Just another day, but not really

Despite the up's and down's we have had over the past couple months today was a good, no, great day.  I think (or hope rather) that I may have solved the single biggest threat to the happiness in this house - sloppiness!  Nikki, Jonny and I sat down this morning to talk about chores and helping one another in the house.  We created a list of weekly chores and daily reminders to help us all stay on track.  I laminated the sheet and we can check things off as we do them.  Before May arrived, don't ask why May was such an evil month, just know that it was, we did all of our household chores on Sunday's.  So we're going back to that.  Anything that doesn't get checked off during the week will be completed Sunday as a team.  Sounds fair right!?  Let's hope (or pray) that it works and Kelly can try to be less obsessed with cleaning.

This week I have been filling in at a daycare in town.  My first two days I felt scared and out of place.  Never did I think 2-3 year olds could do that to me.   Now that I'm not "uh, whats your name?" I feel like we've bonded.  Today I spent most of my time reading to whoever threw a book at me.  I had NO IDEA children that young could sit for that long.  Maybe I am just the most excellent Ms. Kelly, story teller extraordinare. Doubtful, but my ego could use the boost (I am getting fat and all).  I have come to love each of their distinct little personalities.  I could certainly do without the screaming though.  It's been such a blessing in disguise because here I am; 26, with a college education and kids - TWO YEAR OLDS - are teaching me!  We talk about how things make us feel if someone has been mean or taken our toy and we talk out our problems.  I must admit, it was caught off guard the first time a kid came up to me on the playground to tell me "Olivia hurt my feelings because she said she didn't want me to play with her."  How do you tell a child with tears in her eyes that while that really stinks Olivia wasn't considerate of her feelings, that's only going to get worse as she grows up.  Can you ever prepare a child for the rudeness of their peers?  I am scared now for my gummy bear.  I come home and enthusiastically tell my stories to my still half asleep husband, who bless his heart tries to act interested.  I don't blame him.  For one, he leaves for work in less than an hour.  He also can't comprehend the progress we have made in just 16 short hours.  Today above all though I was elated.  We celebrated a birthday of one of my favorites in the class.  This little guy is adorable.  Awfully shy, so when he talks you just end up laughing because you forget he can do it.  We sat on a retaining wall and flew an imaginary airplane, I had the main controls though - none of them have their drivers license.  I saw a shy little boy go from tears to smiles in seconds when he saw the size of the "cut" on my knee.  Why do kids always think it's funny when someone else gets hurt?  I came home today wishing I chose a career in child care/ human development.  To think of all the things I have been missing out on all this time!

I also finally got my life organized with my Kappa group.  We have made and will continue to make some real progress with the women who are involved.  I am glad to have the opportunity to work along side them.  It is very interesting to know how many diverse backgrounds there are and we're all united by one thing: Kappa.  Since I am no longer working in Greeley, I think I am going to devote time to a house or advisory board position.  I hope I don't regret that!  I would really love the chance to connect with some more ladies in the area and hope that our association continues down this path to enable that to happen.

Tomorrow I will be at 15 weeks into this pregnancy.  At times it seems like I just found out and others it's feels like I have been waiting forever.  My mom has already organized a baby shower for me back in Chicago!  I am thrilled about going back to catch up with some old friends I haven't seen in a while.  I also need to get my fix of Edward's Apple Orchard and Portillo's.  Can you tell I'm pregnant?! 

That's going to have to do it for me today.  My fingers are tired and my eyes are heavy, those kids sure can wear you out!  

Much love to all.