4.25.2011

13ish things

I'm a Reader's Digest fan. I am. Don't know why. Can't put my finger on it. Just am! =)

Recently they have started a serious running 13 things...won't tell you.

From your florist to your surgeon it offers a little insight into the minds and thought patterns of various people.

Well, I had a bright idea to start my own. I think there is probably some copyright reasons to the "13 things." So, we'll go with 10!

First up on the stand, 10 things your babysitter won't tell you.

1. We are not a nanny. Don't expect us to drop everything to come. It's not our job, it is an occasional paid position. Even if it is a weekly basis, every now and then something comes up.

2. If you are going to ask us to watch your child at a meal time supply something for us too. Many times (especially with the growing allergies in this country) we aren't allowed to bring anything into the house and we aren't allowed to eat your very expensive, limited amounts, special, allergy-friendly food. No one wants to sit and watch someone else eat and typically we haven't had time to grab something for ourselves.

3. Don't promise your child they can stay up because the babysitter is there after he didn't take a nap that afternoon. The $/hour your paying me isn't enough to deal with the whining and bad behavior accompanying the lack of sleep and trust me, they hear what you say and hold me to it.

4. Please be ready to go when I get there. Don't run to take a shower or change. The passing of the authority baton needs to happen quickly but the longer you are there the more times the child can disrespect me and get away with it.

5. I wouldn't want a random teenager playing on my computer either, but make some post kid time activities available. Show how to navigate the tv or turn on the wii and don't get visually upset if you come home and find us on the phone. From the time the kids go down at 8 until you get home at 11 is a long time to stare at a wall because you want absolute and total attention on your sleeping child.

6. The longer it takes for you to say goodbye, the longer it's going to take for me to calm them down. Explain quickly where you are going, give them a kiss and leave. Talk about the fun they had with the babysitter and remind them of that next time. Our excitement dwindles every time a kid starts screaming at the sight of us! Make it an exciting time for them too.

7. Please don't take away all "fun" just because I am there. No tv and no going outside or playing dress up. Pick one but not all 3. We are creative but it is nice to fall back on some of their favorites especially as it gets closer to bed time.

8. I don't mind helping your child get ready for bed. You really don't have to be running around getting the pj's on and teeth brushed before I get there. Show me where the pj's are kept and which tooth brush is who's.

9. If your child isn't allowed in a room or to touch something in your home please tell me to begin with so that I can uphold the rules you have.

10. Make sure to show me where you band aids and first aid kit are. We know what to do with a scraped knee but running all over the house looking for it makes it tricky.

4.15.2011

road trippen!

The only thing separating me from these guys is a whole lot of miles!

We decided semi-spontanrously to take the hike and head on out! It's a long trip but I'm pretty sure they are worth it! Oh, I love my family!


We left this a.m. at dark:30 and are hoping to make it early afternoon!!!


(thankfully I won't have a deleyed flight on the way back. Just keep driving. Just keep driving!)

4.14.2011

Happy Birthday Mom!

Happy Birthday Mommy!


I am so blessed to have you to call my mom, sister, and friend! I love you and I hope you have a wonderful day!


Love the Stean!


(yes, this picture is taken at my 1st birthday. yes, I have more recent pictures of my mom and me!)

4.07.2011

English Irritants

I have been doing some spontaneous ESL work. Nothing official. Just helping a few friends out. I was listening to someone read the other day and after correcting him for the 3 millionth time he looked at me and said, "Make up your mind. You said the sound was one way up here and another way down here!" Poor guy...I had no answer for him. Fact is English is a crazy language. It follows little rules, makes up it's own and then when it can't think of a rule it just is the way it is because some guy said so. Hmm... Here are some examples- "ough" Tough Thought bought through ought cough rough So some of them follow each other but for the most part, different... the "EW" sound to two through who ew you blue juice loose knew cute All the way to spell the "EW" sound. Not that I am partial by any means but let's take a stroll down the Spanish lane.
A B C CH D E F G H I J

K L M N Ñ O P Q R S T

U V W X Y Z


Each of these letters will say what they say in the alphabet...no exception!


But can English be that easy? No! They have to be difficult just because they can! Let's take a look at how many ways the English alphabet can sound.


A - ay, ah, a

C - c, s

E - ee, eh

G - g, h

I - ih, eye

O - oh, ooh, o

...


Getting the point?


Done with my soap box!

4.01.2011

Happy Birthday!

In case you haven't read much here, babysitting is pretty much my degree. I studied it all through middle and high school and now in my "college" days it's a full time gig!


Out of all my babysitting job there is one that has stolen my heart!


Meet my Thursday nights! Yes, everything you see is pretty typical. From the crazy faces to the pantless little girl it is just another night on the job!

Recently I decided to have a night to celebrate all the birthdays that had happened over the last couple months. I brought some cupcakes and we wrote cards to all the birthday kids! Don't worry! He got a cupcake too! His mommy required him to finish his dinner first!
Our newest addition! Another girl!!!

Madalee and baby S!
My baby B! She is my buddy!
It got a little messy! J man!
E girl!
M and Bean! The oldest and coolest! =)
Little dude, thinks he's about 12!