Week Two

Lots more firsts this week - Charlotte has visited her first play group which she loved, lots of parks and the library story and craft time.  She has had a great week.  Martin picked up a trailer bike to put on the back of his bike at Ben's new schools' Spring carnival and so they have been able to get out and about more this week. 

The Spring Carnival at Ben's school was amazing - we arrived just before ten when it was supposed to begin and there were already lots of people there!  There was so much to see - a Pets Corner, cake stalls with home made produce, cafes, a barbeque area, lots of craft stalls, second hand clothes and a 'Trash and Treasure' area.  All Charlotte wanted to do was play on the park equipment of course so I spent most of my morning watching her, whilst Ben and Martin looked around the carnival.  The school raised about $37,000 to go towards school funds which is staggering!  There is obviously a lot of support for schools in the ACT (Australian Capital Territory). 

Ben had already had a visit to the school on Friday morning so he had met his teacher and so on Monday he was all kitted out with new uniform and ready to go to school.  He loves school over here - he goes off on his own on his bike, locks it up at the bike shed at school and comes home on his own too.  He is feeling very independent!  He has cookery lessons once a fortnight and gardening lessons on the other week.  The school has a kitchen garden which they are developing, including hens which produce eggs for their cooking. 

I have spent this week working with children on an individual basis, following reading recovery plans and have really enjoyed getting back into teaching after a long summer break.  I work with 2 children at North Side (which is about 10 mins from our house) and then I work with 4 children at South Side (this is attached to the main school site which is huge!)  It is about 15 mins from North Side to South Side so I have a bit more travelling to do each day but the traffic isn't too busy over here so it isn't too bad.

Martin and Charlotte are trying to go out on their bikes so that we only use one car most of the time - and its paying off.  He has lost about 4 kgs already!  We are slowly becoming familiar with local shopping areas - Gunghalin, Gold Creek (a lovely bead shop and card making shop is here!!), Belkonnen, Dixon, to name but a few.  Life over here is so much more relaxed and laid back - and we are loving it! 

We have also visited the local farmers market which is on on a Saturday morning - the fruit and veg there is so much fresher and lasts longer!  I have also made 2 lemon meringue pies with lemons from our lemon tree which is lovely.  On Sunday, we visited the local church that Keith and Cynthia go to (friends we met whilst in England) and the children seemed to enjoy it.  A little more traditional than Martin and I are used to but the people were very friendly and the morning tea after the service was yummy!! 

I wonder what the next week will hold for us?!!  Watch this space....