July 5th, A blur of activity

Today was another day filled with more of the busy work rather than any major discoveries. Plumber came over to repair our boiler - we have not had hot water since moving in. I've tried to convince myself that cold shower, like contrast shower is good for you, but I never got to feel the contrasting part. I am glad it is working now. Kids need to be soaked in. Maybe we will find some clothing left over from the flight.

Like the view? Come visit!

Then I went to check out Educare. First hand impression is different from what their website conveys. The place is a pigsty - children's artwork covering every available surface. Some of the floor activities were on the floor right by the entrance where people walk around in their shoes. Private piano lesson was taking place right behind the flimsy screen in front of which a group of kids crouched on the floor busy with some experiment. But kids and teachers seemed engaged and there was a semblance of order in two rooms housing over 30 kids aged between 3 and 11. I don't know. It may be OK for Isabella considering her age. We will get Georgia situated first and then figure out where to place Isabella. I dropped off Georgia's school application to a friendly lady on the school council of Kinston. They decide where kids go based on the distance from the school, level of state support, and religious affiliation.

Main street

One's address is a part of catchment area for schools and doctors. If you are too far, you will have to go with what is available locally. Our 4 options are 2 public secular schools with high ratings, public Christian school St. Luke with high ratings, and public secular school with poor ratings. The good schools are probably too far from us and we would be on the bottom of the waiting list.  St. Luke is closer but they give preference to practicing families and families on social support. It may be that we will get our final choice. We will see next Friday.

I met a Russian woman at Educare, Anastasia. Turns out they live downstairs in our building. She was very nice and offered to use their Xerox to copy forms for applications. She has a two year old about to turn three. Great to know someone for Isabella to play with.

After work we went for a walk across the river near the Hampton Court. Beautiful views - see Georgia above. Have to come back next week for the flower show.

In the evening we went to Ikea with kids. We are on some strange schedule - they get up past 9 and then we have summer with them past 10. After the soaking was done, they finally went to bed at midnight.