Is a football hooligan a national treasure?

Baby's school hosted a multi-cultural parade. As you and I are aware today's society consists of many races and colors. No, this is not a lecture on acceptance and we are all the same on the inside, it is not a debate about equality it is a blog entry about a little boy "representin".

I am, as we all know, British, I am also an US citizen and proud of it! I spent the first 21 years of my life in the UK, came to Canada as a Nanny and then transplanted my self in the US and have now been here 20 years! Soulmate was born and raised in the USA although his mother was born and raised in Yugoslavia and his fathers parents were Scottish, my kids are the descendants of a true Brit!

So what to wear for this parade, baby could be a Beefeater (look it up), but after he saw the photo of one was not "gonna dress like a girl!", he could be the Queens guard but where in the hell was I going to get a bayonet from?! I know..... we will dress him head to toe in England wear representing out national pastime (nooooooo, not cricket) football or soccer as it is known here in the US.

England's soccer Fans are a national institution. These passionate fans follow their teams to all corners of the fair land to show their support, including the local pub for a few bevvies after the game and a few flying fists to prove who has the best team.

Yeah, that's right...my son attended the parade a soccer hooligan...oops I mean Fan. Dads England soccer shirt, England cap, carrying the union jack (Flag) but for some reason he refused to shout"ogie, ogie, ogie, oi, oi, oi!".

I thought he shone like a bright star amongst the Sari's, Tunics, Flamenco dresses. and turbans A true Brit to be proud of!

Birthdays

It was Firstborns birthday. My little girl turned 11! Not so little anymore, 2 inches away from being the same height as me, wearing the same size shoe as me (and stealing my shoes!) and with an attitude any 17 year old would be proud of!

The dilemma was what to do to recognise the day? We said that once she reached 10 that was the last of the "Big Birthday party". (Soulmate kept reminding me of last years sleepover and of how following I crawled into the fetal position for 3 days and would only emerge for alcohol) So I ignored him and agreed I would take her and 4 friends to the local beauty school for makeovers. hair up-do, make-up and nails followed by a "Fancy" lunch at a restaurant with real table cloths!

The day started off good, all the girls were getting along, singing in the car and being...well...girls! Then the divaness set it, tantrums flew from 1 girl as she didn't like her hair, another is crying as make-up got in her eyes, another is exclaiming that the restaurant of our choice was not "fancy" and did she have to chose from the children's menu!

5 hours later, we arrive home, with Lily content and grateful for a great day (her words not mine) and mum collapsing on the couch with a Gin & Tonic, Quincy's Valium and in need of her very own makeover!

So please remind me this time next year, that these parties are a thing of the past ......please!

Valentines Day

February 14th, the day we all go nuts over love, we declare our love for one another and sing it from the rooftops. Soulmate and I have never shared gifts on Valentines except when we were dating, those days it was usually some sort of intimate clothing to be modeled later! Now we are just glad to have a nice meal while the kids are sleeping!

To me love is not about that date, it isn't about the bling (although that would be nice!? hint, hint) True love is when your man changes a diaper while gaging at the toxic waste such a small infant can supply, holding your hand when you go for surgery and being there when you wake up, some one you can yell at, scream at (not me of course!) and know they will always forgive you. Love is watching a man on his hands and knees cleaning up vomit from your dog or child, it is when your man chooses a night snuggled on the couch watching TV over a bar with the boys, Love is when you don't have to say or do anything and you just know...so to all those who have this kind of love, like me, count your blessings, for those who don't keep searching, don't settle because no matter what I truly believe your soulmate is waiting..... Mine was.

Finally...it's done

Great job Soulmate. We may have cried (me) we laughed (both) we yelled and screamed (Soulmate, never me) but it's done, it's fantastic and Baby loves it. His face says it all.

Why we don't assume

Here is a conversation between baby and I.....

Baby, (innocently)...Mum, what does the word Penis mean?

Me, (shocked)....Where did you hear that?

Baby.....From Bryce at school

Me (Professionally in my best nurses voice)....Well, it's the correct word for your privates

Baby...Oh

Me (Extremely disgusted with Bryce).....Why? What did that Bryce say? (ready for some retort that has me protecting my baby and doing some unmentionables to Bryce)

Baby (In a very matter of fact tone).......Bryce asked me if I knew what a penis was and I said "no" and Bryce said "neither do I!"

Update on the decorating

As you all know, soulmate is decorating baby's room like a rainforest. We had some initial hiccups while paper maching (is that even a word?)the rock wall. We cried, we laughed we hugged, we swore...a lot! but after some joint compound, spray popcorn and paint we are finally making progress.

Nice going soulmate, do you think we might be done by summer break???? I hate to tell him I want my bedroom done next just like the London underground, buskers and all!

Who said they prefer the box to the toy?...

There was once someone, somewhere that said kids always play with the the boxes more than the actual toy that came inside. I was like okayyyyyyyyyyy that's just stupid right?