Spring is Coming

We see signs of spring like daffodils, buds on the trees, more sunshine, and baby sheep but it comes slowly and mixed with days of snow and wind as we had this weekend.


It's lambing season so many fields have little tiny white dots next to big white dots - babies with their mums as they say here. My family appreciates the cute little lambs but I've been driving them crazy wanting to get some pictures. I've stopped on the roadside to snap pictures of espcially cute 'little guys' as we call them. Last week I made Dennis turn around so I could have some pictures of these cute little white ones. Aren't you glad he humored me and went back so you could see them?

This one reminds us of our little Bichon, Buddy, because he used to lay like this and we called him our 'little lambie'.

The grass is always green here due to the rain but now the green is covered with lemon yellow daffodils by the hundreds! It's so inspirational and uplifting. I can see why Lake District poet, William Wordsworth penned his famous Daffodils poem.

Daffodils by William Wordsworth

I WANDER'D lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,

Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the Milky Way,
They stretch'd in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:

Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.
The waves beside them danced; but they
Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:
A poet could not but be gay,

In such a jocund company:
I gazed—and gazed—but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:
For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.

Losing Streak Ends

After losing every soccer match this year but not losing heart, Nathan's team, the Whitehaven Ameteurs, finally won a game 2-nil. Rain, sleet or snow - light or dark, they play 'football' over here. Nathan doesn't seem to mind one bit what the weather is. Well, there was one match where it was sleeting in temperature hovering in the low 30's when he was goalie and his hands hurt - he didn't like that much.

He plays to enjoy the moment which is a great lesson for people like me who lose sight of the real goal. One day in the fall before Na was moved to goalie, he got to start as a mid-fielder. After a few minutes he asked the coach to go out because he was having a hard time breathing. Once he got his breath back he started goofing around with the other guys on the sideline, not even watching the game. I found myself getting increasingly aggitated with him thinking, "Nathan, support your team, get back to the sidelines ready to go back in, stop playing around, go stand by the coach." Mind you, he was kicking the ball and having a great time; it was mom with the problem. I wanted him in the game, exceling. How warped is that - no wonder kids are all hung up on winning instead of enjoying the game. I had a little chat with myself to regain perspective and let Nathan be a kid enjoying the sport. After the half, the coach put him back in the game and he played in fullblast Nathan style. It was a moment I won't forget.

Getting my foot in the school door

.

It has taken some adjusting to schools that are not used to much parent involvement. In the fall I kept offering my services to Nathan's teacher usually to be told, we've got it covered except for an occasional bulletin board she would have me make. In November, she told me if I wanted to help I had to have a police background check. Thus began the process of being 'cleared'. No one is allowed with students without the check which I have to agree in this day and age is a necessary protection. In January, I got a call from the headteacher (principal), Mr. Monaghan, to come in and discuss ways to be involved. His first assignment for me was to fill in for the receptionist out for surgery three afternoons a week for one month. Knowing I am a teacher, he apologized that it wasn't in a classroom but thought it would be a good way to meet the staff and get a feel for the school. I agreed as long as he knew I might have a hard time understanding people on the phone, didn't know my way around the school or the staff. He assured me that was fine. It was a good intro. Though I do have a few pointers on efficiency and cleanliness at the school, I was impressed with the upbeat and engaging atmosphere. Mr. Monaghan, seems to know something personal and positive to ask each one that walks past him. He's a sporty guy always dressed in a suit with a purple tie.(school colors) It was actually fun working there though I did frustrate a few people that phoned when I had to ask them several times to repeat their request. I kept saying, "I'm new, my apologies." The receptionist is back and I am now helping just once a week in the second and third grade rooms. I'm working with small groups, one on one, or constructing and putting up bulletin boards so far. It's fun.

At the girls' school, St. Bees, apparently I'm not the only parent who doesn't know other parents. We received a letter from their head introducing a new parent organization forming called Friends of St. Bees to allow parents to plan social events and assist the school with functions. Naturally, I jumped into that group while it was in its infancy. Our first school function was providing 'sweets' and coffee /tea after a music concert. One of the American wives, Marlene, helped me make over 200 hundred Snickerdoodles. I helped one of the British moms make pans of brownies. The support was much appreciated and warmly received. The music teacher told me that was the first time in 27 years he had ever had someone offer to help like that. We have our first social event tonight. My days at Westminster working with the parent's organization are coming back. Just like then, we are running into 'glitches' organizing events for the first time but it's still a great platform to get to know the families at the school. Still, it's good to get a foot in the door.

A Day in the Life of an American-British School Girl by Julieanne

Allow me to walk you through my day on a Tuesday. Once you look at my schedule you may think that I picked a busy day but this is one of my shortest days of the week.

First I wake up at 7:20 and I start to get dressed (tights, kilt, blouse, tie, sweater, blazer, shoes, and hair pulled back). I walk down our 42 stairs to eat a breakfast of a Clementine or a fruit bar. After I’ve finished this, I walk back up our 42 stairs to brush my teeth. I go back down our 42 stairs and practice guitar till the rest of the family is ready to go. I happen to be a little bit paranoid when it comes to being late so I make sure that Anna Catherine doesn’t get any more sleep than I do. In other words, I don’t allow her to sleep in at all.

Once we get to school at 8:15, Anna Catherine and I hurry off to registration (like taking roll) at 8:20. After registration we go to assembly for 15 minutes and then off we go to our first classes. My first class is geography then French then R.S (religious studies) then its time for morning break. During this they usually serve toast or scones with the always popular black currant juice. 15 minutes later I’m off to Latin, ohh fun -those Latain endings are killing me right now. Then maths I mean math begins. (English is my favorite class but I don't have that one on Tuesdays. I like it because Mrs. Rowe makes it fun and interactive. Right now, we're doing a play by Shakespeare)

Now it’s time for lunch which lasts for 30 minutes. We have the option of eating in the salad room or 'hot room'. The hot room mostly serves hot cooked foods and the cold room serves salad or sanwiches. I personally prefer the salad room because it’s brighter and less crowded.

'Woo hoo' it’s now time for French but immediately after that there’s a break that lasts an hour and I usually rehearse with my 2 good friends Siobhan (left)and Chloe(right). That’s pronounced Sha von.
After break it’s off to double art or as they say ‘awt’ we have a very interesting teacher. And yet again we have math for the last class of the day until 4 pm.

But that’s not all. We now have activities which change every term. I have squash which is alot like wall ball and requires this lovely "games kit" or uniform on Tuesdays . At 5:30, it’s finally time to go home in the dark. Once we’ve said our goodbyes, we go home and eat, do our homework, and go to bed. And it happens all over again for 5 whole days.

Now I hope you understand a little bit better what a British girl’s school days look like at St. Bees.