Scotland Womps!!!

***Please be aware that reading the following will likely cause you to separate the romantic adventure of foreign travel from the much less glamorous reality of a worldwide move.



One of the joys of an international move is the "opportunity" to have an "adventure" and to learn some "different" ways of doing things.  Getting my children into the public school system has been a real "special" "treat." First, we found a permanent residence.  Second, we located the primary (elementary) and secondary (high) schools in our catchment area (boundaries.) Then we visited those schools to enroll the kids into school, something that they have been out of for about a month.  The primary school first checked to see if we were in their catchment (as if that matters) and told us that they could get Calvin and Simon in, but not Annie.  Blank stare. Then they suggested that we just visit all of the neighborhood schools and see if any had space... No head office at the school district to call... no informed head secretary...by an answer to prayers, we found a great school that all 3 (Calvin, Simon and Annie) can get into.  Edinburgh offers preschool for Owen, but the school location will be found the exact same way as the primary school: miracles and divine intervention, and grit.

Calvin isn't in school right now, as his entire grade is on a 5 day trip up north exploring the rest of Scotland.  When I found this out I was so bummed for him.  This field trip/ vacation exploration with peers is the kind of experience we wanted our kids to have as we left home. However, upon reflection, Calvin is a bit of a worrier, and would have probably hated being away from home, and would have made all involved miserable.  So he remains home for another week.

The real "gem" of navigating through the public schools though has been with Preston. Ryan and I have physically been in the secondary school office three (3!) times to discuss whether they even have a place for him in his grade, S2.  Each time, they have let us know that the only person in the entire school that can answer that is unavailable, but will "most likely be around later." Of course I can't schedule an appointment with him.   I managed, after two calls, to get the guy (head master of admissions) on the phone and was informed that... he still doesn't know... and has to talk with the headmaster of the S2's to make sure there is a spot.  For the love of all !@#$%^&*! To quote a favorite movie "Flames...Flames... on the side of my face...."  All I'm trying to do is find out if he can go to the school that is in the boundary we moved into. Throw in having to find parking and pay the meter each time, and I am one angry, frustertated, ready to go home, check please, don't call us we'll call you, kind of mom.  Ahhhhh. Scotland womps!!!!

Annie and Simon at their new school: Craiglockhart Primary.

Simon and Annie. You can see Annie's school uniform. Simon is hiding his white shirt.

Annie wanted to do a silly pose.

Simon was hoping to pose like a Ninja and wanted me to snap the shot as a seagull flew by.  

I think we missed on both counts.