New Year's Eve

Josh had a very exciting day as he and Steve and Tim drove up to meet Uncle Simon and they all went to the Stoke City game against Wigan.  He really enjoyed the whole experience and came back proudly bearing a Stoke City scarf and a programme.

Naomi also had a fun afternoon as she went to a birthday party for one of her classmates.
Ali offered to make and bring lunch with her so we enjoyed that, then she and I and Rose took Sonja for a walk into the forest - literally a breath of fresh air after being in London!  I'm only sorry we didn't get longer before I had to go and collect Naomi.
We had a quiet evening and Steve and I saw in the new year by ourselves as everyone else had retired to bed.  We watched the spectacular firework display in London on the BBC then tuned into the news and watched the brief chronicle of fireworks from around certain points of the globe and Edinburgh before going to bed ourselves. 
As amazing as the London display was it doesn't compare to watching the display over Manila city!

6 out, 1 in

Sadly, Claire and Peti had to move on to the next leg of their trip today so we said goodbye to them and almost at the same time said hello to Sonja!  I taught Sonja as a freshman at Faith Academy about 8 years ago and she is currently studying in London for her Masters so she came up for the weekend.  Our kids warmed up to her fast.

New Experience

Our fun trip today was out to the ice-skating rink at Telford.  It was our kids' first time skating and Claires' kids' second time.  Claire hired these little penguins for Naomi and Abel to use and they got on really well with them.  Once again, this experience afforded a study in our children.  Josh threw himself into trying to skate and didn't care when he fell over (frequently), Rose had to get everything as perfect as she could before she was willing to let go of the side and Naomi was quietly confident and skating by herself after a short time.  All three loved it.

Christmas visit

Claire and Peti arrived yesterday to stay for a couple of nights.  So today we headed off to the swimming pool for some group fun.  Actually, I wimped out as I have been struggling with a cold for a few days so I read my (new) Kindle on the side while everyone else swam.  Apart from the joy of spending time with Claire the other major bonus of having them here is Steve and I have to sleep in the lounge so we get to lie by the embers of the fire.  It's the warmest I've been at night this winter!

Round 2

Thankfully, because we had travelled back from Biddulph late last night the kids were not up too early.  We gathered them into our room just after 7 to open a few small stocking presents.  But not before they saw the huge pile of presents waiting in the lounge! (And we hadn't even added ours then.)  As they had received presents yesterday they were happy to play with those before it was time for Church.
After church Ali, Emma and I got lunch ready and we sat down to a feast. We decided to put dessert out but to let people serve themselves when they felt like it and we watched the queen (haven't done that for a few years!!).
Then it was time to open presents : )
We feel like we appreciate this time with our families so much more this year having not had this privilege for a long time.  The kids, especially, are so much more aware of what they are missing  by not being around family in the Philippines.  But we do have really cool people in the Philippines who have become "our people" too.

Taylor Christmas

We had a lovely, relaxing day and went to the Church family service at 4.  This is similar to what we do in Manila so it felt natural.  It was extremely busy with lots of families attending and the leader mentioned how it was probably similar to the stable - busy and noisy.  I think he had a point.  It was encouraging to see so many non-Church people coming out to celebrate Christmas.
After Church we went home and opened presents before eating dinner and heading back home. 
It is really wonderful to be with family this Christmas.

Special Moments

We had a special day today with our Taylor family.  First, we went as a family group to honour Steve's dad by laying a wreath at his gravestone.  The 23rd Dec was his birthday and it is family tradition to visit the gravestone.  It was special to be part of this tradition for the first time and the kids were pleased to be a part of it.

Afterwards, we headed to the Emma Bridgwater pottery shop to design and paint our own pottery.  It was a lot of fun and each person produced their own unique product.

Oh yes we did!

This afternoon we took the kids to the Peter Pan pantomime in Malvern.  It was a lot of fun.  Naomi wasn't too sure when Capt. Hook came out (the actor was very good) as she found him scary so she spent most of her time on my lap.  When the pirates brought water pistols out to squirt the audience she jumped off my lap and hid behind the seats in front so she wouldn't get wet!  The children did get to experience a panto mime at school last week so they had a pretty good idea of what to do and how to react. I love this very British Christmas institution and was glad to share it with R, J and N.

Pampered

A couple of weeks ago we girls decided we needed a "girls' night" so we booked a pamper evening.  Mum, Ali, Emma and I had a great evening with Bailey's Hot Chocolate, watching 'It's a Wonderful Life', having massages and nails done.

Carol Service

Here are a few of the things I have loved so far about British Christmas culture:
1. We have sung 'Once in Royal David's City' several times.
2. All the carols have had familiar tunes.
3. Despite celebrating Christmas in the tropics for 10 years, it feels "right" to have Christmas in cold, bitter weather (although I am not sure I can honestly say I love this).
4. Pantomime!  Our kids watched one at school on Friday, we watched the CBeebies one Saturday with Granny and Grandpa and we are going to one at the theatre on Weds.  I love that we accept men in drag as normal in pantomime in this culture.
5. Planning with family for presents and Christmas dinners.

All Age Service

Both Rose and Josh were reading a prayer in the service this morning and they did a brilliant job.  The whole service was well planned and executed with "readings" from the Lion's Storyteller Bible (which we love) interspersed with carols and the kids all taking part by playing instruments or doing readings or prayers.  We had a good puppet story that gave good insight into the meaning of Christmas.
In the evening we took the children to the Carols by Candlelight Service.  There was a good number there.   

Nativity Trail

Our friend Jean asked to take the children on the Nativity Trail at our local arboretum. As Joshua's football matches were cancelled due to frozen field and Jean can't drive I took the 3 kids and Jean.  It was really fun and towards the end of the trail they had tableaux from the Christmas story with readings from the Bible and questions to answer.  It was interesting to be in a real stable thinking about the reality of the birth of Jesus.  The most exciting and memorable moment for the children, though, was when the goat jumped over the fence and escaped while we were in the stable!!  It was close to the end so we made sure we told the lady in the centre so they could track it down.

Stroking the donkey

The shepherd tableau

Getting it Done

Rose's performance today.  Key Stage 2 were doing a musical with a nativity story at the end.  Rose was Mary and very proud of her part.  Both Key Stages have done 3 performances - morning, afternoon and evening spread out over the week so we have been busy this week ferrying children and collecting them at different times. There are times life would be so much simpler if all our children were in the same Key Stage but I guess this is something I need to get used to until all our kids are in high school!
Amazingly we managed to get extra tickets for my mum and dad to be able to go this evening - each family was only entitled to two tickets.  I'm not sure if Rose or my mum was more excited!
We had to squeeze in haircuts between finishing school, eating dinner and getting Rose back to school but we managed - just about.
When Rose got home and climbed into bed she said, "Thank goodness the plays are all done!".  I agree.
Oh, but my favourite part of today was the sign we passed: Christmas reafs [for sale].  I'm impressed the writer realised it was ea, not ee; but really?  My English teacher hackles rose.

Stuffed Up

In the literal sense.  I sensed the beginnings of a cold Saturday night and on Sunday stayed in bed all morning as I felt dreadful.  I even fell asleep in front of the fire Sunday afternoon.  Today feels a little better but apart from going to watch Josh and Naomi's Christmas Play I stayed inside and Steve went and did the shopping.
Joshua was a sheep and his big line was a joke: Where do sheep have their hair cut?  At a baa-bers!  Naomi was an angel.  Unfortunately we were not allowed to take photos or video so I cannot provide evidence.
I am glad that there was an actual Nativity story in the play (as well as Santa's grotto) but I have been reflecting on what Tim was telling us about their sermon at Church last week:  How we can bear the story of baby Jesus but not the reality of God in man and His ultimate purpose of death and resurrection.  I think it's probably true for most of the people watching these plays that they are not really challenged by the story of Jesus in a manger and do not want to look much further than that.

Santa Special

This morning the girls had their Super Saturday [children's club at church that meets monthly] Christmas party and they thrilled my heart with their eagerness to invite their friends to come.  It reminded me how as adults we often invent obstacles to inviting people instead of remembering why we want to invite people.  Anyway, they had little response - probably because I forgot to put our pone number on the invites for parents to check out what this thing was.  But I spoke to the mum of one of Rose's classmates at the Christmas lunch and explained what it was and Rose was chuffed when her friend came.  They had a blast - they made Christmas tree decorations and chocolate sweets.
And then this afternoon we had a grand Guille clan outing on the Severn Valley Railway "Santa Special".  Sam was feeling poorly but dragged himself out and we all had fun.  Sam even snagged himself a present from Santa so we had little sympathy for him after that!

Click here for other photos.
We finished the evening with an amazing Chinese take-away which ended the fun day perfectly.

Christmas Lunches

These have been very controversial amongst the parents as the school opted to buy fish and chips for each student rather than provide a proper Christmas dinner.  The argument is that it is less waste but it does seem a little odd to call them "Christmas" dinners!  I don't feel strongly either way.  The school pays for it as a treat so it doesn't worry me.  I went up on both Thursday and Friday to help with setting up, handing out and cleaning up.  My son was only one of three (boys!) who did not have the Christmas dinner out of all the children in the school!  I did get a large dose of the school politics as well.  It has been quite interesting being "only" a parent this year but also having a little inside knowledge as a teacher.

Nursery Play

This morning we began our Christmas performances with Esther and Ioan's Nursery play.  Ioan was a gorgeous star and Esther was a monkey.  When Naomi was looking through the programme and realised Esther was a star she said, "There are no monkeys in the Christmas Story".  Good to know she has the basics down!
Esther got stage-fright and wouldn't go up on the stage with her group but Ioan happily grinned and waved at mum and dad and clapped along with the song.  Esther finally went up but only because Sam went up with her!  The things we bear for our children.

Origins

We had a classic TCK conversation with our kids in the car:

Joshua: How do you know where you are from?
Steve: Well that is an easy question for some people and more difficult for others.
Joshua: Does it depend on where you were born?
Debs: Not always.
Rose: Right, because we were born in the Philippines but mummy and daddy are English.
Joshua: So we are English?

Rose: I think that we are English because mum and dad are from England.  Is that right?
Steve: That works for me.  Josh, where do you think you are from?
Joshua: I think I am English.

Traditions

The girls and I started making a new set of Jesse Tree ornaments for our English tree.  We got 7 finished before running out of card.  It was cool to sit with them, working on a joint project.  It is also very cool to me that the Jesse Tree is a family tradition we have brought with us from the Philippines.  We do not seem to have carried many family traditions over as our routine here is so different.  I had told the kids we would keep Saturday pancakes, but that has not happened.  So here is something that links both our worlds and I am happy about that.

Day at the Fayre

It's funny how nothing happens for a while, then everything happens at once!  Today it was the school Christmas Fayre.  Rose was helping as part of her entrepreneur club.  She was encouraging people to buy their childrens' baubles.  

Jenny and I wandered around.  Emma had a cake stall and she did pretty well.  There were some good stalls there and fun games for the kids.

As we were heading out Steve, his mum, Simon, Naomi and Josh were arriving.  I had some lunch and headed back to school because I was manning the "booze alley".  (Skittles with bottles of alcohol.  You throw a 20p coin and the one who gets it closest to the bottle wins it).

We had a late family dinner to finish off the afternoon.

Milestones

Joshua won man of the match today at football.  He scored his team's only goal and they were actually one up at halftime.  Unfortunately, they went on to lose but they have been playing with much less of a deficit the last few games.  Uncle Simon had gone to watch so he got a great photo of Josh.

man of the match

how cute!

This evening we celebrated Steve's 40th birthday with a shared meal of jacket potatoes and fillings and then line and barn dancing.  It was fun.  Our kids are getting really good at dancing with all the practice they've gained over the years.
It's funny to think I have known Steve for 20 years.  20 years ago, 40 seemed a long way off and old! Now it's here.  I have been privileged to have been part of Steve's life and it is so cool to see the ways he has grown and matured through this time. 

Steve's present from his mum

I'm Back

I left Detroit on the 4 p.m. flight (9 p.m. GMT) and arrived in Amsterdam at 5:20 a.m. (4:20 GMT).  I tried to sleep on the flight but had little success.  The breakfast on the 'plane was not to my taste so the first thing I wanted to do was find food when I landed.  There was no gate number for my flight to Birmingham and a lot of flights were cancelled on the board but my numb brain didn't really care right then.  I found an open coffee shop (I think I was on one of the first flights of the day as the airport was still shut) and got a coffee and croissant.

After reading for a while I decided I had better find out what was going on with my flight so I went to the transfer desk and discovered my flight was cancelled due to fog and, at that point, they weren't sure there would be a flight that day.

I called Steve (forgetting the one hour difference!) as I didn't want him to have left to get me.  That cost an arm and a leg as I had to use my card.  Then I had to wait for my number to come up to organise a new flight.

Thankfully, I was able to get on a 10:15 flight. That meant I arrived at 10:30 but Steve didn't arrive till 11:30 as he knew it was an hour's flight but we both forgot the 1 hour difference.  

Rose was at home when we got back as school had asked for her to be collected as she wasn't feeling well.  I suspect it was because mummy was getting back.  She wanted to put her new pyjamas that I had bought for her on straight away.

She helped keep me awake till the other two got home.  Josh didn't really want to say hello all that much but when I showed him what I had got for him (lego) he was very excited. Naomi loved her pyjamas too.

I managed to stave off bed till 8, after a lovely bath.

Family Thanksgiving

Today I had the privilege of experiencing a real American Thanksgiving.  I have really appreciated the hospitality of Bonnie and her family over my time here.  And I am so thankful for our friendship and the love her family have extended to me.

The Culmination

As the wedding didn't take place till 4, we were able to have a relaxed morning.  Bonnie's dad brought bagels for breakfast and we ended up at Bonnie's parents' house so that Kate could do the bridesmaid's hair.  (I took the opportunity to walk around the block and take photos).
Then Kate, Liz and I went off to get ready and meet the others at the church for photos at 1ish.  I forgot to take the map Bonnie's dad made for me but, thankfully, he had mentioned each of the roads so we only made one slight mistake and figured out fairly quickly we were driving in the right direction.
We helped put out all the truffles on the tables then took off to decorate the apartment in the only window of time we had.
Sharon was feeling really rough too but was amazingly stoic and managed to do all the photos.  Thankfully, she felt much better for the actual ceremony and dinner.
The wedding was lovely and Bonnie looked radiant - as every bride should!

You can see the rest of my wedding photos here.

Rehearsal

For lunch we had a special high tea.  Unfortunately, the English Breakfast was slightly weak. Fortunately, I had extra teabags I have been carrying around with me, so I added one to the pot.  Much better!  We had soup?!, sandwiches, cakes and pastries and "scones" - which were really more like shortbread.  The cream had lemon in it too.

But - strange elements aside - it was lovely.  Bonnie's sister and family had driven through the night to join us.
This afternoon was dominated by the rehearsal and then dinner together.

After dinner we had a little fun with Bonnie - bowling and video.

Let it snow!

Bonnie had the day off school today so we went over to Daniel's apartment - where they will be living - and helped unpack some of the boxes we had packed.  We had lunch and bought a couple of drawer sets to help with the unpacking and as we left the shop, it was snowing!  (My kids will be jealous!)
Our friend Kate arrived tonight. The momentum is building.

A bit of this, a bit of that

Sarah and I dropped Bonnie off at work so we could use her car and, armed with a map, we proceeded to spend a busy day doing jobs to help Bonnie out.  Plus a couple of special errands of our own - decorating materials for a mini hen night and the new apartment.

Museum

Bonnie's mum and I went to do a bit of shopping and then to the airport to pick up Bonnie's friend Sarah. Sarah came to visit Bonnie in the Philippines so it was good to pick up again with her.

Martha graciously took us to the Henry Ford museum for lunch and a walk around.
It was a cool place.  We saw the limousine that JFK was shot in and a cool house in the round amongst other things.

Sarah and I also made up all the truffle boxes for the wedding favours.  That was rather more eventful than it should have been, but it gave us a good laugh.

Sunday

We went to Bonnie's church this morning.  It is their mission conference.  It was cool to see a family from Faith Academy - the French's - banner on the wall. 

We then visited the French bakery for some amazing cakes and ate them in the dry fountain in the park.
Then we met Bonnie's cousin and went to lunch.  Despite watching both Bonnie and Kirstin get water from the fizzy drinks dispenser I still missed the key button and ended up with lemonade instead.  I apologised to the cashier and paid for my lemonade.  He thanked me for my honesty and gave me a bigger cup.  I also was obviously not watching when people added ice to their cup as it kept coming and I realised it was only stopped when I pulled my cup away.  I ended up with a lot of ice!
After lunch we went to the first of two book sales.  This is where the library sells off old stock for cheap prices.  A kind of heaven.

Out for lunch

As Detroit is so close to the border with Canada we went south and crossed into Windsor.  We went to Canada via a tunnel and back to the U.S. via the bridge.  

Looking to Detroit from Canada

After lunch Bonnie and I went shopping. It was fun to go round the supermarket.  I think anyone going back to the U.S from abroad must have greater reverse culture shock than we do.  There is so much more food than we have.  And there are different foods too.  I knew we get a lot of American brands in the Philippines but there were some I still hadn’t realised were American till we were walking round.

This ice-cream cracked me up, though.  This probably reinforces the stereotype of the American that we British hold.

It’s interesting for me to see things that friends at Faith Academy have talked about and it’s really good to see where Bonnie is from.  I will be able to picture her there now.

Fly, baby, fly

I had a couple of interesting cultural experiences on my flight. 

One thing to note: do not travel in boots.  Only those people wearing boots were asked to take them off.  And, of course, all jackets had to be removed.

On the way to Amsterdam I was supposed to have a window seat but a couple were already sat in the row and they had left the aisle seat free.  I weighed up whether I was bothered or not about sitting by the window and, considering the time the flight was (55 mins) and that I could stretch out in the aisle seat I accepted the free seat.

Amsterdam felt chaotic.  My flight to Detroit was already boarding so I headed straight there.

I had bought a lucozade and pack of crisps at Birmingham airport to keep for my long flight - not realising that I would have to go through security again at Amsterdam.  So the guy wanted to confiscate my bottle so I opened it and practically drank the whole thing as quickly as possible with him hassling me to hand it over.  Then I went through the body scan and was told to come back as I had put my laptop in my case and it needed to come out.  (There was no sign saying so anywhere, I guess everyone else wears theirs). After that I had to wait to get on the 'plane and a nice American couple began chatting to me after looking at the book I was reading.  I don't think that would have ever happened if they were British!

Once on the 'plane a man was sat in my seat and when I finally tracked down the flight attendant the guy didn't speak any English so a nonsensical conversation went on as he insisted he was in the right seat and the attendant insisted he was not.  I said I could sit in his seat instead but the attendant said, "You will sit there".  I think she thought it was a better seat and she was not going to let him dictate to her.

When the meal was brought around the attendant said, "beverage?" I asked for a cup of tea.  She looked at me like I had 6 heads!  "Hot drinks are later," she said.  I have never travelled on an aeroplane before where hot drinks do not come with the meal - and I have travelled a lot!  Anyway, only coffee appeared later so I settled for that.  Actually, tea usually tastes yuck on a 'plane anyway.  Cold and weak.

I got out of immigration before Bonnie and her parents arrived but I was thrilled when Bonnie greeted me with a flask of hot, good tea.

The simple pleasures of life.

Animal marriage

On the way to school this morning, Joshua posed a classic question: "Do animals get married and, if they do, how do they know?"  Don't you love how big questions get asked when you have little time?!  In the end, I said that animals didn't have emotions like humans and so they didn't marry but some animals have one partner for life and others don't.  Whew!

Bonfire Night

The kids were so excited to celebrate bonfire night and it was very cool to experience a cultural event together.  I had forgotten how much of a community thing this is. 
It was cold - I had tried to warn the girls to bring warm clothes (we had gone to visit Granny T) because we would be stood watching fireworks and it would feel cold.  They didn't really get it - at times like this I realise they have no prior experience or memory to hang comments like these on. 
We went to a smallish affair but the fireworks were great and we got a spot next to the fence.  Rose and I had an ongoing discussion about whether it was better than Manila.  Yes, in that we were close up and enjoyed it. No, in that 15 minutes does not compare to over half an hour and a much wider spread of fireworks.  And it was definitely colder than Manila.  We had our traditional bonfire night clothing of hats, scarves and gloves.  Josh got very cold and asked if we could leave and Naomi wanted to go halfway through too, although I think she was tired as much as anything.  Before going she had said to me, "I might fall asleep like I did at the monster trucks".  But the kids finally understand what cold means!

biking

I bought a bike yesterday and picked it up last night.  I took it for its first spin today (while Steve jogged) along the long route in the forest.  We are so privileged to live so close to the forest.  In our housegroup we have begun going through Romans and I was meditating on the beauty of God's creation and understanding the truth that we see God in what He has made.  I also realise how much we do miss this time of year in the Philippines when the leaves turn and the air is cool but the sky so bright.  Of course, by the end of the bike ride the only thing I was meditating on was how to not scare the walkers with my laboured breathing!
The first thing I need to do is buy a comfy saddle though as it felt like I was sat on a slab of concrete!

Log Burner

We have been enjoying mum and dad's log burner in the evenings.  It is very snuggly an just right for watching a film or reading bedtime stories.

Waterworld

This morning we went to Waterworld to enjoy the flumes etc.  Granny got talked into being a participator rather than a spectator and even went down the bumpy slide.  We arrived at the opening time and were very glad as lines were reasonably short and by 12, it was getting extremely noisy so we left for lunch at McDonald's - actually our first trip there since we've been back.  We beat the crowds there too - as we were leaving there was a queue at the door to come in.
Then it was travelling home and swimming lessons this afternoon.

The Grange

We went up to stay at Steve's mum's for a couple of days - arriving last night.  This afternoon we went for a walk around the local "big house": The Grange.  It looked beautiful in the crisp autumn day.  Laughingly, we finished the trip with an ice-cream each - but eaten in the warmth of the cafe.  Although both the girls decided they didn't want theirs before they finished!

Half-term

Part of me can't believe it is half-term already and part of me can't believe it is only half-term!  Our morning started well with Josh and I practicing a couple of his new tricks ready for him to perform them.  Tim and Ali got Josh a very cool suit jacket from the charity shop for his birthday (I have them well and truly hooked!).  It is lovely, with a beautiful green lining and lots of pockets to secrete things away.
He wanted to do a performance of lots of tricks he knows so far and when I said I wanted to take some photos he suggested I also video it! : )  So I did.  He is doing really well with the magic tricks and I love seeing him apply himself to learning how to do the tricks.  Usually it is something Steve helps him with and they spend hours ensconced in the bedroom learning and practicing.
Simon, Mum and us bought him extra tricks for his birthday so he has plenty to work on.  We got him a hat set as he really wanted a magic hat.  It is Simon we have to thank for this interest of Joshua's as he initially got him a few magic tricks for his "welcome-home" gift box.  At parent's evening Joshua's teacher said, "He really likes his magic doesn't he?  When he did a trick in assembly it did not phase him to be in front of the older children and he did a great job of building it all up to the 'ta-da' moment.  Now I have 11 others in the class all trying to learn magic tricks."
When his friend came over to play after school last week they spent ages trying to figure out their own tricks.  I am glad they choose that rather than sit and play computer games.

Josh with his "assistant"

Birthday

We celebrated as a family for Josh's birthday.  His choice of cake was a stormtrooper so I went with Ali's suggestion of rolled white icing as a quick way of getting the face.  He was pretty chuffed with the final result and so was I. 

Stormtrooper

7 years old!

Biggest piece he could!

Lots of Star Wars and Magic goodies

Pizza Hut

We asked Joshua what he wanted to do for his birthday and he initially said McDonalds but we suggested Pizza Hut as an alternative.  He leaped at this because of the ice-cream factory.  It is basically refillable ice-cream for dessert with extras such as smarties.  We asked if he wanted to invite any friends but he didn't.

Busy Day

The kids went to visit the dentist this morning.  After many times of forgetting to take money with me in the Philippines, it was kind of weird not to have to pay.  I kept waiting for someone to stop us walking out! I do appreciate this product of our taxes - I wonder how long it will last?
After the dentist Josh and I set about making his cake.  He did all the measuring and mixing and did a great job.  It was fun to watch him being so careful about getting the right quantities and taking pride in his work.
Unfortunately, the cake didn't bake perfectly - a little stodgy in the middle - I keep forgetting my mum's over is fan assisted!  But it was good enough!!
Lastly, Naomi helped me make dinner and she mixed and made the salmon burgers.  Again, she did a great job and I am so excited to see my kids growing up and enjoying the time we get together.
And I bought a proper pie dish yesterday in Bath and got to christen it with a pumpkin pie for Sunday.

Soweto Gospel Choir

Steve and I and mum and dad went to Malvern to see the Soweto Gospel Choir.  They were amazing, so energetic and full of colour.  The voices were genuinely the main focus of the performance.  I thought they were more comfortable doing the African songs than the few English ones they did but the power of their performance and enjoyment rang out of every song.

Parent's Evening

We had an appointment with all three teachers this evening and it was great to hear they are doing so well and the children they described are the children their FA teachers would have described, showing they are settled and themselves.  Two teachers commented on how polite our children are and, apparently, Rose has been laying the law down to others in her class over their lack of politeness: "I'm not going to give him that, Miss H, as he wouldn't say thank-you!"
Steve has been helping twice a week with a small group from Rose's class and we are doing an assembly next month.
Recently Naomi asked if her teacher could come for dinner.  Steve said, "Well, even though that's quite normal at FA, it's not really something people do in England."  Then he said, "have you asked her?"  Naomi said, "Yes."
"And what did she say?"
"She didn't answer me."
Not surprised but I bet she was!  Or else she took it as a typical 5 year old thing to do rather than based in a reality.  She certainly didn't mention it to us tonight.

Pumpkin Pies

The supermarket was offering 2 pumpkins for £3 yesterday.  Of course it is for hallowe'en and carving but both Steve and I had the same thought "Yummy; pumpkin pies!".  So to day I have hacked, steamed and pureed a whole pumpkin and got enough pumpkin for 4+ pies. This is actually the first time I have used real pumpkins as opposed to the Filipino calabasas. I'm looking forward to making them - it is a reminder of our life in the Philippines (although not Filipino!) as much as a great dessert.

Moving up

Rose and Joshua were both moved up to the next swimming group today after their lesson.  They are moving through the rainbow from yellow to green!   Naomi is staying in red.  One good result is that all three now have their lesson at their same time - although that may mean I get less time in the gym!

Countdown

Rose asked me if we could make a countdown calendar for when we return to the Philippines.  I told her it was too long before we leave and that we should enjoy our time here this year without thinking about when we leave.  It did make me wonder though if it plays on her or the other childrens' minds that there is an end point to being here and stops them from throwing themselves into life here.  Does it for me?

We're football crazy, we're football mad

Joshua has joined a local under 7s team.  They train on Thursdays after school and play on some Saturdays.  He was shattered after his first match this Saturday.  He did score his team's only goal though.  He has introduced yellow and red cards into his play at home and told me that if I got 2 red cards I would lose a point off my score as obviously he couldn't send me off!  Naomi often volunteers to be the referee.  Between them we have some creative refereeing decisions!

Josh came out of school and proudly told me that he had been chosen as one of the two school council representatives for his class.  I think it's a sign how the kids have become part of the school already.

Back to School again

Naomi was well enough to go back to school today and she did her first whole day.  Overall, the kids have settled well into school and life in the UK.  It is a good thing but I wonder if we will have problems when we come to leave again...

Fun Family Day

I took the kids to a craft day at Church.  It was really fun.  Between us we did calligraphy bookmarks, spinning wool, flower arranging (Josh was the only one keen enough!), card making with fabric bits, clay modelling (Naomi made a great rabbit by herself) and colouring.
Then this evening, we went to the NIA in Birmingham to watch a Ben 10 monster truck and motorcycle stunts event.  It was so noisy they encouraged you to wear the free ear plugs they were handing out.  We ate at Pizza Express first but it did not live up to express name!  They gave us a 10% discount because we had to wait so long.

Chicken-pox

We got the news today that Naomi has developed chicken pox!!  Josh had it a couple of weeks ago and now it has moved on.  There are no other cases at school - apparently chicken-pox made its appearance locally in April last year.
I'm so glad Steve's mum is there to offer TLC.

HA Week

We have our OMF Home Assignees week from Monday to Friday in Borough Green.  Steve's mum arrived yesterday to look after the children and make sure they get to school, swimming lessons and eat!  We are grateful to be able to attend together.  Our accommodation is Otford Manor - a beautiful house and our meetings are in the office.

Ioan's dedication

One of the things I love most about being back in England is being here for the big family events.  This morning my nephew Ioan was dedicated and my dad did the service.  Our kids sang "the fruits of the spirit" and did a great job.

Saturday relaxation

Steve took the children to "Super Saturday" at our church which is also combined with "Who Let the Dads Out".  Both of these seek to provide a venue for dads to spend time with their kids and Steve thought it was excellent.  The kids had a range of options.  Rose made cookies and the other two and Steve made boomerangs.  They did other things too.  I, on the other hand, took the opportunity to meander over to the car boot sale.  Tim and Ali were selling at it so I looked after Ioan.  I pushed him up to the car boot and while I thought he would sleep on the walk that was too exciting and he was gurgling and chatting away.  However, once we reached the car boot he decided it was boring and went straight off.  I got some more great bargains.  Tim said I was his best and worst customer as I took lots of their things but didn't pay for them!  It was not as good as last time but I got lots of great condition books and 24 for my mum's baby room at the nursery which were 10p each.

Home Visit

A new thing since our time in the Worcs education system, but Naomi's teacher came to visit today.  It was a good visit and gave the teacher a good insight into a relaxed, comfortable Naomi as she has not settled easily.  I did smile to myself as the teacher described textbook TCK behaviour - "she stands to the side and is weighing up her classmates, obviously deciding who to be friends with".  Her teacher was impressed by this maturity. Funny how information gets lost in the Chinese Whispers of life as she told us she had heard we were in Singapore when I mentioned we had been living in the Philippines.

Naomi's first day

As a culmination to the big weekend Naomi has had, she began school today.  If we were back in Manila she would not be starting yet but this is the one aspect of our HA that I think has worked to our benefit. Naomi has been a bit nervous but she is only doing morning this week as part of her staggered entry.

Other party

Naomi had another party today with her friends from Church.  One of the things she has struggled with in our transition is leaving her friends behind so we decided it was important to have over the 4 girls she has become friendly with at school to celebrate.  She has not been in school yet to make friends there.
It was a fun couple of hours.  Naomi wore her new dress-up dress (reversible Cinderella and Snow White - oh the agony of decision making!!).  She really wanted a Belle cake so I did my best and, thankfully, it passed!

We played the pass the parcel - of course.  One of our favourites.  I had to laugh when Rose checked everybody knew how to play it.  That is necessary in Manila, but, Rose, this is England - where the game was invented!
We played eat the chocolate with gloves and knife and fork and Naomi left in a strop because she wasn't getting the right roll.  But pin the crown on the princess was a hit, as was decorating cookies (I realised how Americanised I am when I thought the smell of the cookies baking reminded me of Christmas!).  And cookies are different to biscuits before you claim that as further evidence.
I think it was a good step in Naomi's adjustment to England.

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