American Mum: Easter Break...off school again

The kids were off school the week before Easter and the week after Easter. It was so nice to take the mornings slow and spend some time in our p.j.'s. We stayed busy building forts, playing outside, making playdough, baking cookies, doing puzzles and getting out just about every toy in our house.

The school calendar here has several more breaks than a U.S. school calendar. The school year here runs from September 1st to July 20th. They only have 6 weeks of "summer" break. They have a week and a half off in late October, two weeks of for Christmas and New Year's, a week off in February for half-term, two weeks off in April for Easter, one day off in May for May Day, and a week off in June for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Holiday. This year is Queen Elizabeth's 60th year reigning as the Queen of England. There will be a huge Diamond Jubilee celebration in June. I am not sure if this is usually another half-term break or not. Of course, they do not celebrate the 4th of July, Labor Day, Memorial Day, President's Day, or Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Most U.S. schools have a total of around 180 school days per year. Here in Chippenham, they have a total of 194 school days. I was a teacher for seven years, and I know the importance of school. However, I feel that children need more than six weeks off for the summer. They need time to be kids. Children learn so much outside of school through their experiences.

Although two weeks was a long break, it went by quickly. Here are some memories of those days off.

She's the third one to wear this "I love uncle dan" onesie.

Just chillin in my swing.

Dylan LOVES to set up his cars on display. They are all placed strategically depending on who they are. He is such a collector, and no one is allowed to mess up his display.

Building a fort, or more like a mountain, on the couch

Amelia helping me wash bottles. She loves to help with everything, which is great, but sometimes I need a bit more patience. Of course I could get things done faster without her help, but I try to let go of my Type A personality once in a while. She had fun here, and although there was water all over the cabinet, counter and chair, it was worth the extra time and mess.

I love "talking" with Cora on my lap after she nurses. You can see my fun pink socks. Every mommy needs to put her feet up occassionally.

Dylan wrote, "Dad is a good dad and mom is a good mom and Amelia is a good sister and Cora is a good little baby." So sweet! He loves to write these days, and he is quite a good speller!

Hanging out with Daddy

She was mad because the frog was not giving her any milk.

We went to lunch at Mc Donald's one afternoon for a special treat.

Aunt Carrie sent a special package with Easter gifts. They wanted to try out their cars and princess chalk. Dylan wrote this with just a little help spelling.