Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

As  the title suggests, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! This is going to be a catch up post, prompted by photos.  I don't really have the inclination this year to do a big post on how 2016 has been for us.  A lot has happened in the last year, and most of it is documented here.  So for now, lets go on some photos from December.

I did a craft fair every weekend through december.  The photo below is from the one I did in Worthing town centre.

We used to live in Worthing, when Oliver was born.  We know the town.  This was billed as a big event with at least 30 craft stalls over 2 days.  I chose to only do the Sunday, as I could not do both.  It was a flop..... The pitch fee was expensive, the amount of people coming by was good, but there were hardly and handmade / craft stalls, more local produce.  And I had to share that gazebo with 2 other people. I wrote a strongly worded email to the organiser afterwards. Funnily enough, I haven't heard back form her.  I made more money at Sebastians school Christmas fair, than I made in Worthing.  The other fairs have done really well, particularly the Christmas items.  I am already booked in for about 12 craft fairs next year, but am always on the look out for more.  If you know of any good ones, let me know.  I am more than willing to travel.  (shameless plug for my etsy store here)

The Zumba classes attendance have tailed off a little towards  the end of the year.  It is to be expected I think.  Hoping January is going to be busier.  I have all my paperwork and forms ready to go, my new routines sorted.  I even have a new Zumba Gold class to teach out of a gym in Havant.  BodyWorx360 has been there since July, but is starting to offer classes in January.  I will be there on a Monday morning, 9.30-10.30am. Super excited.

Almost as exciting as my Christmas week at Zumba, where pretty much everyone who came dressed festive, one way or another! 

The final week of school was a busy one. Paul was away, so it was hard work.  Isaac had  a brass band concert on the Monday afternoon.  Every term, the school bring in an outside music teacher.  Isaacs year got to learn a brass instrument this term.  Isaac played the trumpet.  He didn't cry, have a paddy or get upset about having to perform.  Not sure how much actually playing he did, but the boy done good

Thursday afternoon of that week was Sebastians whole school Carol Concert in one of the local churches.  It is so good they are able to walk there.  It is a beautiful church, just about big enough to hold the whole school, and the parents.  He did sing, I think, but he also got very distracted, a lot.  Funny how my younger 2 always seem to end up sitting with the teachers..... I so love the boys schools, both of them.  They are really benefiting from being in smaller schools....

Friday morning was my last Zumba Gold for the year.  I absolutely LOVE all my classes.  These ladies below have been with me since day 1.  They are such a good bunch, and we ALWAYS have a laugh.  They certainly get my weekends started right! 

Before my Gold class, I have to attend a special assembly at Isaacs  school.  He had been nominated for an award, but I didn't know which one.  Turns out, every term they give 3 awards per year, as well as the reading challenge (special homework), attendance ( most of the school had a sickness bug at some point).  Isaacs award was last. He was nominated for the most Successful Learner in his year.  This is someone who keeps going, keeps trying, is achieving, and doesn't let adversity hold them back. As soon as his teacher started describing the winner I knew  it was him.  And yes I cried (I am welling up as I write this).  His face was a picture.  He is so proud of himself.  We are so proud of how far he has come. When I think back to where he was this time last year, he has done so well.  He won a selection box as his prize, and received 2 certificates.  One for his nomination, and one for his win.

And then school was over.  We had a full week between school finishing and Christmas.  It was a long, long week, but we all survived. We have seen friends, done some walks etc.  And now Christmas is done.  It was a low key affair for us. We saw my step dad and stepsisters on Christmas eve, which was really nice. A lovely thing to do.  Christmas day was spent at home relaxing, opening presents and eating and drinking too much. Boxing Day, Pauls parents came down, with the gifts from his brother and sister.  We spent the day chatting and eating.  Since then we have been swimming, bowling and had haircuts for all males in the house.  That was entertaining....

This afternoon we will be going for a walk, probably somewhere like this....

Or this.....

New Year eve will be spent at home, we will let Oliver and Isaac stay up as long as they can.  Seb will probably be in bed by 9pm......

Happy New Year! 

Christmas 2015 New Year 2016

This is going to be short and sweet, as I want to get on talking about the new year, and what it will bring.  The kids were super good going to bed on Christmas Eve.  We were wise elves, and had wrapped their presents the week before.  We only had a couple to do on Christmas Eve.  Their piles were much smaller this year.  I think as they get older their presents get smaller, and more expensive.

Oliver and Isaac had been good about writing their lists in advance.  We pretty much knew what Seb wanted from his various shouts at the television.

Oliver got Pie Face.  Man, this game was hard to get hold of.  Well worth it though! 

Isaac got the Star Wars blade builder thingy.  He loves it.  It gets played with regularly, and not always as a light saber.  Best thing is, no one has been seriously hurt (yet)

Sebastian got loads of hot wheels track stuff.  Honestly, he loves it.  They all got some form of hot wheels track builder set.  To the point where it completely took over the playroom.  We have since moved all th hotwheels stuff and cars up in to Oliver's room.  Those who know us, and our boys know this is a big deal! 

We find it a bit of a struggle sometimes.  Isaacs birthday is a month before Christmas, and seb's is a month after.  Isaac in particular struggled with what he wanted this year

 Christmas day we had beef and roast potatoes.  It was tasty.  I had wisely prepped a lot of the dinner in advance.  This helped.

We have spent a very relaxing couple of weeks at home.  It has been nice to spend time as a family without rushing off on holiday somewhere.  

New Year's Eve was spent at home.  We let the kids do dance off's and stay up as long as they could manage.

Seb lasted until 9.30, then he asked to go to bed.  Isaac was persuaded to go to bed at 10.45.  He was pretty much asleep on the sofa

Oliver made it to after midnight again.  

Paul and I stayed up drinking and dancing till about 2am.  The kids let us sleep till 7am the next morning.  Aren't they lovely....

Christmas crafting

Ok....A little late, but may be inspiring for someone next year

So my wonderful friends got spoilt this year.  This is thanks to Paul's team assistant at work.  She went above and beyond when it came to us flying back to England this year, and I wanted to give her a christmas gift to say thanks.  I came up with a hamper idea, thanks to Pinterest.  I thought, seeing as I was making one, I may as well make more!

So in these hampers were: a tupperware full of chocolate fudge.  This was soooooooo yummy.  There was some Candy Cane vodka.  I ended up making this with Starburst Candy canes, so there were 2 different flavors.  I have been told this is yummy.  We have a spare one sitting in the cupboard.  It may get opened on the 1st February.  It took more candy canes than I expected, 6-10 per mason jar.  And it took a great deal of filtering....  There was some gingerbread sugar scrub. I made a couple of batches of this, just to be sure I got the right consistency.  I have used these in the shower.  My word, your skin is so soft afterwards! Think it is the coconut oil.  Then there is the named picture frames.  I took inspiration from this, but changed it slightly.  Very easy, did not cost a lot, but means something to everyone.  I know Paul's colleague has hers at her desk, and I have seen my friends out on display at their houses.

I then wrapped them in cellophane, which took me to Jo-Ann fabric and craft store.  This is now my new favorite store (more on that to come).  For my friends with children, I added in some bags of sweeties, the one below is for a friend with a small baby, so she got a teething toy rather than some sweets. 

The 'tags' were another experiment.  Melted peppermint candies, check out the post here on how to do it.  I experimented with red and green candies.  I made many different batches of these.  I found some to be quite brittle, and break easily.  You have to make sure you put the whole for the string in quite soon after they come out of the oven, before they harden...  I coated mine with mode lodge, so had to make sure I wrote on the back for people not to eat!

The baskets and the tinsel came from Dollar Tree, dead easy, and cheap too!

Back to the fudge.  I ended up making about 5 batches of this during december.  It was just so yummy, and a real quick and easy present for people.  The boys made their cinnamon ornaments again and painted them.  I covered them in modge podge, they wrote a message on the back, and we distributed them to teachers on the last day of term. It makes such an easy gift, plus the teachers have a decoration for their tree to remember the boys.....

.....like anyone could forget them! 

Christmas is here!

Christmas officially arrived in the Gosling household last weekend.  I had been saying for a while that I wanted to go and choose our own Christmas tree, we decided to actually do it (I am getting much better at following through on the things I say I am going to do!)

After much research, discussion with hubby and texts with Rachel, we decided to go to Hidden Trails Christmas Tree Farm.  This is 30 miles south from our house.  Isaac fell asleep in the car!  It was a bright sunny, warm day.  Not your usual Christmas weather.

The people were really nice, and there were plenty of trees.  You cannot cut Fraser firs (the more traditional tree that we are used to), as they do not have any, as they do not grow below 5000ft.  So we inspected the rest.  They had many varieties, but the strangest to us was Leylandii Cypress trees, cut to be shaped like Christmas tress. After coming from England, where these are privacy trees, that can become a blight, this was very strange.  Anywhoo, we had more of a look around, and eventually settled on what I think is a Carolina Sapphire (someone please correct me if I am wrong!). This is a long needle tree. Here are the boys with the tree.

                             

The boys had fun playing around the trees.  They were fortunate enough to get a small gift each, a little stocking with sweets, and they all had a photo done with Santa (this was extra).  Our tree was $40.  Same as it would have cost in Home Depot/ Lowes. But it is a nice feeling to know our money will stay local, with friendly people, maintaining a beautiful place.  They shake the tree to get rid of bugs/dead branches, then bag it, and help you get it in the car.  Awesome service.  

We got the tree home, and stuck it in some sugar water over night.  The next morning the decorating began.  The boys (and by boys, I mean Paul) had great fun.  

The finished product! ( you may notice loads of needles on the floor. These came from moving and positioning the tree.  I vacuumed them up the next day, and there has since been little to no needle dropping.  Does help the water is getting topped up every day)

                             

While we have been getting all Christmassy, I have been engaging in some arts and crafts.  I have had some slate tiles in the garage for ages.  You know me, I like a bargain, and picked these slate tiles up in Lowes about a year ago for about $3.  They are a pack of 12.  While I was clearing out the arts and crafts cupboard, I found a small amount of really thin Christmas wrapping paper.  Then I had an 'ah-ha' moment.

I cleaned up the tiles with a clorox wipe, and let them dry.  In the mean time, I cut out one of the pictures from the wrapping paper.  I put a coat of modge-podge (glue) on to the tile, waited for it to go tacky, then added the wrapping paper.  I then waited 30 minutes to an hour, then coated the whole tile in more mode-podge, going over the wrapping paper also.  5-8 coats later, here is the result

                            

I am well pleased with these.  Not sure if they are going to be coasters (I need the felt pads for the bottom if so), or just display pieces (I have 2 currently on mini easels that I bought from AC Moore, they look well cool).  They made me happy, and are very pleasing! 

Whoops

I know, its been a while.  Sorry.

Here are some shots of what we have been up to.  Sebastian had a party at school for Thanksgiving, which I was able to take him to.  He enjoyed it, even though he didn't eat anything.  It was nice to see him in his school surroundings.

Then it was Isaacs birthday.  I can't believe he is 6.  I did him a special blog post (find it here).  He did well, better than he thought he would.

He particularly loved his presents from Nanny and Granddad Gosling, and the Battle Rover that Granddad Lee got him.

We went out to eat at Carolina Ale House on the Woodruff.  Darn convenient for us, as his birthday was a tuesday, and thats the night kids eat for 99 cents.  We have been eating out in the week for about a month, to take advantage of discounted kids prices. For example, we went to Zaxby's last night, and the five of us had meals for $15 (thats about 10 quid!).

Isaac was most insistent that he wore his explorers gear out for dinner on his birthday.   It looked awesome with his beige school uniform trousers.

I made his cake, with the help of a cake topper I purchased on Amazon.  The spongebob figures and candles we picked up cheap in Walmart about 6 months ago.  I love a good rummage through the clearance sections!

He loved it!

For his birthday treat, he chose Frankies Fun Park.  Unfortunately they have changed the single go-karts so you have to be taller to ride them.  Isaac was most upset about this, but we managed to bring him round.  Then on for a game of mini golf.

We have also been to the zoo a couple of time.  Not sure we are going to renew our membership.  Admittedly the kids loved it, but we were not so keen.  We will see how we feel when it comes up for renewal. 

Here is evidence that the posed pictures of the boys take a lot of direction.

We have been in to Greenville a few times, and decided to check out the World of Miniature train display.  It was nice, very pretty, but a little pricey for 30-or-so minutes entertainment

Of course, now it is December, an elf has appeared.  Meet Emmet.  The boys are not too taken with him.  Apparently, he doesn't do enough (bad mummy and daddy).  Will have to rectify that this weekend.  He did bring them a new advent calendar, and new pajamas.  

And with Christmas comes crafting.  I have done a lot, none of which I can mention yet, as it is for various people here, as Christmas presents.  I did try out my new glue gun though, and made this delightful Christmas tree.  I was well pleased with myself.  Most of the decorations on it I have picked up in various craft stores clearance sections.  Or the dollar tree.

The boys have also got in on the crafts.  Seb and I made some cinnamon dough.  Should I say, I made it, as Seb gagged at the smell.  I cut out various Christmas shapes, using cookie cutters, and left them to dry out.  The boys decorated them last week end.  They were lucky enough to get to use my new acrylic paints.  I wanted to see how they looked, and the boys were willing participants. 

I have since coated them with Modge Podge, to give them a nice shine, and the idea is the boys will use them on tags for the gifts for their teachers (also home made by moi).  Its like I have too much time on my hands (HA!)

We have decorated outside.  We are hoping to go and get our tree this weekend, but we want to go to a pick your own place, but one where they chop it for you.  I shall be making enquiries tomorrow.

Traveling Home for a second Christmas

We awoke slightly after 5am on the friday morning.  Dad was already up, so Paul and I got dressed, washed, and shoved some coffee down our neck.  We got the kids up and dressed, not an easy feat, given they were used to waking up around 8.  Paul loaded the suitcases into the car in the pouring rain (a running theme for our trip).  I decided to check the status of our flight.  Delayed till 14.45, we were supposed to fly at 9.55!  hmmmm, not a huge delay, but a bare able one.

Because of this, we took it slightly easy on our drive to Heathrow in the rain.  We got to the car hire place just after 6am.  They hand over was quick and efficient.  I cannot fault Sixt car hire for our trip.  They were courteous and polite in wall our dealings with them.  I would choose to use them again.  We jumped in their van and headed to Heathrow.  

We checked in, using the self check in.  Shame you can't check the kids this way, so we had to go to the desk for them.  The man behind the counter was really feeling the fact it was 6.30!  He was a little dense to put it politely…. After about 15 minutes we were all checked in, and the bags despatched.  We headed through security.  Heathrow security is pretty good, as soon as they saw the kids, they sent us to a side aisle.  I remembered this from our big move, seems to be the aisle for families. Very convenient.  Out the other side, we checked the departure board.  Boarding delayed till……..15.30

So we tried to make the best of it.  We headed for some breakfast.  Not overly expensive (but not as cheap as Beefeater), good service, tasty food, happy boys.  There was not much left over. Then for one of our many walks around the terminal. Terminal 1 has had a makeover in the last few years.  We did not really explore it last time, but it has gone quite upmarket.  Not a fast food restaurant in sight.  There was however a children's play area, which killed a good 45 minutes.

Breakfast

We had a lighter lunch, and again, there was not much food left over.  We sat and waited for our gate, while the boys got on with playing their kindles/iPods/leap pads.  Thank goodness we got them before the trip.  They did manage to drain the batteries, but again, there are charging places in and around the terminal.

15.30 came and went, and still no sign of a gate…..  Eventually it was put up about 15.50, so we took a nice leisurely stroll in that direction.  There were a lot of disgruntled looking people waiting.  We eventually began boarding at about 17.00, and took off about 20 minutes later.  The captain was most apologetic.  There were maintenance issues with the plane (just what you want to hear when you are about to taxi down the run way), then there was a weather delay.  I later discovered that the flight had not left Charlotte for Heathrow till about 3am.  

The flight itself was not too bad.  The boys ate some of their meals, then had some computer time.  But they were tired, dog tired.  Sebastian fell asleep with a kindle in his hand, before they had even dimmed the lights.  Oliver and Isaac fell asleep shortly after.  Half the battle with the boys on the plane is getting them to sleep.  As they had all done it, I was able to watch a film in peace.  I watched Rush, and absolutely loved it.  I even had a tear in my eye towards the end.  Such an awesome film.

About an hour and a half before we were due to land, they put the lights back on.  It took the boys a while to wake up.  It was about 20.30 US time, making it 1.30 am UK time….  We touched down, and had a wait for the buggy.  Great I thought, by the time we get through Immigration, our bags should be out.  But no.  Despite the fact we were the last through Immigration, we had to wait 30 minutes for the bags to appear on the carousel.  Then another 20 minutes to get them all.  By now it was past 11pm US time.  We walked out of the airport, and found the bus to the long stay car park.  From here in, it was relatively plain sailing.

I really felt for the other people on the flight who had to catch connecting flights.  Many of them missed their flight due to the delay in getting their baggage.  That delay, and the general incompetence of US Airways, and Charlotte Airport will have cost them a fair whack in compensation, hotel fees and new flights.  It is only since getting home I have realized that we were lucky to have flown when we did.  Another 2 days and our flight may have been cancelled……

We eventually got home at 1.30 am US time.  We put the boys straight up to bed, and despite them all sleeping on the plane and in the car, they went straight to sleep, bypassing the massive pile of presents Father Christmas had left them.  We thought they would sleep till at least 10am.

But no.  Isaac was up at 7.45am.  We managed to get them to stay upstairs till 8.  Then we headed down to open their Christmas presents.

They were all pretty pleased with what they received.  Sebastian even managed to open some of his, before discovering the awesome presents his brothers had received.  Then he lost interest….

We eventually got him to open them all.  Isaac was the first finished unwrapping, Seb the last

Once all the presents had been unwrapped and opened, we got down to the serious business of taking down the Christmas stuff.  It was nice to go back to the UK, but very hectic. We never spent longer than 2 nights in a row in one place.  But thats what you have to do when you are short on time with lots of people to see…..

Christmas Capers 2013

Christmas Eve began well.  The boys were up about 8am,  and I realized I had left my spare insulin at my dads.  I now needed it.  Paul and I left the boys with my mum and Lee, and headed back to Aldershot to pick it up.  On the way back we stopped at Marks and Spencer's for a coffee and to have a little look.  I couldn't find anything for myself, but typically found some clothes for Oliver.

We arrived back at my mums for lunch time, so headed in to Wokingham for some lunch.  We had a delightful meal at Cafe Rouge. This is in an old building which used to be a pub.  It was very nice.  We have noticed how much easier it seems to be to take kids out to eat in this country.  It may have always been like this, and we were not aware, or things have changed that much in the last 15 months, or we are used to how it works having lived in the land of dining out.....

The boys went to bed usual time on Christmas Eve.  It took them all a while to settle though.... We wrapped the last of the presents and settled down to sleep.

Luckily for the boys, Father Christmas remembered that they were in the UK (despite them forgetting to leave out milk cookies and carrots), and delivered their stockings.  The rest of their presents are waiting in the US.  For the first time the boys had presents from us.  Sebastian got a leap pad ultra, which he absolutely loves, despite paul and I having reservations.

Isaac and Oliver both got kindle fire HDs with kid proof covers.  Again, they love these and have great fun playing the apps and games.  We have not set any time limits on them (you can set time limits for games, apps, videos and leave books unlimited), but we fully intend to do so when we get back to the US.

We travelled mid morning from my mums to the Goslings.  Due to the rubbish weather (wind and rain), there were a few routes that were flooded with roads closed so we had to take a few detours.  We also had to drive through quite a few big puddles.  Our super happy fun bus hire car seems to be doing us well.  We reached the Goslings early afternoon, and the boys opened their presents.  They were very happy with what they received.  We had a delicious lunch, then the boys spent the afternoon playing with their presents.  We had to put Seb to bed about 7, as he was very tired, which meant he missed the arrival of auntie jenny, Tariq and Natalie.  The adults had decided in the afternoon we would save our presents till the evening, a first for us.  Oliver and Isaac were very happy to see jenny and Tariq, and of course their presents.  Everyone liked all their presents, which was a very good thing!

We got rid of the boys by about 9.30.  And then the fun began.  Our tent had been constructed in the back garden, for tony and Natalie to sleep in, save them being woken by the boys in the morning (they would have slept in the living room otherwise).  Keith and Tariq got a fire going in the BBQ, so we all headed out side.  It was cold, but the heat of the fire helped take the edge off.  We spent plenty of time outside drinking, chatting, catching up. 

We called it a night about 12.30.  The boys awoke about 8 again on Boxing Day.  Tony and Natalie had slept well outside, despite the cold, they had plenty of blankets and appreciated not being woken in the morning.  They headed off for Natalie's family party, a Boxing Day tradition.  We decided to go for a mcdonalds (our Boxing Day tradition) in Oxford.  We also had to buy a new ready bed for Isaac, as his had gone down in the night. This was our first trip to Argos in about 2 years.  We quickly remembered why.....  We got a new readybed and the Guess Who game for a bargain price.  The roads seemed quiet, so we went for a drive around Oxford.  It always strikes me how beautiful the city is, even at ground level.  The boys even seemed to enjoy hearing about daddy growing up there.  As the roads were so quiet, we were able to go round it, and back to the Goslings in 45 minutes.

As everyone had a heavy night the night before, early nights were had by all.  I went to bed about an hour before Paul, but only after having a nice catch up with jenny and Tariq and hearing how their year had been and their plans for the coming year.

We left fairly early the next day and traveled back to my dads, where the boys had yet more presents to open.  Again they were pleased with what they got, despite me making a big mix up with the lego, meaning they received duplicate sets.  Luckily my dad found the receipt.  The boys were very happy once they realized a trip to Toys r Us was on the cards.  They spent the evening watching tv, and playing their devices.  They went to bed at a fairly early time, ready for a trip to the coast the next day.....

Do you like their Christmas jumpers? The elf left them when he returned to help Father Christmas.  

Appointments, appointments, appointments

Well this week has been full of the above!

Wednesday I had my first diabetic eye exam since living here (whoops!).  A big thank you to my friend Rachel who was here at 8.20 with her kids to look after Sebastian.  Thank you.  This enabled me to trot of to my appointment.  It went well, with no retinopathy detected.  I was made to wait an awful long time.  With this appointment I need special drops administered to my eyes to dilate the blood vessels.  In the UK you then have your eyes photographed, and they build up a picture of your eyes over time. This makes it easier to see if there is any retinopathy developing.  Not here.  The delightful doctor looked in my eyes after the drops, saw no signs of retinopathy (this cannot be right, as a small amount had developed while I was pregnant with Seb, but had not got worse at my last 2 UK photographs).  I found the whole experience unnerving and very subjective.  Ok, this is an optometrist who is trained to look for retinopathy, but even still, what if he has a bad day and doesn't catch the signs???

Anywhoo, over the last few weeks Oliver's recurring ear infection has been getting worse.  I called his doctor on Wednesday afternoon and was able to get an appointment for Thursday morning.  Off we went, after dropping Isaac in Simpsonville for his holiday show rehearsal.  The doctor was awesome as usual.  We didn't have to wait longer than 5 minutes, result!  She was very good, had a good look in his ear, prescribed some drops, then referred us to the ENT specialists.  They called on Thursday lunchtime, and Oliver has an appointment in January.  Good job too, as the drops the doc prescribed (which cost 4 times more than the last lot) do not seem to be working at all....

Thursday afternoon I had a diabetic appointment.  My nurse, Elaine, had to rearrange our last appointment as she was away, meaning I had not seen her for 5 months.  I had blood tests done a few weeks ago.  My cholesterol and kidney function are fine, though my thyroid is on the low side of low.  She wants to retest in 3 months.  I scared myself last night by looking up the symptoms of an under active thyroid, and I have about a quater of them.  My hBA1c was 8.2, so a little high, but about the same as it was last time.  She is quite happy, I just need to tweak some things and I should be able to get it in the 7's, my desired goal.  I told her about my eye appointment, and how I was a little unhappy with it.  I think they understood, particularly Michelle the health care assistant.  Not sure they will, or can, do anything about it.  

My greatest fear is that I keep having these subjective tests done.  Get back to England to my first diabetic retinopathy eye exams.  They take the photo and compare to their 3 year old + records! and find loads of retinopathy.....

Isaac had his holiday show on the Thursday night.  It was at Simpsonville fine arts centre. Oliver had persuaded me to take him along.  Isaac has been singing jingle bell rock for weeks!  I am sick of hearing it....  We dropped Isaac in his room, and went to make ourselves comfy on the delightful wooden chairs.  I let Oliver play iPod till it started.  Typically it was a good show, with the toddler classroom starting, then on to the primary.  Isaac did his usual of not singing, not doing any actions, and sitting right in the middle.  Don't know if the boy gets stage fright or of he is just belligerent.....  Oliver wanted to go straight after and I explained that we had to sit and watch the rest.  He was not happy, and moaned for the rest of the evening.  Particularly as I would not give him the iPod again, he was there to watch the show!

Friday morning was grandparents day at Isaac's school, and I went in place of the grandparents, with Seb in tow.  It was lovely to see Isaac in his classroom environment.  He even got muffins and juices for Sebastian and i. He did some work, but it was so hard for me.  Sebastian wanted to be into everything,and copy what Isaac did, which was great.  But Isaac knows how things work. He was lucky enough to attend preschool in the UK, which gave him a really good grounding (thank you Little Explorers!!). Seb was hard work, and unfortunately made the experience less enjoyable.  I already had to stop by the office after to talk about Seb starting in January.  It would seem they do not have space for him.  I really appreciated her honesty.  They will assess him in February for the primary classroom, Isaac's classrooms.  I am more than happy with this.

Then I came home, and had an epithany....  All my boys have been exposed to a playgroup/ preschool environment before attending school.  Sebastian has not.  Even if he started in Isaac's classroom in August, although it is Montessori, it is structured and does not give him the chance to play and interact with children his own age.  I think he needs a different kind of environment, something not so school like.  I asked my subdivision Facebook friends of recommendations of preschools/day cares in the local area, and they have some back with some good suggestions.  I spoke to my good friend Anna about her day care, and how BMW assist with this.  Seb is 3 in January, once he is 3, BMW pay for him to be in preschool/daycare.  I think for Sebastian's development (his talking and social skills), it will do him the world of good to be with kids his own age, and learn, on his own, how the world of a 3 year old works.  I have come full circle from my discussion over the summer about having Seb at home.  I do not feel like i can socialize him as well as being in an environment with kids his age regularly could.  I love having him at home, but I am at the stage where I feel he needs more.  Ok, he gets some from his brothers, and this is helping his speech a lot.  But they are not his age.  He needs to spend time with kids his age.  He gets so excited when he knows he is going to see his friends Layla or Jack, and even when we go to Isaac's friends.  He is quite a social boy, and the more he learns to foster those skills the better.  Guess what I am spending most of January doing.....

Wow, this time next week we will be at my dads, in England.  All the presents are wrapped, and 3/4 of the boys stuff is packed already.  As much as I am not looking forward to the travelling, the journey to Charlotte, the waiting in the airport, the getting Seb to sleep on the plane, I am looking forward to what is on the other side of that 12 hours.....  Seeing my parents, making it fun for the boys, seeing the inlaws and Jenny, Tony, Natalie and Tariq.  Hope someone has the hard liquor prepared!  I am looking forward to being in Littlehampton for a night.  Seeing my friends, their kids (especially the new arrivals!), seeing the sea, and all the construction work going on at the seafront.  I can't wait to take the kids to London.  I may not like it, but I think they will love it. 

Yozzers, sorry for the essay.  I am 3 beers in.  That might explain it, lol!  I can't even be bothered now to waffled at you all about the Expat Blog competition that goes live for voting in 2 days time.  If you have got this far you have done well!!!!

Check back in a couple of days for more info on the competition, and how you can help me win!

Photo drop

I am feeling a little lazy, I have found a new zumba class, so have been going twice a week.  Yet I am very aware I have not done a post for a while. Think it is everything we have to do to get ready for the UK in like 11 days time.  11 days, eeekkkkkk!!!!

So I am going to put in some photos for the last few days.

Paul got round to blowing the leaves in the garden over thanksgiving weekend.  Seb was a complete contrast to last year.  He was running around with his brothers fighting the leaves with their swords and shields from legoland.  

We went to the zoo that same day.  The boys love feeding the goats leaves.....

I have been in the hairdressers twice in the last week.  I attempted to take Seb to a specialized kids hairdressers, but they were closed.  I bit the bullet and took him to Great Clips, where the rest of the men in this family go.  Seb was awesome, climbed in the bolster in the chair like a pro.  He accepted the cover over him quite well.  The hairdresser got his front first, before he started getting too anstie. My iPhone managed to keep him contented till she had finished.  She was even able to use the clippers.

Paul had a Tesla for an evening.  I have never heard such a quiet car.  It is awesome, and surprisingly spacious.  Here is the touch screen centre console

It is over double the size of my iPad......

Paul had his annual office Christmas decorating competition at work. His pen are defending champions, so it was very important they maintained their crown.  A lot of planning time and effort went into this.  Here is an example of how Paul spends his working days

Needless to say, they defended their crown, and plans are already afoot for the competition next year

We got our Christmas tree on Saturday, so the boys got to choose a new decoration each.  Paul spent Saturday putting the lights outside.  There is a competition in our subdivision this year for best decorated houses.  I am not even sure what the categories are!  But I have been spending a lot of time crafting with the boys.  Isaac and I have made cinnamon smelling tree ornaments, which the boys have painted in preparation for teachers gifts.  We have made copious snow men and Christmas trees, with more to come this week (thanks Pinterest!).

We brought the tree in to the house on Sunday, and spent the morning decorating it, and the rest of the house.  It was nice getting out all the ornaments and decorations from last year, particularly the home made ones.  Sunday was definitely a pajama day, it was horrid.  Today would have been too if the boys didn't have school.  It has been rainy and cold all day.  Good preparation for 11 days time!

Today Seb and I met Paul at the mall for lunch.  Paul got some presents for me, with my guidance.  We had a look in some shops

Seb had great fun in Gap admiring himself.  He was dancing, and talking to him self.  It was very cute.  We have never seen him do something like this.  He was even giving himself kisses.  So cute. I think we need a full length mirror, so he can do this at home.

Busy week this week.  I have a diabetic eye exam, the a diabetic appointment, followed by Isaac's holiday show.  He has been singing Jingle Bell Rock around the house for about 2 weeks.  It is just about starting to send me loopy....

Here are some photos of our festive house to close

Don't forget.....

The Expat Blog writing competition I have entered goes live on the 16th December.  I believe that you have to leave a comment on my piece of writing on their website (must be at least 10 words, and there is a monetary prize for the best comment left!).  Comments can only be posted for 5 days, so I will need as many of you as possible to share my link and get your friends to do the same.  I believe there will also be buttons to like my piece on twitter and Facebook.

I need your help.  As soon as I have the link I will post it here, on Facebook (personal and blog pages) and on twitter.

I look forward to reading your comments!