Frankie's World

In case you're wondering what Frankie has been up to while Erin and I are running around the north of England, here's a quick update.

While Erin and I are off having adventures during the day, Frankie has been very busy at school. On Monday, she went to her once-a-week after school cooking club. (This week's project: chocolate chip cookies.) On Tuesday, she had an after-school playdate at her friend Janelle's house. On Wednesday and Thursday she stayed behind to go to the "after school club," where the kids make craft projects with one of the teachers. Today, she gets her school picture taken, and after school Frankie is planning to take Erin to her most favorite place in town: the aquarium.

It's actually worked out really well. With Frankie in school during the day, Erin and I can do all kinds of touristy things that Frankie isn't interested in. By the time Erin and I are finished with the day's outing, it's time to pick Frankie up from school. After school, we do a little "Frankie" activity. One afternoon, we took a walk in the garden. Another day, we drew pictures together in the playroom. Yesterday, Erin helped Frankie write and illustrate her own book. While I make dinner, Erin helps Frankie out with her schoolwork. After that, it's bathtime. Then, bedtime.

Once Frankie falls asleep, Erin and I watch the awesome British game show "QI," and/or an episode of my most favorite guilty pleasure show, "CSI Miami" (which we mock incessantly...love that Horatio Caine!). Then, it's off to bed for the grown-ups.

It's been a great routine, really. And once the weekend rolls around, Matt will be home and we'll all get the chance to do some fun activities together. Saturday, for example, we're planning to take a family tour of the Honister Slate Mine. I think Frankie will love that. (Me too!)

Here's Frankie this week, doing Frankie things: