FLOWER GARDEN.

Arboretum is a bit of a mouth full for a three year old, so we settled upon calling it the flower garden. That's where we went with some friends this week, and it was so much fun! Nugget did awesome considering this was more a play date for the moms and babies. The two other littles that were along were boys near Brother's age, that we were in ECFE class with this fall.

It's not often that there is really no one for Nugs to play with at a play date, but she took the challenge well, and jumped right in as one of the girls. It warmed my heart to hear her talk to my friends, other mama's who she doesn't know well. That's not always an easy task for her, but my friends were so sweet, listening to her attentively and making her feel special. Thanks girls, for that. Also, I don't know whether to thank or curse Layne for giving my kids recorders she bought at the thrift store. My kids love em, but I quickly had to classify them as 'outside only' toys. I'm sure our neighbors are enjoying them too ;)

We enjoyed a picnic lunch upon our arrival, then set out on the three mile trail. We didn't make it much past this quaint little playhouse before I was cursing the rolling hills with my double stroller and my eight months preggo friend had to use the bathroom.

After reversing the rolling hills and making a pit stop, we wandered around on the much smoother, flat paths of the flower gardens.

We buckled and unbuckled kids in strollers, fed snacks, threw pennies in fountains, talked cameras, snapped photos, and weaved in and out of the narrow paths which all made up for a lovely afternoon.

Our time together seemed all too short when tired kids signaled it was time to go. It's always a treat to visit with friends, explore a new place, and of course take pictures. I was pleased to learn that we can use or admission ticket one more time within a month, so I'm hoping we can get back there again and bring Daddy with us this time.

Nugs, Brother, Henry, Hayden

Oh yes, and upon coming home and unraveling Nugget's little loopty-loops, her hair was ringleted into the most precious and perfect pig tails ever , and I just couldn't help myself!

Love.

LET ME REMEMBER THE DAYS.

"Let me play in the sunshine,

Let me sing for joy,

Let me grow in the light,

Let me splash in the rain,

and remember the days

of my childhood forever."

Amen.

STEPPING STONES.

Last week Nugget had her last ever ECFE (Early Childhood Family Education) class. I cannot believe her first 'school' journey has come to an end. We attended our first Mommy and Me class together when she was just four weeks old, and we haven't missed a single session since. We anticipate our weekly classes, and Nugget is always excited to see Miss Britt and all her friends. Since I am home with my kids all the time, this is a time for Nugget to develop friendships on her own, and work on separating from me during the parent education time. It hasn't always been easy for her, but through it all she (and I) have learned and grown tremendously.

Circle time with Miss Britt.

It has been such a positive experience in both of our lives, and honestly, I wish we could continue going forever, like until she's 18. Seriously! There's still so much I need to know for down the road. I know the closing of this chapter is a stepping stone to bigger things, but I love our little net of ECFE, the one that feels like family. We are all working together for the common good of our children, and striving to be the best parents we can be.

The art table is one of her favorite areas.

I don't think Nugget fully understands that she has aged out of her beloved school, but she does get that she's going to preschool 'after summer' and she's pretty stoked about that. Her ECFE buddy, Mac, will be in her class, and I'm hoping a familiar face will make the transition just a teensy bit smoother.

Her other favorite, playing in the kitchen.

I must say that the promise of starting the cycle all over again with Brother softened the blow a wee bit for me last week, and because of that I was able to hold myself together on the last day. After all, Nugget didn't need me bringing her down on her beach party day!

'Peek Into Preschool' group, Winter 2012.
Back L to R: Miss Britt, Carolyn, Caroline, Walker, Hunter,Charlie, Sky
Front L to R: Aedan, Giovanni, Kate, Lilian, Nugget, Maddie, Mac

These are our awesome teachers, Parent Educator Miss Mary, and Early Childhood teacher Miss Britt. And Dora.

And while Nugget and I are enjoying our time together, Brother is just down the hall in the sibling care room with Miss Pam, whom he just adores. It's a pretty awesome feeling when your child is comfortable with his care giver and runs right in to her arms, all ready to play!

There are so many amazing people who work hard to make ECFE fantastic, so we always make sure to remember them with a special little gift and Christmas time and the end of the year. But because there are so many of them, we usually opt to gift something homemade (aka inexpensive), and they are always so appreciative. This year we made lemon hand scrub for everyone, and Nugget thoughtfully picked out a special nail polish to accompany each one. Who wouldn't love a little at home mani/pedi to get ready for summer?

Recipe here.

So yes, sadly, Nugget's time in ECFE has come to an end. We are so grateful and appreciative for all that we have learned and experienced during our time there. It will always hold a special place in our hearts. We are ready for the next journey, ready to learn, make more new friends, ready for the next stepping stone of life.

THOUGHTS OF A STAY AT HOME MOM.

Someone asked me the other day if I missed teaching. I get asked this question a lot. The answer is no. This is my third year out of the classroom, and I will admit, the first year was the hardest. It was never really our intention for me to stay home just then, we always planned for my days at home to begin when we had baby #2. So I actually went back to work when Nugget was three months old. It was awful. I didn't dislike teaching, not one little bit. But everyday my stomach was in knots and I yearned for my baby girl. The one who was at someone else's house. Growing and learning and changing by the minute. And I was missing it. Someone else was taking care of my baby, and that just didn't sit well with me. I had waited my whole life to become a mother, yet there I was, being a teacher instead. I was back at work for all of three weeks when I had the following two weeks off for winter break. We decided then that I wasn't going back the following school year. We pretty much knew it was a forever, life changing decision, but just in case, I asked for a leave of absence.

While I was soaking up every second living my real dream of being a stay at home Mommy, I also knew the school door was open, waiting for me should I want to reenter.  I wavered more than once. I had after all, gone to school to obtain my degree longer than I actually used it. I felt like I owed it to myself, my dad who paid my way through college, my amazing boss, I don't know who really.

It's a hard thing to do sometimes. To tell that stubborn people pleasing gene to go take a hike. And to not return. Because I always, always, knew where my place was. Once I made that painful leap and officially resigned, it was like the clouds parted ways and then sun shined down on me. I have not regretted that decision a single day in the last two years. Do I miss it? Not really. Do I want to go back? Not right now. Will I go back someday? Probably not. I have learned so much about myself since becoming a mother, and have found many other things that interest and suit me. But if times got tough and I needed to, I can't think of a better job than teaching.

In the end, it all comes down to this. My kids are only little for a little while. And I don't want to miss a thing. Is this job easy? No. But I never expected it to be. Is it rewarding a million times over and then some? Absolutely. I have bad days. I get frustrated. I yell. I cry. Some days I am worn out and stretched thin and overwhelmed. Some days, the grass looks greener on the other side and I think maybe juggling a career alongside motherhood doesn't sound so bad.

But then I look into their sea blue eyes, and I am filled with love. I want to give them the world. I want to be the one who guides them and teaches them, who tends to their joys and sadness. I want to make their days happy, their hearts smile, their tummies full, their boo boos better.

It is hard to balance it all, mostly because I don't have the option to be anything but their mom. I don't have daycare, I don't have babysitters, I just plain don't get a break. I have a husband who is out there busting his butt to help me live out this dream. And while we often disagree on who works harder, who is more deserving of a break, the truth is that we both work hard. In completely different ways. But for the common good of our family. So we just shut up and plug along.

I find my rewards in simple things, like I love you Mama's, chubby little legs hooked around my middle, invitations to read stories, do projects, and play games. Cries in the middle of the night that only I can comfort, a warm little body that slides in next to mine in the morning. Play dates with friends, visits to the library, trips to the park. Washing tiny little clothes and hanging them to dry. Trips to Target. Ice cream. Photos. Blogging.

My life isn't perfect. I don't have it all. But I am happy. And I am grateful. My heart is full.

So to answer your question, do I miss teaching? Not at all. Do I love staying home? With my whole heart. Thank you for asking.

CATCH UP.

I've had these pictures sitting in my blog folder on my desktop for a week now, just waiting to find the time to write about them separately because they are all deserving of that. But it just hasn't happened, so here I sit on this Sunday night ready to play catch up.

The weather has been absolutely gorgeous as of late, but when those rainy days sneak in between the sunny ones, we have fun making pillow piles in the living room and reading stories.

And we never pass up an opportunity to bake.

When the sun shines again, we race back outside to soak up every last drop.

We wasted no time in planting our garden this year. Things are already popping up and we just can't wait to devour its deliciousness.

For the second year, Nugget has her own little raised bed to tend to.

Dude doesn't have his own garden just yet, but that didn't stop him from wanting to help. I think he was a little confused about the timing of when we eat the deliciousness. Clearly this isn't it.

We celebrated Mother's Day much like we spend most of our days. Together. Outside. Taking pictures. A bike ride. A trip to the park. Picnic lunch.

I loved sneaking up on my girl and capturing these sweet pictures of her. Wish I would have had a zoom lens on, but they are still sweet as pie.

But then I got busted and she ran away...

Doodey learned how to blink on command and it's so darn adorable. We've been working on animal noises this week and so far he's learned how to growl, baa like a sheep, and make an elephant noise/sign. It's so much fun to see him soaking things up.

And lastly, one night this week while Daddy was working away on our bathroom project in our house that was eighty nine degrees, we snuck out to get ice cream. Daddy definitely got the short end of that stick.

More Slavik family fun to come. Have a great week!