I feel Like A [Day Care] Mom

So about October of last year we gained a new kid in our class, he was 18months and the CUTEST thing ever. He came in using a bink still which we learned quickly at the start was the only way he would take a nap. But my co-teacher was on vacation the first few days he started so it was my and the float teacher. He spent his first few days, maybe weeks hehe crying almost the whole day. We found though that he stopped to eat and take a nap after of course he gave him his binky.  But the first maybe two days he was there I had to hold him with and give him his binky in order for him to fall asleep. I knew I probably shouldn't because we don't want the kids getting use to being help to go to sleep because you can't hold 8 kids til they fall asleep that would take forever. But since then he has become my, well say favorite. Again you don't ever want to say you have your "favorite" but every teacher has that child that is their "day care child". In short time it was known I was his "day care mama". Other teachers joked because if one of them would get on him for doing something wrong he would run to me to be saved, or for anything he came to me for most things.

Well in the last month or so it seems to be like I feel like I really am his second mom. His mom just had a baby like two weeks ago and I think right now he is feeling that "im not the baby anymore" feeling and wants the attention somewhere. But I have given into him and babied him from the get go so he knows if he wants something come to me. Well shortly before mom had her baby he began having trouble going to sleep. It was like he just started again and he would just lay their and scream and it hurt me to hear him cry like that I couldn't do it. I tried just sitting there and patting his back and ignore it figuring he would tire out but I hated hearing him cry so I picked him up and he pretty much fell right to sleep, but every time I tried to put him on his cot he woke and cried til i picked him up again....he wouldnt even open his eyes it was like he wasnt really awake but he just knew I wasn't holding him. I wasn't sure he would ever let me put him down, but finally did. But that continued everyday. Then another teacher suggested putting my hoodie down for him to lay on so he has my scent to help. And thankfully it worked. Now my day goes like this... as soon as I get there he comes running up to me and gives me hugs, then he ready to go back to play. Through out the day he comes over to sit with me and hug me and he has to sit with me during circle time, but my co-teacher trying to stop alot but for me its like you' be like this with your daughter and he is like my baby lol. Then at nap he sits down and pulls at my sweater so ill take it off and put it down for him to sleep on, then most days he gives me a kiss(es) and a hug before he goes to sleep. Then first thing he normally does when he wakes up is runs to me. I love the feeling and I always tell Alex now I know how it feels to me a mom. I have said almost everyday that I would take him home and keep if in a split second if given the chance. I love the little guy and can't wait to see him everyday. Other teachers have also commented on how he calls me "mom" occasionally. I feel bad for his mom, especially cause there a few times he has said it when parents there to pick up....but there a lot to his parents that make me not feel bad. That my rant for the day haha......

Family Time

This year has started out great! We've been getting to see family, who we normally only see maybe two times a year, every other weekend. We started game night many times and it goes for maybe a week or two then dies off. But this time it has been working out pretty well. This is the first weekend it hasn't happened, or if it does we wont be able to go due to we usually have it on Sundays, and this Sunday is my father-in-law's birthday party. But me and Alex did have a mini little game night with just my parents, since my dad hardly EVER gets to come to game night since he works Sunday's. But anyways it just was us two and my parents and then my future sister-in-law Beth. My brother had to work so he didn't come but it was nice that Beth was able to. We played for a couple hours ate some pizza and called it a night. It was a quiet evening but still enjoyable.

Normally for game night we switch between our house or my cousin Andreina's house. One weekend we had it at Andreina's parents house because the offered to house a Super Bowl/ Game night party.  But we do it about every weekend, just switch houses. And normally it me and Alex, my mom and maybe dad, my cousin Liz, and her mom occasionally if she doesnt work, and my grandpa comes to watch he doesnt really play thought, and my cousin Andreina and her mom occasionally and sometimes her dad as well. We talked about adding in going bowling once a month in place of game night, since my grandpa LOVES to bowl and he hasn't bowled in a while and he really misses it.

On our list of typical game night games is Pictionary, Quelf, Scategories, Quesstures, Taboo and Uno, I think that most of them. Pictionary gets interesting depending what version we play and if we play with the alternative rules. Scategories is funny to see what answers people come up with. Quesstures is the best to watch people act out things. Taboo is fun as well and Uno just takes for ever but is funny watching people pick up hundreds of cards and a rush to go out. The best is probably Quelf... it a new game and is so funny. You laugh your ass off and people have to do completely stupid things but it is a great game. :)

A New Year

Well another year has come and gone. I can't believe 2011 is over already. It has been a good year and I know 2012 will be even better. Through the course of 2011 I got to spend 6 more months with the amazing kids I babysat (and still occasionally do), and watch the twins grow and learn new things. I got to finally quit my job at the hotel, which was bittersweet, I don't miss the job but I miss some of the employees only one of them still works there, and I miss the interesting and crazy things that happened as well as the crazy guests haha. 2011 brought us our 1st wedding anniversary, and a vacation to Virginia Beach to celebrate as well as celebrate Alex's 26th birthday. I started a new job at a preschool, teaching in the Early Head Start room. It is a room full of 2-yr-olds. There are only eight of them but that is enough some day. I love it there, and there are some down falls but what job doesn't have that. Some down sides, Alex got into an accident on his bike and it scared me but other than losing his bike he only broke his wrist and he is fine. He is not finally back to work after being off for like three months. Ended the year with all the holiday fun, of Thanksgiving and Christmas and of course New Years Eve. A great couple months getting to see family.

Now on to a new year, and see what adventures the preschool brings and what new kids it brings to my room. As well as what new adventures me and Alex come across. we, well I, have been looking into where we can go on our anniversary vacation. He not helping much and I'm at a loss. It doesn't help that I dont know how much we can spend. Any suggestions???? New Years resolutions is to start working out. I am not saying I am overweight or really fat but I am extremely out of shape and to look back at some pictures of be 2 or 3 yrs ago I liked how I looked them, and I know I am getting older and it comes with age sometimes but I am tired of being so lazy. I also want to stop drinking so much pop.
Resolutions:
1. Start working out on a regular basis and stick to it, get work out partner to help (my mom).                    2. Drink less pop- I drink between 1-2 cans a day, and that doesn't count if we go to speedway which I normally get a small or medium but occasionally a large or at Circle K same thing. I would like to get down to 1 a day at the most of whatever, can or cup or whatever from speedway/circle k. Then eventually down to maybe 3-4 a week or something.
3. Lastly I want to stop eating all the time, maybe by like 9-10pm no more snacking....such as junk or pop, try to stick to veggies and healthy foods for munchie snacks.

Merry Christmas

Hope everyone had a great Christmas and got at least 1 thing you wanted. My holiday was very fun and packed full of visits. It started out on Christmas eve, we made sure to have everything done that we needed and started out at my Uncles house, for my moms family, and spent a little time there. Ate dinner and opened presents before we had to leave. We got a bunch of nice stuff; some cheese and trail bologna(he good kind), scrapbooking stuff, a James Patterson book, a new movie(Green Lantern), and some clothes. Then we headed on our one hour drive to visit Alex's grandma and his moms side of the family. Enjoyed some good company their as well, and got some nice things; brownie mix, bath and body works, dish towel and gift cards. We finally made it home by like 11:45pm and I put Alex's stocking stuffers in his stocking and put out the rest of the gifts I had hidden then went to bed. My cousin liked the letters I made her which I was happy it took me a while.

The letters I made my cousin....

Christmas day started out at my brothers apartment with my parents as well. We ate some awesome brunch, and spend sometime hanging out and enjoying the company. There we got a new clock, a board game, couple more new movies (Rio and Despicable Me), ornaments, hoodies and DSi game. My mom loved her griddle we got her, and the DVD player from my dad and she got a ereader from my brother but he gave it to her early. My brother liked the aromatherapy heat pads I made him. My dad got some nice work boots and we got him some pj pants and a zipup. After my brothers we came back home and opened presents. Alex got me the first two movies in the twilight saga, and The Christmas Wedding, James Patterson book, and a iHome, its an alarm clock and iPod charger in one. I really like it, now i can listen to music to wake up 2 and better then our crappy alarm clock. After our house we went to his moms then to his one aunts house in Carrollton and then stopped by at his other aunts. Finished off our holiday season today, the 26th with his dad....we see him on Christmas but open presents with him later.

A lot of stops trying to fit in both of our families but I wouldn't have it any other way, I hate all the driving and stops but I love spending time with family. I couldn't imagine not going to his families house or mine ON Christmas day. A fun filled day. I can't believe this was me and Alex's 6th Christmas together and 2nd Christmas together as husband and wife, where has the time gone?!? :)

Christmas morning before going to my brothers....

Christmas Eve

Preparing for the Holidays

Well a little late, but we had a great Thanksgiving. It started the week before at work. We had a Thanksgiving family dinner, during lunch time. We all sat together in the school agers room, and any family members that could attend came and sat with their child/children and we all ate turkey and mashed potatoes, and all that comes with it. After wards the parents left and the day went back to pretty much normal. Then it continued on to Thanksgiving Day. We woke up early and made breakfast while watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade! We started the cooking and finished up last minute things while we waited for people to arrive. We had family over like we have since we moved into our place. This year consisted of my mom and dad, his mom and step-dad, and his dad, my brother and his girlfriend, and his grandma and cousin, and his older step-brother. We ate great food and enjoyed great company. Overall a great day. We finished out the Thanksgiving holiday with getting together with my mom's family out at my Uncle's like we every year. It was a blast their as well. Hanging with family and watching my little cousins play and be silly. I will end Thanksgiving with a picture.

Now on to the Christmas season. It has been a craft filled season so far at work. We have made everything from wreath's to gingerbread people, to candy canes and snow men. As well as snow flakes, and mittens, and Christmas light bulbs. I will make a separate post and include pictures of their art projects. For them being two they turned out really cute and I love completing the projects with them. We also decorated a little tree for our room.

At home, Alex and I got our tree up and some of the lights done on the front porch still have a few to go. We got pretty much all the decorations up now. And have watched a few Christmas shows and movies throughout the week. I had a vacation day today and we went shopping and got a ton of presents bought. I plan to go Sunday with my mom and try to make a huge dent in my shopping for Alex. So far we have my Mom-75% checked off as well as my Dad, My cousins, Liz and Andreina-are both CHECKED off. We got his Grandma checked off, with the ornament we bought her. I have the materials for my brothers gift, well part. And part of the joint gift for him and his girlfriend. I plan to get something little for his girlfriend as well. Not sure who else if I am forgetting anyone...oh yeah my secret santa at work, who knows what to get her because I have never really talked to her.

All that we have left is to make our cookies, and gingerbread house, and wrap the presents. I am getting really excited. And getting pretty excited for our Christmas fun day at work on the 23rd, with the kids watching movies and eating some snacks and letting them just play.

Trick or Treating

Well obviously Alex and I didn't go trick or treating but we did pass out candy as we do every year. And since we don't go to any parties I like to dress up to pass out candy. So this year I thought if a better idea to late so I went with what I found out the goodwill which was a referee outfit, and Alex dressed as a nerd which is what he wanted to do last year but he got his wisdom teeth out so he was in to much pain to dress up. My idea I came up with alter which would have been a battle to get Alex to do was to go as Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez haha.

I ended up looking stupid and really wished I coulda went with the selena gomez thing or something but Alex looked so cute. We had fun passing out candy and had so many cute little kiddos come to the house. We played cards inside where it was warm while we waited and then right after it ended we watched our Monday night shows... Another good Halloween and now on to the holiday season finally leading up t Thanksgiving and hosting it again, and FINALLY the Christmas season I can finally decorate and put up our tree and watch Christmas shows!!!!

Candy Trail

Catching up on a few post from the past week.

So last Friday, the 28th, at work we had a candy trail. Pretty much trick-or-treat around the building. The kiddos got to dress up and they set it up that a few classrooms had teachers posted with candy or treats for the kids to get. It was so cute to see all the kids of all ages all dressed up so cute. We passed the infant 1 class and in that class there were poodles and otters, and some lions and cowboys in infant 2. We had firefighters and pirates, princesses, ladybugs and doctors in Toddler 2. In my class, toddler 1: early head start, had a ninja, a bumble bee, an elephant, a little dutch girl, and a police officer.

The first picture is five of my seven cuties. The second is my five and some of toddler 2 kiddos. It's not all of them wish we could have gotten all the kids from both classes but oh well.