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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Naomi's birthday

We celebrated Naomi's birthday with a family party today.  Ali brought her drink fountain and chocolate fondue set - I think the adults indulged in the chocolate more than the children!!  It was fun to be able to celebrate together.  Uncle Simon skyped in the afternoon so Naomi got to show the presents she had received.

My mum made this amazing cupcakes.  They had a marshmallow inside and marshmallows mixed into the icing.  What's not to like?!!