Ups & Downs & Roundabouts

The visa renewal office

Has it only been a week since wed did our visa run-whew! Everyone (except my Sweet who is pretty stable) seems to be having a hard week emotionally. This is normal in terms of how the settling goes but it makes for a tough time when the Kiddos are feeling a bit lost. They miss their friends from their homeland but are glad for the new friends here. The foods here are not quite like they are used to and even recipes that are familiar taste different because of the type of food here. Chicken hot dogs are really not the same as those good old pork variety! (pork is only allowed in special stores and is WAY too pricey).
School is hitting the stage where no-one likes the books they are reading, or the math makes no sense (does it ever?!) and chores are a real chore!
In the midst of all this we try to keep to a routine. I am thankful for our homeschool co-op, although small in number-just two other families-it is the one day of the week they long for. As much as everyone wanted to come and live here again, the settling goes through times like this. It will pass. Thankfully the weather is cooling and we will soon be able to sit outside after school and get a breath of fresh sea air. I think our homeschool budget needs to include some skateboards and a trampoline just for some exercise! For now we will stick to the old fashioned skipping ropes and hopscotch.
As promised here are some photos of the roundabouts that we passed through on our way to and from the border on our visa run-pretty neat.