School System and All Sorts of Discoveries

This morning we popped into the Lush (chain of all natural soaps, shampoos, lotions, creams, etc.-also in the US and Canada). Very cool stuff but pretty expensive and I find that their expiration dates come up too quickly and I end up throwing a lot of it away. It is a block from our place so I just wanted to pop in quick. Little did I know that Ethan would love this place. He was smelling all the different scented soaps (they are samples so luckily it was okay to touch them) and asking the employees if they made these products. They had this one kind of soap in like a jello-ish form that Ethan was mesmerised with. This one employee was super nice and was showing Ethan all sorts of things and did this sample of the bubble bath bombs. Ok, she sold us-we bought a lavender robot one (we need things to convince Hailey that baths are fun--she is super freaked out about taking a bath after having a shower in the temporary apartment). And she gave me two free sample bars of brown henna for my hair! When we left Ethan said enthusiastically, "thanks for having us over to your place!"

 

Then we went to the Courtyard Tea Rooms for some tea and scones. Such a cute little outdoor seating area and a really good orange cranberry scone. I got the Gingerbread Rooibos Tea which was also lovely and sweet.

Check out this random thing I discovered 

At the Pound Store today-could be cool for tailgating:

Then we went to head towards the pier and found the local public school and found out where to go register for school in an office above the library (and that they were still open through the current holiday break). So we headed that way (stopping in the department store Beales to get a clearance butterfly sweater on the way of course). So we found out that Ethan can go to preschool for free (kids 3 and up are entitled to 15hrs a week for "Nursery School" or Preschool, starting at the beginning of this term (in 1.5weeks). To register for public school which they have the option of starting at 4 (and need to start before they turn 6). The age 4/5 class at the start of school is called "Reception". Forms were due mid-January (for the Sept. Start of school year) but they will accept it as a late entry. The school we saw was apparently the one he would be zoned to go to but here, you can choose from a number of schools. You list your top 3 on the form and they try to accommodate everyone. Or, Ethan could go to Nursery School or Preschool. Also list top 3 choices and it is based on availability etc. That may be the better option for him to do that (up to 15hrs/wk) since he could start now and keep going to the same school and make friends (he may not ready for structured school yet). I have a bunch of research/schools to visit to decide which one is the best fit though!

Then we checked out the library and got a library card. Oh, I found the coolest book (especially for those of you with an engineer in the family):

I had never heard of it until now-such a cute story! Makes me want to dig through the trash and make stuff with the kids. :) Also found out that they have a twice weekly "Rhyme Time" (their equivalent of Library Storytime with songs I'm guessing). And a Lego club for kids 4+. And another playgroup type thing that offers activities, songs and playtime. Wow, all sorts of free weekly kids stuff nearby to choose from (two other play groups we knew about as well). Nice!

Then we discovered that Ethan misplaced the Lush bag that also had a book in it. After walking all over creation, we located it and all was well.

Last, we found this super cheap (but some really good ones) card store:

Need to go in there without kids along to really look. Can you tell we are easily distracted? We got home way late for naps but oh well. :)