Today in Cambridge has been our best day yet. Both children did a great job today. Using many strategies, this was our first day without any tantrums....from any child. We used sticker charts (3 in total), kept the children separated from each other, music for Connor, and brushing/joint compressions/heavy work for Hope. Made for a great day!
In addition to nice children, this town is lovely. We think it (or Paris) is our favorite thus far. Our dear friend Mark loaned us his CamCard, which got us into beautiful gardens on the other side of the river. Thanks, Mark! The colleges (this town has 30) are beautiful. When Hope found out that one was a school (initially she called it a church- and they all seem to have a chapel attached), she asked to move here since it was "fancier" than her school . It's impossible to do this town justice in words. We really do love it!
Our apartment here is the best by far! After nearly three weeks of European beds (in otherwise very nice apartments), it is lovely to have comfy beds with very, very plush pillows. You know I like my pillows....
Allen and I separated this morning, without me ever even looking at a map of this town. I found one, made friends at the park who pointed in the right direction, and had fun exploring the town. We went to the mall, the market, several playgrounds, had a scavanger hunt, wandered through a few churches, and found a little cafe across from Kings College for lunch. We later learned that the boys ate lunch at the same restaurant, just a little earlier.
It is nice to know the language to be able to communicate here in England. On the playground this morning, Hope approached a little girl. After three weeks of three different languages, Hope didn't even bother trying verbal communication with her new friend, assuming her new-friend spoke another language. But to kids it really doesn't matter; she has made friends everywhere, despite the language barrier. On another playground (yes, we just playground-hop), she was confused that the children were playing "shark". "Why are they playing shark?", she asked. Her friends play seals, speaking in made-up "arter" language. She talks about her school friends and, today, made pretend phone calls to her classmates. I know she will be delighted to return to them.
Tomorrow, we will visit the Botanical Gardens then head to London for one night. I'm hoping for Connor to see the changing of the guards on Sunday. He would like to see the soldiers, which he calls "Killers" (I don't know where he got that- we first heard it at the Greek Fest, when he called the soldiers "killers"- I'm certain they have never killed anyone, except he can't pronounce /l/ or /r/, so he says "Kiw-uhs". He'll love the kiwuhs!
Join us on our year long adventure as we move from US to Reading, England for one year. With two kids and a dog, it's bound to be a fun adventure!
Hi Holloways!
ReplyDeleteSo glad to hear that you're loving your (almost) final stop! My brother got a Master's degree at Cambridge, and enjoyed all the gardens and schools/chapels as well. Too bad you can't stick around to hear the boy's choir sing. Tell Hope her "arty" friends miss her too. They passed out the class photos the other day, and Mary Ellis was asking when Hope would be back. Not sure when you all arrive back in Charlotte, but the Sundays on the Patio isn't until 6:30pm if that helps any. Family Fun Day was Friday and it was fun, but incredibly hot--got to 90 yesterday. But the sprayground is on for the season at Latta Park. Hustle back into town and we'll go play!
Cheers, Natalie