Day 2: LOTS of fun, ZERO pictures.

"No Memory Card" was the phrase that sucked the wind out of me today as we were strolling down the street. I wanted to make a picture of Julia riding on Collin's shoulders with the shops and pretty trees in the background, but all those dreams came to a crashing halt when I turned the camera on and realized that pictures were not going to happen. ...boo... That's what I get for making an attempt at a blog post last night before crashing from exhaustion. Always, always return the memory card to the camera... it's rule #1 of Moms who blog! I guess I'm slipping.

Nevertheless, we had a fun-filled afternoon exploring our new digs. We walked down to our new address on Observatory street and I was really happy that I've obsessively studied Google Maps over the past few months because I felt like I knew exactly where we were at all times. I even said things like, "Oh, there's the market at St. Bernard's... that means that we're getting close!" (If you know my sense of direction, or lack thereof, having any kind of grasp on where I am in a new place is a big deal for me.)

We were heading out to meet up with Bess & Ellie Claire (so far just facebook friends of ours until today) who had invited us to the park near Ellie Claire's school. Collin needed to run by the offices at the college which was right near our house on Observatory so we decided to walk down the street. As we walked, I heard someone say, "Stephanie!" (If you've never been on a foreign continent and heard someone call your name out, I hope you get to experience it one day. It's truly cool, and it made Oxford immediately feel like home.) It was, of course, Bess and Ellie Claire. We chatted and shared stories, learned from their experiences and generally enjoyed just standing and socializing on the street by our house. Bess took us down to knock on the door of other friends on our street, Livia & Nick, who have 1-year-old daughter named Stella. Livia and Nick invited us in so the girls and I, along with Bess & EC, had fun in Stella's playroom while Collin took care of business at the college. Really enjoyed this group! It's so wonderful to feel like I already have some familiar faces here. Such a blessing.

Before starting back to Summertown where we're currently staying before moving into our house, we stopped to eat at the Jericho Cafe which is just a stone's throw from our house on Observatory. Honestly, one of the biggest stereo-types that has been completely falsified in my mind is that the food here is bland or somehow not tasty. NOT true. I'm finding that I have loved everything we've eaten! Tonight's steak tuna melt was kind of spectacular... So was the girls' pizza & spaghetti. We'll be going back to the Jericho Cafe frequently.

So, I forgot! Collin did snap a few pictures on his phone: One of us by the street sign, and one other that shows what happens after too much fun with new friends. Not even lollipops could keep them awake on the walk home. Too bad they didn't transfer to their beds asleep, but we're slowly getting into some kind of routine I think! Tomorrow's the true test.

Thanks for all the encouragement! We love and miss all of our US friends and family and we hope you'll come and visit!