Back to reality and cell phone drama

So tomorrow, Brad goes back to work.  The time has come for him to get into his routine with riding the train to and from work.  The kids and I will still be in holiday for a few more days until the girls' school applications are processed.  Fingers crossed they find out by Friday so they can start school next week.  I am so ready for all of us to be able to get into a routine.  (And I am so anxious to find out what school they will be attending!)

We are going to try and find some things to do to keep ourselves busy this week and also do some school work too.  I am hoping Drew gets over his Daddy withdrawal pretty quick or it's going to be a really looooooooooong week.  We have enjoyed having Brad around for the past almost month.

I finally got a local cell phone number.  I ported my old number with google voice because I am very attached to that number!  It's the only cell number I have ever had,  and the last four digits are my maiden name.  However, I was unable to get a cell contract here because I have not yet established my credit, so I had to get a pay as you go phone, and I feel like I am back in the day when I got my first cell phone!  It doesn't even have a full keyboard!  And I couldn't send texts ( however Vodafone was able to send me 7 texts while I was paying!) because the person didn't set it up correctly.  After two calls to the Vodafone help line, I can now send texts!  Woo hoo!!  I decided to keep my old phone as is so I can still text my friends and family in the US, and when I get a contract, I will get a new phone.

Another interesting observation today was when I was cooking rice for dinner, and the package said one serving was 74g to 400ml of water.  The first problem is that I don't have a measuring cup, the second problem is what does that equate to?  The side of the package was marked to denote 74g, however 400ml of water is about 13.6 oz......so I used one of Drew's plastic cups to estimate, and I did pretty well because the rice was great!

I have been to the grocery every day but two, as well as received two grocery deliveries.  Most of the items are smaller than I expect them to be.  I have not figured out the volume and weight measurements yet, but I am sure I will. 

I have started a new rule since we have been here....dinner is one meal only.  I am not making separate meals for everyone anymore.  The first night, all the kids complained and threw a big fit, but since then it has actually been very pleasant meals!  Lauren invented "chicken cheese kebabs," which is a piece of chicken with shredded cheese and lots of ketchup!  But she ate it and last night, she asked for seconds.  I don't know if all of them are going through growth spurts or what, but tonight for dinner, Lauren had chips and salsa while I was making dinner, chicken, 2 servings of rice, 2 clementines and a mug of cornflakes (the mug was the one only clean dish.....6 small plates, 6 big plates and 6 bowls don't last long when we eat every meal at home!!)

Things to look forward to this week:

-ikea delivery!!!!  A desk and chair, and a shoe cabinet so our front door will not longer look like this

- hopefully news of our air shipment, as Drew keeps saying "it's on it's way here."

-a letter with the girls school