Saturday, October 31, 2009

Happy Halloween


I love carving pumpkins. The Professor bowed out and went duck hunting so this is what the girls and I came up with. They instructed, I did the cutting. :)

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Who is the winner?

Round two tenatively goes to Mommy. Gem slept through the night and in her own bed! Unfortunately this cannot be declared a complete victory because she did it while sick with a fever.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

The Price of a Shower

Today at 3 o'clock I finally decided I had to get to the shower. I knew that when the Professor got home I would have to venture into the public arena to buy birthday presents (his b-day is in a few days). I couldn't go during the day because Bubbles is sick with croup (I think it's croup anyway). So I figured 3:00 would give me enough time before I had to meet the school bus (yes, I finally got permission for Blossom to ride the bus but that's a whole different story.)
So, I put little Gem on the floor outside my bathroom door, with the door open and my bedroom door closed. She was fussing a little but I figured when the water started and she couldn't see me, she'd give it up. Sure enough, she calmed right down and I cranked up the hot water the way I love it and even sang to myself a little. I was not in too big of a hurry and wanted to enjoy. Buttercup and Bubbles were playing in the hallway outside my door.
When I got out of the shower, Gem saw me and started to cry. I hurried into some clothes, I had been wanting to look nice, but had to grab the first thing I ran across in my drawer. Buttercup started thumping on the door screaming that she needed socks. Time was ticking along faster than I had intended. I thought to myself that if I could just get my hair reasonably straight I'd still have time to nurse Gem. So two girls screaming, no word from Bubbles so I start the blow dryer. Two minutes later I turn it off. Gem is hysterical and so is Buttercup. But I am more concerned about the weird thumping noise on the wall. I step out into the hallway toward the other bathroom only to find Bubbles lying on the floor RIGHT BY THE POTTY kicking her feet and yelling that she is poopy. ARGH! Let's just say it was NOT a little mess.
When I finally got out the door, Gem nursed, and five minutes to spare (or so I thought) I look up to see the school bus go cruising by. We walk about two blocks to the school bus and I MISSED it! It's only Blossom's 3rd day riding!
The price of a shower? My thin grip on sanity.

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Finally!

I finally called on Monday morning to see why I did not ever get my license. The office manager, Jennifer, said, let me see what we're waiting on. "Can you hold?" I of course said yes, so ended up waiting for 5 minutes while she 'looked' around. When she finally came back, she said, "I have it right here, you want me to drop this in the mail today for you?" I was stunned! OF COURSE I WANT YOU TO SEND ME THE LICENSE.(I think I said it more calmly than I felt it) Then I hung up. Then I thought for a minute, and called Jennifer back, "Um, can I just come and GET the license?" Jennifer said, "Sure, I'll be gone for lunch from 12-1, but other than that..."




I ask Alex if he wants to come with me, and we load 4 kids into the van. It's about 11:15, but it is only 10 minutes away, and I know right where the office is, so no problem. About 4 or 5 blocks away from the building, we are at a light, which turns green, and the van dies. Seriously. Stops running. Alex is looking at me and says, "oh no." And I look back at him and say, "oh yes." And I'm not thinking, Oh Crap, the van...I'm thinking, Can I walk fast enough to get to the State building before 12 to get that license? It's seriously gotten that ridiculous in my mind. Alex opened his door and says he'll push from the back if I can steer and push from the front. We both hop out and start pushing. Thank Heaven for 7-11! There was one on the opposite corner we were on, so it was really only a matter of turning the corner and getting gas. The van was going pretty well, and I was thinking, Wow, Alex and I are really strong! Turned out there was a man watching who took pity and helped push:) I put gas in the van, and away we go. We park, unload kids and head into the building, then elevator to get the license. When we get to the desk....no Jennifer. It's 11:45. Can she have left? Is it over? Then, I spot the big white envelope with my name on it sitting on the corner of her desk! I grab it, hug it, (yes, I hugged it) and we left. Back at the van, I take a minute to bask. Slowly I open the envelope, fully expecting it to catch fire or something dreadful. My 4 yr old daycare girl asks, "what are you doing?" I am carefully pulling out the certificate from the envelope, and say, "Guess what this is." Her brother, 3 yr old, pipes up, "A choo-choo train?" Um, no. It's my (sniff) daycare license. Finally. In my hand. It's been a long road, almost a year in fact, but I am finally a licensed child care provider in my state, and I'm famo (text language, look at your phone and figure it out) proud of it!:)

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Round One goes to Gem

My little Gem sleeps in bed with me and the Professor every night. Whenever I try to move her into her own little bassinet she wakes up and cries. This isn't really a problem because she sleeps better with me but I am pretty uncomfortable trying to hold still so no one rolls on her.
I decided maybe she'd do better in the porta-crib 'cause she seems to be outgrowing the bassinet. So I got the little crib all set up and yesterday I drank a big diet coke so I'd be really awake and I could get up with her. I tucked her in at 10:30. She woke up at 11:30. I fell asleep in bed holding her (useless caffeinated beverage!!) and put her down again about 1:00. She woke up at 1:15. I held her and put her back down at 1:20. She woke up at 1:30. (Keep in mind this is AM) I put her down again in a few minute and she was up by 2:00.
Needless to say I then gave up on the porta-crib and tucked her in beside me. We both slept until 7:00. (She might have woken up at 5 but frankly if she did I nursed her in my sleep and I don't remember it.) Gem- one. Mom- zero.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Today I went and volunteered in Blossom's class. This was my second time going in. (thanks to mom-in-law for watching the other kiddos so I can do this.) I love going to the school. Blossom's first grade class is really, really well behaved and I like her teacher a lot. I also get to accompany Blossom to her reading group and watch her progress. I love helping the little kids and seeing how smart they are. I also love having somewhere to go where I can dress up a tiny bit and not have any baby drool or diapers and no other children dangling from my extremities.
Lately, I have been feeling like everywhere I go there are children just surrounding me and hanging from every arm and leg. People have actually begun stopping me and asking me if I need help to my van when I go places. This seems like a polite gesture, but in reality it makes me feel like I not only am crazy but I look crazy, too, I can't even hide it.
Anyway, that is why I love Blossom's class. Atleast for the two hours I am there no one cries, everyone is quiet and attentive, and it is a peaceful refuge for me. Maybe it is strange that a first grade class could be a refuge but frankly, I will take what I can get. :)