SarahG

Son has started his first day at school. We were bombarded with so much information I hope he makes it through the day! I guess it is lucky it is Friday so he can recover over weekend and be ready for Monday and riding the school bus! I have been give a huge folder full of information to read about the school and how to credit his account so he can buy lunch. I paid $10 to join the PTO. I may regret that but I figured why not try it. Maybe meet some interesting people.

The Horticulturalist

Good deal, I've joined the PTO but I think it's mostly a fundraising effort as they asked all parents to pay the fees. I haven't had to do anything PTOish yet.
I hope your school lunches are better than what's on offer down here, mostly fried variations on a theme with a white bread roll

We'll look forward to your posts in coming months about pushy school fundraising efforts

rebs

I joined our PTA and I have found it's a reasonable way to meet other mums.

I put my name down for volunteering but didn't hear about much until an email was sent out looking for help putting together the newsletter - not preparing the content, but collating and stapling the bits and pieces to go out. That turned out to be a nice little activity every other week with a group of other mums - got to know a few people that way.

I wasn't too fussed about doing stuff that involved working with kids (not really my forte!) but there's loads of stuff the pta mums do at our schools - helping in the library, with the art classes, birthday cakes for teachers, help in the office - all sorts.

Brat1

Another tip I'll take from you before I leave!!!! Booking the hairdresser now

Englishtart

Don't lose too much sleep over it Sarah, you are new to the customs and 'expectations', we all have to have a few slips to learn how to do it differently in future

Good to hear things are going ok, lots of new things coming your way, as was said, the PTA in most schools we have been in ask for contributions (as a membership) You can have as little or as much input with that as you are happy with. Schools are definitely different here, good/bad differences, you will find both. We are all here to help with anything that might 'stump' you, don't think anything could be considered a silly question, we have all been there too...Good luck

MsElui

before we left - I got my dentist exam, opticians checkup and haircut done within the last week - so it gave me more time to get settled in the UK before I had to worry about looking for new dentists, etc!

sarahlou145

Glad to hear you arrived safely x

Our turn next Monday!!

The Horticulturalist

Are you taking those cute little dogs with you?

SarahG

You'll be here in plenty time to get settled for your first Thanksgiving!
I am currently debating if I am going to cook Thanksgiving dinner for the 4 of us or if we will just have something simple and do the big turkey dinner for Christmas Day.

Have a good flight!

sarahlou145

Yes I am, they are all set with their crates and passports, off to the groomers on Thursday and to the vet for their pre flight check on Friday

sarahlou145

Ive made 4 pumpkin pies over the last two weeks in preparation for thanksgiving, will probably plan a meal, as we have my husbands business partner over in SF and he will be staying in a hotel, so we will invite him to us. Got my birthday the week we arrive, so that will be strange not seeing anyone, already got a pile of cards to pack in my suitcase ready to open on the day.
Also mailed my change of address cards yesterday and stuck them in xmas cards, so saved having to post cards from the US It did feel weird writing xmas cards out at the beginning of november!!

meauxna

Try to get yourself invited to someone's home; Thanksgiving is always more fun with more people.
Barring that, look at going to a local restaurant. That's a nice way to be around more people, get that big meal and have no clean up.

Christmas dinner was always a slightly more intimate affair at our house.

buckers

Hey Sarah

Glad you got over okay. We got here on halloween, and it has been a whirlwind aswell. My son started school last Wednesday (how quick was that!!!) but he loves it. How early do they start where you are...........his culture shock is that he now has to get up at 6.30am so he can be ready for the 7.30 bus for school starting at 7.45 ha ha - infact thats a culture shock for us all but hey. Hubby went and got his SSN yesterday but i couldnt get mine as i dont have my EAD yethowever that is in filing now so hopefully it all wont take too long. Just need to sort out the doctors/car insurance etc and we will be good to go.

Keep in touch, i am sure we will be experiencing the same issues ha ha

take care

buckers

my little pooch (well not so little as she is a retriever) came over on Wednesday just gone. She was absolutely fine and seems to have taken it all in her stride and we were in and out of customs in 10 minutes with her. Hope the trip goes well for the dogs

T

SarahG

Son's bus turns up at 0740 and school finishes 1435. He has had a bit of a shock as the kids in his class have done LOADS more than he has. I am starting to wonder if he was being taught anything at his school in the UK. The kids here are way ahead in reading and maths. He is finding it a bit daunting but am sure he will settle in eventually. He is only 6 after all. The youngest in the class!

We got car insurance sorted last night. As soon as we have State driving licences we are to contact them again and they will adjust everything for us. Not got Dr yet either. Need to get that sorted asap really as daughter will need to have an ultrasound in the spring.