I feel like it was just yeserday...

when I wrote this post.

I can't believe it is Labor Day and summer is coming to a close. I do have to say that I had an amazing fun filled summer. I have done so many wonderful things and I have no regrets.

Today we went to the ZOO again! This time the hubs was able to come along. It was a great day and now I am exhausted. E has a bit of a belly bug and didn't sleep to great last night. Not to mention more than a few DIRTY diapers through out the day.

As I stated in my memorial day post I usually feel a little sad this time of year. For some reason this year I don't feel quite so down. I am upset that many of my friends are going back to work and I will be home alone again with E. I will definitely miss our play dates and walks! However, I am happy I will remain home with Eliza. Plus, I am lining up fun day trips for September and October. Can't wait!

So, I am going to say so long summer. I will miss you. You have been good to me and this year's summer sandwich was especially tasty.

Kids Today

As I have said previously my niece is staying with me this weekend. I absolutely love having her here. She is sweet and funny and helps me out with Eliza- she will even clean stinky diapers. However, I love to go for LOOOONG walks and Alli just can't seem to handle the walking. Two days ago she was sweating and complaining that her legs were tingling after about a half hour. Yesterday she was sweating and moaning after about fifteen minutes. Meanwhile I never even broke a sweat. I am 18 years older than she is. What is wrong with this picture?

Apparently kids don't play anymore. I asked her if she play with the kids in her development and she said NO. In the summer the kids don't play together. WHAAAAT? My mouth was hanging open when I heard her response. She said, "Everyone just stays in their houses!" What?

I inquired further. . .

Me: "Do you play Mother May I?"

Alli: "What's that?"

Me: "You don't now what Mother May I is?

Alli: "Nope."

Me: "How about red light green light?"

Alli: " I have heard of that one."

After I listed all of my favorite childhood activities and receieved similar responses I told her that I thought it was sad that she didn't play outside with her friends. However, she couldn't quite grasp why this saddened me so much. I asked my mom about it and she said that no kids play in our neighborhood either. She surmised they all sit in their air conditioned houses watching TV, playing on the computer, and playing video games. When I was little my mom would threaten to turn off the AC if we didn't go out and play. My husband's mom used to call in her three kids for dinner with a cow bell. It could be heard throughout the neighborhood. Is this what they mean when they talk about the good ol' days. I am only 28 and although my friends and I did not play as much as my mom did when she was little (we did have Nintendo) we still played. Have the days of my childhood become the good ol' days already?

I hope my generation will wake up and raise their children differently. Kids need to get out of their houses and back outside. This is where imaginations soar and socialization skills are fine tuned. It is where we begin to solve the weight issues children suffer from in this country. Kids need to be kids. Parents need to stop over scheduling their kids with activities, discourage solitary indoor activities and just let their kids go outside and PLAY!

Red River, red Rover I call all children playing outside over!


Click here for some fun and free games kids can play!

The ups and downs...

Today has been such a day of ups and down for me. It was my last day at school. The last day ever at the school where I have worked for 5 years. Leaving was not easy. I had a Mary Tyler Moore moment as I took one last lingering glance at my classroom before I walked out the door.

I was sad to see the kids go. I was sad thinking about the colleagues I wouldn't see everyday. At the same time I felt sweet relief that I would not have to live at my mom's any more during the week. I felt happiness knowing I would get to spend each day with my beautiful daughter. I felt up and I felt down.

Deciding to become a SAHM is not an easy decision. I will actually need to be more of a WAHM- but I haven't quite figured out the working part yet. I see why so many moms are torn about the decision. As a teacher I was somewhat defined my accomplishments. I experienced joy as I witnessed students learning to read and write. I was emblazoned by positive observations and invigorated by new teaching techniques and ideas. I am saying good bye to all of that for now to do the greatest work of all- raise my daughter.

Like I said. It was a day of ups and downs for me. I had to pack the last of my teaching things into the car and bring them to my mom's. Then I had to unload them so I could load everything I needed to take home with me. I was hot, tired, and emotional. I think the packing process in itself was stressing me out. It all seemed so real when I saw my teaching stuff heaped into a big disorganized pile. I basically threw it all together and hauled it on out of the school telling myself I would sit and go through it later. I am thinking that later might never come. The last thing I feel like doing right now is organizing old copies of Teacher's Helper and math manipulatives.

I am looking forward to the summer, but in the back of my head I wonder what I'll be feeling when September rounds the corner. Will I experience a longing in my heart when the leaves start to change colors and apples adorn the trees? Will part of me ache as I stroll past the school yard and hear the sound of children laughing? I want more than anything to stay home with my baby girl. I also would love to continue teaching. I know there is no right answer. There is only the best answer for me at this time and that is to put teaching off for a few years and enjoy the fleeting years of Eliza's childhood.

This is the official start of summer for me and I would like to wish everyone a healthy and happy summer!

Winding Down the Weekend

Well I am bringing the weekend to an end. It was awesome to spend time with Peter this weekend. I get so much joy from seeing him and Eliza together. He is such an amazing dad!

On Friday night we headed over to our friend's parent's house for a little swimming and BBQ! It was a lot of fun and I had some delicious Sangria. I took E in the pool- pre Sangria!- and she was splashing all about. She really enjoys the water. We hung out for a while and left before E had to go to bed. We didn't forget the bed time lesson learned a few weeks back. So, I sat in the back seat and kept her awake by being silly.

Saturday Pete went to the golf club with our neighbor Lou. I was actually OK with him going. I think I have calmed down a bit about the golf business. I got some cleaning done around the house and made some more homemade baby food. Carrots! Then we headed to see our other neighbors who have a 2 month old baby girl named Alessia. She is a sweetie patootie and Eliza had a good time. We took pics but I didn't get to upload them yet.

For dinner we planned on going to this cute little places called the Lovin' Oven (recommended to me by my good friend Stacie). I was so super psyched to get the vegan sloppy Joe. Unfortunately, when Pete called in to place our order they told him the kitchen did not open until 6 and it was only like 5:15. So he headed back home and we had to make other dinner arrangements. I was bummed- but Pete promised to stop and pick me up a Vegan Joe one night on his way home from work. Kudos to my lovin' hubby!

Today was just chilled and tried to get things done around the house. So actually there wasn't much relaxing goin on. I must admit I was kind of a pain to Pete about getting stuff done. I must admit to being a bit neurotic at time. *Note to self- work on not being a neurotic pain the a$$ to your husband.

I have two half days of school left and then school is out for SUMMER! I am having a hot dog party for the kids tomorrow and a pizza party on Tuesday. The get soooper dooper hungry on half days so I tried to keep them satiated.

I hope everyone had a relaxing, enjoyable weekend.

Eliza and the Spider Hand