The Day of Scottish Awesomeness!

Saturday, August 11 was such a fun day. It was the last weekend before Rhys started school again and so the Housing Community decided to fund a "Fun Day" in the playground outside of our flat. They had bouncy castles, face painting, balloon animals, a small petting zoo, a wresting match, and it was all free. They had put posters up a few weeks before and since Rhys can read he was looking forward to going to it for a long time. We woke up early that day because we wanted them to get to play outside, but we were also going to the Pipe Band Competition so we wanted plenty of time for both.

The boys spend most of their time on one of the bouncy castles. I tried getting them to get their faces painted, but they just wanted to bounce. They were also the only ones on that Castle, so that probably was part of what was so fun. When we finally pulled them away we got to look at the animals. They had rodents, frogs, lizards, chickens, roosters, rabbits, snakes, a Scorpion, and a Tarantula. Gavin loved getting to see a real snake and Steven ended up asking if he could hold the Tarantula. They actually let him... and then somehow they convinced me to do it as well. I'm terrified of spiders, but its something I'm trying to work on. Plus, the really big fully ones don't scare me quite as much. It was terrifying, but I'm glad to say I did it.

When we were done with the "fun day" we headed over to the train station. Gavin ended up running, which isn't unusual for him and falling down a little hill. He scraped his elbow up pretty bad and we had to bandage him up with 3 band aids (or plasters as they call them over here.) He hates band aids so much so it was torture for him. But we couldn't get it to stop bleeding so he just had to deal. When we got into Glasgow Gavin was so tired from the screaming that he fell asleep in the buggy on the way to the Pipe Band Competition. He slept through the WHOLE thing. 

Steven, Rhys, and I just loved it. Everywhere you looked you saw men in Kilts and you could constantly hear the Bagpipes playing. They had all sorts of little shops set up and we actually found one that was selling Kilts. Steven had been wanting to get one for a while and we found one that was a good, quality kilt for £60. It was a good deal, so he got it and I'm happy that he gets to come home with one. He wanted to get a Coburn Tartan kilt, since that's his families clan, but they were just WAY to expensive. He ended up getting a purple one instead since that matches the Royal Conservatoires colors. It at least has some special meaning.

We watched a few of the competitions. It was amazing how together they were. I think my favorite part was watching them march on and off the fields though.

They were also hosting the Highland Games and so we got to watch some of the Caber Tossing. We saw both Men and Women compete and it was so impressive. I can't imagine how heavy those things are, and they got them to go so far. I think Steven would have stayed there all day if I had let him, but I also wanted to see some of the Highland Dances that they were performing. It reminded me of the Utah Shakespeare Festival Greenshows that they would perform while Steven was selling Tarts. Of course, this was SO much better!! 

We stayed there most of the afternoon, but we had also planned on taking the boys to see Brave because we really wanted to see it while we were in Scotland and we weren't sure if we'd have another opportunity. The movie was amazing. I absolutely loved it. I know Steven enjoyed it, but he said I liked it more. Apparently its a "Mom movie." I guess you'd have to see it to know what that means. =) I actually started crying during it, just listening to the accents and seeing all of the gorgeous scenery and listening to the music. I'm really going to miss living here, and that is one movie I'm going to have to insist on owning when it comes out.

After the movie we started to walk back to the train stop so we could go home and put the boys to bed. We ended up walking by a Chippy that we were told sold Deep Fried Mars Bars. (That's a candy bar, for anyone who doesn't know) We were told it was something we HAD to try while we were over here, so we decided we would end our very Scottish day with a very Scottish treat. It looked kind of gross, Gavin wouldn't even try it, even though we told him it was chocolate. Rhys said he liked it and took a few bites. Steven and I both really enjoyed it too, although it did kind of sit in your stomach for a while since its so heavy. I mean, it is a deep FRIED chocolate bar. That things going to leave a mark. =) 

The entire day was wonderful, but I think my favorite part was going home and having Steven try on his kilt for him. It looks SO good on him. I know we only have a few weeks left, but I told him we're going to have to find something for him to wear that too. He can't not wear his kilt out on the streets of Glasgow, that would just be too sad. Hopefully we'll come up with something... even if its just putting it on and taking a walk! =)

Here are some pictures of the day! Enjoy!!!

Some of the boys on the bouncy castle.

 Gavin saying hi to the snake.

 Steven was trying to get the frog to jump for Gavin.

 Holding the Tarantula.

 Yep, I was nervous.

 Gavin's poor scraped elbow.

 Pipe Band Competition!!

 Rhys trying to get a better view. Daddy's are great for that!

 They had a screen up so you could watch it better.

 The Caber Tossing.

 Gavin got in that position all by himself in his sleep.

 The Highland Dancing.

 Waiting for the Deep Fried Mars Bar.

 Gavin was nice and let Rhys rest his feet for a moment in the Buggy.

 Trying the Mars Bar.

 Steven looking so handsome in his Kilt!

Glasgow Green Park

It ended up being really nice weather for Rhys' last week of Summer Holiday. I was pretty much taking the boys to the park every day. It was fun, but I was starting to get a little tired of the park by our house since it was a 30 minute walk to get there. One of the days we decided to make a pack lunch and go meet Steven for his lunch break. We ate on the steps of the school, enjoying all of the sunshine. 

When it was time to say good-bye to Steven, we weren't quite ready to go home yet, so we decided to go exploring. That weekend we were planning to attend the World Piping Competition but we didn't know where the location was. I decided if I could find it and see if it was within walking distance to the train station we wouldn't have to take the bus. 

While we were walking Gavin ended up falling asleep, so when we finally found the Glasgow Green and saw there was a park, he didn't get to play. But, it was nice for me because I could easily stand be the sleeping Gavin and keep an eye on Rhys at the same time. Rhys just loved playing at the park. The big playground looked kind of like a Pirate Ship that they could play on. It also had some swings and a teeter totter. 

Rhys is such a friendly little boy, that he had no problem making friends and was really enjoying the playground. We stayed for 30 minutes and by that time he was red in the face and I figured it was time to go find some shade. We walked to the Toy Store so Rhys could read some books. (He prefers the toy store to the Library... I don't know why since he can't take them home.) Gavin woke up in the Toy store so he got to run around a bit as well. I ended up getting a call from Steven then telling me he was done, so he was able to meet up with us. It was so fun for him to get to ride the train home with us and definitely makes it easier on me. It was a fun day, and even though we still played at a park, it was refreshing to be at a new one. Here are some pictures of Rhys playing in the park, and of course one of sleeping Gavin. =)

Gavin's 3rd Birthday

Yesterday my baby boy turned 3. I still can't believe it! I swear, time has been fast forwarding ever since we had Rhys and it just seems to be picking up speed. =)

Yesterday was a really fun day. As soon as we woke up we gave Gavin his presents. Rhys had picked his present out weeks ago and was so excited to give it to him. I'm very proud of him for keeping it a secret this whole time. (He gave him the stuffed green yoshi to match the yellow one Rhys already had. Gavin loved it.) He also got a tiger stuffed animal and the movie Kung Fu Panda 2 from us. Gramma and Poppy sent him a Leapfrog Tag Jr. Its a little machine that helps kids read books and he loves it. He hasn't figured out how to do it himself just yet, but he loves having Rhys or one of us do it for him. They also gave him some Chocolates that you can mold into some fun shapes and a Star Wars t-shirt. The shirt hasn't come yet, so it will be a fun late present to get. He got Birthday cards from his Uncle Evan, Aunt Leslie, and Cousin Liam. The Ward Primary also sent him one along with my parents. My Mom decided to wait and take him birthday shopping when we get home, so they're going to have fun with that.

We put the movie on for Gavin to watch while we all got ready for the day and then we sang him Happy Birthday and had him blow out his candles. We didn't know what time we were going to get back so we wanted to make sure he got his birthday cake. He picked it out himself and ended up eating all of his and half of Rhys'. The little pig! =) 

After cake we took a train ride to Largs. Its about an hour away from here, and its a cute little Seaside town. Reminds us of a Scottish version of Seaside Oregon. It was SO very cute and Gavin loved it. We originally decided to go because our Stake was having a fun family day there and we thought it might be fun to go for Gavin's birthday since we've been wanting to go to Largs anyway. When we got there it took us a while to find where the Stake activity was, and when we finally did no one from our Ward was there. We weren't sure anyone from the Stake recognized us and felt weird just going up to them. So, we hung around for a bit and let the boys play in the park that was right there. They also got to go to the shore and throw rocks into the sea, which they loved. While we were throwing rocks a rescue helicopter came to practice doing rescues with the life boat out on the lake. It got so close and the boys loved watching the guys jump out of the helicopter and get pulled back in. A fun adventure we were not expecting!

After a while we decided to just head out. We didn't feel that much like socializing with people who didn't know us and we wanted to see a bit more of Largs before we headed home. When Steven came last year to audition, our friends Ben and Olivia had brought him here and taken him to get ice cream at a cafe so we decided to go there to eat. The food was really good, but it really was the ice cream that was amazing. The boys got free scoops with their meals, so Steven and I splurged and got one ourselves. It was definitely some of the best ice cream I've ever had. Its actually really funny, there were about 5 Ice cream shops that we found while we were there. The whole time we kept joking about wanting to move there, but after I saw all the Ice cream shops.. I wasn't really joking anymore. =) There was a house on the hill in the distance that was just so cute and Steven and I have decided that if he ever does get rich and famous we would love to come back and buy the house. (Haha, well we can dream, right!) 

We ended up taking the train back so we could go meet up with some of our friends for dinner in Glasgow. One of them shared her birthday with Gavin and so we wanted to do a joint birthday dinner. We went to McDonald's because its Gavin's favorite. Angie was very nice to let us go there on her big day as well. She was so sweet and brought Gavin a present. It was a Sticker book full of a 1000 animal stickers. Our other friend Lauren came as well and also brought him a present. She babysat Gavin for me while I was with Rhys for his performances of Duchess of Malfi, and so the two of them bonded a lot. They especially bonded over the sound that a sheep makes, so she bought him a stuffed sheep. Its so cute and it was sweet of her to give it to him.

After McDonald's we went back to Angie's for a little bit for a mini party. More of our friends showed up and said happy birthday to Gavin. Although, I think Rhys felt it was more for him. =) We left Steven there, so he could celebrate with our friends a little longer and I took the boys home. When we got here we checked Skype to see if we'd missed calls. We had one missed from my Mom and she was still on so we called her. My parents were happy they got to sing Happy Birthday to Gavin. They also got to see him fall asleep on the couch while we were talking since he was so tired from the day. I'm so sad he wasn't able to talk to Gramma and Poppy or any of his Aunt and Uncle's, but when we live so far away it just makes it a lot harder. He knows that they were all thinking of him though, so that's all that matters. 

It really was an amazing day and such a fun adventure. It felt like we went on a little mini Holiday, and the boys loved it. I think that's all you can really ask for in a Birthday. =) Here are some pictures of the big day. I tried uploading the video of us singing Happy Birthday to Gavin but its not working. I will try again a bit later, but I wanted to get these up in the mean time. 

Gavin opening his present from Rhys.

Gavin picked all his stuff up and hugged it all on his own. It was so cute.

Opening his present from Gramma and Poppy.

Some pictures of us in Largs.

Happy Birthday my sweet Gavin!