We went with some friends to a Country Faire (which means lots of camoflauge and dogs) at Belvoir Castle. Zoe is on the swings next to Quentin- her family is American and she goes to Quentin's school. Mallory wanted a turn, too.
Other than that, I can't say that we've done anything too exciting lately. We've been adjusting to school, work, and getting over the many illnesses that are going around. It seems we're going to catch everything since we're in the mildew capital of the world and all the germs are unfamiliar. Except for Quentin, who's around germs all day long, all week long, but has managed to escape the recent family epidemics.
Quentin is on his "half-term break" which is a week off of school after about eight non-stop, crazy weeks. Since children go to school around here until late July, they get several week-long breaks during the school year. I love it. I think American children would benefit from this kind of schedule. Basically everyone parties like crazy for the six weeks between school years. It sounds just right to me.
The school where Quentin goes is a typical state-supported primary school. He wears a basic uniform everyday, and changes into indoor slippers when arriving. There are no school buses, so everyone walks or drives. I love this part of the English schools: there's such a sense of community when you see the same parents every day. It promotes school involvement, too.
This school (Edwalton Primary) is pretty unique, however, because it boasts the only working farm of any primary school in England. Children and adults look after the many animals daily, including two Kune pigs, six goats, one old sheep, and a dozen or so rabbits. The school will soon have chickens (which means fresh eggs!) Honey bees are also raised, but on a secluded part of school property, so fresh honey is always available to purchase. Edwalton has received several environmental awards due to their recycling and composting efforts. Children and adults are also encouraged to have a garden plot- there's a vegetable area, wildflower area, and various spots for children to tend on their own. Recently the cafeteria served corn from the vegetable plot.
This may sound like a state of the art, modern school, but really it's a small campus with average resources. And many walks of life are represented at this school. It does have its problems, like any other school. A few kids have been bullied, including Quentin when he tried to join in a soccer game during free time the second week of school. He was just trying to find a niche, and it broke my heart that he was rejected in such a horrible way. He's also friends with an American girl in another year 1 class and they have been taunted for being "lovers" by older kids. But these problems have passed and Quentin has found a really good friend in his class named Reilly. They are perfect for each other. I'm really glad that he chose a positive friendship over some of the not-so-good characters he was hanging around at first.
But overall, given the other school choices, Edwalton is the right school for us. I like that there are many clubs available to children; Quentin joined the soccer club which meets for an hour once a week just to play soccer. His class also goes to an indoor pool once a week (this has been really good for Quentin, but he still doesn't like to swim!) Last week the school held a "disco" fundraiser. "Fancy dress" was optional- I found out later that means costumes- and a DJ was on hand to entertain the kids. It was so much fun. Mallory went, too, and cut the rug with Quentin and friends on the dance floor.
The English schools are really different in how they are so laid back. For example, the children are just dismissed at the end of the school day. It's just assumed that if there's no grown-up for the child, and the child doesn't walk home usually, then someone will notice. There's just this assumption of best intentions by everyone. And the children are given three playtimes each day, one of which is after they eat school dinner (lunch). They can go anywhere on the school grounds with minimal supervision. (The school grounds include two large green fields, the animal pens/gardens, black top, and small wooded area. No playground except for monkey bars and a tunnel through some astro-turf. Lots of little niches in between trees, bushes.) This was confusing for Quentin at first- he got lost on the first day of school and reported to the office for help. But now he has the hang of it and really enjoys it. The kids get to pursue what they like during this time; in fact, some school clubs meet during these times for those who are interested. I like this attitude that children need "down time" and aren't over-scheduled. Quentin has utilized this time to be the ultimate Pokemon trader champion and he's made many friends this way.
Quentin's teacher, Mr. Jaycock, has been really supportive through this transition. It's been hard for Quentin, although he definitely likes school, to adjust to an all-day school with 250 students. His class alone has 30 students, some of whom have been to school for a year and a half. His class is a combined "year1/year2", so if we stayed here next year, he'd still be in this class with this teacher. (In England, you can enter reception- or kindergarten- the September or January after you turn 4. And Quentin has never been to kindergarten because of his November birthday. He's going to school for the first time although he's turning 6 in another month). So you can imagine that the other students know the routine! Quentin's doing great, but he's pretty exhausted and over-stimulated by the end of the day. I'm incredibly proud of him- I know he can do anything!
As for Mallory, she's pretty happy. She just turned 2 in September, and definitely acts that way! We attend two playgroups a week for toddlers and caregivers. One of them is at a church that was founded in the 13th-century! You can still see the original 13th-century walls! Next week she'll start two mornings per week in a playgroup for 2-5 year olds. (Not with caregivers.) I'm so excited- mommy needs a break! And she's ready, she just doesn't know it yet. She's so funny- and loud!- I wish you all could see her. You probably can hear her. She's definitely related to my side of the family.
Emil's staying busy at work. We're hoping that he can take a week off in November so we can travel. For Christmas we'll spend a week in a furnished apartment within the medieval walls of York. Then it's home for the kids and me! Yes, I'm coming to the states in early January for about two weeks. Most of the time will be spent in Lynchburg, but I am definitely going to come to Richmond for a little bit. I'm going to shop, shop, shop, because things here are SO expensive and a few things are hard to find.
I'm feeling homesick for my family, friends, and house, but I do like it here. We just need better parking, longer hours for shopping/services, and few more restaurants that are child-friendly. We've made friends and live in a good location. I did have mouse poop in my laundry recently- my laundry room is separate from my house- so I could do without the critters, but even this house is turning out to be a good thing.
Much love to everyone!
