Is this day over yet??????

Today is dragging on forever and there are hours left in it. My husband and I decided at 630 last night that I was going to pull up the carpet in the master bedroom too. It was a little too late to start but oh well. We did it because he was taking the other carpet to the landfill today and we thought we would "save a trip".  I think I made it to bed at 1130 and didn't sleep well at all! And today is just a poop of a day, literally. 2 little ones pooped through diapers because they're teething and they're cranky too. And I just looked out my window and it's starting to snow. They are forecasting 15+ inches of snow now through Wednesday. Good Lord if your listening,,,,,I WANT SPRING!!!! Now I'm going to need to get up a good hr and a half earlier the next 2 days to snow blow the driveway for the parents and kids. With all this bleeeping snow it better at least be wet snow so we can make forts and snowmen. All of the snow lately has been so dry it doesn't stick at all. Well, better go wrap a birthday gift for a party my boys are going to tonight. I guess I'm a procrastinator :)

I thought weekends were for relaxing???

I've been up and going since 630 this morning when my bright eyed little boys looked at me like why aren't you already up and dressed! I'm not much of a morning person if you haven't noticed. We hung around the house for a little while doing some odds and ends cleaning and then we were on our way to pick-up my mom's carpet shampooer. I had decided I just couldn't live with the spots and odor (that only I noticed) coming from my living room couches. We ran a few more errands and stopped at PaPa's for a visit. After we got home they had free reign to make whatever mess they wanted, I WAS GOING TO GET THAT COUCH CLEAN!! 3 tiring hours later my couch was soaking wet and I wanted to vomit from the color of the water that I kept dumping, I wonder if having a brown couch made the water that color???? Well I am happy that it is now dry and so beautiful and clean and smells wonderful.

The first person near it with any liquid or food loses a finger!!! (Just kidding, I think)

Breakfast Time!

I was getting breakfast ready for the kids and a new little one said he only eats hot dogs for breakfast! I was a little puzzled and said hot dogs and chips?? He said yep and that's all he was gonna eat. (I guess I will be asking his mom about that later) His bowl of cereal is still sitting at the table waiting for him. I'm not sure how long he's going to wait before he gives in. I will give in to some things like a pb&j or something somewhat healthy, but hot dogs and chips just isn't going to happen.
On another note, it's 8:30am and the time-out count is at 3. I think I dished out 30+ timeouts yesterday. Must be the phase of the moon or something!!

Late Pickups!!

I don't mind if parents are going to be late, but please remember that the daycare provider is expecting you at an approximate time. If your going to be 2 hours later than that, a quick phone call would be courteous. I was expecting a parent to come and finally I called and they said they were out running errands and would be here shortly. I just wish I had known. It helps plan activities if I know who is going to be here and when. It just drives me nuts because it's just a quick phone call!!

Diaper Rash Rant!!

Ok, I do not understand how some parents don't seem to care if their child has a diaper rash??? How would they like to be that uncomfortable?? In my contract they are supposed to supply ointment as needed, I wish I could specify which brand though. I have one little girl who always has a diaper rash. I change her often and use my ointment because they send A&D (if they send any at all) and personally I hate that stuff. My personal opinion from wiping and putting ointment on a lot of tushes, A&D and Boudreax's Butt Paste do NOT work on anything other than a barely there rash. Triple Paste is so hard that you really have to rub it hard on the tush to get it to stick and with a soar butt, I could never do that. Desitin does work, but you need to apply it very often to get it to work. The only cream I use with my kids now is Extra Protective Cream by Smith and Nephew. I came across this at the NICU when my youngest son was born and wont use anything else. I haven't found it in a local store so I've ordered it from medical supply companies. It's a bit more expensive but worth every penny because you can get rid of the worst rash with 1 or 2 applications before bed time. They also have a cleanser spray that is awesome. It helps between those dirty diaper changes so you don't need to rub much at all to get cream off. I'm not getting paid to write this (that would be awesome though :), just my personal recommendation to those who are having diaper rash issues with their little ones.

How Much Fun it REALLY is to Take 8 Toddlers Outside to Play in the Snow

Really, I do love my job most of the time, but getting 8 kids dressed for Iowa winters really sucks! Picture 8 boys (yes all boys, I have 1 baby girl) trying to be the first one with all of their gear on. It's either a machine that really needs oiled, or just a circus plain and simple. If you do the math, that is 8 pairs of snow pants, 8 coats, 8 hats, 16 mittens, 16 boots and a whole lotta patience. We have gotten a pretty good system down, but seriously it takes 20 plus minutes to get it done. And some parents seem to wonder why we don't go out everyday. Well first of all, sometimes it's just to cold in my opinion. And second of all, sometimes I just don't want to deal with it. We always go out with fresh snow, but otherwise it's hit and miss. Then once we're out we do have fun, until the first kids start wanting to go in. I will try to take a picture of the mess that I have after they all get undressed from their snow stuff and all of the snow they bring in with them. My poor shower curtain can barely hold all the wet coats, snow pants and gloves and hats. I usually give them hot cocoa and snack just so I can hang it all up and wipe up the wet puddle inside the door.. I will say for as much of a chore it is to go out, they definitely need the fresh air and exercise. I'm just not sure I do :)