Changes

About 6 months ago my job-share partner, Debbie, told me that she was going to be moving and staying home with her kids after the school year. My heart about dropped. She was an awesome partner and I was hoping that we would be able to job share for many years. Fortunately there was another teacher (Wendi McGrath) that I was in contact with who was in the same position as me. She has a young daughter and was job sharing and her job share partner moved mid-year. Perfect, right? We started talking to HR and administration to get something set for next school year. Sounds simple, but it has been very stressful trying to get it all worked out. After 6 months of back-and-forths and thinking it was going to happen then being let down we finally have our plans for next year. I will be teaching 5th grade at Sierra Elementary where Wendi worked last year. I'll be working every other Wednesday, Thursdays and Fridays. At first the whole idea of switching schools and grades stressed me out a bit, but now that it has sunk in I think it is going to be perfect. It's close to my house, our daycare provider is on the way, and the school has an incredibly supportive administration and community. From what I've heard and seen it's one of the best schools in Kyrene. I'm hoping I'll be there for a long time so that Blake and Emerson can go to school there with me! Not to mention that Wendi is an amazing teacher and has taught 5th for several years. I kept telling myself that things have a way of working out for the best. Once again that proves to be true!

Potty Training

Look at these BIG kids!

Emerson's first wedgie- and, yes, I do document EVERYTHING!:)

One of my summer goals was to attempt potty training for Blake and Emerson. Are you ready for TMI?! We started two weeks ago. The first thing I did was head to target to buy some underpants- pink princesses for Emerson, Thomas the Train for Blake, and I couldn't resist a package of boxer briefs! I was going to try the 3 day thing but after one "accident" on the carpet I decided that approach wasn't going to work for me. :) So, instead, we talked all throughout the day about the potty and read books about the potty and what happens there. Poop and pee-pee are the main topics of conversation around the Rhodes household. Then, perfect timing, as we were getting ready for a bath I could tell that Blake was about to go. I quickly reached for him and plopped him on the big potty. He went in the potty for the first time and thought it was hysterical! Since then he has consistently gone 1-3 times a day...yay! He has the same routine each time. He climbs on the big potty, scoots back, looks down to watch, and when he's done he looks up with his mouth opened wide in a huge grin. So stinkin' cute! Emerson applauded him for a few days and then decided she didn't want to miss out. She has started going a few times a day in the last few days. I think we are well on our way! Today was the first time she actually told me that she had to go. I even had them in their underpants with no diaper for a few hours today with no accidents! Of course, we have had some tantrums over not wanting to get off the potty, and we had some tantrums when one got a treat and the other didn't. So, now if one of them goes pee-pee they each get one animal cracker. If they go poo-poo they get a lollipop...this has kept them cheering each other on! It's working so far. They still wear diapers most of the time. I think we'll keep taking the baby steps and when they're able to consistently tell me when they need to go potty then we'll switch to underpants. I usually get sad when they hit milestones, but when we say goodbye to the diapers I definitely will NOT be sad!

Busy Week!

I have been so behind on my blogging! Sorry to my faithful blog followers (mom)! You'd think I would have more time since I'm out of school for the summer, but it's just the opposite. We've been beyond busy each and every day. We are trying to go to the ranch or cabin as many weekends as possible this summer. I have the kids signed up for all kinds of fun enrichment mommy and me classes. We have an early literacy class at the library on Mondays, a movement class on Thursdays and a music class on Fridays. Next week we start swimming on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. In between the classes we have been getting use of our museum memberships and seeing friends for play dates. FUN, FUN, FUN! There is nothing I like better than throwing on a tank top, cut-offs, flip flops, hair in a p0nytail and out the door with my two favorite 2 year olds! I'm loving just being "Mom" and taking off my teacher hat for a few months.

The Sea Life Aquarium

Phoenix Children's Museum

Frozen Yogurt with Lexi and Charlotte

Peter Piper Pizza

More Fun at the Cabin

Best Buds