New adventures

It’s a quiet Sunday afternoon, and Dave has the big kids on a bus/train trip across the city.  He had to return some library books to Carleton, and thought the kids would have a fun time doing the transfer from bus to bus to get there.  He is so courageous and adventurous... I would just take the van!

Robyn is scurrying around the main floor on all 4s.  She is crawling super fast now, and it is so much fun.  If she wants to come see me, she does! If she wants to be picked up, she’ll crawl over and start trying to scale my leg.  She is pretty good about not getting into things, yet.  She mostly crawls to the toys, sippy cups, kids or myself.  She continues to be able to play so independently, but loves a crowd around.  She is super wiggly, and doesn’t really like to be held for too long anymore.  Such a difference from Miss. Janna, who would stay in my arms all day if she could.

I have survived my first few weeks of watching other children along with my own.  The kids I had here, adjusted very quickly (aside from settling in for naps- but its getting better), and seem to love coming, so that is a huge blessing.  Janna and Robyn did great with the extra kids.  Jesse LOVED having visitors all day, but he was definitely the biggest challenge. He takes more time to adjust to things, and while he loves having people around, he really re energizes after time to himself.  So a shorter quiet time each day was a struggle for him.  Also, Jesse loves to talk talk talk.   He doesn’t quite realize that other kids are perhaps less conversational than he, and he can become easily frustrated when trying to have a conversation with somebody who would rather run around or just play.  But, it’s a good learning ground for him, and I’m sure with time, he’ll settle down a bit.

I have felt a strange mixture of joy and relief come 5 each day.  First off, I feel proud of myself.  That I not only fed and tended to 5 little ones, but that I managed to do art, story time, music time, and get them all to the splash pad and back in one happy piece!  It’s a ton of work, and that everyone ends their day mostly happy, fed, clean-ish, and with lots of playing and reading and an outing each day.... well, it’s a feeling of accomplishment.  Just my 3 kids, feel so easy to tend to once the extras leave.  And, the weekends feel so joyous and relaxed.

But, I also feel guilty.  A bit guilty that I don’t have quite as much time for each of the kids as before.  Dave keeps reminding me that it’s good for the kids to have other kids around but to be near their mom.  It’s good for them to learn they aren’t the center of the universe but still so loved.  That if they were in school or a commercial day care, they would get much less individual attention.  And he is right.  I think it’s just been a big adjustment going from the summer OFF with Dave, into watching 5 kids by myself.   I can’t believe that my mom, at one point, had over 17 kids in her care when she used to do day care when we were young (mind you- this was before licensing numbers, and some were just before or after school kids).    Maybe what I need to do is take on 17 kids for a couple of days, and then 5 will feel like nothing?! Please email me if you’d like to sign your kids up for this experiment ;) 

 I also feel guilty that Dave comes home to a less than bubbly wife, as I am just SO wiped by 5.  I feel so depleted of all energy and patience and think I look like a bit of a zombie.  I have actually had a few 8:00 bedtimes over the past few weeks.   Dave was so sweet, and the other night did a big pile of a laundry for me, and has been doing extra things around the house.  He has also given me his blessing to get out of the house if I need it once he gets home.  I know guilt is not a healthy thing, and so I’m trying to shake it, and just be grateful and know I’m doing my best, and that I might not be able to do all the extra things I did when I was on my mat leaves with just my kids.  And that is ok. 

Anyways, just a few things on my mind, so thought I’d shout them out there while I had a minute.  I’m looking forward to the official start of school next week, all the same.  We start on Jesse’s JK curriculum, it looks SO GREAT!  And will all enjoy our annual back to school cake on Tuesday as well.  I love how the nights are cooling off quicker these days, and the breeze is back in town.  These are nice evenings for after hour walks.  If any of you are interested in hanging out at my house while the kids sleep so Dave and I can get out for some much needed husband and wife time, you can also email me ;) and I can set that up for you! LOL.

Well, Robyn needs someone to play with.  I think she gets a bit bored when there aren’t a ton of little people running around to watch. SO, I should be on my way.  I hope everyone makes smooth transitions into your fall time routine.  I have no idea how I will make out with blogging this year, but will try and touch base a couple times a month.  Thanks for reading.  I’m out.