Bad blogger

I am sorry

I never finished up the end of our holiday west.  To be  honest, the last day we went out for lunch (if you are ever on the west coast, check out burger.  They are excellent), chilled around the house and prepared ourselves to come home.  The flight and journey were smooth.  We got back very late and straight into the swing of things.

Here is a rough break down of what has happened since our return.

Before holiday, Isaac was assessed by the behavioral psychologists at a provider called Clarity.  They were very thorough. Although we have not had the final report, Paul and I attended a follow up appointment.  It basically looks like he is ADHD/ADD with a lot bit of ODD thrown in.  ODD stands for Oppositional Defiant Disorder.  We were not overly surprised.  The psychologist recommended family therapy once we return to the UK to help us learn strategies and techniques to help.  Like we haven't already.  His behavior is still a little erratic, but not as bad.  I think this is because we know how to deal with the nuances of Isaac.  At least we have a report to go to his next school with.  We were able to find out that he has an IQ of 116, and is reading 2 years above his age.

As is Oliver.  He had a conference, and is doing really well. No complaints from anyone.

Both Isaac and Sebastian have been sick.  Seb vomited on the way to school one day.  Isaac was sent home a week later with a temperature of 102.  Both better now.

We went to the 4 lane drag strip in Charlotte.  Funnily enough, its right by the NASCAR track.  It was good fun.  But very loud.  And very hot.

I did a craft fair at Oliver's school.  Though it wasn't very busy, I did pretty well, and have high hopes for continuing the craft fairs in the UK. (Side note - if you know of any good ones on the south coast, let me know)

And the move...... 59 days till we fly, 50 days till the house gets packed.  Our landlords are selling this house.  We have had painters both inside and out.  Yesterday they came and took professional photos.  The house looked like a show home. I hope they manage to sell quickly so I don't have too many viewings to tidy up for!

I think we are all excited about going back to England.  Yes, it will be different.  I see many steep learning curves.  But I am excited all the same!

This weekend I am going on a TRX training course.  I am excited, yet anxious.  I hope my fitness level is where it needs to be.  I am looking forward to purchasing the equipment, and setting it up at home so I can teach Paul and the kids.  If you don't know what TRX is, check out this video

Right, I am off to engross my self in my manual.

Apples, Sickness and Airplanes

Been a while since I did a catch up post so here goes.

Seb and I went apple picking with my friend Donna and her lad Leo.  We went to Nivens, which is only about a 30 minute drive from here on the way to Spartanburg.  We got there nice and early, good job too as plenty if preschool groups turned up.  It was pretty well priced.  I paid $9 for a bushel of apples, which was a small carrier bags worth.  We had a look at the animals, and the pumpkin patch, and off we went.  We both managed to fill our bags quite quickly, with the boys eating their way round.  There were lots of rotting apples on the ground, so lots of bugs.  Once our bags were full, we did not stay long.

I looked after my friends little boy on Wednesday, as she had an appointment to keep.  Him and Isaac were so pleased to see each other when we got Isaac from school.  Very cute.

Then the sicknesses hit.  First Seb, then Paul, then me and now Isaac.  Paul took Thursday off work as he was so unwell on the Wednesday.  Good job too, as Thursday was not a good day for me.  I drifted in and our of sleep on the sofa all day.  Oliver was supposed to have baseball, luckily for us it rained most of the day, so it was cancelled

Paul went back to work in the Friday, and I took it very easy.  The boys watched a lot of tv.....

Isaac had a birthday party to attend on the Saturday morning.  It was a cinema party, so we got to watch Cloudy Wiyh A Chance of Meatballs 2.  It is an awesome film, and we both really enjoyed it.  The birthday boys mum is the Spanish teacher at Isaacs school, so knew Isaac well.  He enjoyed it, and his party bag was one of the best I have seen.  From there we went to Costco for the big shop, then on to Chillis for some dinner.

After a busy saturday, Sunday had to be a pajama day. I was still not feeling great, so again spent the best chunk of the day on the sofa, sleeping or watching the NASCAR.  Really getting into the NASCAR, and looking forward to going to see it at the end of this month

I took Sebastian to Gymboree yesterday morning.  He really enjoys it, and even let out a big YEAH when we parked up.  We then decided to meet Paul for lunch.  Most of his department are away on a drive event this week, which he was not required to go on.  We met at Firehouse Subs on Pelham Road.  OMG these subs were huge, and so tasty.  Seb really enjoyed his cheese toasted sandwich, his first one ever!  Oliver had a baseball game last night, which Paul took him too.  His team won again, they have not lost a game yet this season.

We met Paul again for lunch today.  I was already talking of taking Seb to the new park at the airport to check it out.  Although it is still not completely finished (they are building it on donations  and grants, for more details see here), there are play areas in for small children.  Perfect for Seb.  He played while we waited for Paul.  It was hot today. I was glad I put cream on him and brought his hat.  We then went and had some lunch at the Runway Cafe.  While there we must have seen about 8 planes take off or land over the space of an hour.  At first Seb was a bit freaked by the noise of the jets , but he soon got used to them.  It has been really nice meeting up with Paul for the last couple of days lunches.

Plus it has meant I have not had to be too bothered about cooking.....  Only for the kids.....