Look RIGHT when you’re entering the traffic circle.
Liam had an awesome experience today. He got to see tropical animals at school. It was through a group called Tropical Inc. They rescue animals and then take them out to educate the public. L was absolutely thrilled. He held a hedge hog, two lizards, touched three snakes, petted a skunk and an owl, along with all of the stuff I missed because I had to take E home. 
He was hilarious. Every time he was done with one of the animals, he would ask for “another one, please.” Maybe he’s found his calling.
And E had a great time too. She “ssssss”ed at the snake and when the woman brought out the owl, she started yelling: “Ah-oooooooo! AHH-OOOOOOOO!!!
It was funny at first. And then it wasn’t funny any more. And then she was just yelling. She obviously needed a nap, so I brought her home.
Certainly it sucked that we had to leave before they brought out the tarantula, but also, I met another American mom whose daughter is in L’s class. The three Americans chatted a bit, but their kids got a little crazy too and we ended up going our separate ways.
I do find it very funny that L’s class is 25% American. Who knew?
Anyway, E was exhausted and she fell asleep in the stroller. When we got home I pulled the stroller in and left her in it. She slept for almost an hour, which gave me plenty of time to put together a grocery list.
And when she woke up?
I DROVE to the store.
Yes, me. Driving on the left side of the road in the right side of the car.
It went pretty well actually. I only got in the passenger door once out of habit. I shifted (my automatic) with my left hand. It really was a nonevent because Susie Satellite told me what to do (and recalculated every time I turned off because she was trying to make me go through a traffic circle), and the other people on the road just happened to be watching where I was driving.
Unfortunately, though I tried with all of my might, I am no longer a traffic circle virgin. I just couldn’t avoid the one that got me out of the “superstore” parking lot.
It was a disaster.
I am not good with the traffic circle in the US. I felt like I did when I first got here and kept looking left for cars before I crossed the street. There is definitely a lot of traffic circle practicing in my future.
But, I did drive to Tesco and we lived to tell about it.
I strutted around the store picking out my groceries and enjoyed every minute of it. I’m sure that people knew I rocked the road to Tesco as I went up and down the aisles.
I was having such a great time and I cut it to the last possible minute to leave in time to pick up L. We got home in about five minutes after we made it through the scary traffic circle and headed back to pick him up.
Even with cutting it close, I was going to be early, so I decided that I’d go ahead and try to walk to the end of the long row of stores to get my camera. As soon as I started, I knew I’d be late picking him up. I almost turned around, but by then the race was on.
I made it to the store at 5 til 1, got my camera, rushed out, and RAN most of the way back to the school pushing the Joovie.
E was in heaven.
Not only did she have my sharpie and thought that was extremely cool, but we were also flying by people who were staring at us as though we were crazy.
Well, we were. BUT I HAVE MY CAMERA BACK!!!
(A little tip for those of you with cameras with auto focus lenses: move the toggle to Manual Focus before you put it in your camera bag or carry it around. That way the gear won’t get thrashed if the lens accidentally gets moved around.)
We got back to the school at 7 after and I wasn’t the last one to pick up my kid! I couldn’t believe it. I fully expected them to be standing outside tapping their feet waiting for me. But he didn’t even have his coat on.
He is always in such a good mood after school…and I’m excited to see him, so I suppose that helps a bit. He gladly helped me put the mail in the big Royal Mail cylinder and then came home and ate his second lunch.
Now I’m trying to figure out whether or not we’re going to have any trick or treaters. The trip to Tesco this morning was solely to get candy. I hope we get rid of all of it.
And L is looking VERY forward to going out this evening. He’s been practicing his polite “trick or treat…thank you” all day long.
Update on Halloween later.
