Here is a little update on our family:
Kaden - After a hard first couple weeks he is now enjoying school and is making some friends. He chose to be in Drama and loves it. He said he loves his P.E. class too because they are making him fit, strong and they teach him the rules and how to actually play different sports. He said his P.E. class reminds him of Mr. Lane and Mr. Fincham because he has to do squats, push ups and several other things. He is not to fond of Spanish but he will be able to have two full years by the time we go back. I popped in to chat with the Vice Principal in the Middle school yesterday and she said that she loves our boys. She praised them for being so polite and caring. She said "they open doors for everyone". Thank you Grand View for helping us raise gentlemen! Kaden started fencing this week and enjoys learning that. He is also continuing with his piano lessons. We just signed him up for his first trip with school. In March for 6 days he will be going to Spain. Below is a list of things he will be doing during his different days there. Oh you bet I asked if they take parents as chaperones, no such luck! Needless to say after looking up some of these places I am a little jealous.
- Beach walk and games on the Mediterranean
- Palavas-les-flots
- Minigolf
- Medieval walled town of Aigues-Mortes
- Les Salins salt mines
- Manade, a cowboy ranch, Mediterranean-style
- Nimes, the city of the Romans in southern France
- Ten-pin bowling
- Ornithological Park on the sea
- Church of the Black Madonna to Those in Peril on the Sea
- Boat trip down the rive the Petit Rhone
Colin - He settled in quickly and enjoys school. He told me that he loves his P.E. class and just loves all his classes. He said the things he doesn't like is that people say OMG all the time but actually say the words. Both boys don't like the swearing they hear but they are learning to either ignore it or ask people to stop. Brave kids, love it! Colin is killing us in the lunch department. They have an amazing spread of food for lunch. They start by picking a drink which are several juices, milk or water. They then have a salad bar and two soups available to them. The main courses, yes not just one, and then the desserts. However, what you take is what you pay for and he is a growing boy and eats A LOT! We figured he is averaging £7 a day ($10.85) for lunch. OUCH! I must say he doesn't get in the car and tell me how hungry he is though like he did in the U.S. Colin was elected today for Student Council 5th grade representative and he is over the hill excited! He was against 4 girls and 3 of them had done a powered point as their "speech", over achievers. We had prepared him that he is new there and that he probably wouldn't get it. We were so proud of him and excited! He has a wonderful homeroom teacher that reminds me of my favorite 4th grade teacher in the U.S. Colin also started fencing and of course loves that he is learning to "sword fight". He started guitar lessons and greatly enjoys that. He is also involved in an after school Chess club that starts tomorrow. He has always been a pretty good player.
Abby - Is enjoying school but not enjoying homework everyday. She has a math, spelling and reading assignment everyday and isn't thrilled about it but has a good attitude. We tell her that she will be prepared for 4th grade when we go back to Mrs. Poole but Colin reminded us that they don't have that much homework there. Crazy kid! We won't even mention the load the boys have. Abby is taking a cooking class on Mondays after school and absolutely loves trying new recipes. She brings something home every week that needs baked or put in the refrigerator for later. She received an award today from the Lower School principal for an act of kindness. She was pretty excited about that. She said she was sitting with her classmates at lunch one day and another one of her classmates was all by herself at a table. Abby got up and went over to finish eating with her, a teacher saw it and reported it. She is still very chatty and loves her peers. Abby also is taking piano and enjoys her teacher.
Randy- Randy is still adjusting to riding the train and tube everyday to work. He really misses just jumping in his car and driving straight to work. Not missing tubes because they are too full of people. He is on his first business trip, since being here, to Finland. We are excited that he only had to be gone for one night instead of 4 or 5 since it is so close. Please pray for him, he is longing for a friend. We all left friends but he had two very close co workers that were great friends and he doesn't have that support here.
Me - Well, other than trying to keep this old house clean, which I am learning I can't be so picky here because the dust is bad and the houses are old, I am making a few friends through school and keeping busy there. One of the mums was talking about how she used to do a Bible study but she isn't anymore because of a situation that happened. Well, I stepped out and asked her if she would be interested in doing one with me and maybe we could get a few others. I am so excited and I am hopefully starting it soon. I sure miss my Target and Walmart though where I can run quick and get several different things at one store. Here you go to grocery stores for food and hardware stores for nails. Then the gas stations don't carry propane tanks like at home so we have to go to a special store for that. Ahhhhh! The luxuries we have in the U.S. Not to mention the chilly and rainy weather here, while my wonderful friend reminds me that it is 90 degrees back home. :) I do have to say that last week was in the 60-65 range and the sun shone everyday for me. Thank you Lord, He knows I need my sun. Randy told me after a few weeks where we saw very little sun that for some reason my DNA requires lots of sun and if I don't get that I can be a bear. :s He still loves me anyway.
