Tea for Three (4 if you count me)

It rained today.  Like a good cry, it feels good every now and then.  It reminds me of home.  Really, what I wanted to do today is gather up my family and make camp in our bed.  Wouldn't that be great?  We could read books, play cards, tickle, sleep (okay that is a bit far fetched), maybe even catch a little Sesame Street or something.

What is this business of leaving the house every day?  Who's idea was it to say goodbye and part ways each morning?  I wonder if my kids think of me as many times throughout the day as I think of them.  I wonder if they long for the moment when we are together again in our little nest as much as I do.  These school days have me missing the ones that are away.

I caught a brief glimpse of Emma's day today.  I came to pick her up from school and arrived early (must've been the toaster).  As I walked down the corridor towards her classroom I witnessed a whilrwind of activity.   Up and down the hall teachers were calling out reminders like, "spelling test tomorrow", "remind your parents about the field trip on Friday" or "make sure you turn in your permission slips".  Looking a bit frazzled I could see that Emma was struggling to put some papers in her desk, to pack up her backpack, to put her jacket on, and to say goodbye as each one of her friends walked out of the room.  Without her knowing, I watched her give a big sigh.   It was one of those moments when I knew (as her mother) that she needed a hug and some help.  My heart broke as I wondered how many of those moments went unnoticed when I am not there.  It was then that I wanted to call the whole thing off.  Scratch school, forget piano lessons- your coming home with me and for the next 18 years you and your sisters will just watch Sesame Street in bed with me.  I guess I felt sort of naive to the fact that her day is indeed full and busy. 

So, after all of that, what we all needed was some "low key-togetherishy fun."

Afternoon tea (or hot cider if you are under the age of 4) complete with chocolate chips and teddy grahams for nibbling. We chatted (with British accents- hilarious) and sipped away the parts of our day that were spent apart.

 

Yes, that is Hannah's had repeatedly reaching for the chocolate. She decided to mix them in with her apple cider.  Apparently, it is pretty tasty that way.  (only one broken cup- pictured below just prior to its demise, and one spill by Laurel.  You cannot get angry when you hear an 18 month old say "oopsy-daisy-o". 

Safe from the rain, the wind, schedules, and strangers...

we were warmed inside and out.

Mega

Okay, so why does it take me so long to figure things out?  My husband wonders how I make it through life sometimes.  Usually every morning he is the witness to our chaotic fluttering about as we get ready for school. I suppose this will carry on for a number of years- as we have three girls (and three bathrooms thank the Lord!) 

After almost 3 weeks of school, I am still trying to iron out the kinks in our routine.  I never want to be one of those moms who is swooping in 5 minutes late to everything. You see her rushing and snapping.  She is exasperated and thrown together.  Her children follow her- running to keep up, their backpacks unzipped and papers falling out.  She forgets appointments and never returns phone calls. She is unreliable and a mess. Hmmm, why do I know this woman so well ????  Perhaps it is not quite that bad...but it feels like I must appear that way some days!

I thought about it- and the biggest hang-up we have in the mornings is breakfast. (okay finding matching knee high socks that don't have "dark, yucky, shoe stains" is another time waster.)  Remember the muffins?  Well, we can't eat another muffin for about 6 months or more.  Totally burned out on cranberry oatmeal pecan.  I never thought that I would say that.

Currently, waffles are all the rage.  I do my best to make them in huge batches on the weekend and freeze them for quick toasting during the week.  They also love english muffins.  I love them as well because the provide a platform for peanut butter- my favorite food (and good protein).  These are easy right?  All you have to do is toast them.  Well, we had a toaster with two slots, one of which turned things out extra crispy.  There are 5 of us, and one working toaster slot.  Do the math...lots of finger drumming on the counter waiting for the next waffle to go in.  By the time I had served one- and made another...they were asking for seconds!  I could literally sit there and be toasting for 20 minutes.  Solution:

The monster mega toaster!  Why didn't I think of this earlier?  Genius.

More finger tapping at the coffee maker.  I usually like to brew my coffee with a stove top espresso pot and then add foamy milk.  Yeah, not so practical anymore.  This luxury is now enjoyed in the afternoon when life is not spinning out of control at a million miles per hour.  The bigger issue is that Carl drinks regular coffee and I drink decaf.  One coffee maker, two different kinds of coffee to be brewed. This created a lot of tension over who got to go first and how long their coffee would be allowed to sit there before the other person came along and dumped it out to make their own. Tick, tick, tick, can't you just hear me getting later and more snippy by the minute?  Solution:

Super mega, monstrous, "looks-like-it-should-be-working-the-breakfast-shift-at-Denny's" coffee maker.  Regular on the left, decaf on the right.  Whew, that was the invention of the century!  Brilliant!  Yes, these appliances are huge. And no, they do not add to the charm of my decor-- but at some point being practical wins over (geez I really am almost 30 aren't I?).

So you see, little by little I am changing my image.  Before you know it I will be early and fresh faced.  My children will be well rested and put together- no jelly on their faces.  We will walk to their classrooms and bask in the orderliness of our morning.

....or maybe I'll just be on time.

and the winner is...

Well, I know the suspense is killing you (all 4 of you who left comments)- so the winner is.....Gracie!  Her name was picked out of the cup by Hannah.

What does she win???

One little place mat and 4 matching napkins.  Enjoy !!

It is difficult making something for someone you don't really know.  I'd much rather add special little touches to a project that I know the recipient will appreciate.

Keep commenting!  I so enjoy hearing from you, and visiting your blogs, and getting to know you better.