Good-bye summer

It was just a couple of posts ago that I finally welcomed summer to England. And just like that, it's already gone.

We had one last day of warmth and sunshine at the end of August. Hagrid was badly in need of a bath, so I let the kids put on their bathing suits for what was probably the last time this year (except maybe in October when we're in a hotel with a pool!). Hagrid was less than impressed with this idea of cleanliness, but he suffered through it and the kids were thrilled to be allowed to help.



Then the first of September rolled around and any dwindling hint of summer vanished. The temperature dropped into the 50s and it started raining. The sun was suddenly setting much earlier and rising much later.

And (with a huge sigh of relief from Mommy) the kids went back to school. All three of them are in preschool this year. Rhys looks longingly at the elementary school we have to pass on our way to the preschool, but the twins are loving their two mornings a week at school. Their first day of school was one of those dreadful days of stereotypically British weather, and they were dressed accordingly.



Their teachers say they're doing really well, and it's always a good sign when Desi starts handing out hugs to the teachers on her second day!

I've come to realize that we've been spoiled here in the UK. Preschool is practically free for all children over the age of three, thanks to a hefty grant from the government. The Gettysburg school district doesn't have a preschool program. Hmm...I'll have to do some research on that!

In any case, summer is gone and autumn is here to stay. It's crisp and breezy today, but at least it isn't raining!