Sunday 29 September 2013

To have a new adventure

Long time no seen...not sure where the time goes but it goes fast! School started three weeks ago and M as settled in very well with her new teacher. Thankfully she got to keep her class mates which is great as the kids and parents are so great, as it's not unusual for schools here to also change and swap when it comes to the pupils as well, not only the teachers. The amount of homework has increased considerably though and we need to ensure we sit down and do some of it over the weekend. It feels a bit early but it's just the way it is here.

We went to the first birthday party of the season yesterday and on Friday it's time for our M to turn 6. Already, what happened?! We'll have a bigger party this year but not until the weekend after her actual birthday, and we have only invited the girls in her class as M prefers smaller groups. The party we went to yesterday was a joint party with four birthday boys from her class - and ended up with nearly 50 kids including sisters/brothers! A bit too much for me but they had fun.

I start my new assignment next week, full-time sadly but I'm really looking forward to a new challenge and a new experience. This means that M has to go back to the afterschool club for three days/week and the other two days her grandmother and/or other parents will pick her up from school. She also has two "clubs" after school, arts and gymnastics which she really enjoys. I wish of course we could find a way of being able to pick her up from school every day but hopefully in the future. Then again, lots of kids go to afterschool clubs or/and are picked up by child minders, grandparents, friends and nannies so I shouldn't be feeling too guilty (but I always do).

Anyway, I'm really grateful I had the whole summer off and was able to spend a lot of time with our daughter, a true gem to treasure.

Time to get ready for the next birthday party, "sea creature theme" this time so better dig out the mermaid outfit (for M that is...).


Ready to party!

Wednesday 4 September 2013

To enjoy the last week of summer

It's the last week of the school holidays and we've been back from the lovely island for two weeks (already!). The warm summer has continued and over the last two weeks we've been to the cinema, to the outdoor swimming pool, to the London Zoo and also managed to fit in a couple of play dates and fun in the park.

Only a few days left and as a pre-birthday/end of holiday gift M got something she had wanted for a long time - hamsters! Instead of bigger one that we had intended we ended up with two dwarf hamsters, proudly named Moo and Sweetie (not sure if sisters or brothers but we do know they're the same sex...). Very very cute and even if I'm not a big fan of caged animals, nor "ratlike" creatures even I enjoy watching them running around. M is delighted and we thought it would be a bit easier to start with hamsters than a cat, in a flat...Also, one of my first pets was a hamster and I remember the excitement (even though he turned out to be a she and I all of a sudden had 6 more hamsters...).

I'll have a few weeks to ensure M is settling in with the new teacher and in Year 1 but I'll start working at the end of the month, new exciting contract work and after nearly four great summer months off, I'm looking forward to it! M is going to start swim school as well as try a gymnastics lesson this weekend - we're all set for the autumn term now. (And in true style, Christmas musical and ballet, and Christmas eve lunch are also booked...only 3 months to go!)


Last day at the beach on our island.

At the London Zoo...we did see some real animals too.

Moo and Sweetie are settling into their new home.