Well, I have another sinus infection. This one is REALLY bad. I still have pain in my jaw and I have been on antibiotics since Monday night. All the meds are taking a while to kick in and it's hard for me to sleep. I cough a lot and it's just not fun.
This is all just after I told one of the board members that I never take sick days. The difference here, though, is that I have no one else to care for Kathleen. So I work and work and then come home and take care of here. There is no rest time for me. I just can't keep up with it. I went from yesterday from 10-11:30 so I could nap. I had been up ALL night the night before with a cough and I was exhausted. I dropped Kathleen off at daycare at 8 instead of 7 today (she needed the extra rest too) and then had to meet with Dick Weniger from 9:30 - 11. He is the equivalent of a Superindendant of schools for us so I needed to meet him and talk about the school. Then I went back home and slept. I have no voice and it's so hard for me. I don't want to be at home. I want to be here at school. I slept for a couple of hours. Todd called (on purpose) so I could get up and get K from daycare. She had a rough day today too.
I did learn something new. For a month I've been lovingly making sandwiches or putting some ravioli or chicken breast or whatever in a container with some veggies and grapes or mandarin oranges. I would put a Go-Gurt in there... She LOVES those things... so I genuinely had fun packing her lunches. Then a day would come where I was out of something or we were running late and she would eat "hot lunch" -- and she'd eat BETTER those days! What I'd pack was what she'd eat well at home for supper... but apparently she didn't want that for lunch. So I bought the $.86 microwave "chicken nuggets and mac -n- cheese" meals -- and she LOVES those. I sent a lasagne one today because we were out of the chicken ones... she hated it... Live and learn. Cheap microwave meals (with an added Go-Gurt and some fruit) OR hot lunch for that girl. So crazy.
She is making strides in daycare. We get out of the house with NO blankets or snuggli or pacifier! She does have a pacifier at daycare and usually still needs it at naptime... somedays she gives it up after nap and somedays she doesn't. They are really working hard on teaching sign language and music. She does action songs and "sings" but I'm not sure what they are! It's pretty cute though. She can sign "please" and "thank you" in addition to "more" and "Milk" (which she already knew). They are working on learning colors, so I really have no idea now. It's very fun to watch.
I bought her some Crayola "TaDoodles" -- "markers" for toddlers. They make a huge mess... argh. BUT last night I stripped her down and put her in the empty tub. She could "color" anywhere and it washes away -- so that was a good solution. Next time we'll stick to the 'crayons'.
That's all for now. I'll post more pictures on dropshots as soon as I remember to bring my laptop over. Hope all is well with everyone else.
Showing posts with label daycare. Show all posts
Showing posts with label daycare. Show all posts
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Nearly Friday
I'm so happy it's nearly Friday. It's been strange to have this whole house to ourselves. Nice in the sense that I don't feel like we're imposing on them, but also hard because we're not in our own place and don't really feel "settled". And, really, we miss them. Kathleen even said "Maddie!" several times the other night. It was so cute. I hope she'll say it again when they get back home.
It was my hope to have an apartment lined up before the Phelans returned home from their trip. That's a little more challenging than I expected. There isn't much to pick from around here. Much of it is subsidised and we wouldn't 'qualify' (nor would I want to, I think!) for those apartments. There are several BEAUTIFUL, brand new complexes that have just opened -- but it's all senior living or assisted living. ARGH!! One place looked convenient since it is about 1/2 way between school and daycare; but a person on staff told me that they aren't the greatest apartments and from their website, they seem awful expensive. Their 2 bedroom apts are 850 sq ft for $650/mo; but Todd found apts that were 1200 sq ft for $690! THOSE are the nice ones -- and the ones with a waiting list. We are thinking about looking for duplexes to rent, but I'm really not sure how many there will be in this town (the population is only 50K. And unlike Appleton, it really IS only 50K. There aren't a lot of suburbs that all melt into it around here....)
I'm also praying that our house sells quickly. The whole process is stressing Todd out, I think. And transitioning Bucky to the Hanson's. We want things to go for them and for him, so it's hard to wait & see how they'll go. I think KPVI really is anxious to get Todd out here -- and, judging from some of their news coverage lately, they sure could USE him!!! But, mostly, I miss him and am more than ready for him to be out here!
Daycare is slowly getting better for K. Stills cries and screams when I drop her off in the mornings but then she plays and is fine. She even gave the asst. director a hug this afternoon. She was acting all shy and clingy when I picked her up this afternoon -- but then she was smiling as we were walking out of the building, so I really do believe that she has fun there. I left her there a lot longer than I had planned because I got busy at work and lost track of time, but that's probably a good thing for her. Still hoping next week goes better. She's eating better and sleeping longer, so I *think* that is a good sign! I think she's fighting off some sort of cold. Still has a runny nose and now is coughing. My poor girl!
My job is great. I spent a big part of the day working on a master schedule because last year some of the teachers who teach "specials" (music, Spanish, PE, etc) barely got a lunch break while other teachers had plenty of 'prep' time during the week. The workload wasn't fair so I tried my best to redo the schedule. I may actually end up teaching LESS (not sure if that's good, though) because many of our 'specials' are in the afternoon. Oh well! We'll see how it goes the first week or two. So far, so good on the teachers' feedback. I'm sure there are bound to be SOME sort of glitches.
More kids are enrolling! We especially need to fill the afternoon PS (3 year olds) and PK (4 year olds) because we're at like 2-4 kids in each class...and that's not really good. I've never seen a Lutheran school struggle to fill classes for little ones! But it's not unusual for the PS to add kids throughout the year. As soon as their child turns 3, parents think, "Maybe I should sign them up for preschool". Nevermind that it's not typically how schools do it. OH well. We'll still take them!
I'm enjoying the chance to get to know most of my staff better. They are so positive and are genuinely willing to try new things. It's so nice. You have NO idea. Well, OK, maybe Jodie can imagine since she was out at St Paul's for VBS this summer!
That's all I have for tonight.
- Tanya
It was my hope to have an apartment lined up before the Phelans returned home from their trip. That's a little more challenging than I expected. There isn't much to pick from around here. Much of it is subsidised and we wouldn't 'qualify' (nor would I want to, I think!) for those apartments. There are several BEAUTIFUL, brand new complexes that have just opened -- but it's all senior living or assisted living. ARGH!! One place looked convenient since it is about 1/2 way between school and daycare; but a person on staff told me that they aren't the greatest apartments and from their website, they seem awful expensive. Their 2 bedroom apts are 850 sq ft for $650/mo; but Todd found apts that were 1200 sq ft for $690! THOSE are the nice ones -- and the ones with a waiting list. We are thinking about looking for duplexes to rent, but I'm really not sure how many there will be in this town (the population is only 50K. And unlike Appleton, it really IS only 50K. There aren't a lot of suburbs that all melt into it around here....)
I'm also praying that our house sells quickly. The whole process is stressing Todd out, I think. And transitioning Bucky to the Hanson's. We want things to go for them and for him, so it's hard to wait & see how they'll go. I think KPVI really is anxious to get Todd out here -- and, judging from some of their news coverage lately, they sure could USE him!!! But, mostly, I miss him and am more than ready for him to be out here!
Daycare is slowly getting better for K. Stills cries and screams when I drop her off in the mornings but then she plays and is fine. She even gave the asst. director a hug this afternoon. She was acting all shy and clingy when I picked her up this afternoon -- but then she was smiling as we were walking out of the building, so I really do believe that she has fun there. I left her there a lot longer than I had planned because I got busy at work and lost track of time, but that's probably a good thing for her. Still hoping next week goes better. She's eating better and sleeping longer, so I *think* that is a good sign! I think she's fighting off some sort of cold. Still has a runny nose and now is coughing. My poor girl!
My job is great. I spent a big part of the day working on a master schedule because last year some of the teachers who teach "specials" (music, Spanish, PE, etc) barely got a lunch break while other teachers had plenty of 'prep' time during the week. The workload wasn't fair so I tried my best to redo the schedule. I may actually end up teaching LESS (not sure if that's good, though) because many of our 'specials' are in the afternoon. Oh well! We'll see how it goes the first week or two. So far, so good on the teachers' feedback. I'm sure there are bound to be SOME sort of glitches.
More kids are enrolling! We especially need to fill the afternoon PS (3 year olds) and PK (4 year olds) because we're at like 2-4 kids in each class...and that's not really good. I've never seen a Lutheran school struggle to fill classes for little ones! But it's not unusual for the PS to add kids throughout the year. As soon as their child turns 3, parents think, "Maybe I should sign them up for preschool". Nevermind that it's not typically how schools do it. OH well. We'll still take them!
I'm enjoying the chance to get to know most of my staff better. They are so positive and are genuinely willing to try new things. It's so nice. You have NO idea. Well, OK, maybe Jodie can imagine since she was out at St Paul's for VBS this summer!
That's all I have for tonight.
- Tanya
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
A Different Perspective
Things are busy as usual here. K is slowly adjusting to daycare...as in, today was a little better than yesterday. I think the biggest hurdle is just how tired she is. She napped a little longer today (almost an hour) but she had been up since 6:30 and didn't nap until 12:30! Yikes! They said it took a little while to get her to finally fall asleep. I know sooner or later it will be routine. I pray for sooner.
I brought lemonade and cookies to her teachers this afternoon when I picked her up. Not just because I feel bad that she's having such a hard time and they have to listen to it all -- but because I know what it's like when a new child comes into a room (since there were a few of them like that in my 3 years in the Infant Room at CrossView). I wanted them to feel appreciated so that they'd continue to remain positive about her. I just want them to see the happy, bubbly, outgoing side of her. I'm bringing donuts and juice for her morning teachers because they REALLY have to listen to her wail when she gets dropped off. Sometimes I wish they had a webcam in the room just for my own sanity. I don't have any doubts about the quality of care she's getting -- I just want to reassure myself she's NOT crying. I do call and check on her, but I limit it to once a day. So, we'll see. Perhaps, if all goes alright for the rest of the school year, she will have to go to daycare once or twice a week during the summer so she's not completely OUT of the routine. They do have a 'drop in' program where you can pay by the hour if you call and reserve a spot in advance. I love that. I hope that they don't do away with that!
As we were getting ready this a.m. and I was feeding her breakfast and getting our lunches made, I had Good Morning America turned on and they were promoting an interview with Steven Curtis Chapman. I've always loved his music -- for years and years and have seen him in concert a couple of times. I know I'd read about the tragic accident where his 5 year old daughter was killed but I didn't get to see the interview because we had to leave.
I looked up the interview online. Here is the link. Warning, though, I bawled my eyes out. It definitely gives you a different perspective about life and what a gift children are. http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Story?id=5519704&page=1
That's all I have for now. Must go work on some more scheduling issues. I love being principal. No, seriously, I love it. I could do this type of thing all day. Most of the teachers have been very positive about my suggestions. We'll see how long it lasts, but I'm grateful they're willing to make some small changes. Yea!
I brought lemonade and cookies to her teachers this afternoon when I picked her up. Not just because I feel bad that she's having such a hard time and they have to listen to it all -- but because I know what it's like when a new child comes into a room (since there were a few of them like that in my 3 years in the Infant Room at CrossView). I wanted them to feel appreciated so that they'd continue to remain positive about her. I just want them to see the happy, bubbly, outgoing side of her. I'm bringing donuts and juice for her morning teachers because they REALLY have to listen to her wail when she gets dropped off. Sometimes I wish they had a webcam in the room just for my own sanity. I don't have any doubts about the quality of care she's getting -- I just want to reassure myself she's NOT crying. I do call and check on her, but I limit it to once a day. So, we'll see. Perhaps, if all goes alright for the rest of the school year, she will have to go to daycare once or twice a week during the summer so she's not completely OUT of the routine. They do have a 'drop in' program where you can pay by the hour if you call and reserve a spot in advance. I love that. I hope that they don't do away with that!
As we were getting ready this a.m. and I was feeding her breakfast and getting our lunches made, I had Good Morning America turned on and they were promoting an interview with Steven Curtis Chapman. I've always loved his music -- for years and years and have seen him in concert a couple of times. I know I'd read about the tragic accident where his 5 year old daughter was killed but I didn't get to see the interview because we had to leave.
I looked up the interview online. Here is the link. Warning, though, I bawled my eyes out. It definitely gives you a different perspective about life and what a gift children are. http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Story?id=5519704&page=1
That's all I have for now. Must go work on some more scheduling issues. I love being principal. No, seriously, I love it. I could do this type of thing all day. Most of the teachers have been very positive about my suggestions. We'll see how long it lasts, but I'm grateful they're willing to make some small changes. Yea!
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