Day Off

A little more than 10 years ago, I left work one day and promptly had my first baby. For almost 6 years, I stayed home full-time and had 3 more. I then returned to work, first part-time (& had 1 more kid), and this year I'm officially full-time. In all of these years, there has never been a day when the kids were at school that I didn't have a little one to take care of. Being a teacher, if I have a day off, the kids are off with me. That's part of the reason why I love my job. 

BUT, today is different. This year, all 5 kids are in school. And they go to a private school. So, even though they are in my school district, for the first time ever, I have a day off and they don't. My kids are at school on this St. Patrick's Day, while I'm out of work for Boston city workers' favorite holiday - Evacuation Day. 

I haven't had a day off without the children since I started having them. I love my kids, but this is fantastic. I got up and got them ready for school, but PJ drove them. That left me to get right back into bed with the dog and a cup of coffee. 

Now, I'm just relaxing for the next few hours until PJ and I go to the movies with the in-laws (they're off, too). There are a million things I could get done without the kids underfoot, but where's the fun in that? I think I'll take a bubble bath instead and revel in the sound of silence. 

I've got a whole year before this happens again. I'm going to enjoy every minute of it!

HEY! If you enjoy the blog, why not become a follower? I'm the one who's chilling out ALL ALONE. You can also stalk find me on Facebook and Twitter. Like the page and follow me!

**And be sure to visit my Zazzle store. Don't you need a new coffee mug or apron?

-->Have you played the game, too? (I can't get the toast out!) Feel free to share your story in the comments below...

Tuesday's Tip (#39)

Here's a tip for you:

Don't get a dog. 

If you get a dog, he might be tall enough to reach all of the counters in your kitchen. If he can reach all the counters, he might help himself to the fruit bowl. Unfortunately, after he helps himself to some fruit, he'll refuse to use the trash can. This is when you'll find yourself walking in the dark at 5 am and LITERALLY slip on a banana peel. Don't slip on a banana peel. 

My life is a cartoon. Not only that, but I went back to bed with a cup of coffee only to find the dog sleeping with his head on my pillow. 

Bad dog

Have a tip to share? Or the number for a dog trainer? Feel free to leave a comment below...

...& be sure to check back every Tuesday for a new tip!

Dumb Ways To Parent...

Have you seen the "Dumb Ways to Die" app? If not, you should. It's pretty funny. At the very least, click the link and go listen to the song. Go ahead. I'll wait right here. (It makes this post so much funnier if you actually know what I'm talking about.)

Apparently, this song - and the app that eventually stemmed from it - was meant to be a public service announcement to teach people in Australia to be safe around trains. It lists numerous "dumb" ways to die and you basically get the understanding that it's also dumb to not be safe around trains.

My good friend, Dawnie (her pet name at my house), decided it was totally appropriate to show Patrick the app (because it is so fun to play). He loved it and got approval to download it. AND... since we all share an iTunes account, all of the other knuckleheads play it, too. There's really nothing like hearing Charlotte (in all her three year-old splendor) sing about setting fire to your hair and poking sticks at grizzly bears with a faint Australian accent.

Little did I know, however, that the game and its catchy little tune might actually become educational. Sophie is getting to that age where she is one of the big kids in the house and can start to do a lot more for herself & others. This includes making toast with butter for herself and the little kids. She loves to do it (because the novelty of helping out the little kids hasn't worn off, yet). 

Yesterday, she was sitting on the counter waiting for the toast. When it popped, she realized that the bread was a little small and she couldn't quite get it out. So she announced that she was going to grab a fork. That's when Sean stepped in to save the day:

{singing} "Get your toast out with a fork... Do your own electrical work... Dumb ways to die, so many dumb ways to die...

Sophie, don't you know you can get electrocuted doing that??"

Please appreciate the fact that he was laughing at her. And he just turned 5. I should thank the people of Melbourne for helping my kids out with that important life lesson. I should probably go over some basic kitchen rules, while I'm at it. 

Yikes

So, if you're too lazy to teach your kids basic safety, teach them the song. At least they'll go through life knowing it's not okay to "teach yourself how to fly" or "eat a two week-old unrefrigerated pie."

HEY! If you enjoy the blog, why not become a follower? I'm the one who's teaching safety through song. You can also stalk find me on Facebook and Twitter. Like the page and follow me!

**And be sure to visit my Zazzle store. Don't you need a new coffee mug or apron?

-->Have you played the game, too? (I can't get the toast out!) Feel free to share your story in the comments below...