Old friends

I have just got back from a trip back to WNY for work. It was exhausting and so good to catch up with Friends and family. One particular group of friends I had not seen for 15 or so years. We met when we were nannies in Canada. OMG! the stories I could write about my nanny adventures. I was so pissed when the nanny diaries came out because that was my idea and I just hadn't written it down yet!

Anyway, my point of this post is that when you meet like that again after so many years you realise how important your friends are. They laugh with you, they cry with you, usually over men but most of all is is so nice just to have that bond. ...and not only did these group of friends do all these things for me, but they laughed when I was drunk puking in the toilet, they had all out wrestling matches with me in hotel rooms, again drunk, they shared beds with me, drunk and gave their unbiased drunk opinion of the men I was with (Hmmm, common theme here?) Anyway hold on to your friends and to all women everywhere, Cheers!

The things kids say, part 1.....

OK, today baby comes home from school looking down in the mouth which usually means one thing...he got in trouble at school. First of all let me say, it is never baby's fault, always his friends (if all he tells me is true I use the term loosely!) So this how it goes.......

Me.. what's wrong?

baby... I got a U (meaning unsatisfactory behaviour at school and a note sent home)

me.. Why?

baby... I repeated something Jacob said because Bryce wouldn't be my friend if I didn't and then Jacob told the teacher ( Ms. Longley)what I said.

Me..What did you say?

Baby... Ms. Longley has a jiggly butt!

Now first instinct was a giggle but as someone who is constantly fighting the weight battle I advised my darling son how hurtful these things can be. I also made baby write a letter of apology to Ms. Longley. ....One other thing, you can guarantee I will be checking out you know who's butt next time I see her!

Society and manners

What the hell has happened to manners and etiquette? Please, thank you, may I?, can I?, RSVP - Responez s'il vous Plait, a french phrase meaning please answer...Hellooooooooooooo!!!!

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.