A few of you noticed the mention of me getting a job a few posts again and inquired as to what I will be doing. Now try not to laugh too hard when I tell you....
I'm going to be a daycare attendant in my gym. (At least that's the official "title" on my paperwork.)
For those of you who know of my "dis-love" I will call it for other people's kids are probably rolling on the floor laughing right now. And I understand your confusion. Trust me I really do. But let me assure you that I have thought this through fully and discussed it with some of my soon-to-be fellow employees and they assure me it is wonderful.
You see...my gym has a daycare where you can drop off your kids while working out. (You do have to pay for this privilege, but it's not too expensive.) They has all sorts of toys and baby swings and bouncy chairs and a pack 'n play and movies....Disney movies, but this is only downstairs. Upstairs (for the kids 3 and up during certain peak hours) they have a air hockey table, big kids toys and a crawl around thing (think mini version of McD's playland) My kids love going to the gym. I love having 2 hours (though I normally only use 1 1/2) to relax and know my children are being attended to.
A month or so ago I was talking to Shauna (our favorite gal, who can get Evan to go to sleep in the blink of an eye while the others have to put forth some effort) about how she liked it. She said she's been there 5 years and loves it. She also mentioned they might have some opening around the beginning of the year and it planted a little seed.
So when Kathy, the gal in charge, asked if I was interested I decided to talk to Steven. We don't need the money or anything, but I thought it would be nice to have some extra to go out to eat a little more often, take a nicer vacation, put more into savings, build up food storage, save for bigger ticket items we would like....you get my drift.
To start out I will be working 2 days a week, 4 hours a day. (BTW during the slower times with less children coming in and out). But I can pick up extra hours if someone wants time off or calls in sick.
It's kinda like Nursery....I don't have to change diapers and if the child is being a total beast we can page their parents to come get them. I don't think it can get too much awesomer than that. This is excellent! I'm going to be paid $7.25 an hour to basically do what I do at home, only with a couple extra kids...which honestly I do a few times a month already. And since I don't get paid anything to sit on my couch at home I figure this is pretty awesome. The kids will come with me to work and get to watch movies we don't own and play with toys I don't have to store.
I probably won't start until February because I have to be CPR certified (which I'm doing tomorrow), my background check is still processing, and the schedule is already set for the month, but that's alright...I need to get a few ducks in a row and then it will all work out swimmingly. :)
Friday, January 14, 2011
Raising Boys
I just finished reading this really interesting book, Raising Boys by Steven Biddulph.
You can ask any person who has had experience with little children about the differences between boys and girls. They are like whole different species. And since I'm a girl and have not, nor will ever be a boy, I figured some insight into 3 of the 4 children I'm raising would be good.
The thing I liked best about the book was his explanation of the 3 stages of boyhood:
1. From Birth to 6. During this stage a boy needs love and security which comes primarily from mom.
2. From 6 to 14. During this stage a boy needs to build competence and skills while also developing kindness and playfulness. These skills are primarily learned from dad.
3. From 14 to adult. During this stage a boy needs to learn more skills, responsibility and self-respect. This is primarily done through male mentors and role models with the parents helping to guide the boy toward the right people.
I guess I hadn't thought about it much but it all rang true. It fits where a boy naturally drifts at those ages. And it immediately made me grateful for the YM and scouting program that my boy's will be a part of. They will have those male role models to teach and guide them...cause let's all be honest here...when you are a teenager, your parents will tell you something and it goes in one ear and out the other. But when a respected adult tells you the exact same thing you listen and realize the wisdom.
Overall, a great little book for those of you with boys. It was written in an informative, yet entertaining matter. I didn't agree with some of the points that were trying to be made (especially the section on masturbation/pornography...but it let to an interesting discussion with my husband about dealing with boy's sexual urges) but it has some great ideas to glean from.
I guess I'm just worried about how my kids will turn out. I was reading in the BOM yesterday about Lehi's vision where Laman and Lemuel didn't take the fruit and Lehi knew he wouldn't be able to be with them for the eternities and it made me sad for him. The thought of not being with my children forever shakes me to the core. It makes me want to take away their free agency and make their decision for them. But I realize that isn't possible and even if it was, it wouldn't do them any good.
I've realized that I just need to prepare them as well as I can and hope they will choose the right (or CTR). But if they don't, just pray REALLY hard and hope they will return again to the fullness of the gospel. Sorry for the bit of a downer blog....food for thought I guess.
You can ask any person who has had experience with little children about the differences between boys and girls. They are like whole different species. And since I'm a girl and have not, nor will ever be a boy, I figured some insight into 3 of the 4 children I'm raising would be good.
The thing I liked best about the book was his explanation of the 3 stages of boyhood:
1. From Birth to 6. During this stage a boy needs love and security which comes primarily from mom.
2. From 6 to 14. During this stage a boy needs to build competence and skills while also developing kindness and playfulness. These skills are primarily learned from dad.
3. From 14 to adult. During this stage a boy needs to learn more skills, responsibility and self-respect. This is primarily done through male mentors and role models with the parents helping to guide the boy toward the right people.
I guess I hadn't thought about it much but it all rang true. It fits where a boy naturally drifts at those ages. And it immediately made me grateful for the YM and scouting program that my boy's will be a part of. They will have those male role models to teach and guide them...cause let's all be honest here...when you are a teenager, your parents will tell you something and it goes in one ear and out the other. But when a respected adult tells you the exact same thing you listen and realize the wisdom.
Overall, a great little book for those of you with boys. It was written in an informative, yet entertaining matter. I didn't agree with some of the points that were trying to be made (especially the section on masturbation/pornography...but it let to an interesting discussion with my husband about dealing with boy's sexual urges) but it has some great ideas to glean from.
I guess I'm just worried about how my kids will turn out. I was reading in the BOM yesterday about Lehi's vision where Laman and Lemuel didn't take the fruit and Lehi knew he wouldn't be able to be with them for the eternities and it made me sad for him. The thought of not being with my children forever shakes me to the core. It makes me want to take away their free agency and make their decision for them. But I realize that isn't possible and even if it was, it wouldn't do them any good.
I've realized that I just need to prepare them as well as I can and hope they will choose the right (or CTR). But if they don't, just pray REALLY hard and hope they will return again to the fullness of the gospel. Sorry for the bit of a downer blog....food for thought I guess.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Such a mean, mean mommy (and brother)
Look mom...Kim left the pantry unlocked, so Owen got into it and found the candy canes. Then he left one where I could get it. (Sorry about this pic. My flash was acting crazy.)
Look mom...so yummy. I'm so happy with this thing in my mouth. Even though it still has the wrapper on it.
Look mom...I'm coming to get you and the camera with my sticky, sticky hands.
Wait! You are going to take away my candy cane? What is up with that?
I really can't believe you took away my candy cane and put it on the counter where I can't reach it. Didn't you see how yummy it was?
Wait a second...Owen just came in and put the candy cane on the floor. Maybe she won't notice if I get it, she is playing with the camera and all.
Crawl fast my fat, chunky little legs. Crawl as fast as you can go.
Score! I got it! Yummy, sticky goodness!
Hold on Owen that is my candy cane. I worked hard to get it.
Mom, he took my candy cane.
Why are you laughing? I really want that candy cane. Why did you put it in the garbage?
Funny side note: I put the candy cane in the garbage and comforted sweet baby. About 30 minutes later, I find Owen digging in my trash. I asked him what he is doing and he responded with "Want candy. Want candy." Really?!?!
Look mom...so yummy. I'm so happy with this thing in my mouth. Even though it still has the wrapper on it.
Look mom...I'm coming to get you and the camera with my sticky, sticky hands.
Wait! You are going to take away my candy cane? What is up with that?
I really can't believe you took away my candy cane and put it on the counter where I can't reach it. Didn't you see how yummy it was?
Wait a second...Owen just came in and put the candy cane on the floor. Maybe she won't notice if I get it, she is playing with the camera and all.
Crawl fast my fat, chunky little legs. Crawl as fast as you can go.
Score! I got it! Yummy, sticky goodness!
Hold on Owen that is my candy cane. I worked hard to get it.
Mom, he took my candy cane.
Why are you laughing? I really want that candy cane. Why did you put it in the garbage?
Funny side note: I put the candy cane in the garbage and comforted sweet baby. About 30 minutes later, I find Owen digging in my trash. I asked him what he is doing and he responded with "Want candy. Want candy." Really?!?!
"Call Grandpa, Call Grandma"
This has been the plea from Owen all day long. He wants me to call and tell them to come over to our house. Here is the problem, they live a mere 541 miles from us.
I can hear you thinking, "What prompted this request?"
You see they came out for a fun-filled visit Dec 27 - 31. My cousin, Whitney, was getting married in Idaho Falls, so they decided to make a mini-vacation of it and see the grandkids.
Tuesday, we played the day away. (The women shopping. The men playing racquetball at the gym and the Wii back at home.)
Wednesday, we packed up two cars and drove over to Idaho Falls for the wedding. Thursday was the sealing and reception. I realized how much I appreciate my parents (and little brother) as they helped me wrangle 4 kids.
The boys had a grand time playing with Grandpa and Grandma and Uncle Preston...we just wished they lived closer so that we really could just call and have them come over for a visit.
Here is Owen's desperate plea (notice the melt-down at the end as his request isn't being fulfilled):
So I called and left a message on their machine. (It was 4:30pm their time and Grandpa is probably still at work and Grandma was probably busy.) But that wasn't good enough. Owen wanted to talk to Grandpa....and Now! So I called back and go the machine. Owen left a heart-felt message for them.
As you can plainly see....We love Grandma and Grandpa! (And even Uncle Preston.)
UPDATE 1/14/11: Today our neighbor came over to return a computer cord she borrowed. When Owen heard the knock on the door he yells out "Grandpa here!" I had to break it to him that it wasn't grandpa and tried to explain yet again that Grandpa and Grandma live far away and can't just come visit when they want....I'll need to figure out something to help with this. Maybe we will trying calling again tomorrow. Hopefully they are home to answer
I can hear you thinking, "What prompted this request?"
You see they came out for a fun-filled visit Dec 27 - 31. My cousin, Whitney, was getting married in Idaho Falls, so they decided to make a mini-vacation of it and see the grandkids.
Tuesday, we played the day away. (The women shopping. The men playing racquetball at the gym and the Wii back at home.)
Wednesday, we packed up two cars and drove over to Idaho Falls for the wedding. Thursday was the sealing and reception. I realized how much I appreciate my parents (and little brother) as they helped me wrangle 4 kids.
The boys had a grand time playing with Grandpa and Grandma and Uncle Preston...we just wished they lived closer so that we really could just call and have them come over for a visit.
Here is Owen's desperate plea (notice the melt-down at the end as his request isn't being fulfilled):
So I called and left a message on their machine. (It was 4:30pm their time and Grandpa is probably still at work and Grandma was probably busy.) But that wasn't good enough. Owen wanted to talk to Grandpa....and Now! So I called back and go the machine. Owen left a heart-felt message for them.
As you can plainly see....We love Grandma and Grandpa! (And even Uncle Preston.)
UPDATE 1/14/11: Today our neighbor came over to return a computer cord she borrowed. When Owen heard the knock on the door he yells out "Grandpa here!" I had to break it to him that it wasn't grandpa and tried to explain yet again that Grandpa and Grandma live far away and can't just come visit when they want....I'll need to figure out something to help with this. Maybe we will trying calling again tomorrow. Hopefully they are home to answer
Saturday, January 8, 2011
A moment of crisis...
Here is how it started...As normal, I was scrolling through the list of blogs I check out. Some family, some friends, some people I don't know but would love to one day. I clicked on my sister Melissa's blog about her son's 2nd birthday today.
Sure no big deal, you think. It is only your nephew's 2nd birthday. No need to go into full crisis mode. It started simply by my deciding to comment on her blog and wishing Landon a happy birthday.
But then I took a moment to reflect on what this year will bring to me. That is when I realized the blows 2011 will bring...
1. In one and a half months, my little girl Kim (who really isn't that little because she is wearing the same size shoes that I do) will turn 12. She will be going into the YW program. That makes me feel really old....REALLY OLD!
(Here Kim is decorating the tree. She will probably hate this picture being on my blog since she wasn't given appropriate "5 day notification" to choose the correct outfit to be seen in public.)
3. Then in six short months, my oldest boy Logan will turn 5. This marks that huge milestone of starting kindergarten. And loosing my little man. The only boy who will actually listen when I say no.
(Check out that grin. How can you not love a kid with that smile? It is impossible, trust me.)
4. Then in eight relatively short months, the "beast" (as we lovingly refer to my middle son) Owen will turn 3! And I thought 2 was bad...3 was much harder with my older ones....let us all pray he (and I) survive the year.
(Here he is posing with a sticker on his forehead...the same exact place that a lovely bruise currently resides.)
Perhaps it is a good thing I'm getting a job. The extra money will help me drown my sorrows with A&W Root Beer and chocolate.
Here is to hoping 2011 doesn't make me a total wreak emotionally!
Sure no big deal, you think. It is only your nephew's 2nd birthday. No need to go into full crisis mode. It started simply by my deciding to comment on her blog and wishing Landon a happy birthday.
But then I took a moment to reflect on what this year will bring to me. That is when I realized the blows 2011 will bring...
1. In one and a half months, my little girl Kim (who really isn't that little because she is wearing the same size shoes that I do) will turn 12. She will be going into the YW program. That makes me feel really old....REALLY OLD!
(Here Kim is decorating the tree. She will probably hate this picture being on my blog since she wasn't given appropriate "5 day notification" to choose the correct outfit to be seen in public.)2. Then in three short months, my sweet baby Evan will turn 1. Normally that is a moment of delight and celebration for parents. And don't get me wrong, we will party like its 2011 and have cake and presents, but I will need to stop crying first. This is my baby...my last baby and he is growing up way too fast!
(Isn't he completely adorable. He refused to take a nap that morning and literally crawled himself to sleep. Just collapsed on the floor, rolled up in his blankie and napped.)
(Isn't he completely adorable. He refused to take a nap that morning and literally crawled himself to sleep. Just collapsed on the floor, rolled up in his blankie and napped.)3. Then in six short months, my oldest boy Logan will turn 5. This marks that huge milestone of starting kindergarten. And loosing my little man. The only boy who will actually listen when I say no.
(Check out that grin. How can you not love a kid with that smile? It is impossible, trust me.)4. Then in eight relatively short months, the "beast" (as we lovingly refer to my middle son) Owen will turn 3! And I thought 2 was bad...3 was much harder with my older ones....let us all pray he (and I) survive the year.
(Here he is posing with a sticker on his forehead...the same exact place that a lovely bruise currently resides.)Perhaps it is a good thing I'm getting a job. The extra money will help me drown my sorrows with A&W Root Beer and chocolate.
Here is to hoping 2011 doesn't make me a total wreak emotionally!
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Books I read in 2010
As you may know, I am a bookworm. If I could, I would hole up in a library and tear through the shelves. But since my children would not survive without me (especially Evan) alas I may only read when I can find some time. (Occasionally even when I don't have time, but I am totally absorbed in a book....okay, maybe more than occasionally...) I thought I would mark a few that I recommend for reading....also the titles followed by (J) are considered juvenile literature.
You may not have noticed the list I had going on my sidebar this past year, but here it is:
*These is my words by Nancy E. Turner ( This will be added to my collection on day.)
*Forgotten Skills of Cooking by Darina Allen (Excellent advice on "old time-y" cooking.)
*11 Birthdays by Wendy Mass (J)
*Love and Respect by Emerson Eggerichs (This will be added to my collection shortly. Highly recommend for great relationship advice...not really a fun read.)
*The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
*Lemony Snickets' The Unauthorized Autobiography (J)
*Lemony Snickets' The End (J)
*Lemony Snickets' The Penultimate Peril (J)
*Lemony Snickets' The Grim Grotto (J)
*Lemony Snickets' The Slippery Slope (J)
*Lemony Snickets' The Carnivorous Carnival (J)
*Lemony Snickets' The Hostile Hospital (J)
*Lemony Snickets' The Vile Village (J)
*Lemony Snickets' The Ersatz Elevator (J)
*Lemony Snickets' The Austere Academy (J)
*Lemony Snickets' The Miserable Mill (J)
*All Creatures Great and Small by James Harriot
*Lemony Snickets' The Bad Beginning (J)
*Lemony Snickets' The Reptile Room (J)
*Lemony Snickets' The Wide Window (J)
*The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann Wyss
*Pick another checkout lane, honey by Joanie Demer
*Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell (A great classic. A long, but excellent read. )
*Superfreakonomics by Steven Levitt & Stephen Dubner
*Freakonomics by Steven Levitt & Stephen Dubner
*Unclutter your life in one week by Erin Rooney Doland
*The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner by Stephenie Meyer
*Like Gold Refined by Janette Oke
*A Quiet Strength by Janette Oke
*A Searching Heart by Janette Oke
*The Tender Years by Janette Oke
*The Book of Mormon (If you don't know what this is...check it out.)
*Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling (J)
*Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling (J)
*Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling (J)
*Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling (J)
*Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling (J)
*Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling (J)
*Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling (J) (This series is a must read! And slightly addictive....ask my ignored husband and children.)
*The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
*Finally by Wendy Mass (J)
*Snow Falling on Cedars by David Guterson
*Anthem by Ayn Rand
*Nights in Rodanthe by Nicholas Sparks
*The Guardian by Nicholas Sparks
*Cold Train Coming by Larry Barkdull
*The Lighthouse Keeper by James Michael Pratt
I look forward to all the books that I will read in 2011!
You may not have noticed the list I had going on my sidebar this past year, but here it is:
*These is my words by Nancy E. Turner ( This will be added to my collection on day.)
*Forgotten Skills of Cooking by Darina Allen (Excellent advice on "old time-y" cooking.)
*11 Birthdays by Wendy Mass (J)
*Love and Respect by Emerson Eggerichs (This will be added to my collection shortly. Highly recommend for great relationship advice...not really a fun read.)
*The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
*Lemony Snickets' The Unauthorized Autobiography (J)
*Lemony Snickets' The End (J)
*Lemony Snickets' The Penultimate Peril (J)
*Lemony Snickets' The Grim Grotto (J)
*Lemony Snickets' The Slippery Slope (J)
*Lemony Snickets' The Carnivorous Carnival (J)
*Lemony Snickets' The Hostile Hospital (J)
*Lemony Snickets' The Vile Village (J)
*Lemony Snickets' The Ersatz Elevator (J)
*Lemony Snickets' The Austere Academy (J)
*Lemony Snickets' The Miserable Mill (J)
*All Creatures Great and Small by James Harriot
*Lemony Snickets' The Bad Beginning (J)
*Lemony Snickets' The Reptile Room (J)
*Lemony Snickets' The Wide Window (J)
*The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann Wyss
*Pick another checkout lane, honey by Joanie Demer
*Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell (A great classic. A long, but excellent read. )
*Superfreakonomics by Steven Levitt & Stephen Dubner
*Freakonomics by Steven Levitt & Stephen Dubner
*Unclutter your life in one week by Erin Rooney Doland
*The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner by Stephenie Meyer
*Like Gold Refined by Janette Oke
*A Quiet Strength by Janette Oke
*A Searching Heart by Janette Oke
*The Tender Years by Janette Oke
*The Book of Mormon (If you don't know what this is...check it out.)
*Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling (J)
*Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling (J)
*Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling (J)
*Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling (J)
*Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling (J)
*Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling (J)
*Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling (J) (This series is a must read! And slightly addictive....ask my ignored husband and children.)
*The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
*Finally by Wendy Mass (J)
*Snow Falling on Cedars by David Guterson
*Anthem by Ayn Rand
*Nights in Rodanthe by Nicholas Sparks
*The Guardian by Nicholas Sparks
*Cold Train Coming by Larry Barkdull
*The Lighthouse Keeper by James Michael Pratt
I look forward to all the books that I will read in 2011!
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Snow Day!
This morning at 6am we got a call. Luckily, I was up feeding Evan or I would have been very unhappy. It was the superintendent calling to say that school was closed for the day. Snow day! Kim was very excited to hear she didn't have to go to school. We celebrated with Hot Cocoa for breakfast. (OK, I normally have hot cocoa for breakfast, but it was a treat for the boys.)
We looked outside to check out the snowfall. There was at least 4 inches. Check out this pic. I shoveled the walkway to give you an idea how deep it is...
Steven proposed that we pay Kim to shovel the driveway and I seconded the idea. Kim was very excited to earn some money for Christmas presents. So promptly got bundled up and I gave her a quick tutorial on how to shovel snow. For the most part, it's pretty easy going since it is snow that had fallen overnight and isn't compacted yet. Just to test it out, I did the walkway and a strip to the far side of the driveway to get her started.
Here she is saying "Come on mom" (in that annoying, yet entertaining teenage whine) when she noticed I had come outside with the camera.
Here she is digging in deep to get a shovelful. Put your back into it! Use those arms!
And getting ready to chuck the snow. Check out the driveway behind her...only 30 minutes in and she has one side pretty much done. Good going Kim!
Here she is waving at the camera (at my request after some more of that whining) just to prove that I'm not a complete and horrible mother subjecting my child to slave labor...hey, she is getting paid.
Ah, the joys of an older child. Now the snow won't get all compacted when we head out to the gym and library in a little while. It's a win-win situation for all!
Happy Snow Day!
We looked outside to check out the snowfall. There was at least 4 inches. Check out this pic. I shoveled the walkway to give you an idea how deep it is...
Steven proposed that we pay Kim to shovel the driveway and I seconded the idea. Kim was very excited to earn some money for Christmas presents. So promptly got bundled up and I gave her a quick tutorial on how to shovel snow. For the most part, it's pretty easy going since it is snow that had fallen overnight and isn't compacted yet. Just to test it out, I did the walkway and a strip to the far side of the driveway to get her started.
Here she is saying "Come on mom" (in that annoying, yet entertaining teenage whine) when she noticed I had come outside with the camera.
Here she is digging in deep to get a shovelful. Put your back into it! Use those arms!
And getting ready to chuck the snow. Check out the driveway behind her...only 30 minutes in and she has one side pretty much done. Good going Kim!
Here she is waving at the camera (at my request after some more of that whining) just to prove that I'm not a complete and horrible mother subjecting my child to slave labor...hey, she is getting paid.
Ah, the joys of an older child. Now the snow won't get all compacted when we head out to the gym and library in a little while. It's a win-win situation for all!Happy Snow Day!
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