First day of school

The boys started school on Tuesday this week.  They looked the epitome of British school boys in their jumpers with their crests and grey shorts.

We bundled them into the car with their little school briefcases and gym bags, labels affixed to every little thing.  They were excited and nervous of course, which we explained was ok and totally normal.  There would be other new kids at school as well.  Dempsey charged into his classroom with nary a glance over his shoulder and dove head first into day 1 of Reception.  Lincoln's nerves got the best of him and the eyes welled up, lip trembled.  Dr. Shelley, the Headmistress came by and we got Lincoln up to the 2nd floor.  He wouldn't go into his classroom though and now his tears were a source of great embarrassment, which only compounded the problem.  All the cajoling and words of encouragement from Victoria and I were not having an effect and so we left him to the care of the staff, his cries and pleas for Victoria chasing us down the hall.  It was hard, but we got word from the school that he recovered quickly and was doing just fine.  He already had a friend in class.  The eldest son of our sponsor family who was excited to welcome Lincoln to school and introduce him to new kids.  He was really great.

Mid-morning there was an assembly and the Headmistress asked for a volunteer.  Lincoln told us later that he said to himself "I really need to get over these fears that I have" or some such sentiment (I wish I could remember the exact phrase he used) and raised his hand.  The Headmistress fully aware of how the morning went, called on Lincoln to help her and he got up in front of the whole of the Pre-Prep school.  We told Lincoln that it was normal to be afraid and that it's how we handle it that is important and that we were so proud of him.  Apart from the first day jitters, the rest of the week went off without a hitch.  Except for lunch of course.

Lunches are still their worst nightmare, Lincoln says.  Lunch is served by the school and the classes and teachers all eat together.  There is no bringing lunch from home.  Jacket (baked) potatoes with different fillings (baked beans, cheese, broccoli), fish and chips, minced beef and onion pie, lamb Dhansak with pilau rice & poppadums, veggie tangine with lemon couscous are but a few of the dishes on the menu...you know...just like the cafeterias served up when we were in school.  Needless to say, Lincoln has been eating lots of cucumbers and peas.  Dempsey has been eating lots of chicken and broccoli.  They have to try something new every day and they have been great about it.  Even if they don't like it.  One bite rule prevails, and manners are enforced (no elbows on tables, fork in left hand, knife in right hand, etc.)  Our hope is they'll eventually eat more but we're happy that they're eating anything at all.  Other than lunch everything has been great.

Victoria and the boys are interviewed by the BBC.  D didn't want to get in the picture.

On Wednesday, Victoria and the boys were interviewed for BBC Radio.  It starts around minute 50.  Here is a link to a tweet on the school twitter feed about it.  I think these next three years are going to be really great for the boys when it comes to schooling.