Ex Ex Pat Scheiners

 The kids got out of school for Christmas Break last Friday, December 18.  Lauren said it didn't really feel like Christmas Break because they didn't actually leave school.  When she was at her school in London, the occasion was marked by a trip to Starbucks on the last day followed by a selfie to mark the occasion.  I wonder if that even happened this year. On Friday, Drew got into a small fight with his friends and he got upset and decided to spend the night at Mum Mum's house.  (Since then, they have had made up, had another argument and made up again!)  Lauren was called back for the audition for the show at the local arts center.  She was really nervous, but she was very chatty when I collected her.  I think she needed that high that comes from doing something that you love but is also outside of your comfort zone. (We have since found out that she didn't get cast in the show, but I am SO proud of her for auditioning and I hope she will audit...

When we lived in Louisville before, I would always get together with mom, Anne and Sarah to make lots and lots of Christmas cookies.  It is a great way to get in the festive mood.  It was usually during the day so the girls were in school.  One of the benefits of NTI is that the girls were able to help us this year. Mom did some research and found recipes so the cookies could be eaten by all the kids (gluten, egg and nut free)!  And they all turned out great.   Acrhie wasn't really sure what to make of all the excitement and people in the kitchen!  The kitchen worked out great because of the two large double ovens. We made the following: chocolate chip snowballs, cherry and chocolate cookies, sugar cookies with homemade icing, cranberry starts, chocolate brownie cookies.  Yum, Yum, Yum!! So fun to be able to partake in some of the old traditions.

 The first of December was momentous as it snowed!  Not much, but enough to have a nice white covering over everything.  Archie was not really sure what to think of it.  He was running around and jumping.  The kids had a small snowball fight with the neighbors. Archie's new favourite hiding spot! There is a man in our neighborhood who dresses up like Santa and sits on his front porch during December.  The neighborhood chat group was going crazy the first night that he came out.  We were coming home from a trip to Target the other day, and he was outside.  The kids humored me and I got a great photo of them with Santa.  It just might be the last year for that, so thankful to get a good one without having to wait in line or pay an exorbitant amount for a Santa's grotto.  Although I suppose this year, most of the Santas I have seen are behind plexi-glass. My favourite room in our new house is complete!  We were unsure at first what we ...

 It is hard to believe it is already December.  November is always full of big events: 2 birthdays and Thanksgiving.  This year was the added excitement of the election that went on for 5 extra days.  And then throw in virtual school for the second half of the month and it's was a bit crazy!  But fun as well. DREW'S BIRTHDAY For Drew's birthday, it was election day.  I am sure there is some math problem that will figure out the next time his birthday will be on the day of a presidential election; but I can't be bothered to figure that out.  Also, did you know that election day is the first Tuesday following Monday in November (as in, election day could never be the November 1.)  I had to look it up, it will be 2048, in 28 years. We celebrated Drew's birthday a couple days early with Mum Mum and the Deans since they were here.  Drew was SO excited when he opened Mum Mum's card and it had a $50 bill inside!  I don't think he had ever seen ...

Here is a photo of the first time we went into London as a family a few days after we arrived to begin our ex-pat experience as well as a photo of the last time we went into London as a family a few days before we ended our ex-pat experience.  The kids all look so much more mature and worldly.  What an amazing 5 years and 8 months it was. I remember feeling anxious and unsure about what to expect, but even more than anxious, I felt excited and grateful for the chance to experience living in a different country and the opportunity for the kids to understand the diversity of the world. Moving back here to Louisville has been different than any of the other moves.  For the first time, I moved to a place that was familiar and already like home.  Although we moved into a different neighborhood, I still know where the closest Kroger and Target are; I know the schools that the kids will attend; I know which doctors to call for appointments.   While Louisville is m...

The struggles I have are very minor compared to many people out there who are struggling to pay bills, sort out childcare, mourn the loss of loved ones.  And I have so many reasons to be thankful! Being here in Louisville with my mom is what I am most grateful for right now.  She is mourning the loss of her dear friend who had a long battle with lung cancer.  I am so thankful the kids and I can be here to distract her and spend time with her.  She came over last week, and brought some tulip bulbs for us to plant, which was good.  The dirt here is SO full of clay, I got a great arm workout with the bulb planter. Here are few thoughts from me today. The struggle to get out of bed everyday, because my bed is so warm and cozy and it's dark outside.  Thankfully, I have a dog who greets me with a wagging tail and lots of kisses and I have coffee to help me welcome the morning.  And a husband who does not usually leave for work until after 8 AM. The struggle ...

 NTI.....Non-Traditional Instruction (aka the kids are all back at home to learn.)  Apparently it also stands for Nuclear Threat Initiative, as in there is a threat of WW III in my house at times!   I will say I am enjoying being able to sleep in, as I don't have to wake Drew up until 7 AM now because his day starts with a morning meeting at 7:45 AM.  Drew has periodic lessons with his teacher over Google meet and then they do assignments either on line or in their books and then re-convene later.  His teacher always starts the meet a few minutes early in the morning so they can get all their chatting out, which is a great idea for 8/9 year olds.  And she always starts the day with a riddle. The girls get awoken around 9, as their first meet us not until 10.  Alison made an interesting comment yesterday that she didn't recognise one of the boys in her class because he didn't have a mask on.  How strange that they have never seen each others s...