It is already March and there is no sign of spring coming. We have no school today because the windchill is -10 or -14 and people could get frostbite in 10 minutes. It is almost too cold to open the door and let the dog out. I am so ready for nicer weather. I need to get outside and do my trainings outside. This indoor stuff is making me super depressed.
I am starting my 5th week of training. Last week was considered a recovery week where we didn't do as much running basically. I was hoping for a great start to the week and get my 18.5 mile bike ride in first thing in the morning, get the kids to school and then get my swim in. Well, first school was canceled and then Simone started throwing up continuously from 12:30 until 4:45 when she finally fell asleep for an hour, then she woke up and has now puked three more times. It's awesome. I got about two hours of sleep and I am one cranky mama. Through all the puking and laundry starting and Simone crying, Dave didn't hear anything. He slept all night perfectly. He got up at 5am, got ready to go to the gym and then realized I wasn't in bed with him. Needless to say, he didn't go to the gym because I made him stay home to keep watch on Simone while I got about 30 minutes of sleep.
I find it so interesting how each of the kids are so different when they are sick. Samuel is the best sick kid ever. He lays on the couch, sleeps, pukes in trash cans and is perfect. Joseph just now started puking in a trashcan, is cranky and demanding, won't relax, yells at everyone and just overall is a pain in the ass when he is sick. This is really the first time Simone has been sick where she is throwing up continuously. She is extremely afraid of throwing up in trashcan or in a big bowl. She prefers to grab a towel, shove her face in it and then puke. Luckily she has nothing in her system, so she is just throwing up water or pedialyte. We have gone through I don't know how many towels this morning. I am already on my third load with at least three more to do. We are pretty much out of towels at the point. After she throws up though she puts her face in her hands and just shakes her head. She has done this every time. It is kind of funny. So far she is pretty easy. I am hoping she will go back to bed soon because she got just as much sleep as I did.
I am finishing up my first cup of coffee and I am keeping my fingers crossed that I will not get this stomach bug that Simone has. Yuck!
Here's hoping that the week just keeps getting better and better.
Monday, March 3, 2014
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
Week 3 of Training
I have begun my third week of training for the half ironman. February 8th I did my first triathlon. It was the Indoor Triathlon at the JCC in St. Louis. I picked the sprint distance because I had never done one before and I was really nervous. It was a 400 meter swim, 8 mile bike ride and 2.5 mile run. I feel pretty happy with how I did. I finished in about 50 minutes. I was really nervous about how I would feel after the swim, but I actually felt great and my legs weren't tired at all for the biking portion. I really pushed my run too and finished the 2.5 miles in 21 minutes.
After I felt great, but by the evening my hip flexor was really bothering me on my right side. I thought stretching it would help, but it didn't do much. Then I decided to run 8 miles on Sunday morning and I think that was way too much on a hurt hip. I could barely lift my leg up on Sunday night and then my right calf muscle started spasming. The pull in my hip just started causing problems with my whole right side. I ended up swimming last Monday and did one 30 minute bike ride and one 3 mile run and that was it until this past Sunday. I really took it easy because the last thing I wanted was to really pull something.
This week has started off great though. On Sunday I biked for an hour, Monday I ran for 45 minutes and then swam about 1200 meters and then today I took a spinning class and got there early so I could do 25 miles on the bike. So far I am feel great. I am starting a paleo type diet tomorrow and I am going to try to keep it up for about 2 weeks and see if I get more energy. I typically eat pretty healthy, but I love snacking and eating chocolate and salty foods. I am hoping with having a pretty strict diet I will stop craving all the nasty foods I want all the time.
I can't believe that I only have 16 weeks before the big day. I am getting nervous about the increased time commitment. I am already finding it hard to keep up with the household work, grocery shopping and errand running while trying to fit in my workouts when the kids are at school. I just keep telling myself that this a once and a lifetime goal and I can do it all!!!! Positive thinking.
I am off to do some sit-ups and read and then in 40 minutes I have to pick Samuel up from school.
After I felt great, but by the evening my hip flexor was really bothering me on my right side. I thought stretching it would help, but it didn't do much. Then I decided to run 8 miles on Sunday morning and I think that was way too much on a hurt hip. I could barely lift my leg up on Sunday night and then my right calf muscle started spasming. The pull in my hip just started causing problems with my whole right side. I ended up swimming last Monday and did one 30 minute bike ride and one 3 mile run and that was it until this past Sunday. I really took it easy because the last thing I wanted was to really pull something.
This week has started off great though. On Sunday I biked for an hour, Monday I ran for 45 minutes and then swam about 1200 meters and then today I took a spinning class and got there early so I could do 25 miles on the bike. So far I am feel great. I am starting a paleo type diet tomorrow and I am going to try to keep it up for about 2 weeks and see if I get more energy. I typically eat pretty healthy, but I love snacking and eating chocolate and salty foods. I am hoping with having a pretty strict diet I will stop craving all the nasty foods I want all the time.
I can't believe that I only have 16 weeks before the big day. I am getting nervous about the increased time commitment. I am already finding it hard to keep up with the household work, grocery shopping and errand running while trying to fit in my workouts when the kids are at school. I just keep telling myself that this a once and a lifetime goal and I can do it all!!!! Positive thinking.
I am off to do some sit-ups and read and then in 40 minutes I have to pick Samuel up from school.
Friday, February 7, 2014
Birthday Boy!
I have no idea why it is so hard for me to sit down and write on here. I am always thinking of things to write about, but the days just fly by and I never get around to it.
Today is Joseph's 4th birthday. He is so excited about being four. I think he feels like he is truly becoming a big boy now. Thank goodness. To say that three was an easy year would be a complete lie. I have never dealt with a more spirited, opinionated, cranky, demanding, passionate and astute child. He has such an advanced thought process and I am always shocked at how thoroughly he thinks things through. For instance, we are having his birthday party this Sunday at the zoo. I gave all the invitations to his teachers so they could pass them out to all the kids. When I was putting Joseph to bed later that week he looks at me and says that he doesn't want anyone to come to his party unless they are wearing black, orange or pink (his favorite color is orange, I am not sure why he picked black, but he thought the girls would be happy with pink). I told him that the invitations were already out, so I can't tell people that they have to wear a certain color. He thought about it for a little bit and then said, "You can just email or text all the parents and tell them what to wear." The fact that he doesn't give up and always has a solution for any obstacle is amazing to me. He is going to keep us on our toes. He really surprises me all the time. I can never predict how he will react in any situation. When I think he will be shy, he is very confident.
I really look forward to seeing how he grows and changes. He is so unpredictable. We are learning to deal with this crazy unbelievably smart little boy. I get more and more grey hairs the older he gets.
I have a new goal. I have started training for a half-ironman. I have signed up for the Lawrence, KS Half-Ironman on June 8th. I have 17 weeks to go. I am going to try to post at least once a week about my progress, struggles and experiences. For those of you who don't know a half-ironman is a 1.2 mile swim, 54 mile bike ride and 13.1 mile run. I feel like I am a little nuts attempting to do this, but I also couldnt' wait to set such a high goal. This would be such an accomplishment if I am able to finish. I really am just hoping that I can finish. This is so scary, but I can't wait. What I am most nervous about it getting in all the training and not really disrupting home life. I am trying to exercise in the morning or when the kids are at school. So far I am feeling great. Other then all the exercise, I am concerned about nutrition. I am mostly a pretty healthy eater, but I struggle with sugar and carbs. I love them both. I need more veggies, fruits and whole grains. Stay tuned for me Ironman journey.
Today is Joseph's 4th birthday. He is so excited about being four. I think he feels like he is truly becoming a big boy now. Thank goodness. To say that three was an easy year would be a complete lie. I have never dealt with a more spirited, opinionated, cranky, demanding, passionate and astute child. He has such an advanced thought process and I am always shocked at how thoroughly he thinks things through. For instance, we are having his birthday party this Sunday at the zoo. I gave all the invitations to his teachers so they could pass them out to all the kids. When I was putting Joseph to bed later that week he looks at me and says that he doesn't want anyone to come to his party unless they are wearing black, orange or pink (his favorite color is orange, I am not sure why he picked black, but he thought the girls would be happy with pink). I told him that the invitations were already out, so I can't tell people that they have to wear a certain color. He thought about it for a little bit and then said, "You can just email or text all the parents and tell them what to wear." The fact that he doesn't give up and always has a solution for any obstacle is amazing to me. He is going to keep us on our toes. He really surprises me all the time. I can never predict how he will react in any situation. When I think he will be shy, he is very confident.
I really look forward to seeing how he grows and changes. He is so unpredictable. We are learning to deal with this crazy unbelievably smart little boy. I get more and more grey hairs the older he gets.
I have a new goal. I have started training for a half-ironman. I have signed up for the Lawrence, KS Half-Ironman on June 8th. I have 17 weeks to go. I am going to try to post at least once a week about my progress, struggles and experiences. For those of you who don't know a half-ironman is a 1.2 mile swim, 54 mile bike ride and 13.1 mile run. I feel like I am a little nuts attempting to do this, but I also couldnt' wait to set such a high goal. This would be such an accomplishment if I am able to finish. I really am just hoping that I can finish. This is so scary, but I can't wait. What I am most nervous about it getting in all the training and not really disrupting home life. I am trying to exercise in the morning or when the kids are at school. So far I am feeling great. Other then all the exercise, I am concerned about nutrition. I am mostly a pretty healthy eater, but I struggle with sugar and carbs. I love them both. I need more veggies, fruits and whole grains. Stay tuned for me Ironman journey.
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
Happy New Year!
Wow! It is already 2014. Unbelievable how time just seems to be zooming by. The beginning of 2014 has been interesting so far. We got an amazing snow storm, which brought us at least 10 inches of snow and negative temperatures. We have been stuck in this house for a good three days and I think we are all losing our mind. The kids want to play outside, but with the temperature literally negative 8 and the windchill making it even colder the risk for frostbite is very high. Fortunately today the high is supposed to be in the 20's, so we may be able to get out.
There hasn't been school for two days and Joseph has had a fever for the last two days. I am on the verge of losing my mind! Although Joseph is sick he still continues to tell everyone what to do, yell about everything and whine about everything. He is a terrible sick kid. Samuel is antagonizing him which makes it even worse. They might kill each other, which at this point I am okay with.
Simone is also becoming a little Joseph. She loves telling her brothers what to do. It is actually kind of funny. She yells at Samuel not to suck his thumb and she tells them to go to their rooms if they fight with each other. She is talking non-stop from the time she wakes up.
Overall, even though I feel like I am losing my mind being stuck in the house with the kids it is nice to spend time with them. I don't have to worry about going to work and dealing with bosses and deadlines.
My goal for 2014 is to be more positive. I am going to try to write more, so this blog can be my bitchy outlet. Hopefully if I write out all my irritations, frustrations and insecurities I will be more positive in my daily life.
I am off to play with the kids and try to get them to pretend like they are in school!
There hasn't been school for two days and Joseph has had a fever for the last two days. I am on the verge of losing my mind! Although Joseph is sick he still continues to tell everyone what to do, yell about everything and whine about everything. He is a terrible sick kid. Samuel is antagonizing him which makes it even worse. They might kill each other, which at this point I am okay with.
Simone is also becoming a little Joseph. She loves telling her brothers what to do. It is actually kind of funny. She yells at Samuel not to suck his thumb and she tells them to go to their rooms if they fight with each other. She is talking non-stop from the time she wakes up.
Overall, even though I feel like I am losing my mind being stuck in the house with the kids it is nice to spend time with them. I don't have to worry about going to work and dealing with bosses and deadlines.
My goal for 2014 is to be more positive. I am going to try to write more, so this blog can be my bitchy outlet. Hopefully if I write out all my irritations, frustrations and insecurities I will be more positive in my daily life.
I am off to play with the kids and try to get them to pretend like they are in school!
Monday, September 30, 2013
Conversations with the boys
Kids say the funniest things. Sometimes it is frustrating when you can't get through to them or they just outright ignore you. I always wondering what is going on inside of their heads and what their thought process actually looks like.
Here are a few conversations with the boys from the last few weeks.
Conversation #1
Joseph for a while was waking up very early in the morning, I am talking about like 4 am. I am very sensitive to light when I am sleeping so any amount of light always wakes me up. Anyway, I would wake up and the lights in our kitchen and living room would all be on, so the whole house would be illuminated. When I would come out into the family room Joseph would be on the couch wide awake. I would have to walk him back to his room and get him to go back to sleep, which only lasted a few more hours. So after I few nights of him waking up I had a conversation with him before he went to bed:
Me: Joseph, you know you really need to sleep all night in your bed, so you are rested in the morning.
Joseph: But, I am awake and I don't want to sleep anymore in my bed.
Me: Well, then you need to stay in your room until everyone else gets up because when you wake up in the middle of the night and turn on all the lights every where you are waking me up and you might wake up Samuel and Simone too. They really need their sleep too.
Joseph: If the light bothers you, then just shut your door and you won't have to worry about me getting up.
It was a smart solution and good point. He ended up sleeping in his bed and not getting up until his normal 6 am wake up time, which is still too freaking early.
Conversation #2
You know sometimes when you are having a talk with your kids and you actually feel like you are getting through to them. Well, I felt like a total rock star parent one night. Joseph and I normally have talks about his school day at night when I am putting him to bed.
Me: Do you have any new friends at school?
J: No, not really. But there is a new boy in class. His first name starts with an O.
Me: Have you talked to O? Is he nice?
J: No, he cries all the time.
Me: Maybe he cries because he is at a new school and he doesn't really know anyone. He probably misses his mom and dad.
J: Yeah, probably.
Me: Maybe you should talk to him and tell him that it will be alright. You could tell him that his mom will pick him up after school and he will be okay, just like your mom picks you up from school. Maybe he just needs a friend since he is new. You think you could help him out a little bit?
Joseph looks at me like he is taking it all in. The look he was giving me was like I just said the smartest thing ever and he was totally going to go up to this boy tomorrow and be so nice.
Joseph's response after sitting there for a minute taking in everything I said: Yeah, I'm not saying any of that to him.
Great. Parent failure number who knows what.
Conversation #3
Last night the kids were playing and Joseph called someone a "stupid dumb dumb head". I told him that we don't use that language and it is not nice to call people names. I told him that I didn't want to hear him say that again.
Then Samuel stepped in: Well at least he didn't say FUCK!
Me: What the...heck, Samuel! You never say that word. Where in the world did you hear that?
(Usually that would be something that I would say, but I really have been watching my language a lot since kids. This was definitely a regular vocabulary word for me pre-kids).
Samuel: I heard it on a video. I have kept it secret for a really long time.
Me: That word is very inappropriate. Go upstairs and take a little break.
He proceeded to go upstairs and told Dave what he said. He felt absolutely terrible and was crying. Dave talked to him about words that some adults may use which are still not right and kids should not say them either. He apologized and felt terrible. I was so shocked that for once I had no idea how to handle the situation. I probably should have had a conversation with him right away but I was just dumbfounded. I never would have thought he would have said that word.
Those are the conversations we have been having lately. We are learning so much and apparently so are the kids.
Here are a few conversations with the boys from the last few weeks.
Conversation #1
Joseph for a while was waking up very early in the morning, I am talking about like 4 am. I am very sensitive to light when I am sleeping so any amount of light always wakes me up. Anyway, I would wake up and the lights in our kitchen and living room would all be on, so the whole house would be illuminated. When I would come out into the family room Joseph would be on the couch wide awake. I would have to walk him back to his room and get him to go back to sleep, which only lasted a few more hours. So after I few nights of him waking up I had a conversation with him before he went to bed:
Me: Joseph, you know you really need to sleep all night in your bed, so you are rested in the morning.
Joseph: But, I am awake and I don't want to sleep anymore in my bed.
Me: Well, then you need to stay in your room until everyone else gets up because when you wake up in the middle of the night and turn on all the lights every where you are waking me up and you might wake up Samuel and Simone too. They really need their sleep too.
Joseph: If the light bothers you, then just shut your door and you won't have to worry about me getting up.
It was a smart solution and good point. He ended up sleeping in his bed and not getting up until his normal 6 am wake up time, which is still too freaking early.
Conversation #2
You know sometimes when you are having a talk with your kids and you actually feel like you are getting through to them. Well, I felt like a total rock star parent one night. Joseph and I normally have talks about his school day at night when I am putting him to bed.
Me: Do you have any new friends at school?
J: No, not really. But there is a new boy in class. His first name starts with an O.
Me: Have you talked to O? Is he nice?
J: No, he cries all the time.
Me: Maybe he cries because he is at a new school and he doesn't really know anyone. He probably misses his mom and dad.
J: Yeah, probably.
Me: Maybe you should talk to him and tell him that it will be alright. You could tell him that his mom will pick him up after school and he will be okay, just like your mom picks you up from school. Maybe he just needs a friend since he is new. You think you could help him out a little bit?
Joseph looks at me like he is taking it all in. The look he was giving me was like I just said the smartest thing ever and he was totally going to go up to this boy tomorrow and be so nice.
Joseph's response after sitting there for a minute taking in everything I said: Yeah, I'm not saying any of that to him.
Great. Parent failure number who knows what.
Conversation #3
Last night the kids were playing and Joseph called someone a "stupid dumb dumb head". I told him that we don't use that language and it is not nice to call people names. I told him that I didn't want to hear him say that again.
Then Samuel stepped in: Well at least he didn't say FUCK!
Me: What the...heck, Samuel! You never say that word. Where in the world did you hear that?
(Usually that would be something that I would say, but I really have been watching my language a lot since kids. This was definitely a regular vocabulary word for me pre-kids).
Samuel: I heard it on a video. I have kept it secret for a really long time.
Me: That word is very inappropriate. Go upstairs and take a little break.
He proceeded to go upstairs and told Dave what he said. He felt absolutely terrible and was crying. Dave talked to him about words that some adults may use which are still not right and kids should not say them either. He apologized and felt terrible. I was so shocked that for once I had no idea how to handle the situation. I probably should have had a conversation with him right away but I was just dumbfounded. I never would have thought he would have said that word.
Those are the conversations we have been having lately. We are learning so much and apparently so are the kids.
Thursday, September 5, 2013
Emotions are flowing
This has been a very emotional week. All the kids started school. Simone has gone to a "school" two days a week for about a year, but now she is going with the boys at the International Schoolhouse. She is going five mornings a week, along with Joseph. They both have been adjusting really well. I am so proud of both of them. I look forward to picking them up at 11:45, eating lunch together and playing until they take a nap. It is nice quality time.
Then there is Samuel. He just started Kindergarten. He is going to the International Schoolhouse too. He goes from 8:45 to 3:45. It is a long day. He is so happy, which makes me happy but I am so sad too. I truly can't believe that 5 years have gone by and he is now in school full time. I remember on my rough days at home I would think that I couldn't wait for him to go to Kindergarten and now I just miss my buddy. Now that he isn't here, I miss those afternoons of him following me around. "Can I help you cook? Can I help make dinner? Can we play go fish? Can we play war? Can we play checkers? Can we play video games?" The list goes on, but as annoying as it was some days I miss him terribly. The first day that I dropped him off, I held in tears because I didn't want him to see me cry. Yesterday, I noticed the quietness in the afternoon. Then today it totally hit me. This was the first day that I had two and a half hours to myself (I had to pick up Simone early the first two days because they wanted to ease in the 2 year olds) and I just got sad.
I stopped working when I had Samuel and it has just been me and the kids. Now one part of my parenting time has ended. Now he spends more time at school and in activities then he does with me. I know it will get easier, but I think it may be more of an adjustment for me then it is for him.
Now I have to figure out what my new schedule is going to be. I need to figure out when I am going to fit in exercising, laundry, grocery shopping, cleaning, organizing, writing, volunteering, etc. It is amazing how quickly two and a half hours go. Today I ran four errands all around town and finished in one hour. It was amazing how quickly I got things done. My goal for the next few weeks it to finally have time to go through the house and clean up all the clutter. I need to organize toys and go through stacks of mail, catalogs and everything.
Right now I am just trying to go with the flow. I have learned that I am not very good with change and this is going to take some time to get used to.
Then there is Samuel. He just started Kindergarten. He is going to the International Schoolhouse too. He goes from 8:45 to 3:45. It is a long day. He is so happy, which makes me happy but I am so sad too. I truly can't believe that 5 years have gone by and he is now in school full time. I remember on my rough days at home I would think that I couldn't wait for him to go to Kindergarten and now I just miss my buddy. Now that he isn't here, I miss those afternoons of him following me around. "Can I help you cook? Can I help make dinner? Can we play go fish? Can we play war? Can we play checkers? Can we play video games?" The list goes on, but as annoying as it was some days I miss him terribly. The first day that I dropped him off, I held in tears because I didn't want him to see me cry. Yesterday, I noticed the quietness in the afternoon. Then today it totally hit me. This was the first day that I had two and a half hours to myself (I had to pick up Simone early the first two days because they wanted to ease in the 2 year olds) and I just got sad.
I stopped working when I had Samuel and it has just been me and the kids. Now one part of my parenting time has ended. Now he spends more time at school and in activities then he does with me. I know it will get easier, but I think it may be more of an adjustment for me then it is for him.
Now I have to figure out what my new schedule is going to be. I need to figure out when I am going to fit in exercising, laundry, grocery shopping, cleaning, organizing, writing, volunteering, etc. It is amazing how quickly two and a half hours go. Today I ran four errands all around town and finished in one hour. It was amazing how quickly I got things done. My goal for the next few weeks it to finally have time to go through the house and clean up all the clutter. I need to organize toys and go through stacks of mail, catalogs and everything.
Right now I am just trying to go with the flow. I have learned that I am not very good with change and this is going to take some time to get used to.
Friday, July 26, 2013
Slow down
Just when I think life is slowing down, it picks right back up. I can't believe it is the end of July already. This summer has flown by. This is Samuel's last week of camp and we are going to have the full month of August together. Actually me and all the kids will have the entire month of August together. Should be interesting. I am starting to get all the back to school stuff ready as well. I am in a little bit of denial that Samuel is going to be starting Kindergarten. I can't believe that he is even old enough to do that. I don't want to talk about this yet, so we will just not think about it until the end of August. All the kids start school the Tuesday after Labor Day, so we have a lot of time to prepare.
Well, I had a first today. I fired a babysitter. Since our wonderful babysitter left in May we have been searching for a replacement. We interviewed four and we have had three babysit to try them out. The kids really liked one of them, but she is only free on the weekends mostly. I was really looking for someone that could babysit on Thursday mornings because once a month I have a board meeting for Woman's Place and Simone was only going to go to school three days a week starting in September. I had this new babysitter twice and I just fired her today. I feel so old saying this, but what is wrong with sitters nowadays? This one totally sucked. She was totally clueless. When I interviewed her she said that she babysat three to four kids at a time and she babysat for a family all through high school and was still in contact with them (I probably should have called them to see if she was telling the truth). Anyway, she said that she didn't like little babies but she was okay with kids that could walk. I figured that was a good sign that she was honest and Simone is actually very easy.
The first day I had her babysit she only had Simone. While I was showing her around and telling her where things were in the kitchen I looked up and noticed she was texting on her phone. What the hell?!?! Strike one. Then she acted like she was listening and everything was fine. I get home after two hours and she says that she changed Simone's diaper, but she put her in a pull-up because she had no idea how to change a diaper. Again, what the hell?!?! Strike two. She asked if I would show her how to do it next time. I was not happy after the first day, but I figured I would give her one more chance.
Yesterday she babysat for both Simone and Joseph. I showed her how to change the diaper. She didn't get on her phone at all and was actually playing with the kids as soon as she got there. I was thinking positive that she just had a bad first day and everything was going to be fine. It was a beautiful day yesterday, so I told her to play outside with the kids. I turned off the TV and left. I ran a few quick errands and was back in a hour in a half. I was planning to get a lot of stuff done at home. I get home and the garage door is wide open, the toys are all over the garage. What the hell!?!?! Strike three. I walk inside and she has the TV on and Simone is sitting on the couch by herself, Joseph is no where to be found and the girl is sitting at the kitchen table chatting away on her phone. WHAT THE HELL?!?!? Stirke four, five, six!!! I was livid. I went back out to get the groceries, while steam was shooting out of my ears. I came in and she was still on the phone, but sitting next to Simone on the couch. She finally got off the phone and said she thought Joseph was using the bathroom. She had no clue. I told her to turn off the TV go downstairs and play with the kids. I didn't want the TV on at all. She tried to make excuses that they played outside for a while. Whatever. Let's just say in the 30 more minutes that she stayed more shit happened and I was so stressed and pissed. I had her leave, I made arrangements for Simone to go to school five days a week and made sure I had a replacement sitter for a night Dave and I already had planned the end of August. Then today I fired her ass.
I am trying to reduce stress in my life and I feel I made one step in the right direction. I am never going to have someone I don't trust watch my kids. They are way too precious for me to let any idiot take care of them.
Well, I had a first today. I fired a babysitter. Since our wonderful babysitter left in May we have been searching for a replacement. We interviewed four and we have had three babysit to try them out. The kids really liked one of them, but she is only free on the weekends mostly. I was really looking for someone that could babysit on Thursday mornings because once a month I have a board meeting for Woman's Place and Simone was only going to go to school three days a week starting in September. I had this new babysitter twice and I just fired her today. I feel so old saying this, but what is wrong with sitters nowadays? This one totally sucked. She was totally clueless. When I interviewed her she said that she babysat three to four kids at a time and she babysat for a family all through high school and was still in contact with them (I probably should have called them to see if she was telling the truth). Anyway, she said that she didn't like little babies but she was okay with kids that could walk. I figured that was a good sign that she was honest and Simone is actually very easy.
The first day I had her babysit she only had Simone. While I was showing her around and telling her where things were in the kitchen I looked up and noticed she was texting on her phone. What the hell?!?! Strike one. Then she acted like she was listening and everything was fine. I get home after two hours and she says that she changed Simone's diaper, but she put her in a pull-up because she had no idea how to change a diaper. Again, what the hell?!?! Strike two. She asked if I would show her how to do it next time. I was not happy after the first day, but I figured I would give her one more chance.
Yesterday she babysat for both Simone and Joseph. I showed her how to change the diaper. She didn't get on her phone at all and was actually playing with the kids as soon as she got there. I was thinking positive that she just had a bad first day and everything was going to be fine. It was a beautiful day yesterday, so I told her to play outside with the kids. I turned off the TV and left. I ran a few quick errands and was back in a hour in a half. I was planning to get a lot of stuff done at home. I get home and the garage door is wide open, the toys are all over the garage. What the hell!?!?! Strike three. I walk inside and she has the TV on and Simone is sitting on the couch by herself, Joseph is no where to be found and the girl is sitting at the kitchen table chatting away on her phone. WHAT THE HELL?!?!? Stirke four, five, six!!! I was livid. I went back out to get the groceries, while steam was shooting out of my ears. I came in and she was still on the phone, but sitting next to Simone on the couch. She finally got off the phone and said she thought Joseph was using the bathroom. She had no clue. I told her to turn off the TV go downstairs and play with the kids. I didn't want the TV on at all. She tried to make excuses that they played outside for a while. Whatever. Let's just say in the 30 more minutes that she stayed more shit happened and I was so stressed and pissed. I had her leave, I made arrangements for Simone to go to school five days a week and made sure I had a replacement sitter for a night Dave and I already had planned the end of August. Then today I fired her ass.
I am trying to reduce stress in my life and I feel I made one step in the right direction. I am never going to have someone I don't trust watch my kids. They are way too precious for me to let any idiot take care of them.
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