Switch-aroo

I needed to drop some boxes off in my classroom so I thought I would take the kids over to my school, drop the things in my room, and let them play on the playground there. I had to drop some things off with my principal too.

This doesn't sound like a big task- but last week when I tried doing this and getting a few things done in the room, it didn't go well. The kids spilled water, dumped out recess toys, and in general made a mess. They asked me more questions than a million games of 20 questions and I think I ended up with more to do when we left than when we got there.

So today I was a bit hesitant to take the kids with me- but I didn't really have much of a choice- I wanted to see my principal and that means a trip during the day and not after hours.

I was pleasantly surprised with how well the kids did! Ashlyn played with blocks in my room while Riley and I went to see my principal. Riley erased his white board (oops!) but he just laughed and said it needed to be erased anyway. I only got one little thing done in my room, but what I mostly wanted to do was talk to my principal and get the boxes into my room. Then the kids played on the playground.

Neither one of them wanted to leave, but came with me anyway when I said it was time to go. I had to make one more stop- the dollar store- on the way home. I got what I needed (and maybe a toy or two for the kids) and we headed out again.

Since I was pressing my luck taking the kids out anyway- I figured, let's stop at McDonald's for lunch on the way home- it was after 12 already, I was hungry and knew the kids must be too. I knew hungry, hot, and tired kids were not a good combination for behaving out to eat- but I took that chance anyway.

Once again the kids surprised me! I know I took my kids out to lunch, but I must have ended up with someone else's kids - the two kids I ate with were polite, ate their lunch, didn't fight, didn't yell, they listened.....it was a mother's dream! I was so proud of them and made sure to tell them how much I loved their behavior today!

It only took us two weeks, but it seems like we have turned a corner and are starting to fall into place/adjusting to Gary's new job and schedule. Riley has stopped throwing shoes at me when I tell him his daddy is at work so that is progress! (Let's not tell the kids that in another month they will have to adjust to a whole new schedule again when school starts!)

In other news- Riley has gone 2.5 days without a single potty accident! Woo hoo! I realize today isn't over and I probably jinxed myself! But he seem to be doing better with all that.

It took a week of having this cold, but I seem to be finally feeling better myself. I wasn't down and out like the initial day- but I was struggling to get through the days. Much less patience and energy and by the end of the day I was achy and exhausted. Hopefully I will be back to normal (whatever that is!) real soon!

Ashlyn is LOVING vacation bible school again this year. She loves the time to be a big girl and do things with other kids. She likes her teacher and is so excited to tell us what she learned that day. If she keeps this up- I have no doubt she will adjust well to Kindergarten and just love her time in school.