Oh...where do I start?
I have run the course of every emotion over the past 4 weeks and I think now is the best time to start this blog!I do not have the hang of the blog yet, so I will instead just provide a quick update on everyone and then give pictures a go next time.
Dan has adjusted just fine considering his work has been centered over here in Peterlee for some time. He has different work hours, too, because he must correspond with his American team. This is both good and bad; although he can help get the girls ready in the morning if I need him to, he leaves me to make and usually start eating dinner with the girls all by my lonesome. Nonetheless, he has more free time at home because there aren't a million projects to complete around a rented house :)
Cecelia has started Year 2 of primary school at Clavering Primary. She has settled in socially, but the academic adjustment- yikes. Her first numeracy (their name for math) assignment was her 5 times tables. Yum...girl just gleamed over simple subtraction in kindergarten. Luckily, Staples is near our home so a little shopping trip and 40 pounds (British Pounds, that is) later, homework is fun and all the girls love to join in. She is taking football (American soccer) and dance/gymnastics after school and plays with her friends in the neighborhood on nights "off."
Madelyn started school (called Nursery) last week. She loves it. After having to stay home and play with just me for a week, she was ready to join in the school fun, even though it is only for 3 hours a day. Mady loves dogs these days and England in the place to be for that. While walking on the beach (her favorite thing to do here), she plays with all the dogs and calls them all "cute, lil puppy." As usual, playing with Cece and following her around the neighborhood make her the most happy!
Emily is just adorable. I placed her in a daycare for the morning session because she was getting bored and needy and getting on my last nerve. I pick her up as soon as her dinner (lunch in the US) is complete. Her daycare is called Scallywags... not sure why but I think that is such the perfect British name for a daycare :) Her head teacher always calls her "clever girl" but must be stated with a NE English accent to make it funny. She has picked up a few more words in the last month and is playing more make believe with her sisters!
And me...well, out of the whole family, I have had the hardest time adjusting. Shocked?!?!? Besides being in the damn car driving to and from the damn school 3 damn times a damn day, my day consists of no real adult interaction and no Real Housewives of Orange County/ New York/ Beverly Hills/ New Jersey to watch! There is also no Diet Mountain Dew or fountain pop! Those of you who know me you know that this all spells disaster for me. However, after a rough few days earlier this week, I had a "Come to Jesus" soul-searching session... so far, so good. My outlook has been cheerier, I joined a gym for adult interaction and, well, exercise, and I have been much more patient and accepting of my temporary role as stay-at-home mommy. I just miss working!!!!!! Outside of the damn car, that is! But...change is change!
Enough rambling for now. I will get some cool pics from a beach trip or a castle trip or something uploaded. Then I can share with you our staycations in Northeast England.
Cheerio and love to all.
Kelly
