Hello again from England! Things are starting to look a little bit Christmas-y around here, and the Christmas preparations are in full swing. The children are all in some sort of Christmas production, I've been doing a bit of Christmas shopping, and there seems to be less homework coming back from school. I've even managed to get a few parcels in the mail. The Christmas cards are a little slower going though. Hopefully I'll get to them in the next few days...Before I go any further I'd like to say a quick hello to my Grandmother, Evelyn. I know she has
been faithfully reading our blog from her hospital room, as she's been recovering from a few things. I hear that she is being well taken care of, and there's a physio paying her a regular visit. So... Hi Gram!! Hope you are doing well! We've been thinking of you lots and lots, and saying good words to the Big Guy Upstairs for you. The kids, Tom and I send our love, hugs and kisses to you and hope you'll be up and about again soon. (picture to right is 'Nana' with my nephew Zachary)We had a visitor of a different sort at our house over the past few weeks... Mr. Influenza came to call. Kate was sick for four days, then a week later I was down for 2, and while I was recovering Shane caught it. Needless to say we were all a bit miserable, and our daily routine was knocked off kilter for a few weeks. The laundry never seemed to end (does it ever??). I'm happy to say that we're all healthy now, and are glad Mr. Influnza has moved on!
As some of you know, Delaney's 9th birthday is fast approaching. As the Christmas season is so busy, we decided to hold her birthday party a little early this year. On Nov 24th, our house transformed into Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and 8 first years made it 
onto Platform 9 3/4 and entered the school. We paid a quick visit to Olivander's Wand Shop where the students made their very own wand (see pic above), and played Sorting Hat Sillies (my version of 'Gossip'). After a game of 'Who's Hedwig' we went by the 'Fat Lady' to potions class (see pic to right). Finally we were off to the Great Hall for Potter's pizza and Hogwart's cake. There were Bertie Botts' beans, and cauldrons filled with real quills, 
spiders and Harry Potter sitckers. Everyone had a great time, especially Delaney. Even Tom and I got into the spirit and were dressed as professors!While I was languishing on the couch with the flu, Tom was off 
with the college on a trip to Poland to visit the Auschwitz concentration camp. It was part of the Ethics component of his course. As you can see by the photos it was a stark, bleak place. According to Tom, the anguish of millions of victims of the Nazi regime is still very palpable as you walk around the grounds. 
Although depressing, it's something everyone should see, and no one should forget.
with the college on a trip to Poland to visit the Auschwitz concentration camp. It was part of the Ethics component of his course. As you can see by the photos it was a stark, bleak place. According to Tom, the anguish of millions of victims of the Nazi regime is still very palpable as you walk around the grounds. 
Although depressing, it's something everyone should see, and no one should forget. On a lighter note, the morning after Tom returned from his trip I was up and en route to 
Germany on a Christmas Markets (Weinacht markts)tour. Thankfully I had recovered from my bug and ready for a little holiday on my own. The coach bus took us from London down to Dover area, and then onto the Eurotunnel train. This was really cool. The entire bus just drove into the end of a train car, and then down through the cars to where we were to stop. Then the train closed up, and the entire train was off. Down below the English Channel we went, and half an hour later up we popped into France. Quick and easy, but a little unnerving if you're claustrophobic.
We spent the rest of the day winding our way through the pouring rain down through France, in to Belgium and then across into Germany. Our main stopping place was Trier, on the Moselle river. Over the next two days we visited Markets in Cochem(see photo, below right), Bernkastle(above,right), Koblenz and of course Trier. You can see views of the Trier Market at: http://www.trierer-weihnachtsmarkt.de/en/ . As the markets tend to be up for several weeks, the stalls are generally made out of wood and decorated with pine boughs and lights. Even though we were getting rain instead of snow, they were all very pretty to see. We also had a wine-tasting experience at a small winery (see left), and a city tour of Trier. Trier is an old 
Roman city, and although time and war have taken their toll, there are still huge 2000 year old city gates as you enter the pedestrian streets, ruins of Roman baths, and portions of the city wall still standing. Everywhere we went to see the markets we saw beautiful churches, half timbered buildings and cobblestone streets. Lovely.
Germany on a Christmas Markets (Weinacht markts)tour. Thankfully I had recovered from my bug and ready for a little holiday on my own. The coach bus took us from London down to Dover area, and then onto the Eurotunnel train. This was really cool. The entire bus just drove into the end of a train car, and then down through the cars to where we were to stop. Then the train closed up, and the entire train was off. Down below the English Channel we went, and half an hour later up we popped into France. Quick and easy, but a little unnerving if you're claustrophobic.
We spent the rest of the day winding our way through the pouring rain down through France, in to Belgium and then across into Germany. Our main stopping place was Trier, on the Moselle river. Over the next two days we visited Markets in Cochem(see photo, below right), Bernkastle(above,right), Koblenz and of course Trier. You can see views of the Trier Market at: http://www.trierer-weihnachtsmarkt.de/en/ . As the markets tend to be up for several weeks, the stalls are generally made out of wood and decorated with pine boughs and lights. Even though we were getting rain instead of snow, they were all very pretty to see. We also had a wine-tasting experience at a small winery (see left), and a city tour of Trier. Trier is an old 
Roman city, and although time and war have taken their toll, there are still huge 2000 year old city gates as you enter the pedestrian streets, ruins of Roman baths, and portions of the city wall still standing. Everywhere we went to see the markets we saw beautiful churches, half timbered buildings and cobblestone streets. Lovely.On the way back from Trier we spent the morning in a small town called Monschau. It was beautiful, nestled in between steep hills, with lovely market stalls and good food. I would highly recommend a visit if you're ever nearby. There's also a glass factory there with exhibitions of glass blowing techniques. http://www.monschau.de/tourist-information/ver_weihnachtsmarkt.php . Check out the pictures on the website to get an idea of the setting if you get a chance.
Delaney had entered a Christmas Card design competetion a few weeks ago. Her picture was picked as a 'highly commended' runner up, and was on the back of the cards with a few other runner ups. If I can get a copy I'll try to scan it and pop it on the blog. Both Delaney and Shane had successful auditions for the school choir and will be singing in several events over the few weeks. Kate was selected as 'angel 4' in her school play, which will be presented next week. All three children have been working very hard at all of their school work, coming home with more 'house 
points' than we can keep track of. All of them have been stepped up in both literacy and math work levels, and seem to be more challenged lately. They love school and continue to be happy there.
points' than we can keep track of. All of them have been stepped up in both literacy and math work levels, and seem to be more challenged lately. They love school and continue to be happy there.Unfortunately, we had a bit of a shocker this week. On Wednesday (two days ago) I took Kate in for a check up as she had been loosing a bit of weight, which for Kate is concerning. The doctor had us do a urine sample before we left the clinic, just to be sure. Shortly after I got home and she was at school, I got a call from the doctor telling me to take her immediately to the hospital. We went, she had a few more blood tests, and by mid afternoon she had been positively diagnosed with Type 1 (Juvenile) Diabetes. Needless to say it's been a bit of an emotional roller-coaster. She is now home (well, at school right now...) and requires four insulin injections a day, and blood testing at least 4 times a day. For those of you who aren't familiar with this type of diabetes, it's a permanent, life long disease-- there is no known cure. She will always need the injections.
Kate has taken it all in stride, and we have adopted the 'nothing-we-can-do-about-it-so-let's-just-get-on-with-it' attitude. The blood testing is virtually painless, but she's not very keen on the needles. Nothing major, just a little anxious for a minute or so. The staff at the hospital were absolutely amazing. Kate didn't want to leave!! She did crafts, watched a magician show, and loved the hospital food. We have been hooked up with a diabetes care team at the hospital and have had tons of support and information. British national health care pays for all of the supplies, so that has been one less worry for the time being too. Our friends and family (at least those who we've had time to tell) have been incredibly supportive. Our local 'military family' have done everything in their power to help us, and we've been overwhelmed by offers of help and support. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
So, there is our life in a nutshell for the past few weeks! Life is never dull, that's for sure. I think we're all looking forward to a little break over Christmas. I haven't had time to even start decorating(let alone clean...) so that's what's on the agenda for the next few days. I hope you are all well, and are enjoying the preparations for the holiday season.
Cheers,
B
1 comment:
I love your blog! I will try embedding pics in the text next time. Sure makes it better to look at. Except for that one with the Air Force Lt Col in it.
AJ
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