Officially Ready 4 Guests!

     Last you heard, N had finally gotten into school, much to his dismay.  We were able to celebrate this past Saturday evening.  We had 2 American couples and their children over.  One of the couples is G's predecessor.  They have a 2 1/2 yr old, and their newborn (born the day before we arrived in the UK).  They will be returning to the US on Sat 08/09/12.  The second couple is a co-worker of G's; they have 3 children-8 yr old girl, 7? yr old boy, and 3 yr old boy--so their kids played well with ours, and the 2 1/2 yr old played along too.  This couple has 1 year remaining in the UK.  So I guess you could say we're officially ready for guests.  First come, first serve.
     We had a very enjoyable evening--it was a very American bbq--not by intent-just how it turned out.  Chicken on the grill.  Wanted to make the sauce we usually make with it that uses French dressing as the base; however, no French dressing to be found.  I've learned to look up ingredients on the computer beforehand, and I'm getting better at converting cups to grams, ounces and pounds to grams, etc, etc.  Fahrenheit to Celsius....  Wanted to make a salad I make, but no Karo syrup here.  Although, now I did receive some from the American couple returning to the US.  Also some Hershey's syrup and canned pumpkin.  Apparently all hot commodities.  They also do not have ground mustard here (the dried kind).  I've put an order in for whichever American is due back here first, to bring me some.  G's coming home at least in December, so should get some then, if not sooner!  I tried to make my Grandma's 7-layer salad.  I made a salad, but it wasn't the same as Grandma's, but everyone loved it just the same, so I guess it was OK.  The dressing was different, and the bacon here is different, so that made it different as well.  We had other classic American goodies too.  We have a stereo system that plays music in the kitchen/living room combo, the lounge (sitting room), den and our bedroom.  G finally set it up so we could listen to cd's also.  I had John Cougar Mellencamp playing--never really realized how American his music was, or how many references to US he has.  Obviously, he's rather outspoken on his lean to the left.  You won't hear JCM played over here.  Like I said, it was a very American evening, although not by intent. 
     Sunday evening, we decided to try out our 1 babysitter.  She looked even younger when she arrived, although she's 21.  I guess it went ok.  She managed to play some games with the kids, like piggie in the middle--our monkey in the middle.
     On Monday, we went to W and N's school to get some uniforms for them.  They are pretty reasonably priced--~9pounds for the shirt, and you can get the pants anywhere.  Most schools wear a charcoal grey on the bottom.  I got 2 pair of grey pants for N for 6 pounds, and W too at the local grocery store.  Store has maybe 20 aisles of "other stuff".  Household, books, clothing, clocks...   (Exchange rate is roughly $1.60 to 1 pound.)



 

J on his day of orientation to Yr 7 at King's

J had a day of orientation on Tuesday. He reports they have very tight security. All the buildings have a code you have to punch in to enter, and the code changes half way thru the day, and he is not allowed to tell his parents the code. If a kid is caught in the halls with a parent that hasn't been checked in, they receive detention. Parents are to enter thru the main entrance, and get checked in properly. I suppose its harder to manage security when there are multiple buildings. If they're late for class, detention. But....I don't need to pack a snack for him, as they get up to 9 digestives (cookies) at break time, and watered down lemonade. He was quite happy about this, as I always stress a healthy snack--fruit, healthy granola bar, cheese, yogurt.... Cookies!! Definitely more of a "big kid" school than his former, in that he changes buildings, although the buildings are pretty close together.  Also, there are A weeks and B weeks, and his classes switch dependent on the week.  Rather different than staying in the same classroom in the same school building all day.  Classes may prove to be more intense and rigorous as well.  I think it's his chemistry and biology that are both taught by Dr's in their area.



J, W, N on their first day of school in the UK

 Today (Wednesday) was the first official day of school for all kids.  J went off without any problems, as he'd had orientation yesterday.  W and N were rather reserved on the playground during drop off time, as all the other children were playing and running, and they didn't know anyone.  The Headmistress came and got the 2 of them from me, and put them in the appropriate lines to enter the building- divided by Year group.  While they were waiting to enter, N tried seeing me, trying to see around people.  When he finally saw me, he had to blow me a kiss:)  He was hoping he could sit by W for lunch.
     Things went ok for all the kids.  Pick up was kinda crazy.  Picked up W/N, then proceeded to J's school.  It was crazy!!!  Traffic backed up for ~ 2 miles, trying to get into the school.  None of the kids drive to school, very unlike the US.  Kids can't get their license until 17 here.  No wonder all of J's classmates have phones.  We're holding out as long as we can, but we'll probably have to cave soon.  I am hoping the crazy congestion at his school stops once school is in full swing, including extra-curriculars.  Dropping off in the am was not a problem, as I drop J off ~45 to 1hr before school, so I can be back in time to drop the other 2 off.  (He goes into the library.)  That far before school, there was no back up of people.
     By special request, here are pics.  Of J on the day of his orientation, and of all 3 this morning, the first day of school.  (I told you J's blazer was U-G-L-Y!!!!)  I didn't realize, but W/N were supposed to be wearing their jumpers.  They were the only 2 with white shirts on, without the crest on it, not even dress shirts, and no tie.  They'll be wearing their jumpers tomorrow.  I thought it'd be warm enough that they wouldn't need them, but it is pretty cool here in the am, like 50s/14C.  Not to mention, it's probably the real dress code.

Taken from our side/rear garden.  Although it rains plenty, we do not see a lot of rainbows.

      As you know, we're very near Ireland, where the leprechauns live.  Also at the end of the rainbow.  Check out the rainbow pic I took from our rear garden.  Speaking of Ireland, G will be going to Dublin for the day tomorrow.  For work, not for fun.  W asked if he was flying there.  Don't know how good W is with geography, he's kinda young.  Apparently he needs a little refresher on the British Isles.  Or even a lesson on it.  Perhaps first grade didn't cover that!  I told him G wasn't going to swim there.

     Wishing everyone a great back to school.  Hope it's going smoothly wherever you are, even if you're not going back to school!  Will write more soon.......