I'll play catch-up later but I wanted to write about something today. Today was your first day (6/17/13) at a sitter's house - other than one of your Grandma's. Here's how it all went down.
Well Grandma Donker has been caring for Aunt Laurie - ugh that's a whole other, lame, long, pointless story - as well as you too! That's too much for her, it really is. I mean she is 72 with MS. As much as Grandma loves, loves, loves having you there we just starting feeling guilty. Soooooooooooooooo I talked to Grandma Shelly about our concerns with Grandma watching you and she agreed that we needed to find someone else. I put an ad out on Sitter City and we interviewed one girl - she was lame! Then a Godsend replied to my ad, Ashley. Ashley sounded perfect and her price was right.
I responded as quick as possible to Ashley. Me, you and Grandma went and met with her that night. We pulled up and her house is darling! In a great neighborhood and then she opened the door and she was darling. Her house was spotless and smelled good. Ashley is young, hip with tattoos, easy to talk to and yet firm. I liked her right off the bat. You liked her son and the few kids that were waiting for their parents. We went over the paperwork and such while you and her son, Payton, wrestled. We had a great feeling! I left knowing that is where I would feel comfortable with you going.
I text Ashley the next day and told her we'd see her Monday morning. Aaaaaaahhhhh!!!
Your dad and I talked to you about Ashley all weekend. We reminded you that you have to listen to Ashley and that she can put you in timeout if she needs to and so on.
We also told you that you could take one blanket and a toy to Ashley's, so you picked out a few things to take with you. You were so cute in picking out your stuff.
Well Monday arrived and the first thing you said - possibly before you even opened your eyes was "I want to take my monkey to Ashley's house!" Super cute.
I took my sweet time getting ready this morning and you asked a few times "Can we go yet?" We finally got out of the door.
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| I took this picture as we left the house to Ashley's. Look at that cute, cute smile! |
In your suitcase were diapers, wipes, your Ariel doll and a cute piggy blanket Grandma Annette made for you before you were born.
You were so excited. I was excited and nervous for you, but your confidence and excitement put me at ease. Your dad felt the same way.
We arrived to Ashley's and you couldn't get out of the car fast enough. We walked up the stairs, daddy knocked on the door, but you wanted to knock too. All the kids were there and they were all smiles and excited to see a new face. Ashley was real inviting and happy to see you too. The kids welcomed you with open arms - literally. You sat down and got comfy while we finished up some paperwork with Ashley. We gave you kisses, told you to have a great day and we left. We left you there. It was kind of a weird feeling, but your dad reassured me that he had a good feeling about everything and was happy that you seemed happy to be there. We both were a little teary eyed when we drove off, then all we did was talk about you and how good this is for you and Grandma too!
This is a good thing for all the following reasons: you love and need to be around other children, this will help you learn to share, communicate and hopefully you will want to go potty in the potty like the big kids, you will learn to listen to an authoritative figure other than your parents or grandma's - that let you get away with everything. You will follow other household rules, you will learn from other kids - which can be good and bad.
I went to work and wondered how your day was going. Then Ashley sent me this picture of you.
I stopped worrying so much. When the day finally ended we went and picked you up. You did not want to leave! You were kicking and screaming! Ashley bribed you with some licorice and it worked.
I am SO glad you had such a good day! Um, you were a pill after being there all day and continued being a pill the rest of the week. Just something we need to work on, but I have faith this is the best thing for everyone. Thank goodness for Ashley!
I love you!
Love,
mommy
