8th Grade Graduation and More

What a big day!

- In the morning, we all attended Jason's 8th Grade Middle School Graduation/Celebration Ceremony, to transition to High School next year. About a third of the graduating class was chosen to deliver excerpts of speeches which they had written for the occasion, and Jason was among them. He did a great job, and looked wonderful in his coat & tie. We're so proud. A delicious buffet reception afterwards with all the families.

- In the afternoon, Jason went off to New Day "Local" at the Oakwood Youth Challenge adventure centre, where they offer climbing, abseiling (=rappelling), high ropes course, fencing, archery, riflery, etc. The New Day Local event also includes rocking worship time and talks about God. *Update* He just got back, and had a great time - his chosen events were archery and riflery, and he loved them. He brought back his target papers to show us. Interesting, as there is a local annual holiday in Zürich all about teenagers and riflery, called Knabenschiessen. I don't know whether they let foreigners participate. It looks like it, from the rules, but I'm really not sure, as they are in German, and the Google Translate tool just puts me into giggle fits:

e.g. a few excerpts of the translation:
"If you have missed the deadline, post-registrations during the Knabenschiessen directly in the shooting gallery Albisgütli up on Monday morning at 09:00 clock still possible! Communist simply over..."

"SPÄTESTES ANTRETEN PROTECT THE 15 MINUTES BEFORE EACH SCHIESSENDE! The shooters who use for its own benefit selected the best times."

"How is shot? It is lying with an "assault rifle 90» official said. There are no sample shots allowed and there must be only one person per Schiesskarte be resolved!"

"Another possibility again without shooting, but additional prices wet, is the class competition."

"Not Forget: The program may only 1x shot!"

"More schmatzige delicacies from all over the world are opposed to money to the various sales booths."

"Who is Gabenberechtigt?
Results of 28 or more points are gabenberechtigt hits. Entitled gift-sign immediately after the shooting for "controller" of Schiesslinie for the purchase of Abzeichens and Gabengutscheines."

- Meanwhile, Emily was at a friend's house celebrating her birthday with about six girls, with a "Makeover" theme! Imagine these six ten-year-olds putting on as much mascara, eye shadow, lipstick, sparkly gel, blush, hairspray and nail polish as they wanted! She had a ball. Not only that, but she actually looked nice enough at the end of the party to go straight out for dinner with David and me. I felt a little underdressed sitting at the table with Emily. She did a nice job with her make-up. Wow. I was impressed.

- While both our kids were out at their fun events this afternoon, David and I went on a nice walk together in Windsor Great Park, on still more paths we hadn't yet explored. This is the 5000 acre park attached to Windsor Castle and starting only 5 minutes from our house. I've mentioned it before several times, with pictures (e.g. the Long Walk on Jan 17th 2007, Sixteen Pheasant on Nov 24th, '07, and the Punchbowl floral extravaganza on May 14th, last month). Today we saw a number of deer again, as we were mostly in the "King's Deer Park" section. We got up close to the Copper Horse statue and looked down the Long Walk at Windsor Castle, then turned our backs and walked along lush green alleyways and through wooded areas instead, with fewer people. A nice hour and a quarter of exercise and fresh air together.

Yesterday we got the house rental contract back in the mail, now signed by all parties, hurrah. However, the Swiss Embassy informed David that only his visa is ready, not the rest of the family, and that we all needed to fill out some more forms and provide some other stuff that he didn't have prepared. So there is a little delay on that. But at least he is now familiar with where it is, and we know what we have to do. Four steps forward, three and a half steps back? Progress, anyway!

4.5 days of school left
6 days until the packers arrive (which is the last day of school too)
13 days until we fly away from England
Momentous times