Today was a BIG day for me. I took my international roadster Big Steve (our big white Nissan El Grande van) out on the Okinawa roads by myself (plus four children) to singlehandedly enroll FOUR Weems children in TWO schools.

First, Memphis came downstairs in plaid shorts, a blue and green striped shirt, a leopard print bow, and her knee high black Ugg boots. My iphone is holding the picture captive– maybe the fashion police are blocking my download.

All I said was “Nice.” I had bigger fish to fry, and I didn’t want to start a fashion fight before my first solo off-base drive.

First, we drove across the base where we live (Camp Kinser) to the elementary school. I’ve driven around base quite a bit the last week, so no problem. I enrolled a kindergartener (*sniffle, sniffle*) and a fourth grader at Kinser Elementary.

Then, I had to drive OFF base and north 14 kilometers to another base to get to the middle school. Granted, it only required driving on two roads, but it is a 30 minute drive with traffic. Ransom sat next to me in the front seat, ready to assist, and hissed at the three in the back on cue, “Mom’s in the ZONE! Be quiet!” No scooter brigades ran me over, and I only ran one red light. (Sometimes it is difficult to see the stop lines until you have missed them here…that’s my story anyway)

We made it to Camp Lester, and I enrolled a 6^th grader and a 7^th grader at Lester Middle School…how is it possible I have two middle-schoolers? Will this school survive? Fittingly, there is a Ferris Wheel from the American Village in the backdrop behind the school. (Picture later)

Then, I drove halfway back up the 58 onto a third base (Camp Foster) and purchased school supplies for FOUR children. Can’t wait until I have to buy books and pay lab fees for this crew.

I think the school enrollments were more emotional than the driving. I only used two tissues (it was all I had…and a shirttail), and I gave everyone a lollipop for the ride home, which kept the noise level down.

Then I came home and collapsed.

Maybe tomorrow I will solve the energy crisis. Or help Memphis on the fashion front. Hmm…