The Latest...

As I type, Spencer has left to pick up one kiddo from a birthday party and the other is at a friend's house...I have a rare and quiet 30 minutes on a weekend :)

Well, what can I say? The weather has been crazy here - we have gone from 10 degrees Celsius to snowing, to rain, back to snow, and then, back to sun...we all keep thinking spring is here only to wake up to snow. I give...who knows!!! As my friend Celine said when I facebooked about the weather (and I paraphrase)...Winter gear goes in the closet on June 20 and then you get it back out on June 22...didn't you get the memo? I had to laugh - so far, it is holding true! Those winter tires may never come off the car at this rate! In addition, remember that huge snow ball the kids had rolled and rolled...it lasted for over a week before it finally all melted. It was hilarious! All the other snow was long gone, but the ball remained for days! We kept watch on it from our balcony and checked each day to see if it was still there. Check out the picture!

Here is just a list off the top of my head of what has been going on the last couple weeks...
Shauna saw the movie The King's Speech (loved it!) with the PWC Movie Club, the kids each had sleepovers, Spencer has been in and out of town and one of the trips was to Norwich, UK, Shauna attended her first book club (read Room: A Novel for it), Spencer leading the music for church, plus the usual assortment of tennis lessons, gym, dinner with friends, lunches out for Shauna, volunteering (made Oodle Doodles for the 4th grade the other day...for a biome/adaptation unit), appointments and assorted commitments. Whew! And life goes on...

In other news, Brendan had a little wire issue on one of his retainers so we had a visit to the orthodontist sooner than planned. The good news, the damage was a non-issue. The better news, he is already on reduced wear!!! In only a month's time, his teeth and jaws are making the moves and the orthodontist was quite surprised! His major caution to us...they moved a lot in this short time, so if you are not consistent with wearing the "plates" when you should, they will probably quickly go back and lose ground instead of steadily gaining...so, we are making every effort to have them in at all times except the 8 hours he is at school! We can see his bite changing and his teeth moving - amazing!!! And all this without teeth-pulling or a head gear!

On a stroke of luck and the kindness of friends, Spencer and I managed to get a rare and much-needed "date night" last weekend! Kyla was at the Brownies' sleepover and I happened to mention this when I was with friends...one of them, Jen quickly volunteered her wonderful husband to let Brendan come over for a sleepover with their son, Michael (one of B's buddies.) Jen was helping at the Girl Scout sleepover that same night. What a great deal for us! Spencer and I went downtown and had dinner at a restaurant we have been wanting to try, wandered around a bit, stopped off at a couple parties and didn't get home until almost 1 AM! What a nice evening we had!!!!

I finally gave in and made a couple purchases this past week or so...a little cordless, stand-up vacuum with a removable "dust buster" and a waffle iron. I know, sad, but you just can't imagine how excited I was about both purchases! The vacuum I have been using is HORRIBLE!!! It a back-breaking, miserable piece of machinery that I could not find vacuum bags for and ended up ordering them from the UK many months ago (both apartments are equipped with the same vacuum.) As for the waffle iron, well, I just like waffles and the kids do too...finally talked myself into spending the money :) I am attaching pictures for your viewing pleasure - lol! Oh, and I won't even mention the price - it may cause you have a stroke and I don't want to be responsible!

We also received a box from home with some treats of course and some super cool Command picture hanging things, so I was finally able to hang some of the kids art work I brought and a few baby pictures. The new place is feeling more comfortable and homey and the size difference, although not huge, is more than enough to keep us comfy!

We are in count-down mode looking forward to our Easter break trip. The Easter week here is a very serious holiday - the stores close beginning on the Wednesday evening before Maundy Thursday and stay closed through Friday. They open for a little while on Saturday and then are closed Sunday (which they are ALL the time) through the Monday following Easter. I am thinking it is just as well for us to be away! We will leave on the Tuesday and return on the following Monday - Club Med en Provence better look out because the Beards will be coming soon!

Kyla has signed up for a little sports club at school - track - which will run (no pun intended) once a week for about a month or so. Brendan wasn't interested...but both kids continue to enjoy their tennis lessons! Brendan seems to be a natural and seems to be really getting the hang of it. Kyla likes it too, but Kyla will try just about anything...

So, I mentioned I joined a book club - turns out I knew most everyone there! I really enjoyed the novel we read and am looking forward to continuing with that. It will "encourage" me to read books I may not have normally chosen, so that is good too. I just finished another book that my friend, Celine recommended - The Art of Racing in the Rain - LOVED it!!! I think I read it in two long sittings...as I did the book club novel, Room: A Novel. My Kindle has been getting a work out over here! I would highly recommend both if you are looking for good books to read. Now, I need to get reading on Water for Elephants since the movie is coming out and that is the next PWC Movie Club viewing in a couple weeks! Want to read before I watch... :) The next book club book, The Bookseller of Kabul...NOT available on Kindle...bummer! Hoping to borrow from a friend prior to our next book club meeting!

I also mentioned the weather...well, yesterday was gorgeous! Full out sun, a slight wind blowing (much less then the previous 2 days,) and a nice temperature - we went on a family walk for about 2 hours enjoying the sun and fresh air. Oh and how things change...we woke this morning to fairly heavy snow coming down that had turned to rain by mid-morning that then turned to an almost bit of sun and now back to heavier clouds...all in less than 24 hours. As they say here, there is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing choices :)

Well, the fact of the matter is, there is no shortage of things to do and the Beard Family calendar stays pretty full these days! We are so blessed to be in an area with so many kind and friendly people and plenty of other expats to share thoughts, vent frustrations, and just enjoy one another's company! I can honestly say, I am loving the experience we are having here (despite the frustrations that come along no matter where you are!) After 8 months of "expat" living, I think I have the hang of it and I am so pleased we will stay here a good while longer!