As I mentioned, this adventure isn't 100% certain yet. There are formal hoops that need to be "jumped" through before we have the final approval. However, yesterday Tom's contact/sponsor at the University emailed to say that they have arranged office space for him! His academic proposal and application is still working it's way through the various levels of approval, but they are already making space for him. So, does this mean we should make plane reservations and seriously look for housing? I feel like the horse in the starting gate, waiting for the signal that all is clear to "go".
Meanwhile, I am shopping the clearance racks for bargains on spring/summer clothes for the kids for next season. This is the time of year when I normally go through all the kids clothes anyway; setting aside things that don't fit for the next kid (mine or someone else's), tossing the worn out or stained, storing those that should still fit next year, bringing out the new season's clothes and determining what needs to be purchased. This year I have to determine the needs for next season in advance because 1.) we will likely be out of the country where I predict clothing is more expensive and 2.) I want to have appropriate clothing for presenting my kids to the wider world. Here at home my girls wear "cute" t-shirts and jeans (frequently with holes in the knees) without a second thought, but I don't want them to stand out too loudly amongst their peers as the "American Kids". So, I am thinking more conservatively and better quality as far as clothing goes.
The inventory so far: Of all the boxes and stacks of hand-me-down clothing we have received from friends for O, we have nothing in size 3 summer/spring, which is what I project he will be wearing. So, its a complete wardrobe building for him. R is also at the receiving end of oodles of hand-me-downs, so her clothes are often a little worse for wear and she is active enough to make short work of adding holes in the knees and stains from art projects. She is also needing several newer items, including stuff for this fall/winter which I am setting aside lest she wear them out before January. A's sources of hand-me-downs have dried up years ago and current inventory shows she has only ONE long sleeve shirt. Problem is, as a teen, shopping for clothing is a whole new ballgame for us - I can't just run around on my own while she's at school and then present her with a stack of clothes I've selected.
As I write this, I realize that many moms and others will completely understand the amount of mental energy and running around this whole children's clothing issue involves. Others, like Tom, will feel their eyes glazing over and wonder, "What's the big deal? Seems like a lot of worry over clothes." These same people are probably also the type, like Tom, who pack for any trip, whether it be a couple days business or several weeks vacation, the night before (or even the morning of) leaving! Where's the fun in that?
Makes perfect sense to me. Fortunately, Emily is very fond of shopping at the thrift store, and she's become quite skilled at picking out great clothes, so that's a big help. I've been attacking the seasonal clothes change more piecemeal this year, which unfortunately isn't as helpful as I thought. I figured bit by bit would be easier, but I find I like to see the entire wardrobe at a go (but the kids don't like the day when I ask them to model all their clothes for me). I'm sorry I don't have any clothes I can offer for O -- mine all went to the next boy in the cousin lineup.
ReplyDeleteYou might want to check out videos on UTube if you haven't already as you might find some with German school children. Here's one I found: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGxS9VVu-gk. They look dressed pretty much like girls of R's & A's ages. So maybe it won't be too bad. I didn't see any holes in the knees of the jeans, however, but maybe the teacher said "no holes in jeans today because you are going to be filmed!"
ReplyDeleteJust remembered this... the last time Emily and I were at VOA on Indianola, there was a wide selection of nice sweaters in the "women's better" section. Many of them were green and made Emily ask if I thought A would like them. Might be worth a trip to look!
ReplyDeleteIf she would like to go shopping without you, I'm willing to volunteer -- especially if she has a list of items she's agreed she needs to find. :) Maybe Emily's assistance would be helpful, or having it be a social occasion might make it easier on her. Just a thought.
I agree with Linda on the clothing thing. I bet you will find that the kids look pretty much like they do here. I also agree with you that shopping with a teenager for clothes is the WORST! I WAIT for Michael in that dressing room, looking for SOMETHING to poke my eyes out with, as it would be LESS TORTURE!!
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