Reason #4

And today's reason is...

I'm their "mama"

I know that the parents of my kids wouldn't be too happy to hear this, but it's true: I've become a second mother to these children! When I leave the room, Christina* cries like it's her job. Before I leave at the end of the day, I have to get a hug from every young one in my room. Before they leave, they blow me kisses. Not to mention they often call me "mama." And I must admit -- I love being "mama."

I have to add a side-note:
Today I was reading a book that had a picture of a cow in it. I told Nick,* "Say 'Cow,' Nick!" And he said, "Moo!"

*Names have been changed to protect confidentiality of the children in my class :)

Reason #3

Okay, Okay... I know that I haven't exactly been keeping up on my reasons... but I have been thinking about them throughout the day - - and most days I come up with one! Here is today's:

I tooted!

This morning I was doing paperwork (filling out what the kids were eating for breakfast and such) when I heard one of the kids announce "I tooted!!" Now, there's something that you should know about 2-year-olds. If they have something to say, they'll say it - and if they don't think you heard them the first time, they'll repeat it. Louder. And again and again and again. Until you acknowledge their existance and what they are saying.

"I tooted!" "I tooted!!" "I tooted!!!!"

Let me tell you - sometimes it's not only annoying.

Reason #2

Yesterday my reason for liking work came by 7:15am!

The way my kids sit in my lap

Yesterday morning Carmen (her name has been changed for confidentiality) reminded me to appreciate the little things when she sat in my lap to hear a story. When my kids give me a book to read, I sit cross-legged on the floor so someone can sit in my lap. Since I only have one lap, there is often some fighting about who gets to sit there... but they have smartened-up lately and now one child will sit in my lap, one on my right knee, and another on my left knee. That only leaves two kids without lap space. It's cute.

Carmen gave me her book and then turned around, stuck her but out, and shuffled her feet backwards until she got to my lap. It's the cutest thing ever!! And she's the cutest when she does it (though all my kids do it to some extent). Then, when it's time to get up, she has to heave herself up two or three times, ricking front and back and front and back, until I give her a little push. Very cute! :)

Reason #1

I have decided that as a way to like work more and as a way to update my blog more often, I will come up with one thing that I like about work each day. So here's my first: Reason #1 to enjoy work is.... (dum dun dun duuuum)

When I sing a song, I get applauded!

Today I asked my kids what they wanted to sing and one of them told me (as she always does) "ABC!" Another told me her usual choice: "a wow wow" (which, in 20-month-old terms is "Row Row Row Your Boat"). Since we had already sung "a wow wow," we sang ABC's. Or, should I say, I sang ABC's. Usually a few of them join me, but today they got distracted and a few of them even walked away while I was singing. So I felt very alone in what turned out to be my solo alphabet song. But when I was finished, one of my kids said "YAY!" and clapped her hands for me! That's today's reason to love work! I always get applause when I'm finished singing. And I'm sure it's just about the only place that will happen for me. ;)

Anxiety

I'm feeling a little anxious right now. It seems like this semester and my whole plan for staying home to make money is blowing up in my face. The 12 college credits that I'm getting through a certification at work is actually going to cost me over $400 when I thought that I would get a scholarship to pay for it in full. I got a mailing today telling me that a payment on one of my loans is overdue. I still owe my parents about $400 for tuition last semester AND I haven't paid for my class at OCC yet. I was supposed to be saving this semester, not spending. Please keep this in your prayers... if I don't save this semester I don't know what I'll end up doing next semester.

It's been a while...

...sorry about that. I feel like all I do anymore is work and sleep and work and sleep. Oh well. This weekend I'm at home (being held here against my will -- ok, it's not that dramatic). Tomorrow I'm going to have to go to school to use the textbook that's on reserve for my class to do my homework. My goal is to not buy that book.

I went to a 20s/30s event at my church today. It was a lot of fun -- it was held in our adventure center and we did a lot of getting to know you games. A great way to start the weekend! It was kind of depressing at first, though, to be honest because it seemed like everyone was coming as couples... and, of course, Phil's in Rochester.

My dad is home from the hospital (he had open heart surgery last week) and he's doing very well. He has had a rough day, I think, but overall considering what he's been through he's recovering very well. It's hard for him to sleep through the night, and when he doesn't get enough sleep it makes the day difficult. I think he got 3 hours last night.

As for me, I already said that I'm working and sleeping, working and sleeping. I enjoy my job... but sometimes I have to remind myself of that fact. These toddlers are certainly keeping me busy!! And they're hurting my back too... My mom got me a gift certificate for a 1 hour massage and I'm wondering if it would be better to use it now or later.

I'm working 7:30-4:30 every day next week! So, in other words, you won't be hearing from me for a while :-P

Until next time...

And it begins...

Well, tomorrow is the first day of classes, and I'm not at school. I've been trying to keep my mind off of it, and it's been working pretty well. Keeping the radio on, cleaning my room, and writing a mission statement for myself for the semester are three things that I have been up to tonight! I also made a candle (kinda) and did one and a half loads of laundry.

Last Friday I got really sick. There has been something going around the in the infant rooms at my daycare, and of course I've been with the infants for the past two weeks, so I picked it up! It was miserable, especially since I was supposed to go to Rochester to see Sam and Phil on Friday. Thankfully it turned out to only be a 24 hour bug and I was able to go yesterday and stay until today.

I got a promotion!! I will be the lead teacher in the Toddler 1 room. I think I'll get to start sometime this week, but I'm not sure. This means better pay, better hours, more hours, and a more predictable schedule. It's certainly a God thing -- especially since the room that I'll be teaching in is where a lot of the kids that I was with a lot last summer are (I was with them in the infant room).