For My Mom

My Mom has built up the boys Geo Trax train set. Every now and again we get it out and set it up in the conservatory. (I feel like I am living in Clue.) We need Josh's help to get it all connected. Well, actually that is just what I tell Isaac and Luke to get myself off the hook.

The Bossy King

At Christmas time in England, it is tradition for every class, in every school to perform a Nativity. This year Isaac was a cow. The title of Isaac's nativity was, "The Bossy King." I was a little skeptical at first as to what sort of blasphemy may be contained in this nativity. I was happy when I went to watch it and found everything to be on the up and up. The only thing that was a little dodgy was all of the children were barefoot. Isaac has informed me that they do PE barefoot. Interesting...




One of Isaac's teacher assistants is my good friend, Fiona. We serve together in the primary and have lots of common interests like quilting. This is Isaac and Fiona.

A Sad Day...

...and a happy one as Isaac starts his Reception year at school. Sadness is a selfish emotion on our part, especially since Isaac is so excited to go to school, but we know this is closing a chapter of his childhood at home. Someone else will be helping him to learn and grow during the better part of his day.

Without Isaac, Dionne tells me that she is getting to know the real Luke. He is even more mischevious now that he has run of the house. And so, life goes on...

Happy Birthday - Isaac Turns Four!

Isaac had his birthday today, turning 4 years old. This week, he starred as Sleepy in his school's pantomime of Snow White. He held up the production because he refused to wear his beard like the other dwarfs.

To celebrate Isaac's birthday, we spent the day at Flamingo Land. Isaac rode all the children's roller coasters with his Dad and got wet on the water ride with his Mother. We also spent time seeing the zoo animals.

Isaac's number one birthday present was a bug catcher. The gun has a battery-powered fan to suck in the bug and force them into a samll jar with a magnifying lid for viewing. Mom thought is was a great gift until the bugs started arriving inside the house.



Happy Birthday Isaac! It's been a wonderful four years!

Lawnmower Attack

This week we have spent a good amount of time working on our garden trimming back bushes and waging war against the moss that can take over the lawn. Everytime I mow the grass the boys run and grab their pitch forks and torches to kill the monster...

The White Horse of Kilburn

For our ward Aaronic Priesthood Commemoration, I was able to take Isaac on a walk atop the White Horse of Kilburn. It rained a bit, but as we arrive at the white horse, the clouds lifted for a fantastic view of the Vale of York.




The horse's head is visible here. Isaac is holding a post card of the horse. 24 people can sit in its grassy eye.

Stampedes and Spreadsheets

Isaac and Luke love animals. They spend almost everyday playing with their animal toys. Ever since watching Jumanji, the boys love to create stampedes and then run for their lives around the living room. Today they created the largest stampede in Robinson family history.


Many family members have asked for a speadsheet to track all of the animals the boys have received. Well, here it is (I had to stitch a few photos together)...just click to enlarge and if you see it, we have it!

A Tissue, A Tissue, We All Fall Down

In England, when playing ring-around-the-rosies instead of saying "Ashes, Ashes, We all fall down" they say, "A tissue, A tissue, We all fall down." When I first heard this I thought it was such a whimpy verse. Now I understand why you need a tissue. During Sunbeam class, the teacher thought it would be a good idea to play ring-around-the-rosies and on Isaac's way down, he hit heads with his British friend, Ethan. Isaac's tooth flew to the floor and blood was everywhere. Instead of "A tissue, A tissue" - it was more like a 15-tissue gusher! This must be rugby training for 3 year olds.

Why the Lamb will Lay Down with the Lion ... According to Isaac

Isaac's favorite topic to discuss is animals. We have a daily conversation about animals ... whether it is talking about the latest animal Diego has rescued, who lives in Africa, or what a pygmy marmoset eats. A few days ago, Isaac started our conversation by saying, "Heavenly Father put bears in North America; and Heavenly Father put tigers in Asia; and Heavenly Father put Lions in Africa." And he went on this way for several animals. Then he said, "I don't like bears and I don't like tigers and and I don't like lions because they are scary." I responded by saying, "Yes, they are scary. But Jesus is going to come again and when Jesus comes again, the animals won't be scary any more. They will be very nice." Isaac said, "That is because Jesus is going to bring their mommies."

The Secret Walk

Today we went on the Secret Walk as Isaac calls it. It starts out the back door of our garden, through the wooded trail, down the gravel path, around the bend, and over the river on the foot bridge, until you find yourself in the Nidd Gorge. (While the boys were on the secret walk, Mom was getting her hair done.) A note of caution should be given before setting out on the secret walk: Sometimes monsters are encountered! (Isaac and Luke can provide testimony.)

Map of the Nidd Gorge behind our home.

Some tree hugging never hurts on the secret walk.

Green moss - a sure sign of monsters.

The gravel path.

Around the bend.

Over the foot bridge.

And across the River Nidd.

Christmas Eve

Wishing everyone a very merry Christmas! May your fondest wishes be fulfilled this holiday season as you seek the babe born in Bethlehem.