Getting Used to a New Schedule

I always knew that I wanted to take time off of teaching when I started having kids.  I wanted to be home with them during their first years. Plus, let's face it, the cost of daycare just about negates my meager teaching salary.

But, of course, the teacher in me missed the classroom.  Which is why, last year, I came upon a perfect solution: working at a starter hybrid homeschool.  As much as it was a perfect fit for me, unfortunately they are taking a "yearlong hiatus" to work on finding a better location, increase marketing, and up enrollment numbers.

I was looking forward to being able to spend more time with my kiddos -  but when I found out about a very-part-time easy-peasy position at a nearby YMCA to work in the Yplay, where I could bring my kids AND get a free membership (which would help greatly during the winter marathon training months) - I just couldn't resist!

At the same time, I felt compelled to tell the director of Lissie's preschool that I would love to be a substitute teacher, and lo and behold, I somehow end up teaching the supplemental Wednesday class for the two-year-olds - which now includes Xavier!  So far, I'm loving working with five little young'ens each week - playing, singing, and doing crafts.

So, let's just say that after a very loose and carefree summer, it's been an interesting transition to the new schedule and routine.  Lissie's often worn out after a long day at preschool, Xavier's starting to get used to school himself, Justin's having to do the always fun bedtime routine solo more often, and I'm trying to figure out how to juggle meals, chores, marathon training, and my two jobs.  It can definitely make for some long days for us all.

I know, I know.  I brought this on to myself.  And, for the most part, I think that this is a great thing. I love that I can bring my kids to both places of work, and that they also enjoy going with me.  

My primary concern now, of course, is when can I find time to sew?  Haha.

Happy Birthday, Mama Mary!

After spending the night at Lola's house over the weekend, Lissie informed me that Mama Mary's birthday was coming up.  I had totally forgotten about this special feast day, and since Lissie brought it up and wanted to celebrate, who was I to deny her?  I want my children to learn to love the Church and the saints and the feasts - especially since I truly believe that the heart of parenthood is to bring our children closer to God.  What better way to do this than to celebrate the Mother of Jesus' birthday?

We started the day by singing Mary songs and watching short videos about her.  We made birthday cards, and Lissie was thrilled to learn how to spell Mary's name!  We then went to the grocery store to buy ingredients for Mary's birthday cake (I'll admit that I'm sort of using this as an excuse to make a sweet potato cake to use up the sweet potatoes we got from our CSA share this past week), and of course we had to make a pitstop at the playground since today was a perfect fall day.

Watching a Mary video on the laptop.

Making birthday cards!

If you try really hard, you can sort of see "MArY" written in blue on the top right.
It's a little disjointed, but I think Mary would like it!

After lunch, the kids helped me make the cake....or rather, lick the bowls and spatulas clean.

We ended the day by saying a Hail Mary prayer for each of the ten candles (to represent a decade of the rosary) we placed on the cake.  And what's a party without singing Happy Birthday?  The kids LOVED it, and I loved that they were eagerly learning more about Jesus' mother.

Xavier wasn't exactly keen on having to pray a Hail Mary for each candle.

But he did enjoy having a turn putting a candle on the cake.

Singing Happy Birthday, Mama Mary

Blowing out the candles

And I just found this pic on my phone.  I guess daddy was more excited about Mary's birthday than I thought.  

Lissie told me that she really wishes that she could go to Heaven to celebrate the day with Mary, but I told her that celebrating with our family is the next best thing.  She was also a little sad that Mary wasn't able to eat the yummy cake, but we assured her that Mary's celebrating up in Heaven with her Holy Family and all of the saints.

Happy happy birthday, Mama Mary!

Queen of the family, Pray for us!