Fourth Fun

I spent my 4th of July at a couple parties...and lucky for me these 2 gorgeous boys were at both! Ok, yes, they're my nephews. And yes, I've taken tons of pictures of them in the short time they've been around! But let me just say...I never get bored of taking their pictures, editing their pictures (even though I just started that!) or looking at their pictures! And I really never get bored of spending time with them! I love them to bits, and these pictures are just a little snippet into their spunky, happy personalities!

This is Caleb, 2 and a 1/2 years old. Spitting image of my brother, his Dad.


This is Zachary, 10 and a 1/2 months. Exact replica of his Mama!

photos edited by me using picnik.

daycare etiquette

I've often thought that someday, when I have the time, when I'm not working or anything else, I'd like to write a book. I loved writing when I was little. I used to write shorts stories and the like. Over the past several years my mind has taken a different route...I'd like to write a book about daycare. More specifically, daycare etiquette. A book for parents, from a caregiver's point of view. Names will be changed to protect the guilty, er, innocent.

I would encourage parents to drop and run. Prolonging the goodbye does not make it easier. It's actually the opposite. Take it from me, I've seen how it works!

I would tell parents to watch the weather. Don't dress your child in a sweatsuit when it's going to be 80 degrees. On the same note, don't bring 3 changes of clothes (so I can change the child, depending on what the weather does) and then yell at me when I don't choose the right outfit to put on. Layers, people. We all do it.

Don't interrogate us about why we're using so many diapers. Don't be upset when we seem to not be using enough.

Don't come in bright and early and tell me that you were going to keep them home today. Then why didn't you???

Pretend to give a crap about what we did today. Even if you don't really care. We work hard to do fun things with your kids. Read our notes and act like you care!

Unless your child has a doctor's appointment, don't drop them off during nap! If you "just wanted to spend a few extra hours with them," keep them home the whole day! Or pick them up early!

Daycares have a closing time. It's not a suggestion. We've been here working all day. Just because you don't want to hurry home, doesn't mean that we don't want to. Show up before closing time!

Show a little appreciation. Yes, we're getting paid for what we do. It's our job. But everybody who works with kids has bad days, stress and headaches. We're taking care of your most precious possession. It never ceases to amaze me how good I feel when parents voice their appreciation for all our hard work.

I may add more to this later...

after-hours

Last night John needed to pick up some hamburgers and cheese to grill at work today. Hannaford is open 24 hours, and it was almost midnight, so we stopped there. As we walked in, John leaned over and said, "You're sure they're open 24 hours?" I glanced around and saw another shopper, so I affirmed that yes, I was sure they were still open. However, they didn't look it!

Have you ever been to a grocery store at midnight? I had not. Maybe this is a usual occurrence, or maybe it was because it was Independence Day Eve. But the store was in shambles! The freezer aisle was filled with boxes, empty and yet-to-be-emptied. We could hardly make it down the aisle! There was a kid there working like a maniac. I wish I could have heard what was playing on his iPod. There was a guy with a HUGE broom sweeping the aisles. I guess a 24-hour store needs to clean sometime. It was strange though. Some of the lights were out. I don't know if they just try to conserve energy at night when there are less shoppers...??

There were only a couple other patrons that I saw. Right as we were headed to the one-and-only checkout lane, a couple girls came in the door and got right in line in front of us. With no items. I knew that was a bad sign. They wanted smokes. And they couldn't figure out which ones they wanted. And the guy had to go to another lane to get the cigarettes. And once he did get them, the girl decided she wanted 2 packs of that particular brand instead of one. So he had to go back and get more. I was so annoyed. It was probably a good 5 minutes we stood there waiting for them. I don't know why it annoyed me so bad...maybe because it was midnight. Maybe because there was only one lane open. Maybe because the cashier was taking his sweet time. Finally we were able to check out and get out of there.

I can see doing my big grocery shopping at midnight. There's basically no one else in the store. But the one lane thing is annoying...say I have a cart full of groceries being rung out, then someone comes up with 1 or 2 items. I would feel really bad.

Don't know why I'm so concerned with grocery store etiquette today.

Happy 4th of July to all! Enjoy the festivities and stay safe!

Rochester

John and I took a weekend trip to Rochester last week with his parents and sister. We went Friday for John's cousin's graduation party. On Saturday we had breakfast at Denny's. Then John rode along with his cousin Joe who's a paramedic, while the rest of us went to Harbor Fest, shopped at Wegman's and visited a winery. Then we had dinner for my Mother-in-law's birthday and went to a baseball game! On Sunday we headed home. It was a great weekend! Here are some pictures:

Mom & Kristen, on the way to Mike's party

John & I at Aunt Anne-Pat's house


Joe & John, saving the city


John, Dad & Joe, with Joe's paramedic fly car

Mom, Kristen, me & Aunt Anne-Pat

Me, Mom & Kristen at Lake Ontario

John & I at the winery

Triple A Twins team playing Triple A Yankees team

John & I at the game (cell phone picture)

John's parents at the game (cell phone picture)

Fireworks after the game! (both cell phone pictures)

healthcare

I work for mine, you work for yours.

I don't want a government telling me what can and can't be done concerning my health.

A government that gives you anything, can take anything away.

I don't want handouts.

Having been at a life-changing, decision-making point in my life recently regarding my health, I'm so grateful that I was able to talk with my doctor and make my own decision. Choosing differently could have resulted in a very bad outcome for me. What if I'd been forced to take the other road? I'm scared to think what may have happened.

People need to take responsibility for themselves, for goodness sake.

I can bring home the bacon...fry it up in a pan...

I'd just like to say how thankful I am for work. There are days when I am so tired I think there's no way I'll be able to take care of the crazy toddlers all day. There are many days when the crankiness and complaining just drives me up the wall. There are many mornings when I wish I could be at home taking care of the cleaning, laundry and yard work that continues to pile up.

But, despite all that, I'm grateful. I know there are many people out there struggling to find jobs. We are so blessed to both be able to work at jobs that we really love. I don't take for granted the paycheck that I bring home every (other) week. I really don't take for granted John's paycheck. I'm so grateful for a husband who provides for me. I hope that we're always as blessed as we are right now.

3 so far...

It's been....slightly over a week. :) Maybe a little more than slightly. But I've run 3 times so far since I made my resolution. Once in the rain, once with Zoe and once in the heat! I'm proud of myself. And to top it off, I had fresh veggies for dinner! (With some dip...) I'm planning to run tomorrow night too.

We had a great Father's Day weekend. Glad John's not as over-emotional as I am! We spent Saturday with lots of friends, then stayed at the Taylor's house way too late. Sunday we had lunch at Matt & Sarah's with our family (minus Dave, Amy & the boys...they're on a cruise!). It was fun and we had delicious burgers...thanks Matt! Then we had a yummy dinner with the Nuzback's. All in all it was a great day spent with our families. John & I both had Monday off as well. We didn't do much, but we hung out the whole day together. Monday night was softball and WE WON! We've now won 2 games this season, and neither of them by forfeit! Only 2 more games, but we won't be going to them since John's working.

Zoe's got a facebook...request her if she hasn't already friend requested you!