to scoot (backwards) on the little toy car!

HOWEVER, I continue to refuse to walk. I don't care what they say about 14 month old babies. I am not at all impressed with my so-called walking colleagues. I say that walking is totally overrated...particularly when I can crawl wherever I need to get FASTER than some other looser can toddle. When someone can convince me that walking is so great, maybe I will entertain it as an option.

In the meantime, I remain mixing and mingling at poodle level (except when the poodle jumps into my stroller).

Saxontology goes international!

"We haven't spoken in so long."
" Why have you been giving me the silent treatment?"
" What is happening in your world?"
" Have I inadvertently offended you, Saxonator, in some egregious way?"
"Why do you treat me like this? Aren't we friends?"

No doubt you have been frantically asking yourself all these questions in a vain attempt to rationalize the inexplicable blog-o-sphere silence that you have felt from this end of the computer. However, I am here to tell you that it isn't you...it's me. I have been a very bad boy. I have not blogged for a very long time. Mea culpa.

However, in my defense, I have been extremely busy. I have been preparing emotionally in the form of watching my mom frantically organize for a major life change.
Because, the very good news is...wait for it....I will soon have new adventures to relate IN LONDON!!!!

That is right dear readers....we are taking the Saxontology lifestyle international.

...and I already know what I will be wearing!

Christmas at Gammy and Poppy's house

Sorry for the late Christmas post! I still don't exactly get the "Christmas" concept but I can tell you that it was an interesting day.

Basically, it involved lots of paper and sparkly ribbon and watching my cousin Sarah run around like a whirling dervish. Somewhere in there, I got a little truck with animals that I really liked because it plays "Old MacDonald" when you push a button.

Lucky for Dad, I found the box just as interesting as the truck because it took him FOREVER to get it finally unwrapped from the packaging.

Sarah asked for a Care Bear for Christmas and Santa brought her TWO! She said that she got two because she "was extra good this year."

Adam got a choo choo that he found quite interesting as well!



On the whole, we had a very nice Christmas at Gammy and Poppy's house.