Starting to get sorted...

Hi everybody,

Sorry it's been quiet for a while, we have been busy getting sorted, but we have put some photos on Flickr. Sam started pre-school today, and he seemed to really enjoy it, so that's a big step. He's been singing American versions of "The wheels on the bus" and other songs! Not long before he has an American accent - he already says "good jaaaaaaab"! At the weekend we bought a cot and a highchair for Max and I had to go to deepest Brooklyn to collect it. We also did a lot of shopping on amazon for kitchen stuff, and on Saturday went up to midtown and I bought two suits and Lyn got a new US mobile. I'm trying to sort out getting my iphone to work here - all the people in the shops keep telling me to unlock it, but it sounds a bit risky to me. We've also got VPN sorted, which makes websites think we have a UK IP address, so Sam can watch his CBeebies and Lyn can watch her Strictly Come Dancing on the iplayer.

On Sunday we did the paperwork for the gym and pool downstairs and then had a swim. It's lovely - not very big, but usually empty. The four of us had a great time, and by the end Sam had got his confidence up. Lyn and the boys have been back everyday since, and on Monday Sam did four lengths, holding on to a float. Pretty impressive stuff. In the afternoon we went for a walk down to Wall Street. We passed City Hall and there were lots of people protesting for a new inquest into 9/11, handing out some interesting conspiracy leaflets. On Wall Street we saw loads of police cars and policeman pinning a man to one of the cars. They were all surrounded by a red car that had its windows smashed and was riddled with bullet holes. Apparently they were filming a scene for a new Samuel L. film called The Other Guys. Unfortunately the security was tight and we couldn't take any photos or see Mr. Jackson - one of our wedding table heros.

Work has been going quite well, although it has slowed down for me a bit as everybody is busy with quarter end approaching and they don't have time to give me any projects. One day I had to cope with a phone call at work from Lyn telling me how much of a wonderful time her, the boys and Danka were having on the beach! There is an amazing beach in New York, just take the subway to the end of the line and then get a bus. Hopefully we'll have a sunny weekend so I can go and enjoy it before it gets cold. The next day I had a worse call - Sam had fallen off a chair and cut his head, which was bleeding a lot. It seems we only have health insurance for emergency medical care, which is insufficient. I now have to struggle with work to get cover to take the boys to the Doctor. Sam was ok and recovered quickly, but it was a bit of a scare.

Today was the third Arsenal game when I've been at work. The weekend ones are ok as there are a lot of games on tv here, and I've got Arsenal TV Online to keep up to date. Midweek games kick off at 2.30-3pm here, so I'm at my desk or in meetings. The first two I half-followed on the BBC minute-by-minute which wasn't much fun, especially as the first game we were 2-0 down inside five mins. We turned it round though. Today the game is being shown as live at 10pm here, and I've managed to avoid all talk of the game, so don't know the score. The players are just walking out onto the pitch, so I'm off now. Heather, Doctor, Danie, Roger and others were there tonight - hopefully I'll hear them sing loudly! Come On Arsenal!

Speak to you all soon. I'm sure Lyn will have something to say in the next few days. We are also now taking hotel bookings and already have eight weekends booked up, so if you are thinking of coming to stay, have a think about when and let us know.

Lots of love,

Tom xxx