bigger isn't always better

It's been a crazy day in room 118.

So today's nap time is particularly quiet, as our fussy babies get some much needed rest.

4 kids are out, seems no one wants to get out in this weather.

I ran in it this morning. As we left the house, the rooms said "We are those people." We are.

A new student visited with their mother. She said, "I wouldn't call myself a helicopter parent per say..."

at which point I tuned out, because, well, she just gave herself away.

Then, I suddenly wished I was a nanny again. That's happened a few times recently. I miss dealing with one set of kids (& one set of helicopter parents). Not 20. There is a sense of control that comes with nannying, which you will not find in any other child care setting. There's a deeper investment, a true relationship. Even when nanny families are frustrating- and maybe you feel like you're not trusted, it's just 1 set.

The root of my current feelings:

- Sorry she didn't eat ALL her lunch, I was watching TWENTY kids.

- No, I don't know why he took his hat off, there were 2 classes, FORTY 3yr olds, on the playground

- Well, if you had labeled their extra set if clothes then maybe they wouldn't be missing

- Yes, in fact, we do provide hours worth of individual instruction, that's completely possible with 20 students.

- Sorry about those vacation days when you have to find alternative care...I know, it's silly, why would teachers need a break?!

These people clearly need nannies...

when it rains, it pours {and in my life, hails}

Rain, rain, go away!

I am a positive person. I really enjoy my life. I have been blessed in so many ways. Not everyday is rainbows and butterflies but I'm happy. I like where things are going and I have high hopes for the future. Sometimes though, life throws a lot at you...and it's hard to take.
My life is doing that right now but it's kind of in that "I can't believe this is happening, I'm almost amused..." kind of way. I guess that's the best way to experience a crappy week though, right?

To start with, I'm struggling in a couple different personal relationships so my heart, while not completely broken, is still a little sore.
Yesterday (Monday) I found out my great uncle Mac passed away. He's in a better place but the pain is no less real.
Today (Tuesday), my dad called to tell me about funeral arrangements. I couldn't talk, I was dealing with this:
I had a flat tire in the parking lot of our school. It was dark and there was a {freezing} torrential downpour. Oh wait, a TORNADO watch. I don't have triple a or a boyfriend(...who else do you call when you have a flat in the rain?).
I wandered around in the school like a soggy wet stray for a while, spoke to a variety of people and hoped my knight in shining armor would show up. I assume I would have been waiting all night until I saw one of my 3yr olds fathers. They are an incredibly nice family and I just needed to talk to someone I recognized. So I trudged my soggy self into the gym where he was coaching basketball, looking like a hot mess, and desperately asked for help.

He was a bit flustered, but after pulling himself together, he let me use his triple a. Just called them up, said he'd check on me when they were done with practice. Easy peasy. Angel.

I ended up having to call him to come over to the parking lot I was in and wait with his id becasue the aaa people on the phone were being difficult (since, well I don't have aaa)- so he waited in the car with his children while I sat embarrassed in my car.

AAA came, changed my tire, I signed something and we were off.
I am forever indebted to this INCREDIBLE family. I'd obviously LOVE to be their nanny. I said "thank you" about 8 million times and he said "You take care of my baby, of course." That almost caused tears. I have no idea how I'll be able to thank them but I'm going to spend a long time trying. I will be SURE to express my gratitude.

When I finally got home, I did some dishes...
CUT my finger with e KNIFE (small nic, I'm 100% fine).
But really??

Are
You
Kidding
Me?

This is laughable really. I haven't even cried. I'm not that upset. I'm too confused, it's all too bizarre.
But- I am terrified to see what Wednesday has in store for me. Thursday I have a dentists appointment to get 2 cavities filled. Friday will likely be capped off with a space rock falling from the sky and hitting me on the head. Saturday? A drive to Tennessee for a funeral.

So positive thoughts, prayers, karma- whatever suits your fancy- I'd LOVE some sent my way. I have no doubt that when the literal rain goes away and a new day begins, I'll start new and things will be brighter. This week is just a little bump in God's big plan. He has truly poured infinite blessings on my life.
Here's to not losing a nanny or teacher this week!

xoxo,
April

P.S. I also tripped the breaker in my house this morning.

they notice

That's what I love about kids. They pay attention. When they want to. When you least expect it.
I have countless examples, but one happened today.

One of our quieter children, who we have to pull things out of and who acts as if they can't hear us (selective hearing obviously) was standing alone in the other 3yr old classroom- just the other teacher was there. The room is similar to our but still fairly different.

The child stood, still, quiet, hands in pockets and said, "You have small groups in here?" after noticing a small group chart similar to the one in our room. The teacher replied yes. Then the student said "...and centers?" The teacher replied yes.
The child just nodded and kept looking around the room.
Observing. Noticing. Taking it in. Paying attention to something outside their own world.

We could all learn something from that.

xoxo,
April

nanny of 19 kids and counting...?

Sometimes I wish I was a full time nanny again.
Not the same full time nanny I was this time last year. Please no. I do miss those kids though.
Just a regular full time nanny. The hours are better. You only have one ( or 2) sets of parents to deal with as opposed to 19 and definitely less than 19 children...unless of course you nanny for the Duggars.
You know what...I think I'd like that job...

How can I contact tlc?

Get her sick.

That's how you lose a nanny/teacher in 10 days. Or 4. I made it 4 days with those GERMY (but adorable) little 3 yr olds before I called in for a sick day on Friday. It's been thoroughly miserable. Finally though, I feel partially normal and I'm looking forward to a healthy week ahead- with much more blogging. Just wanted to let you all know I'm still here and have tons of posts coming your way. Thanks for sticking with me. Love you lots.

xoxo,
April

how to lose a teacher in 10 days...?

This week began my adventure in teaching.

(Before you all get a frenzy about how I'm going to loose all my material now that I am no longer a nanny maybe you should take a seat in the cozy corner like we'll tell our three year olds to. I have enough of a back log to keep this blog going for years friends. Don't worry, more nanny posts are coming!)

Today was teacher meet and greet, the real adventure begins Monday. For two hours wide eyed parents of even more wide eyed 3 year olds wandered in and out of our perfectly decorated classroom (i.e. cozy but not over stimulating, I'm proud, so sue me). We had talkers, criers, jumpers, a few shriekers...and I'm talking about parents here. The things they say. It amazes me. I'm going to refrain from giving to much detail but it definitely made me think of this blog. In teaching, like nannying, it is most often the parents that drive you crazy. Children run from table to table, exploring new toys, meeting new friends while grandma ask if she can sit in on a few classes (because that'll make the separation anxiety better, right?) or mom gets mad that we prefer she not bring in ice cream on brithdays.

After meet and greet was over we had a school wide teacher meeting (our three old program is a collaboration project and we are housed in a local charter school, neat huh?) and tensions felt kind of high. You know why? We're teachers, we have no patients for adults. I speak three year old, I don't sit for long periods of time (& at 5'2"I prefer things to be at eye level). Catch my drift?
Oh, parents. Can't live with them, can't live without 'em ;-).

Here's to the best parent- teacher/nanny relationships we can create!

xoxo,
April