Here's what really happened

I did NOT manage to get back to the blog to update about work (going well), Ciera's school situation (also going well-couldn't be happier) and how things are going for Logan (good days and bad days, but he's loving basketball and his new Itouch).

Here's how I actually spent my 5 days off.

Thursday: watched some tv, napped a bit, did a bit of laundry and carted Ciera around to dental appointments. Logan had basketball practice in the evening and I 'think' I went and watched.

Friday:Logan and I saw Lightning Thief and I didn't even think about how much I paid to get in (the sign of a truly enjoyable movie). We stopped by a cupcake store and splurged on expensive cupcakes (they weren't really worth the $2.75 price tag, now we know). We then picked Ciera up from school. We've all been battling colds and by Friday night mine was winning. Thankfully Ciera's basketball game was canceled and I napped through the headache. I can't remember doing anything else productive, probably a load of laundry, but who's counting.

Saturday:Logan had a basketball game and it was another nail biter. Logan has generally been on losing teams and he is enjoying his team's wins immensely. At some point by Saturday afternoon the kitchen got all cleaned up (could've happened on Friday though). I'm not sure why I'm having such a tough time remembering what happened all weekend. I picked Ciera up from a movie and we hustled butt to get her to her basketball game. After basketball we picked up Ciera's friend and headed to Brian's parents for his dad's birthday dinner. We had a great time and enjoyed visiting with everyone. Brian's cousin and family also made it up for dinner.

Sunday:Ciera had softball practice and Logan had his cousin's come play. I dropped Ciera off to see another movie (13 is expensive) and I ran some errands while waiting for her. I then got to drive several of her friends home as well. Sunday night I vacuumed the living room, the couch and under the couch. The kids and I watched a movie as well. More laundry was done.

Monday:I headed to physical therapy in the am and Ciera headed to the snow with her friends. Brian and I watched Inglorius Bastards, finally, and I did more laundry (it's all done for now though). I also attacked Ciera's room and got it rearranged and cleaned.

On the mental list there were many things that did not get done: cleaning the entire house all in 1 day, putting away the winter decor, finishing my book, Safeway shopping, Costco trip and getting to the gym. I'm confident they will all get done before my next week off for Spring Break. Perhaps the blog will even get updated by then.

5 day weekend!!

The school I am working at combined the 2 presidential holidays and a zero day to give us a 5 day weekend. Neither of my kids have the same schedule though. Logan has a 4 day weekend and Ciera has 2, 3 day weekends.

I have been desperately needing this little break. Although my house has managed to stay 'picked up', and I've been spot cleaning, I have not done a total house clean since Christmas and I'm thrilled to have found the time to do it-hopefully later this morning.

I also hope to get back and really update on what's been going on, but here's a brief look at how we plan to spend the days off.

Thursday:
Regular day for everyone except me. I slept in 30 minutes, watched some morning tv and my plan is to read, clean the house and take Logan hot lunch.
Pick up Ciera early for ortho and cleaning visits.
Take Ciera to hit.
Dinner
Basketball with Logan.

Friday:
Regular day for everyone except me and Logan. I will again sleep in about 30-45 minutes.
Logan and I are going to see The Lightning Thief.
Take Ciera a hot lunch.
Maybe Ciera has volleyball tryouts? (need to find out about this on Thursday)
Ciera has a basketball game.
Logan has basketball practice.

Saturday:
Logan has a basketball game.
Ciera has a basketball game.
Family Dinner to celebrate Papa's birthday-not sure what's on the menu, but I have a few guesses.

Sunday:
Sleep in, read, watch movies, finish cleaning the house (if I wasn't successful on Thurs or Fri) and do laundry.
Ciera has softball practice.
Cook an amazing Valentine's Dinner? (I find Valentine's Day to be a nuisance of a holiday)

Monday:
We are all off this day and plan on sleeping in a bit.
Physical Therapy at 9:30
Softball lesson/copies at 11:30
Brian has a dental appt at 3.
Ciera has basketball practice at 7
Gear up for the week

I have left off most of our meals and I'm sure there will be some cross-activities and some grocery shopping.

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.)

Happy 1st Birthday Miss B!!!

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!!

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.

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.

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!