Scotland: Week 1

Intro to Jet Lag

Jet lag, though art a heartless $%*&@!  Jet lag is where you want to sleep but can't and when you can, you shouldn't.  Add kids to this wild ride and you want to commit yourself.   Scotland is six hours ahead of us so here is some fun math because thinking is really fun when jet lagged:  At 12:00pm, it is 6:00am (in the morning for those who may be slow or jet lagged) to us and at 12:00am the kids are just warming up.....in other words,

jet lag+kids=HELL

I'm in hell.  Welcome.  Won't you join the rest of the adults for some sleep deprivation and tea??  I'm not a scientist but I hypothesize it takes the number of days that there are hours of difference to properly get over jet lag.  Hard to test this on toddlers as they are always just a little off. 

Tea

 

 Step 2:  Drink Tea.  It's a cultural thing and you don't want to be the odd man out.  It's great.  They will probably want to give you a 'biscuit' to go with it, which is a fancy way of saying cookie and unlike the cute little story of 'If You Give a Mouse a Cookie' this story ends with you gaining ten pounds because the secret ingredient in Scottish food is butter!  But enjoy anyways.  Anticipate having tea at least five times a day and becoming full on addicted to caffeine.  It's fine, if you have kids you, need the caffeine.  It's the only socially acceptable daytime drug we have!  What's that Judge Judy??? YOU don't need caffeine?? Oh well, YOU need more kids then.  Have a 'cuppa' and shut up.

First Day of School

Isla, at 6, is old enough to be in school.  She joins her cousin Gemma in P1 which is the equivalent to our Kindergarten.  'The Hubs' is already asking that I quantify 'equivalent' but I'm saving that for my shpeel on education.  Anyways, we have special permission from the headmaster to join in the fun a couple of days a week and we are truly grateful for this amazing opportunity. They must wear a uniform even in the public schools and I have to admit it---I love this!  The pictures are adorable!!!  Her first day entails a trip to the Edinburgh Zoo.  School is instantly 'Brilliant'.  Being the social butterfly that she is, she's off to a good start.  However, we have to have a conversation about not correcting the teachers on their teaching methods just a few days in.  That's my girl!

Internationals take on Scotland

 

 Scotland

Base Camp:  Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland, UK

Basic Itinerary:

1. Week 1:  Settle in and visit with family (yeah for Scottish grandparents that agreed to lodge us!  They're obviously mental).  Encourage the children to sleep in new surroundings, and not with me, while getting over massive jet-lag.  Surprise Isla with the news that she's joining her cousin for P1 primary school the day after we arrive, as a fun privilege/experimental way to rid myself of 1/4th of my parental duties.  
2. Week 2:  Enjoy our surroundings. Feel out the city.  Try not to stand out as Americans in public.  Ha!  Just kidding.  No chance.
3. Week 3:  See some parks/museums, investigate local treasures and pretty much play annoying tourist.  Ride the train.  Break the devastating news that the train goes straight across the Forth Road Bridge and not over it like a roller coaster.  When the children break into riot, pretend they are not mine.
4. Week 4:  Consider letting kids try Scotch since I'm pretty sure you can drink when you can see over the bar.  Come to my senses and drink it all myself.  Let them get high on fudge donuts and custard slices from Stephen's the Baker instead.  Find a way to feed kids haggis without them knowing it.  Possibly get tips from 'Stephen'.
5. Week 5:  Try something we've never experienced before.  Like maybe go hunting for the Loch Ness monster.  Hike to the top of the highest mountain, find the flower of Scotland and sing something from The Sound of Music.  Hike or drive...   
6. Week 6:  Discover historical landmarks--point and laugh.  While everyone is staring attempt to take a picture with all kids looking at the camera.  Tell kids not to touch anything and then run when that fails.  See how cold the North Sea actually is.  Toss children in anyways.
7. Week 7:  Have some grown up time, hopefully in a pub.  Sample drinks and sing/chant obscene Scottish songs, all while doing a jig (aka getting 'jiggy with it') as part of said grown-up time.  Discuss Scottish hangover remedies.
8. Week 8:  Tie up loose ends, decide what to smuggle, give awards to our best and favorites and say goodbye. 

 Discussion Topics: 

Mission Impossible

The Internationals

Who We Are:  Your worst nightmare......just kidding, we're awesome!

• Isla:  Age 7.  Loves butterflies and being the leader.  May have mild OCD, which is exasperated by living in a house of chaos.
• Campbell:  Age 5.  Enjoys running everywhere, karate chopping everything and currently in a serious relationship with the i-pad.
• Cora:  Age 3.  Very outspoken and likes to critique my parenting.  Favorite thing is polka dots which she refers to as 'coconuts'.
• Ailsa:  Age 3.  More laid back than her counterpart.  Loves dressing princesses but not herself. Could possibly be the evil genius of the crew.
• Me:  I'm the boss (unless you ask Cora).  I like escaping to the happy place in my mind, taking incriminating photos and writing about the craziness of life.  The kids write their own material.
• The Hubs:  mildly amused by my anecdotes and considers me a genius.  What?!

Our Mission:

1. Travel to another country.  
2. Experience as much as our little family can take in a relatively short period of time.
3. Observe all aspects of everyday life.  Look at differences in culture, admire history and gain some perspective.
4. Have fun, learn a lot and share our adventure and knowledge with others....You are welcome!

Question:
How long does it take a 6 year old, 4 year old and twin 2yr olds to get over jet lag?
Answer:  Maybe never....

Let's Rock and Roll!