Seeing Snow fall for the first time

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This morning it snowed and when the girls woke up they raced out to the tiny courtyard and made a snowgirl (see photo) Then we hurried out to enjoy a slow walk to school. When we arrived it seemed that all the other kids had the same idea and so a hilarious morning of snowballs, laughing and playing ensued.

The girls started school on Tuesday and the moods of the classroom have remained the same since then. Lauren's is chatty and friendly and she is really happy with her new school and friends. She already has a party to go to this Saturday (help me think up some ideas for the theme.."come as something beginning with the first letter of your name. I thought she could wear a yellow top and say she was a lemon but she wasn't impressed.) The work at school is fairly easy but she is totally clueless about the main topic this term...King Henry the VIII and his 6 wives, and rich and poor tudors. Afraid I can't help her out there either.Today she even went on an excursion to Hampton Court Palace for the day (mum forgot to give her spending money for the souvenir shop...the only one who forgot :-(

Christine's work is challenging but even more, the homework is astronomical. the teacher gave her a writing task on the first day that took an Hour! They do homework every day and also weekend projects as well. The great news is she is rising to the challenge. The two girls have swapped focus, Lauren talks about her friends and Christine talks about the work she is doing at school. I'm impressed at how she is handling it all. The school assumed she would be in the top maths group but she has since been moved to the middle group. This has been a bit of a shock to Christine and so suddenly she has had to put some effort into school. ....a great shock to her system (and a very positive one.)

On Monday and Tuesday I went off on my search for our new home. It took me two days and so now we have a great flat two streets from the school and at an excellent rent. The girls love it and so do we and we can't wait to move in next Thursday. Jenni (and Rick) wrote us a character reference that got us our new home so that was fantastic.
Herve is meeting with agents and organizing his contract. there is a lot of work coming with the new year and so it looks very positive for a good contract in a week or two.

I've also checked out a local English school but I've said I'm not available until I've sorted out a few things (and so I can look around a bit first) I still have to do some visa stuff, organise Christine's high school for September and do my last two assignments for the gifted certificate.

So, in general a positive beginning and surprisingly easy. the weather is now freezing. Biting cold winds that totally destroyed my cheap umbrella and almost sent Christine flying across the street. The temperature forecast for the weekend is 1*C . but no snow.

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Photos

Snow girls
Here are the girls in front of some snow fall in Hammersmith

Snow girls
Here we are walking to snow early to wonder at the beautiful snow. We are apparently very lucky to have come at the right time!

Making snowgirls
Here are the girls collecting the precious flakes to make their little snowgilrs