Mourning the loss of my dear Aurora

Thanksgiving went pretty well. Made the wonderful trek across the river to WI for my family's Thanksgiving. Our schedule was noon in Wisconsin, 4pm back in MN for hubby's family. Great schedule for a small child, but that is a whole other rant. So we finished up lunch and went to drive back and my car's transmission went out, 20 minutes from my parents house. We turned around and drove back to my parent's house in second gear- the only gear that was working. My mom was nice enough to lend me the Suburban so we could continue on our merry way but it was 6pm by the time we arrived at dinner, oh well. Better late then never. And poor daughter complained about being car sick the whole drive down. On the way back, she kept getting upset that we had Grandma's car and we needed to give it back! Poor dear did not get a nap.

I think Rob is having a harder time letting go of the Aurora then I am. A new transmission will cost more then the car is worth! I finally told hubby, there is NO WAY we are getting it fixed. I think it is finally sinking in. It has been a fantastic car, I've had it for almost ten years and it has 225,000 miles on it. I think about the places it has taken me and it is incredible. It has taken me to Door County twice- girl's weekend and anniversary. It has taken me to more funerals then I really care to have gone too: Nikky's Funeral, Grandma's Funeral, and most recently a 12 hour drive out to Montana for my Uncle's funeral. It has always gotten me home safely. Even this time, it got us back to my parents safely.

We will probably wait to buy another car until Rob has found a job. Fortunately, with both of us home, we can make do with one car for a while. We still have Mom's Suburban and my dad really wants us to consider purchasing it. I really don't do that much driving so a Suburban would be fine if we didn't already have the Explorer. I am excited at the idea of car shopping, but hubby will not be doing the price negotiating!

New Nicole Pictures

Well Nicole's 3rd birthday photos turned out. It is hard to take a bad picture of her. You put a camera in front of her and she turns into the biggest ham. I really wish it was as easy to take pictures of all the daycare kids. Some of them are a little hard to take pictures of. I really don't envy a child photographer's job. They squirm and look everywhere but where you want them too. I think it might be easier to photograph monkeys.

We tried a new photographer for our family photos today- thanks hot mama for the recommendation! We went to Flash digital photography in Minnetonka. They did a great job and I can't wait to pick them up on Tuesday!

Nicole "Reading" her favorite book

Rob decided to record Nicole Reading to him last night. It is pretty darn cute so I thought I'd share it. I had nothing to do with it, I was away at a training class. One thing I am really proud of is Rob puts her to bed every night, they read together and he does an excellent job of it. It is really daddy/daughter time. Plus after being with her all day, it really is nice to have a break.

The training I went to was a giant waste of time. It's two hours of my life I want back. I hate parenting classes that are taught by people who do NOT have children. Classroom experience is completely different then first hand knowledge. It also convinced me that we want to do everything in our power to enroll Nicole in a private christian school. (the training class teacher works in the public school and spreads her agenda there). Yuck, oh well, only 2 more training classes to go for this year!!!

Family photos, no, frustration Yes!

Well, our family photo experience was awful, terrible, frustrating and just plain dumb. We went to JcPenney in Minnetonka because they are reasonably priced (hubby being laid off, we have to be a little price conscious)and they have done a fantastic job in the past. They were running over an hour behind on their appointments, the holiday background was broken and our photographer was awful. She would only snap one photo at a time and only did six of the family. I told her from the beginning that the family photo was the most important thing for us, I want something we can use in our Christmas cards. One of the poses she had us in was just shocking, it was rather inappropriate and would have given Grandma a heart attack when she opened the Christmas card. She had Nicole & I lay on the floor and with Rob over the top. All you see is right down my shirt, bra and everything! I did not have a low cut shirt on either, the pose was just dumb! What about us would make her think we'd enjoy a boob-shot for our family photo. Rob liked it but he is a typical guy. The other family photos were equally as horrible- Cole not looking at the camera, Cole's face obstructed by my boob, do you sense a theme here? Either I need a reduction or a different photographer. I have never taken just one picture at a time, when I am photographing the kids. You always take more pictures to make sure you get a good one. So we left frustrated, not ordering anything, had lunch and came back. They ignored my request for help when we came back so I finally literally grabbed the manager by the arm and said help us we just want to order a couple pictures of our daughter. I told the manager how mad I was at the family photos. She gave use the photos of Nicole for free but still it took the entire day, we were there from 10-12 and 1-2 to get that. I should have ordered a boob shot for my friend hot mama- she would have at least thought it was funny.

We did a family photo last summer for church when I took over leadership of Women's Ministry. All we did was set up a tripod in the backyard and use the timer and I really liked how it turned out (it's also my profile photo). We were thinking we could do that again for our Christmas family photo. I'm going to see if a friend at church could do them. We live on a beautiful park reserve, we could go out in the woods and trails. Anything would be better then the ding-dongs at JCP.
On the positive side, I really have to praise Jared the Galleria of Jewelry in Maple Grove. We have been having problems with our wedding rings (not purchased at Jared). Three different people and the manager all worked with me for over an hour and a half to brainstorm ideas and try and figure out a solution to the problem. The the lab even re sized my rings the same day so I could have them for the family photos. We still are not sure why we are both suddenly allergic to our rings but they did suggest some things we can try. We are starting with the inexpensive suggestions and working our way up from there. The most expensive suggestion being replacing them with platinum. Not really am option right now and we do love our rings. Well, I am praying something will work.

Personal Dilemma

Not a rant but more of a personal dilemma. We have family photos scheduled for Saturday. I look forward to new birthday photos for Cole and family photos for Christmas. I have been reflecting lately on the family. I really enjoy Cole and she is growing up so fast. I know Rob really wants more kids and I have been really against it. It is exhausting to for 12 children during the day. The idea of having an infant again scares me. The daycare kids are so demanding. I don't have time to sit down to eat lunch or any other time. The only thing that is saving me is the kids are all walking now and can go up and down the stairs on their own. Last year I had 6 kids in diapers at once. I only have 3 in diapers now and NO BOTTLES. For the first time in three years I have no baby bottles, it is huge.
I guess my biggest frustration is the economy and Rob being laid off. He will find a job and then we can explore our financial options. If I don't have to replace kids as they start going to school, I might be able to think about having more of our own. I really can't think about it right now. Financially we are doing fine as long I run at near full capacity. I really don't want this large of a group forever though.

Pumpkin guts, beautiful pumpkin guts...

Ok, so I am a freak, I think pumpkin guts are cool. Cleaning the pumpkin out for craving is fun. I feel like I have accomplished something when the inside is nice and clean and ready for carving. I like how the insides vary from pumpkin to pumpkin. Your hands get messy but it is a clean messy, it washes right off. Dirt gets under your finger nails and into your skin and it takes forever to get you hands clean. I was pleasantly surprised to see that our 3-year old daughter really thought it was cool too. She dug right in and didn't stop. I am glad she is not a totally girly girly and doesn't mind getting her hands dirty.

On Friday, Rob and Nicole went to a daddy-daughter dance and had a great time. She really didn't get the concept of dancing with daddy all the time but she still had fun. She really enjoyed raiding the snacks- cheese balls where a huge hit. We don't have them at our house so it was a new experience for her. Every kid needs to eat cheese balls until they are sick at some point in their life.

Saturday was Nicole's B-day party. It was smaller this year, 27 people instead of over 40 like last year. Ok, we like hosting parties. Rob will say I love having lots of people over but he is just as bad as me. He made up the guest list not me! 'Cole had a great time. She really is a little socialite. She loved every minute of her party!

Major Rant

Oh today was one of those days where I could just scream! The kids were off the hook. They were so good yesterday and today I swear they were abducted by aliens and returned with wild animals inside their little bodies. So it got even worse- I had to send one home with pink eye and another one fell and broke his clavicle (collar bone). I was shocked that it was broken, he was trying to throw leaves at his friend from the top of the slide (friend running by below the slide), lost his balance and fell off the side of the slide. This is the same kid who has jumped off the top on purpose. But it is all about how you land. So I have to file an accident report with the state, less the one week after my inspection. I really think the inspector jinxed me! She said everyone has to file a report sooner or later. But really what are the odds of her saying that less the one week ago! So tonight I have been worrying about my injured little daycare boy, bleaching my entire house to prevent the spread of pink eye and writing my "incident report." Tomorrow WILL BE BETTER! Or I am calling all the parents and sending the monkeys home BEFORE anyone gets hurt. Mommy needs her sippy cup of vino

Need a life...

I really need a life! I come up with these great ideas, they turn into projects and I end up spending two or three days working on them. I decided to paint some decorations and make some games for Nicole's birthday birthday. Well, it took me way too much time but we have "pumpkins for sale" and "pin the nose on the pumpkin." Either I need a new hobby or to turn my brain off. I think there are meds to do that. The nice thing I make for her party, I can use for a halloween party for the daycare kids. Still wonder why I take on these projects. Oh well, Nicole loves her pumpkins....

Yikes- time flies!

It just dawned on me that I will have a three year old in less then two weeks! Some days, she seems older then that, her vocabulary and abilities are far beyond that of a three year old. Her toilet training, emotional reactions, and unwillingness to listen to mama are very typical three year old. She can be so fascinating and frustrating at the same time.

Her birthday is exciting and scary to me at the same time. Three! Off to school in just a couple years. I don't know if I should be overjoyed and saddened. A bit of both. She will love school and will probably listen to her teachers. :)

Friday-TGIF!

So I made it to Friday again! I was so exhausted this morning I seriously considered making my instant oatmeal with coffee. The kids said I was strange but they always think I'm strange so I'm not really concerned. Would is taste like coffee flavored oatmeal or just be gross? If things get any crazier I just might try it.
Still waiting on pins & needles for my daycare inspection. I would bet she will be here next week. And there is no school on Thursday & Friday so she will probably show up then. The kids are off the hook when the big kids are around. It is like they are all high on caffine or worse! I wonder how much trouble I can get into for using child labor- have them rake all the leaves, sweep out the garage, scrub the floors, etc...

My Rant..

I have been challenged to rant on my blog, really let loose. Thanks for the challenge Super J! Well my biggest rant is the absolute chaos that is my life. I have been putting crazy hours in getting ready for my daycare relicensing inspection. The state requirements are absolutely ridiculous. She could come through and demand I remove all my landscaping shrubs because many of them are listed as "toxic" IF YOU EAT THE ENTIRE PLANT. I watch special needs kids who are smarter then that and at some point you do need to be watching the kids. How long would it take a kid to eat an entire shrub? And just how stupid does the kid have to be? I do feed the children, I don't think they are wandering around going "yummy tree bark", they are more likly to chomp on each other. Hey- biting each other- that's a bio hazard- better muzzle the children to prevent contamination. At what point do we have to use common sense? (The picture is a giant crab at the San Francisco Bay Aquarium)

I really think the biggest problem is the state needs to do a better job of educating parents and be a little less ocd with the provider. Teach the parents some of the regulations- most parents do not even realize the number of children a provider can care for. The most a daycare provider can watch is 12 children by themselves, 14 if there are two providers. If you are dropping your child off at daycare and he/she is number 22 maybe you should be looking for a different provider. Parents need to take some responsibility for the daycare they choose. The state can not legislate everything. I could pass all the daycare licensing requirements and be the worst provider out there. Many good providers are quiting because the rules and regulations are too much. The paperwork for the state, the food program, and for my taxes takes so much time to do, I could spend all day everyday doing it and ignoring the children. All the required paperwork would be done, but the children would suffer because of it. There has got to be a balance somewhere. OK, that's my rant, I'm done. I'm off to eat one of my shrubs...

Retreat!

We pulled it off- thank you God! The Women's Ministry Fall Retreat was a success. Not bad for an amateur. Sometimes I wonder why I agree to things, Leadership of Women's Ministry has been exciting. We have changed a lot of things but it has been a great time so far. I really want to focus on the vision/purpose statement, we need to be more then just event planners.

Turning 31

I had a horrible time with my 30th birthday. I overcompansated with a huge party with 60 of our closest friends and family and lots of adult beverages (mostly wine, from our California visits). See bonfire photo- not sure cameras should be allowed at such a party but it was a blast and it helped get me over the "30" thing. 31 this year and I completely blew it off. It doesn't help much that Rob is only 8 days older then me. September is a very busy month at our house.

In the beginning

Born in an unknown town in Wisconsin
Attended four colleges/universities, finally graduated & started on a Master's Degree only to quit. I burned out from working full time and attending school full time. I will not do that to my daughter. I will expect her to work over the summer but not full time. I really want her to enjoy college and figure out what she wants to be when she "grows up."
Francine Albers