Friday, September 19, 2008

Things I've Learned This Week

  1. When it's your turn to have preschool at your house (and you already have a busy week), plan accordingly! Otherwise you'll be up until the wee hours of the morning preparing silly animal crafts.

  2. Before going to bed (at 1:30 am), if you have the thought to download some preschool music, ignore it! Otherwise you won't be able to fall asleep due to the Old Macdonald Orchestra running through your head.
  3. When you're choosing a REAL preschool for your children (in years to come), check to make sure the teachers are well-rested. A tired teacher makes for a frazzled, impatient, grumpy teacher.
  4. Your own children have a 6th sense...when you're tired, they're extra grumpy, and will try your patience.
  5. You are SO lucky to have Evelyn two doors down to come steal your baby so you can focus on the 9 other children at your house. In fact, you have to fight back tears when she walks in the door, takes Avery, and walks back out. Only a real friend would use her free-time to watch my needy baby!
  6. Whoever decided to assign a "helper parent" to each person in charge is a genius!
  7. Whoever assigned the two of us with small babies together (not to mention Rebecca's toddler twins and preschool boy)? Not so smart! (Once again...thanks, Ev!)
  8. Parker doesn't like to share his things. (Oh wait, I already knew that).
  9. Finger painting is fun...but it's not very easy to listen to a grown up who tells you not to touch ANYTHING with your painted hands.
  10. Crayola paint really is washable!
  11. It's really exciting to see what "sinks" in the water, and what "floats."
  12. Two hours go by a lot faster than you think (especially when it's your week off!)
  13. You really CAN mask tired grumpiness if you try hard enough! The kids will hide by the fence when their parents come to retrieve them, so apparently something was fun.
  14. When you noticed that your "day" was the same day you have to leave for your husband's marathon, you probably should've switched...
  15. Too late!

And we're off....after I pack! I'll let you know if Joe survives...


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17 comments:

Kimberly said...

Looks like it all came together really well. Why didn't you call me? I had some ideas for you, but forgot to call YOU! I like what you came up with...those sheep are cute. Thank goodness you only have to do this one a month or whatever, right?

Darci said...

I hate being up at night with a dumb song in your head!!! I am nervous for when Gwenie reaches this age and I have to think of things to do. Parker is getting so big, so cute.

Hiller Family said...

Sounds like it was a success, I admire you willingness to go the extra mile. And Parker will always remember the amazing things his mom did for him and his friends!

Art and Evelyn said...

Oh my gosh, I wish I had thought to switch with you! I had no idea you were leaving today (duh, now that I think about it!) I walked over to see how it went today and you were already gone! So sorry! I had a blast with "Ave my fave" and it was fun to hold someone who's not constantly trying to squirm out of your arms! You did a great job. Ellie wanted to go back "to school" after nap, so everything must have gone great! You're awesome! Get some rest this weekend if you can! Love ya! PS Good luck, Joe!

Michael said...

I'm glad I wasn't there. I'm like mom when it comes to things like that, and have to make everything neat, even if it means hiding all of the toys!

Erin said...

Wow, you really are a serious trooper. Finger painting for toddlers??? Oh how brave of you!! The kids all look like they had a great time. I hope you can find time to get some rest this weekend!!!

Good luck Joe! Kick some marathon trash!!

Darcie said...

What a Mommy!! It looks everything went GR8!!

stacy said...

real preschool costs money but it is so much fun to send them away and WAY easier.

looks like you servived, next time you will know what to expect and be more prepared...but i'm sure something will happen to throw you off, isn't that the way it always goes? haha! :)

Melissa said...

Wow, 9 kids that age is a lot. Good for you that you can hide your grumpiness. It is next to impossible for me when I am tired.

Aly said...

What a trooper! Having a good neighbor friend is priceless to bail you out, I don't think I would survive without mine! Those sheep are ADORABLE! Good luck Joe!!!

Tina said...

Are you doing joyschool? I did that with my first 2 girls. Then I just paid someone else to do it for Emilee and will do the same for Abby. I love kids, but I LOVE someone else that teaches preschool more! Way to go though!

Diane said...

It looks like you did a great job! The sheep are really cute...and so are the kids that came. Parker does look a little bit stressed in the last picture. Did he give any of them the "eye". It's great for him to have this experience. Hang in there...you're doing a great job! I can just see you almost bursting into tears when Evelyn came through the doorway. Thanks Evelyn!!!

Grandma Hand said...

Oh Robyn you are really doing a great job. I remember my experience with Cub Scouts that was overwhelming and after the afternoon was over I broke out in hives but the boys were so darn cute and energetic. I loved your blog and Parker is really so grown up. Love you lots and you are such a cute "mom".

Johnston Family said...

We did a joy school type of a thing with my oldest Jaden & I hated it whenever it was my week. I was like, what did I get myself into? Why didn't I just pay to have him go somewhere?

esherman10 said...

I can't believe you have that many kids in your preschool!!! Yikes! We split into a couple of groups so we only have 5 in each. I laughed when I saw your pictures...I taught Zac's group last week, too, and our theme was farms! We made sheep covered in cotton balls, and did activities with Old MacDonald Has a Farm, too! I guess great minds think alike!

Niki said...

You are a brave woman Robyn!

Missy said...

Nice work Robyn. I wouldn't have tried that one. You even got pictures. :)