Well, after promising I would update this blog on a weekly basis I realise I haven't actually done it for 3 weeks. As we've only been here for 2 months this is very poor. I will try and do better!
Its been our first bank holiday weekend here (as I know it is at home too) but ours is for Memorial Day to remember all the troops who have given their lives for the country, a sombre day you would think, but the park down the road still managed a big fireworks display last night! It has been a lovely weekend though. We went down to Monterey Bay on Saturday to go to the aquarium (pics on facebook to follow) and had a fab day. We have spent the today with our new friends Greg and Emily, just hanging round in the sunshine (well the blustery sunshine) which too was great. The 3 days have just been over a bit too quickly as back to the grindstone tomorrow, oh well.
I have to say that one of the most disappointing things about California so far has been the weather. Early on we had a run of blisteringly hot days but since then its been pants. Yes, its mainly been in the low 20's and we all have dirty looking tans (T especially looks like he needs a good bath!) but I have to admit I expected more, its California for gods sake! Today started out like a British bank holiday but at 11 the sun broke through and it was pleasant but very windy and although some mad people braved the pool I certainly wouldn't have. It rains and is cold cold at least once a week. People keep telling me I'll start to moan when summer really starts (although I won't), however I am now fearful it won't start and we've brought the British weather with us!
My thoughts mainly this week have been dominated by houses. I have come to the conclusion that we can only really be happy out here if we move. As I originally wanted to do right from the start, I think we would be better off in Mountain View. The schools are better and Sophia won't be in such a minority group, the journey to preschool will be 5 minutes instead of 20 and more than that we have met some lovely people that live in Mountain View and I feel we can be more part of the community than we are in Rivermark. Its not been an easy decision, we've only just moved in, but having said that all our stuff is still in boxes and we'd just have to hire a van and we'd be good to go. So anyway the landlord has been informed (pretty pissed off but thats life) and has already found new tenants! Things are moving so fast that it is quite worrying about getting something else sorted out but having said that feel like a huge weight has been lifted just knowing that we can leave. Operation house move now well and truly on, at least it will give me something to concentrate on!!
Sophia has now done 2 weeks of preschool and its been ok. She is not that fussed about it and says that daddy and her both do their 'jobs' together, its just something she has to get through. However I did know it would take time and she wouldn't settle in immediately, shes not that type of girl. When I ask her if she's talked to any of the children she says 'I forgot! I'll do it tomorrow'. I initially was not that impressed with the preschool itself but she had a bit of a wobble this week (which was actually down to a dodgy tummy although we didn't know at the time) and they actually dealt with it really well. Much better than at the start where when I picked her up she was sitting in a dark room whilst the rest of the kids 'napped'! I think its a time will tell kind of thing.
I have got my driving teat tomorrow, am verrry nervous. Its not that I can't do, I feel perfectly competent driving round every day but under pressure I feel sure I'm going to do something daft. Everyone keeps telling me how easy it is which doesn't really make things any easier. Have also got 'well care' checks for both the kids tomorrow afternoon, and as I fear they are just going to tell me about all the jabs the children need (America and England differ greatly on immunisations!) am not especially looking forward to that either!
Although it has been 3 weeks since I updated this I don't feel there is a great more to say. I am quite sadly looking forward to next week when Amercian Masterchef hosted by Gordon Ramsey starts! And brand 'new' X factor with Mr Cowell starts in the fall, as we're now on our umpteeth series am feeling America is a bit behind the times!
The kids in general seem a bit happier. Tommy is going through the 2 and half stage. He looks like an angel. Bright white hair and brown as a berry however he is acting a bit more like a devil child. Nothing is good enough and every sentence starts with 'I want!' However little old ladies do cross the street to talk to him (and his tow head?). Sophia is ok although I think if she could have an afternoon at Frasers or Brodens or Indis or Jessicas house it would make all the difference. 2 year olds are easily adaptable, 4 year olds are not! She did have a lovely afternoon this week playing with a little boy called Ben (whos English!) but she still needs a few more friends. I know it will happen (and for all of us) bit I'm not a very patient person so its still hard work!
Facebook is great but it does also inform you about all the things you are missing! Love to everyone back in England, we miss you all so much xx
Its been our first bank holiday weekend here (as I know it is at home too) but ours is for Memorial Day to remember all the troops who have given their lives for the country, a sombre day you would think, but the park down the road still managed a big fireworks display last night! It has been a lovely weekend though. We went down to Monterey Bay on Saturday to go to the aquarium (pics on facebook to follow) and had a fab day. We have spent the today with our new friends Greg and Emily, just hanging round in the sunshine (well the blustery sunshine) which too was great. The 3 days have just been over a bit too quickly as back to the grindstone tomorrow, oh well.
I have to say that one of the most disappointing things about California so far has been the weather. Early on we had a run of blisteringly hot days but since then its been pants. Yes, its mainly been in the low 20's and we all have dirty looking tans (T especially looks like he needs a good bath!) but I have to admit I expected more, its California for gods sake! Today started out like a British bank holiday but at 11 the sun broke through and it was pleasant but very windy and although some mad people braved the pool I certainly wouldn't have. It rains and is cold cold at least once a week. People keep telling me I'll start to moan when summer really starts (although I won't), however I am now fearful it won't start and we've brought the British weather with us!
My thoughts mainly this week have been dominated by houses. I have come to the conclusion that we can only really be happy out here if we move. As I originally wanted to do right from the start, I think we would be better off in Mountain View. The schools are better and Sophia won't be in such a minority group, the journey to preschool will be 5 minutes instead of 20 and more than that we have met some lovely people that live in Mountain View and I feel we can be more part of the community than we are in Rivermark. Its not been an easy decision, we've only just moved in, but having said that all our stuff is still in boxes and we'd just have to hire a van and we'd be good to go. So anyway the landlord has been informed (pretty pissed off but thats life) and has already found new tenants! Things are moving so fast that it is quite worrying about getting something else sorted out but having said that feel like a huge weight has been lifted just knowing that we can leave. Operation house move now well and truly on, at least it will give me something to concentrate on!!
Sophia has now done 2 weeks of preschool and its been ok. She is not that fussed about it and says that daddy and her both do their 'jobs' together, its just something she has to get through. However I did know it would take time and she wouldn't settle in immediately, shes not that type of girl. When I ask her if she's talked to any of the children she says 'I forgot! I'll do it tomorrow'. I initially was not that impressed with the preschool itself but she had a bit of a wobble this week (which was actually down to a dodgy tummy although we didn't know at the time) and they actually dealt with it really well. Much better than at the start where when I picked her up she was sitting in a dark room whilst the rest of the kids 'napped'! I think its a time will tell kind of thing.
I have got my driving teat tomorrow, am verrry nervous. Its not that I can't do, I feel perfectly competent driving round every day but under pressure I feel sure I'm going to do something daft. Everyone keeps telling me how easy it is which doesn't really make things any easier. Have also got 'well care' checks for both the kids tomorrow afternoon, and as I fear they are just going to tell me about all the jabs the children need (America and England differ greatly on immunisations!) am not especially looking forward to that either!
Although it has been 3 weeks since I updated this I don't feel there is a great more to say. I am quite sadly looking forward to next week when Amercian Masterchef hosted by Gordon Ramsey starts! And brand 'new' X factor with Mr Cowell starts in the fall, as we're now on our umpteeth series am feeling America is a bit behind the times!
The kids in general seem a bit happier. Tommy is going through the 2 and half stage. He looks like an angel. Bright white hair and brown as a berry however he is acting a bit more like a devil child. Nothing is good enough and every sentence starts with 'I want!' However little old ladies do cross the street to talk to him (and his tow head?). Sophia is ok although I think if she could have an afternoon at Frasers or Brodens or Indis or Jessicas house it would make all the difference. 2 year olds are easily adaptable, 4 year olds are not! She did have a lovely afternoon this week playing with a little boy called Ben (whos English!) but she still needs a few more friends. I know it will happen (and for all of us) bit I'm not a very patient person so its still hard work!
Facebook is great but it does also inform you about all the things you are missing! Love to everyone back in England, we miss you all so much xx
