Reptile Zoo

Sensed school has started not much has been going on outside our house. Kids get home around 3.30, I start making diner very shortly, then home work and before you know it it's bed time.
Troy and I have been talking about being better organized in planning our weeks. Neither one of us are planners, but leaving here is forcing us in learning how to be one. I have to say we are failing miserably, but we still trying!
This Saturday we went to Reptile Zoo. It's only about 10 or so minute drive from our house. It is a low key zoo (actually zoo is way to big of a name for it), kids had a great time being outside the house and doing something different. Here are some pictures of us and "others"



Kids all thought, this was the coolest snake ever!

I have seriously almost peed my pants, when I saw this creature. He is huge! And evil looking! And that tong.....gush! I'm glad he was inside the cage.



Troy and I have finally got church callings. I am a Youth Sunday School teacher(15-16 yrs olds) and Troy was called to be Young Men President. I'm REALLY excited for him!!!
I have always wondered WHY he never had callings with teenagers? I feel that he is so wonderful with them. Troy just has a nook for youth, he just knows how they feel and what they like. And he seems to always know how to talk to them so that they listen. Anyway, though, he has NEVER been in YM organization and now he has to be president, I feel that he will do nothing short of a brilliant job!!!! That's just how Troy is!
Though, we miss our home back home and being around our comforts and friends/family, we feel that being here has cause us to be a better latter-day-saints. This has somehow refined us (and we still in the proses of it) I can REALLY tell BIG difference in Troy (it started a few months before we left UT). At times when Troy speaks or does something, I have to stop and mentally register and accept this "new" men in my life. It's not that Troy ever locked any of this newly visual characteristics, its just they are really surfacing up this days and becoming who he is.
We really like our word here. People are really friendly and just lovely! They give you kisses on both cheeks. Which was odd at first but I am getting used to it now.
I have asked Troy if it's crazy to see other man kissing me? He said, it wasn't. I guess it's all in the Spirit of it!So that's good ;)Women here are SO blunt! Kind, soft spoken ( I cannot picture them yell), but very honest! Which makes me feel right at home! Troy is like that. Not the soft spoken part, but the blunt one! I always can count to know where I stand with him. I remember when we were dating, he would often take me by surprise with his comments. I would ask my self, if I like this guy or hate him! In the end, I end up marring him! Thank goodness! He is the best!
It's getting REALLY cold here, really fast! I'm actually excited to go shopping for boots. It's a must have item in here! And I am very excited to get dress coat for Troy. He is going to look really smart. (really nice).I love all the different way people are talking in here. But mostly I love that we have our own little 5 yr. old "British" girl in our house. I kid you not, Brooklyn is 100% perfect accent and all, British child. I know people wounder if she is ours when we on our outings. At times Troy and I just look at each other and laugh, in disbelief of her speech. She has always been the cause for laughter in our home and she sure is now.

School

September 2nd my three little birds had started Oakland's Primary School.
Back home Rylee would of gone to 4th grade, Drew to 2nd and Brooky would of started Kindergarten. However, because school system is slightly different here, Rylee went to what they call year 5, Drew is in year 3 and Brooklyn is in year 1. Not having any schooling she is going straight into 6.5 hrs/day of school. :(
I have spoke to the teachers and some school officials and they didn't think that academically it's going to be a problem. They had kids in the past from the US and they have always been able to catch up. So catching up we do: Drew---time's table. Brook--abc's, site words, reading. Rylee---she said she hasn't heard anything that she doesn't already know :) OoooKay!!! I mean, she was ahead in Reading, but "anything" ?
Hmmmm, I guess, we will have to wait and see.
As you may already know they have to wear uniforms and I just love that! First of all, it was soooo much chipper to do school shopping this year. Uniforms for Primary kids are dirt chip here, thank goodness! Their school colors are white, red, grey, black. They even have PE kits/clothes and book backs (back packs) in those colors. Also coats and jackets, the whole wardrobe is color coordinated.
It sure was a site to drop our kids off on the first day and see everyone dress so proper! Troy was trying to take some pictures, but was politely asked to stop doing it. It is against school security. Speaking of which, they are really streak about that in here. I can't just walk into school and bring my kids lunch box, if they forgot it at home. It's gated and locked! If I must see my child, I have to buz by the gate and tell them who I am and why I am here. And then they will buz me in and have me wait in the reception. I guess, I shouldn't complain about security and safety of my kids, I'm glad they have it. It's just different and so I am blogging about it. They are very health promoting in here as well. For example: Kids, can't bring sweets in their lunch boxes. They can't have PB&J, or sodas, or anything that has sugar in it. They must have water bottle to help them to stay hydrated. And they must bring fresh fruit for snack during their break. Also, kids can't throw a way anything from lunch box. They want parents to see how much lunch their kids eaten....
Well, I'm sure there is a lot more going on that is different, Rylee should update her blog. She will know much more, I'm sure. But here are some photos of the kids in their uniforms. I just think they are so cute. I have hard time not snapping a shot of every outfit they put on. Skirts,slacks, and dresses. Short sleeve blouse, long sleeve blouse. Grey cardigans, red cardigans. Knee high socks, or grey tights. You got the idea :)
Anyway, here they are, in some of the choices of clothing they can wear.

Brook: "Mom! Do you know what boy I like?"
Me: "The one who had his arm around you the whole time we were waiting for your teacher?"
Brook: "No. The one with LONG, DARK eyelashes!"
Great! She is only 5. I'm in trouble!

2 DAYS LATER....

Getting Brooklyn for bed...
"Mom, do you want to talk about school?"
Me: "Sure honey."
Brook:" Or we can just talk about that boy I like, his name is Will"

O, Dear!

We have sense learned his name is not Will, it's James :)

The hills are a live.....

On Wednesday was a last day of summer break for our kiddos, Troy had to work for a while and so we didn't make any grand plans, but later that day we decided to go on exploring our "back yard" inviting some of our dear neighborhood kids. It was a lot more of hills climbing then we thought we asked for, but we sure had such a good time. Eating wild black berries as we went. I love England's' country site!