FT for a Week

Recently I have had the opportunity to help in Eric's classroom for a couple of days. From the first bell until the last, I was able to keep my eye on my little man. I did not give him any extra attention or extra help. He had to hold his own even with Mommy there all day. Occasionally, I would share some Mommy words with him. Go blow your nose. Wash your hands. Did you go potty? Did you wash your hands? Go get a tissue. Get a squirt. Other than that, we left each other alone. I saw my son work hard. I saw him treat others nicely. I saw him have fun playing with others without any problems. I saw the effort he puts in his work. I saw his mind engaged. I also saw how he looked at me when I was walking around helping students. He seemed both happy and thankful I was able to be there. His eyes told me he loved me.

It was quite a strain on the home front in order to be there for as long as I was. The sickness that hit Eric's class last week, hit me over the weekend, and then it got my girls in the beginning of the week. Before school I dealt with throw up and fevers and after school I continued to deal with the craziness. You know Mommy has worked full time when the breakfast dishes are washed at 8 o'clock at night. And when laundry piles up high. And toys stay on the floor. And no one really knows where the dog is. When the girls are cranky because they haven't seen Mommy all day and they wonder who is going to watch them. I had a crash course on the full time working Mommy. It brought back lots and lots of memories. My appreciation was renewed for what Billy does for us.

I do feel blessed to be able to be in the classroom. Helping students is where my heart is. I do feel blessed to be able to be at home with my kids. They make me love and laugh like no one else can. The shared love and laughter allows us to share it with others. Nothing is more beautiful.

Alayna said...what??

The ramblings of a four-year-old...

While still teaching I created a simple alphabet on brightly colored card stock.  I attached magnets to the back of each letter for home use.  Getting ready for dinner the other night I dug them out and told Alayna to put the lower case letters in order on the refrigerator.  She noticed the the set was missing the letter r and she was quite upset.  Days have passed and this morning eating breakfast, staring at me with a straight face she tells me, "Mommy, did you know there are only 25 letters in the alphabet?" We bantered back and forth about  the correct number and finally she says, "Well, in YOUR alphabet there are!" 

Last Saturday night, the girls were playing amongst their piles of dollies and puppies.  Holding a little dog in her hands, Alayna tells me this..."Mommy, I keep telling him to stay away from the Lady dogs.  This Boy dog likes the romance. He likes to lick and kiss the Lady dogs.  I keep telling him that the Lady dogs don't like that."

During a night out with my ladies, we decided to finish our shopping adventure with dinner at Crispers.  The girls were warned that they will be sharing chocolate milk because I wasn't going to buy them each their own drink.  Alayna said, "So, we'll have to put two straws in one drink.  That means we are on a date.  Eww!  Cailin, if we are on a date together I am NOT going to kiss you.  Kiss my sister...Eww!  Well, maybe if you were a boy..."  As we ate dinner I told her even if she was on a date...that does NOT mean the she has to kiss the boy.

She has a heart of gold.  I am always amazed by her.  After leaving her with other kids and adults, I sometimes am a bit nervous about what they'll say she said while I was gone.  She says exactly what's on her mind.  Oh the mind of a four-year-old.

So many more interesting conversation to go...