Another Year Comes to an End....Let's Review

So a little less then an hour and 15 minutes we will welcome in 2012 but before we do I think I should reflect on 2011.  It sure was a doosie!  I welcomed in 2011 with lots of laughter with friends and family at my house.  Then Roy and I finally had   a house warming party which was fantastic and probably one of my favorite memories of the year.  Then I turned 25 accompanied with Roy and Mikey.  I finished out the end of my first year of teaching unfortunately a week early since I unfortunately had to go back to NY to say goodbye to Aunt Mary.  After that I then spent of the rest of the summer in NY planning my dream wedding.  When I came back from NY I was welcomed home with a lovely case of mono.  The next few months were extremely hard.  I recovered from the mono eventually.  Started teaching for the 2nd year to a new set of kids that were nothing like last year and it made teaching very hard.  It didn't help anything that I pretty much already hated the place I work.  Well all this wonderfulness plus a  whole set of other issues lead to the cancellation of Roy and I's engagement.  We couldn't keep going the way we were and Roy and I broke up.  We eventually decided that was not what either one of us wanted it to be over forever so we started going to a counselor.  After a few sessions Roy moved back home and since then we have been taking it day by day.  It still breaks my heart that we aren't engaged and getting married in July but am grateful that we were both willing to work on things.  This year I also got Perry the most precious puppy in the world.  I never thought I would love a dog soo much but I sure do.  To finish off 2011 I probably for the first time in my life did something because it was what I wanted and knew it was the best for me.  I quit the job I hated and started working as a nanny which as of now I absolutely love!  I hope 2012 is a better year but am grateful for the lessons learned in 2011.  Now time to spend the rest of 2011 snuggled up on the couch with Mikey, Mommy, and Roy.  Happy New Year everyone!

Back to the Daily Grind

          After a relaxing day of hanging with family on Monday I headed back to work today.  I was SOOOO tired this morning even though I now wake up later then kids actually use to arrive at my room.  I'm really trying to work on getting myself in a sleep schedule but that got extremely messed up with Christmas and all that baking.  I really want to get on a good schedule so by the time I get home at 6 and have dinner I don't feel like I'm ready to pass out and can actually be productive with my life.  If you know me you know how important I find being productive.  (especially now with my new love of pinterest where I have made a to do list of tons of things!)  So tonight as soon as I finish typing I'm gong to try to sleep.  Today at work I finally met the third kid and he is a great mix to the group.  We had lots of fun playing with all the new Christmas toys and even getting to enjoy some sunlight outside today.  Before I left today the oldest boy (the one I finally met today) asked me if I would be back tomorrow and when I said I would he said YES!  That made me feel good.  Then to top it off the boss lady sent me a text tonight saying when she put the girl to bed tonight she told her "Mom, I really like Jessica.  She really plays with us."  It makes me really happy with my job change.  Plus I get to watch Disney movies and play games most of the day...winning!  It also helps that the kids are really good for me but I have always been told I have an amazing disposition with kids.  I hope no matter what road my life my take me on I always get to do something involving kids.

Merry Christmas to All!

     So it has been another successful Christmas at the Kalish/Eleftheriou houses this year.  Finally ALL of the baking was finished and everything was transported to Mom's house.  My car had NO room left in it, I wasn't even sure Perry was gonna fit but I sure couldn't leave him behind.  Growing up Christmas Eve was always the big celebration with our family and once we moved down here we continued the condition on a smaller scale (since we have no family down here).  So Christmas Eve mama made ham and spaghetti fradiable (sp?).  I contributed some of Morgie Lowe's mac n cheese.  Then came dessert were we had probably more dessert then we did dinner food.  After we had finished eating Michael decided after seeing the Santa tracker provided by big brother Will that we all needed to go to bed right away.  So Michael went to bed with no problem.  Leaving all of Santa's elves to unpack my car, bring over the train table from grandma, and organize the gifts under the tree.  Then it was time for me to head back to my house.  When I got home I had a great surprise from Roy who had come home earlier.  The kitchen which I had left a mess from ALL of the baking was completely cleaned.  After all that I was pooped and went to bed.  As I laid in my bed I realized this was the first Christmas I wasn't sleeping at my mom's house.  Well I almost got back up and turned around back to mom's house.  However, I knew that wouldn't be fair to Roy and I needed to stay home.
     Christmas Eve makes me miss New York tons.  I think about all the wonderful Christmases at grandma's or Aunt Mary's house with all my billions of cousins.  Where we would all sing jingle bells at the top of our lungs waiting for Santa to come see us.  Since one of the uncles would always dress up as Santa and pass out the gifts all the aunts and uncles had bought for us.  I miss those times.
     Christmas Day is spent much different then Christmas Eve.  Christmas Day I left my house by 6:15 with much protest from Roy and Sam to make sure I was at mom's before Mikey woke.  I have actually been waking up at crazy hours of the morning of Christmas Day for as long as I can remember.  Its one of my favorite things to wake up and sit peacefully by myself while I wake Christmas shows on tv by the light of the tree.  So when I woke at 5:40 this morning and realized I wouldn't be able to that this morning I was quit sad. See this year Roy and I decided not to buy a tree this year since we knew we would spend Christmas Eve and Day at mom's.  Also, buying a Christmas tree meant one less present we could buy for the family.  Roy and I always worry about making sure Michael has an amazing Christmas and that was way more important then a tree.  This year we were actually able to get something nice for everyone including Roy's nieces and nephews.  Which made us both happy.  I know it kind of frustrates Roy that since we make sure to take care of everyone he can't always buy something for me but he doesn't realize how much it means to me to be able to give to everyone especially Michael.  Roy works really hard and when it comes to Christmas time never says no to anything I want to get for anyone and I love him so much for that (and so many other reasons).  Due to all this Michael had an wonderful Christmas.  He said he knew he had been a good boy because Santa had bought him everything he asked for. Just seeing the joy on his face makes everything all worth it.  I hope everyone else enjoyed their gifts but Christmas morning is all about the little one(s). After all the presents were open (which Michael didn't even want to finish he asked to wait till Thanksgiving to open the rest) it was play time.  Then a Christmas Day first mom made a delicious french toast breakfast (usually be just spend the day picking at all the leftovers).  After that it was time for more playing, some passing out, and eventually some more leftovers.  Overall it was an amazing time and I truly feel so blessed and happy.  I hope everyone else had a truly blessed holiday!

So It Begins....

I know lots of you have been wanting to know all about my new job.  Well here it finally is lol.  I love it!  I worked Thursday 9-6 and Friday 10-5:30.  Right now just the girl and one boy are home.  The other boy (the step son) is visiting family.  Thursday we went to see Alvin and the Chipmunks, came home made ornaments, and played games.  Before I knew it the day was over.  Friday I had to bring the kids to get hair cuts and grocery shopping.  Grocery shopping was interesting and is certainly something we are going to have to work on.  Then it was home for lunch, nap for the little one, and more game playing.  It can get boring at times but a girl could get use to boring.  Boring gives me time to be me.  There probably won't be as much down time once the kids go back to school because I'll be working in the office in the morning then homework and extra curricular activities in the afternoon.  Well the timer is going off on the last batch of cookies and after over 10 dozen cookies this girl is pooped!  Hope ya'll are having a wonderful evening!

Clean Cars and Puppy Dog Tales

       Today has been AMAZING!!!!  I actually knocked things off my to do list that have been there for longer then I'd like to remember.  One major thing being the cleaning out of the inside of my car.  It has now been vacuumed, polished, and spot shot!  I also finish wrapping all of the Christmas presents today which this is probably the first time I have ever finished wrapping actually before Christmas Eve.  All that's left in the way of presents is putting together Michael's train table.  I even got to meet the kids I will be taking care of today.  Well two of them anyway.  It will be interesting to say the least.  Tomorrow will be my first day with them.  I will be with them ALL day and am slightly nervous.  I'm sure I will have lots to say about it tomorrow.
       While doing all this I also managed to put together a 2 fence doorways so Perry can't get out of the hallway when Roy and I are at work.  We use to use a fence that was 2 feet high but Perry learned how to climb that.  So I took that fence apart and made 2 four foot by four foot walls and mounted them to a U shaped PVC pipe frame that I made.  This made me feel SUPER handy.  This fence is super important because even though Perry has graduated from Puppy class he still is not house broken which is VERY frustrating.  This fence allows us to leave him out all day in a bigger confined area near his business spot.  Since he is still young and not house broken we do not want to leave him out all day and just leaving him in his crate would be cruel.  We hope he uses his spot while we are away but in the past he won't go when we aren't home.  This worries me because he can end up giving himself a UTI.  Today, was a good day for Perry in the way of house training.  He only had one pee pee accident and one well you know accident.  He even went once on his pad all by himself without Roy or I putting him on the leash and keeping him on the spot for ten minutes.  Doing the ten minutes on then two minutes crated can be very frustrating but I know its for the greater good.  So the fact that I ended up spending an hour and a half tonight doing 10 on 2 off makes it all worth it when I finally see that oh so much loved squat.
          Well after that hour and half potty dance I must be getting some sleep seeing how I start my new job tomorrow!  :)

Doing The Stuff I Like Because I Can

So my first weekend and 2 days of life not as a current teacher have gone by and I must say have been WONDERFUL!!!!  I have done a ton of stuff I've wanted and needed to do because I want to and I can.  The best part of it was not feeling guilty about the school stuff that wasn't getting done because I was doing something I wanted.  This has included watching a bunch of movies, taking a couple of naps, and actually making dinner including new recipes (pizza casserole and baked chicken).  I have found a new love...Pinterest! Check out my boards!  During this time I have also finished Christmas shopping and almost all the wrapping.  Plus I have cleaned my house.  I had time to actually get crafty with Mikey (my baby brother).  I helped him make two Christmas ornaments.  The first one was a Santa face out of mini Popsicle sticks and the second was snowman hand prints.  I also have spent time with Perry (my puppy) working on his training.  He actually graduated from Puppy Obedience Class tonight!  Yay Perry!  He can sit, stand, lay down, come, stay, and leave it.   Now if he would just pee and poop on the pee pee pad things would be super duper!  That is just a little bit about what is going on in my life and I must say life is wonderful and I feel so happy.  I am BLESSED!!!!

The End of a Chapter

As I sit here listen to my lovely 3rd graders talk through their 2nd movie of the day a behavior which usually drives me up the wall I can't help but be slightly saddened.  Today, is my last day as their teacher.  I have no idea who is coming to replace me and watch over them but it is my time to go.  I have decided to leaving teaching (for now) because of so much unhappiness with the job.  On the 22nd I will start a job as an assistant/nanny.  I can honestly say I'm really excited to see what it is going to be like.  As for my students, they have no idea all this is going on and I'm not allowed to say anything.  Not being allowed to say anything to them is the part that breaks my heart the most.  I actually cried yesterday when the principal told me I couldn't.  They are a rough bunch but I still want to say bye to them. I deserve that, they deserve that.  I will miss them and the wonderful staff that have become such dear friends when I leave.  Well I need to go finish packing up my last odds and ends.  Hoping for a nice rest of the afternoon with hopefully few tears on my part which if you know me that's not the easiest thing for me.  I have actually done well today with the crying only one close call after reading a card that a sweet friend gave me.