The Whittles Down Under: Starbucks Aprons

Today was an exciting day for the boys-- they were each given their very own, official Starbucks apron or "afrond" as Coop calls it-- to keep. At first, Tucker wanted nothing to do with it. In fact, when it was first put on him he cried and when he brought it home he literally threw it in the corner behind the couch as if to say, "There! I am done with that!" But once he saw Coop wearing his apron, he was all for it.

Coop, on the other hand was ecstatic. I first told him about it one the way home from school. When he heard the news, his eyes lit up and he got a smirk on his face. I could see the wheels spinning. He was already planning something. When we got home, the first thing he asked for was the apron. He immediately put it on- with a huge grin- and said, "I need black shoes to go with this." (just fyi- all the baristas have to wear black shoes and he knows this). He happily posed for a few photos and then, it was on to setting up our very own Starbucks store in our living room- drink board and Starbucks logo included. All was well, until he asked me for a Sharpie to write on our cups for each order like, as he put it, "a proper Starbucks worker does." I refused that one request preferring not to have all our drinking glasses covered in writing and he lost it! He sobbed and told me he didn't like me blah, blah, blah. I finally calmed him down, he put the apron back on and we were back in business. By this time, Tucker had become interested in the apron as well and was right in there playing Starbucks with us.

After playtime was over and the kids had had dinner, Coop asked if we could go to Starbucks so he could get his very own drink- and he did not mean the usual cup of milk he gets. He wanted a frappucino. The boys had tasted a coconut creme (sans the coffee) frappucino a few weeks ago and he wanted that specific drink again- and with chocolate syrup on top of course. You all know me well enough to know that he did not have to twist my arm to go and so we went. The boys got their drinks, were able to visit with their barista friends and Coop even got to bring home some Starbucks products (straws, cups, napkins etc) for his home store.

I have to say this was one of the most entertaining afternoon/evenings we have had in a long time. The boys were so happy and so proud. I was so proud of the imagination and creativity that went into creating the store and in their play. I am hoping that getting a frappucino doesn't become something that the boys expect to get everytime we visit Starbucks because that isn't going to happen, but every once and a while on a wonderful night like to tonight, a little sweet indulgence isn't so bad, is it? :)