As a working mom, things that make life more sane

As a working mother, I feel like there are quite a few things that could be done to make life easier and have for me...

My favs:
1) the grocery store that delivers food! Love being able to do this boring task without lugging two young ones along, who are "hungry" and begging for anything and everything they see (no I don't get them what they want, I get what I was going to get anyways) anyways, I esp. love the thing they have to remind you what you bought before, and the meal planner section with meal ideas (where it's easy to choose all ingredients)

2) love the breast pump, kept me and my 2 nursing well past year one! Closer to yr 2 but the pump is what helped us get past yr 1. Feeling good about things improving for women who more and more have a place to do this at work! And not the bathroom(eww and unsanitary!) and not the boss' office (eww again)

3) love the crock pot, use it 1-2 times a week to cook up meals for us while I'm at work

4) love the ATM and the ability to buy stamps at them - like I said anything so you don't have to drag kids inside is good!

5) love sliding doors on cars, feels good to not have to worry your kid opening the door will hit another person or car...

6) with less and less time, love email and text

7) love the iPad for learning games and for a little peace an quiet while they watch toons or play games without it becoming the center of what's going on in the room (like tv)

8)Love pull ups and absorbent underwear for ease of training without risking all the mess (no time to clean extra since I'm so busy all the time)

Happy Birthday to my little 3 year old!

 

Dr. Visit:

Levi - 3 years old

35 lbs (79%)

38 in high (57%)

success at the vision and hearing tests - mostly in following directions!

no shots needed - only flu mist!

 

Levi you are one special little three year old! You are affectionate, sweet (even though you still like to hit sometimes), you smile often, you make us all laugh, you like to get in a bit of trouble (but not much!) You are not a child who throws fits (thankfully) and as long as we have your physical self in check (no hit!) you are such a good boy! You make jokes at this young age and not just potty talk ones. You are a mama’s boy and a daddy’s boy. You are best friends with your sister (of course there’s some sibling rivalry that’s normal). You love to play dress-up and play pretend with Kaylee. You are playing above your age level thanks to your sister. You let me read 5 year old long books to you with no complaints and only enjoyment. You don’t mind the girl play that your sister has you do for the most part – but your true blue boy self loves the sports, the active life. You don’t like art as well as your sister. But still do it alongside her making your own fun out of it. You can make a pretty good tower now. Your dad, Kaylee and I love you like crazy little guy – can’t imagine my life before you were born. You and Kaylee certainly do add a brightness to our days. Your potty training is going pretty well – you are almost there! We can now understand almost all of what you say – and now you are saying a lot more! Telling long stories about your daily or imagined adventures. We are so proud of you. In the next year, I’m sure you will grow taller. I’m sure we will see you potty train. I’m sure you will go to preschool. But I am truly loving where you are right now in this moment, little guy. Love yoU!

First Day of Kindergarten!

She told me a lot of things about her first day at Kindergarten: (thought you might all enjoy hearing about it)

 he liked the playground but it was a little too hot and her and her friend wanted to go in. The teacher told her a story about once someone bit someone on the playground, so no pushing, biting,  hiting.

 She did a shapes song

 She made a puzzle

 They learned about not cracking crayons in half

 She couldn’t figure out (so she says) to get her sandwich box so she ate all the goodies in the box (granola bar, fruit snacks) and a couple of grapes. Included less snacks today so she eats her sandwich. At lunch the teacher didn't sit with them but was helping the kids who had hot lunch get their food.

 They didn't do gym

 They didn't do computers, she wanted to use those headphones

 She met a "friend" (she calls them all friends) who speaks differently than her (I assume speaks another language at home)

They watched something where it was educational and she told me the storyline with all the characters names

 She said her favorite part was riding the bus on the way home. Her neighbor girl friend helped her, and held her hand getting off and across the street. Good girl!

 Levi's day went well according to our daycare provider without his sister. Today is his birthday and I brought him to daycare with the blueberry muffin treat. Can't wait to celebrate with him tonight and to find out how day #2 went. Today she took the bus TO school as well.

 I handled the goodbye well at the school yesterday. Was excited for her - then a few tears after as we walked away...Eric was my rock! He kept me up to date on bus pick up and drop offs so I didn't get concerned.

 A couple of big days in our household!

 

State Fair

We went to the State Fair yesterday. We had a nice time there. Very nice to be able to park at Eric's aunt's place and just walk over and not worry about parking.  Thanks C & C!

First thing, we did in there was to let the kids go around sitting and climbing on all the tractors. They each really enjoyed that - I really forgot how much I liked that as a kid but do also remember my time climbing on the tractors and thinking it was pretty darn cool.Sur

Second thing was to get a coupon book and then start our way getting some food. We got some french fries and then some carmeled apples. Kaylee at the end of the day said they were her favorite food we had there.  Then we went on a gondola ride through to take in the State Fair in bird's eye fashion. The kids loved this and had fun identifying where they thought would be fun to go. Then we walked through the Midway! Got Hawaiian shave ice and then to the Agriculture building/pond. We went to get some mini donut beer flavor (spelling) brew and some jalepeno poppers (yum that was a first for me - Kaylee liked them too). It was really good and then a watermelon bowl.

Finally we went to the kid area and the kids each got three rides. Kaylee did the giant slide then they each did car rides and the turning teacup type of ride. Then we had to do naptime and planned on coming back in the evening but we weren't able to because of the ssevere weather warnings - we were going to bring the kids back for fireworks. Oh well. we had a great time. It is so easy to spend money FAST there! Wow!

I did not remember a camera or anything during the day - so sorry for that!

Last night Levi went poop in the potty. Yay! Eric took him for a special trip to Target to pick out a matchbox car. We got a few as rewards for that. We really want to encourage that! When he pees he gets a jellybean (when we/he remembers  - intermittent reinforcement is the best kind right?).  Hopefully his potty training is right around the corner!

Today we have a birthday party for my Grandma's 87th (?) birthday. so glad she's doing so well and she's pretty independent! She's in good spirits and gets around well - feel blessed about that. Can't wait to celebrate with her!