Sweet Sisters

Before we had Nasha, I knew Neela would love her.  I wasn't wrong.  What I didn't expect or even think about was how much Nasha would love Neela.  They really are best friends.  Nasha calms with Neela, even when she is cranky for me.  Neela carries her around the house, and even made Nasha a fort yesterday in her bedroom.  Everytime Nasha would crawl out of it Neela would pick her up and put her back in it.  Nasha never complained even once.  She just loves her that much. 

I yelled for Neela yesterday, and Nasha's eyes got big and she started panting like a puppy...she was so excited because she knew I was calling for Neela and was anticipating the moment.  Whenever Nasha wakes up from her nap, Neela will crawl into her crib with a bevy of toys and entertain her for a while.  It really is the cutest thing.  I hope it lasts.  I love the family dynamic of having two older kids and then a baby. 

Peace

A really weird thing happened.  Very weird.

I've been so excited about my chance to be at stay-at-home mom...and it finally happened.  My last day of work was June 9th, and I've never looked back, other than missing my friends/colleagues.

Then WalMart happened.

I was shopping with the kids and ran into the parent of a child that I just finished evaluating at the end of the school year.  We both recognized each other right away and immediately I asked how things were going, and how things were progressing.  As she was filling me in, I was mentally making notes about how I would follow up and additional strategies to implement, etc, and then I found myself telling her to be sure to check in with the new school psychologist in August...  Wait, what?!  It won't be me?!  She finished by telling me how wonderful our team had been to work with and how finally their family is excited for school. 

I walked away after we finished talking and spent the next 3 minutes crying in the produce section. 

All because it won't be me there to help support their family.  Because my career is essentially over.  Do I want to go back?  Never.  But I was surprised that I would have such strong feelings so quickly. 

Later that day, as I vacuumed the living room, I realized that I was humming and had a smile on my face.

Yes, staying home will be bliss. 

(Hopefully, and until the next blog!)

Library Fun and Dancing

I took the kids to the library today to kill some time and it was super fun!  We've been there before, but truly it isn't on our "most-fun" list...the kids had so much fun that we decided to get library cards and they checked out books and movies.  And promptly came right home and starting reading and watching a show.  Even Nasha had fun playing in the kids area and trying to steal another kid's Nuk.  I think I really feel like a stay at home mom now, because every good stay and home mom worth her salt has kids with library cards, right?!??!?!  :)

Nasha has learned to dance.  Music comes on and she starts to boogie.  So super cute.  Sigh.

Mall Irritation

Today I took all the kids to the mall...after eating lunch, we stopped at the bathroom so everyone could pee and so I could change Nasha's diaper.  Despite the Manhattan, KS mall being a small mall, they had 2 "family bathrooms" that are next to the regular bathrooms.  Obviously, these are designed for families.  Both were occupied.  We waited.  And waited.  Finally, I knocked on one of them and it was obvious that only one lady was in the bathroom.  Finally, she came out and I admit it, I did give her a dirty look.  She was BY HERSELF!  Come on!  For real?!  She looked at me too, and as I was starting to usher the kids in along with a shopping bag, boppy pillow, purse, diaper bag, AND my three kids, she sorta yelled at me, "Don't you look at me like that!", so I was like "What, excuse me?!"  And she just kept walking.  And so I ignored her.

So, I probably shouldn't have stared her down, but really?  In a family bathroom by herself?  What, did she have to take a huge dump and didn't want anyone to know?  The bathroom didn't smell like anything suspicious was going on!!!  It just really irritated me.  So, the question is:

Am I wrong, or is she? 

Innocence

Today I took the "big kids" to the pool in Junction City.  We've started calling Nalen and Neela the "big kids" since it just seems like they are so much older than Nasha---which I guess they are.  Um, anyway---I took the big kids to the pool and we were having a good time (aside from Nalen's frequent crying bouts---he seems to be afraid of everything these days...)...Nalen had to pee, so I sent him into the bathroom, while keeping a watchful eye...which is another blog in itself---when really is the correct age to send him into the bathroom by himself?  I'm always afraid there's going to be a child molester in there or something---okay, so he came back from the bathroom and explained to me in detail about how he had trouble working the faucet but that another boy helped him.  I told him that was good...he said, "well, yeah, it was good, but he used bad words..."  He proceeded to tell me that he used the "S" word and the "H" word.  My mind was imagining...until Nalen said, "Yeah, Mom, he said "Stupid" and "Heck."  I said, Oh boy, well, that's too bad...but secretly I was so amused.  I love it how innocent he really is.  He's such a sweet boy.