"Hero Day"

Friday morning I was digging through Ethan's book bag and noticed a new newsletter with a reminder about "Hero Day" where the kids can dress up as their Favorite school hero (in place of wearing their school uniform). And it took place on Friday the 13th which was that day. It's a big nationwide charity fundraiser day and you donate money for the privilege of wearing a costume (or "fancy dress" as they call it, they refer to swimsuits as "swim costumes"). Businesses everywhere have bake sales and other fundraisers going on this day as well.

Ethan was already dressed for school and we don't have any superhero costumes so I contemplated just sending him in his uniform as usual. But then I thought about how disappointing it would be to be the only kid not dressed up on their one chance to wear something fun. So we ventured to Primark and got him  some Minion PJs. (My first thought was "Are minions a superhero?" But they DO actually help stop the evil villain and save the moon and the world in the movie. And who cares-that's what Ethan wanted to be!) We got some PJs because they were cheaper and so he could get a lot of wear out of them. He was pretty excited about his new costume/jammies:

And then I had to drop him off at the front entrance to the school and sign the tardy book and have him be escorted to his assembly. There goes our untarnished "on time record". Ah well! :)

Then I went to Zumba with Hailey and came back to find her in childcare with her face painted. Apparently it is painted like Pudsey the bear, the mascot for this special charity fundraising day. She looked so cute:

She kind of looks like a mime artist here:

Their Vererans Day here is called "Remembrance Day" and also referred to as Remembrance Week. I am really impressed with how many people are wearing poppy pins, carrying poppy bags etc. as a symbol to honor their veterans and pay tribute. It is really neat to see so many showing their respect.

This week the lights and big wreaths got strung across High Street and they seem to be adding more decorations all the time. I bought some different holiday teas at M&S today. I like the mulled fruit one (feels nice on my sore congested throat as well). The Christmas tea is fine but I don't really taste the nutmeg or "Christmas spices".

The other day Margie was talking about how she was looking for a new jacket but all of they have these fur lined hoods and she doesn't want that. I was looking around a few days ago and noticed that nearly everyone I saw had an Army Green  parka with a fur lined hood! It's like the unofficial uniform here for women in their 30's!

Ethan got his school photos back today. He looks so cute in his uniform:

Ethan has been so good with Hailey lately. They are so funny, they keep toting toys up and down to different levels of the townhouse. Hailey is lugging two "purses" that are overflowing with toys and random bits and bobs. He said to her, "we'll call those things for your doggy "roofies". (Haha, little does he know that is a term for something completely different!)

He got some cake at school in a paper towel today as he left and he handed it  to me and said "I can have that as dessert after my dinner." Too funny. He has been helping Hailey eat her dinner and waiting for her to finish so they can eat their dessert at the same time. Really sweet of him.