Blogs, bronze, belts, body, brrr, beauty shop, bugs, and babysitting

I've had a bit of a blog hiatus. Not intentionally really...it's just been a busy week. Not only have I not posted...I hadn't checked my bloglines account (where I keep up with all the blogs I frequent) and had 70+ posts to read through. Ben found this through a friend's site the other day -- it's a 360 degree view of Durham's Cathedral and Castle from the middle of the Palace Green. For those of you who haven't visited Durham yet it's worth a look. I also found several other views of Durham here.

Last week E was presented with his Bronze Certificate at school. The children get points for good behavior and once they have 10 points they send a voucher home to the parents. After 5 vouchers (50 points) they receive their bronze certificate at the school assembly. The points/vouchers carry over to the next year, so E was proud to receive his bronze last Friday. They also made a big deal out of how quickly he acheived this (since he has only been there for 1 year and many children are just now getting their bronze after being there for 2).

It may be premature to say this, but it looks like we have 2 'white belts' in our house. E and Sy checked out a karate class this past week and really liked it. I'm not too keen on it since there were several bigger boys in the class that had discipline issues -- they talked the whole time (well, until their fathers arrived to pick them up) and had no respect for the teacher. The teacher tried to 'demand' respect but is very soft spoken and apparently is not forceful enough with them. I think karate would be good for self-discipline and listening for the boys but I'm not sure this particular class will do the trick. It's saying a lot when the 3 1/2 year old is the one with the longest attention span and listening the best out of the bunch! We hear that she teaches on a different night in a different location...we may try that one out before settling on anything.

The other day at lunch Silas announces to me that he knows everything there is to know about the human body. Really? I asked him what muscle pumps blood through your body. 'Heart!' Then I asked him what's in his skull that helps him think. 'Brain!' He really did know loads of other things too. Seriously, I'm amazed at how much information these kiddos take in...they're little sponges!

Durham has apparently decided to leave out the gradual turn to Autumn and just go full force. It has been WINDY and COLD here with a bit of rain for the past several days. Brrr! I finally broke down and turned our radiators on for just a few minutes yesterday. I really was trying to hold out until October (and I'm usually the one with the willpower) but, hey, my nose and toes were icicles! I also pulled Silas' fuzzy jammies and sweatshirts out of a box (I need to go shopping for E) and the boys have asked for another blanket on their beds at night.

I did brave the cold this morning to go to a hair appointment. It had been a seriously long time since I've had my hair cut. Let's just say that we've lived in England for 14 months now and I really needed a haircut BEFORE we left for England. Yikes! No more ponytail (for a few weeks anyway) because I think 'I need several inches off' actually came out of my mouth. Oh well...I know my hair is happier...the rest of me just needs to get used to it. :)

And last, but not least, in my extremely long and random post today -- spiders! Ugghh! I thought we were lucky to not have any major bugs here (well, except for the flies and bees that make their way in when the windows are open in the summer...but they like to leave quickly). I really don't remember having spiders or anything like it last year. There are some whoppers now though. The other day there was one with a span as big as a tarantula I think (just not a fat body like one). Now, in the Blackwell household the job of 'dealing' with spiders falls under my job description. Ben is really freaked by them and really can't handle it. I'm not much of a fan either but what we won't do for love?!?!?

Oops, I thought that was it...it was the love bit that got me. Ben and I are going on a date tonight. Yay! The boys are going to a friend's house for dinner and a movie with them. Thanks for the babysitting, Whitney!