Making A Change

Four Years ago I made the decision to throw my life into utter chaos by opening my home and starting a daycare. Anthony and I decided that we needed the extra income, and I would really only need to take 2 kids in. Plus I had 3 kids of my own at the time and I wanted to still give them the attention they would need.

I was happy to take 2 little girls. One had just turned 1 year old( Addy), and the other was 6 months( if I remember right). They were sweet little girls...when they were not wailing. They were both screamers/ criers...which I got used to, and which diminished after they got used to being at my house. The youngest little girl didn't stay long...but before I knew it 2 more kids had taken her place. Hunter and Olivia. I am good friends with their mom and who wouldn't like to make a bit more money. No prob!

Then Addy's mother got pregnant...what was one more, right? I actually did not have any second thoughts about this. It was only natural that I would watch the baby because he is a sibling. Plus I was baby hungry for another kid, so I thought that might fix my yearnings to have another baby. Maddox joined our zoo here and was such a good baby...I loved to hold him! BUT...the baby cravings did not go away. I just knew I wanted another one.

So here comes Matteo!( by this time Hunter and Olivia were in school full time so I only watched them occasionally) This was the first time I stared questioning the whole daycare situation. Anthony had just started his new job and was going to be sent away for 3 months to train. This would leave me with my 4 kids plus Addy and Maddox. Oh...but it gets better. One of our neighbor's kids( Joslynn) was going to be in Tui's pre-k class and another of their kids was in Haylie's class ( Jalynn). Their parents wanted to know if they could just come to my house after school because they would not be home from work yet.

Hmmmmmm...what to do, what to do? It would only be for the afternoons and the two babies would be napping, so....why not. Well Jalynn and Joslynn have a little brother who was going to a different in-home daycare, but some bad things were happening over there and they wanted him to go somewhere safe.

Again...it is a sibling. It makes sense right? So now I have my 4 kids, Addy and Maddox, Jalynn and Joslynn and AJ. It is officially a zoo! But what is a zoo without a few more monkey's. Another one of my friends has two daughters. One that goes to school with Sydney, and one that goes to school with Tui. They needed before school care because their mom had to be to work before the bus came. So how many is that now?

By this time, I had come to realize that things had changed from my initial plan of opening a small daycare, to being outnumbered 11-1. Time to make another change. It was not an easy decision. a lot of thought and prayers went into deciding what my next step was. 8 of the 11 kids would be in school full time next year, and two out of those would only be in the morning, so really, I COULD keep going. We need the money...Teo will have kids to play with all the time...we need the money. You know what...it doesn't matter how much I tried to make it sound good, I just didn't want to do it anymore. It was not by any means because I didn't like the kids. I love kids! I love to play with them and see them learn and grow, but I was Not playing with them anymore...I was not as fun as I used to be.

There were a lot of reasons why I was ok quiting. My house was never clean! (tidy...but not deep down clean!) There were things I wanted to do with my house but never could because there were always kids around ( like tear up my carpet and refinish the floors, paint, etc). My own kids would ask me to do things with them after school, but I was always " kidded out" and needed some mommy time. The looks of disappointment on their faces killed me! Our summers were spent watching other kids instead of taking my kids to the pool or to the park or on vacation. ( my van can barely fit my family). There were twice as many germs coming in my house...it was a revolving door of germs...one kid gets better just to have another one get sick. I was going through lysol like crazy. Mostly I just was tired.

Regardless of the reasons I quit, I do not regret one bit of running an in-home daycare. My kids always had someone to play with and grow up with. We did make lots of fun memories going to the park or playing in the pool. I love those kids dearly and I'm glad that I was able to provide a safe and happy place for them to go.

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School 2010-2011
This was a very busy and very rewarding year!

Sydney and Haylie started a new year at a new school. I transferred them to a school that was not on the SINA list ( school in need of assistance). I just felt that my children needed more than what they were able to get at their regular school. Not that I blame teachers...they have their hands tied in these situations. My kids were having to relearn things they had previously learned because the rest of their class was not able to keep up ( yes I am bragging..hehe). Both Sydney and Haylie are above their grade level for reading( Sydney is actually above her grade level for all her classes...way above! Some days I don't know what to do with her!), and their school was just not able to offer them the extra work to keep them interested in learning.

At their new school, they were both put into the ELP class( extended learning program) where they were able to progress and learn new concepts and do some fun things that made learning fun for them ( instead of being bored in class). Their teachers were wonderful and they were able to make new friends. It turned out to be a great year!( Haylie even came off the bus in tears because she was going to miss her teacher. They love school!)

Tui started pre-k this year. I was really torn about putting him in or not since his birthday is on the cut off date for registration. He was the youngest child in his class. I was worried about him being able to adjust later to being the youngest...like in high school, when all of his buddies would be dating and driving and he wouldn't be. I have heard that emotionally, boys that are younger in school have a hard time.

I thought that the first day of school would be a day full of tears and hugging my leg...begging me not to leave him there. Boy was I wrong. Tui couldn't wait to get in his class room. Anthony walked him to school with his little backpack and that was it. He only cried one time the entire year. That is until the last day at the pre-k graduation party. He had a little run in with another kid and got bumped on the head. Well, you would think the world was ending. It ruined the entire day!

Regardless, he had a wonderful year also. He got to go on field trips ( on a bus..yay!), had many class pets and wonderful teaches to start off his school experience. He is going to be as smart as the girls. They gave him his kindergarten test to see how ready he is for kindergarten...40/40...the kindergarten teaches were quite surprised. The only thing he is behind in is his fine motor skills ( writing)....it's no wonder though considering I never gave him pencils or makers or scissors for fear of what he would destroy!

Before and after pics.

EASTER

My kids love Easter time! We usually blow out our eggs ( poke a hole in both ends of the egg and blow out the yoke and whites into a bowl), but this year I was very sick, so we did it a bit easier and just hard boiled the eggs. We dyed the eggs with Koolade and then drew designs with glue and added sparkles. The kids had a lot of fun.

After they were done we had an Easter omelet for dinner. We cut up red, yellow and green peppers, mushrooms, olives, ham, and cheese. Then we put some uncooked eggs in a mini muffin pan and the kids got to add whatever they wanted. They eat so much healthier when they get to make dinner!

We also did an Easter egg hunt with some friends. It was fun...but very cold!

Easter morning is always full of anticipation...waiting for the Easter bunny to leave his clues to the kids Easter treats. The Easter bunny brought a new bike for Haylie, a snow cone maker for Sydney and some nurf toys and cool spider man sunglasses for Tui. Teo was happy with the chocolate we gave him.

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Spring Break Fun

It has been so nice having Anthony home more now that he works second shift. He is able to spend more Day time hours with the kids.

This spring we took advantage of the $1 days that all the museums and children's centers had going. We went to the imaginarium and played with all the fun stuff there. We also went to the grout museum and the science center. And spring break wouldn't be complete without a visit to some of our favorite parks.

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Mysterious

Sydney's 11th birthday party started out like another. Kids started showing up to our house, ready to have a birthday party. I asked Sydney to go to the mailbox and get the mail for me. The only thing in there was a letter...addressed to Sydney. As she opened, the confused look turned to excitement. She read the letter aloud to her friends. The letter was from a " Kay Romanin", who said she was a the last of 4 " secret keepers". She said she was dying and needed to find an honest person with a good heart and loyal friends to pass this secret on to. The letter then described events that took place a long time a go and a symbol that they needed to follow. Once they found this symbol( a keychain with a key on it), they would be able to piece together the clues to know the secret.

The first clue said that one of the secret keepers was an author and that he kept codes in his books. Along with the cue there was a piece of paper with #'s on it.

24-16-32

128-4-25

63-12-11

etc.

The clue said it was an " Ottendorph Cypher". None of the kids knew what that was, so I had them look it up online. The 3's represent the page #, the line on that page and the letter in that line. Now all we had to do was find the book. So we went to the nearest book store ( whom I had already arranged things with). The kids asked for the store associate where they could find this author's books. He led us to a section where there were 4 books by this particular author. The kids pulled out the books looking for something that would lead to their next clue. Then in one of the back covers of a book was the symbol...the book was called " Atlantis". Now the kids were really excited! They started solving the cypher and found part of thier next clue....but what about the rest? I suggested that someone look closely at the back cover. Sure enough there was something there, but it was invisible. I handed the kids a black light flashlight I just happened to have. Wow...that blew them away...invisible writing. All it said was " Grout".

Put together with the cypher, the clues led them to find an airplane at the grout museum. They needed to find the #'s on the plane to put with compass directions. These directions would guide them through a cemetery to find another clue left by another secret keeper.

Once at the cemetery, they had to find a starting spot. The letter at the beginning said that the secret keeper in the graveyard told her that, " a tower of 5 crosses would mark their path to the truth". So the kids had to find a grave stone that looked like a tower with 5 crosses on it. From there the had to use the #'s from the plane and the compass directions from the cypher to count , 4 stones north, 1 stone east, 5 stones north, etc. until they reached the last stone where they found their next clue.

Once the key was found, we were off to our next clue. A locker at World Wide Fitness. The kids were bouncing in their seats they were so excited...chatting about what they would find next. We got to the gym and the locker was located in the girls locker room, so only the girls got to go in. They opened the locker to find an envelope. We took it out to a table where the boys could see what was in it also. The opened envelope contained a puzzle they had to put together ( a picture of a building that I took...a building at their next clue). The envelope also had a magnifying glass in it...so they knew they would need that at some point. It didn't take them long to put the picture together. A couple of them recognized the building as the Hartman Nature reserve center. They all wanted to jump in the van and go, but I reminded them that the nature reserve was a big place, how would we know where the next clue was. Then Sydney, my smart cookie said that they should look for some small clue with the magnifying glass. she flipped over the puzzle and found some extremely small writing that said " The key to BRIDGE the past and the future is friendship and trust". So we are off to find a bridge. There are several bridges at Hartman...but one with a special name on it. I would leave it up to the kids to figure that one out on their own.

Once at Hartman, we start walking down the path to a fork in the road. To the right is a bridge and to the left is a bridge. But what one do we go to? Then one of the kids recognizes the name on one of the bridges as the name of the secret keeper who sent Sydney the letter...Kay Romanin. Now they are off...running full speed down hill toward the bridge. Before I can catch up, they are searching all over and under for any clues. They find a treasure box, wrapped tightly with chains and a lock. But where is the key...ahhh the key that came with the letter and that has the symbol of Atlantis on it. We took the box up to the van where we had the letter and the key. Once we opened it we found another letter and treasures from Atlantis. The letter said that the secret is that Atlantis was real and that not everyone died...but there are descendants of Atlantians who are amoung us today and you can know who they are because they bear the symbol. ( I had tattooed myself with pen and put a small symbol on my wrist) The letter said that this was a big secret and that we had to be careful not to let anyone know. Each kid got a blue crystal, a seashell, an Atlantis keychain and an invisible ink pen and paper so that they can write secret notes to each other, and a blue light to see the notes.

Then it was back to our house for pizza, cake and ice cream and presents. What took me 2 months to plan and organize took those lids all of 2 hours yo solve. Next year I think we will just have a sleepover or something simple! This was a ton of fun to do...and I love making my daughter happy, but boy was I worn out!

Happy Birthday Sydney!!!

At the diner table tonight, Haylie wanted me to quiz her on some multiplication questions. Yes...this is how my kids have fun at the table. They do math. They so did not get this from me!

Haylie is in the first grade so I ask her some simple ones. We start with the 2 times table. I ask her 2x4. She thinks for a minute and answers 8. I ask her a few more simple ones which she takes her time to answer. Then I decide to ask her a more difficult one...one that she can't count on her fingers. I ask what is 8x2. She takes her time again, but before she can answer, Tui pipes in 16! Holy cow...did he really know that? Ok let's try another. I ask 9x2...before Haylie can even start counting he says, 18. Sydney and I look at each other, flabbergasted! Really?

This has to be a fluke. Okay how about this one 2x4...he answers 8. I am really starting to wonder if I have a 4 year old Einstein. Okay one more. 2x6....without hesitation he say 1.

He really had me going! I don't know if he really knew those answers or if it was just a fluke. Either way, he is a total smarty pants!

Growing old scares me! I see not only the physical deterioration, but also the mental. I get so frustrated with the elderly drivers who seem to either not be able to read the street signs or choose to ignore them. The drifters who can't seem to stay in their own lane or the ones who are the definition of " Sunday driver"!

BUT, I have been humbled time and time again when I have been given the opportunity to help the elderly. I have been able to divert danger, aid in medical emergencies and just plain hold open doors for the elderly.

This week I was humbled again.

(Any social workers reading this may want to stop reading.)

I was in a hurry, as I usually am. I had all 4 of my kids with me in the van and it was already an exhausting day. We had just been to 2 grocery stores and I had one more to go to. I have become a bargain shopper ( between 3 stores). So I decided to leave my 10 year old in charge of the kids in the van while I ran in for bananas, milk and bread. I would be in and out!

I am speed walking through the small store, grabbing my items along the way. Two minutes tops and I would be out of there...until I get in the check out line behind and elderly lady who has already had all of her items scanned and was just ready to pay. Then, as most elderly do they fumble through their purses trying to find exact change. While she is fumbling through her purse, she starts telling the cashier a story about falling down in her garden. The two of them chat back and forth like old friends. Then I realize that she is a regular at the store and that this little story could go on forever. Just when I thought she might be done, another store employee comes up to her, hugs her and asks how she is doing. Can you hear my eyes roll? Then the story starts all over again. This time I am paying attention to what she is saying.

This poor woman has recently had surgery on her hip to remove some cancer. On top of that she has undergone radiation treatments that have left her with burns on her leg. She has to go back for more treatments soon, but wonders if it is worth it at her age. The cashier reaches behind her and grabs a bunch of flowers left over from mothers day and gives them to her...hugs her and wishes her the best.

without even knowing it, my eyes are wet and I am having to blink the tears away. How could I be so harsh and impatient?

She slowly moves her cart away and I get my few items checked out and payed for. I end up following the little old lady into the parking lot and notice that some of her groceries have been put underneath her cart. After her story of falling over, I don't hesitate to go over and help her unload her groceries. We get to talking a bit and I find out she is German and she is lights up when she hears my name. It is a common name in Germany. As I say goodbye and start back to my car, she grabs me and pulls me down into the biggest old lady hug ever. She plants a kiss on my check, tells me " May God bless you and your family" and hands me chocolate for the kids who are waiting in the van.

Again, I am close to tears as I climb in the van and start the engine. The kids notice my face and for the rest of the ride home we talk about the blessings of giving service and how special the elderly are and that it is important that we take care of them for Heavenly Father. We talk about how much we can learn from the elderly and we decide to pay more attention to the two adoptive grandma's we have on our street.

I love the elderly! I always have. I am still afraid to grow old, but I have always had a soft spot for them. I just have to remember that when I am on the road with them.

Toothless

Haylie lost another tooth. I have only pulled her first loose tooth. All the rest she has pulled. She wiggles and wiggles until her gums are bruised and sore, but she is determined to get out that tooth.

Determined

stubborn

independent

defiant

reckless

disheveled

blunt

You could describe Haylie with any and all of these words. But she would not be Haylie without being

giggly

loving

concerned

friendly

smiley

trusting

faithful

loyal

sweet and sassy

energetic

You can't help but melt when you hear her tell her brother that she loves him ( when there are many days when you have to wonder). She falls to pieces if she thinks her sister is angry with her. Her giggle is like a trickling brook constant and cheerful. Her hair is wild and always windblown like a child's hair should be. Her eyes can glare at you, unmoving and determined, and then can be like a ray of sun, breaking through the clouds, warming your face.

I often find myself remembering, not to long ago, a time when I thought I might loose her. She was so sick and frail. The things her little body went through would cripple an adult, and yet she persevered and came out on top ( thanks to some wonderful Dr's). Now those days are just a Shadow of how she was.

I am so thankful for her and for her health. She is a blessing in my life and I love her!

4th Grade Concert

We transferred our girls to a new school this year, and I'm glad we did. Academically they are receiving a better education, but they are also being exposed to a much broader music program. Their music teacher selects fun pieces for them to preform and also sets aside extra time to work with students who show an interest in progressing further in music.

Sydney expressed an interest in playing the recorder this year and was selected along with about 10 others to preform in a concert. She practiced so hard and thanks to a wonderful friend, who happens to be a music teacher, did very well! Good job Syd!

Shootin some hoops

This was Sydney's 2nd year of playing organized basketball. I remember being her age and playing ball. It was very confusing sometimes and everything was very fast paced. Things are not any different now. Sydney's coaches were new this year ( and neither of them have ever played ball before), so I offered to help when needed. I came to realize that you can teach the girls to pass well, do lay up's, do a pick and roll, but when it comes to game time ( at this age) all that practice goes out the window. The girls get so excited and rushed that they forget to implement everything you taught them.

Regardless, it was a great season. Sydney's team was undefeated until the very last tournament game. It was a crazy haze of girls running , shoving, slapping, and gouging! I think most of the game was used for foul shots. To girls on the other team even fouled out...at this age that is crazy!

Sydney was super bummed that they lost, but I was so proud of her! She improved so much and took my " lectures" well. She always wants me to coach her in sports, but does not handle my instructions well. She thinks I am criticizing her. ( hmmm...sounds like my sister, Karma! Are you reading this Karm?)

Anyhow, next year she will learn more and get even better, and who knows...maybe someday I will coach her.

Graduation

I am so proud of Anthony!

He was hired by the Black hawk County Sheriffs Dept, but they required that he complete the law enforcement academy course. This is a 3 month course in Des Moines...2 hours away from us. He was required to stay at the academy during the week and was allowed to come home on the weekends to see us. This would be unpleasant for anybody, but for me it was much more... turbulent!

I have a 1 month old baby, I run an in home daycare with 6 kids, plus 3 more of my own. I am a primary teacher and the Relief Society activities leader. I have children who are involved in sports. I am the bill payer, the nurse, the taxi, the teacher, the judge, the cook and maid...and the zombie that is the result of all of this.

Actually, I thought having Anthony gone would be unbearable, but I learned that I am capable. Capable of doing it all. Is this a good thing or a bad thing? I can do it all...should I have to? Is this small trial a stepping stone and preparatory process for some future struggle? Who knows.

All I know is that Anthony has done so much to support us and we love him! I know that at times, the academy was horrible. But it was what he needed to do to secure our future. Thank you babe!Marching up to the stage.The Sheriff and fellow Deputy.Good friends who came down to his graduation. Also fellow Deputies. ( look at how skinny my hubby is! Hot Stuff!)

Christmas Memories

I love the Christmas season. It is always so hectic, and I sometimes wish I had nothing better to do than sit and sip hot cocoa by the Christmas tree, but then I would miss out on all of the traditions that make me feel like Christmas. Reading a Christmas story every night under the tree. Making goodies for friends and neighbors. Doing the 12 days of Christmas for someone. And most of all I love sharing this time of year with my kids. I miss my family dearly...I have not had a Christmas at home since I was 19, but that will finally change. Dec. 2012 we will finally get to spend Christmas together with my whole family!

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Photo Shoot

I am so bad at having our family pictures taken. The main family photo on our living room wall was when Tui was 5 months old. He is now 4 years old. So I decided to take the kids out side for a little photo shoot so I could send some pictures to the grandmas, etc. I think I may frame some of them. I am no photographer, but with such beautiful children, how could they not be great pictures! ( I'm allowed to brag! It is my blog ;)

Here are some of my favorites.

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Halloween is my favorite time of year! I love dressing up and having fun with the kids. We always do a trunk r treat at our church plus trick r treating in the nieghborhood. The kids always get a pretty good haul. Sydney keeps me on my toes every year. She comes up with the most abstract, origional characters she wants to be. One year she was cleopatra...not hard you say...you can get those costumes in the stores. But I think they are so fake looking, so I made her costume. The jewelry alone took a week to make, then there was the sequence sen onto the costume and finally the head piece. The year after that she wanted to be the headless horseman. I had to figure out how to make her look headless and fashion a floating pumpkin head to her. I made it work! I thought for sure she would give me an easy one the next year. Nope....a werewolf...full makeup and fur to boot.

Well this year she really got into greek mythology. She wanted to be a sentar ( half horse, half human). No way kiddo...pick something else. She picked Medussa, the beautiful gorgan that has snakes for hair and turns you to stone if you look at her. Hmmmmm....well I did the best I could to figure out how to get snakes to stay in her hair.

I am dreading what she will request for next year! Thank goodness my other 2 kids are easy to please. A homemade Mario and a Vampire.

Surprise!

September is our big birthday month. Anthony, Haylie and Tui all have birthdays within days of each other. This year I decided to combine all 3 together and have a big surprise party. We decided to have it up at the church because of ify weather.

I got to the church early to set up. The kids had to be let in on the surprise because I had to take them with me to set up. Anthony was being diverted by a friend so that he would be surprised.

He was most definitely surprised! While I was setting up, my oldest daughter, Sydney decided to play hide and seek with 2 friends in a darkened church ( since we only needed the gym, we left the lights off in the rest of the church hoping that would deter any kids from playing where they shouldn't be).

All of a sudden someone is screaming my name. One of the girls playing hide and seek grabs my arm and pulls me toward a bathroom on the darkened half of the church. I find Sydney leaning over the bathroom sink, with a bloody face. at first I couldn't tell where all the blood was coming from. I cleaned her up enough to see that it was her nose and upper lip. I tried to control the bleeding while the other girls filled me in on what happened.

Our church has big glass doors. In the dark, you can not tell where they are. Well, my incredibly intelligent daughter ( except when playing hide and seek obviously) ran smack into the door.

I am grateful for the fact that one of my good friends there that night is a nurse. She examined Sydney's nose and told me it was broken. Sydney kept he tough girl act going until we were alone for a minute...then the tears came. She is so brave! I told he I would have to take her to the ER. She started crying more...she said she didn't want to miss the pinata.

Just then who comes walking in the door? Anthony....SURPRISE! So, for his birthday he got to take Sydney to the ER while I entertained the guests. And we saved the pinata for the very end so Sydney could join in.

The best part about all of this is, Sydney inadvertently straightened out her septum and now can breath easier. She has bad allergies and has always had a hard time breathing at night. Not any more.

I have the same problem. Anyone want to go play hide and seek in a dark church?Birthday Girl ( 7 years old)

Broken nose girl

Outdoor Fun

I just had to post this because I am the skinniest I have been in 6 years. Not that it will last!

Anthony did not grow up enjoying the mountains like I did. My family and I would camp and hike all summer long, and I have always wanted to do the same with my kids. But alas, we live in Iowa, a mountain less state. How depressing! We do have a few state parks that Iowans consider mountainous. Backbone park is one of them. It is more like a forested crack in the earths crust. You drive along a flat cornfield and all of a sudden you drive down a HILL ( not a mountain) and you find yourself in a rather beautiful place. There are cliffs you can rock climb and caves to explore, a lake to swim in, although it is quite mossy, and streams to fish and wade through. I guess that is as close to home as I will get here.

Sore Bums, Warm Smiles

We have never taken our kids ice skating. I know, I know...shameful considering I am Canadian. I was skating by the time I was 5. So when the opportunity for a free skating lesson came up, we jumped on it. I wasn't sure how Haylie would like it. She is one that will give up if something is too hard. Sydney likes to try anything, so I knew she would have fun.

Well, Haylie surprised me. She was little miss independent. She didn't want me to help her at all and was happy to go with her instructor onto the ice. She took off! Falling every few seconds...laughing in her giggly little voice...getting back up just to fall down again. But she didn't give up. She had a blast! Sydney was also having a great time learning some more difficult techniques. I love seeing my children have so much fun. I wish I had the time, energy and money to put my kids in everything they want to do!

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Mayor's Fun Run

Sydney never ceases to surprise me! She is a lot like me in the fact that she wants to do, or at least try everything. So when the 4th grade mile run with the Mayor came up, she was begging me to let her do it. I was nervous at first because she has asthma( also takes after me in that way) and she has never done a run like this before. It was downtown and included running over a bridge...one that people have fallen off of before and drowned. But, I never want to be a mother who discourages her children, so despite my own fears, I let her sign up. She had a few friends from her school sign up and we came to find out that friends from other schools were there too. She ran the mile in 10 min 23 seconds. I was very proud of her!