Raising Second Generation Expats

<span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444;">Ever wonder what it would be like to live abroad with your family?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444;">In my last <a href="http://happyhomemakeruk.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/reflecting-on-expat-upbringing.html">post</a> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444;">I interviewed four American expat moms</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444;">who described what it was really like </span><br /><span style="color: #444444;">to live in a foreign country </span><span style="color: #444444;">when they were kids</span><br /><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444;">- the good and the bad -</span><br /><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvj5fv01QiFW1wxq2wUnM8MUHIrVNkghndjmn0m5gP0vMal6QiBSyjH3QHrcJHud8SSsuz6Ea5FOCOOAWURDXg1WTjtO2MYFkCBIUvV55g9GAlzI14p3pZ2udWrqFeicplioi1nehLyoVy/s1600/scan0044-002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvj5fv01QiFW1wxq2wUnM8MUHIrVNkghndjmn0m5gP0vMal6QiBSyjH3QHrcJHud8SSsuz6Ea5FOCOOAWURDXg1WTjtO2MYFkCBIUvV55g9GAlzI14p3pZ2udWrqFeicplioi1nehLyoVy/s640/scan0044-002.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444;">Next I posed the question </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #444444;">'Did you want to raise your children abroad?'</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444;">Here are their responses</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444;"><b>Miss C</b> <i>(Raised in 4 European countries, now in England)</i>: <span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Absolutely!!  It's a gift that they, once they are adults, will fully appreciate and treasure for the rest of their lives.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Miss S</b> <i>(Brazil as a child, Japan as a teen, now in England)</i>: </span></span>I didn't have a preference per se but my husband and I knew if the opportunity arose, we certainly would consider it. I'm glad my kids live abroad now. It makes them different. They are truly citizens of the world. They have family in Africa and America, and they live in England - but to them that's normal. How crazy is that?!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444;"><b>Miss G</b> <i>(England as teenager, now in India)</i>: I absolutely wanted my kids to live abroad, and longer than I got to. I came away from my own experience thinking that living abroad was an essential part of a person’s education in life.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444;"><b>Miss L</b> <i>(Costa Rica as teen, now in England)</i>: <span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Both my husband and I were eager to live abroad with our children.  Because of my experiences in Costa Rica, I saw the benefits of living abroad, but I also hoped to move where there would be a lot of activities for our children - our current school and England certainly provide that.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmvOjnr9ONSH-RM09ze3BExrXthPPZEgsfXLvJY2LA2wsI0SQx8UQETL_FymndfFATXNf2a0KOHX54UxMk-e5CzpDj2lqFXVtAAAMcfB-TJeDtTPZq1epZfwgZhjwIAx2DXFdc944dIcYg/s1600/IMG_0618-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmvOjnr9ONSH-RM09ze3BExrXthPPZEgsfXLvJY2LA2wsI0SQx8UQETL_FymndfFATXNf2a0KOHX54UxMk-e5CzpDj2lqFXVtAAAMcfB-TJeDtTPZq1epZfwgZhjwIAx2DXFdc944dIcYg/s640/IMG_0618-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #444444;">What insights or advice would you have for parents new to the expat life? </span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #444444;">What words of wisdom would you have for their kids?</span></b></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444;"><b>Miss C: </b><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Don't try to live your "old life" in your new location. Open yourself up to your new culture and embrace it, experience it. Expose your children to as much as you can - make them realize that the world is vast and interesting.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444;"><b>Miss S:</b> Laugh. Things will go wrong. If you're lucky to know the language where you are an expat, there are still nuances, jokes, sayings, signs, measurements, and mannerisms that are different. Ask questions. You're a foreigner and people know it. Usually, people are willing to explain things and if you say something silly or out of place, just blame it on your ignorance because you're new!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444;">When we first moved to Brazil, my mom would go to the supermarket and try to speak Portuguese. She wasn't very good at it, and she only knew whole numbers. When she asked for cheese at the cheese counter, she only knew how to say "1" so she would come home with 1 kilo of cheese. That's 2.2 pounds! I did something similar when I first moved to London and ordered groceries online. I got my gallons and litres mixed up and ended up with about 4 gallons of milk in my first order. That's about 15 litres of milk! Whoops.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444;">For the kids - you're never the 'new kid' for long in an expat community. Once you start feeling like you've got it, look around for someone who isn't quite there yet. They will be eternally grateful just as you would have been if someone helped you in your early days.</span><br /><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB-uHlEgZSS1ZYAqeO92w20LkYU32R7AaUiW5fSZHwE8MJFt8obXK5tCpBqfrcf_pRKtlhecSnwYHpEFgXSEVhgQeu2iZfhxGHU1MWBj0It09ZGUny9Bv0tomgBn516ZvnLRdcfnBxiKLO/s1600/IMG_0676-002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB-uHlEgZSS1ZYAqeO92w20LkYU32R7AaUiW5fSZHwE8MJFt8obXK5tCpBqfrcf_pRKtlhecSnwYHpEFgXSEVhgQeu2iZfhxGHU1MWBj0It09ZGUny9Bv0tomgBn516ZvnLRdcfnBxiKLO/s640/IMG_0676-002.JPG" width="616" /></a></div><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444;"><b>Miss G:</b> It’s harder to live abroad than at home, harder and richer. In other words, it takes work, but it’s worth it. As a mom, my primary concern is getting the kids settled, and I think it’s really helpful if one parent can focus on just the kids for the first 6 months of a move. Setting them up to be comfortable and with activities they like and one or two friends before you start your job (if you have one) will make the rest of your stay much more comfortable. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444;">I have tried to be lenient with my kids as moving and being someplace new is stressful for them too - I try to allow them extra treats (an ice cream now and then when you don’t have a friend yet really CAN help!) and lots of listening to them and playing with them. Remembering that they are nervous or homesick or stressed just like you are can help focus your energies on helping them through it. One specific trick that has worked for us: one of my two kids doesn't like change and we have found that keeping his room roughly the same wherever we go makes a huge difference to him. It’s a kind of familiarity that we can provide – when all else is novel.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444;">We also have found that a lot of preparation before you move can really help the kids. I found YouTube videos of the cities we were moving to, to show the kids what it would look like, and we watched together, focusing on things we couldn't wait to see for ourselves or try. We bought coffee table books with big bright pictures of the towns and cities, books of the local folklore and children’s stories also helped engage them. We also had the opportunity to take photos of their new schools (and some of the teachers and kids!) to bring back for the kids to see. Our kids really poured over all this before we moved them and they knew, to some degree, what to expect when we left the airport.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444;">I have found this sort of preparation helps us a lot on our travels as well. Since we've been living abroad (Ethiopia & India), we've taken our kids on vacations to 10 different countries. To engage them before we go, we talk about where we’re going and what we’ll see and do and eat; buy activity and story books when possible (there are great ones for Egypt and China) and make playdoh structures out of the amazing buildings we will visit. After a kid has tried to build the Eiffel Tower out of playdoh, he is even more excited to try to climb to the top when you’re actually there. Putting in the prep time with the kids BEFORE we move or travel has really engaged them and made our travels a lot more fun.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpNCXH3z-ZFxtwE5QSbqqcCEb7Z90p8BmcWEANE6NFof43dksZsKrtStIEscP08Gks8c0iCTMiooqa0Bs2qhx9yrZny2tOlC6YdFL9eru2mszeZ36hyphenhyphenNunCwgWqXLAPRxkeH90nMZ5q_EB/s1600/IMG_0836-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpNCXH3z-ZFxtwE5QSbqqcCEb7Z90p8BmcWEANE6NFof43dksZsKrtStIEscP08Gks8c0iCTMiooqa0Bs2qhx9yrZny2tOlC6YdFL9eru2mszeZ36hyphenhyphenNunCwgWqXLAPRxkeH90nMZ5q_EB/s640/IMG_0836-001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><b>Miss L:</b> <span style="background-color: white;">Before moving here, we moved quite a bit in the US, and I quickly learned that no matter where you live, there will be things you don't like very much and things that you absolutely love. And that is certainly true to living abroad, only on a bigger scale.  But we've always said, "Just focus on the things you love", and that always seems to work. </span><span style="background-color: white;">There is definitely an adjustment period to any move. It takes a while to figure out things and to find your niche socially, but it always gets easier and better as time goes on.  </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">I would suggest getting involved as much as possible because you'll enjoy it even more. We absolutely love our school - it keeps us very busy and productive - but some of the things we enjoy most are the local activities (sports, church, our British neighbours). My boys have been really happy here, almost immediately, and I keep telling them, "You've learned that you can be happy anywhere". It's a good skill and a good mindset for them to develop.</span></span></div><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span><br /><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBRMsKu2nKyd8-PK61jJKbk2Lzbc2E2NVrmvEJiNVMi63etlx10ToYJUS4uLT1naMwi4YRxsv5s4S3gAl9kQDtQI4RGGL_ysfUIi8q_TDQAEL46V0CeP79nCrjRK-OxFrigugtKd39BxBs/s1600/photo+1+(2)-002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBRMsKu2nKyd8-PK61jJKbk2Lzbc2E2NVrmvEJiNVMi63etlx10ToYJUS4uLT1naMwi4YRxsv5s4S3gAl9kQDtQI4RGGL_ysfUIi8q_TDQAEL46V0CeP79nCrjRK-OxFrigugtKd39BxBs/s640/photo+1+(2)-002.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #444444;">Anything else you would like to share?</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444;"><b>Miss S:</b> <span style="text-align: justify;">I think if you live abroad it's really important (and a lot easier) if you have a safety net. We always went with a big corporation who looked after us, took care of all the logistics, schools, housing, gave us trips home, etc. Living abroad without that safety net can be very difficult. If anything really bad happened, we knew we had a way "out" and would be taken care of. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><b>Miss G:</b> </span>I have been amazed how clearly my kids mimic my husband’s and my feelings about a move (or a trip). If I am excited and happy about it, then they are too. If I am nervous and homesick and feel out of control, then they will follow suit. Putting your most positive attitude into this adventure will come right back to you. Finally, having the opportunity to live abroad with your kids is a special privilege, and I would encourage anyone interested to embrace the adventure!</span><br /><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix12kJpKUiL1JbggK_Niw5nSrCh0yrBy9z6Jub0OG5u9eHK_oQn3Qs3xgjlHoaL7STf88lsesJDGpCvZTevZVXHRX8Q6e9_ANYkVIBE2YChInR4AsxaX1kaeO1RzePZkWJXF3SQPlz9mry/s1600/IMG_0934-002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix12kJpKUiL1JbggK_Niw5nSrCh0yrBy9z6Jub0OG5u9eHK_oQn3Qs3xgjlHoaL7STf88lsesJDGpCvZTevZVXHRX8Q6e9_ANYkVIBE2YChInR4AsxaX1kaeO1RzePZkWJXF3SQPlz9mry/s640/IMG_0934-002.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444;">Wow! I love all the wonderful insights</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444;">Thank you so much for taking the time to answer all my questions, girls!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444;">Great tips for vacationing with kids (love the playdoh idea, Miss G!)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444;">and loads of good advice for families moving anywhere, not just abroad</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444;">Plus just a lot of sound advice for raising a family</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444;">Good stuff!</span><br /><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span><span style="color: #444444; font-size: x-small;"><i>- all photos by me -</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: x-small;">Related posts: </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://happyhomemakeruk.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/reflecting-on-expat-upbringing.html"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: x-small;">Reflecting On An Expat Upbringing</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://happyhomemakeruk.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/a-tricky-question-where-are-you-from.html"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: x-small;">Where Are You From?</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/35/2FD701A88E1AB920883327F28E3E4BF9.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>

Raising Second Generation Expats

Ever wonder what it would be like to live abroad with your family? In my last post   I interviewed four American expat moms who described wh...

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Reflecting On An Expat Upbringing

<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444;">Due to an overwhelming response on my post '<a href="http://happyhomemakeruk.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/a-tricky-question-where-are-you-from.html">Where Are You From</a>?',</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444;">I decided to write a follow-up from a different angle</span><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxbvH45O7aYEO-fhVfYr8NKEU4N5tE0fDclyjJcsD4k2wmlftB8XEziN1XHdsRUYWEqtyo3YwEL_GeaXaTqNt8MvHPSj12aeOXStlxTj9PQXzumIG4qzBqE3UMS14T853U5NhhTIaSx14I/s1600/il_fullxfull.405416203_nj4f-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxbvH45O7aYEO-fhVfYr8NKEU4N5tE0fDclyjJcsD4k2wmlftB8XEziN1XHdsRUYWEqtyo3YwEL_GeaXaTqNt8MvHPSj12aeOXStlxTj9PQXzumIG4qzBqE3UMS14T853U5NhhTIaSx14I/s400/il_fullxfull.405416203_nj4f-001.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Handmade by <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Janefoster?ref=seller_info">Jane Foster</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444;">Wondering how my children may reflect upon living abroad,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444;">I posed questions to four American expat moms who lived in foreign countries</span><br /><span style="color: #444444;">when they were younger</span><br /><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span><span style="color: #444444;">Here's a quick introduction to these 4 lovely ladies</span><br /><span style="color: #444444;">who took the time to answer my questions (thank you!):</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444;">Between the ages of 4 to 18, <b>Miss C </b>grew up in four European countries</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444;">Now a busy mom of 4, she is fluent in French, and her husband is German</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444;">They live in England</span><br /><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444;">Meet <b>Miss S</b> who lived in Brazil for four years when she was little</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444;">and moved to Japan during her teenage years</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444;">She has two kiddos and a South African husband</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444;">With US/UK dual citizenship, Miss 'S' has lived in England for 8 years</span><br /><b style="color: #444444;"><br /></b><b style="color: #444444;">Miss G</b><span style="color: #444444;"> spent one year living in Oxford, England as a teenager</span><br /><span style="color: #444444;">She, her husband, and 2 children recently moved </span><span style="color: #444444;">from Ethiopia to India</span><br /><b style="color: #444444;"><br /></b><b style="color: #444444;">Miss L </b><span style="color: #444444;">spent two of her teenage years in Costa Rica</span><br /><span style="color: #444444;">Now a mom of 3 children, she lives in England</span><br /><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span><span style="color: #444444;">Here's a few of my 'wonders', and their responses:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #444444;">While you lived abroad as a child, what did you think of the experience at the time?</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444;"><b>Miss C:</b> Once in an international school system, you get used to kids coming and going. Therefore, our moving every few years was the norm as everyone else was doing it too. However, that doesn't mean I didn't cry my eyes out when we left Switzerland and Belgium, but the adjustment was quick and easy once our new school began. </span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444;"><b>Miss S:</b> We were in Brazil when I was 2 - 6 years old, so I didn't know I was an expat. I knew and understood we were different and lived far from family. I remember my mom stocking up on all the things she couldn't get in Brazil. There were no limits on weight and number of suitcases, so we literally traveled with 12 huge suitcases. At the time there weren't many toddlers on planes, so we received lots of attention. Whenever we left for Brazil at the end of the summer, my extended family would cry hysterically as they waved goodbye. From our point of view, we were off for another year of adventure.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444;">When I was 13 years old and living in the US, my parents told my sister and me that we were moving to Tokyo. I cried and tried to convince them to let me stay behind with my best friend. I didn't want to leave my American school or friends. But my sister and I quickly found friends at our new school in Japan. Since all expats have been new at one time, they all know what it's like and were quick to introduce us to other people and give us pointers. We stayed for two years, and boy, did I cry when we had to leave Japan! </span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9lHQ0M4SIf912l0qWObsW-4GOeF-QN1hxtQjtHeddvbF5Dxdek2Xy780KGcKZvpZPpmi0B3IYxuOdrhq5YqxyVGMBmiBXiK9a6VrFQeS7kIhGaH15VFObXC6l4oWdvxLmCVXOrT68n6_h/s1600/il_fullxfull.385064321_6fcs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9lHQ0M4SIf912l0qWObsW-4GOeF-QN1hxtQjtHeddvbF5Dxdek2Xy780KGcKZvpZPpmi0B3IYxuOdrhq5YqxyVGMBmiBXiK9a6VrFQeS7kIhGaH15VFObXC6l4oWdvxLmCVXOrT68n6_h/s400/il_fullxfull.385064321_6fcs.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">iPhone case by <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/Arete?ref=seller_info">Arete</a> on Etsy</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>Miss G:</b> </span>I was very excited for the adventure and eager to try something new but living in England for that one year turned out to be a difficult experience for me. The girls in my all-girls school weren't very nice to me for at least half the year. I was one of only two foreigners in my grade, and it wasn't cool to be an outsider. My mom worked very hard to keep me happy, including taking me out of school often and going on little trips with her. </span><br /><b style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /></b><b style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Miss L:</b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"> It was really difficult for me to move to Costa Rica, as I was about to start high school. But it was a great experience, and for the most part, I really enjoyed it. The down side for me was that I attended a very small international school (the only English-speaking one in the area), and there were very few extracurricular activities there. We only had about 30 students per grade. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Back in the US, I had been very involved in a variety of sports and choirs, plus a lot of church and social activities, and there wasn't much of that in Costa Rica. There were no sports for girls, and I was in the only choir in the school, which was very mediocre. </span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Also, because it was an international school, we were very spread apart, so getting to other friends' houses was challenging. None of us were old enough to have a driver's license, but we did find ways to get around and do things. We had great monthly dances, which were a lot of fun, and I found a phenomenal jazz dance class outside the school where I went 3 days a week, so that improved things a lot.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #444444;">Now through adult eyes, what do you think about your time abroad when you were a child?</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><b>Miss C:</b> I absolutely loved it; it's an experience I wish everyone could have. As a child, one doesn't fully understand the scope of it, but as an adult one realizes how fortunate and lucky one was. Children who have these experiences, especially in high school, create bonds that last a lifetime. I'm very close with my high school friends as we share such a unique experience.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><b>Miss S: </b>I think my experience abroad made me the person I am today. Of course there were days that were challenging, but overall I learned a lot, including to laugh more, to ask for help when lost, and to appreciate people of different cultures. </span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">However, I quickly lost touch with what was happening back home. I didn't get their jokes as much, I wore different clothes, I didn't know the TV shows, and I picked up mannerisms and inflections that made me seem different to them. Some people incorrectly took it that I was leaving my past behind or acting stuck up.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9VlD2u9tQsnowAYpqyknKGxegx4ZR8KAhnhCxrf_a87_D9rGUlP97G8zPP0pXru5wqjBf2pWSdGdmRvi9uVcAaiv0IUjUPaIVKetoqT0Pj2WvMSZiBweJlIC5xnTc_9byIc_LYnga8lF-/s1600/il_fullxfull.278266250-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9VlD2u9tQsnowAYpqyknKGxegx4ZR8KAhnhCxrf_a87_D9rGUlP97G8zPP0pXru5wqjBf2pWSdGdmRvi9uVcAaiv0IUjUPaIVKetoqT0Pj2WvMSZiBweJlIC5xnTc_9byIc_LYnga8lF-/s400/il_fullxfull.278266250-001.jpg" width="391" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vintage art by <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/CirqueDeArt?ref=seller_info">Cirque De Art</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>Miss G:</b> </span>It was a great experience for our little family - being abroad pulls a family together and forces you to really lean on each other because you don’t have friends and other family around to go to. It was likely a pretty challenging year for my mom, as one of her four kids (me!) wasn't very happy, and I’m sure it took a lot out of her to work with me. The only real disadvantage I can see is that coming back into my old school was a bit rocky. My US school didn't really know how to judge all the different classes I took in England, and I think I ended up a bit behind in the US system. In the long run, it didn't matter at all.</span><br /><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><b style="color: #444444;">Miss L:</b><span style="color: #444444;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;">As an adult, I see it as a fantastic experience. I learned to speak Spanish fluently, and it certainly broadened my perspective in major ways. Our church asked my dad to oversee the missionary work for our church in Costa Rica and Panama (he left his career for two years to do it), so we traveled a lot to tiny and remote parts of Costa Rica, Panama, and even Guatemala, and I got to experience life outside the sheltered expat community. I saw poverty and different cultures that I had never experienced in the US, and I also met a lot of great people and families who, in so many ways, were a lot like me. </span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #444444;">How did the experience change you?</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444;"><b>Miss C: </b>It made me more versatile, flexible, accepting, and open minded to cultures, religions, and people - not just because of the schools I attended, but also from the travel that went along with living abroad.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444;"><b>Miss S:</b> I don't know if it changed me, it's just me. I just lived my life and happened to be living in a foreign country. My first experience abroad was when I was so little, so it has always been a part of me. </span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444;">It is easy for me to talk to people from other countries, as I'm curious about them and what it's like to live in their country. Perhaps my experience made me marry my husband - he's British but born in Zimbabwe and raised in South Africa. I think we connected because we both lived in other countries as kids. We like to joke that even though we are both white, our kids are 'African American'.</span></div><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJDBbZVDhDOAPT0U9-oN6eK8YR2V8rju3xnY9Iu-QUFiHytVDXSJ1Naokz7lJe1s38B881MnbVVT2yz-O7O6Sl6mLnAXl1tTj9Vc3RkBmlceE3ekeyyatI7eIEtEDnwgXqa5dGjX3m32eG/s1600/il_fullxfull.410650611_3lxv.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJDBbZVDhDOAPT0U9-oN6eK8YR2V8rju3xnY9Iu-QUFiHytVDXSJ1Naokz7lJe1s38B881MnbVVT2yz-O7O6Sl6mLnAXl1tTj9Vc3RkBmlceE3ekeyyatI7eIEtEDnwgXqa5dGjX3m32eG/s400/il_fullxfull.410650611_3lxv.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For sale by Evka Photography on <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/EvkaPhotography?ref=seller_info">Etsy</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>Miss G: </b></span>Even though it was a rough year, I learned I could survive. I could handle being the new kid and manage new situations. I liked all the stimulation of being in a place that was new to me and sort of got “the travel bug” from this time abroad. I also learned that there are other ways of doing things and living. The American ways of doing things were just ONE way, not the only way. This excited my imagination. You could say, the experience opened my eyes to the greater world around me.</span><br /><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><b style="color: #444444;">Miss L:</b><span style="color: #444444;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;"> My school in Costa Rica was extremely rigorous academically, so I received a great education and learned how to be a successful student.  It also helped me feel entirely comfortable in foreign, non-English speaking countries, and it created in me a desire to travel and see more of the world.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #444444;">Describe what it was like when you 'repatriated' (returned home)</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><b>Miss C:</b> <span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;">I went back to the US for college, which is a new beginning for everyone, so it's hard for me to answer. Any transition period I had had more to do with being at a university than being back in the US. I was excited to live in the US and learn more about the country I was from. To me, the norm had always been to be viewed as a "foreigner", the one speaking English in a non-English speaking country. To be in the US and viewed as a ''native'' was a strange concept to me, and still is. To this day, I absolutely hate the question "where are you from" as I don't have a good, or short, answer. So I tailor my answer depending on who asked the question :-)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><b>Miss S:</b> <span style="text-align: left;">I was 6 when we moved back to NY from Brazil, and I can recall going to 1st grade and telling people where I moved from. None of the kids knew what Brazil was but then again they probably didn't know New Jersey either. I remember someone asking me if Brazil was a cookie? I have no idea why, but that always stuck with me.  </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">You quickly learn that while the experience of living abroad is so dear to you, no one else really cares. My mom always tells the story that when we moved back after 4 incredibly exciting years which included amazing trips, her friends only wanted to talk about their new Mr. Coffee machines which were all the rage in 1978!  It was quite a shock and I guess that's what leads to "reverse homesickness". She quickly learned to keep her stories to herself, but we would retell them over and over at family dinners.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtugXeS6WbTxDzEgbMevvJ4-J6nvvi4WOTc4wg3W1Kn66AaC9M_dQpgHqXnSWpIAhVbJA-YmA5cJhF_gF5QTq9raNsg9jVcCL0ewSqoSLFjD992U3iU_ozcOZJ6wUL3L_A7x8BeDFvR0qj/s1600/il_fullxfull.311296863-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtugXeS6WbTxDzEgbMevvJ4-J6nvvi4WOTc4wg3W1Kn66AaC9M_dQpgHqXnSWpIAhVbJA-YmA5cJhF_gF5QTq9raNsg9jVcCL0ewSqoSLFjD992U3iU_ozcOZJ6wUL3L_A7x8BeDFvR0qj/s400/il_fullxfull.311296863-001.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LondonJeff's Havana photo available via <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/londonjeff?ref=seller_info">Etsy</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Miss G:</b> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: inherit;">I remember feeling a bit disappointed and bored. I felt I had changed in so many ways and really grown, but everything at home seemed exactly the same.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: inherit;"><b>Miss L:</b> It was definitely an adjustment moving back to the US. Part of it was because I went to a different high school than the majority of friends I grew up with in elementary and junior high school, so it was almost like moving to a new place socially. I also had changed and grown in so many ways, but it seemed as if so many of the kids in the US were just the same. That said, I was thrilled to be back in a school where I had so many opportunities outside of academics, and I quickly got involved in a lot of things. I was really glad I had both experiences in high school. </span></span></span></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; text-align: justify;"><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; text-align: justify;">I find these insights to be incredibly fascinating,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; text-align: justify;">giving a broad spectrum of emotions and perspective</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Did they wish an expat life for their families?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">What advice do they have for expat parents?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">Answers revealed in the next <a href="http://happyhomemakeruk.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/raising-second-generation-expats.html">post</a> :)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #444444;">(an unsponsored post</span>)</span><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">Related posts:</span><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://happyhomemakeruk.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/a-tricky-question-where-are-you-from.html">Where Are You From?</a></span><br /><a href="http://happyhomemakeruk.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/raising-second-generation-expats.html"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Raising Second Generation Expats</span></a><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/35/2FD701A88E1AB920883327F28E3E4BF9.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>

Reflecting On An Expat Upbringing

Due to an overwhelming response on my post ' Where Are You From ?', I decided to write a follow-up from a different angle Handmade b...

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Ideas For Scrapbooking

<br /><div style="text-align: center;">You won't be surprised to know<br />scrapbooking is one of my passions<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">- capturing the moments big and small -</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQNPZ9ph71GhwaezPUjrL5xl57Fb7NiiLYLVdGllCZYKnl4VEbCWBNeMDOdlyhS5rnID04jSMQkOABQLtj1pMLIyfK4g-gD0UPXRjZUWaZSZFTzCy7hVb2zX4ekgkC2MfxL8k2pUu-JqvB/s1600/DSCN3825-0012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQNPZ9ph71GhwaezPUjrL5xl57Fb7NiiLYLVdGllCZYKnl4VEbCWBNeMDOdlyhS5rnID04jSMQkOABQLtj1pMLIyfK4g-gD0UPXRjZUWaZSZFTzCy7hVb2zX4ekgkC2MfxL8k2pUu-JqvB/s640/DSCN3825-0012.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Every year I make a personalized scrapbook for each of my kiddos,</div><div style="text-align: center;">which is made easier with digital photo books</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I make the first book for my son</div><div style="text-align: center;">and then copy it for my daughter</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I then revise it by adding her birthday and friend photos</div><div style="text-align: center;">and 'girl it up' with papers, stickers and ribbons</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">There are countless methods, programs, and websites to use</div><div style="text-align: center;">but I like <a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/">Shutterfly</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">They have simple photo books that allow you</div><div style="text-align: center;"> to drop your photos in the book and order,</div><div style="text-align: center;">or a customizable option if you are more crafty inclined </div><div style="text-align: center;">(more time consuming but I'm happy with the end product)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Regardless, I think photo books are so important</div><div style="text-align: center;">not only to help hold memories<br />but also a priceless memento to pass down<br /><br />This year I am incorporating more maps into my scrapbook<br />to indicate where we live, work and go to school<br /><br />Here's a sample page I made for you :)<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3VuzkbTuCg5CkaR6houOAfeiSvtBwMOYJQG0kRiRgFxmbMybozGNLbYzVP2-Yca9j5UhG1gBuTgqZqW7qPYcVXgv0E5WcUiXZFv6pcB4wFMp2hyG7GxmjNrVMLew4Wo3pdjU4ypG-w9lL/s1600/london+map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3VuzkbTuCg5CkaR6houOAfeiSvtBwMOYJQG0kRiRgFxmbMybozGNLbYzVP2-Yca9j5UhG1gBuTgqZqW7qPYcVXgv0E5WcUiXZFv6pcB4wFMp2hyG7GxmjNrVMLew4Wo3pdjU4ypG-w9lL/s640/london+map.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />Each year I trace my children's hands onto<br />a newspaper article, map, or brochure<br />and paste it into the book once it arrives in the mail<br /><br />Aside from recording their height and weight,<br />I have a long list of questions I ask each year, such as:<br /><br />Who are your best friends, and what is your favorite subject in school?<br /><br />What is your favorite movie, book, and food?<br /><br />What is your favorite sports team (for him) or stuffed animal (for her)?<br /><br />Where is your happy place?<br /><br />What do you want to do when you grow up?<br /><br />I write up brief bios of each family member (including pets)<br />and record important news stories from the year<br /><br />We take photos of the school, the building my husband works in,<br />rooms in the house, and our favorite pizza restaurant<br />to try to capture the 'everyday'<br /><br />I have the kids photograph things in their room<br />that are important to them<br /><br />Not only are the photos at their eye level,<br />but it is a chance to literally look through their eyes<br /><br />I'm off to get in a little more scrapping done today...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Do you have tips to share?<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>This is an unsponsored post</i></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/35/2FD701A88E1AB920883327F28E3E4BF9.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>

Ideas For Scrapbooking

You won't be surprised to know scrapbooking is one of my passions - capturing the moments big and small - Every year I make a personaliz...

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Fun Photo Apps

<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWA3kXpaPSmoSkSsxOvFQZ04C4sbGHfnb6YH6TIV2zfgo7GCyhBNBt_u__6WEnhlX_P8fyRKeTSeaK3hDO5BSywwoJgvmhZ0xMKphN1Yyq9jWXtvTItItXW2krK_Lg-DhJxnCQqnKP33xX/s1600/photo+(3).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWA3kXpaPSmoSkSsxOvFQZ04C4sbGHfnb6YH6TIV2zfgo7GCyhBNBt_u__6WEnhlX_P8fyRKeTSeaK3hDO5BSywwoJgvmhZ0xMKphN1Yyq9jWXtvTItItXW2krK_Lg-DhJxnCQqnKP33xX/s640/photo+(3).JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />Photo of phone booth using Percolator App</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Twenty years ago, </div><div style="text-align: center;">a smartphone would have seemed to be technology from a James Bond movie</div><div style="text-align: center;">with its infinite gadgets in the palm of your hand<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Interactive map, flashlight, mirror, video camera,</div><div style="text-align: center;">compass, translator, encyclopedia, and phone</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Really quite astounding, eh?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So as happy accidents happen,</div><div style="text-align: center;">I forgot my camera charger at home (again!)</div><div style="text-align: center;">and had to document half of our vacation with my iPhone,</div><div style="text-align: center;">forcing me to explore the possibilities of the technology<br /><br />Although I don't have the newest iPhone,<br />I was surprised the quality of my photos was comparable<br />to my DSLR camera<br /><br />While not great for high-quality zooming or nighttime shots,<br />this little phone camera is certainly light-weight and convenient<br />with a wide angle lens<br /><br />Here are some photo apps that have me really excited...<br /><br />:: <a href="http://www.eyeapps.com/Home.html">ProHDR</a> ($1.99) ::<br /><br />I use this app for landscape shots<br />It snaps two photos - one overexposed and one underexposed<br />and blends them together to create one photograph<br />with amazing depth and color<br /><br />I find this to be a good solution for capturing the sky<br />which often appears white in my photos<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYAYd2Iqr90MslVuEqS0oxo7sRXIsGUm-MnCOyYba-fdz43ONrWKBxKZwwfIJiOtb5PBfpWzhpfPpIPG2zvnK7_GgjrocqW8sIkv0oJGT50qG9D48I7Q37JWx2jiwDMEYfWP6xbWD6m3jI/s1600/Walk2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYAYd2Iqr90MslVuEqS0oxo7sRXIsGUm-MnCOyYba-fdz43ONrWKBxKZwwfIJiOtb5PBfpWzhpfPpIPG2zvnK7_GgjrocqW8sIkv0oJGT50qG9D48I7Q37JWx2jiwDMEYfWP6xbWD6m3jI/s640/Walk2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />On my desktop, I use <a href="http://picasa.google.com/">Picasa</a> and <a href="http://www.picmonkey.com/">PicMonkey</a> for photo editing<br />On my phone, I use <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/adobe-photoshop-express/id331975235?mt=8">Photoshop Express</a> (free)<br /><br />:: <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/instapicframe-picture-frames/id527860351?mt=8">InstaPicFrame</a> (free) ::<br />provides collages and those coveted circle frames<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp6y0eNL6KlbHygaRlU7k0cDB9PdbYHLAvoB2qXNaNhhzvdhaWingx79BTXYaajs1dfJKWznqVi3MLN1luHgMoY9PLw2U5FI0o5K5C6O5Zv8_5SnM9rBxjNV0iXjzVgcK9P8hVVmB9r6KE/s1600/December+2012-011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp6y0eNL6KlbHygaRlU7k0cDB9PdbYHLAvoB2qXNaNhhzvdhaWingx79BTXYaajs1dfJKWznqVi3MLN1luHgMoY9PLw2U5FI0o5K5C6O5Zv8_5SnM9rBxjNV0iXjzVgcK9P8hVVmB9r6KE/s640/December+2012-011.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />:: <a href="http://www.percolatorapp.com/">Percolator</a> ($1.99) ::<br /><br />I am CRAZY about this app<br />which turns your photo into cool artwork<br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbWfmPy5D_xO9lmMxsM3zv6G1SD7PdH1aNWqqr0aOWjOaBPh7qz6IVg4y7CKs6vTXVaBNR6DOsvB4fPLVX3gVbAQMqISNfQd0X3NFrK67K4oCl6V3o0l57HuSb2umpeptSuLFnedUkp7xk/s1600/December+2012-007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbWfmPy5D_xO9lmMxsM3zv6G1SD7PdH1aNWqqr0aOWjOaBPh7qz6IVg4y7CKs6vTXVaBNR6DOsvB4fPLVX3gVbAQMqISNfQd0X3NFrK67K4oCl6V3o0l57HuSb2umpeptSuLFnedUkp7xk/s640/December+2012-007.jpg" width="618" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo of wall graffiti</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />:: <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/photoartista-haiku/id405788462?mt=8">PhotoArtista Haiku</a> ($2.99) ::<br /><br />Not my favorite app, but it has its merits<br />by turning photographs into watercolor paintings<br /><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQHF7AWrRPKLb7qeGn1xs78GjQCQPApuj6mUZywfBm4m7c8aHwmqhuD5QGhgxCwSZuIXHuZMhxKDrKp4sE1Tbx23cFhjCgFLFiVfHvL6XsnC_iflwQQJcjtA5HZKRSowsFMy3CetOHOJ0j/s1600/Collages2-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQHF7AWrRPKLb7qeGn1xs78GjQCQPApuj6mUZywfBm4m7c8aHwmqhuD5QGhgxCwSZuIXHuZMhxKDrKp4sE1Tbx23cFhjCgFLFiVfHvL6XsnC_iflwQQJcjtA5HZKRSowsFMy3CetOHOJ0j/s640/Collages2-001.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">:: <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/toonpaint/id349890672?mt=8">ToonPAINT</a> (£1.49) with upgrade (£.69) ::</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I find this app to be very addictive,</div><div style="text-align: center;">transforming photos into graphic woodblock prints</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikJVtC4jNHUKAlBUxX_864zVYMS9rF7da-JR2T043i-jI2mTwJRVT371Aki8Fo8fkGWz-6G3m6foF7dhNFKSq2qz1Dp1GrQpLKoChlRZijmKcNTAitb3lVyi3ilgb5dg5_Op743TUu8GbU/s1600/iPhone.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikJVtC4jNHUKAlBUxX_864zVYMS9rF7da-JR2T043i-jI2mTwJRVT371Aki8Fo8fkGWz-6G3m6foF7dhNFKSq2qz1Dp1GrQpLKoChlRZijmKcNTAitb3lVyi3ilgb5dg5_Op743TUu8GbU/s640/iPhone.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />Bundles of roses at market</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Many of these apps allow you to upload into Instagram and Facebook</div><div style="text-align: center;">and work on other Apple devices too</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">If your desired photo is on your desktop,</div><div style="text-align: center;">email yourself the photo, upload onto your device, and have a go!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Then email your finished photo back to yourself in 'actual size' for better resolution</div><div style="text-align: center;">and download onto your desktop</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So easy and fun!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And for the kiddos, these are a great alternative to phone video games<br />They can spend hours making masterpieces :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">- all images are my own -</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>I found some of these apps (and more) in <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/iPhone-Obsessed-Photo-Editing-Experiments/dp/0321771621/ref=sr_1_sc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1357887074&sr=8-1-spell">iPhone Obsessed</a> (book)</i></span></div><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">This is not a sponsored post. </span></i><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Just excited to share :)</span></i><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/35/2FD701A88E1AB920883327F28E3E4BF9.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>

Fun Photo Apps

Photo of phone booth using Percolator App Twenty years ago,  a smartphone would have seemed to be technology from a James Bond movie with it...

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Forest Dens

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Take a walk through any Surrey forest,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">you are likely to stumble upon one of these</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcoUVFwngbWCxyhEyjs2SVfmVAnh1zgq9dRPCJ1TrTtSYD-G7aSE6ss8ybMCAwaFjUlcltuidrjLn1XKr5vtn_jkBpZJO875q6pD5gk4bEEsp0o2mbuXK-Filwp5pAR597OQHlwr6WENaM/s1600/IMG_3257-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcoUVFwngbWCxyhEyjs2SVfmVAnh1zgq9dRPCJ1TrTtSYD-G7aSE6ss8ybMCAwaFjUlcltuidrjLn1XKr5vtn_jkBpZJO875q6pD5gk4bEEsp0o2mbuXK-Filwp5pAR597OQHlwr6WENaM/s640/IMG_3257-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Play dens are made by children with their families,</div><div style="text-align: center;">gathering nearby branches to prop against a tree</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Possibly standing for decades,</div><div style="text-align: center;">a passerby may add to the pile</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Such a delightful playground accessory to any forest :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Related post:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://happyhomemakeruk.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/50-things-before-you-turn-11-34.html"><span style="font-size: x-small;">50 Things You Should Do Before You Turn 11 3/4</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/35/2FD701A88E1AB920883327F28E3E4BF9.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>

Forest Dens

Take a walk through any Surrey forest, you are likely to stumble upon one of these Play dens are made by children with their families, gathe...

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Scrambled States Of America Game

<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We've heard from other expat American families</div><div style="text-align: center;">that while their children may receive a more global education,</div><div style="text-align: center;">a strong US geography base might be lacking</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Clever Santa delivered a family game this year</div><div style="text-align: center;">which teaches (or reviews) US state locations, capitals, and state nicknames</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We played it on our vacation,</div><div style="text-align: center;">tirelessly</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieHbZyN2-jWEAFZfJScYny0YYsAkp3AxDgTgvEkUN0Ggd4aoR5h9QFF9KxDTNB6wad2qlJDjocyD5ehz_2jgNb48HHjalE-DQAOO7-h2f8MmBZ3dXTAk563ROjeBDay8wp24whsZdaCsvW/s1600/Scrambled+States.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieHbZyN2-jWEAFZfJScYny0YYsAkp3AxDgTgvEkUN0Ggd4aoR5h9QFF9KxDTNB6wad2qlJDjocyD5ehz_2jgNb48HHjalE-DQAOO7-h2f8MmBZ3dXTAk563ROjeBDay8wp24whsZdaCsvW/s640/Scrambled+States.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Based on book of same title<br />via <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Gamewright-5505-Scrambled-States/dp/B0009XBY1W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1357299485&sr=8-1&keywords=scrambled+states+of+america">Amazon</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Targeted for children 8+,</div><div style="text-align: center;">this game is fun for tweens too</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It is a great concept with many tasks,</div><div style="text-align: center;">such as finding the closest state and finding hidden names within capitals</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It later brought up interesting dinner discussion such as</div><div style="text-align: center;">''Why is it called Rhode Island when it is not an island?''</div><div style="text-align: center;">''What is the proper pronunciation of Montpelier?''</div><div style="text-align: center;">''How do you call someone from Juneau?''</div><div style="text-align: center;">Hmm, good questions</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div>My only complaint about this game is</div><div>it is not available for other countries or continents</div><div>(hint, hint Gamewright)</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Many Europeans are surprised that Americans often can't name</div><div style="text-align: center;">the capitals of all 50 US states</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This is because many capitals are in small cities that</div><div style="text-align: center;"> rarely make national news and seldom visited</div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Hoping you are having a wonderful new year so far</div><div style="text-align: center;">Thank you so much for reading :)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Sharing about this game only because it has been a great find for our family.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>I received no free product or compensation for this post.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><br /></i></span></div></div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/35/2FD701A88E1AB920883327F28E3E4BF9.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>

Scrambled States Of America Game

We've heard from other expat American families that while their children may receive a more global education, a strong US geography base...

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English History For Kids

Posted by Happy Homemaker UK<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">There are many reasons the English know their history so well</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">For one, on such a small island</div><div style="text-align: center;">history is never far away with a short drive to a castle, museum,</div><div style="text-align: center;">or some sort of historical attraction<br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoAx0jZg5Iv0eeZUuWUTLrl6ihnLgJBlAJt844U8FI5mlsBIwjkrkmnnQ5xzz7eykl9pr77Ba4xCSAqQQOIV-Q7Banf45CElXHRqPEfZKw3dvqt5PitJG8n1HEUJS1G2T7sstrV2jzb1A/s1600/DSC_0493-006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoAx0jZg5Iv0eeZUuWUTLrl6ihnLgJBlAJt844U8FI5mlsBIwjkrkmnnQ5xzz7eykl9pr77Ba4xCSAqQQOIV-Q7Banf45CElXHRqPEfZKw3dvqt5PitJG8n1HEUJS1G2T7sstrV2jzb1A/s640/DSC_0493-006.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stonehenge<br />{ photo by me }</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">History is made appealing at an early age<br />through various books and TV shows</div><div style="text-align: center;">such as the 'Horrible Histories' series<br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitC6wVDXW5Iw-vDkKKzl6dW4JgN_ZEVbjibb02u5hICIAi8sg5I5axsRICdCs1fcXOt-UxFNv_On3TmRn4bRYipIRSUjV9zaXER16uZekWovYK9jvza1B4HgmPA2c2WQ6q8u0X6PAwnlg/s1600/Horrible-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitC6wVDXW5Iw-vDkKKzl6dW4JgN_ZEVbjibb02u5hICIAi8sg5I5axsRICdCs1fcXOt-UxFNv_On3TmRn4bRYipIRSUjV9zaXER16uZekWovYK9jvza1B4HgmPA2c2WQ6q8u0X6PAwnlg/s400/Horrible-001.jpg" width="260" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">via <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Smashing-Saxons-Horrible-Histories/dp/1407104187/ref=pd_sim_b_26">Amazon</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Often describing gruesome details,</div><div style="text-align: center;">children are attracted to the real stories,</div><div style="text-align: center;">some more colorful than many of us could make up!<br /><br />My daughter has taken to this series...<br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg02kpHzqNIz9c4zKbS0HRoaugZ5zZQl2r0VFmrUVC5d4HDUeO1UTkJgB7lDK15fXTxFk6dmRvsz1urK4vpVRtPEOTdFWokSkylAlYlXrEnq48pnp1l61cwVQJTtr4tQ_7ivicHNrJUPgs/s1600/51CXrzT0EwL._SS500_-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg02kpHzqNIz9c4zKbS0HRoaugZ5zZQl2r0VFmrUVC5d4HDUeO1UTkJgB7lDK15fXTxFk6dmRvsz1urK4vpVRtPEOTdFWokSkylAlYlXrEnq48pnp1l61cwVQJTtr4tQ_7ivicHNrJUPgs/s400/51CXrzT0EwL._SS500_-001.jpg" width="261" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">via <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Elizabeth-Royal-Story-Kathryn-Lasky/dp/1407116215/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1342181929&sr=1-1">Amazon</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Beloved English works by Dickens, Shakespeare, and Austen</div><div style="text-align: center;">have been abridged for children to learn </div><div style="text-align: center;">these classics at an early age<br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGRz22jCPwYraf9GWQlxMRdVwdYKvZKRrYmNo2-DUcu1Qqir_U63PxBa9DoE0lFfZywcV7yWp49nck2FDsChEg7zPP9yy74gPLXa55SRQnMEOOIXE8yDobnaeiDeiTVDgLyLmlGQQRZ6A/s1600/Amazon3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGRz22jCPwYraf9GWQlxMRdVwdYKvZKRrYmNo2-DUcu1Qqir_U63PxBa9DoE0lFfZywcV7yWp49nck2FDsChEg7zPP9yy74gPLXa55SRQnMEOOIXE8yDobnaeiDeiTVDgLyLmlGQQRZ6A/s400/Amazon3.JPG" width="261" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">via <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Great-Expectations-Real-Reads-Tavner/dp/1906230013/ref=pd_sim_b_3">Amazon</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />Okay, not historical, but I love this one for younger readers...<br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXIgY6HvRqQUSbT0o9M-r9cEWTDGaL-p3wYuErIlyXrKE4jTLmG0Kcfmdr2Out3zS25hAf7rADn8mFKaCY9AGkqGiaoc5MLPLob-1WxvQ1-9Eiy0sGF7HZV3kfjIBc46BhMm-EB3KYzfo/s1600/Amazon1-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXIgY6HvRqQUSbT0o9M-r9cEWTDGaL-p3wYuErIlyXrKE4jTLmG0Kcfmdr2Out3zS25hAf7rADn8mFKaCY9AGkqGiaoc5MLPLob-1WxvQ1-9Eiy0sGF7HZV3kfjIBc46BhMm-EB3KYzfo/s400/Amazon1-001.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">via <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Queens-Knickers-Nicholas-Allan/dp/0099413140/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1342528447&sr=8-1">Amazon</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Local venues stage theater performances of Shakespeare's works,</div><div style="text-align: center;">while the Last Night of the <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms">Proms</a> concert offers British patriotic pieces</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In essence,</div><div style="text-align: center;">the English are surrounded by their history and culture all the time </div><div style="text-align: center;">from an early age<br />- geographically and leisurely -</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />I love that!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">:: More popular historical fiction ::<br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Asterix-Britain-Ren%C3%A9-Goscinny/dp/0752866192/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1342181611&sr=1-1">Asterix</a> series (comic book) </span><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Baker-Street-Boys-ebook/dp/B007AEZUNG/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1342692355&sr=8-2">The Baker Street Mysteries</a> series</span><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Biggles-Goes-War-W-Johns/dp/0099634414/ref=pd_sim_b_5">Biggles</a> series </span><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cat-Among-Pigeons-Royal/dp/1405237597/ref=pd_sim_b_2">Cat Royal</a> series</span><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/London-Murder-Mysteries-Deadly-Fire/dp/1848120826/ref=sr_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1342692675&sr=1-6">The London Murder Mysteries</a> series</span><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">Books by <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kaspar-Prince-Cats-Michael-Morpurgo/dp/0007267002/ref=sr_1_7?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1342181778&sr=1-7" style="background-color: white;">Michael Morpurgo</a></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/35/2FD701A88E1AB920883327F28E3E4BF9.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>

English History For Kids

Posted by Happy Homemaker UK There are many reasons the English know their history so well For one, on such a small island history is never ...

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50 Things Before You Turn 11 3/4

Posted by Happy Homemaker UK<br /><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Our family is a bit outdoorsy,</div><div style="text-align: center;">so I was really excited to find the website</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://50things.org.uk/">50Things</a> by <a href="http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/">National Trust</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNdqM-90JRgalqHFP379PYcophyphenhyphenMPCgeIG-4QZZL7Yq5TrnBJnoyXPGEHZKM7n6SyOlVqe_X5tN8yiQinucjZF1WBKYudK2U91N0tXCwJa9__SeEi07ytMPqXAlO4SE1b4Qr0PuJJmopg/s1600/kitchen1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNdqM-90JRgalqHFP379PYcophyphenhyphenMPCgeIG-4QZZL7Yq5TrnBJnoyXPGEHZKM7n6SyOlVqe_X5tN8yiQinucjZF1WBKYudK2U91N0tXCwJa9__SeEi07ytMPqXAlO4SE1b4Qr0PuJJmopg/s640/kitchen1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mud Pie Kitchen at <a href="http://joyfulhome.wordpress.com/2011/06/26/mud-pie-kitchen/">Joyful Home</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It lists activities all children should do before they reach 11 3/4</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The interactive website is designed for kids</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Design your own 'explorer',</div><div style="text-align: center;">earn online badges as activities are accomplished,</div><div style="text-align: center;">and journal when, where, and how activities are completed</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Each activity includes a short how-to video clip<br />{ such as how to light a fire without matches }</div><div style="text-align: center;">and suggestions of where to do it</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It is a go-to for ideas in any type of weather</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8MAyLUoUUoxm_vkTP8lgB4T9WV4QKBEYZJjlH9LepxCT3I2RIv0KsGrtP2QdJ6ORq1KFyliklzwIy7zMFyxh_Iq40B_XUMHedJ3FZI-VTX-w6_Csen3cw16eXZiFMAmWkD8MuIfQsT3I/s1600/50+things.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8MAyLUoUUoxm_vkTP8lgB4T9WV4QKBEYZJjlH9LepxCT3I2RIv0KsGrtP2QdJ6ORq1KFyliklzwIy7zMFyxh_Iq40B_XUMHedJ3FZI-VTX-w6_Csen3cw16eXZiFMAmWkD8MuIfQsT3I/s640/50+things.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">How many have you done?</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Light a fire without matches</div><div style="text-align: center;">Skim A Stone</div><div style="text-align: center;">Dam a Stream</div><div style="text-align: center;">Roll Down a Really Big Hill</div><div style="text-align: center;">Set Up a Snail Race</div><div style="text-align: center;">Find a <a href="http://happyhomemakeruk.blogspot.co.uk/2011/11/tips-for-hiking-with-kids.html">Geocache</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Eat Blackberries Growing In The Wild</div><div style="text-align: center;">Fly A Kite</div><div style="text-align: center;">Climb A Tree</div><div style="text-align: center;">Plant It, Grow It, Eat It</div><div style="text-align: center;">Go On A Nature Walk At Night</div><div style="text-align: center;">Swing On A Rope Swing</div><div style="text-align: center;">Bury Someone In The Sand</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">For a complete list,</div><div style="text-align: center;">visit <a href="http://www.50things.org.uk/">www.50things.org.uk</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/35/2FD701A88E1AB920883327F28E3E4BF9.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>

50 Things Before You Turn 11 3/4

Posted by Happy Homemaker UK Our family is a bit outdoorsy, so I was really excited to find the website 50Things  by National Trust Mud Pie ...

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Tips for Hiking with Kids

Posted by Happy Homemaker UK<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Close friends know we have been dragging our kids<br />on weekend adventures since forever<br /><br />For years our children have referred to it as 'The Prison Bus',<br />as they felt forced to go<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkmGfiYoubpJhVNghvLBWDgDk_rfh3BkCDqklEu0tyPwaDQ7nIyzxBRDEb9U64tuTtQufZSfqZHTmpGKRekDjCbRN_445E9Nfc3iU6oJ5aHa8_bzrWtFhyphenhyphengAb3zVlTFm_Etnr8RfMAV5U/s1600/DSCN5938-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkmGfiYoubpJhVNghvLBWDgDk_rfh3BkCDqklEu0tyPwaDQ7nIyzxBRDEb9U64tuTtQufZSfqZHTmpGKRekDjCbRN_445E9Nfc3iU6oJ5aHa8_bzrWtFhyphenhyphengAb3zVlTFm_Etnr8RfMAV5U/s640/DSCN5938-4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />Now that we live in England, the Prison Bus still takes day trips<br />but with little struggle<br /><br />One recent weekend the Prison Bus never left<br />and we found we each twirled in our own little worlds in the same house,<br />without really connecting the whole weekend<br /><br />Ever since, our family does something together for a few hours<br />usually in the form of a walk to bask in fresh air & bucolic views<br />to rejuvenate for the upcoming week<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6I5wCK6PjyzbJamB0dTs8xytQnHd9ux9fhe_4OlmCqGSwe2clXdRJmwlYvBdTjkqmtHkZqobvnPj7o9JwMeiIdMRBkZ-T3mmkjj8HGrTuCy5UhenliqjmsvdHGO_ZF3CRpB7xNqv1QI4/s1600/DSC_0070-41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6I5wCK6PjyzbJamB0dTs8xytQnHd9ux9fhe_4OlmCqGSwe2clXdRJmwlYvBdTjkqmtHkZqobvnPj7o9JwMeiIdMRBkZ-T3mmkjj8HGrTuCy5UhenliqjmsvdHGO_ZF3CRpB7xNqv1QI4/s640/DSC_0070-41.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />And with so many public trails nearby,<br />we never need to walk the same one twice<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVBRn-CGxDkyF_k-sQe5OmBA98nj4yJzPbvFRtajF6CSQrxt6bFNgPA5QoVfAljlI8UPRXc4rnVGRrfj50JEoZD74nSlwBRlk7-y4RzkiYd4XPDhKz1qqX54S25FGN53UH2RY2A3ipGeI/s1600/DSCN5993-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVBRn-CGxDkyF_k-sQe5OmBA98nj4yJzPbvFRtajF6CSQrxt6bFNgPA5QoVfAljlI8UPRXc4rnVGRrfj50JEoZD74nSlwBRlk7-y4RzkiYd4XPDhKz1qqX54S25FGN53UH2RY2A3ipGeI/s640/DSCN5993-1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />:: IN OUR BAG OF TRICKS ::<br /><br /><b>Digital Camera</b><br />Each kiddo has one and enjoys snapping away to their little hearts content<br />It can significantly slow down the walk but that's okay<br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv6sI03QFSSCoo_3hiUa5vE4_pX1y1uyIU1MeEFTbRvt5XlvP7ZBnr7NfHsq5nPi_BbThOMXeWWM5ih7FNLwPmU4_29g9zkzahLXebs-NwzGDSqgNYnlev8UhSa31Bs3T6mB1HHB2x22k/s1600/DSCN5900-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv6sI03QFSSCoo_3hiUa5vE4_pX1y1uyIU1MeEFTbRvt5XlvP7ZBnr7NfHsq5nPi_BbThOMXeWWM5ih7FNLwPmU4_29g9zkzahLXebs-NwzGDSqgNYnlev8UhSa31Bs3T6mB1HHB2x22k/s640/DSCN5900-1.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hello, interesting mushroom<br />{ little hairs highlighted by camera's flash }</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><b>Metal Detector</b><br />I first got this idea when we went on a path that specifically said 'No Metal Detectors'<br />Of course that made me want to run out and buy one!<br />Were Roman coins or pirate treasures buried there?!<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8TFTN-Rhlml-UojHKYl_zMnJeApQfX3HbVeJqIUe10YkObk5jnedMJ-GOz2vF8y8LJ3F-fWG0iuRdcCPq9s3tSvjEaWpsidFLf5UIALqeEUEojrCGxDvs5M8dIullB1UpYvfXp911KBU/s1600/DSC_0090-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8TFTN-Rhlml-UojHKYl_zMnJeApQfX3HbVeJqIUe10YkObk5jnedMJ-GOz2vF8y8LJ3F-fWG0iuRdcCPq9s3tSvjEaWpsidFLf5UIALqeEUEojrCGxDvs5M8dIullB1UpYvfXp911KBU/s640/DSC_0090-11.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><b>Pocketknife</b><br />Obviously for older children,<br />my son enjoys finding sticks and turning them into spears as we walk<br /><br /><b>Walkie Talkies</b><br />The kids feel like little spies,<br />running ahead of us with a 'Roger That' and 'Over and Out'<br /><br /><b>Walk The Dog</b><br />The kids love racing our little Wilson through the woods and heath<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHrKtIz4HDzs73i1G8HuTO9kPNKe-qqAITYZAiCsUxhyphenhyphenJj122Yf3KNjA14Sz-iyNeW-iKdwgVDQjpGgcN6_Qtl3tfiWwTJt9GVpTJo6hKzx5I0Ywgnk14e8HZWC5yLvEqTz0B_rM8Eggs/s1600/DSC_0027-4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="371" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHrKtIz4HDzs73i1G8HuTO9kPNKe-qqAITYZAiCsUxhyphenhyphenJj122Yf3KNjA14Sz-iyNeW-iKdwgVDQjpGgcN6_Qtl3tfiWwTJt9GVpTJo6hKzx5I0Ywgnk14e8HZWC5yLvEqTz0B_rM8Eggs/s400/DSC_0027-4.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><b>Food</b><br />The idea of a post-hike ice cream or lunch at a country pub gets them running out the door<br /><br /><b>Geocaching</b><br />Best with a smartphone,<br />follow the compass and clues for this outdoor treasure hunting game<br /><br />A Geocache is a hidden container that is registered with the Geocaching website<br />Varied in size, there are over a million located worldwide<br />Random items may be inside; if you take something, leave something<br /><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f9a13a; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; text-transform: uppercase;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>I bet there is one near you, no matter where you live in the world<br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">{ see <a href="http://www.geocaching.com/">Geocaching.com</a> or download app }</span><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxsxaTWhi8KpNgpN3dHshiJo2-RqLGFbzfZP1TdQgqQ5P4HdoxshDrJr4kTkMdTTP2H3Cs2Tw5AptuvtazIXDTttLylZWw3KCxPewZ8qhIwnNySsWvgogWwwtcN2ryeHhWQdE3y9rvqKk/s1600/DSC_0359-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxsxaTWhi8KpNgpN3dHshiJo2-RqLGFbzfZP1TdQgqQ5P4HdoxshDrJr4kTkMdTTP2H3Cs2Tw5AptuvtazIXDTttLylZWw3KCxPewZ8qhIwnNySsWvgogWwwtcN2ryeHhWQdE3y9rvqKk/s640/DSC_0359-2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><b>Remote Control 4x4</b><br />I definitely wouldn't recommend this if you are looking for a quiet walk,<br />but my son insisted I share this one :)<br /><br /><b>Cycling</b><br />My daughter recently took to riding her bike<br />and enjoys doing it any chance she gets<br />In England, you can cycle on bridleways but not walking paths<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjig8uauE1DRuIJZPiEYAX5re8Nf74c2Qj5E5rNMFkkjxiKMcUyT5OnCbqZ0xlYoVG-jK8EcaF9nASNZ9JnY0nL1g2kTWi3RtSzGUuqe8YC-hNXh6ifzPofgNS6d7FE2Mwa_QccV_rkCdI/s1600/DSC_0114-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjig8uauE1DRuIJZPiEYAX5re8Nf74c2Qj5E5rNMFkkjxiKMcUyT5OnCbqZ0xlYoVG-jK8EcaF9nASNZ9JnY0nL1g2kTWi3RtSzGUuqe8YC-hNXh6ifzPofgNS6d7FE2Mwa_QccV_rkCdI/s640/DSC_0114-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />What tips do you have to share?<br /><br /><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">- all photos by me -</span></i><br /><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Postscript: I also want to mention Geocaches are in rural AND urban environments. Really, there probably are a few near you wherever you live in the world.<br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Linking to <a href="http://my3boybarians.com/">Sweet Shot Tuesdays</a></span></div></div><br />  <a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54489/35/2FD701A88E1AB920883327F28E3E4BF9.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a>

Tips for Hiking with Kids

Posted by Happy Homemaker UK Close friends know we have been dragging our kids on weekend adventures since forever For years our children ha...

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