I Love My Au Pair

It was a typical Monday morning of not wanting to wake up because I was exhausted after the weekend. This “job” doesn’t really allow for taking the day off for a personal day like I normally would have the past 4 years, come on I didn’t get “The worst case of senioritis” award for nothing. I managed to get my butt to the gym and about killed myself trying to follow this plan they’ve set up for me. That called for some major retail therapy, so Petrea and I went to Hemel Hempstead to do some shopping. We got back a little early so I stopped in at her house (right across from the preschool) before I had to pick up Kate. I had a homemade cookie thing with big sugar pieces on the top and it totally hit the spot.

Tuesday, to be completely honest I did nothing. I literally researched all day the places I want to travel and how in the world I’m going to be able to squeeze all this in. Twenty countries is my goal and anywhere I don’t get to I would hope to stay after I’m finished to hit the rest of them (so anyone wanting to travel this summer let me know!). 

It was my morning with Abbie on Wednesday since we drive to Alsbury for her speech class. We finished early so I got her a sweetie and dragged her to the shoe store across the street before I had to drop her off at Aqua Vale to meet her class for swimming. Yes, they go swimming for school every Wednesday, I don’t know if that’s normal but I’ve never heard of it. It’s a huge indoor swimming pool, lazy river, slide place.

hamster cheeks

Thursday Kate had ballet of course and then we went swimming up at Mentmore. It was a gorgeous day so we rolled down the windows and blasted the music on our drive. Kate had her shades on and was loving every minute of it. Lisa left for Portugal today for a girls weekend so I was in charge of dinner. Abbie said I could be a cook because I am so good and Beth said she also loved it (but didn’t eat more than 5 bites) funny how that works… We started a game where every time someone moans or cries they get a point, lowest points at the end of the week gets a special snack. I’m not sure this is will work at all but Abbie is obsessed and Beth is just losing by a huge margin.

sleeping beauty

Another beautiful day here in the UK, which I know now not to take for granted.  Kate and I walked down to pick up Abbie from school who was excited to show me the picture she drew that said “I love my au pair” at the top. In the words of Abbie “I liked you before but I wasn’t use to you. Now I am so I love you” And to top it off I’m now Kate’s best friend. Ahh, the love of a 3 and 4 year old.

Saturday I went to the cinema in Hemel (half hour away) with Agne and saw Charlie St Cloud, everything comes out later here. The movie was good, the popcorn was WAY overpriced, and I got to experience driving on non-lit country roads. Agne goes back home December 16 and is trying to get me to come visit her in Estonia. She lives in the middle but from the most northern to the most southern part takes about 3 hours and the closest mall is 45 min away! I have no idea what to expect from Estonia but I’m hoping I get the chance to visit.

This morning I was up early to help Gordon get the girls ready for church. They had their Harvest Festival where all the school children go and sing and decorate the alter with food to celebrate the harvest season. The church we went to was right across from the school and was ancient! It was a small church, very welcoming but very chilly (I’ve been warned to wear layers to the Christmas mass). It was all stone walls  and sat right next to the cemetery.

Abbie at church

Beth doing her "I Want to be a Farmer" poem

Gordon had to leave mid-service because Kate had to use the toilet (toilet, one of the sayings I’m still getting use to) and had to drive home because there wasn’t one at the church. When communion rolled around all the parents could pick up the kids from their seats and take them up, but with Gordon gone I had to take on mum duty when I saw Abbie and Beth looking at me like sad, lost puppies.

Gordon and the other dads whose wives are gone this weekend are all over here with their kids having dinner so it’s a bit of a madhouse. Kids are running around everywhere screaming, I’m stuck in my room, and the dads are out on the patio having a beer. Hm…

I also got to talk to lots of people back at home this weekend! Skyped with Mom, Dad, Cal, KK, Natalie, Craig & Meredith. Always nice to hear from people and know I won't be totally out of the loop when I get back! The girls also enjoy meeting everyone and they act all cute and shy, if only they were always like that. They are excited to know all of the people in my family: My dad called Brian, Cindy, Merda, I won't even attempt Craig, Matt, John, and Cow(Cal). 

Bummed I'll be missing everyone at OU homecoming next weekend but a trip to Athens upon my return!