Small Ponies. Big Dreams.

Shetland Pony Club, Cobham, Surrey

We had a weekend planned that sounded amazing on paper: French toast breakfasts, Legoland, Pizza Delivery, and a Pony Party. Yet still it had some tense moments. I often obsess about timing and plans. I like to have every minute planned with rationale. This doesn’t always stop me/us from being late, but in my mind it helps keep us moving forward in an organized (read: controlled) manner. This is the controlling part of me. I like to control what each of us does all the time. Sometimes this is helpful, but often it doesn’t go over the way I intend.

I’ll spare you the details, but I’ll just say that Saturday got off to a rough start. Nevertheless, we continued to LegoLand for a very crowded day at the park. Dave and I ended the day watching, “The Game.” We were still a bit edgy with each other, but didn’t go to bed mad.

And then came Sunday. The Pony Party.

Small ponies…Big dreams.

That’s what the brochure said. K2 was invited to his very first pony party. Twins in his class invited both Pre-K classes (18 children) to ride ponies for their birthday. We didn’t know what to expect, but I had a feeling it would not be the deal where ponies are hooked up to a turnstyle and simply go around and around. I was right. 

This was straight up “Legends of the Fall” territory but mini. Possibly the most adorable event I have ever seen. Each child had a pony that they helped groom, saddle, bridle, and feed. It was very hands on and wonderful. The kids rode around the Surrey hills while K2 played back at the ranch. K1’s pony’s name was Batman. He loved that. The adults had sparkling beverages while we sat waiting on couches made of hay bales. The event finished off with a snack box, fancy cupcakes and goody bags. I have to say, it was a magical event for the kids AND the adults. At least for me anyway. A pony party was something in my 6 year old dreams. 

So perhaps the lesson I need to walk away with is to try to let go of my need to control everything and remember to just let things fall into place. Small ponies. Big dreams.

What am I good at?

Hampton Park Palace

All teachers need to have an after-school duty/activity that they lead or assist at least two afternoons per week until 5pm. I need to do this for two out of three trimesters. After looking at the list of opportunities when I first arrived, I chose to assist with middle school yoga and couldn’t wait for class to begin. Unfortunately, it never did. They didn’t need me after all. 

So then I was tapped to lead Lower School Art Club. Yeah Right. They obviously haven’t seen my version of an art project. The parents would have rebelled in no time when kids started coming home with plates of glitter and yarn. I declined the invitation. So…I ended up without an activity to be a part of for the Fall Trimester. In the grand scheme of things, this worked out well because I have more time to figure out how life works here and juggle kid transportation at the end of the day.

But recently I started stressing again. What activity could I be a part of for the winter and spring trimesters? The activities secretary just emailed and asked if I’d coach cheerleading. Um, NO. It would be fun for about 15 minutes. I learned that from my short stint as a dance coach for EHS.

I proposed a study skills class for struggling learners in the middle school…but there really aren’t too many struggling learners so it was rejected.

As I sat brooding about the options, my co-worker posed the question, “What are you good at?” Huh. I was stumped. What am I good at? Really good at? I don’t sew. I’m not crafty. There’s no sport I’m knowledgeable enough to coach. Kind of depressing.

I came home and posed the question to Dave, “What am I good at?” Funny how I couldn’t think of anything and immediately he responded with “service.” Ding, ding, ding. Yes! I love to serve and volunteer. I love working with people. I love helping. And yes, I think I’m good at it. So…I reached out to the woman who runs the service trips and service learning department and low and behold she’s in need of some help! We met and hit it off right away. Deep exhale of relief and happiness.

I will take on the service learning component for the lower school (elementary), help with the K-12 service learning vision, and international student service learning conference held at TASIS this coming February. I am SO excited. I can do this. I’m good at it.

And finally, the flea update you’ve been waiting for: THE NEW CARPET IS IN!!! The fleas are dead and gone and we can sweep our kitchen floor now without finding cat hair everywhere! Life is good.

Hampton Court Palace

Tour of Britain

Thorpe Park Triathlon (Sprint Distance)

Meal from one of our favorite Indian restaurants. We can walk there AND I can speak Bangla with the servers. Love it.

The cake at the birthday party Kaler attended last weekend. 18 kids. Wow.

One month.

Our new Banksy wall decal helps bring the place to life.

One month. We’ve been in our home for one month! I think we can all agree that it feels like longer. I’ll refer back to my second blog post when I talked about the ‘settling in’ period. I think we are pretty much settled at this point. We are receiving junk mail in my name, we have a morning routine that’s solid, we’ve had the obligatory once a month trip to London, Dave has a group bike ride that he likes, I’ve found a Monday night yoga class that I think will work, K1 loves his uniform, and I’ve already made a couple Sunday “roasts” (none involved roasts) and I even threw in a French yoghurt cake this week. I know. Who am I? And why didn’t I know what a springform cake tin was before? That thing is amazing!

We’re feeling better. Dave and I even got to go out on a date this week. We took a babysitter recommendation and she was a hit with the kids.

 

K2 at the Princess Diana of Wales memorial playground

Little things are still more stressful than we’d like them to be, but much of that can be attributed to the fact that K2 is 19 months old and has NO FEAR. This is the stage when people cave and buy a child-leash. I can’t do that, but I think I might buy an Ergo baby carrier. I know he’s not a baby, but he’s well below the max weight limit. You see, K2 launches himself out of the stroller and will run like the wind into oncoming traffic or a lake. He’s a babbling ball of energy and love. Thank God for our childminder, Jenny. She’s a star and we adore her. She takes care of K2 while we’re working, along with her son and another little girl; both are two. That’s it. Daycare ratios in the UK are wonderfully low. Expensive, but I like the value. Jenny sends us photos and texts daily, spends a lot of time outdoors, and can do great voices for book characters!

 

Double-decker bus! 

Saturdays seem to be our excursion day and Sunday is the day to stick close to home. I like this. Last week we scrapped the Hampton Court Palace plan to go into London to meet friends and yesterday we ventured south to Littlehampton beach. It was about 71 degrees and we wanted to take advantage of the balmy weather. The kids are good car travelers (they are strapped in), and we enjoy seeing the countryside. We continue to be amazed with the number of roundabouts and narrow little roads. It seems there is no straight shot to anywhere. And driving on the left feels almost normal. I guess that means we’re settled.

Sitting on the longest bench in the world! Littlehampton, UK

A Day of Firsts

Windsor Castle

Today is officially the first day of school for students at TASIS and this includes K1. It's his first day in pre-kindergarten. It’s also my birthday. Yup. Every year I get the fun of pretending that having my birthday in the midst of school chaos with gifts of back to school clothes and back to school ice cream socials en lieu of birthday parties. 

As an adult, I find it’s a hard time of year to plan something special. People are busy. And tired. I am also one of those people. So tonight we sat down to a fancy crock pot dinner of chicken korma that Dave thankfully put together. I added the brown rice once I got home from school with the boys. The best part was the chocolate cake that Dave picked up, but decorated himself! K2 dove in as if it was his first piece of cake ever. His clothes were promptly put in the washing machine.

K1's classroom.
He's on the top floor of a quirky old building.

 

K1's breakfast with dad in TASIS dining hall

This is the wellie room. Please don't put your wellies on the ledge!

We’ve had our first visitor! Molly, Dave’s cousin, came to see us on her way into London for a work this past Sunday. She brought our final suitcase filled with coats and clothing for winter AND Annie's mac n' cheese and Jif crunchy peanut butter. Thank God.

We ventured out to Windsor again. This time we saw the inside of the castle and then picnicked on the green. This upcoming weekend we are excited to see friends of mine from the Peace Corps who are travelling through on their way to a sabbatical year in Spain. We hope to meet at Hampton Court Palace, also a 20 minute drive from us. Love that! 

Dave has finally been able to get out on his bike. Biking is a bit frightening here as there aren't really any shoulders and bike paths are minimal. Still, he's figuring it out. He rode with two of my colleagues' husbands. Sounds like they like having him on board since he pushes them faster than they'd normally go. 

Now let me take you back to school for a moment as I reflect on the changes for my own profession this year. I have to say that I have never felt so welcomed, included, and special by a school or employer before. Sure, TASIS has some money to throw around, but they are intentional about spending it as well as time with their new staff. We have had loads of barbecues with amazing cheeses and wines, an opening banquet with champagne, and even a welcome bag for the new families. The welcoming picnic for students and families had bounce houses and a DJ. I truly feel like I was asked here for a reason and that the school is happy to have me. I already feel appreciated and I haven’t even done anything!

I didn’t get the marching band welcome that Edina has each year, but I didn’t need it. It would have been too loud…I’m still recovering from all that wine and champagne. Truly though, the faculty and staff have gone above and beyond to make me feel at home. 

Finally, what you are all waiting for…an update on the flea issue. Our place was fumigated on Monday and we’re getting new carpet in about two weeks. Our new ikea furniture covers just showed up too, so we’re feeling a lot better. K1’s bites are all scabbed over and slowly disappearing. You can take my word for it. I’ll spare you the photos. Cross your fingers that we are flea free by this time next week.

Stress and Amusement. Repeat.

Tea at the Headmaster's House

The tea.

I’ve broken down… porridge for breakfast on Monday, eggs and beans on toast Tuesday morning, and nutella with peanut butter on demand. I think K2 is the biggest fan of English breakfasts. K1 will barely try the beans. Since we are trying get back to what we consider to be normal, I just resurrected my morning blender routine today. YUM! Banana, today’s berry (raspberry), almond milk, and peanut butter. That and a cup of coffee; I’m feeling great. I’ll have to look for some flax or chia to throw in as well!

K2 had a three hour settling in period with his child minder this past week. K1 was so excited to see other children and new toys that he asked to stay for a few hours as well. SOLD! I had three hours of freedom and my kids were in heaven.

This “settling in” period is very common here with everything from a child minder to a new job to a new house. I like the phrase. That’s what we’re doing…settling in. And we are actually doing it in fast forward. Most Brits are amazed at how quickly we’ve been able to purchase a car and get phone contracts, when we feel like it has taken ages. I think Dave and I just have the desire to feel settled in on all accounts. We need to hang some art, modernize a bit, and establish our routines. This will come. We need to relax and enjoy this process a bit. I think that’s possible. We waffle between stress and amusement daily.

Amusement is going to our first car boot sale Saturday morning and finding a bike for K1, a trike for K2 and Buddha statue (Peace & Tranquility) for the garden. Stress is waiting for a week to get my PIN # for my bank card only to have to have one re-issued. And it seems not much can be done without a PIN # around here!

Amusement is Dave and K1 taking an evening walk to a local pub where Dave can have a pint and K1 can climb on the outdoor climbing structures. Stress is when our Garmin takes us in circles and we can’t NOT follow it. 

Amusement is the new zip line at Gogmore Park behind our house. Dave has romanced it a bit with this video of K1’s first zip line experience.

K's World on a String

The front (street-side) of the house. Stunning, I know.

Stress is finding out that our house has a “slight” flea problem. Gross. Gross. Itchy. Gross. Poor K1 has gotten the bulk of the bites, but we’re dealing with it and our tiny washing and drying machines have worked overtime today. The previous tenants had two cats. Flea infested cats.

 

Our garden.

But…then amusement came when we took our first excursion late this afternoon to Windsor. Only a 20 minute drive and there we were on the Queen’s doorstep. We didn’t go in the castle today; running back and forth on the long walk was all the fun the boys needed. While watching them run, I had that moment I’ve been waiting for. My eyes got a little teary and my heart got squishy. Thankful for the choices we’ve made and energized for many more moments to come.

Windsor

Look closely in the left-hand corner. This was heaven for the boys.