September
After almost three months of school holidays - the kids finished school in Australia on 31 May - we were finally back into a routine. They were well and truly ready to start school and looking forward to making friends (Ben especially, Laura was already attending cheer practise). The majority of kids in the US attend their zoned public school as private schools are very expensive (upwards from ~US$30k per year). School here is exactly as you see it in the movies. Cafeteria, lockers, gyms, sports fields etc. Each county is responsible for running their schools, which in our area are very well funded. Ben received an iPad, and Laura a MacBook, free of charge for the year. School start times are staggered here. Middle school (years 6 - 8) starts at 7:50am and finishes at 2:35pm. High school (years 9 - 12) starts at 8:20am and finishes at 3:10 pm. Elementary school (years K - 5) starts at about 9am and finishes about 3:30pm (unsure of exact times). This is done so the same school buse...