Oasis

Today was the day Naomi and I have off from pre-school and work.  It has already become something of an oasis in the week.  I am very grateful for a break from school and time just for Naomi and I.
Today we had arranged to spend some time with one of her friends and her friend's mum.  But before that, we watched a film (Underdog), had a shower, I did a bit of sewing and Naomi practised cutting out pictures from the old newspaper.  She did a brilliant job, I was impressed.  Then we got our swimming things together and headed off to her friend's apartment.
We spent time chatting, playing and swimming, and then had lunch together.  It was lovely.  Then we headed up to school, picked up Rose and Joshua and came home.
Steve and I went out with the rest of the school administration team and spouses for dinner.  Our kids were very happy as they were being entertained by a Dutch couple who have been here on short-term work.  Josh has bonded with Willem and both he and his wife are lovely.  (Jen was there too but she only had to get involved when Josh wouldn't go to bed.  Good cops, bad cop, I guess!) They were deeply ensconced in a game of Sequence when we left.
We had a wonderful evening - we ate at a Vietnamese restaurant as our Superintendent's wife was born and spent her childhood there so she ordered several dishes of different types of food - we had about 4 courses! - for us all to sample.  It was great.  This is pretty much the same team now for the third year and you can tell in the ease of conversation and relaxed atmosphere of the group.  I think it gives stability and security to the whole school.