Christmas

Can you believe it?
Tomorrow is CHRISTMAS EVE!!!
You know what? I can believe it, there is no other excuse for how busy I've been. What a busy& beautiful time of year. Thankfully, I did get a chance to do lots of fun things with my 19 favorite kiddos.

Like this:

It's unfortunate that this happened (to the other teachers house that is ;):

I also received a few gifts from my students and their parents. It got me thinking about giving tips this time of year. The rule you ask? Nannies are to receive at least a weeks salary as a bonus. My father heard on the radio that a live-in nanny (which I was this time last year) should receive a full MONTHS salary. I honestly don't remember what the family who must not be named gave me last year. They did give me some amount of a bonus but let me tell you, it was certainly not a weeks salary (yet alone a whole months).
What do ya'll think?

Whatever the case, this time of year is certainly about people more than things or bonus'. It's time to celebrate our blessings. So enjoy the holidays, we'll get back to business in a few days.
I'm off to see 'A Christmas Carol' this evening, spend time with family, pet sit for the family who must not be named, and then I'm headed to Haiti on the 26th!
Can't wait to meet you again in the new year.

To you and yours, Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

xoxo,
April

P.S. In reference to my last post on snow, there is SNOW expected in our sweet southern city on Christmas day. Blissful.

SNOW

There's snow in Atlanta. It's just barely here...but it is here. The first bit of snow for the season (and before Christmas, a bonus). If it's anything like last winter it won't be our last. This teacher is prayyyinggg that there's enough for icy roads and canceled school. Just one day. Pllleaaasseee.

As a nanny, a snow day can be a hit or a miss. It can mean more work. If the kiddos are out of school someone has to entertain them! Last year I had the privilege of spending one glorious snow day with the family who must not be named (or pictured). It reminded me why I loved being a {live in} nanny. These precious kids were the perfect reason to PLAY!!

Exact quote from one of my FAVORITE little ones EVER: "April, it's too snowy!!!"

This is quit a snow-person. He/She even lasted a few days.


What reason to play in the glorious snow. I think we topped off the day with hot coca and a movie :)!

Enjoy the weather wherever you are!!

xoxo,
April

the fabulous lives of nannies

This weekend (which was fabulous) I got to spend a lot of time with this sweet Georgia belle.
She told me about a nanny position she saw posted. Said position was in New York City. The salary was something like $95,000 a year (+ your own apartment). Another requirement? Having a valid passport so you can travel with the family at any point. I will take it. That's how to not lose a nanny in 10 days (or ever).

Oh wait...they wanted an ivy league graduate. WHO goes to an IVY league school to nanny??

If you happen to know anyone throwing this kind of deal out who doesn't require a degree from Yale, let me know.

xoxo,
April

The Rainy Day Basket

I'm writing during the kids nap time today to distract myself from the pain in my mouth (dentist yesterday) and the painful truth that I do not have Taylor Swift/Needtobreath tickets for July.

Most of the little monsters are sleeping...yes, they deserve to be called monsters today.
With the holidays around the corner many of us find ourselves surrounded with children, so I thought I'd share one of my favorite nanny secrets/tips with you!

The Rainy Day Basket!

I'll share a photo of mine at some point, promise!

When: For a nanny the rainy day basket/box/tote is not solely for rainy days. It's for any bored, rainy, restless, fill in the blank kind of day.
** I keep my basket hidden, so the kids never know whats there!**

What: It should contain a variety of things. Sometimes I keep actual gifts in it. A little book I can give a child to add to their collection. The chance to pick something independently is so valuable to children. I also recommend games- cards, puzzles small board games. Having at least a couple arts and crafts projects is ideal. In the past I've had beads for key chain making, make your own picture frame kits, etc. New crayons/color pencils and coloring pages are always a hit too.

Where: The dollar spot at target is a gold mine (& the seasonal themed items are fabulous). Also check places like hobby lobby for crafts. Finally, a trip through the dollar store will likely get you all the essentials. The most important thing to remember is to match the things you buy with the childrens interests.

Who: My nanny basket has transformed into a teacher basket with some minor modifications. I recommend everyone have a rainy day basket. Nanny or not! It's great for family gatherings with kids or the lat minute gift you want to give to a child you know.

Happy shopping!

xoxo,
April

P.S. You could decorate your basket/box with your favorite children as one of your projects!

חנו כ"ה

Mazel Tov!!

It's the first night of Chanukah or
חנו כ"ה
if you prefer the Hebrew. Or just Hanukkah or the festival of lights.
Take your pick. Let's not discuss the 18 million different spellings either (turns out it's not actually mentioned in the Torah so I don't know if there is an official spelling).
It begins on the 25th day of the Jewish month of Kislev (& you should know it's one of the less significant Jewish holidays).

If you know me well, you know I love Judaism. It might even be true that I wish I were Jewish. Except, I deeply believe in Jesus and his redeeming power...so it would never work.
I just love the traditions of the Jewish. Their views of family, observation of holy times & rituals is so beautiful. This book will make you love it too. It's a memoir of a womans journey from Judiasm to Jesus. She writes it in concurrence with the Jewish calendar, it's an incredible story.

Now, you might be wondering why I'm writing about Chanukah on my little nanny blog. Let me reveal another tidbit about "the-family-who-must-not-be-named" (formerly known as "the family who sucked my life away" but in an ode to harry potter, I find the new name more appropriate + I'm never going to name them, because that would be inappropriate).
The family who must not be named, is Jewish.
I love this.
Now, they weren't (could be now, you never know) the temple going type, who kept the Sabbath, ate kosher, or wore yalmukes.
I did get to participate in the menorah lighting each night last year though. I also had the chance to participate in a few shabbat activities through the year (I even know a little song I sing to the 1 Jewish kid in our class).

I'm thankful I was able to experience new things with 'tfwmnbn' - I truly did enjoy some of my time with them. Promise.

So, light a candle (or 8), play dreidel (don't forget the gelt), bake some challah and enjoy the next 8 days!

xoxo,
April
Happy Chanukah/Hanukkah/ Festival of lights!!

P.S. In other news, I cannot for the life of me, decide on a blog design. Ops!