Monroe Sherwood News: These are the Days of our Lives

The days are just flying by and things are going pretty darn well at this juncture. Today, Friday, was our weekend and we had a chill evening of ordering in Papa John's pizza and swimming at the pool. Photos are prohibited at the pool so you won't be seeing any photos from our time there...Jon already got a talking to by security after snapping a couple of pics the other day at the clubhouse pool. Photo taking is very private here and if it looks like someone else may be in your photo, either accidentally or on purpose, it can be offensive. There are also some Islamic dimensions to be considered when it comes to images such as photos...we're still learning.

The boys and a Swedish friend they met at a Science dinner...chilling.

We met some lovely people and have been to some dinners and gatherings in our first week. The boys are quite good at trying new foods (not finishing them) and being polite and patient while we head to these new outings. They have most everyone who meets them in awe of their self control and manners and we are incredibly proud.

The boys were discussing pet possibilities in the beginning and we were keeping our options open, even though we're really not pet people. Anything for the kids. This was sparked by Jon's Mom getting an adorable little kitten before we left the States and the fun they have with Lucy, the cat my Mom & Dad share with their neighbor ;-) Our upstairs neighbors got a kitten just the other day and we brought the boys up (Adam mostly) to see how they would react with allergies, hives, etc. They did ok but Adam definitely broke out in hives on his face and neck :( Jay is such a little bug lover and has been on the lookout at all of the new creatures. He was very excited to find a new "beetle" the other night and held it in his had our whole walk home. He'd gaze at it and then tell me that he couldn't believe how much his "beetle" loved him. By the time we made it home the "beetle" had disappeared from his hands and Jay was devastated and in tears. "Luckily", just before walking in, I saw it crawling up his back and shoulder and grabbed it and showed him that I had found his beloved bug. Needless to say he was THRILLED and ready to go and create a habitat for his new pet. I had him show me his beetle in the light of the kitchen before finding him a jar, and sure enough, my non-biased entymologist had himself a big old cockroach. OMG!!! I calmly grabbed the bug and told Jay that he'd have to bring it back outside. He was devastated and sobbing about having to release him into the great unknown and he is still quite cross with his discriminating mother. "What's wrong with a cockroach? Wall-E had a cockroach and they're great pets"! What oh what to do :) When we were unpacking the toys the next night, and what should we find but his battery operated cockroach. I told him that was the only one I would allow. He got kind of a kick out of that.