Nanny Notes - Entertainment

I began working with kids in 2003. I was young and had no idea what I was doing. Since then I have spent much of my time being a mother's helper, also known as, a mom's sanity break! Several babysitting endevours, and the past 2 years I have been a nanny in every part of the word! Now looking back over the last 7 years I have learned much and lived to tell about it! =) Welcome to Nanny Notes! Take what you may and enjoy some extras not otherwise thought of!

This episode is on the "E" word. Entertainment. I am NOT one to "entertain" kids. I am SO for helping them learn to play on their own. But, sometimes they would like to do something else. I get it. And I am not against some moving pictures!

The little boy I am watching now is only 20 months old. He is not a TV kid so I find these perfect for him. I mostly use the Hap Palmer - Baby songs on the right in the second category, Children Songs. They are the perfect time frame and don't loose his attention before it is up. I can usually tell when he is getting bored but, more often than not he lasts a little longer than 1 song.

We first found these and he LOVES them. He has watched them out and that is why we moved to the ones above! Click on the video button on the top and then browse or click away! My monkey loves the one by Feist and both of the ABC songs here and here.

I also found these helpful for calmer times. Before bed or after meal time.

All in all I am not one to constantly stick him in front of the tube but sometimes it gets me through the day, moment, 1minute and 36 seconds. =) Quite plainly, he enjoys them as well. If we have gone several days since watching them it is a nice time filler to pull out while that basket of laundry sucks me in!

So, nanny note #1: Don't be above the help of the videos. It is a balancing act and I have found that some times you just need help!

Ticks and Boats

Last week the weather FINALLY warmed up enough to enjoy being outside! So, in light of that we decided to play all week...(kind of!)

One day we headed to a friend's farm! They had baby chicks and wanted us to come and see! R was so excited to go see the "ticks!"

He wasn't quite as thrilled about the "big ticks!"

This was pretty much the way he look/acted the entire time we were around them! This was before the rooster called! =)

White knuckles!

Headed to see the "boats!"

He almost fed them. He got right up to the fence and dropped it!

Of course Bean is in her ELEMENT!

Trying to get a picture of him and the "boats." These were our only attempts. He was not having it! He had to keep his eye on them...

On the drive home he DID NOT STOP talking about them! SO funny!

Sister Date number 2!

The last sister date was such a hit so we decided to go again!

This time Bean and I spent the evening together! Our sister Madalee was in a play and mom and dad had to work a little later! So, the Bean and I got ourselves ready and headed out!

Our first stop was the Big Chick Fil A! We are both fans but don't eat there often! Of course B traded in her book for ice cream!

Bean wanted to take a pic of me too! Please don't laugh at the bad quality of the picture and myself! I went straight from work to date...not a whole lot of prep in between! Thus the outcome of this lovely...something! =)

On to the play! M did a FANTASTIC job! She was SO cute and she loved EVERY minute of it! Sorry for the picture overload! I guess you could say I was a teeny tiny bit proud!

She is in the gold dress on the end!

The play was about Peter Marshall. Don't feel bad if you don't know who that is...I didn't! He is a pretty cool guy!

Ever heard of this?

It was his wife!

My bro and sis after the play! He surprised her in showing up!

Friend and fellow cast member! They are so cute!

I think Bean had another great time on this sister date! Of course she was out late again and got in bed after 10:30! She thought she was something!

Thus concludes the 2nd sister date! Stay tuned for what's next!

He has my heart

I think a girl is CRAZY not to keep her heart in the hands of God. It is the safest place to be. Safe from being roughly handled or broken. Safe from the elements of life that can cause damage or decay. Safe from the diminishing worth put on hearts and how valuable purity really is. Safe from the torments, cruel jokes, backstabbing. Safe.

When a girl is born her daddy should step up and take the title of guardian of her heart. He is to be God's hands and hold her heart, Protect her heart, and guide her heart in the ways of the Father.

If you have yet to read this book I HIGHLY recommend it! Helping little girls understand the heart of purity is ideal before they enter the throws of peer pressure and the torment to be "cool."
Happy Birthday to my dad who still has my heart! I know when God brings along the one, he will be ready to hand my heart over. I hope you have a wonderful and blessed day! I love you SO much!

Three Word Wednesday

The Big One

We remember

Three years ago a troubled twenty-three year old caused a shock wave to run through the country. He opened fire to many killing 32 innocent people.

Today God broke my heart for those who lost someone.

Psalm 18:2
The Lord is my Rock and my Fortress and my Deliverer, My God, my rock in whom I take refuge; My sheild and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

What I want to be when I grow up

Everyone has been asked that question. Sunday School, school papers, ice breaker conversations, etc. My answer has always been the same.

A mom.

I have spent my 20 years watching the greatest example of what a mom is. She has given me the greatest tools to become what I dreamt of my future holding. Daily I watch her as she reacts...or not, how she holds, loves, lets go, gives or takes away, cares, directs, manages. She is human, and like us all was still born with a sinful nature...but I can't help wanting to be like her. (I don't think I can really escape that, everyone says I am just like her!) I so look forward to the day that I can put into practice all the things she has taught me.

As for today I want to celebrate her. My example. My Friend.

My mom.

Happy Birthday mom! I hope you have a WONDERFUL day! I love you and I am so thankful that I am able to learn from you! Ikea is coming! =)

Yes, this is a picture from my graduation 2 years ago! I don't have any current pics of us...sad I know!

friday friend

Constance had a friend. This friend was not like most friends. This friend was a Friday friend. This friend only wanted and wanted to be a friend on Friday. Constance tried to be a friend to this girl many times. She stayed available when she might need her. But is was never Friday.

Constance waited until this friend needed her. But with this friend it was rarely Friday. Some weeks Friday was on a Monday. Other weeks Friday was only on Tuesday after 3 and Saturday mornings between 7:30 and 10. Some weeks never contained a Friday. Occasionally months would go by before a Friday ever made and appearance.

Constance watched when her friend was in trouble and needed help...but it was not Friday.

Constance watched as her friend was bored and needed to play...but it was not Friday.

Constance watched as her friend had fun and partied...but it was not Friday.

Constance watched as her friend was sick and needed some cheering up...but it was not Friday.

Constance watched as her friend made bad choices and needed someone to be there for her...but it was not Friday.

Constance grew tired of waiting and wanted to search for other friends. Then Constance met the best Friend you could ever have. This friend had made the decision to give His life for her. He had sacrificed everything to be with her for eternity.

This friend explained to Constance that He had waited for her. He was there when she needed help and didn't choose Him.

Finally Friday came around and this friend needed Constance. Constance, looking at that friend who had been there for her, made the decision to be there for her Friday friend.

Take time to thank God for the Constance's in your life. Don't be a Friday friend!

Tonight, I am have a sister date with one of my Constance's. And, I will thank God for every minute of it!

I got the gift

You know the one I am talking about.

It happens every Spring. Right as things are blooming.
The very things that make your eyes water, your nose run, and give you headaches...
...are the very things he calls treasures and wants to give to me! His sweet little chubby fingers stained yellow from the "flowers" picked EVERY single dandelion in the yard and gave them to me.

Yes, I got the gift...and I love it!

the good, the bad, and the waiting game

So the good news, I get a $50 raise this summer.

The bad news, it ends January 1.

No, not the raise...the job. Yep, you read that right. It's done. So I thought that I had another year BUT, not hardly. We are talking 10 months. I recently took on another little girl and I don't know how long that will last but as for now 2011 already brings some needs.

As, for the waiting game, over the next 10 months I am going to be doing a LOT of it! I don't know what God has in store. Waiting. Praying.

In May I will have been out of high school 2 years. TWO years! Looking back I am SO not in the place I envisioned and I have done things that I never thought I would do. So, I am not about to question Him now.

Yet another turn on the exciting adventure God has me on! As for now, waiting on His perfect ways!