re-cap

Wow it's been a long time since I lasted posted anything, the months have flown by very busy.
I'll try to summerise what we've been up to these last few months:
We've been back to England twice (the second time not planned),
Josh has joined a swim club and has done a couple of competitions, he's also played baseball and has started learning to play the saxophone.
Alfie's started pre-school and will start swimming lessons next week.
The summer was great I'm missing it already. We started off the summer with a trip back to England to see my cousin get married and to re-new our visas (or so we thought). It was a wonderful trip as I get terribly homesick being in America the one huge sticking point was the problems we had with our visas which was why we had to make another trip back in September. Hopefully were all sorted now and we have visas for another five years.
The rest of the summer was spent watching Josh play baseball and swim. We also took a trip to minneapolis with my parents and Ben's sister which was fun and we've also done some re-decorating in the basement (we've moved Josh into a bigger bedroom).
Josh has started 5th grade now I can't quite believe it's his last year in elementary school he's growing up fast and now Alfie is at pre-school which he loves I actually get a few hours a week without kids which is taking a while to get used to.
I seem to be spending most  of my week going up and down the interstate taking Josh to swimming four times a week but he really enjoys it and I like being busy I'm just hoping Alfie enjoys it as much as this will be his first time having swimming lessons.
Tonight is parent teacher conferences and then we get a four day weekend which I always enjoy. Josh usually gets good reports so I'm hoping this continues tonight.
It's also Alfie's birthday in a couple of weeks so I need to get organised for that all he seems bothered about at the moment is having a party so I'm hoping that goes well as I get nervous being responsible for other peoples kids especially as he wants to go to an inflatable play place so hopefully nobodys kids end up with something broken and they all enjoy themselves.
It feels quite strange to be back blogging as you never really know if anyone's reading your posts but I enjoy it for the most part once i get myself sorted back into the routine. I'll add a couple of pics of the boys and make sure I keep blogging form now on :-)

My Boys over summer.

Well I guess that's all for now ( I could go on for hours but then it gets boring reading so will try to be more frequent so there not as long).

Some Pics From February

Here some birthday and party pics:

Joshua's birthday party!!

Josh helping Alfie bowling!!

My little man enjoying himself!!

Joshua bowling!!

Happy Birthday!!

Joshua's birthday cake!!

Opening his presents!!

Josh trying on his new helmet!!

The pitching machine!!

Alfie trying the hat on!!

My poorly baby!!

Joshua and Ben's birthday cake!!

Second Half Of February. (sorry it's a long one).

The long weekend started well the boys played outside on theirs sleds friday and we did some baking. We was going to have a movie night in the evening but hadn't censored the movie we had from netflix. We rented funny people and for some reason I thought it was a family movie well that was until we started watching it together popcorn ready and quickly realised it wasn't something suitable for a 8 and 3 year old to be watching. At first we wondered whether the bad language was just a one off until it had some sexual content at which point Ben quickly switched it off haha. Oh well it'll teach me next time to look at the rating before putting a movie on.
Saturday Joshua had a swimming lesson which by the time it's over it feels like most of your day has gone as it's in the middle of the morning and is in the next town which takes between 20-30mins to drive there. After swimming I went to wal-mart which Ben cleverly opted out of telling me he'd take the boys bowling to keep them occupied so while they had fun I got to do the boring task of grocery shopping.
The weather took a turn for the worse so at least he came back and helped load the car up. I really cannot stand our winters and it does make me question living here or maybe having a winter home somewhere warm :-) well at least I can dream.
Monday we headed down to Sioux Falls as I needed to get Josh's glasses fixed and wanted some bits for the house. I'd told the boys if they behaved themselves then I would take them to Chucke Cheese's which excited them enough to stop them whining in the shops :-). Anyway we got Josh's glasses sorted well they ordered some new ones as his frames were all scratched and the paint had come off and his lenses had a scratch replacement on them so we sorted that and also booked his eye check as it had been a year since he got them tested. Then we got my house bits and headed to world market which is where they sell English products so I stocked up on some bits and let the boys choose an English chocolate treat each and was getting ready to check out when I got really faint and dizzy, thinking I just needed a drink I quickly payed and got back to the car and had a drink but the dizziness just got worse which was quite scary as I knew I was nearly an hour from home and had no other way to get back but to drive. I started back but had to stop once more to try to settle my head  but after an hour I realised it wasn't going to settle much but there was some release if I wore my sunglasses so we steadily made our way back with blowing snow not helping the drive but we managed it to the farm then Ben drove us from there. I went straight to bed hoping it would settle by morning. However it didn't so off to the docs I went to be told they thought I was suffering from vertigo or labrynthitus :-( anyway they gave me an injection so called to send me to sleep and some tablets to help the dizziness and told if it didn't settle by the end of the week I would need a CAT scan. As most mums will say being stuck in bed not being able to see to your kids is one of the hardest things not that I was aware of much as the tablets knocked me out and made me feel like I was drunk or something slurring my words haha. The dizziness didn't subside so I had to have a CAT scan I was dreading this but kind of wanted something to be able to treat as not being able to do anything was driving me up the wall. Luckily the CAT scan was clear so they gave me a steroid injection and booked me in to physical therapy. The injection helped slightly and the dizziness started to subside slightly.
Meanwhile it was Josh and Ben's birthdays, this was the first time I'd been unable to do much so it was all down to Ben. I had got some bits for Josh but not his main present which was going to be a new baseball bat and helmet as he was getting a pitching machine from my parents and brother. They choose an ice-cream cake from wal-mart again as I hadn't been able to make him one. I organised a present for Ben off the boys online so at least he had something from them and luckily they'd got cards for him the week before I was ill.
On their actual birthday they opened their presents then Ben and Josh went ice-skating while Alfie stayed with me as he had a bad cough. I attempted to make some brownies while they was away which was pretty challenging but I managed it. They also went out for supper. Josh chose Perkins which Ben can't stand but he let Josh choose then they headed home and we had the birthday cake and Ben decided to set up Josh's new pitching machine which can shoot balls out between 15-45mph. This made me slightly nervous for my walls but they only set it at a slow speed thankfully.
I started my physical therapy that week and had lots of tests to see how bad my vertigo was apparently on some of the test one of my eyes would follow but the other didn't and then would jump to where it should be so they gave me lots of exercises to do and to return back later in the week.
It's been a massive adjustment for the family as usually I do most of the daily routine with the boys so Bens been having to come back from work to take Josh to school then ferry me to appointments and pick Josh up again we have had some help from one of my friends (Holly) which I am so grateful for but I feel like I've lost my independance but were getting used to the new routine now.
Luckily we booked Josh's birthday party for the week after his birthday. He wanted a bowling party so we had 10 kids all together. I was determined to make him a cake and he wanted a baseball which I managed even with the spaced out feeling I had :-) We just did hotdogs for the the food and snacks to make it as easy as possible. Everyone seemed to have a great time at the party which I was so glad about I'll post some pics.
The month ended on a bit of a downer as Ben's grandad passed away which just makes the distance seem so much greater when you want to be somewhere but can't and there's nothing you can do to help.

First Half Of February

Well February's over as well hopefully one of these days I'll be organised with blogging.

Some cupcakes we made that look like ice creams.

Anyway the first half of Feb I went to watch the Blind Side I'd wanted to see the movie for a while so when it came out at the local theatre I decided that I'd go to watch it. I went on  my own which didn't bother me as I was glad to just get a night out without the kids. It was a really good movie but it did feel strange not having the boys with me almost like I'd forgotten someone. I also wanted to see precious but will have to wait until that comes out on dvd now.

Josh with his cupcake.

Alfie with his cupcake.

I helped out at Josh's valentines party which are so different to back home they send all the kids in class a valentines then if they want to send any to anyone in another class room they can so we end up with a bag full or candy and little miniature cards. It took me a while to get used to this but I like that they send 1 to everyone in the class rather than just the most popular kids getting them and you can normally get a pack of 24 valentine cards/sweets for a couple of dollars so it isn't overly expensive.
Josh also had a reading night at school which we went to. Alfie stayed at home as last time he decided to run around the library and jump up and down when the story was being read and it was nice to get some time just with Josh. They usually have a theme to their reading nights and this one was about bullying which was appropriate as Josh had been having some problems at school (which hopefully have been resolved).

We also had parent teacher conferences (parents evening). Josh got a really good report, he is lucky that he is really bright and so far doesnt have many problems with his school work usually getting straight A's although he does need to work on his organisation skills. This doesn't surprise me one bit as he can be a nightmare to just get him out of the door in the morning. He has also had a few late assignments which confused me as he always does his homework on time but apparently it's something to do with work he doesn't finish in class time. Anyway I've been reminding him to keep his desk tidy and organise his work and he seems to be doing better. We always seem to struggle to get work that is enough for him as his intellectual level is way above the year he is in but as we have already moved him up a year this isn't an option as then he would be struggling socially so it seems a constant battle with the school to get them to challenge him more. They know what he needs but so far we just seem to have conversations about what they can do rather than them actually doing anything but I can't really complain as he's happy and doing well. Hopefully next year he'll be challenged more.

Josh got a long weekend off school valentines weekend as it was parent teacher conferences on the friday and presidents day the following Monday so it was nice to have both my boys at home and we had lots planned.

Ok so January went by quite quickly I took the boys to watch Alvin and the Chipmunks we went with some friends and took them to pizza ranch 1st it was quite a cheap evening as kids eat free at the pizza place on tuesdays and it's only $3 a person at the movies so cost a lot less than it usually would. Both boys loved the movie and Alfie also got the soundtrack for Christmas so he loves dancing round the house to their songs.
Josh has started with his swimming lessons again which he enjoys although so far this session he's only had 1 lesson as the weather has made it pretty difficult to go anywhere but he's got 1 on saturday fingers crossed.

Josh and Cody playing on the huge snowpile that the

snow ploughs have piled between us and next door.

The weathers been pretty terrible there's snow everywhere Josh isn't going to be finishing school when he should of done because he's had too many snow days so they now have to make at least 3 days up so far. I can't wait until all this snow has melted the boys love it but it's pretty impossible to get out the doors downstairs has snow half way up it and the gardens too deep to go into think Alfie would disappear completely if he went out the back lol.

The drive after Ben worked hard to shovel all the snow off it.

We have about 3 times that amount piled up alongside the drive now.

Josh also had a basketball clinic that was organised through the scouts. The day he was meant to go to it his swimming lesson got cancelled because the weather was so bad we'd had freezing rain then it snowed on top so the roads were quite dangerous to drive on. Anyway Ben took the boys and I decided I'd stay home and sort their clothes and toys out while they was away apparantly once he got to the interstate (motorway) the roads were fine and they were ok down in Sioux Falls so they had a really good day out and didn't get home till after 11 so I had 2 very tired boys the next day :-).

Joshua getting ready to start his display at school.

Josh did a basketball display at school also I did video it but haven't worked out how to put it on here yet although I did work out how to post pics so I'm getting there slowly.

Alfie keeps asking my when he can go to school maybe he's getting fed up of his mum for company anyway he asked if he could start pre-school or printer school as he calls it not sure he'll be too excited when he realises he has to learn and it isn't a play place he keeps asking what sort of slides they have there so maybe he's got a shock to his system coming next year :-)

I still can't get used to the fact he won't start school until he's nearly 6 I think he'll be driving me up the wall by this point especially as pre-school is only 2 afternoons per week it drives me daft that they don't have anything for kids Alfie's age here no toddler groups nothing. They do a reading morning at the library but everytime I take him to 1 of Joshua's reading nights at school he causes destruction so not sure that would be an option. Ben did take him to soccer classes in Madison which is at least 30mins away but he spent most of his time on his knees haha. I'll have to keep looking and hopefully come up with something to occupy him.

Alfie at the sledding hill.

Anyway that's all for now will try to update again as soon as possible.

xxxx

Christmas and New Year

Ben and Josh thinking they're clever with my new camera (not a clue which function he used)

Ok well this hasn't started as well as I thought it would but nevermind.

Anyway we all had a great Christmas, the boys were very excited for Santa to come Alfie is still asking when Santa's coming back, we did a Christmas message for them both which once I can work out how to put any pics/vids on here I'll try to post it. It was nice spending a relaxing day together and both boys loved trying out their new toys and deciding what to spend their money on so thankyou to everyone for the gifts and money xx.

The Boys got lots of great gifts Thanks xx

Christmas time is always tough as we all miss everyone back home and when friends are heading off to see family it does remind you how far you are from family/friends so that part is always hard I think I'll always get homesick around that time of year but I guess it's normal.

The break seemed really short this year Josh only got just over a week off school with how Christmas and New Year fell so before I knew it I had to get him back to school routine again.

Josh opening one of his gifts (thanks Sarah)

Alfie at Christmas.

New Year was pretty quiet we didn't go anywhere again a time you remember family we just watched a movie well Ben fell asleep lol and Alfie fell asleep just before midnight so he did very well so it was just me and Josh who was awake to see in the New Year once the movie finished we turned over to a channel that had fireworks and the countdown to midnight. 

I took the boys sledding quite a lot over the holidays which was lots of fun I had to get some snowpants and Alfie a balaclava as the snow kept getting in his face when we shot down the hill again there is some photos when I get them on here.

The boys sledding (before I got Alfie a balaclava).

We also managed the trip to Chucke Cheese which the boys loved me not as much as Ben was working and it's very noisy in there but the boys had fun which is the main thing. The only things we didn't manage was the movies and bowling however we did go to watch Alvin and the Chipmunks when that came out and hopefully we'll get to bowling for Josh's birthday.

I got a new camera for Christmas so I'm still trying to work out how to use it properly at the moment I just have it on automatic settings until I figure out how to use the fancy stuff.

I guess that's all for this time will update for January over the weekend as Josh is wanting to head out and watch the basketball at school so bye for now

xxxx

Here Goes

Hi Everyone

Thought it would be a good idea to start a blog then you can see how we're adapting to life in South Dakota.
Well winter certainly hit with a bang Josh had his first early finish and late start last week due to the snow blizzard that came through, not a great way to start winter but it's here now snow everywhere and lots of Christmas lights about.
Christmas is just around the corner and the boys are looking forward to what Santa brings them.
We've had an exciting and busy week trying to get organised. I've been Christmas shopping, which took three times as long with a newly potty trained toddler with me, I think I've seen more bathrooms than shops. Alfie and I also found time to get together with a friend which turned into a more eventful time than I imagined as the 2 toddlers thought it would be fun to flood the bathroom so that got the heart rate racing slightly with numerous towels on hand. Unfortunately we didn't get any pics of the soaking wet boys (didn't really enter our heads as we frantically mopped the bathroom and stripped the boys).
Joshua had his school Christmas concert Monday which was lots of fun. They don't do traditional nativities here which I do miss but there always good and this year they did a Christmas theme, each year sang 3 songs each and told a small poem. I'm not sure any pics/videos turned out as we sat right up at the back then it was easier to control Alfie but will have a look and post them if any turned out.
We finally found a piano on Wednesday so that will be picked up this weekend hopefully. We've been looking for a while as Josh has lessons and he has been making do with practising on a keyboard but now he needs the piano to be able to use the pedals and progress further.
Saturday Josh has a swimming lesson then we still have a few Christmas bits to pick up and the boys are wanting to go sledding so will make sure to get some pics.
Ben's busy with work things don't seem to like working very well in the cold so we've had a few middle of the night calls and long working days. Hopefully the machinery will play nice over Christmas then we can get some good family time together.
Next week Josh is wanting me to come into school and eat lunch with him and then also go to his Christmas party on Wednesday then he's finished until the 4th January. I can't wait until he's done with school then we can have some fun over Christmas. The boys have already got a list of things they want to do, they want to go sledding, go to Chucke Cheese, go to the movies, oh and they also want to go bowling so looks like it's going to be a busy time for us, not sure we'll manage to do everything but we'll give it a go.
Anyway I guess that's all for now I will try to be really good at keeping up with the blogs but it might take me a while to get into it.
Bye for now.
xxxx