I am so happy with the way the kids have adapted and are working at school. Sometimes I find it hard to gauge how they are doing but lately I have seen some of the work they have been doing. I find it funny that the teachers here do not just teach them lessons in the classroom but are also their PE teachers as well. The teachers have more planning to do than what they do in the states and still they seem to be all upbeat and cheerful about being in the school everyday. I have yet to see a teacher that looked grumpy! I love coming in and seeing a smiling face each day in the morning and again in the afternoon. It makes me feel like my children are getting a positive learning experience. The Headteacher is outside some mornings greeting the children by name as we walk in. The teachers seem to know all the kids even the kids that are not in their year. I am still learning new things from the kids. The cursive is different here so Paige is working on getting that correct. The words they come home with are interesting. They have taught me more of the language from school with excitement. Sometimes we get a giggle from it! The children are all working on the Christmas play. Mathew worries that he will get nervous in front of everyone but I think once they all start going he will do fine. Paige is very excited about it. She had her first Drama lesson in school yesterday and was showing me some of the things that she learned. I love it! Mathew made his first 100% on his spelling test plus got his challenge word correct.
The little house's bedroom received a facelift. It now has a blue wall that is a bit brighter than the living room. We also have a new friend living out there. Mat's rug came and now it is displayed on the wall in the dining room. It took over the whole wall. It was not the easiest to find a spot for so it was taken from one room to another. The house is almost complete!
Mat had another Birthday and so now I have an even older husband. But I'll keep the old Man... He gets better with age. We went to Bury and picked up some yummy cupcakes. I also made a cheesecake for him which is his favorite. We were able to spend the day together which was nice so we did some running around while the kids were in school. We had dinner at the local pub which was super yummy.
Mathew and I ran our first 5k race with Mat while Paige and the Girl Scouts walked the 1 mile Fun Walk. Mathew was a crazy runner. He would sprint and then jog... go up the hill or off the path and back on.. definitely did better than a lot of people could do.. now if only we could get him to stay focused he would be a great distance runner. I was surprised that he made it all the way though ... I was surprised I made it all the way. It was a last minute decision and I am glad that I made it but boy was I sore the next day! That is what I get for not running for a year or so and going out and just doing it! I do not bounce back like a child anymore...I guess I should know my age and realize it!
Thanksgiving was great. The kids had school Thursday and Friday which was not easy but they managed and actually did really well! Mat invited his troops over to the house so they would be able to get together and have some dinner. We had about 20 people over and lots of food. I thought with the amount of people the food would be gone but they must have not brought big appetites or we had more than enough food. We had 2 Turkeys, a ham, 2 pheasants, a rabbit, and venison. Plus the sides and dessert. Everyone ate, chatted, the kids did crafts, and stayed busy. We also had some visitors for the weekend.
Now we are working on Christmas and Mathew's birthday. It is not easy planning the party. Mathew wants all his friends from school to come and being new in the school here, I do not know the parents or the children. Plus with everything going on each weekend until Christmas it makes it hard to try to plan something but for him we need to. It is hard enough moving but not having any one but us to celebrate with is no fun! And Christmas... without black friday, I am so far behind!!! I can't believe it is almost December and I have only a couple things. Christmas is not as easy as it used to be! Before the kids did not really care about what they got and did not question things but now we have a 9 yr old that questions everything and a little man that thinks money grows on trees so he wants all the big things!! Plus the shopping here is ridiculously expensive compared to the prices in the US and you never know with shipping if things will get here on time!
I guess this year we play it by ear and as long as Santa brings the presents they want from here we can have Christmas for a week or so as gifts arrive.
So to catch up on my thankfulness:
14: I am thankful for the ability we have to live in this country, the ability to see everything around here, and to travel.
15: For the friends we have that continue to love us even so far away! They understand when we are busy and do not chat for weeks at a time but can bring up a conversation whenever we talk.
16: Teachers that have worked with my children before moving to England. They were prepared for new tasks here in England and had a great base to start with.
17: CRAZY Turkey Trot runs with Mat, Mathew, and Paige. And wonderful relaxing muddy bike rides!
18: Church and CCD teachers. They are great teachers for our children.
19:Great teachers that are helping my children adjust to their new learning regiments here in England
20: Friends my children have made while being here. They seem to have adjusted well making new friends which is not always easy! It is a good thing they are more like their father and less like their mother!
21: The body I have that allows me to clean the house day after day!
22: For the people who brought us Thanksgiving. The ones that came to celebrate with us.
23: For the friends that we have made during our military journeys and the times we get together.
24: Ohio State football broadcasted on the internet for us to view!
25: Large Malls an hour away and Sushi for the boys
26: The ability to get my son to sit still for a few minutes before school to test him on his spelling words. The little things that I would not get to do if I did not have him!
27: A drive by visit from the Big Guy and all the things that bring the Christmas Spirit to us each year!
28: Sitting by the warm fire looking at the Christmas tree and village set up while drinking Coffee!
