Babysitting Diaries- Kudos to Moms!

Kudos to all the moms out there with multiple little ones! A few days ago, I got the chance to babysit for one of my favorite families, they have a 2 year old and a 10 month old. Mom was busy trying to get their house ready for a new family to move in, so I tried to keep the kids happy playing outside. It was really hot in the AZ sun and a few hours later, the mom had a stroke of brilliance and suggested that I take them to play at McDonalds. Hooray for air conditioning!
After about 45 minutes of playing and feeding the baby, they both got poopy so it was off to the bathroom to change. I loaded myself up with the 3 bags and 2 kids. Whew! We trekked across McDonalds and made it to the bathroom. I set up all the changing stuff and when I put the baby on the changing table, I found that it was broken. So it was attached to the wall, but wouldn't stay up. Here's a diagram of what this all looked like:

and if you'll notice, the trash can was clear on the opposite end of the stall. I changed the baby, and it wasn't too bad and I made a 3 pointer into the trash can!
Then it was the 2 year old's turn. He was much heavier than the baby and this time I only had one hand to change his because I was holding the baby as well as balancing on one foot while I held the changing table up with my knee. He was wearing a pull up, that meant I had to take his shoes and pants off all the way then redress him one handed too. AHHH! 10 minutes later, I made another 3 pointer into the trash can with his diaper! We did it! I won't even get into the hand washing procedure, words can't describe it. hahaha
Changing kids one handed while balancing on one foot should definitely be in the next Olympics. (Either that or the circus)
And the gold medal goes to. . . Jayne!

Simple Pleasure #1

Brand New Crayons

Coloring with brand new crayons has to be one of the best long forgotten pleasures of childhood. Join with me if you will on a detour down memory lane.
You are holding a brand new, unopened box of crayons. Excitement bubbles in your chest as you anticipate the infinite works of art you can now create. You sit down at the table, a crisp fresh piece of snow white paper in front of you. The moment has come. You savor the last moment of brand newness. You carefully try to open the top without ripping the cardboard. It takes a harder tug than you had anticipated and of course the corners of the inside tabs rip, as always. Oh well, you're a kid, it doesn't really matter.
Finally! The box is open. The smell of fresh crayons fills your lungs and you can't help but smile. You pick your favorite color and as you extract it, your fingernails dent the surrounding crayons. Drat! But it's ok because you finally have your crayon ready and you can now touch it to the clean, white paper.
Hooray! New crayons are the best. There's no guesswork, you know exactly where the lines will go because of the nice, sharp tip. There are no extra colors sneaking in- old crayons always seem to have bits of wax from the other crayons stuck to them...
Mom begins the countdown in her head. 3, 2, 1, SNAP! You're one perfect crayon becomes two. Well, it was fun while it lasted!

little girls, big laughs

I work at a Child Center and one day a little girl, about 4, was walking around holding her 1 year old sister's hand. She was so proud of having such a cute little sister, she walked up and said, beaming, "this is my little sister, wanna pet her?"

Simple Pleasures Come In Little Packages

Welcome to Simple Pleasures! This Blog is for all of the grown up kids out there who get a kick out of the "darned things kids say." I don't have children of my own, but I do work with kids about 40 hours a week and I definitely get my daily dose of laughter through this interaction. Sometimes putting in so many hours with so many kids seems like the world's best birth control, but most times it serves as a reminder of why I am working so hard to prepare to be a good mother someday. I hope my posts will brighten your day and remind you of the simple pleasures in life.
~Jayne