Things I have learned this summer

• that this blog is not as anonymous as I had thought - that's being remedied as I type
• children NEED discipline and it needs to be consistent - the summer would have gone much more smoothly with this fact
• I need a break - I work to hard and too much and never seem to have a chance to slow down
• I need more friends that I can talk to - I'm slowly growing a bigger group right now, and it helps so much to have more people to talk to
  
• I need to manage money better - why is it that I am MORE in debt now than I ever was during college?

I'm sure I'll ad more to this list in the coming days

Today was a much better day than the past week . We had fun - even if it was kind of short. I got to work at my normal time but was off four hours earlier than usual (kind of agreed upon weeks ago, but I keep staying late anyhow, long story). We had swim, which the seven year old did a great job at - her skills are coming along very well, making me that much less nervous at the waterpark, and I bet is will help her confidence as well.

Last time we were at the pool, she got scolded so many times that I said two words to her "get changed." This time, I was quiet, just because I didn't have anything to say. She asked me "have I started a bad day?" and I had to tell her no, she did fine, but we both agreed there were a few moments that she could have been a better listener. Sadly, I think she's starting to get it now. When I only have three days left!

Oh, B is done with piano, now he has to read to me. Be back later.

I'm "special" because I like canadian bacon and mushrooms on my pizza!

What Your Pizza Reveals

People may tell you that you have a small appetite... but you aren't under eating. You just aren't a pig. You are a very picky pizza eater. Not any pizza will do. You fit in best in the Northeast part of the US. You like food that's traditional and well crafted. You aren't impressed with "gourmet" foods. You are dependable, loyal, and conservative with your choices. You are cultured and intellectual. You should consider traveling to Vienna. The stereotype that best fits you is emo. You think you're special... and you kind of are.

What Does Your Pizza Say About You?

In nine days, I will be in Toronto. Yay, I'm so excited for this trip.

Someone asked me what I was doing in Toronto. Mostly, I'll be visiting family. But my mom and I have lots of plans. We're going to drive through Algonquin Provincial Park, go out on a tour of Lake Muskoka, see a baseball game and the Wilkinsions, go to the Ex and Casa Loma. Whatever family member chooses to join us, is more than welcome, but we'll be okay on our own.

We'll stay with my aunt in Muskoka and my cousins in Newmarket (so I guess that's not technically "Toronto" - but who cares? It's Canada!)

Our passports finally arrived in the mail - only a week later than they were supposed to with the expedited service. (PSA- If you need a passport, start early. Regular ones are taking 16 weeks to arrive, expedited at least 4).

This is officially my last day at work, and that is a very good thing. I have never been more frustrated by a child in my life. This seven year old is completely rude and disrespectful and I cannot take it anymore. I keep telling myself, one more week. And it helps.

My cousin is going to be here for four days this week, and K and B's mom asked me to watch them on Tuesday for few hours, which will be nice. B on his WORST days is better than the seven year old on her best right now.

I'll be back, hopefully sooner than I have been. I don't know why I've been so lax in my blog posting lately.

One job prospect gone

Nevermind the fact that I was going to turn down this job anyhow.

I don't remember if I mentioned the interview I had last week? But, I'm going to talk about it now.

It was for a family with a three year old boy (A). A is super smart (counts to 40 on his own, reads, sold first painting before he turned one, trains at an Olympic level gymnastics studio, you name it he's done). I sat with his parents for over 2.5 hours while they told me how special this kid was and that they've never pushed him to do anything, he follows his interests, blah blah blah. Can I point out that your one year old DID NOT sell that painting by himself, nor did he enroll himself in gymnastics? But, I discussed my belief in the general 'unschooling' style of teaching and they seemed to be all ears - plus they seemed to believe he did all of this on his own following his own desires, which was relief considering that I knew going in I couldn't work for family who was pushing their three year old to do academics, when he could learn just as much from playing.

When I left she handed me $100 for "gas money" because that's "all she had" - which I'll admit was way nice, but to me, it was too generous. I wouldn't have cared if she handed me anything, and I don't particularly care to be "bought" like that. She said she'd let me know by Thursday one way or another but that they were definitely leaning toward me.

Today, I found a blog of a nanny who lives around here through a link on ISYN. I read the first paragraph of the first entry on this blog and knew that she got the job - the one I had applied for and never heard anything back from. Now, I think from reading the rest of her blog I know this nanny, and she brought her last charge to the gym class that the two old goes too, so I don't really mind, good for her for finding a new job so quickly (her previous employer had a second child and decided to stay home full time). But, is it too much to ask to know that I don't have the job for sure? Seriously, one way or another means to expect an email or phone call! There's nothing quite like finding out that you didn't get a job through a blog post on the internet.

Happy Birthday to Me?

This morning started out with a seven year old who refused to listen to anything I was saying. She was completely disrespectful and I was so close to turning around and yelling at her "it's my birthday, could you be nice to me if for no other reason than that?" at about 9am. I managed to hold off until 3pm, but not without many tantrums from the two year old and otherwise rude behaviours from both of them.

My parents took me and ten others out to dinner at my favourite restaurant tonight - it was wonderful and I added to my gift card collection (Borders, Cold Stone Creamery, Starbucks, Best Buy), got a CD I wanted (Big and Rich) and an external hard drive for my computer (in less than 6 months I've used over half the memory on this hard drive, I take too many pictures and listen to too much music apparently!).

Only 13 more days (8 more work days) until Toronto!!!

Soul to Soul 2007

Last night I saw Tim McGraw and Faith Hill in concert in Sacramento! We were on the floor fairly close to the stage - and if not for the nasty security guard I could have been right at the stage for the whole night.

Here are some of my favourite pictures from the evening.

One of my favourites - it was like the 10th picture I took (out of 300!)

This one's cool too - Faith Hill singing "Lucky One" - at least I'm pretty sure...

Faith brought this little girl whose name was Carly to the stage - Carly went back and forth between dancing and just being completely excite to be up there with Faith.

Tim McGraw

Playing a game - when the hands are down you're quiet.

When they're up, you scream. I think he liked the control he had over the audience at this point!

It's Your Love

One last picture of Faith - and then the camera died!

Back to work tomorrow - only 9 more working days then I'm off to Canada - yay!