A grid of false axioms.

Children thrive on routine, they know when to expect what. Child's frustration usually is caused by the lack of knowledge. The genius of children is that they accept that what they do not know.

I soothe myself with a routine as well, but my frustrations have a different source. I have a grid of false axioms that I orient myself around. Now, since axioms are largely false my grid is often broken. So for the 2011 and on I am going to rename my axioms to "hypothesis". I hope that will help me become less judgmental about people and events in my life. I suppose that would make for a better support net.

So goodbye ultimatums, hello compromises.

Creative play

Although I am big fan of throwing trash away, this article in Parents magazine made me reconsider my declutering habits.

How to Eat Well on $50 a Week: They're Doing It. Could You?

Number, numbers, numbers! So hard to make you mingle to each other on my spreadsheet. Good news I found fun read. How to Eat Well on $50 a Week: They're Doing ItCould You?

Froget-me-not

It must have been an article in the Real Simple that said that it is a good idea to have "house wine" at home. A wine that no matter what it is paired with will always rock your world, so you keep several bottles around just in case.

I crown thee my house white wine of 2011.

Twitter, Facebook, and social activism: newyorker.com

Twitter, Facebook, and social activism: newyorker.com

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Cambridge

A swift 40 minute train commute transported us from larger than life London to tranquil Cambridge. The cab driver addressed Connor 'govn'r" as he helped with our luggage. The place was not ready as we arrived earlier than the host has expected us but they let us leave our bags behind.

After we came back from the walk, we got to see our place for the first time. After a very extreme London logging (we refer to it as purgatory), the Cambridge flat seemed unreal. Clean, spacious and fresh in every way. It has two bathrooms, a large terrace and the most comfortable bed. Kids have been taking their naps and sleeping through the night. Our hostess even thought to leave two pitchers in the fridge with milk for the kids!!!

The apartment complex is set next to the river and is separated by a small patch of beautiful rich prairie. To get to the town center we cross a bridge and follow the river Cam. Anytime of the day the scenery is just spectacular.

Instead of squirrels Cambridge has ducks, they are everywhere! The city is connected by parks of all shapes and purposes. The other day in the park that is closest to our house we saw 10 cows spend all day just hanging out. In that same park the weekend of our arrival there was a carnival, the oldest in England it dates back to Richard II. Last weekend everywhere in the town the were performers playing sets as part of a festival, the park became fragments of Ravinia.

The town quickly turns into a countryside. All paths along the river have gates to keep cows in their designated areas. The first time we saw a calf in the fields of the Kings college we were surprised, but the quickly grew accustomed. Happy cows make for some great cheese (not an original thought), as we discovered while sampling the vast riches of the Cambridge open market, which was there 7! days a week. Our favorite find; however, was the ostrich burger- a gammy treat with sharp mustard needed no additional garnish.

Punting is the thing to do in Cambridge. I avoided it with the kids, but when Conor and I went out on a date we indulged ourselves. Later we bonded with rest of the students from the program over a drinking game.

It was wonderful to have gone to a place where the time went at a smooth pace. Leaving Cambridge was hard, but eased by the fact that we were headed over to Ireland.