It was a good day at work and by that I mean it was productive and I feel like I accomplished something.
Rhymetime this morning was busy, again. Yay. I am averaging around 26 children to the Tuesday session. Today there were quite a few new faces, including a brand new baby (9 days old). Quite a few of the regulars are having bubs, when they arrive I feel very lucky to be able greet these new faces and welcome them to Rhymetime (awake, or asleep, lol).
I had three mums tell me I looked 22yrs old. Two of them were gobsmacked when they overheard me discussing my kidlets with another parent (or two, I love talking about my kids). One had gone so far as to suggest I go and become a Kindy Teacher and so we were talking about my qualifications (because she was impressed with the session and wanted to know what experience I had) and I mentioned that I considered my own children to be valuable experience, and when she asked me how many/how old they were she nearly dropped off her seat. It is quite amusing to see people's reactions, and I have now had so many people say the same thing about my age that I really must accept that I look 9 years younger than I am! Nice!
Must be my chubby cheeks.
When it was suggested I become a Teacher I said 'no thanks'. I have had the same thing said to me before, many times in fact, but I realised that one of the things I enjoy most about this job is that I deal with ages 0 - 17 years, I am not restricted to one age group. Also, I see the kids for an hour or two a day, whereas Teachers spend 6 hours per day with the same kids, every day for 40 weeks or so of the year. I think I would get bored as a Teacher.
Something that I believe my regular parents have appreciated is that I have made an effort to remember their child's name. Of course, sometimes I forget, especially if they have been away for a while, but if they come for two or three weeks in a row I usually remember. I like being able to say 'Hello ...." when I see them in the shopping centre, or when they arrive at Rhymetime or whatever session they come to. However, the parents names are a whole other story. Sometimes I remember, often I don't even ask, and so I know them by their children - 'Hi Tiffany's mum', 'excuse me, Christina's nanna' lol.
Continuing on from my enjoyable morning, I assisted in the rearranging of our Branch library this afternoon, which was very physically tiring. So tiring that I went to bed at 8pm when Matt and Will did, slept for two hours, and then have gotten up again to finish housework and have computer time. I told Scott I was going to bed and he seemed concerned, but I just explained that it had been a tough day for my poor old body (so of course that got the response 'you're not old, mum'). I set the kitchen alarm for him so he would know when to go to bed (because if I didn't he would still be down here playing the computer). If I leave him to it he is very good about doing what he is told, not sure why it has to be any different to when I am standing over him telling him to go to bed (for the tenth time), but it is.
so there you go, that's the day done.
Matthew now says his name. His favourite game is bumping balloons around in the air or playing catch and throw with them.
Kindy routine - when we arrive in the morning I sign Matt in, then he comes and helps me put his stuff away. By this, I mean I put his bag in his cubby and he takes his nappies (or his 'bum' as he calls them) and I help him put them in his nappy cubby. Then he sits on the little toilet in the change room, with his pants still on. But he says 'wee' and points to the toilet and I encourage him to sit on it, I figure it is good practice. After that we always go and wash and dry our hands because he has 'been' to the toilet. He likes this best and would happily stand with his hands under the running water for a while, but I encourage him back out in to the play area and get him settled so I can go.
Matt occasionally sits on his potty at home. On Sunday night he had a bare bum (had gotten out of the bath and was doing his usual nuddy run) and he said 'wee' so I got the potty and sat him on it and after a couple of goes (on, off, on, off, on) he did a wee. Then he ran off before I could cheer, lol. Tonight he brought his nappy to me to put on, so I got his potty and suggested he sit on it first, which he did (on, off, on, off, etc), but he didn't produce anything. It is all good. I am not going to pressure him, especially since it is still cold and the kindy and I have already discussed starting the intensive work in September (which is only a week away!).
Scott and Will got your emails, Scott has replied, not sure about Will. They are both excited about the trip to Queensland.
your wife
