The Alpha Mum Problem

So before we moved to England, I read a book set in the UK about a group of "mums" and the woes of one of the "slummy mummies." In the book, there are detailed descriptions of one of the mums in particular--the "Alpha Mum", perfect, rude, and suffering from a major stick up her arse!

Well, unfortunately, the "Alpha Mum" is real--we have one at Badgemore! And even more unfortunate, her kids are in the same classes as Audrey and Dorian. I've literally said hello every morning since we've moved here and this lady cannot be bothered to glance my way! Well, that is until she needs me to donate money to whatever silly event she and her minions have come up with. Sorry, Alpha Mum, this Yankee Mum won't be playing your game!

Anyway, aside from the "Alpha Mum" problem, we've had a beautiful week of pouring rain in Henley. I met another mom for a walk along the river today and had lunch at a pub. My lunch special came with chips, coleslaw...and a beer! I'm not a drinker, but the English drinking habits might just make me one before we move home!

Audrey is finishing out her last week at school before their term break. I was watching a video that we took of her reading skills in July--goodness, she's grown leaps and bounds as a reader! Tonight, she sat on my lap and read me "The Little Old Woman Who Was Not Afraid Of Anything" with perfect fluency and just the right inflection! I am more than amazed. Here she is in her very first school photo in the UK:

We've been invited to several family pub outings on Christmas Eve and Christmas day. It's so strange! Back home, it seemed like everyone celebrated holidays with their families and extended families, but because so many families here have moved away from their families in various other countries, people tend to celebrate with friends--another family of sorts! It's exciting to start a new tradition...and even more exciting to wake up on Christmas day in our own house for the first time!