Back To Normal

The past week has been a blur. It almost felt like we never had a break. Take me back to Europe!!! Most of the stress was derived from the Elliot and Lara both starting new schools. New rules, new uniforms, new schedules, new routine. Add to that chaos, an au pair who informed me a week prior to our return that she was not able to come anymore! Timing couldn't have been worse with both sets of parents still away. Fortunately, we were able to find someone to help short term at short notice.

The children were excited to start school and have adapted very well. Lara proudly announced that she has been chosen to be the student representative for her class, a position that is voted by her peers. Elliot made it into the gifted and talented stream and has also successfully auditioned to be in the senior band and will be going to the Gold Coast on a music tour later this year. He only just scraped in, but we'll take it! Piano lessons have been successfully re-scheduled and all other extra-curricular activities have been finalised. The logistics of getting everyone to where they need to go is still in the process of being finetuned...

First day of school

Lara's first day of school

Whilst exciting, it has been overwhelming trying to "squeeze" everything in. One of my goals this year was to be more involved within the children's schools. I personally find it difficult to just "converse" with strangers. I've had to really force myself to make introductions to other parents, and volunteer to help with school events. To add to my already full calendar, the children seem to require never ending bits and pieces for their various activities.

The stress escalated to a whole new dimension this week with my return to work. Don't even start me on our new house...

On an exciting note, it was decided at work that I needed a company phone. So today, I received a brand new blackberry to play with.

Um...how does this thing work?!?