Adventures in Babysitting

After being a server and a teacher, I have always had the strong opinion that you better not rip on servers or teachers unless you've been one.  But, having been a server and a teacher, I have the full right to rip on them if I know they suck, right?  (Though mostly behind their backs as I don't have the guts to usually advocate for myself... like my "Tuscan" pasta with no artichokes or black olives the other day... And I still never tip less than 15% ... which is not making the point clear so I should work on being straightforward.)

Another career I have always respected and had thoughts about doing when I had small children would be being a home daycare provider. I had worked at a Children's World for a little over a year in college doing full time school-age in the summer, and filling in part-time throughout all the baby-preschool rooms during the school year.  This was a good gig for me, on top of student teaching, to definitely figure out 3rd grade and up were my cup of tea.  I truly do enjoy this age of kids, but it is a very different level of exhaustion for me!  I would need a nap with them everyday :)  Knowing more about myself, I'm sticking with teaching 5th graders :)

But I have had "3/8th" an opportunity (just 3 kids... nowhere near 8!) to wear the "at home day-care provider shoes" for a few days.  Our marvelous, spectacular, superwoman daycare provider is on a well deserved vacation and I'm obviously home so I wanted to give it a whirl and help a friend out!  The kids I have over are actually ten times easier than a teething Declan but feeling the responsibility of keeping them safe, keeping them fed, keeping my house sort of clean and of course, the teacher in me wants to keep them learning.  (Oh yeah, and did I mention the attention span? I will never think 5th graders have a small attention span again!)

I am working on letting go of that "teaching" part and truly just rediscovering they learn non-stop while playing and imagining and talking and creating and singing  (So shut the screens off... That is another issue and possible venting blog in my future...of course sometimes is fine, but we are their caretakers... not a screen!   I just heard about a 1 year old getting an iPad for their birthday, who is only calmed by seeing that or a smartphone, and I about had an anxiety attack!  Read the book I've mentioned before... Baby Brain Rules!)
   

Anyways... I digress and I'm off my soapbox now.  I love our daily email reports and private facebook group of pictures we get from daycare, but here are a few fun shots from our 3 days of adventures!  Today Declan also spent 15 minutes going up and down the stairs!

L helped pick out clothes and dress Declan everyday!  

Had to set up a tent like their daycare friends who were camping!

Didn't care about pool and water table right away, but he loved GOLFING!!

This is how I cleaned up after lunch!

L's Kindergarten Readiness Class

Ballers! 

    

5th Anniversary... Parent style!

Since we get babysitters so much with golf league, we opted for a sushi date night dinner with Declan (turned into take-out... he was not happy eating later than normal...) and game/movie nights in!  Andy kicked my butt in chess and we feel asleep during the Lego movie last night which we'll finish in the day light today.  Do we sound like parents or what?  Oh yeah, and we got the garage organized. Ha!   But we wouldn't change it for the world and are looking at taking a short cruise or trip to some city during my fall MEA break without Dec to celebrate 5 years/my upcoming 30th birthday.

Declan "helped" organize the garage!

We got some major cuteness videos this weekend.

First, dad taught him a trick for when Croix is passed out tired.... I got a great little video while Dad was catching some fish with a friend!   1, 2, 3 Out!

We also got 7 holes of golf in at Crow yesterday and are going to try for 18 holes at Oakdale today!  Declan's first golf course walk was adorable too!

The only way I'll run.... Speed Golf!

I have had this idea and wanted to try this Speed Golf game for awhile.  Simply put you run while golfing.  How it looked for me the first time was drive golf ball, run to ball, hit ball, run/walk to ball, chip, run all the way across the green and chip again because I was so out of breath, run, putt, putt, putt three times because I was still tired.

But I don't like running so I never really was motivated enough to go alone or find a speed golf partner until this year.  But the nature of the sport and stopping to do something I love every 20-60 seconds, I think not only can handle it... I actually think I like it!  I still want to tone up a little and just have some endurance back from that whole pregnancy thing last year. And I am blogging about it so I have to keep it up and I have an awesome accountability partner who won't let me skip out even if it was almost raining on us this morning!

We break a few of the "tournament rules" such as using our push carts and having more than 7 clubs, but we are just trying to get better totals, and stay in shape.  The total is your strokes plus your time. Today we took a few clubs out of our bags but I needed one of them like 5 times so won't take that club out again.

So far our scores are staying similar but always seems like we need to spend time looking for one of our balls on a hole or two, and if you don't take a few seconds to calm your breathing, it can cost you a couple shots!  I don't know if I'll be able to get into the 70's with a total, but that is my lofty goal before summer is out.  But I would consistently like to get around 83.... I know building my endurance will help me do that!  (UPDATE 7/2: YEAH... Did that today and got my PB!!  I am just addicted to wanting to beat time/score.  And it is getting much easier to run/keep steady breath and recover in less time to be ready to swing/putt! Seriously still love this new workout so much!  And since motherhood... I love mornings so much too so I have no excuses during the summer not to work out..)

6/11    Back 9    42.46 mns      Me: 48    Total: 90.46         Tony: 43       Total 85.46
6/13    Front 9    43.35 mns      Me: 50    Total: 93.35         Tony: 45       Total 88.35
6/18    Front 9    43.56 mns      Me: 46    Total: 89.56         Tony: 45       Total 88.56
6/23    Back 9    45.55 mns      Me: 50    Total: 95.55    @ Shadowbrooke w/ one of my varsity golfers
6/30    Front 9    41.06 mns      Me: 47    Total 88.06          Tony: 41       Total 82.06    
7/2      Back 9    40.51 mns      Me 43     Total 83.51           Tony: 43       Total 83.51
7/9      Front 9    43.30 mn       Me 46     Total 89.30           Tony:53         Total  96.30  
      7/9  was a rough mental morning for Tony and me... we were both exhausted catching up from vacas, barely wanting to get out of bed, but we went and did it and felt great afterwords... I really see why a accountability/work out partner is needed for me... I can't let them down, but I would've stayed in bed alone!
7/11



If I have convinced you to give this workout a try, around sunrise at 5:30/5:40 am the next couple weeks on Wednesdays and Fridays... call me and meet us at Crow River!

Dear Declan! You've rounded FIRST!

Dearest Declan,

This has been one of the most amazing years of our lives and we have you to thank for that!  We have had so much fun and joy seeing you grow so much in just one year; it is unimaginable what the next years will bring! 

You've done a lot since you were 9 months!  You went on your first airplane ride to Myrtle Beach, you have "walked" over 54 holes of golf, and love the bicycle trailer we go on rides with Croix Croix.   Plus, you enjoyed all the field trips you go on with daycare!  Since the weather is finally nice you have gone to lots of parks, a firehouse, met puppies and went to Dairy Days!

We had your first birthday party tonight and tons of your friends and family were here to celebrate with you!  The baseball theme was a lot of fun and you enjoyed watching your friends play tee ball and playing in the water table we got for you!  Of course the cake eating was the best! You were very dainty and clean at first til Grandma Sue gave you a nibble and then you dug in!

Age: 1 YEAR                   Dr. Appt. Wed, June 11th (Then we'll go meet Baby Schwedler!)

Weight:  Guessing..20 lb            Actual: 19 lb 13 oz

Length: Guessing..29.5 inches   Actual: 30.25"           
Head:  Guessing..18.5 inches    Actual: 18.5"           

Feats/Mobility: You are talking real words (Croix, Mama, Dada, A Dah (all done), Uh-Oh!, hi, meow) and lots of babbling words! You are signing a bit more now (all done, more and bye, bye)!    Grandma Connie and Auntie taught you high fives.  You took 4 steps on May 26th and haven't stopped practicing, but no real walking yet!  

Likes:  Your red reading/looking out the window chair!   Croix... it is the cutest when you say his name!   That video shows them both in one of the rare times you say his name just one time. You usually say it 3-4 times!   You have enjoyed walks on the golf course watching Mom and Dad.  You work on your own golf game in your spare time too!   Kids and other babies always make you smile.  Saving money in your Coin Box- Cha-Ching! You also love "helping" mom anywhere in the kitchen, especially "loading" the dishwasher.  You enjoy playing in Croix's water bowl by turning his food dish upside down and floating that.  And you love chasing the cats and plopping right on Bouncer!  He has yet to bite or scratch you but I don't think he really enjoys it!  

 

Dislikes: Mom leaving the room (or Jessica... or whoever just had you last like Grandma Sue/Auntie B!).  You really are in a phase where you know what person you want.   Getting teeth... but what baby doesn't!? Your first one cut thru on May 20th and three more look real close!  Taking you in the house from outside or you cry if Croix is outside without you!  Closing the pantry or not letting you in the fridge starts a mini-tantrum too!


You are such a blessing in our lives Declan.  The meaning of your name, full of goodness, still rings true every time we say your name!  Any difficult moment and lost minutes of sleep, have been so worth it and really are just a blur in our memory!  (Though you have been a pretty easy baby... we joke if we give you a brother or sister someday, they will make it harder on us!)  I can't tell you enough how proud we are to be your parents.  It is hard to say goodbye to your first year as our baby, and though I made it thru your Happy Birthday song I have cried the last two nights putting you to bed!  But we know there is only more fun to be had and we are so excited! 

We love you through and through,

Mom & Dad

A license to parent?? Why Not!?!

Sometime late in my middle school years, I remember a class debate that people should need a license before becoming parents. You have to have education and pass tests for tons of other life saving activities and occupations.  I may be over generalizing here, but I think most everyone, would say raising a child is the most important job out there. So why not?? Why isn't it a LAW to have a "parenting license"?  School's a law. Why isn't early childhood education a law that parents must attend?  The brain does so much growth in those first years that impact the rest of your life.

You get pregnant so now you take a couple classes.... or they take your baby from you.   Ok... that's extreme and not going to happen! (I would surely hope it wouldn't...)   But think, why couldn't classes be a law?   The route we are going they could be... like the "strongly" suggested law like "you must have health insurance or we'll fine you".  How about, "you must take early childhood education classes or you don't get child deductions?"   So why not??  Write your congress members  or share this blog with them.  Kind of serious and kind of kidding... I don't really know my whole feelings on my ramblings yet so I haven't actually wrote Amy and Al myself but feel free to if you want!

Now back to my middle school theorizing brain... The debate got really controversial about how else you could regulate "parenting licenses."   Come on, it totally isn't breaking people's rights to force them to be on birth control until they are married (or in a committed relationship if you are the non-marrying type), make a household income of $75,000 (what studies show is the amount of money that can "buy" happiness), and pass a year long course on becoming parents before they take away your monthly required shots?  Really, wouldn't these shots be cheaper and better than welfare, intervention programs in schools, mental/behavioral health, foster programs, divorce rate increases (oh ya... a year long course before you get married is a great idea too), neglect/abuse cases, etc. etc. etc....   Yes, again, maybe you think I cross the line here in saying it is laissez faire, unprepared, hands off, or overworking parents who contribute to these necessities of our society, but in my opinion it is a part of the problem.  Some other studies really smart people do say parental training would help.  

Of course, a required birth control shot will never happen (again, nor do I think it should.)  But it could make another good novel with that idea.. I don't write those, just this little blog maybe you are reading. If you are the novel writing type, you can take that premise and send me a signed copy of your book... (and a couple thousand for Declan's college fund if you make more than $100,000 off it!)

But anyhow, hopefully you haven't stopped reading this blog because then I didn't get to tell you my main purpose for writing this blog:  To read the one book I think should be on the year long course's syllabus.  This book:

My book summary will be coming soon if you really can't read it. But you could.  I really want you to read it.  You could find 10ish hours over the next few months to read a book instead of watching tv or surfing the web that will help you understand your children's brains.   You want to help your kid be as Smart and as Happy as the genetic cards have tossed them, right?    For now, go to Amazon or my Fed Up blog for mini-summaries on it.   I will still blog about it this summer when school is out for my own review but I will not be able to do the book justice and explain all the research studies John Medina does.  I'm truly not trying to sound self-righteous in this paragraph as my first proofreader commented to me... just persuasive.  As a new parent and as a teacher I just want the best for our future generation.  

Maybe the teacher side in me will write a test on it and send you a license to parent.  Ha ha!... I don't work in July & August ;)    (Though I believe we should, even though I don't want to...  but that's another topic...) Jokes aside, a message I did take out of the conclusion of the book is we won't do it perfect even half the time and we shouldn't all do it the exact same, but we can take research proven strategies that smart brain scientists say work and always try harder! 

April in Pictures

10 Months Old  April 8th,2014I

Easter

 CUBS vs. BREWERS Series in WI for Mike Lootens 50th Bday Weekend

Will I be "Fed Up" by May 9th??

I wish I didn't... I wish it wasn't in EVERYTHING... I wish every holiday, special occasion, day that ends in "y" I would stop justifying my sweet tooth and just quit it all.

A few weeks ago I was trying to cut back on my sugar intake after reading 25 things that will terrify you about sugar. I knew it would be drastic and crazy and impossible to go cold turkey.

The next day one of my 5th graders was reading a food label (that is a whole other issue I don't dare get into right now) of a birthday treat from his classmate and said, "Wow, this has our entire daily value of sugar in this!  And he actually only ate one of the three truffles and saved the other"  At that moment, I wanted to have that self control... I wanted Declan to someday have that awareness and control.

I don't want to be that crazy person and crazy mom that never lets Declan have sugar... But I do want to be that crazy person and mom that allows it very little until Declan is truly old enough to read the food label and have the self control like my student did!  And being truly honest, I want to selfishly prevent as few temper tantrums and refusals to eat other food when that stage starts.  So I am looking forward to the documentary that can hopefully help me (scare and brainwash me more to continue cutting back)  We will see what "Fed Up" convinces me of after May 9th.

On a related sidenote, being a mom has made me worry more and try to control things I know in my mind I really won't be able to control long or forever, but as day by day goes by, the true magnitude of being a parent has hit me hard as Declan is imitating more, "speaking" at us all the time, doing and exploring unsafe things, etc...

 I'm am also reading THE ONE BOOK I am begging Andy to read, Brain Rules for a smart and happy Baby: 0 to 5 now.  I can't stop thinking how we'll do some of the common sense and not so obvious things that research shows can influence and guide kids to be moral, hard working (smart), and content (happy).   A lot of it is obvious to me as a teacher and good review from my psychology classes, but I love the research studies explained in easy to understand terms.  But the obvious things to do are still HARD WORK as a parent!  Practicing and teaching empathy and emotions are so intertwined in the brain!  I plan to blog about this book more this summer (once I finish it, reread it, takes notes on it and digest how we really can do it) but I would seriously recommend this book to any new parent or parent of a kid under 5... Because if your kid is over 5... they may already be screwed up ;) j/k... sort of... parts of the book alarm me.  Especially the importance of face time in kids 0-5 and all that they are just waiting for time to tell what technology/screens beyond TV do.