Happy Halloween

So, I'm not a big fan of Halloween. However I was given strict instructions by Susie (my sister) that I had to embrace it. So we did. The main activity was a party at 'My Gym', Ethan's baby gym we've joined where Ethan went dressed rather suitably as a 'mischievous monkey'. Plus I did some token house decorations and carved my first pumpkin. Photos attached! (A few extra of the party to give you an idea of what a baby gym involves) 

Reflections on life in the US so far

We've been here for two weeks now (that went quick!). So far life in the US is good. There are some things they do here noticeably better, and others not so. I thought I'd share the things we're impressed with and the things not so...

The good...

- speeding in school zones. In school zones the limit is cut to 20mph and speeding fines doubled. So simple but really effective! Someone please get me the direct line to Mr Cameron!

- accident attendance. We drove past an accident the other day, the fire engines had just blocked the outside lane of the other side of the highway to ensure they could get to the accident quickly rather than having to mess around getting to the right side of the road. Yes, more traffic chaos but quicker in the scene to save lives.

- upstairs washing machine and dryer. No need to carry washing up and down the stairs. Possibly my favourite thing in the house.

- petrol is cheaper, much cheaper. I had to fill up the hire car the other day, I got flustered when deciding how much (knowing we were handing it back that weekend) so opted for $50 thinking that would be enough to ensure we didn't run out but not too much we were wasting it. Cue a hire car going back with a full tank!

- garbage collection. OK it's complicated but we get garbage and rubbish collected twice a week, recycling once a week, from 1 November they do leaf collection, it's basically all very clean.

- visibility of police, they're everywhere!

The bad...

- so most of the above is funded by taxes. And they're high, Westchester County has some of the highest property taxes in the country. Luckily, these are included in the price landlords charge you and as this is being paid for not so bad for us!

- credit card security. No pins and cashiers don't check signatures. I've been using Matts card for a week and no one seems to care!

- chocolate. I don't think I need to expand. Although I did today head to a local shop which stocks Cadburys only to get their and realise wallet at home (this is the second time this has happened in a week with chocolate purchasing, perhaps my subconscious is trying to tell me something?!)

And the ugly...

- the soft water. My hair hates it, really really hates it.

Three deer came to visit

Just sitting at dinner table relaxing after dinner when we noticed three deer on our front lawn! There I was worried about leaving rural living... Never had deer in Luddesdown!

Another busy few days here. We've tried another gym class and Ethan has had his first swimming lesson, very different set up to swimming lessons at home but he still seemed to enjoy himself.

Last night I went to meet some ladies for the 'girls night out' of the local ex pat group which was good, nice to meet some friendly faces. We also now have social security numbers and Ethan's furniture has finally been ordered. Hoping it comes in less time than the forecast 8-12 weeks as travel cots are not very comfortable! Another food shop under the belt where Ethan charmed the entire store. And, getting into the life and dropped Matts shirts off for dry cleaning, at $1.75 a shirt it's well worth saving on the ironing!

Two big achievement milestones met this week. The first is that after a week, I finally took the Hoover out the box and put it together. Couldn't work the bl**dy thing though as couldn't work out how to get it to recline. Was rather relieved though that it took Matt looking in YouTube to work out how to do it, at least I wasn't being completely stupid. The second is I managed to put together Ethan's brio train set. It took a lot of studying trying to work it out, especially while trying to discourage Ethan from taking it apart at the same time. Was slightly disappointed that Matt came home and immediately noticed where I'd gone wrong, nothing compared to Ethan pulling it all apart today though! I imagine that will be a regular occurrence! Hopefully next time I'll be able to put it back together a little quicker!

Bx

Ethan and I go it alone!

So, Ethan and I (and Bruno) have just finished our first couple of days on our own following Matts start at work yesterday.

Yesterday (Monday) was the start of the new morning routine. Dropping Matt at the station followed by a run with the new buggy and Bruno before breakfast. I don't think we're going to be winning any races but we're finding our feet the three of us, although it would be a log easier if Bruno didn't keep needing time outs to do his business or get distracted by other dogs.

We also tried our first trial baby group at 'My Gym'. Baby gym is quite big out here, not gym as in workout but as in gymnastics. Clearly Ethan is quite young, our class was called 'Wobblers' and involved some soft play type equipment, swings and slides but also lots of climbing. Despite being the youngest and one not walking in the class he had a great time.

After trying out another supermarket, Ethan and I went for a walk around a local nature reserve where we saw a deer. Some pictures attached, you may be able to spot the deer!

Today saw another trial class. This one run by a company called 'Music for Aardvarks'. It saw a man called Evan on the guitar and Colleen on the drums, lots of instruments for the babies/toddlers and lots of dancing and clapping (luckily Ethan has finally mastered clapping!). Another fun class again which Ethan loved which is going to make choosing difficult. However I was brave and traded numbers with a couple of Mums to arrange play dates so hopefully the network will start to grow.

One thing that has become very clear is children's classes here are not cheap. What you would pay c£6/£7 in the UK costs you closer to £20 here. But there is lots of variety.

This afternoon I decided to walk to the local 'cafe' type destination, which is in actual fact a chocolate shop where they make chocolate on site (shame!). Ordered a hot chocolate and cookie only to realise I'd left my wallet at home so once I'd finished I had to walk back home and then return to pay. At least that helped burn off the chocolate!

I've just asked Matt how his two days have been... He said fine. He has his own office which he says is weird. I have been quite impressed he's walked home from the station (20-25m) the past two nights instead of getting a taxi!

The next few days sees more trial classes, going to get our social security numbers tomorrow and our first swimming class on Friday.

And finally, for the family amongst you, a picture of Ethan climbing under the kitchen table today. One thing is for sure, I need the stair gates to arrive ASAP given we have no doors downstairs!

Matt's found heaven

This is a post for the car obsessed amongst our friends and family!

Yesterday we went up to Greenwich, CT to test drive a Lexus (didn't like on appearance didn't even bother trying). Anyway, the road where the dealership was unlike anything seen before. Within a 200m stretch of road they had Ferrari, Aston Martin, Rolls Royce, Porsche, McLaren and AMG dealerships. And if that wasn't enough Matt's chin hit the pavement when a Pagani Zonda drove past on a test drive courtesy of a new Pagani dealership that had opened.

For some of you this stretch of road may become a tourist attraction when you come to visit!

And we're here!

What a crazy few days. We landed Monday evening and spent the night in an airport hotel. 

On Tuesday we drove up to the house and received our sea freight. Then we sorted out boring admin like insurances, utilities, cable, telephone and Internet. Pretty impressive that we spoke on Tuesday and an engineer arrived on Wednesday to install. Or that the same company can supply your gas, electricity, cable, telephone and Internet! After this with a very tired Ethan in tow (it's been a theme to date) we went to Target for some general household goods. In the evening Matt went to Best Buy to look for electrical appliances.

Wednesday saw installations mentioned above and delivery of air freight (Ethan did get to go to the park with Daddy). Then we went and brought living room furniture and back to Best Buy to get the TV. also started day 1 of the search for Ethan furniture. The evening saw Internet shopping with possibly my biggest amazon order ever!

Thursday we spent all day shopping (yep poor Ethan). We went back to Target for more household stuff (hardest thing to buy was toddler toothpaste, everything was sweet flavoured including a bubblegum flavour.... seriously???) Then Matts card got declined (fraud team were suspicious by spending levels!) so we went to HSBC. Whilst there he asked to change his PIN numbers thinking this was easy. Cue a 30m phonecall by the branch manager the end result being they changed his debit card but not his credit card. I think when I get my cards I'll stick with what I'm given! Then we had our first trip to the Westchester Mall which was LOVELY. Got some clothes for Ethan and some new saucepans and also continued day 2 of search for his furniture.

When we got home I went and did our first food shop (we've eaten out so far). Matt not being one to sit round the house when he has responsibilities for Ethan decided to give his new bike cart a go. Pictures are attached, you can see a very tired Ethan did not particularly enjoy it and spent the whole time trying to take off his helmet! I spent about 90m and $300 in the supermarket. It took a while to work out what products (quorn located thank goodness!), they have a very expensive British section where I brought a proper tin of baked beans for about $2.50! I also brought the American equivalent although not sure yet why I had to buy the vegetarian version (what is in the normal ones!) The only thing yet to be located is a fruit cordial equivalent to Robinsons squash. Matt is sure they have Ribena out here but am yet to locate.

So now it's Friday morning. After a couple of wakings Ethan has slept till 830 so hopefully that's him caught up a little. A slightly quieter day planned, setting up my bank accounts and Matt off to JFK to pick up Bruno. I'm also hoping by the end of the day we may have ordered furniture for Ethan and may even have a home cooked meal! Oh and hopefully unpack!

And we're off!

Last night in UK

What a lovely week, I couldn't have thought of a better way to spend it before we leave.

We had three lovely nights in Somerset with the Newnes' and then two nights in a gorgeous hotel in Devon for Dads 60th. Ethan has been totally spoilt with all the attention from grandparents and aunts/uncles over the past five days. All goodbyes have been said and some tears shed. But now it's onwards and upwards as we gear up for the flight tomorrow.

We're staying at Heathrow tonight, Ethan is currently asleep as we drink wine and eat room service. And tomorrow night we're staying at JFK. Then Tuesday morning we go to the house where hopefully we'll be met by shippers and Amazon deliveries!

Now we just have to keep our fingers crossed for no excess baggage charges! Oh and it would also be helpful if the US would reopen so we can get social security numbers!

Bx

One week to go... One night left at home!

This time next week we'll be landing in JFK! Eeeek! Today has been a crazy day, last minute packing and house sorting (while Ethan takes things out again) as tonight is our last night at home. Off to Somerset tomorrow to see the Newnes family then weekend away for Dad's 60th... So hopefully a fun filled last week in the UK.

Bx

'Woof woof woof'... An interview with Bruno

Everyone's been asking quite a few questions about Bruno and NY, so in an exclusive interview Bruno tells his side of the story:

Q: So you're going to NY then?

Bruno: Yes! I can't believe anyone would think I'd get left behind!

Q: How will you travel?

Bruno: I'm flying in a crate in the hold on a BA flight. I don't fly until Friday 18th though to allow some time to get the house ready for me

Q: Do you need to go in quarantine?

Bruno: No luckily not. I've had a rabies injection along with kennel cough and this is all that's required on top of my standard vaccinations

Q: how are you feeling about the trip?

Bruno: I'm a bit nervous. I love my house in Luddesdown and my nice countryside walks, not to mention escaping from the garden. But it will be an exciting adventure and I'm looking forward to clocking up my first air miles 

Q: What are you most looking forward to?

Bruno: Mummy has promised me morning runs which I'm going to hold her too (it will do her good and balance all those cakes she eats). Plus I've heard I may get to go on some exciting walks with a dog walker and other dogs, some which may be on a beach so I'd better buy some trunks!

Q: Any messages for some of your family and friends who you may not see for a while?

Bruno: Yes... Don't worry about me, I'll have lots of fun. And I'll look after Ethan, I have a feeling we're going to cause some mischief together in NY!

Watch out for more updates from Bruno in the future.