Adieu ASL

ASL will from this time forward only have a minor association with sign language. It will forevermore be associated with two incredible years in London. The American School in London provided the backdrop for much of our lives here. Not only was it a superb academic environment, but it was the context of so many of our happy experiences as a family while here in London. Dallin endured a tough year at a British private school last year, and joined Madeleine for a truly happy school experience at ASL his second year. The last week of school I had a permanent lump in my throat as the inevitable farewells drew nearer. So many dear friends, fantastic teachers, amazing experiences, all now becoming a part of life's memory book. This chapter is particularly difficult to close.


Dallin receives his lower school graduation certificate. At ASL middle school begins at 5th grade, and Dallin is very sad not to be joining his classmates in the middle school next year.


Not sure how cool it will be the second time around when next year he'll graduate from elementary school back in the US all over again.


Grade Four graduates


Dallin with his teacher


Dallin and his two bestest (yes, mom, I know that's not a word) buds, sooo sad to be leaving these guys




Showing off his part of the annual Grade Four mural


Madeleine and her Grade One teacher, exactly what you dream your child's first grade teacher to be


Madeleine with her second teacher, in Grade One there are two teachers for 19 kids!


Last moments at ASL . . . Last walk through the lower school, last stop in the commons, last pass through security and last walk down the school steps.


Thanks for an amazing two years ASL!


To celebrate Dallin's Grade Four promotion I took Dallin to see Wicked


He was on the edge of his seat the whole time!

Wahaca

This place easily deserves its own post. Contrary to popular belief about the poor food in London, this city might be the most rewarding culinary destination on the planet. I have never had better food in my life. And what's amazing is the variety. It's as if the city is continuously hosting a "best of" world foods contest, and everyone is winning! With one exception. Somehow Mexican food is lost on the English. As a whole they neither understand nor appreciate it, nor do they know how to prepare it! There are a few hidden spots for decent Mexican grub, but most attempts at the cuisine fall short.

Enter Wahaca.


This place, with two convenient London locations, has done an outstanding job of satisfying our Mexican food cravings. It's not exactly like anything you'd find in the US, but this London take on Mexican hits all the right notes.


Everyone in our family loves it, but Scott has a particular fondness for the place, and we end up going there most anytime we dine out as a family


The enchilada, our favourite!


Pork tacos!


Wash it all down with a perfectly blended hibiscus water

Oslo

After fjording it across the country we spent a couple of days in Oslo. Oslo is not easy on the pocketbook, well none of Norway is, but hey at least it made London look cheap! If you can get beyond the sticker shock, it's a very enjoyable town with several asterisk worthy sights.


View from our hotel room


View from our hotel room


View of the opera from our room, and the sun still hadn't set close to 11:00pm!


Oslo's new grand opera house is a stunning work of architecture.


Its gleaming white rooftop doubles as a public pedestrian zone




Sunglasses please!




Oslo's National Gallery is a real "Scream"










Oslo is well-known for its wide collection of impressive open air sculpture, and I'm guessing the visitor bureau is probably less anxious to share that the city is also home to a real drug problem. We witnessed several drug deals in open areas near busy public zones that seemed to alarm no one, but I wasn't daring enough to snap a photo.



Navigating down Karl Johans Gate


View of the Royal Palace down Karl Johans Gate




Royal Palace




Oslo's prized City Hall, where the previously credible Noble Peace prize is awarded each December


Inside City Hall, stairs above the main hall


Famed wall murals inside the main hall. Government buildings dominate Scandinavian capitals, and this hall almost feels like a temple to good government.


City Hall


City Hall


City Hall


The back of City Hall




Walking a residential area


We found this pretty residential avenue on the way to Frogner Park


Some much-needed playground time in Frogner Park










Frogner Park is an expansive green space in Oslo that boasts Oslo's finest sculpture by Gustav Vigeland


You have to stay up late to catch a summer sunset over Oslo!


On a ferry to Bygdoy


Bygdoy


Bygdoy


Pretty houses on Bygdoy


Bygdoy is home to the Viking Ship Museum, home to the best-preserved Viking ships on earth


These boats date back to the 800 and 900's