Experiences of an American Mommy Raising her kids in the United Kingdom

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Coffee and Custard Creams

So, another thing I can't seem to get used to is the idea of school uniforms. Don't get me wrong. I like that they have them. After the years of torment I went through for not having Guess jeans in the late 80's, it's a relief that my kids don't need to feel brand conscious by the time they're 10. What is hard to get used to is the fact that a shelf full of clean clothes does not mean that we are ready for the day.

This morning, Bugsy was sent upstairs to get ready for school. He came down 20 minutes later wearing his trousers (pants are underwear over here) and that's it. I asked where his shirt was and he just stared at me with that look kids get when they are thinking, "Maybe if I don't say anything, I won't get in trouble.". So, I went upstairs to help him find his shirt. Now, it is important to note that he is not allowed to watch TV without a clean floor. I went in his closet to help hom find his clothes. What I found was several school polos shoved under other clothes. The shirts were FILTHY!! Remember, we have a 20 min walk to school and very little down time in the morning.

At this point, Dragon Daddy came up to enjoy the expressions I get on my face while trying to refrain from committing infanticide. It is finally decided that Dragon Daddy will drive us to the store to get a new shirt that Bugsy will pay for with his own money. Then, he will go to work and we will walk Bugsy to school from there. In the meantime, Princess Pie is not feeling well with what we think is pre-asthma. Through her barky coughs, she starts to cry because she wants a new shirt. Madman is crying because, well, he's ginger and he can. Pocket Princess is working on her third messy diaper of the morning and I still need to put on a bra. AHHHH!!!

So, we get everyone in the car and to the store. I run in leaving Dragon Daddy to put the twins in the pram (stroller) and get Drake's shirt. I come out to see Dragon Daddy standing by the boot (trunk) with a smug look on his face. I had forgottn to put the pram in the car. So, we get Bugsy dressed and I run him to school while Dragon Daddy is left to deal with 2 fussy babies and a 4 year old that also wants to go to school and thinks it's not fair that she has to stay. We get everyone home. Dragon Daddy goes to work. I look at the clock exhausted and realise that it's only 9:15. My day has not even started yet!!!

Princess Pie is growing into a very intuitive young lady. She looks at me from the couch and says, "Mommy, you need some coffee and custard creams {kind of like a vanilla oreo but the filling is more custard flavored).". I love that little girl. We sat down on the floor and had a picnic. She had milk. I had coffee. Then we shared a plate of custard creams with the twins. Then she says, "What a wonderful Day!!". Oh, how wise is my little girl. She knows that sometimes the best way to reboot the day is with some coffee, custard creams and a smile.

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