May 25, 2006

Good morning!

Surley, the excitement of the upcoming Cheese Rolling
Contest is felt around the world? I do know that
Monday (another bank holiday for us) it will be on all
the US news stations as their "human interest" story
at the end of the broadcasts. Every year it is
mentioned and every year I would think, "What kind of
people live in a town where they run down the side of
a hill, after a wheel of cheese, for fun?" Now I
know. WE live there.

Since living here, it has become much more than a
human interest story for me. I know the rules (There
are none). I know the object (Not to actually CATCH
the cheese, but to be the first make the bottom of the
hill, after the cheese, with all the bones you arrived
with intact and tucked safely into your skin). There
are tons of broken bones each year. One man dominates
the event and has won most every year since he was 18.
He is now in his forties. His family is so proud.
But what I couldn't appreciate before we moved here
was the motivation: the winning of the cheese wheel!
I LOVE Double Gloucester cheese! Who wouldn't?! It
is fabulous and to win a WHOLE WHEEL of it? Please!
Worth every bit of pain, not to mention bragging
rights...

Sadly, we will not be here for the High Holiday.
While it was difficult to discern, we have decided to
spend a week on the Greek isle of Skiathos, instead.
These Yanks need some vitamin D. It has been raining
some brutally cold, Seattle-in-November rain. For a
week. Everyone here apologizes about the weather as
soon as they hear my accent. They all swear that it
is highly unusual. It is bone chilling and you come
home dripping wet. This rain looks straight at your
umbrella and laughs in a very sinister way. It is
evil-secretly plotting to break everyones' spirits...
Our gutters backed up and leaked into Siobhan's room.
So nice to shrug your shoulders and have it be the
landlord's problem. In Tewkesbury, there are stranded
tourists unable to get out of town due to flooding.
We looked at a home there, and were made aware that
the kids would have to board at school if the river
began to rise and threatened to flood. They'd be
boarding now (this infuriates Ryan who so desparately
wants to board). Yesterday, I had four or five inches
cut off my hair because I was so sick of drying it
everytime I went out! This is serious. Thank God for
tea and shortbread cookies. They are my refuge.

We'll return on June 2nd with all sorts of stories
that only flying on a small charter plane (with
small-charter-plane-phobic Jim) and vacationing on an
island where you aren't allowed to flush toilet paper
can bring.

Wish me luck!

Love,

T-Ann

May 19, 2006

I have been quickly corrected, mainly by loved ones
with, I personally think, too much time on their
hands. First of all, my cousin, Billy, an architect,
informs me the Roman Baths were built in the 1st
century AD. If I have painted too graphic of a
picture for you, you should think toned, muscular
Roman warriors. Now. Go finish your lunches.
Secondly, Dennis, was concerned that I was having
trouble writing "checks" not "cheques" as I should be
spelling them. Jim is concerned that I have offended
sweaty, hairy Italian men the world over. So, I do
apologize if I offended anyone that fits this
description in the writing of this email. Lastly, I
hear from our dear friend, and British prep school
survivor, Richard, that this school will indeed make
the kids well adjusted. While I respect him and his
opinion, he has taken QUITE A FEW hits to the head
while playing a lifetime of rugby. And maybe a
cricket bat to the side during recess!

I stand corrected. Have a great day.

T

May 18, 2006

Hello, Everyone!

Its a sad and rainy day here as Sir Paul McCartney and
his wife Heather announced that they will be
separating and working toward a quicky divorce. No
prenup. EVERYONE told him to get one. Lots of
chattering going on about this. "Can you believe, NO
PRENUP?" A much bigger story than the Queen's 80th
birthday. At 80 years of age, its hard to villanize
the Queen. Heather on the other hand...To cheer
myself up, I bought a beautiful bouquet of pink
peonies, the sun came out and I think I'm over it all
now. Whew!

We enjoyed a visit to Bath last weekend. Touring the
ancient Roman baths that were built almost 2,000 years
before Christ was born (I think. Aidan was kind of
distracting) was an amazing experience. You can drink
some water that has been filtered (it tastes awful)
and, if you disregard the signs telling you NOT to
touch the water, you can reach into the bath itself
and feel its warmth. I was really thrilled with the
whole day until we went to a pub for lunch and just
before we ate, I got this horrifying vision of all
these gross, naked, hairy Italian men all packed in
there taking a steamy bath. It almost ruined my lunch
(the fish and chips were too good, though)! Anyway,
the Roman Baths will never be the same for me. Glad I
could share...

Overall, we are doing well adjusting. Writing checks,
buying gas and slowly realizing that an umbrella is
crucial even if it's hot and sunny are things that I
never thought I'd ever have trouble learning. I
always seem to be at the mercy of shop owners and
others to help me out. I had to leave my pride back
in the States, it seems! Easily the biggest
adjustment is the culture at the school.

I want to preface all this by reminding everyone that
the kids attend a VERY traditional school. This is a
school that even the British consider conservative,
so not all British schools would be like this. Having
said this, I sometimes wonder what world we've stepped
into!! Cheltenham College is in the business of
churning out well educated, well rounded ladies and
gentlemen. They are extremely strict about some
things. Children must be well groomed. They think
it's very important that the little boys not let their
itchy wool socks droop at their ankles. Pushing up
the sleeves of your hot sweater (it's gotten in the
upper 70's here) is not tolerated. The girls must
have their hair pulled back and nothing but silver or
gold studs in their ears. The kids jump up and stand
at attention when an adult enters the room (LOVE THIS!
We've tried implementing this policy at home but with
some pretty pathetic results). Boys and girls are
quite segregated in terms of lack of group projects,
playing at recess, sports, etc., so there is a marked
drop in maturity levels in dealing with the opposite
sex compared to their counterparts back home. This is
particularly difficult for Michael and Siobhan who are
used to sharing a ton friends and having a full house
all the time. The teachers can yell, call kids names
and even hitting (while frowned upon) will not get you
fired. Of course not all teachers are like this.
They have some amazing teachers. The kind they make
movies about! What they are completely lax about is
supervision. The kids are not supervised for 45
minutes at recess (even if it is indoors due to bad
weather). They are unsupervised during the changing
times before and after gym. Kids can get bullied
during these times and it is considered a part of
growing up. I mean SERIOUS bullying. Again, it is
not condoned, but I had a teacher in the senior school
tell me (after I told her I was appalled by this) that
she didn't understand what I meant. How could
children work out their problems if adults were
present? She could not believe that I could have a
problem with this. HUGE cultural difference. Hard to
wrap my head around it. So you'll get in trouble if
your tie is crooked or your socks have fallen down,
but on the playground there is no adult to monitor
behavior. Wow. It is truly a different world from
what we are used to. I had a highly charged meeting
with the headmaster regarding this. He was
sympathetic and I do believe he is trying to solve
these problems (he recognizes them as problems) but
his hands are tied in some ways. There is HUGE
partental support for this kind of education and that
is why little has changed in the 170(?) years of the
school.

The flip side to this is that the kids really learn!
They are held to high standards. They take Latin
(Siobhan only this term), French, chemistry, physics,
math, English, geography. And the kids are even
realizing the benefits of uniforms (for instance our
kids look just like the kids getting out of the
Maserati in the morning!) Siobhan likes the fact that
there are minimal distractions in the classroom. It
allows her to concentrate. Where did she come from?
Jim and I both donated the "too much fun" gene, not
"overachiever" gene. Somehow one must have snuck in
from my mom's side.

By the way, I was at the travel agent trying to book
our "half term" holiday. We'll need to take the kids
out of school one day. The agent told me I had better
get permission from the Headmaster before I take the
kids out! "You've got to be kidding!", I shrieked.
Nope. Had to go in, ask permission and was told that
they do not condone such behaviour, but because I
didn't know any better, they'd allow it this time.
They can fine you! Unbeliveable. Makes me want to
take the kids out early every holiday. Without
asking. Can't wait til next time: all four kids will
have the flu...

The parents I have been meeting are wonderful. Most
are very down to earth, funny and welcoming.
Occassionally, I find myself in a conversation that
starts something like this, "Isn't it hard to find
good staff these days?". I think," Why, yes it is.
I've been looking for my staff for years. Never found
them." The best was when one woman was telling me
(she was truly sincere) that she is amazed that she
keeps her staff busy eight hours a day cooking,
cleaning and doing laundry. Hmm. Very sincerely I
replied, " I certainly CAN imagine!"

Aidan visited his nursery at Cheltenham College this
week. He'll start a couple mornings in the fall. He
did pretty well! He let me leave, but did start to
cry about half way into it. I've been trying to say
things like "lorrie" instead of "truck and "garden"
instead of "yard" so Aidan can better understand his
new friends and teachers here. Last week, we put his
shoes on and he went out to play in the garden. When
I came out, he was standing in one of our raised beds
among the flowers. I asked what he was doing. He
said,"But you told me to play in the garden!" The
only time he's EVER done what I asked!

Lastly, I ask that you keep my cousin, Dan
Prindiville's daughter, Michelle, in your prayers.
She was diagnosed with a brain tumor on Monday. There
are more questions than answers right now, but it does
appear to be operable.

Hugs to all!

T

May 11, 2006

Rounders

Well, I'm happy to announce that Siobhan, without ever
trying out, made the A team of girl's Rounders.
Clearly this is some kind of mean spirited joke that
the Brits are playing on me because I think this sport
is a disgrace to girls. It probably doesn't have much
to do with the fact that she isn't afraid of catching
balls and can actually THROW a ball. She played her
first game today. They won. I asked if all the girls
jump up and down and hug each other like in the US.
That seemed highly unlikely (that's not all that
lady-like, let's face it). I wasn't quite prepared
for the answer. No. They win, gather in a group and
the captain gives three robust "hip, hip hooray's" for
the other team. Then the other team does the same for
their team. Siobhan is already thinking this is very
lame and is glad when it's over. She starts to walk
off the pitch and everyone heads off in a different
direction. She asked where they were going. To tea!
Yes, the teams share little sandwiches, cupcakes and
tea afterwards and then officially end by everyone
joining in a big "Good-bye"! Can you stand it? Jim,
Mr. Competitive, hoped that at the very least, the
losing team had to SERVE the winning team cupcakes.
They didn't. This concerns him. How will the girls
ever know how awful it feels to lose? We're all glad
Jim isn't raising the kids on his own, aren't we?

Michael then informed me that they don't have"half
time" during cricket matches. They break for tea.
They, too, eat sandwiches and snacks and drink tea.
Michael, so culturally tolerant, has really embraced
this.

It's all so polite! Our local paper (which we read a
day late because it shows up at the newstand after
11:00am) kills me. The lead story is always about one
of three things: a domestic situation involving the
biting or severing of body parts (mostly ears), the
youth of today who are ruining the world with all of
their mountain bike or skate board riding or a pet
that has had some horrible, graphic wound inflicted
upon it by irresponsible youth, irresponsible pet
owners' pets or snakes. There are only photos of the
dogs. The rest of the paper is filled with stories of
"crime" in the area and interviews with people who
hate Tony Blair. Just before we moved here, Jim
brought home a paper. There was a story about a
drunken man who broke into a home of a single woman at
4:30am. Sounds scary, doesn't it? Yes. He broke in
and demanded the woman make him a cup of tea! Last
weekend, Prince Charles' step-daughter was married.
There was one small picture of the bride and groom.
One small, unflattering picture of Camilla and Prince
Charles and a picture of the priest who married them
on her bike with her cute straw basket on the front,
on the way to the wedding. The whole article was
about the priest: how she felt, her opinions of
Camilla and Charles. Not that the priests aren't
important (I better watch how I word this...ours are
receiving this email), but I think there isn't a whole
lot of journalist sense going on. Not much meat.

I wish you were all here to laugh at/with me as I
settle into this country. Missing you!

God bless,

T

May 8, 2006

Good Morning!

It's a rainy morning in England. We had a few bright,
sunny days here last week. At school, the kids are
required to wear sun hats (the lower grades wearing
those safari-type hats with the panels down the back
of the neck). It cracks me up! One American woman I
spoke with commented on how optimistic it all was.
That and all the convertables they drive here!
Honestly, the sun, although warm, couldn't have coaxed
one freckle of out me and everyone is rushing about
looking for their hats and sun screen.

The boys are enjoying celebrity status due to their
keen ability to throw a ball. The kids at school are
amazed at the distance they can throw! Playing
baseball and football on our Village Green back home
has made them super stars! Siobhan is playing
Rounders which is a girls' sport that I have decided
is an insult to girls and women everywhere. It is
similar to baseball on a much smaller pitch (field).
The girls all have mini bats that look like paper
towel tubes with handles. They swing one handed at a
small ball but are allowed to run and tag the "bases"
(poles sticking out of the ground) even if they do not
make contact with the ball. What is THAT?! While I
admit that this is the one sport at which I probably
could have excelled, it really is pathetic. It seems
like just a way to keep the girls occupied while the
boys play the "real" sport: cricket.

Aidan is enjoying the cat we have "adopted". One
sunny morning last week I was being a domestic goddess
ironing shirts (Its a new hobby I've taken up since
dry cleaning one shirt here costs $6.00-I'm getting
better at it, too! Only one quarter sized burn on my
forearm this time). Aidan was out playing in our back
garden with the cat. He came in and was telling me
all about the little snail he found (there are tons of
them here). He asked, "Should I eat it?" I said,
"NO!". A little louder he said, "Should I?". I said,
"NO!" Louder and firmer still he said, "SHOULD I?".
I said, "NO!". He replied quietly, "Well, l already
did." Dear God! WE'RE NOT EVEN IN FRANCE!

I went shopping this weekend while the big kids were
at school. It was such diffferent experience than at
home. I tried a dress on and, as always, was wishing
my middle was more firm and flat and less squishy.
The sales woman was assuring me how much the dress
flattered me. I said I wasn't sure. She replied,
"Listen, you're in England now. You're not in
America. You don't need a flat stomach. Have you
seen the women around here? Have you seen what they
wear? You have a lovely figure for England!" I'm not
sure if that was a compliment or not, but I bought the
dress!

We got our bed this week. Now we're officially moved
in. The bed was the last piece of furniture Jim had
to put together. I think. It is nice to have a room
that no longer resembles a dorm room although my
college roommate, Patti, wrote to refresh my memory
just as to how bad our apartment was. She was right.
The bedroom here, at it's worst, still had heat!
Without furniture to be put together I'm hoping Jim's
language will improve and, in turn, AIDAN'S language
will improve. It's embarrassing!!!

We went for a walk up Crickley Hill, a park five
minutes from our home yesterday. How beautiful. At
the top you look out onto the green countryside dotted
with little stone cottages and can see the hills of
Wales in the distance. There is an ancient wall that
was created in 3500 BC. Amazing. To picnic on the
site of an ancient city is just unbelievable! The
kids loved all the climbing. Even Aidan held his own!
The day was sunny and clear and made for a fantastic
afternoon.

Siobhan's honeymoon is over. Two best friends that
were at first welcoming decided to try to make life
miserable for her. It is typical 12 year old girl
stuff: whispering, pointing and laughing, excluding
her, playing small tricks on her. It breaks my heart.
She has a positive attitude, but it is, of course, a
terrible thing to live through at any time let alone
when you are new to a school and country. I spoke
with the headmaster Friday afternoon and by Saturday
morning all of her teachers had been made aware. I
was impressed by his quick response and yet,
ultimately, Siobhan has to deal with it on her own.
Say a prayer for her. She'll need alot of strength
this week! My guess is that by next week she'll have
settled in with some new friends. Also, she does have
a couple of nice friends that she sees in a couple of
classes. Next weekend is an Exeat Weekend which means
they don't have school or chapel. Perfect timing.

MIssing all of you,

T

May 2, 2006

Hello!

Our latest update goes as follows:

Saturday, the kids went to school which was very
wierd. I called to confirm pick up time because as I
have mentioned, this school is is impossible to figure
out. We arrived fifteen minutes early only to find
that Ryan had been released TWO HOURS earlier and
Michael and Siobhan had been waiting fifteen minutes.
Nice.


Sunday we went for a drive and explored an ancient
castle ruins. It was wonderful. I'd like to install
a moat to the house when we return to Prairie
Crossing. Peggy and David (our much missed
neighbors), whatdaya think? Siobhan thinks that
"Princess Siobhan" has a nice ring to it. Michael and
Ry were amazed with all the torture techniques. Me,
too. I bet children were well behaved, never lost
their daily planners or brand new coats! Later, we
drove into Wales. We learned three things about our
short drive into Wales: First, it looks an awful lot
like England. Second, the signs are all written in
English and Welsh (a language consisting mostly of
consonant letters) and thirdly, if you miss your exit,
you will drive for up to 20 miles before you can turn
around. We topped off our excursion with a very
American trip to TGI Fridays to get burgers we all
craved. They were terrible (of course) and Ryan threw
his up all night.

Monday, Jim enjoyed his third bank holiday since
we've been here. We took a much needed drive to
Costco. I felt as if I had come home again. We
stocked up on items every expat needs so as not to
completely embrace their host country: ziploc bags
(they have these shifty, not-to-be-trusted "press and
seal" bags here), paper napkins, hot dogs (although
they said American recipe, these are clearly hot dogs
only my dad would enjoy-very smokey with miniscule
pieces of I'm-not-sure-what that require extra
chewing-but they'll do the trick) and hamburger that
isn't $17 a half pound! Costco is located near the
docks in Bristol so its also fun to hang out in one of
England's seedier neighborhoods. It feels very "Sid
and Nancy".

Today Aidan and I went to purchase MORE uniforms
pieces. Apparently the kids didn't have enough. For
instance, Siobhan needed The Gym Skirt. She wears
that when they play rounders in gym. I had only
purchased the track suit, the gym uniform, the
swimming suit, the two pairs of shoes and the match
uniform. Please do not forget that none of these work
as a team uniform. Aidan and I also spent time in the
Cheltenham Art Museum. That was fun. They have
childrens areas throughout so little kids can enjoy
the museum as well. Its stocked with everthing a two
year old would need to use to get creative: thumb
tacks, staples, stapler, wire, scissors, glass jars.
Nothing sparks a toddler's imagination like office
supplies or a trip to the emergency room.

I'm off to replace the fountain pen that Michael has
already broken and pick them up from school. God
bless all of you and take a deep breath of that good
'ole American air for me!

Love,

T

April 28, 2006

Good Morning America!

The kids are off to school and Aidan's fever has dropped quite a bit. We have survived the first week of school, so to speak. They still go to school on Saturdays and mandatory church with their class on Sundays, so I'm not sure there is ever a "weekend" until the half term break. Plenty of opportunities for Siobhan's brain to grow.

We really seem to be settling in pretty well. Things that proved overwhelming at first are now manageable. Take laundry, for instance. I literally sat on the floor and nearly wept when our machine was taking five hours to wash/dry one VERY small load. Now, after talking to numerous people, I no longer dry our clothes in the dryer. Everything is hung dry. That's what everyone does here. It isn't as bad as it seems, thanks, in part, to the fact that I had a very"meaningful" discussion with all family members about how many times we wear outfits in this country before they are considered dirty. If you are under the age of thirteen, you are no longer allowed a new outfit everyday. No one is allowed a fresh towel daily. Or fresh pajamas. I had a tone in my voice (most of you have heard THE TONE) so there was no confusion that bad things would happen to rule breakers. It's been successful as is demonstrated by the fact that Ryan came home from school yesterday and sat down in the family room chair. A few minutes later, he mumbled something and moved to the couch where I was sitting with a sick Aidan. Ryan then said, with self-disgust," EEEWWW! Those are MY feet that stink so much! I kept moving trying to get away from the smell, but it was ME!". He hadn't changed his socks in four days. I made revisions to the Laundry Rules taking into account that common sense varies from person to person.

The double decker buses are still charming, but are becoming more commonplace to us. Aidan, who can't pronounce "double decker bus" yells out, "RUBBER DICKEY BUTH" every time he sees one. The kids LOVE this and encourage it at very high decibel levels every chance they get.

We are missing our pets. The kids miss our dog alot. I, in particular, miss our cat, Leo. This is a cat's paradise. Mind you, I'm certain that OUR 130 year old townhome with a million nooks and crannies, does not have any mice, but I'm sure our neighbors must. There are two cats who come around alot and Aidan and I are enjoying them (read: secretly feeding them). Our dog Barley wouldn't have adjusted well here which is why I think I don't miss her as much. As many of you know, Barley is part Golden Retriever, part Standard Poodle. She is as cute as they come but dumber than just about any dog I've ever known. She refuses to climb stairs, so a four story townhouse with two foot wide, stone stairs would have been miserable for her.

While we're on the subject, I'd like it noted that I haven't complained once (publicly) about the stair situation. Out of respect for my cousin, Liz, who lives in a four story townhouse in DC with TWO BABIES, I will not discuss how living life on a virtual stair master machine has grown my thighs Olympic proportions. Or maybe it's the shortbread cookies.

Lastly, I'd like to brag about the kids: Not one of them has splattered ink on their school uniforms. They are required to use fountain pens at school which I thought would be a disaster! Can you imagine a classroom of nine and ten year old boys with fountain pens? All that ink!? No wonder they have so many rules!!

Hugs to all,

T

April 27, 2006

Aidan and I were hit last night with our first British virus. Lest I've painted a too idealized picture of this country, the viruses here are not any more polite or well mannered than those back home (think Mad Cow disease). Despite feeling under the weather, I thought I'd report back on some gossip.

Jim has enjoyed reading the papers in the UK because they report bluntly on US politics without the restrictions that are placed on our media. As promised, I'm sharing an important political finding: Condoleeza Rice and Britain's Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw are dating. Maybe this story has been broken in the US already, but I felt like a Jr. High student who just discovered two teachers were dating. You mean Condoleeza dates? Who picks up the check? Does she own "date clothes"? The media here has been grilling Mr. Straw like guys in a locker room. I wonder if its public back home and I doubt if the media can tease Condoleeza in the same way that a bunch of guys can tease each other!

That's all the useless info I can share today.

T

April 26, 2006

Hi!

The kids have completed three days at their new school and I feel very confident that they will survive British prep school. It has been mostly a study in each child's personality. There were no surprises. They each handled it in their own way. The first day went as follows: Ryan bounces out the school doors at the end of the day and tells me all about his new friends and his lunch. He could have talked forever about his lunch and dessert but Siobhan came out next. She LOVED how organized her teachers were and how organized the whole school was. She loved the challenging new subjects and challenging workloads. She couldn't wait to get started on her prep (homework). Then we waited for Michael. And waited. Forty minutes later, after numerous attempts to find him, he appeared, very stressed at the door. Somehow, he ended up at the cricket team try outs! I'm guessing the Yank didn't do so well! He got home and was very upset by how strict the teachers were. They handed out demerits for everything and the kids weren't allowed to even state his or her reasons for their actions. Hmmm. We're no longer at Prairie Crossing Charter School are we?! The staff here just isn't all that interested in sharing feelings!

The second day: Ryan made a new friend. Siobhan loved that the teachers didn't allow goofing off, so she was not distracted by others and she could really learn. She felt that her brain was getting bigger already. Michael was thirsty. He did tell me later (when we had to walk back to school to get something he forgot) that he wants to board at Cheltenham College when we return to the States! This is the same kid, who very sweetly, told me he'd go anywhere in the world with us as long as we didn't put him in boarding school. I knew he'd love it here!

Today everyone was very happy. They are very into their new sports (cricket for the boys and rounders, which is like softball, for Siobhan) and all three talked cheerfully at the same time for two hours after school. Lots of funny stories.

Aidan and I mangaged the air shipment's arrival. More stuff. Aidan got all his Thomas the Tank Engine guys together for the first time since we packed the container that shipped by boat in early March. Life is good. He is learning how to hold hands as we walk along these city streets. He is also learning to mind his manners in the butcher, grocer, chemist, etc. Its not going well.

Monica, my cousin Mark's daughter, and our God daughter, is making her First Communion this weekend. We wish we could be with her and the family this weekend. When Monica was Christened, Jim had recently been downsized. We had three little kids and were scared to death about what the future held for us. As she makes this next sacrament, we cannot help but reflect on the blessings that have been showered upon us over the years. We feel incredibly blessed to be in this beautiful country, together, and have the kids experience the world in this way. We are most grateful for family and friends who make our lives so colorful and rich. Thank you all!

God Bless,

T-Ann

April 24, 2006

The kids made it through the first day at Cheltenham College Junior School. Ryan bounded out of school first with a big smile on his face saying good-bye to all his new mates. He told me all about the wonderful lunch and desserts, right off. Very Ryan.

Then Siobhan appeared and was happy with how organised (please note the British spelling!) the school and teachers were. Very Siobhan.

After two attempts to find Michael, he finally emerged looking completely stressed out. Somehow he had managed to find himself in the cricket team try-outs. Very Michael.

Further discussions with them gave us (and any psychologist who might have been listening) quite a look into each of their little souls. Ryan loved his new friends and gym. He could have talked forever about all the food and snacks. He was so happy. He looked even cuter at the end of the day when his tie, shirt and socks were comletely disheveled!

Siobhan liked her classmates, but was so happiest with the organization, challenging work loads, and switching classes. She couldn't wait to start her prep (homework). Its all about the academics with her. She loved the French teacher she and Micheal share. Michael thought the teacher was so mean. Hard to believe they are in the same class.

Michael's comments were all about the disipline. His keen sense of justice was challenged over and over as he saw kids receive demerits for wearing the wrong shoes, being smart alecks, etc. He felt the teachers were too hard on everyone and didn't allow the boys to explain WHY they did whatever it was they did.

Ahh, yes, we're not in Prairie Crossing Charter School anymore, are we? In fact, he fell at recess and got his pants all muddy and was given a warning by a teacher passing in he hall. Mud on pants? If you didn't come home muddy from the Charter School, you were probably sick! Mud was a badge of honor at PCCS. BIG eye opener and cultural difference. Time will help this. He'll get demerits, he will try to defend himself, I am sure, and learn the hard way that at a British prep school, no one is interested in sharing feelings! How he ended up at cricket try-outs I still do not know. My guess is that didn't go well.

So this morning went much better. The ties were loosened and slipped over their heads. They were ready to go ahead of time so the only person who was rushed was little Aidan who wasn't all that interested in walking the big kids to school. Jim has his US collegues in this week. It's a beautiful thing. They had meetings all day and he went to dinner with them in the evening and simply walked home. He'll do the same tonight. Those moments are why we moved here. Now he can miss a dinner or two with us instead of a whole week. Or two.

I'm off to the grocer and to run errands. Putting together meals that don't involve mutton and cans of pre- mushed peas (who is so lazy or rushed that they can't mush their OWN peas) is proving to be a bit difficult. We're eating a lot of chicken. Last week we had wonderful pasties. They look like an Italian calzone, but they are stuffed with beef (I hope) and potatoes. There was alot of shaking of pretend "pasties" on the kids' chests at dinner that night. The following day, I was told these delectable pasties are pronounced "past. ies" NOT "Paste. ies".

It amazes me that we, in fact, share a language with the British. Honestly, we have been driven to gesturing our needs in hopes that the other person can understand! Usually, people find humor in it. I did notice alot of smirks when I kept referring to "pants" at the uniform shop. "Pants" are underpants. Oops. You think you'll catch yourself every time, but its impossible!

24, April, 2006 Today we dropped off the kids at school. They all did pretty well although it got a bit frantic at the end. It takes much longer to put this uniform on than the "uniform" of ripped jeans and Abercrombe t-shirts they are used to wearing at Prairie Crossing Charter School! Sadlly, Ryan's sock garters didn't make it here and he had to go to school with already sagging socks. He came down and announced that there was something wrong with his socks. They itched. Poor thing! It is boarderline cruelty to put little boys in wool socks. The collars are so stiff on the uniform shirts that as I ironed them I kept looking for the little plastic stays, assuming they were still hidden somewhere in the collar. They weren't.

I asked the kids if this smart look was going to help them learn and I received icey stares as a collective response. We'll save the humor for later on in the week after their nerves have calmed down. They all received a very warm welcome and I look forward to picking them up and hearing about their day.

We found a wonderful church for Sunday mass. St. Somebody and St. Somebody. The church is old truly awesome. The beauty makes it difficult to concentrate. Or maybe its going to church with Aidan. He loved the needlepoint pillows that are used as kneelers. He immediately started a one sided pillow fight with them and it wasn't long before the sweet woman behind us gestured toward the children's area. Aidan was happy to stay in the pew, but he dropped one of the hymnals (while he wrestled the kneelers) and in a very frustrated tone, yelled, "Damage". I covered by saying in a loud whisper, "No, Aidan, nothing is broken!" but we all knew he was repeating Jim's colorful language. A week of Jim building Ikea furniture broadened the kids' vocabulary. Out of nowhere Aidan will also shout something that sounds alot like "frock". I don't think he means "dresses".

We bought a little car yesterday. Its about the size a matchbook car. I'll take possession next week and Aidan and I will enjoy zipping around town and exploring the country. An American woman, Michelle Henry, just stopped by with her two year old son. Lots of testosterone at the Thomas the Tank Engine table. Ouch.

It was nice to get some more info about Cheltenham. Everyone has been so warm and welcoming. We had lunch in the home of one of the girls in Siobhan's class on Saturday. The home was the last old stone cottage on the left in a storybook village. So English. Move over guacamole! I think I found my new favorite: crusty bread, brie and ONION MARMALADE! For all of you who are aware of my dairy allergy, I want you all to know the sinus headache I endured later was worth it.

April 22, 2006

Hello, all! We're still enjoying the vacation-like atmoshere here in Cheltenham. The kids toured their new school the other day and the headmaster flew the American flag in their honor. I was surprised at the emotion that instantly came over me. Just the sight of the flag flying here grabbed my throat and filled my eyes with tears. A beautiful sight no matter where you are in the world... Yesterday we spent the day driving through some of the world's most beautiful countryside. Its like Vermont on steroids. With sheep. I'm getting better at maneuvering the seemingly massive Volvo station wagon through the narrow streets. There wasn't one curb vs. tire incident, I am happy to announce. We visited a rare breed farm park. It was so much fun. We went with another family (the Shortts-Debbie, the mom grew up in IL) and some of their friends. Aidan was quite smitten with the animals particularly the rabbits, lambs (some born just hours before) and some kind of cow that looks like a woolly mammoth, but who enjoys having its neck scratched. This park reminded me of the parks we all went to as kids in the US. before anyone cared about children's safety! It wasn't for the faint of heart (Mr. Safety...my cousin, Mark, in particular) There were animals and lots of play equipment made of cement and railroad ties and moving parts with sharp edges and lots of compacted dirt to fall on. No employees around to monitor anything. I found it very nostalgic. All the parks around here are from a pre-lawsuit world. Remember the scorching, chrome slides? This morning the uniform shop DELIVERED all the uniforms we purchased the other day. I got a phone call from the owner of the shop who told me two things. First, she felt that the price we paid to have the labels sewn in everything seemed too high. I couldn't believe it! Its a standard price that is, in truth, criminal, but with every article needing labels x three meant we paid it, if not grudgingly. So she said next term she'd have them all sown in for free. Amazing! Then she said that there was far too many items for us to deal with, so she'd deliver them! Sure enough, a man delivered them to our door this morning. I'm still in disbelief at the customer service! Yesterday, a banker CAME TO THE HOUSE to fill out the forms and collect signatures from us to activate me as a joint holder on our account. Its all so old fashioned! I'm off to take our social butterfly, Siobhan, to another classmates house. She lives about 8 miles from town in a location that isn't found by the GPS and there is no reception for cell phones. The directions I have all involve turning at landmarks like churches and farm houses. Hmm. Wonder how this will work out!? Our converters and adapters blow up every time we try to plug anything in. Our US phone that we intended to us in our voice over Internet line, also blew in the process. This is delaying our ability to get our 847.223.2671 line up and running. I'll let everyone know when we get it going and then, let the excessive, free phone calling begin! love to all, T

April 18, 2006

Hello, all!

We've had a very British day. After rescuing Siobhan who was locked in the bathroom (Michael got locked in his bedroom the first day) Jim and I registered with the National Health Service this morning. Not as bad as I thought, I have to admit. The added benefit is that you get weighed in kilograms, which means nothing to me. It was the least stressful/guiltfilled hop on a scale I've ever experienced. I hope I never learn metric.

Then we were off the three hour uniform fitting. Complicated doesn't begin to describe the uniforms. First of all, each term has it's own uniform, so three times a year, we'll do this. You have your everyday uiform, Sunday uniform, gym uniform and game uniform. That doesn't include the team uniforms or the two pairs of gym shoes (one indoor, the other for outdoor) or the book bags or the outerwear or the name labels that are required. With a salesperson who had to run to the basement and second floor to find each item one by one and the kids who had to try each item on, it had all the makings of a meltdown (Either Aidan or myself!). And then came the good part. Ryan was first. You all know my Ryan fancies himself to be such surfer dude. His uniform is a blue shirt, grey corduroy shorts with grey knee socks. He was moaning at the grey knee socks when the helpful salesman handed me the SOCK GARTERS! There was a roar of laughter from his supportive family. He calmly repeated, "No way, no way, no way..." until it was time to move onto his gym uniform. That's when the real fun hit. Next item on the list? A SPEEDO! Oh yes, life in the UK just got more interesting. We almost died laughing (obnoxious Americans). Of course it was Michael who was laughing the hardest until I turned to him and simply raised my eyebrows. He got the message. His turn was next and he, too, would be wearing a Speedo. They both refused to try them on until the very end of the session. I painted a very graphic picture of ill fitting speedo swimsuits during diving practice. Finally, they tried them on and they looked very manly over their boxers. That was worth the flight over here!

Later we met up with the family I spoke of in my previous email. They were wonderful and they helped the kids pick out "cool" school shoes. I'm not sure that sensible, black shoes can be "cool". I think I've seen hipper shoes at the home for the elderly, but Lydia and Charlie, their new friends, said they were cool, so everyone's happy.

We went to the only Mexican restaurant in town tonight for dinner. My soft addiction to guacamole (and subsequent withdrawls) has been making concentration difficult at times. Imagine my concern when the menu was filled with Greek and Italian dishes. Huge dissappointment. Jim's comment? "It's going to be a LONG two years".

Anyway, I'll sign off. Jim put Aidan to bed so the coast is clear. He's still not sure about his new room so the bedtime ritual is long and drawn out and could bring a grown man to cry out for mercy. Aidan's bedtime ritual, that is. Not Jim's. But for the record, we've made arrangements for our bed and to be shipped back to the states. We bought a new bed and are looking forward to sleeping off the floor.

Miss you all,

Love,
T

April 17, 2006

We have safely arrived to our new digs in Cheltenham, England! After a tearful goodbye, we embarked on our journey and all went fairly smoothly. We arrived in London tired but excited and I was sure my plan for managing our jet lag (mostly Aidan's) was going to work. Of course after an exhausting day of driving and exploring, we collapsed into bed that night and enjoyed three hours of sleep before Aidan's little body told him it was time to get up and party! So much for my grand plans! Aidan is always in control!

Our freight arrived (the container was actually a box car!) the following day and was the talk of our narrow street! Little old ladies shuffled by asking me if I had ever seen such a sight. The police were called. With my American accent there was no denying the shipment was mine. Stuart, the caretaker from the beautful Methodist church next door stopped by later that evening to welcome us to the neighborhood. He told us that street had never seen anything like that before. I beleive him, too. He was as old as most of the buildings around here! I tried to tell him that our belongings hardly made a dent in that large container, but he'd hear nothing of it. I'm sure we're pegged as the crazy Americans already! The move in went fairly well. Our wardrobe and headboard wouldn't fit in our room, so Jim and I are enjoying all the comforts of a college apartment bedroom. With a mattress and box spring on the floor, we're currently on the lookout for cinderblocks. With the wardrobe in our small conservatory, we'll be needing some milk crates as well!

The kids love their new rooms and the house itself. They are impressed with the beautiful campus at Cheltenham College, the school they will be attending. The area where we live is just beautiful. The shops are wonderful and Siobhan is happy to exercise her independence and takes off to discover new shops. We're meeting up with a family that we have spoken with tomorrow. The wife is an American (who grew up in Crystal Lake, not far from where I grew up) who married a Brit. Her daughter, Lydia, is Siobhan and Michael's age. Ryan and Michael are loving the tree house atmoshere in their attic bedroom. They look out the sky light and see the old rooftops like a page out of Willy Wonka. Siobhans's room is sunny and cheerful. Our bedroom looks out sweet, wavy glass paned windows onto an old church. Easter Sunday, we could hear each mass. It was lovely.

Yesterday, we went to Stonehenge and a drive in the country. It was amazing. We feel blessed to be here. The house is beautiful. Just waiting for visitors! It still feels like vacation. I'm certain that will end sometime (like when the novelty of my washer/dryer that takes five hours to wash/dry a small load wears off), but for now I'll enjoy it.

Thank you all for your love and support these past few months. The madness of the preparation paid off when we could settle in here so quickly. We miss you all. The kids are doing well and still have another week before school starts. I'll get pictures to you soon.

God Bless,

T-Ann