Teddy Bears Around the World

Monday, January 5, 2009 - this is our last day of our very fun trip.  Sam was especially happy this morning as we had a big surprise for us when we woke up.  Every day on this trip Sam and I have wished for snow - today our wish came true!   Sam, Hannah and their cousins Khazaria and Safi quickly put on hats, gloves and boots so we could play in the snow while we waited for our car to come to take us to the airport.  We had fun making snow balls and will make for good memories of our trip.

I hope I can come back to England one day with Sam and his family.  I especially enjoyed meeting everyone, and seeing all of Sam’s English aunts, uncles and cousins.  It was nice to see Ella’s parents (Helen & Mike) and to see Ashely and Christian her two big brothers.  They gave me big hugs and wished for us a safe trip home to Jacksonville.

Thursday, January 1, 2009 - today is new year’s day and a good day to visit London.  We had to get up quite early today as just under two hours by car for us to drive up here.  We really enjoyed this day seeing all of the sites.

My favorite was seeing Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament.  Sam really liked the Tower of London and thought the guards or Beefeaters as they are called were really cool in the black and red uniforms.  Sam’s sister Hannah liked seeing Buckingham Palace and when were were leaving London we drove past it one last time just to wave goodbye to the Queen!

December 31, 2008 - Today Sam and I went to Portmouth and Southsea which is where Sam’s Mommy grew up.  We went to the dockyard and saw lots of boats, ships and ferries.  In Old Portsmouth we saw the elementary or primary school that Sam’s Mom went too.  It was called St. Judes Church of England school.  It was very neat to see this school and very much reminded Sam and I of SJEDS.  We also saw a really old church that has no roof - we were told that the roof was blown off during World War II.  Luckily no people were in it.

On this day, my favorite thing was our visit to Southsea castle.  Sam, his sister Hannah and I had lots of fun running around and enjoyed sitting on the old cannons.  This castle was built during the time of Henry VIII and is very old.

December 31, 2008 - Today Sam and I went to Portmouth and Southsea which is where Sam’s Mommy grew up.  We went to the dockyard and saw lots of boats, ships and ferries.  In Old Portsmouth we saw the elementary or primary school that Sam’s Mom went too.  It was called St. Judes Church of England school.  It was very neat to see this school and very much reminded Sam and I of SJEDS.  We also saw a really old church that has no roof - we were told that the roof was blown off during World War II.  Luckily no people were in it.

On this day, my favorite thing was our visit to Southsea castle.  Sam, his sister Hannah and I had lots of fun running around and enjoyed sitting on the old cannons.  This castle was built during the time of Henry VIII and is very old.

Saturday, December 27, 2008 - today we arrived at London Gatwick airport.  As our plane flew across southern England all the fields were covered in frost.  Sam and I thought it had snowed!  It was really cold when we got off of the plane, but luckily Sam’s Mom had hats and gloves for us to wear.  We were quickly met at the airport by a driver named Ken and enjoyed a nice ride in his car to Fareham in Hampshire.  We arrived at  Nanny Shirely’s house where we met all of Sam’s family.  Nanny Shirley is the sister of Sam’s grandmother and where we stayed during our trip.

Saturday, December 27, 2008 - today we arrived at London Gatwick airport.  As our plane flew across southern England all the fields were covered in frost.  Sam and I thought it had snowed!  It was really cold when we got off of the plane, but luckily Sam’s Mom had hats and gloves for us to wear.  We were quickly met at the airport by a driver named Ken and enjoyed a nice ride in his car to Fareham in Hampshire.  We arrived at  Nanny Shirely’s house where we met all of Sam’s family.  Nanny Shirley is the sister of Sam’s grandmother and where we stayed during our trip.

On December 26, 2008 I was very lucky to fly back to England with Sam!  I was especialy happy because I would be seeing Ella’s family again.  It has been almost six months since Ella passed away and so wanted to tell her parents that everyone at SJEDS has them in their thoughts and prayers.

Sam was excited to be going to England to see some of his family again, as well as Hannah his little sis’ as she has not been there before.  We had a lot of fun on our flight, watching movies, reading books and coloring and drawing lots of pictures.  We did not get much sleep

I Flew on this airplane from Jacksonville Airport to Chicago and then I took an even bigger plane to Heathrow Airport in London England. I was asked to go back to England with Ella’s Family to visit with them as Ella had been sick with a really bad cold. You see, Ella has Rett Syndrome and she needs lots of special care and if she catches a cold it is really bad for her. I couldn’t wait to visit Ella’s School as her Mum had told me that there would be all kinds of fun things to do there. I had to fly all night to get there and when we arrived it was morning. I had flown all night. The ride to Ella’s house was 20mins by car. They drive quite fast there but I did get to see some pretty flowers blooming on the way. I think they were Tulips and Daffodils.

The next morning Ella’s Mummy (or Mommy) woke me up early and gave me a Jumper (or Sweater) to wear for School Uniform. The children at Ella’s School Heritage House have to wear a uniform.

Ella was feeling better and ready to show me her School and her friends. We rode on her special bus. I sat on her lap as she sits in a chair with wheels. Ella can’t use her muscles to walk very well. It was good fun sitting on her lap as she gave me lots of hugs. I told her that her aunt in Jacksonville had asked me to send her lots of hugs and kisses!

Ella showed me this special chair. It tilts back so that you can sleep in it if you want to.

It was time to go swimming! I thought it would be too cold for me as I am so used to hot weather in Jacksonville so I was asked to be the life guard.

I could tell that Ella loves to swim. When Ella likes something she will lift her eyebrows up. Ella doesn’t talk like I do she has her own special language. She smiles with her eyes.

I was given a drink in a really cool cup. It was very easy to drink up that yummy juice. I didn’t spill any of it.

I played with all of Ella’s friends and we all had a turn with this bubble machine. The best part was about to happen.

Happy Birthday Ella! I was so glad to be invited to Ella’s ninth Birthday party at school.

Ella had nine candles. We all sang Happy Birthday. It was the same tune and I knew all the words. The cake was a delicious Chocolate Cake. I had to have a second piece!
After cake Ella played with the sensory toys. She loves feathers.

As the weather was so nice we went outside in the pretty garden to have water play. I loved sitting on Ella’s lap as she kept giving me hugs. I think she liked me being with her on her Birthday. I will go back for a visit when I go back to England. Ella’s teachers are very kind.

I went to London over 2008 Spring Break. I stayed in an apartment on Pembroke Road near Earl’s Court. It was snowing when we arrived so I was happy I could snuggle in Ryan’s backpack. We saw all the major sites… The London Bridge, Tower of London, Big Ben, Kensington Palace, and Hampton Court. We also visited the British Museum where we saw the terracotta army and the King Tut exhibit at the O2 Center. The highlight was flying home in Upper Class on Virgin Atlantic Airlines. Thanks to the Ryan and his family for taking me with them!

Eddy from England I would like some help please. My class are using all of my Teddy Bear friends around the world to help them with their geography this term. They are investigating the different climates in the places you all live and the activities that your children do to compare the leisure activities that are available depending on the climate and location. If any of you are able to help we would be most grateful. If my class can help you in any way for any of your studies you only have to ask and we will help all that we can. I look forward to hearing from you.

Thank you all so much

From Eddy in Bideford Devon England