Interesting happenings last week!

Wow, have I been busy lately!!!  Last week was especially busy...here's the rundown!

 First of all, I have found myself as the PTA Chair of Garfield.  Not sure how that happened, actually yes I am.  Our good friend Jane accepted a job in Hitchin, which left the PTA Chair position vacant.  Since no one else was willing to step in, I decided "Why not?"  So, there you have it.  6 months after moving to a new country, I am the PTA chair; oh and we are planning the biggest fundraiser of the year...the summer fair.  No pressure at all; so thankful for all the amazing parents I have to help me!

The second exciting event from last week was that I went to Scotland Yard to get my fingerprints taken.

 As part of the background check for the school, if you are an overseas applicant from the US, you are required to get your fingerprints taken and sent to the FBI so they can investigate.  Scotland Yard is a massive place; it was full of all kinds of men in suits and uniformed police men.  A man at the outdoor entrance checked my passport against the appointments list for the day, then I went through a metal detector and my bag was checked by an x-ray machine, and then I checked in at the front desk.  The lady who did my fingerprints was an unassuming lady, the room was locked and must be used exclusively for fingerprints.  It took no more than 3 minutes and that was it!  So now the FBI will have my fingerprints.......

The third exciting thing was my personal styling appointment at John Lewis.  Brad and I have been invited to go to Ascot next week with his boss and several of his other co-workers.  It's a really big deal!  Brad received the following e-mail in regards to the dress code:

Royal Enclosure Dress Code

LADIES: Ladies are kindly reminded that formal daywear is a requirement in the Royal Enclosure, defined as follows:

• Dresses and skirts should be of modest length defined as falling just above the knee or longer.

• Dresses and tops should have straps of one inch or greater.

• Jackets and pashminas may be worn, but the dresses and tops underneath should still comply 

with the Royal Enclosure dress code.

• Trouser suits are welcome. They should be full length and of matching material and colour.

• Hats should be worn; a headpiece which has a base of 4 inches (10cm) or more in diameter is acceptable 

as an alternative to a hat.

Ladies are kindly asked to note the following:

• Strapless, off the shoulder, halter neck and spaghetti straps are not permitted.

• Midriffs must be covered.

• Fascinators are no longer permitted; neither are headpieces which do not have a base covering a sufficient area 

of the head (4 inches / 10cm).

GENTLEMEN: Gentlemen are kindly reminded that it is a requirement to wear black or grey morning dress, 

which must include.

• A waistcoat and tie (no cravats)

• A black or grey top hat

• A gentleman may remove his hat within a restaurant, a private box, a private club or that facility’s terrace, balcony 

or garden. Hats may also be removed within any enclosed external seating area within the Royal Enclosure Garden. 

The customisation of top hats (with, for example, coloured ribbons or bands) is not permitted in the Royal Enclosure.

• Black shoes

I decided that I needed some help to make sure I comply with the dress code AND that everything is matching, etc.

I LOVED it!  It was so much fun to have someone bring dresses for me to try on and help find the right color scheme.
I had to rush out of there so I could catch a train back to get Drew from school (I ran the entire way to the
train station and made it right before they closed the door!).  I went back today and I am so excited about my
oufit!!  Pictures to come next week when Brad has his morning coat and top hat!!

The afternoon of the same day I took Drew into London to the hospital to get his blood taken.  We are trying to
confirm for sure that he doesn't have celiac's disease.  He was SO brave; he barely even flinched.  The phlebotomist was so impressed with how still he was and how he didn't even complain!

On Saturday, we went to Wimbledon Park for a birthday party.  

This park is right across the street from the Wimbledon Tennis courts and I can't believe we haven't been there before; it was a great time!  And it was an absolutely beautiful day!!  The kids played mini golf, ran around with their friends, kicked the soccer ball, ate lots of candy, and played games.  Then we walked over to the playground where this also a splash park.  And of course all the girls (all 9 of them!) got in the water fully clothed!!!

 Thankfully, I had packed a change of clothes, but they had the best time.  Lauren was wet from tip to toe, but Alison mostly only the bottom half since she couldn't get her cast wet.

On Sunday, Brad and I went to Wembley Park to do the Color Run (notice the spelling since it's an American brand!)  It was at Wembley Stadium, which is where one of the big football clubs play all their games, as well as the site of the opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympics.

 It is quite a massive stadium as you can imagine!  It was another gorgeous day for us to do our first race in the UK.  Although it was not a timed, competitive race, it was still good fun!!  We waited in the queue for nearly an hour before we crossed the starting line, but it wasn't too bad.  It was VERY crowded and we were pretty colorful at the end.  After the race was over, they had an after-party that reminded us of Spring break.  They had a huge stage with an Emcee and music and also a photo drone overhead taking photographs of everyone throwing the powder that was handed out as you crossed the finish line.  Afterwards, we went to a pub nearby and had a couple pints, which was a good end to a fun day!!