Croquet at Pembroke

On our way home from town this afternoon, we decided to "cut through college." We went in through the front gate at Pembroke, Derek popped in and checked his pigeon hole, and we headed down Ridley's Walk to find a bench and enjoy some of the fudge we bought. While we were sitting there, we decided we fancied a croquet match.

Derek went to the porter's lodge, left his student card as collateral, and brought the bag of mallets, balls, and stakes back to the croquet lawn.

I think it goes without saying, but Henry LOVED it.

He hauled the mallets around, helped Daddy put in the stakes and hoops (wickets, in the U.S.). While we actually played a game, Henry toddled around after us, playing "caddy" with the mallets.

I must admit--as we were playing, I did miss all of our PKP friends from four years ago. Wish you guys were here to play with us!!

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter everyone!

 I came downstairs this morning and found my Easter basket sitting in the middle of the floor, waiting just for me! The Easter Bunny brought me a HUGE chocolate egg! He also brought some Cadbury Creme Eggs (one of my favorites), a new book about Dogs, and my very own Shaun the Sheep! There were also two pairs of shorts and a new shirt, but I thought that was boring. I think he got mixed up and put those in my basket instead of Mum's--she's the one that really cares what I wear. My favorite part was the plastic eggs. I got to play with them all day. I love to open them up, then Mummy closes them all again and I open them all again right away! I also like to hide them under the couch and in the blankets. I thought it might be nice for Mummy and Daddy to go on a lot of Easter Egg hunts today. I think I will do it again tomorrow, too!

Eggs here in Cambridge are all brown! So we didn't dye any eggs this year, but Mummy and Daddy colored on them! Mummy drew a Shaun the Sheep on one for me! She promised me that next year, when we're back in the USA, we will dye eggs. I can't wait!

Daddy tried dying one of the eggs--he was very sad when it was still brown. 

 

Easter this year was a lot more fun than last year. Last year, all I was allowed to do was lay on the blanket and Daddy brought me an egg or two. This year--I got to hunt for my own!

The Grad Parlour at Daddy's College, Pembroke, invited us to a special Egg Hunt in college! They had hidden hundreds of Cadbury eggs all over, some huge golden eggs, and even one special Golden Bunny. I found lots of the little Eggs with Mummy and Daddy's help, but guess what?! I was the lucky one and found the Golden Bunny first! I was especially excited about him. I found him in one of the hedges by the bowling green. After I found him, I checked every part of the hedge just to make sure there weren't any more bunnies. There weren't any--I found the only one!

Everyone was really nice to me, I think because I was the only one under 21 years old. All the girls told me I was really cute and gave me some of the eggs. What can I say--it pays to be unbelievably handsome.

Can you see the bunny hiding in the hedge? I did!!

All of us took our loot back to the Grad Parlour and compared. I definitely got the coolest prize with the Bunny, but some of the other people found a lot more eggs than I did. That's ok! We also had Hot Cross Buns, a traditional treat for Easter here in England. Some of the Grads toasted and buttered them for us. So delicious. I think we had better have Hot Cross Buns every Easter from now on.

Aimee and Jonathan, our friends from church, invited us over Thursday to have another egg hunt. I'm so excited! I bet I find the most eggs out of everyone!!

--Little Brute--

Happy Easter from the Bruton Family!

Walking Though Cambridge on a Sunday Afernoon

Now that the sun is lingering a bit longer every day, we three Brutons have started going on walks in the afternoon. Sundays are an especially wonderful day for walks, we think. So yesterday, we loaded Little Brute up in his buggy, grabbed the camera and headed out.

Usually we don't have a destination in mind. We just---walk. This time, we ended up in the centre of the city and going through Pembroke, then King's College.

Pembroke is always a calm place for us. I think that's part of why it was Derek's first choice of college. There's nothing quite as lovely as the library when the light is hitting it in the evening.

my boys in Pembroke!

One of the most photographed "icons" in Cambridge is the Corpus Clock. I have a disgust/love relationship with this very odd clock--I love the gold, shininess of it, but the Chronophage on the top (the "eater of time" as the creator says) is quite hideous. It's a dragon-like locust that I find--well, creepy. But I love to stand and watch the blue light go around, and around for every second that ticks by. The idea of an "eater of time" is quite thought provoking--every second that ticks by is a one you can never get back. In thinking about our time here in Cambridge (which is going so fast!) I try to remember to take advantage of every moment--to see or do something every day that I can only see/do in Cambridge. So far--so good. :)

We stopped and admired the clock yesterday, but especially the incredible reflection in the glass that protects it and the shiny gold of the actual clock. It's positioned right across King's Parade from King's College, and the Chapel was reflected quite beautifully on the clock. I love the pictures Derek took of it.

I don't think Derek or I will ever get tired of going into colleges when others can't. Derek's status as a student allows us in places many are not welcome and at times were tourists are told "stay out." Yesterday, with our camera around his neck and our buggy in front of us, I know we looked like Sunday tourists. When we walked up to King's College, the porter moved to intercept us but then..BAM...out came Derek's student card, he gave us a smile, and we went right on in--dozens of people snapping pictures behind us, trying to get a glimpse of the front courtyard. Yeah....power trip for sure.

This view is one I will DEFINITELY miss. The screen of King's College on King's Parade. Just stunning. 

We took our time walking through King's, which Henry loved. The flagstones they use on the footpaths a re nice and big and smooth, something his little feet and knees appreciate. I love holding his hand as we walk. He grips my finger so tightly and trusts me to keep him from falling. It's slow going, but I like that. It helps me to slow down and appreciate the beauty that I live in. I mean really--the fact that King's College is just a few minutes away on foot is amazing. I walk beneath the grandeur of one of the most recognized Anglican buildings in the world. As we were walking, we listened to the choir warm up before Evensong--the organ's voice drifting across the courtyard as we strolled along. You can't beat that. It's something I will miss (again) when we move back to the states.

Henry doesn't appreciate these signs. 

Cool cobblestones--but hard for new "walkers" to navigate. 

We went out the back gates of King's then headed along the Backs towards home. It's a lovely walk, quiet. Henry was perfectly content to snuggle up in his buggy, so we took the long way home, through some green space not far from the center of town. Walking through the water meadows is like taking a step out of the city and in to the country--one of the greatest things about Cambridge.

Don't Blink

It's been a while--suffice it to say we have been extremely busy! With the Holiday season come end of term papers and extra meetings with professors, but I can't say we've been busy only with school--we've enjoyed a few holiday excursions, some shopping (for Christmas of course!), and some good, quality play time with our ever growing boy. Henry will no doubt be telling you all about his meeting with Father Christmas as well as putting up the Christmas tree on his blog and all about Thanksgiving Dinner at Peter's, so I'll spare you the repeat.

In the meantime, I'll give you an update on how we are. 

Derek has been rowing like a madman as of late--ok, perhaps not that much, but it seems like it! The Clare Regatta was this last Saturday, something he was really looking forward to. Unfortunately, one of his teammates "caught a crab" and the ended up on the side of the riverbank--literally. Henry and I were right there, just across the shore, and caught every moment of their spectacular fail. The tragic thing is they really were winning! A full length ahead of the Corpus Christi boat. Oh well, luckily they have another race this coming week, the Fairburns. Henry and I are hoping to get up and haul our cookies over to the river to cheer Pembroke on again, but we'll see what time he decides to get up (race is at 9am, I believe). I was pretty proud of our Pembroke boys, however, as they finished the race with dignity and gave Corpus their semi-deserved 3 "Hip-hip-horrays". 

Derek's also been rather busy keeping up with school. He's stayed up well past 11:59pm a few nights this last week completing his assignments and went in to college early once or twice so he could keep up. I'm proud of him and his dedication to getting things done--it's not easy with Henry around (I should know). 

Daddy continually makes his little boy smile and is teaching him all sorts of new, amazing things. Last Sunday, during church, Mr. Squeaky Hedgehog found his home in Daddy's suit pocket. Of course he didn't stay there long, as Henry found that absolutely delightful. It's wonderful to watch Derek in his role as Daddy--certainly makes me love him even more.

Speaking of Henry, he has learned how to turn the turbo on around here. Derek has compared him to the Weeping Angels of Dr. Who: "Don't blink...[he] is fast. Faster than you can believe. Don't turn your back. Don't look away. And don't blink. Good luck.". Seriously, one minute he is right there playing blocks with you, and the next--half way through the kitchen. Yes, keeping up with Henry requires constant vigilance at our house--way too many things to get in to, pull over on top of himself--you know how it is. 

He is still the delight of our home, however fast he is, and I am finding my days with him are wonderful. I must admit I do get a bit frustrated when he wants to help type my homework assignments, or assist me as I try to get some work done (try being the key word here), or when he lets me know that I'm done doing the dishes, even though I'm only half way through. Thank goodness he has started sleeping a lot better and that his two new teeth (yes! two now!) have come through and seem to be staying that way--I felt them just before he went to bed and they haven't snuck back in yet. Whew!

The Holiday season is well underway here in Cambridge. Just this evening (4pm and it was dark!) we took a family walk through the city. The lights are all up, several of the booths at the Market were sporting Christmas items (we bought a real holly wreath for our front door on Friday!), and there are lighted trees in the square. I'm aching for snow, but truly enjoying our Christmas tree, which made its debut on Friday as well. So yes, life is good here in Cambridge. We are incredibly busy--thank goodness the end of Michaelmas Term will be here this week!--but we are enjoying our time here. I'm trying not to blink, because just like Henry, our time here will go faster than we think. 

Fall Colors

Autumn is poking its head out here in Cambridge. The leaves in Pembroke College are starting to change, making for some beautiful colors near the library. 

We went punting today and got to enjoy absolutely gorgeous weather, as well as the leaves changing along the river. 

Evensong at Pembroke

We went to the first Evensong of the term at Pembroke College Chapel tonight. Evensong is a really nice service that happens most evenings and most of it is sung. Thus: even (evening) song (the singing bit). There are prayers and a little sermon along with gorgeous choral and organ arrangements. There's also two readings: one from the Old Testament and one from the New.

Tonight, two of my favorite scripture stories were read. The Old Testament reading was from 2 Kings, the story of Naaman. It includes one a beautiful passage in chapter 5, verse 13: 'If the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou have done it?" And then the New Testament was the story of the 10 lepers, one of Henry's favorite stories! Anyway, the sermon was also very thought provoking. The Dean mentioned that the other 9 lepers, those who did not go back to say thank you, missed out on the greatest moment of their lives. That really made me thing--thanking Christ for changing our lives is one of the most important things we can do. For those 9, the actually missed out on thanking the Savior face to face.

The closing hymn was gorgeous: 'Praise to the Lord the Almighty.' I love how the Church of England does hymns--the organist is a professional, so between that and the trained choir that sings with the congregation it makes for a fantastic sound. Oh, and the acoustics of an old chapel help, too. Tonight, Derek and I sang at the top of our lungs, joining our voices with the others in the chapel. Henry was quiet and thoughtful through the hymn, watching Derek and I as we sang. He really enjoyed the singing parts. He watched the choir and looked around for where the music as coming from when the organ played.

As is customary and expected of Cambridge students, Derek wore his robes. It was a rather formal affair and I must admit--I felt a bit worried about taking Henry. Of course that was in vain! He was perfect, really. I took him to the antechapel for most of it, but he really was a little angel.

After the service, we joined everyone for sherry/apple juice. (we, of course, had apple juice). Everyone was complimentary and couldn't believe how well behaved he was. He smiled and flirted, particularly with a woman named Lucy, the wife of a past Master of Pembroke. He loved the apple juice--the first time he had tasted it!

The entire evening was a success. We were invited to join them every week and I think we will do our best to make it at least a couple times a month.

enjoying apple juice. from a small wine glass. awesome. 

with Daddy in the chapel (incidentally, it is the first building Sir Christopher Wren was architect for. He was also the architect of St. Paul's Cathedral).

By the way..pictures were taken on Derek's phone. Sorry they're a bit blurry. 

A Pembroke Man

Today has been quite the important day in our family's lives, to say the least. To begin with, Jen celebrated her birthday (the first one when she's been living outside the US), her brother Dallon gets home from his mission to Peru, and I forever joined myself with Pembroke College.

Already Pembroke holds a unique place in my heart. Our time spent here three summers ago as part of the Pembroke-King's Programme will always be something I remember as an event which set us on the path to returning here to Cambridge for our graduate schooling. There is a peace to be found in the quiet courtyards of the college, in the reading room of the library, and in the lovely Wren Chapel which defy my ability to put into words. Just from our two months here before Pembroke already felt like a haven, and now my future is tied to it's story.

Pembroke is the third-oldest college in Cambridge. It was founded in 1347, or 528 years before my alma mater BYU was organized. The ancient nature, and tradition-laden history, of the college really sank in as, wearing my university robes, I sat down in the Old Library at a table bearing a thick, leather-bound tome and a fountain pen bearing the Pembroke crest. Sir Richard Dearlove, the Master of the college, asked me my surname, looked at his list, carefully blotted the fresh ink from the last student to sign, and flipped to line 10 of this years entries. There I carefully wrote out my full name: Derek Jackson Bruton, to stand forever as a record of this day when I matriculated into Pembroke.

The significance of the moment was not lost on my as I wrote those 18 letters. First came Derek: me, the written representation that implies my own being. Then Jackson: My middle name, my father's middle name, my son's middle name, a family heirloom. Finally Bruton: the descendant of those who at one point labored along the River Brue for a living, the great-great-....-great-grandson of John Bruton who came to Virginia as an indentured servant in 1634, the representation of those who came before me and got me to where I am today. All of this will now reside in Pembroke's records for years, decades, and even centuries. Today I did more than join a school, I became a Pembroke man forever.



The "Freshers" matriculating into Pembroke.

Expect a higher resolution image in the not-too-distant future
Picture courtesy of Pembroke Facebook page.





Officially becoming part of the college and the university under

the direction of Sir Richard Dearlove, the Master of Pembroke.







The three of us. Henry can't figure out

what on earth Daddy is wearing.