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Monday, January 25, 2010

mp-white chicken chili

A week ago I bought a packet of seasonings for White Chicken Chili. I took the chicken out to defrost and put off making it for several days. I finally got around to making it and fixed an alternative dinner for the rest of the family (french bread pizza). The chili turned out delicious and Logan and Brian both tried it and really liked it.

It was super easy and a pretty cheap meal to make. It probably had way too much sodium, since it was a package of seasonings, but for a quick, warm and inexpensive meal, it wasn't too bad. (Just checked the receipt and it was a total of $3. I would probably need to double it for all of us to eat, but even $6 isn't too bad for a meal that took 15 minutes to make.)

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Happy 1st Birthday Miss B!!!

Sarah Grass Andrews




Today is the first birthday of a very special, very loved, little girl. Her mommy is a blogger friend of mine and has generously shared the first year of her beloved daughter's life with me. I may never really get the chance to actually meet them, but they are on my list of people to go visit if I ever had the time and funds, although not during the winter.

I am CERTAIN that they are having an amazing day and soaking up every moment of her first day in Year 1. The first birthday is such an incredible day. As a parent you are thrilled at all of the growth and change. You can't believe how quickly they've grown and are a tad uneasy about the upcoming changes, although you also can't wait to see them continue to grow and learn. To think back to the first day of their little lives, a year ago, and remember the feelings that overwhelmed you then-words do not do justice to the emotions that a parent feels as their babies grow. The birthday is just a time to stop, reflect and rejoice!

Happy Birthday Miss B! S & B, great job!!

Saturday, January 9, 2010

Schedules

With my new job and Ciera's new school have come some scheduling issues. We are picking our way around them and every day has a bit of a different solution.

Ciera is now attending a school that she LOVES, but it's located 20 minutes from our house. Her hours are 8:15-2:15. She has 1 minimum day per month which lets out at 11:40.

Logan is still at the Montessori. His hours are 8:10-3:00-about 5-7 minutes from our house. He has several minimum days per month that let out at 12:30. Typically I've been the minimum day mom and pick up several children on minimum days while their parents are working.

My job was supposed to be 7:50-2:00. I let them know in my interview that those hours would no longer work for me, so they adapted my hours to 8:15-2:25.

Brian leaves the house every morning at 6am and returns at 4. His commute is much longer than any of us.

So, here's are solution. Ciera and I leave the house at 7:30, I drop her off and then head back to Lincoln for my job. Logan is getting a ride to school to school with a neighbor and is currently ok with that set up (he gets his text messaging paid for not complaining about it). I get off at 2:25, 3-4 times a week I pick up a child at my school at 2:40, then we head to Logan's school to him and his friend up. I then drop off the 2 brothers. I've clearly left Ciera's pick up out of this discussion. We are still not sure what to do with that yet. For a while at least, Brian will be leaving work 1 1/2 early to pick her up (with 3 furloughs a month that he can use however he wants, this is currently working). On days that he can't leave early (like next T, Th) I will either pick her up at 2:40 or 3:30. We 'think' it will work out. Her best friend lives walking distance from the school and that is what she chose to do all of last week, so hopefully it will be fine.

Minimum days are a bit trickier. For Ciera, either she'll hang out with her friend, Brian will take a furlough day or we'll see if Grandma would like some Ciera time.

Minimum days for Logan were ok when I had my previous position. My lunch was at 12:25 and it was just enough time to pick the boys up and drop them off (the other mom is off at 1). However, with this position my lunch is supposed to be at 11:00. We may be able to move my lunch around on minimum days or I may just have to pick them up a little early-not really sure yet how we'll work that one out.

My school's yearly calendar doesn't quite match up with Ciera's and Logan's. Logan gets out the end of May, I get out the beginning of June and Ciera will get out mid-June. Also, Spring Break is on different weeks-not the best, but it's not the worst.

So it's not perfect, but it's pretty darn good considering I'm no longer at home at their beckon call.

Friday, January 8, 2010

mp-new job

My subbing at the school in November, led to a full day temporary sub in Dec/Jan and I just signed the papers today for my full day PERMANENT aide today. I should get to come back next year as well, unless the budget stuff bumps me from the position. I even get benefits! The downside is I have to leave the boy I'd been... working with and move to another classroom-great teacher and sweet kids though.

Saturday, January 2, 2010

mp-New Years Day, 2010

Got the garage all cleaned up, organized and turned into 'Logan's Hang-out' complete with leveled pool table and his new Basketball shot game. Cleared out a bunch of stuff, hoping to find homes for it all, replaced all the burnt out light bulbs and am almost ready for family to come tomorrow. Imagine how productive I could've been if I hadn't read all day!