All four of us went to Rinconada pool a couple of weeks ago for this first time this year. Samuel and Shira both had a great time. And a day at the pool can always be counted upon to deliver naps for everyone involved.
And on Wednesday I braved the pool alone for the first time with two mobile children. At the end of what was a very nice day for all involved, I contemplated the pride I took in my accomplishments of the day. This led me to think about what would have made me feel proud and accomplished a short four years ago, aka THE TIME BEFORE CHILDREN.
Four Years Ago a day that would have had me feeling super proud of myself and accomplished would have consisted of the following:
Arriving at school with well thought out personally created lesson plans that were ready for execution. The plans would access students on multiple levels and make them think, but more importantly, the kids would enjoy them, and be thoroughly engaged. Have lunch with colleagues in my classroom and bitch about students or fellow teachers. I would go for a tough run at Rancho, and push myself. I would come home and make dinner and eat it with Steve.
This Wednesday a day that had me feeling proud of myself and super accomplished: I decided to go solo with Samuel and Shira to the pool. I packed water, snacks, towels, and changes of clothes for everyone and got all of us in our swimsuits. I only needed ONE bag for all of our stuff. I parked, and walked to the pool with Shira in the carrier, Samuel holding my hand and the bag over my shoulder. NO STROLLER. Shira got her time in the zero depth wading end of the pool, followed by me carrying Shira and sometimes Samuel in the deeper parts, as well as spotting Samuel on the slide multiple times.
We got out and had snacks, saw a cool butterfly, and discussed the subsequent clearing of the pool due to a "contamination" incident. Finished snacks, waited for the chlorine to clear out the "contamination", took two more turns down the slide, stripped and dried and reclothed the kids, and returned to the car the same way we came in. Two happy, not cranky kids fell asleep in the car on the way home. I came home, made dinner and cleaned the kitchen.
All the while I was thinking how awesome I am for being able to do all this, with ONE reasonably sized bag. Ahh, the life of a stay at home mom.
First we prepped the backyard, removing everything from the patio. Everything that we are planning on bringing with us to the duplex went into the front yard (our neighbor's must love us!) and the rest we pushed to the edges of the backyard.
They brought a bobcat in to tear up the patio and dig down for the foundation. Samuel and Shira were glued to sliding glass door. We didn't leave the house for the first two days of demo - it was built in entertainment.
We got out and had snacks, saw a cool butterfly, and discussed the subsequent clearing of the pool due to a "contamination" incident. Finished snacks, waited for the chlorine to clear out the "contamination", took two more turns down the slide, stripped and dried and reclothed the kids, and returned to the car the same way we came in. Two happy, not cranky kids fell asleep in the car on the way home. I came home, made dinner and cleaned the kitchen.
And for breakfast, homemade strawberry cream scones (and I let Steve sleep in until 10am while Samuel and Shira and I went to the Farmer's Market)
And Cherry Pie for dessert, as per my Dad's request
Last week we attended "summer camp" for Samuel's preschool. It was the first time Samuel attended preschool on his own, and the first day it took about 20 min for him to be ok with me leaving, but by the third day, he was a pro.
Snacks with friends are always more fun
finger painting with feet. yes, i did this inside. what was i thinking?
Of course the downside to this (why is there always a downside?) is that Samuel is constantly cracking Shira up when he is sitting next to her. It would be putting it lightly to say that it is difficult for Shira to fall asleep when she is giggling hysterically at Samuel playing peekaboo with her. This is of course followed by hysterical crying when she remembers how tired she is. And hysterical yelling by me when Samuel continues to play peekaboo as she screams. And hysterical sobbing by Samuel when I tell him to get out of the stroller and walk if he can't let Shira sleep. Did I say I liked this stroller? I really do. There are just moments...
Shira now loves to play peekaboo. One favorite version is to race over to the bathroom whenever anyone is in there, and shut the door, then open it again and peer in with a huge grin on her face
