Family Overseas Adventures: At least it's an entertaining commute

The kids made it through their first full week of school here.

Entering the system late in the year with 3 kids you definitely 'get what you get & don't get upset'. All things considered we got pretty lucky - just 2 different schools, start / end 40 minutes apart & only a mile between them.

The slightly challenging parts are the 7:50 start (Who thought that was a good idea?!) and 4 miles from our house to the 1st school.

No need to dwell on the negative - examples of the fab...

Door to door service

The J-church train stops literally 8 steps from our door.

(photo taken from our stoop)

And while we do have to transfer to a bus too, there are apps to tell us exactly which bus is coming when. Crazy easy!

Pets on Public Transportation

I have no idea what the rules are, but its fairly common to see furry friends on board

I'd totally expect this kind…..

(service dog)

But not this kind….

(dog in a baby stroller - no baby - just the dog, with dyed fur)

(bird on a leash - why not?!)

While I can't say any of us are at our best leaving the house at 'the crack', meeting fellow passengers like this makes it all good

(looks like Zoe dressed this one)

Parading down Polk

After dropping Q & Z, I get rare 1:1 time walking Xavier to his school. We've enjoyed the leisurely pace (one could probably crawl the mile in 40 minutes), fun window shopping, and time to chat without interruption (he typically has some serious 'conversation competition'). I've learned far more about Dungeon Defenders than I ever imagined.

In the afternoons, Q, Z & I walk to get X. By then, the zillions of shops, restaurants, bakeries, ice cream stores along Polk are open.