November

Here's a few updates and pictures to go with on family life here for us in Cambridge during the month of November. 

This park is called Parker's Piece (which Schaeffer announces every time we pass it). We walk past it or through it to go out to Burleigh Street where the Charity shops are, to go to the Grafton Centre (mall), or to go to Eden Baptist Church for Tiddlywinks Play Group on Tuesdays. The autumn leaves were very lovely - I think I caught the tail-end of it in this picture. This was November 1st - Adelaide had just gone back to school after a nice, relaxing half-term (a week off, and a day for in-service). 

Schaeffer and I building a great tower (Nov. 3)

Saturday, November 5th I helped with a surprise shower for a girl at church; that was a lot of fun, both in planning and preparations for it, but also the event itself. Lots of games involved. 

After that, I went to go check out a table that a friend told me about this past week that she had seen for sale. Actually, one of her friends was selling it. It looked solid and rustic, and the measurements were just what we were looking for! Both sides are extendable to seat 8-10. Our friends (with a big car/van) helped David collect it on Monday, November 7 - so this is our first dinner on our new table! Now I need to find chairs (the nice embroidered ones are on loan to us right now).

Tuesday, November 8th - walking into town (or playgroup, can't remember). He did NOT want me to get his picture taken - I felt like the papparatzi!

Wednesday, November 16 - cheap child labor helping to wash the potatoes for the stew. Adelaide peeled the carrots (and cut herself - how bad do I feel!)

Thursday, November 17 - the library in City Centre. Of course he's a magnet to this train!

Thursday afternoon I had a friend over for some tea (and scones with clotted cream! A treat!) and to give me advice on how to condition the wood on our new table. 

Friday afternoon we had a classmate of Adelaide's over to play in the afternoon, as well as her mum and little brother. That was really nice to get to know them better!

 Saturday, November 19 - playing at Lammas Land with some friends from church. 

Tuesday, November 22 - Schaeffer and I went on the weekly Nature Walk with Adelaide's class, Lower Prep. We walked in the meadows looking for birds and their nests. This was the first time we were able to go, and we were all very excited - a friend the week before gave us a back carrier from her friend at church! This was much easier to carry Schaeffer than push him in a push chair - and my hands were able to help hold little hands. Adelaide was really excited we could go, and Schaeffer loved his ride!

Thursday, November 24 - Thanksgiving dinner! Adelaide was sick with a fever the entire day, so she and Schaeffer watched movies while I made dinner. David was able to make it home for a few hours before he gave a talk about Thanksgiving at Downing College. 

Saturday, November 26 - I took off while everyone was napping and walked out to the Bee Hive to do some shopping/looking around. They just opened up Hobby Craft, a big store with stuff true to it's name. Then to Home Store to return a pillow (cushion) and for a better baking tray, etc. Then out to Tesco to take my dry cleaning (as the one in town is way too expensive!) and do a little shop for tonight. I took the bus back to make it home by 3 (and thankfully it all worked out!) because David had to be at a training deal for the equivalent of "Spiritual Emphasis Week" in February. 

Later that night, we had an Iron Bowl party with 7 layer dip, artichoke dip, veggies, pecan pie, pumpkin pound cake, etc. We had 4 friends over and enjoyed it until the connection went out during the 3rd quarter - the guys caught the highlights, at this point at 1 am. 

Sunday, November 27 - a day at home due to tired, sick family members. We did manage to get some gardening done - thankful for the gloves I bought for Adelaide and I the day before. Adelaide was, however, up for letting me get her "Mary" costume arranged! I promise, she won't wear pjs underneath for the program!

 Monday, November 28 - My friend Jacky offered to take Schaeffer and I out to Burwash Manor Farms!!! So exciting for us to be in a car, get to use the carseat I bought for him (60 pounds off!), get to explore more of Cambridge and spend the day with a nice friend (and her cutie little girl). The farm has pigs, rabbits, an old tractor (picture below), playground, and then little shops and a tea room. Very nice! They had a Christmas shop, and I found a little hedgehog ornament to remind us of our 2 month long fiasco with the hedgehog stuck down the drain!

 Over here it's very common to order your groceries and they deliver them! Very convenient, except somehow I always seem to mess up something on my order! This time, it was the GIGANTIC bag of sugar that I purchased! 5 kg - that's about 10 pounds. I don't even have room for it in my cupboards!

Later on Monday afternoon, Schaeffer and I took the bus out to Scottsdale Garden Centre to find a Christmas tree. David and Adelaide were not feeling up for getting out in the dark (at 4 pm) and cold. The tree was delivered on Wednesday, November 30 - even with colds (and this round seems to never end!) we were able to manage to get it into the new tree stand I bought, and get the new lights on (that I found for 1/2 price, plus 10% off of that!). 

 Wednesday, Nov. 30 - Schaeffer and I had gone into town, as we do on most days. I knew that the state school teachers were going on strike because of a reduction in their pensions, but didn't anticipate a huge protest parade! It was so long, complete with police escorts!