Call it "school"

I used to hear the word daycare and cringe. Really. It sounds awful. Constantly sick kids, parents that work all the time, crying babies, the list goes on and on. I prefer the word school. We are a couple of weeks in and loving "school." Granted both girls have already been sick but that was to be expected. I'm hoping their immune systems will get a little tougher. They really do run like a school; they even have chapel every week. I would love to come watch one day.

When we walk through the halls to leave, all of the other teachers know Elle. I'm still deciding if this is a good or bad thing. I'm going to choose to believe it's because she is so sweet. She is. In a badger sort of way. One second she will be loving on you and the next she is scratching your face and making your bleed. (True story. Another blog post, another day.)

When I pick her up, I ask how she is doing fully anticipating some list of things we need to work on. I have gotten a good report every day so far. Whew! We've had a biting incident but I'm pretty sure that Elle held the kid down or did something aggressive to get those. It wasn't bad and hasn't happened again. 

Potty training is the worst thing in the world. That is a fact. Best news ever: Elle has used the potty TWO days in a row. Elle isn't even 2 yet and has already started this process. Whaaaat?! I have horror stories from potty training Addie too soon. These people are miracle workers and for that I am grateful. 

I'm sure we will have some good stories soon. 

First day of "school"

Change of pace

School is almost here. Wahoo! We are all beyond ready to get back in the swing of things. Blogging has been fun but let's be real. The daily posts will no longer be happening. My plan is to have 3 a week. It's good wind-down time for me and I enjoy it. 

I don't expect anyone to read. Bonus if you do. :)

This year I will be teaching elementary computer and will be taking on the role of "Technology Integration Specialist." It's just a fancy way of saying coordinating tech for the teachers. To say that I am thrilled is an understatement. It is literally my dream teaching job. 

With that said, "working" to get everything ready at school with my mini-me's has been interesting. Addie has kept everybody entertained and has become the helper. Seriously sometimes she is the best helper ever. Today I sent her back into "school" to get Bentley Claire's bag that we forgot (another story for another day) and she did it ALL BY HERSELF. She acts totally silly and has her meltdowns like any other 4 year old, but usually she is right by my side. I'm not sure I could do it without her. 

Elle and BC, not such great helpers. But they've been good. We've had lots of naps in the stroller, bottles between painting and setting up, and several drive-thru trips. We need to be done with fast food. Seriously. One more week and we will be back to a normal eating, sleeping, school schedule. One. More. Week. 

I promise Bentley Claire is not always in her carrier. We do get her out and play with her...

Carpool spectacle

I briefly mentioned in another post the process of getting out the door in the mornings. I've got 3 more weeks to get ready for a 7:00 leave time. We made it to school by 10:20 this morning so in fact our time is getting worse.

Having two in diapers presents several challenges in the morning. Once one diaper is changed, someone else needs a change. Realistically I can only change so many diapers before it's time to leave the house. 

The car ride to school is pretty easy because everyone is strapped in and occupied. This has become Addie's telephone time. She has learned to call who she wants BY HERSELF. And FaceTime. It's really entertaining to listen to her conversations.

I imagine the day when I drop all three of my kids off at school in a carpool line will be a glorious one. We are not there yet.

My process looks a little something like this:
Find a parking spot, put on the Baby Bjorn, put Bentley Claire in the Baby Bjorn, wipe away sweat. Walk around to Elle's door, put her socks and shoes back on, make sure everything is in the bag that should be and nothing extra. Hold her hand very tight as she climbs out of her carseat, sits down on the floorboard, and eases her way onto the pavement. Then there's Addie.

She usually brings her socks and shoes in the car and puts them on as we drive. If a movie is playing in the car or she has been on the phone, this does not happen and I don't usually notice until I have the other two kids out of the car and ready to go. We have pulled to the side quite a few times for Addie's own kindergarten carpool for the exact same reason. You might think we would have this figured out by now. Nope.

While I stand there, wearing Bentley Claire, trying to contain Elle, and sweating like I have just run a marathon, Addie takes her time getting dressed. She is my "door holder" so I can't get very far without her. There are some times that I might just take the whole carrier instead of messing with the Baby Bjorn. (That is never wise and we always end up looking like a circus act.)

None of my kids are drop-off criers. Elle waltzes right in the room every time. I try to get a kiss but I'm lucky if I get in a phrase like "Have a fun time" or "Love you, have a great day" before she has walked away.

I kid you not, when I peel off the Baby Bjorn, get BC back in her carrier, and make sure Addie is buckled, I have to take a minute to just sit in my driver's seat. I usually crank the air on Arctic blast and literally sit there.

Today Addie and I played a few rounds of dominoes and go fish before she was missing her buddy. (The only reason Elle has started school already is because her spot opened up early. Use it or lose it. Elle needs the structure and LOVES playing with other kids so I don't feel guilty for taking her for a little while while we run errands or I work.)

We do this whole act over again, in reverse order, when we pick her up. 

Fresh...and not so fresh

Elle started "school" today! Anyone with an active toddler knows what this means. I can run errands and start easing my way back into work. Yay! Bentley Claire and Addie pretty much go with the flow so most of the time I just let them tag along. 

School mornings mean we have a lot to do in a short amount of time. (The car is pretty much packed the night before.) I woke up around 6 am to a hungry baby and noticed that it was really hot in the house. No air conditioning in Mississippi might be the equivalent of standing next to a volcano (after it has rained). 

After dealing with the air situation and feeding Bentley Claire, I go in to wake up Elle and she is diaperless and wet in the crib. Looks like we might have to start putting her in the crib AND duck-taping her diapers on. Add it to the list.

I threw her in the bathtub, changed BC's diaper, fed the big girls, got them dressed, and made it to school at 10:00. Yes, 10:00 A.M. I guess when school really starts, the process will begin at 4:00. Sigh.

When we finally dropped Elle off, we went to visit my classroom, hit the farmer's market, made a necessary Starbucks run, and did the grocery store. We were "busy." 

Addie picked out some great fruit and veggies at the farmer's market. 

This is what Elle looked like when we picked her up from school. If you look really hard you will see her bow dangling from the back of her hair. Her mother should be ashamed...

BTW her daily note said that she had a great day. Not that I was worried.

We were home for a glorious 30 minutes until Elle decided to rid herself of her fresh poop diaper. In the living room. 

At this point Elle has had 3 baths in less than 24 hours. 

Andrew walked in the door right as I was getting onto Elle for stepping on Addie's head. Movie + Fort in living room = Too much for some people to handle

And then I left for Bunco...