Gunpowder, Treason and Crepes

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Here we are again.....

BTM - it depends how much "culcha" you want to do! Ellis Island was disappointing this time, as quite a lot of the exhibits have been taken away post Hurricane Sandy, but it is still quite interesting. The Tenement Museum on the Lower East Side was good. If you do museums, and go to the Met, I would decide what you want to see and stick to that, as it is so vast. I like the Frick Collection, and also the Jewish Museum. MOMA, again, don't try to do it all.

Ah yes. I think we should do some culcha, but I think there will be a lot of time shopping too! I know it's a whole year away, but I am so looking forward to it

There is a huge outlet mall about an hour outside New York, BTM - you can get a coach there and back. I haven't been there, but it is supposed to be excellent, if you have enough time. That's not to say that New York doesn't have plenty to offer though.

I am hoping to go to Macys and Bloomingdales, even if it is just to window shop! And lots of teen haunts, no doubt. Plus all the top tourist destinations...

I wasn't totes amazed by the shopping in NYC last time I went. It's all a bit, as Mrs S said, 'American'. The outlet of which she speaks is, however, brilliant.

We loved the tenement museum too, Mrs S, though beat a hasty retreat when invited to join some earnest young volunteers to come and eat popcorn with them and 'talk about what we saw'. We leapt out of a window, crying 'so sorry, I'm British'.

As for my teaching, it was of course fine, though I still apparently do too much chatting. At one point I was lying on the floor of the library, which caused a ruckus, and a lot of 'shush'ing from other patrons.

Herbs - they made us role play characters from the house in the Tenement Museum.

I hadn't been to NYC for a few years, and now we have many of the shops we used to go for: J Crew, Banana Republic etc etc. They also now have Forever 21 and H & M, so apart from the size, high street shopping not much different from Oxford Street. We did spend quite a lot of money in Old Navy, however. Macy's is a bit overwhelming, I find (an entire floor of coats! How to choose?). I do like Lord and Taylor and Bloomingdales, though, but not much floated my boat there this time. (I've been known to spend an entire day in L & T. )

Well done on the teaching front, Herbs. I'm quite sure my first efforts next month will not go so well. I have some details about my pupil. It's just me and that one pupil until Easter. I just hope we get on.

Dd has got a Sunday job at the new butchers/ deli. How much she gets involved beyond till work depends on how squeamish she is. She is not squeamish at all, so this could be interesting.

The tenement museum does sound interesting.
But you have both put me off

Yes, Old Navy! And the American shops are cheaper in NYC, aren't they? I have never heard of L&T...

Herbs, what were you doing lying on the floor?!

How exciting Stropps! Girl or boy? You will have to make a "getting to know you" game based on their interests...
And great that your DD has got a job - open on Sundays? Ours is shut Sundays and Mondays. The young girls just sell the stuff - the male butchers do all the chopping!

Boy, BTM, and yes, supposed to be doing the "all about me" activity but annoying have so far got no info about interests at all, so that's a tad difficult.
Butchers is super-old-skool, so dd will have to help set up the counter in the morning and scrub the floor of the giant fridge/cold store where they hang the carcasses.

uh, annoyly

Aaargh. Annoyingly.

That's v annoying, that is.

We all made themed board games with cards that we picked up and answered with questions like "What is your favourite colour?" They all love games like that, especially when the adult says too!

Don't think I would fancy the cold store with all the carcasses!

Yes Stropps work is still vile (bit thanks for asking)
Doing a couple of days in London with ds at the folks then back to the fray.
Hope everyone is okay. Dog is beyond cute Beachy (missing DHound)

What do you mean by clothes being "american"? Just out of curiosity and so I know how to avoid.

Stropps - I would hate to work in a butcher's - I'd have cold hands the whole time. Good on your DD though - I think it'll be excellent work experience.

Glad the teaching went well Herbs and good luck to you Stropps. I have abandoned my firework themed lesson on the grounds they're too French and am going with The Twits where we can do lots of adjective work.

I was just thinking of the American clothing brands which tend to be much cheaper if you buy them over there!

I love The Twits, and so has every child I have met!

BTM - I thought I could read chapter 1on Mr Twit and get them to imagine and write a description of Mrs Twit and them read her chapter. Then they can draw them. Sound OK?

Sounds great!

Thanks - first time I've done this as well.

Good Luck! Is it tomorrow?

No after half term so in another week - I think not would have been easier if it was sooner rather than later as starting to feel a bit like Herbs was last week and how Stropps is now. My problem is I hate having to discipline them and they know it!

"Honey, I'm home." We had a lovely time in Leicestershire, although the weather wasn't very kind. The best bit was a trip to Stamford which is such a pretty place, and we had lunch in the George in front of a huge log fire.

Unfortunately we have come home to a minor disaster - the curtain track in the sitting room has almost come down, bringing large chunks of plaster with it. DH is quietly panicking as it's going to be a big job to get it straight. Just off to Dunelm Mill to see if they have a long pole.

Teaching practice sounds good fun (but not if you're taking the lesson). Well done, Herbs, and good luck, Stropps. Are French children good in class? Hatty.

Does anyone know how Addle is?

I got in at 3.30 and am feeling Delicate.

Goodness- well done MI.

In other news ddad has had his operation to put in a stint to fix a heart valve. He's doing ok but may need a pacemaker as the old ticker is a little irregular. Dmum keeps asking if he can get out of hospital by Hallowe'en as she's made a costume for him. The nurse just looked at her like she was an alien. Typical of dparents priorities .

Off to work now, I think. Vair confused about time. Some clocks are correct and others disagree. Grr.

You Lush, MI.
BD - commiserations on Vile Job. I'm still reeling from my mid year review.
Crem - I love your Mum's priorities!!

"American" clothes - a bit 80s, and in your face, with glitzy gold buttons, which ruined what would have been a perfectly nice dress/jacket, random bits of gold embroidery. Like Per Una on speed.

DD2 has had hissy fit on the state of the house. I commiserate wholeheartedly. Apparently she hates it here too because "everyone shouts all the time." Who is "everyone"? DH. But apparently, I shouldn't shout back, I should be quieter and more submissive. (The root cause of her anger seems to be us having finished the mint oreos, and her not having had many.)