MyBaby - rockergirrl Journal

1st day of 1st grade

Posted August 28, 2008 at 9:23AM by rockergirrl
www.findbarefootbooks.com

Well I survived the first day of 1st grade. Yesterday my oldest son started school. There was a lot of excitement
and nervousness in the air. We had been going to an alternative program
at another school for Kindergarten but since there were going to be dismantling
the program we decided to move him into our neighborhood elementary
school for 1st grade. The best part about this new school is that we
can walk or ride bikes! Drop off went well. JB
came with me so we could all see him off together. He seemed to do fine
until we got into his class line. All of a sudden I could see the look
of fear on his face. I asked him if he was nervous and he gave me a
quick nod of the head. I gave him one last hug, the bell rang, he went
inside, and I cried. All in all he said he had a great day. When I
asked him how recess went he said he had fun but that he didn't have
anyone to play with. This broke my heart. All the kids already know
each other because they went to Kindergarten together last year. So he
is the new kid on the block. He had so many great friends at his last
school I think it is hard for him to be on the outside now. So here we
are on the second day. I am hoping he has better luck breaking into
some friendship circles today.

We also had a preschool open
house for Sal yesterday. That was quite exciting. I can't say that I
was thrilled about the room. It was stark and cold but in their defense
it is a brand new program at the school and this will be the first
class so I know I need to give it some time. He starts up in a few
weeks. He went zooming right off to play though. No shyness in that kid.

So
all in all we survived the first day. Lots of paper work to fill out,
new school handbooks to read and lots of prayers that everything goes
well for him this year.

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Comments

Sticky_Mommy responded August 28, 2008 at 12:14AM

I love my job, it gives me a break from my kids!

Bravo! Congrats to you Mommy, this is your milestone too.

benbaby responded August 31, 2008 at 1:27PM

Goofing around with my babies - Big and Lil

Congrats Rockergirrl ! Its more like you have passed the test.

Getting ready

Posted August 25, 2008 at 12:22AM by rockergirrl
www.findbarefootbooks.com

We are getting ready for back to school this week like so many others. I am excited and bummed. My son is starting a new school this year for 1st grade. We can actually walk to school now. I am so psyched! I am a bit worried because he was in a mixed Kindergarten/1st grade class last year. This year he will be in a straight 1st grade class. I was not informed when I signed up for this new school that they offered one 1st/2nd mixed class. I would have asked for this in a heartbeat since he is coming from a mixed class already. I am afraid he will be reapting a lot of material this year and that makes me nervous because he is ahead in reading. I'll just have to see how it goes I guess. My youngest will be starting preschool soon too. He will be going 2 hrs and 45 minutes a day. It is going to be strange. I have been home with him since his birth. I am going to have a hard time letting go. I would normally be excited about the free time this means for me except I had to go ahead and get a puppy this summer so basically by the time drop both kids off at school, come home and walk the puppy, I'll maybe have an hour left. Oh well. It will still be nice.

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dustbunny responded August 25, 2008 at 3:39PM

dishing the dirt, cleaning the chaos

crazy- all the pre-school prep/emotions. we just had open house...the kids are ready around here!

Catching up

Posted August 20, 2008 at 11:08AM by rockergirrl
www.findbarefootbooks.com

I have been off radar for about a week now. Last week my husband was off work all week. I was looking forward to getting so much done around that house that we needed to do. Scrape and paint part of the house, mop the floors, get caught up on weeding the garden, stack wood etc. Instead he got sick and so none of this happened. Well one day I was seen stacking wood in the 80 degree heat. That was fun. We had plans to head to the White Mountains in NH over the weekend and since we had already reserved a cabin months ago we had to go - sick husband and all. It was the trip the boys have been waiting for since last summer. Story Land. If you live in New England and have never gone you need to. It is an absolute must for little kids. It is clean, not crazy and they have awesome Mama houses for nursing mothers and a place to change dipes. It was a quick trip but we had a blast. Husband felt well enough to hang out during the days but as soon as we got back to the cabin he crashed out. So there I sat by myself sipping a beer by the river each night wishing I had someone to talk to (sigh).

So now we are back, husband if feeling better and summer is quickly coming to an end. I have been running around this week buying shoes and lunch boxes and trying to balance it all with trying to have some fun too.

On the work front I had my third interview for the job I blogged about a few weeks ago. I went into this last interview knowing I would walk out knowing if it was right or not. I have decided it isn't and I will be pulling my application. I would have to change up our current family structure and I just don't feel ready to do it. It would have to be something that felt 100% right and this just doesn't. So I will contintue to sell books and look for some more consulting work to do this fall. I am sad it isn't going to work out but it feels really good to make the decision and move on.

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dustbunny responded August 20, 2008 at 1:02PM

dishing the dirt, cleaning the chaos

hey! welcome back, I've been off the radar as well. bummer about your family trip gone ill...:(. glad to hear you're happy with your choice for now (jobwise). Hope everything's going well otherwise! good luck job hunting...

kymadsmom responded August 20, 2008 at 6:23PM

we went to storyland on our Vacation and the Girls loved it. They got to meet Cinderella that was the highlight. at least you all got to enjoy that together. Hey enjoy being home for now when the right job comes your way you will instantly know. good luck

Garden update

Posted August 10, 2008 at 9:02PM by rockergirrl
www.findbarefootbooks.com

My garden is bursting with flavor. I am growing corn for the first time, pumpkins, peppers (sweet and hot), beans, cucumbers, and lots and lots of tomatoes. I have been making home made pizza sauce, pasta sauce and salsa daily. I love summer.

Here are some pictures from my garden.
Corn

Bean tower

Harvest time

Garden friends

Tags: gardening

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Comments

Sticky_Mommy responded August 11, 2008 at 9:08AM

I love my job, it gives me a break from my kids!

stunning! Share your sauce tips!

rockergirrl responded August 11, 2008 at 9:20AM

www.findbarefootbooks.com

oh the sauces are my own secret recipe. Not to be shared :)

dustbunny responded August 11, 2008 at 11:50AM

dishing the dirt, cleaning the chaos

nice work rockergirl...my mint for mojitos is still alive. that's really all I got :)

vtmomof2 responded August 11, 2008 at 2:49PM

Life is crazy but wonderful.

I am so impressed. The rain has just about killed my garden, except for my peppers. I have a ton of peppers. My cucumbers are tiny, and I don't think they will produce. I have corn also and now a few ears on them. I'm not sure when they are ready to pick though. And I do have one squash. Next year I'm growing cherry tomatoes. I love cherry tomatoes and I can never get regular tomatoes to grow for some odd reason.

Times are a changin'

Posted August 5, 2008 at 9:36AM by rockergirrl
www.findbarefootbooks.com

When I had my first child I never knew how hard it would be to go back to work after my maternity leave was over. The day came and I hated every moment of it. Each night my husband and I would redo the budget and look where we could cut in order for me to stay home but at that point in our lives it wasn't possible. We did the best we could and I was able to work a variety of part time schedules instead. It worked for me but it was never truly what I wanted. I hated dropping him off each day and picking him up smelling like other people. I hated how his caregivers were the ones who got to spend the most time with him in his early years. That said I believe quality childcare can be a wonderful experience, I have no regrets about how he turned out. I still in my heart wish it could have been me.

By the time he 3 ½ we were having our second baby. This time around things were different for us financially and I was able to quit my job to stay home. I also pulled the oldest from preschool so I had them both home with me for a few years. It was wonderful. It has been a sacrifice though. We are a one car family, we don't go out to eat, we don't go shopping, we go without, but honestly I don't miss any of it. It has been interesting to see both sides of the spectrum. One growing up in childcare and one home with me. Neither one is the best answer. I am happy with how things turned out for both of my children.

I have been toying with the idea of when I will go back to work. Although I would like to I can't do this forever. I have been lucky to make money here and there doing consulting work from home over the years but it isn't consistent and we are at a point in our lives where we could use a little bit of extra money coming in . Times are a bit tough right now for everyone. So I have an opportunity that has presented itself to me and I have actually taken the step to apply and interview for the position. I couldn't pass it up. It seems perfect for me. I feel emotionally ready to separate myself (slightly) and dive into something outside of the home but doing so will mean some major changes.

My oldest will be in 1st grade this fall and I was going to send my youngest to preschool but it was going to be only a 3 hour a day program. Taking this job (if it is offered) will mean having to put him in a longer program. I am not opposed to this per say but I do have one requirement. I absolutely want to be able to pick them both up after school is over. I am willing to give some but that is the one thing that is important to me. I want to be home with them after school. Tall order to ask for? I don't think so.

The real issue here that I haven't addressed yet is my guilt. I am feeling guilty that I have failed. Failed at being able to do it all. I grew up with two working parents but they worked opposite schedules so we never had to go to childcare. The main reason for this though was because they couldn't afford childcare. So my mom took care of us during the day, she went to work at 3:00pm and my dad took care of us at night. I grew up at home with parents and I want that for my kids. Summers for me were free summers. I didn't have to go from camp to camp to camp all summer and I want those free summers for my children also. Going back to work outside of the home though takes that away and I am incredibly torn about what to do.

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vtmomof2 responded August 5, 2008 at 9:55AM

Life is crazy but wonderful.

As someone who has done both, my daughter went to daycare because I was a single mom then, and just before she turned 5 I lost my job and found out I was pregnant at the same time. My hubby and I decided that it would be best if I stayed home with the kids for a little while. I found it hard when I tried to go back to work, I basically had to start over in a career I already had 10 years experience in, so that is when I decided to go back to school, to start over in another field. It is hard, I often think about what I will do when I do graduate. My son will be going into 2nd grade and at this point both kids will be in school full time. I agree with you, I want to be there when they get out of school, and because of this I am really considering running for town clerk so that I will be close to home and the kids will be able to be with me after school. It is really really hard to go back to work. You shouldn't pass up a good opportunity if you find it, and you shouldn't feel guilty about doing this for yourself. It is allowing you to build a career for yourself for when your children are grown and gone. I decided to go back to school and work on a new career path because I really wanted something for me. It is hard, and there will be some adjustments, but it will work out and the kids will be fine and you have no reason to feel guilty for pursuing something for yourself.

Yummy_Mommy responded August 5, 2008 at 1:55PM

Of course we want it all. We want the freedom to have be finally secure and to have flexible schedules to meet the needs of our families. Is it too much to ask? No. Is it too much to expect? Maybe. Like you said you have been doing without and it's working for you. No answer is perfect, only you will know what works best for you and your family.

good luck and when you have the answers, pass them on! LOL

dustbunny responded August 5, 2008 at 2:19PM

dishing the dirt, cleaning the chaos

I'm right there on many levels. I feel guilty all the time too...like I'm not that great a mom because I'm expected to make money- and my kids don't get all the benefits because I don't make real money that actually can get them above and beyond. I'm neither the great mom nor the heroic bread winner... it's like a juggling act - which makes stress an issue when it comes to enjoying your kids, ya know? it's nuts! don't beat yourself up...they are growing so fast. You've been going with what feels the best for you guys given what you have- that's the best you can do!

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