Making the Best of It

It is now, according to the local time, my birthday. And I'm alone some 4000+ miles from home. But rather than whine about it (because really, it's not that big a deal to me) I think instead I'll recount some lessons learned / high points from today:

1. I allowed myself to skip the touristy crap and stuck to what makes me happy.

The end result was brilliant. Today I slept in as late as I wanted, went to my favorite French bakery for Leek quiche and breakfast tea, then wandered about Camden Town - which was fantastic. I went back the hotel late afternoon for HobNobs and tea and then hopped back on the Tube to see an independent film in Piccadilly.
The film 'A Complete History of My Sexual Failures' was really funny - and something I'd never get to see at home. Then I had a late dinner at a burger place I'd been wanting to try.
(Chili burger + onion rings = Yum)



2. I'm a resourceful girl.

When the hotel lost my laundry I vowed I'd find another way to wash up the bits I have left. I found a wonderful lavender-scented washing up powder and did a load in the bath tub. I also found a way to brew my iced tea with a glass jug I scrounged up (once I dumped out the hideous prune juice that came with it!). I found a used books store and replenished my supply of reading materials, and found bath salts to replace my dwindling supply of Japanese bath salts. I'm all about the creature comforts, aren't I?

3. I'm not afraid to look stupid.

While I'm not doing touristy things - I'm not afraid to whip out my camera and take photos of gorgeous sites to send back to my kids. This is a beautiful, beautiful city. I'd like it here even more if I weren't missing my kids and husband so very very much.



4. Sometimes, I really am better off by myself.

I was meant to hook up with two co-workers to sight-see today. They went to Wimbledon & to see a Play: "Jersey Boys". No offense to them - but I definitely wouldn't have enjoyed those as much as what I did on my own.
Tomorrow they want to get up early to tour Windsor Castle. I'd rather sleep in and then get the 11am train to Oxford and see Christchurch. That is, if I feel like splurging on nearly 40 GBP for train tickets round trip..which at the moment I'm thinking: Um, not so much.
Probably I'll sleep in, have tea and quiche at the French bakery and then go admire Libertys of London and wander around Oxford Circus.

Do as I say, not as I do...

I was in a waiting room somewhere and picked up a parenting magazine (we only subscribe to junk like People and Esquire at our house - that and hubby gets every Car magazine known to man). The article on how to help siblings get along really had some good tips, so I jotted them down. Here's the advice from the article - followed by how I probably handled it in real life.

What to Say When Siblings Fight:

1. The Advice:
Tell the kids: "I can't wait to hear how you solve this. Go into this room and don't come out until you agree on a solution."

The reality: Girls scream in the downstairs toy room for more than 5 minutes and the little one comes up crying and tattling with the big one on her heels yelling angrily.

2. The Advice:
Tell the kids: "Since you're not having fun, here - come help me fold this laundry."

The reality: Big one rolls her eyes and skulks away. Little one asks: "How much will you PAY me?"

3. The Advice:
Tell the kids: "You can either stop fighting of pay me to listen. $.25 a scream."

The reality: Big one says: "You still owe me six bucks!" and storms off in a huff. The little one sticks around to tearfully attempt to tattle on her older sister.

4. The Advice:
Tell the kids: "Looks like that toy needs a timeout - it made you fight. We'll get it out again later."

The reality: Typically, they aren't fighting over toys anymore these days. I can take away the computer - that works. When it's clothes they're fighting over I usually err on the side of whoever fits it best. So, when the big sister complains that little sister is wearing her shirt I usually say: "Well, look it fits her - so it can't fit you properly." Soon it'll be me fighting with the oldest that she's wearing MY shirts. Sigh.

5. The Advice:
Tell the kids: "You guys should be proud. You played together 20 whole minutes before you started arguing. Let's celebrate with a snack."

The reality: Low blood sugar is often a culprit around our house. This one actually works - I send them in to pick out a snack and then pray they don't both want the last one of the same thing.