The Daycare

Sorry everyone it has taken so long to update you on my situation!

I am now watching 3 children plus my two boys.  We are busy!!!!

It has taken a little while for me to relax and be ok with this. Ayt first I was constantly cleaning and planing activites!  I haven't gotten into preschool activities but I will.  The kids are having fun playing and being with other children their age.

It is a lot of work!  I always wondered how my kids babysitters did this and I guess now I know but I know it is tough.

The question is if it was the right decision and everyday when I look into my children's eyes and see them smile and know that I get to be here with them I know that it was the right decision.  I am lucky that I get to be here with them for a year or longer to se them grow, play, and learn.  When I get frustrated and the arguing and crying begins to get to me I have to stop and remember why we are here and what I will get from this experience.

Here are some pictures of us hanging out during the day.

Painting outside with water

Homemade Fingerpaints

A little dress up

(I am not sure what he is but I will have to take a picture of him when he is wearing his rainboots with the outfit!)

Anyway as you can see we are busy everyday!

MEXICO!!!

We are back!  We had a great time laying by the pool and relaxing.  Of course I was up almost everyday by 4:30 to get a Palapa but it is the key to my relaxing! A bed shaded by the pool how could you get any better.  My children were able to nap by the pool and we were able to continue to relex! 

Nathan became a fish. Well he isn't swiming like a fish but he wanted to be in the pool by 7am and didn't want to get out until 6pm.  I had to drag him out to get him to nap and to have a break from the sun.  Eventhough we reapplied sunblock many times during the day he is the tanest child ever!  He never got burned just increadably tan! Nathan hated the beach and the sand!  I am nervous for our trip in July  when there is no pool only the ocean and the beach.  We may have to stay inside with him!

Carter enjoyed the water but was happy to get out.  He really loved the beach and the sand.  If he got fussy John would take down to the ocean and he was the happiest baby ever! My children are so different! I know Carter will enjoy the beach in July!

Here are some pictures of our awesome relaxing trip!

Carter making a mess when we first got there.  Tissues everywhere!

Nathan got his face painted like a tiger.  Isn't he scary!

cuddling!

Video Games

Anyone who knows John knows that John plays video games. This is an obsession that I don't understand. I can play the Wii every once in a while but not often and defiantly not everyday. My husband claims that it relaxes him to play Madden but all he does is yell and scream at the TV. I am left scratching my head.

I don't think Nathan will be quite obsessed with video games but I am sure it would be hard to keep him room playing in our house. Now Carter on the other hand I think will be just as bad if not worse then his daddy. If John is playing Carter has to have a controller in his hand. He stands in front of the TV pushing buttons as if he is actually doing something. Just look at the pictures below.

Nathan interested but not activitly involved

so much fun

Both of my cuties thinking they are playing the Wii

(Notice Carter's face..so much effort)

Summer has begun!

I have completed another year of teaching....

Sometimes I have to sit back and think about what was acomplished and changed over the last10 months. My children have grown; Carter is so much bigger, Nathan is so smart. I often ask Nathan where did you learn that? He always answers I don't know mommy. I hope that I taught it to him but I am well aware that there are so many others in his life who could have taught it to him. His preschool experience has been great and one of my biggest worries in staying home is that he will not have another year of preschool.

I know I can do it but I worry that it is never the same when mommy does something. I tell parents all the time that their children work differently for them then they do for a teacher or another adult. I know my son does!

Then there is school. What has changed in my students? Who came in not being able to talk to me in English and now can carry conversations with any adult. The students who didn't know how to write their names but now can write simple three letter words perfectly. It amazes me that I have done this. This year more then maybe any other year; I had so many parents who appreciated me and showed me this through generous words and cards. There were wonderful gifts from those who didn't know how to express their gratitude in words. But one grandmother in particular had amazing and thoughtful words for me. I want to share them with you:

You are an awesome teacher, skillful and talented. Thank you for making Zaia's first real educational experience a memorable one. They need you. You'll be missed. Go do your thing. Family is important, and return one day with your fabulosity!

I just find that being reminded by a parent how important my job is and how much they appreciate me makes the whole thing worth it.

As I walked out of my school yesterday, I felt very mixed feeling! I am happy to move onto a new experience and do my "thing" with my children and be able to be home for awhile. On the other hand I am sad to not be able to touch all those lives everyday. I am scared to not have a steady expected income every week. Yet excited to see what I can do on my own for my family.

Who said being a mother was easy? Maybe no one but it always seemed so much easier when I watched other mothers.

The Cruise

This past weekend John and I went on a cruise to see his sister Mary get married and to celebrate.  We had a great time.  While we missed our children greatly it was wonderful to spend time togther.  First thing we noticed about being gone for so long without children was the lack of stress.  We were always ready on time and never worried about forgetting something it was so nice!  We also enjoyed spending time togther.  We  had a great time. But we did miss them and would have enjoyed their company. They had a great time with their grammy and auntie Meg.  They got to do a ton of fun stuff.  Lucky for them!

Here are some pics of the cruise.

A Children's Table redone for boys

My mother - in - law gave me a hand me down table that was made for girls.  It was purple and pink with butterflies all over it.  So cute if you had girls but with my boys it just wouldn't work!  So I decided to try a painting technique that I have seen on mnay blog posts. Chalkboard Paint.  I sanded it down and painted it red then I painted a square in the middle with chalkboard paint.  Then I painted the back of the chairs with chalkboard paint and rocketships onto the seat of the chairs.  I love the table and so do my boys. 

Here it is:

 

A Fun filled weekend

Two weekends ago we were very busy.  We went to the zoo on Saturday with Aunt Tracey, Uncle Jason, Micah, Aunt Shawn, and Jackson.

We had a ton of fun looking at the animals and playing in the children's area.
The boys sharing a snowcone what a mess but a ton of fun!

Nathan driving a tractor.

Micah siting next to the wheel of the tractor.  He is such a cutie!

Then on Sunday we went to the Mesa Southwest Museum with Jon Beckham, Sheena, Talon, Asher, and Shiloh.  We had a blast and the boys loved seeing the dinosaurs.

A little bit of daddy fun with a green screen.

Talon and Asher looking at the dinosaurs.