So the last post was in August and now we are in November. As you can see, I have obviously been busy! First things First....
1. I returned back to college. This time as a Psychology Major at UMUC - University of Maryland University College.... Lot of Universities in there. I started with 3 courses... 2- 8week classes and 1- 4 week class. One in class and 2 Online. I made it through those with little problem though sitting through 3 hours of History on Tuesday and Thursday nights was not the most fun thing to do! I overly stressed about History and often thought I would never pass the class though test scores showed different. I am not a fan of history and I do not think I ever will be! But the professor was good and we learned a lot and I came out with an A. Intro to research was my 4 week class and that was pretty simple. Learn how to use the computer to find things online and what things to look for when you are researching. Good to go... A. The final class was Intro to Psychology. I am not sure why my psychology class from UD did not transfer and cover this but it was a good refresher class and a good start to the online system and what professors are looking at getting from students. Another A... so to start... my first session back to school came to a 4.0. Happy Me! Now I am on the second session and three more classes which I have found to be a lot more challenging and more work than the first 5. Math, Biopsychlogy, and IFSM.
2. The kiddos started back to school in September. They are right back at Upwood Primary School. Mathew is in year 2 and Paige in yr 6. Mathew has his first male teacher, Mr. Vincent and Paige has Ms. Stroud. Both seem to be coming along in their learning and continue to thrive in the British school system. Paige is above many of her classmates in regards to her levels so we are happy with that.. She has always been a bright girl. Mathew is chugging along and continues to work on his reading and writing. He loves Maths and spellings and does well with these. This will probably be the final year for them both to be at Upwood which makes me sad because I do like the school. But Paige will move up to secondary school and Mathew to Key Stage 2 so since they will be changing things, it is best that we transition them back into American schools before transferring them back to the states.
3. I became a Key Spouse for the Security Forces Squadron. What a job that is. Training first and then keeping up with paperwork and trying to get volunteers to help with different events. Also I am here to help those spouses whose husband or wife is deployed.
4. I was asked to be a 3/4th grade CCD teacher. This does not seem like much but it is a much bigger job that it seems. Lesson Plans to make and follow and make sure the kids are learning what they need to know for their age level. Trying to find time to do this as well as time for school and home life has made things chaotic!
5. Mat put on Master Sergeant!! He has been waiting for this day and it came this month! Finally able to have the rooftop on his sleeves looks nice! He deserves it. The kids enjoyed punching him in the arm and pinning on his stripes at the ceremony. I am glad that we have a little more time left without him having to study. This year we are going to be more into traveling and seeing place outside of England.
We have not been too many places since school started. Mat started a new job off of flight and it takes up a lot if not more of his time. He is settling into the slot there and taking control of things. He usually finds his place quickly. We are also moving here soon to a house on base. This will help with all the traveling Mat is doing as well as set us up for next year and the change over of schools for the kiddos. I am not looking forward to how small the houses are but I think it will be a relief for me to have everyone on one floor again and a smaller area to clean. I just hope that having a smaller area does not make it feel like things are never clean because we have less space to place things! We will see. I am just ready to move and be done because about a yr and a half later we will be done with our time here and be packing to move back to the states and start all over!
Saturday, November 9, 2013
Monday, August 5, 2013
Kingsdown Interational Camping Center/Dover Castle/ White Cliffs/ Walmer Castle
What a busy fun weekend we had! We chose to try this camping thing out again in the UK. We had great luck when we were in AZ but since then we had not really camped until Wales and if you read that post, you know that trip was not what we expected at all!
This trip started a bit rocky. We headed out around 9:15 to get gas in base and to pick up some last minute items. From the base the trip was only supposed to take us about 2 1/2 hours. We left the base around 10 and arrived at the camping center at around 2:45. DEFINITELY more than 2 1/2 hours!!! Why??? There was a serious accident that held us up on the M2 just 30 miles from our destination. So one hour and 50 minutes from the time we were supposed to arrive.... WE FINALLY MADE IT!
Kingsdown International Camping Center
We pulled into the camp center and the view was gorgeous... The Channel was right in front of us and you could see France from the campgrounds. We were able to get the Girl Scout discount since Paige was a Girl Scout which gave us a serious discount for the weekend. WOO HOO... Who doesn't like to save some money? We checked into the Camp and headed to set up camp.
We found a great place to set up. It was close to the woods and the firepit. We did not use it and no one else did either which made it nice because I can't imagine them partying late into the night. We also were close to the path to the beach.
Once the tents were up, the kids were dying to go to the beach and into the water. The weather was perfect. BUT it was too chilly for the adults to get too far into the water! We watched as the kids jumped in. They did not have their suits on yet since we just went down to check it out but that did not bother them at all. They were all soon soaking wet and smiling/shivering! Paige had a moment that made her a bit uncomfortable and through her straight into the European culture. A couple little German children headed into the water in their Birthday suits. I think she was OK with the baby but then when the little girl who was a bit older came in, she was a bit taken back and did not want to return to the water. CRAZY American kid! ; ).
After the water the kids dried off a bit and we headed to the cliffs that were next to the campsite. There was a public walk way and so we took that along the cliffs. The kids found a Chalk rock and took turns breaking it into smaller pieces. FUN!!
Once it got dark, we headed back to the campground and settled in for the night.
Dover Castle
The next morning we woke and headed to Dover Castle. It was about a 5 minute drive through narrow roads and into the narrow entrance to the Castle. We waited for a bit once we got there for it to open and met some people that were there from Ann Arbor,MI... luckily they were not Football fans because Mat and I both had our Ohio State sweatshirts on!
Once we got inside the gates, we headed to the underground tunnels. The hospital was the first stop and then the other war tunnels. We learned about the Battle of Dunkirk and how the hospitals and military operated during those times. Our Tour Guide for the Hospital tour was from Cleveland,Ohio... SMALL WORLD!
The Castle had a little thing for the kids to play while walking through the castle. They were TOP Spies and needed to find clues throughout their trip. We went from one place to another and saw most of the castle while finding these clues and it kept the kids interested when they started to get tired. In the end they earned a gold coin chocolate that they each enjoyed.
The White Cliffs of Dover
Once the castle was done we went to see the cliffs. The Cliffs are right next to the port that we would take to go over to France if we were to take the Ferry. The cliffs were neat but we did not go to far. Mat had only brought his flip flops so his feet would not have enjoyed the 2 mile hike to the Lighthouse. We made it to one of the viewing points, checked out the gift shop and then headed back to camp. The kids were ready to get back in the water and collect rocks again so they were treated to that while the Mom's watched and the Dad's went off fishing.
Back at campsite for the night
Walmer Castle
We planned our last trip to Walmer Castle for Sunday. We woke up and packed up the vehicles to head back after the visit. The kids were not thrilled to be going to yet another Castle but when we arrived they each picked up an Audible tour and walked through quietly as they listened along. They learned things and enjoyed walking around with little fuss!
HOME
Once we finished the tour, we headed our and back home. The trip home went a lot faster than the trip there. We had a lot of fun on the trip but we were happy to be home. The kids took off and hid before we finished clearing the truck!! They have learned that if we can't see them laying around, they will not get yelled at to help...; / What two little pains. LOL Now it is time to clean everything and rearrange everything back into their places until the next time!
*** When you see my husband doing push-ups on different objects, it is because he has to make his punishments (10 push-ups per curse word) more entertaining. ***
Breakfast Muffins and snacks made
Traffic
Queen Elizabeth II Bridge
We pulled into the camp center and the view was gorgeous... The Channel was right in front of us and you could see France from the campgrounds. We were able to get the Girl Scout discount since Paige was a Girl Scout which gave us a serious discount for the weekend. WOO HOO... Who doesn't like to save some money? We checked into the Camp and headed to set up camp.
Mathew found me this rock with the heart on it and told me I had to keep it. <3
We found a great place to set up. It was close to the woods and the firepit. We did not use it and no one else did either which made it nice because I can't imagine them partying late into the night. We also were close to the path to the beach.
Once the tents were up, the kids were dying to go to the beach and into the water. The weather was perfect. BUT it was too chilly for the adults to get too far into the water! We watched as the kids jumped in. They did not have their suits on yet since we just went down to check it out but that did not bother them at all. They were all soon soaking wet and smiling/shivering! Paige had a moment that made her a bit uncomfortable and through her straight into the European culture. A couple little German children headed into the water in their Birthday suits. I think she was OK with the baby but then when the little girl who was a bit older came in, she was a bit taken back and did not want to return to the water. CRAZY American kid! ; ).
After the water the kids dried off a bit and we headed to the cliffs that were next to the campsite. There was a public walk way and so we took that along the cliffs. The kids found a Chalk rock and took turns breaking it into smaller pieces. FUN!!
Once it got dark, we headed back to the campground and settled in for the night.
Dover Castle
The next morning we woke and headed to Dover Castle. It was about a 5 minute drive through narrow roads and into the narrow entrance to the Castle. We waited for a bit once we got there for it to open and met some people that were there from Ann Arbor,MI... luckily they were not Football fans because Mat and I both had our Ohio State sweatshirts on!
Once we got inside the gates, we headed to the underground tunnels. The hospital was the first stop and then the other war tunnels. We learned about the Battle of Dunkirk and how the hospitals and military operated during those times. Our Tour Guide for the Hospital tour was from Cleveland,Ohio... SMALL WORLD!
The Castle had a little thing for the kids to play while walking through the castle. They were TOP Spies and needed to find clues throughout their trip. We went from one place to another and saw most of the castle while finding these clues and it kept the kids interested when they started to get tired. In the end they earned a gold coin chocolate that they each enjoyed.
The White Cliffs of Dover
Once the castle was done we went to see the cliffs. The Cliffs are right next to the port that we would take to go over to France if we were to take the Ferry. The cliffs were neat but we did not go to far. Mat had only brought his flip flops so his feet would not have enjoyed the 2 mile hike to the Lighthouse. We made it to one of the viewing points, checked out the gift shop and then headed back to camp. The kids were ready to get back in the water and collect rocks again so they were treated to that while the Mom's watched and the Dad's went off fishing.
Walmer Castle
We planned our last trip to Walmer Castle for Sunday. We woke up and packed up the vehicles to head back after the visit. The kids were not thrilled to be going to yet another Castle but when we arrived they each picked up an Audible tour and walked through quietly as they listened along. They learned things and enjoyed walking around with little fuss!
HOME
Once we finished the tour, we headed our and back home. The trip home went a lot faster than the trip there. We had a lot of fun on the trip but we were happy to be home. The kids took off and hid before we finished clearing the truck!! They have learned that if we can't see them laying around, they will not get yelled at to help...; / What two little pains. LOL Now it is time to clean everything and rearrange everything back into their places until the next time!
*** When you see my husband doing push-ups on different objects, it is because he has to make his punishments (10 push-ups per curse word) more entertaining. ***
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