It's snowing.... family

I have been lucky enough to spend time with family members (other than on the phone). My dad was in London for an evening a couple of weeks ago, and stayed at my apartment.
We had a lovely time despite him being tired (he only had 3 hours sleep on the return leg of a business trip from New York) and me just generally being tired with all the initial changes to my life.
We walked along the Thames with all the sparkly evening lights, and had a drink at a fabulous first floor bar which was roof to floor window with a view of the Thames.

An advantage of being in England is getting to spend more time with my brother Richard and his family. Sharon and Richard have been a great support to me though a fair amount of tough times lately, for which I’m terribly grateful.

I’ve been up to Ilkeston, Derbyshire twice in the last few weeks to visit.
So I’ve done all sorts of little things with the kids. Walked in the park with them, played in the play area (mostly swing pushing duties), and watched Tilly the Dragon with Kai (my nephew). I’ve also help supervise a chaotic bath time, read Kai bedtime stories, and had lots of cuddles and kisses with Sian, my niece.
They’re adorable and it’s lovely that they now see me often enough to remember who I am.
Kai seems to think that Aunty Deidre (never thought I’d allow myself to be called that ;-) is terribly cool, and is very unhappy that he can’t come on the train back to London with me at the end of a weekend.
He (and my brother) phoned last Saturday and I was lucky enough to be serenaded by Kai with a rendition of ‘Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star’. How lucky can an aunt get :-)

Up at Richard's was also where I got to see more than a smattering of snow. Here is a picture of the white world we had for an evening before all the rain dissolved the little flakes.

Picture 1: Dad in London

Picture 2: Kai

Picture 3: Sian and the remains of the chocolate cake Sharon made

Picture 4: Snow glorious snow