Stuff and things

Mitch was originally assigned to the European Bureau at the Overseas Building Operations (woohoo!), but this week he found out it was actually the African Bureau.  Um.  It's hot there, and I know I won't be able to wear any of my boots.  Of course, he assures me that nothing is set in stone, but I know he's doing mental cartwheels ever since he found out.  His loved his time in Swaziland when he was in the Peace Corps, so yay for him, I guess.  Maybe there won't be any deer!  Or mosquitos. Or other bugs. 

The kids are doing okay in school.  So far, Jack has adjusted the easiest.  It's like he was made for a school with 2000 kids.  He's making friends, caught up on the work he's missed, and doing well in his classes.  He actually enjoys his AP classes and was surprised  to see that kids here take part in discussions rather than playing on their cell phones.  Henry was having a really hard time adjusting to the homework and grading system, but he's starting to get the hang of it.  He's making friends and one kid lives on our block, so he's pretty happy with the social scene.

My girls are struggling with their separation.  They've been having the most trouble coping in class when there is any kind of conflict and they don't have each other to lean on.  Grace burst into tears three times last week for no aparent reason during school.  Olivia keeps it together during school, but cries in the morning because she doesn't want to leave Grace, even though she may have just punched her minutes before.  In the past, Olivia has always refused to dress like twins with Grace, going so far as changing her clothes if Grace puts on anything remotely matchy to her.  But!  School picture day was this week and they came downstairs dressed like this:

However, this morning they were back to being dressed like their usual selves: