Hello!

Well, it has certainly been a very busy day today here! Leo’s Christening took place at the 10 a.m. service at St. Luke’s Church of England in Dunston, just a couple of miles from here. The church, which was also where Dan and Philippa were married, is quite old and really lovely! Bells were calling people to service by the time we arrived, and the wonderful church people had designated seats for the guests coming for the christening. The vicar was wonderful; a great sense of humor and obviously a very warm and caring person. As the last christening I was at was my own, I had no idea of what would happen, but the vicar was very good at explaining things, both before they happened and while they were going on.

About mid-way through the service, Leo Edwin Abraham Sillis was baptized – and he absolutely loved it! He was dressed in a really cute waistcoat and pants in a tan color, with a white shirt. He definitely looked very prim and proper! He is such a cutie – with the greatest smile – and when the vicar took him from Dan for the actual pouring of water, he just laughed and smiled all the way through! He thought it such fun! He is a very lucky boy, having five God parents to help him! There were lots of friends and family members with babies or small children, and I think everybody had a really good time!

After the service, we all adjourned to the Elgar Centre, which is right on the property of Dan and Phil’s development. It’s a lovely new space, with lots of room and a great kitchen. Lots of food – vegetable trays and sandwiches and wraps, along with crisps (potato chips) a wonderful cake and pastries! Believe me, no one went home hungry at all! (Leo had two cakes – the first being an English tradition. Phil and Dan had saved the top layer of their wedding cake, and it was refrosted and decorated with wonderful jungle animals. I think that is such a neat idea – and the cake was delicious!)

Just a bit of the cake -

We ambled back to the house about 3:30, with Dan, Phil, Leo and Marian arriving home a little later. Two of Dan’s sisters and their families, and his Mom and Stepdad and Phil’s brother and sister and best friend and her family all came over for a last minute chat, which was wonderful. These are all tremendously nice people; very, very lovely family!

There wasn’t much left of the afternoon by the time everyone departed, but Dan and Phil and Marian made a great sausage casserole with beans, broccoli, carrots and roasted potatoes – I have to say, terrific food they serve here! It was nice to have a (fairly) quiet meal, with a few more pieces of christening cake and ice cream for dessert! It’s now almost 10, and to be honest, I don’t know how they are all still standing! We are falling asleep!

Up tomorrow and out to head for Heathrow. We’ll store our luggage at the hotel and dash into London for an afternoon at the British Museum…so, more tomorrow night!
Much love,
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