Thank the Lord that Alex; is such an easy going kid.  Not only in the way that he puts up with Joey at times, but just in the generalay that he slots in so easily to our family here.  As Anne reminded Joey when he was moaning about being allowwd to do more stuff and not getting told off as much, he only sees us twice a year and has to come in to our household and fit in with us and our wway of doing things.  Very different from his own home where there iss only his Mum, who is so often working.  It must be tough but he does it so well, never complaining.  A great wee kid.

I am not afraid to show my feminine side; check out my photos of flowers at http://community.webshots.com/user/gjuleff

But his energy levels are part of the problem sometimes.  He just can't keep still, whether at the dinner table or doing homework.  We could - like so many parents over here - drug him but that would be tragic.  All that energy needs tio be channelled and if we/he can do that in a constructive way, then Joey may go on to do great things.  Hopefully good great things.  Or just good, good things.

Joey said yesterday that he has atomic bombs going off in his body to give him energy.  Greaat description.  He is unbelieveable, like one of those bunnies in the battery ads - just keeps on going.  We allowed - after a bit of trauma - Joey to join Alex and I to watch the evening family show here last night (evening family show that began at 2130.  What is wrong with people when they think that it is a good idea to have a bunch of kids from 4yrs old up to past 2230?).  They had dance music on before and after and Joey flung himself around the dancefloor like a whirking dervish (now there is an expression that you don't hear much nowadays!) in what would have been an exhausting workout for all but the fittest athletes.  No wwonder the kid does not have an ounce of fat on him.

People say of Izzy that; she is a) cute, b) very affectionate and c) 'knows her own mind'.  The last one worries me.  I suspect that she will cause us sleepless nights in the future.  Especially combined with the first two.  She just loves kissing boys. 

Sleeping patterns whilst on holiday;  Joey is a crack of dawn type of guy, as am I.  So when we are sharing the same room, sleeping times become difficult.  Anne puts Izzy down at between 1930-2000.  We try and get Joey down by 2030.  Then Alex and I are banished from the bedroom until we sneak in at 2200.  He has found some mates so is happy enough - although no doubt will not be happy at being dragged away from them early.  As for me, I would happy go to bed now but am sitting at the bar typing this and doing my flowers!

Joey had a good day today; and a bloody awful day yesterday.  I think that we underestimate how change is disruptive to him, and how big the difference is between the wonderful time thaat he imagines having with Alex and then the reality.  Which is good but not always what Joey imagines and then he gets upset.  We also think that that Alex's presence leads to great insecurity.  The result is bad behaviour and over-reaction which leads to us always getting on his case and nagging him and a vicious circle.  Then Anne comforts him in bed and has asks her why we ever chose to have such a horrible child and it breaks our hearst and we do better and he does better.  It is always a fine balancing line with Joey in getting is confidence and security up whilst insisting on good standards of behaviour. 
But today was good.  He was chuffeed at how well he did at water-skiing, amongst other things.  I made sure to put an arm around him on occasion.  We did let a few minor things slide.  And he had  agreat day - full of energy, funny, affectionate - the real Joey.   

Rocking Horse Ranch; we are in RHR for a few days, in upstate NY.  Nice enough, but more a resort ratrher than a ranch.  Especially as Alex (yes, he is now known as Alex rather than Alexander) and Joey decided after today's horse ride that they are not interested.  Can't blame them - as beginners they simply get to sit on a horse in a long line of horses plodding around the woods.  Not a whole lot better for 'advanced' riders like Anne and I but there is a smaller group and we are allowed to canter a bit.
Still, the sun is shining, the boys & Izzy have espent a long time in the pool, the boys did well at water-skiing and they have found other fun things to do. 
As for Izzy, she just wants to go to school, aka the Kids Club, and hang out with other wee girls.  Soooooo eaasy.

Alexander arrived today; jeez, that boy has grown.  Must be 5'6" now.  And slimmed down.  And had his hair cut.  The kid looks good.  Great to see him.  And Joey and Izzy are delighted.  First time in the US and his first American experience was pancakes in the Star Diner on the way home.

My other son arrives today;  yes, Alexander is due to arrive at Newark at 1104 this morning.  I am excited, as are the other two at the thought of their big brother spending a month with us.

I am now officially - an immigrant to the US.  I attended my i/v at the US Embassy in London, was approved and was stamped in as an immigrant on arrival at Newark Friday evening.  A reasonably painless process and there was never much doubt, given the circumstances.  But it did take over 6 mths and there was a lot of paperwork to get together.  I now await my Green Card, can obtain my SS number, open a bank account, get a NJ drivers licence etc.  And one day apply to become an American.  Not sure that I want to do that at this point but we will see how I feel in a few years time if we are still here and look likely to stay here.

Back in the USA; after a good ten days in the UK.  Have not been able to keep the blog up to date but will focus on that now.  It was good to spend a few days back home, seeing old friends and family, having some work meetings etc.  Weather was half-decent.  Which is always a plus in England.

Lawnmowers; I am starting to hate the bloody sound of lawn-mowers.  Everybody has them and, what with the heat and the rain, have  had to use them far too much recently. Bloody lawns. 

Joey and running; Joey finished his irst 'marathon' this morning.  Idea was that you would run most of it in wweeks leading up, at school, aand then  participate in the Princeton Kids Marathon where you would run 1.2 miles around the football and athletics stadia on campus.  Good idea but poorly organised on the day which meant that the kids ran less than half of that.  Too short for Joey to get much of a sweat up.  Or be really challenged.  Pity, because I think that he could be a good runner.  Still, he enjoyed it.

Rugby; went to reception at art gallery last night - and met somebody even more liberal than us.  Roger.  Nice bloke.  Went to pub for pint with him and some others.  Came home reasonably sensibly and had glass of wine.  Then did something really stupid and decided to watch All Blacks v Ireland, meaning getting up at 0300.  Which I did, on the offchance that this was the time when we would beat them.  No chance - lost 42-10.

Future rock star; Joey had a wee solo at the end of the school closing ceremony on Thursday.  And did very well.  It was not just that he sang well, but that he sang with great confidence and charisma.  See on YouTube; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Qi5nP-2cI4&feature=em-share_video_user

And photos on; http://community.webshots.com/user/gjuleff

No news is good news; school has finished for the summer and nobody contacted us about Joey's behaviour.  That is a relief.

To buy or not to buy, that is the question; I am referring to aa house, of course.  We had decided to buy and had had a second look at the top three in Pennington.  I had pretty much decided on the one on Main Street and Anne, I think, was inclining that way also.  Now, though, all is once more uncertain because buying a house only to have to move Joey to another school would involve complications.  Just when I was getting really used to the idea and even looking forward to it.  Bugger.

Joey and school; we haven't been called in, which is a good sign.  This is his last week, so not too much work and he doesn't have to go in 30 mins early for his extra tuition ('Why am I the only one here?  I am NOT going in.') was the very common refrain as we drew up to the school most mornings.  Hopefully he will be have.  And enjoy himself.

If he can get through this week and goes back in September, he will stay in Ms Hoffman's class with some of the kids already there, along with some new kids.  His nemesis, Ryan M, will move on.  And he should be one of the oldest and most advanced kids in the class.  Which may well make a big difference to how he looks at himself.  Ms Hoffman will come in over the summer to tutor Joey for an hour a day whilst he is here in NJ, so that will also hopefully help.  I hate to impose work on a kid over the summer but he needs it.  And hasn't complained when told about it.  Ms H seems to really like Joey but doesn't take any BS from him and he seems to respect and like her.  Other teachers who are just nice tend to have more problems.

Biking; bought a new bike for Joey today, with 6 gears.  He was delighted and cycled up and down the street very happily.  Hard to believe that this is the same kid who was so nervous on a bike only a year ago.  Izzy will now have Joey's bike, with balancing wheels back on, and she is also delighted, and doing very well.

'I am a useless wreck!'; Joey still struggles with self-estime and confidence.  It is so saddening and frustrating as he is making so much progress, and is so gifted and smart in many ways.  But it will take more than a few moths to turn everything around.  I hope that we have the time.  Unfortunately, his behaviour has not been great recently, either at home or in school.  There is just this frustration and anger still inside Joey that he finds hard to control.  We can deal with it at home but there is little that we can do at school.  Unfortunaaetly, the day after the rather positive feedback from the teachers, Joey had a bad day.  He is in no way nasty but sometimes gets over-excited and will not calm down.  Problem on Friday was that there was a potential student and his parents in the class and Joey, trying to 'welcome' him was over-loud and simply would not calm down.  His teachers have advised us that the school administration would react badly and we can be expected to be called in to discuss.  Worst case scenario is that Joey is giving an ultimatum.  Bottom line is that the school will not keep kids with behavioural problems.  Fingers crossed.