Today is for the Dogs! Literally

 Tim Burton's Frankenweenie will hit theaters October 5, 2012.  If your pup had it his way he would demand you take him too! Tell Fido not to fret too much, as today is his special day. Its National Doggie Day today! I am sure he will enjoy the wind in his face with the car windows down, stopping to smell every flower, plenty of kisses, lots of fetch and some new chew toys to celebrate the day!

 

Glitter, Glue and YOU!

Five years ago I began work at the hardest job I have ever had. I was under the impression that the perks would always be fabulous. The probation period was off to a great start. The employees were always so happy to see me. That delight soon changed after the first 30 days, it became a little daunting. This job was nothing like I imagined it to be. Turns out my employees were ruthless at times. I would never know what type of mood they would be in when I would start my day. Daily there would always be something petty to argue about. Don't even get me started on the staff refrigerator! At least twice a week we would hear the moaning and complaints that another person ate a snack that wasn't theirs. Breaks were frowned on and I wasn't even able to go to the restroom without an employee following me in to find out why something wasn't done. I felt like I had no privacy. I did the job the best I could as it kept changing. I was given more responsibilities tacked on to my already long list of things that had to be done everyday. I never took vacation, overtime was weekly, I always came to work when I was sick, only when I was unable to get out of bed and struck down with a migraine could I get my shift covered. You had to look and feel like  death to take a sick day. Even though my shift would be covered I still had my employees asking me where important things were and why things haven't been done.

 

Daily I cleaned up the messes they would make. Although poop never hit the fan, I sure cleaned it everyday, and I am not talking about the fan. I was one person doing the job of 10 and I wasn't recognized for it as often as I would have liked or expected. There were days I wanted to quit, run away, and walk out the door! I have been written up for my behavior and lack of enthusiasm on several occasions. Equally so I have had to put my employees on corrective action. It got so bad when they would see me walk the halls they would whisper, "stay away from her shes not nice". I didn't care I was doing my job. Finally I implemented a reward system that wasn't budgeted and I never got reimbursed however it kept the peace in the workplace. 

Five years later, I have learned a great deal and I continue to learn everyday from my employees. I have yet to take vacation and I put in hours of overtime each week. I get paid in kisses, hugs, handmade jewelry, and respect. I wouldn't change this job for the world! The title of stay at home mom, I have earned it and I wear the title proudly. 

As I write this I have butterflies in my stomach. In five years I haven't been away from my kids, only when they were in school. When my youngest was born I went to school for 15 hours a week. I feel as if I am letting my team down as I venture on 40 hours away from my toddler. My older two will be in school during the duration of the time. It will be my bright eyed toddler that I am going to be separated from. Its been forever since I had these feelings of anxiety as I drop my child off at daycare. I am very sad and heartbroken. I finished packing his bag with the items they have requested for his school and I handled it pretty well  I burst into tears at least 15 times as I organized his belongings.

I had several meltdowns meetings at my sons school. This was done so I he would be comfortable with the transition of being away from him me. He did well at his school,  I was getting my back rubbed and Kleenex were soaking up my tears we both did well actually. I was so sad that he didn't realize I had left the room amazed that he fit in right away with playing with his new friends and getting use to his new surroundings.I look forward to starting Monday morning. It would figure that once I got the hang of "The hardest job I have ever had" I am taking a reduction in hours. From full time to part time during the day. I won't miss the corrective actions, cleaning up the poop, or messes he leaves behind. I am sure there will be enough of that when I get home. 

Your monkeys need to be released into the jungle, Scooter's Jungle that is

Today I took two of my monkeys to Scooters Jungle for their open play they hosted. 

I can't believe this is the first I have heard of their open play.  I choose the best time to go especially in this heat. It was 91 degrees today and I was too overwhelmed with the heat to function let alone go to the park and play in the scorching sun. I was able to go cool down in an air conditioned room and let my children run like crazy monkeys. It was a win win, It wasn't my house they were swinging from, I spared a few dollars on my electric bill by not running the air for a few hours, and my children were able to be very active, more so than they would have been at home. Holding the remote to change the channel doesn't count. "Scooter's Jungle is your neighborhood destination for private family fun in a safe, clean and active tropical-themed setting offering worry-free kids birthday parties, open play, fundraisers, team events and children's and family activities. Who could ask for more?" The staff is super friendly and very accommodating.

Most parents were relaxing soaking up the two hours of free time they had as their children explored the many different bounce adventures. I choose to join my little monkey on his new found love, the giant slide. We climbed it I climbed it with him on my hip. Talk about a work out for your GM ladies "gluteus maximus" I did this three times before I was exhausted and just cheered from the sidelines, with some of the other parents. I definitely earned a cupcake for this activity.

They have two huge rooms of inflatable bouncy delights as my oldest called them. From basketball hoops , zip lining, obstacles and maze inflatables. 

My little one enjoyed playing with the many toys that were scattered around while he waited for his turn.

The highlight for my oldest monkey was the;

"It was super cool and the paint was glow in the dark too" ~ My Oldest Monkey raved

We were very lucky to be able to go to the toddler room that is not normally open during open play. This is where all my little monkeys dreams came true. A slide he could climb himself again and again. Yeah right, even though he could I still had the monkey on my back, erm... Lap!

His other favorite place to play was the toddler corner,  it was mine too anything to keep us away from that slide. The slide wouldn't have been that bad, if my littlest monkey didn't want to do it again and again and again, you know like every other toddler that discovered a new interest.

They had so many fun things to do in the toddler area. A bounce house, a giant slide, age appropriate toys, slides, "roller coasters" Scooter's Jungle style, and a tree house play area, not to mention a giant red chair that was a huge hit to all the little. Check out the calendar of events, the price was very reasonable and well worth it. We will most definitely return for their open play. I am even thinking about birthday party ideas for my toddler  Little monkey at Scooter's Jungle.

The Odd Life of Timothy Green

The Odd Life of Timothy Green is one of the best films I have seen in a long time, one that will be forever "planted" in my heart. Its a family affair so bring the family and get ready for a treat, one that will renew your spirit and leave your heart happy.

The story is about a childless couple (Jennifer Garner and Joel Edgerton ) who have been told the reality of their situation of not being able to have a child after they have been trying for awhile. The couple then goes home with that reality looming over them, thru sorrow and torment by the unfortunate truth. Thru laughter and tears they grab a notebook and a pencil, and their dreams are placed in a box.

The next thing you know Timothy Green  (CJ Adams) arrives from the backyard and life is never the same. I don't want to say too much for I will just spoil it for you. I will say this movie did touch my heart and I am going to see this movie again  and I will defiantly be adding this to my DVD collection. This is now going to take the place of  "It's a Wonderful life" during the holidays or any day I feel like it or if I just need a pick me up, yes its that good!

Life is about seasons and growing, and as parents we might not always get it right. By the time we think we have figured it out, its time for our little ones to venture out. Ok I tried not to burst into tears writing that last part. It was such a fantastic movie about family, and being comfortable in your own skin. Sometimes we forget how much faith our children put into us, they believe we can do anything if we really believe. After this movie if you haven't invested in pencils and notebooks I don't know what to tell you.

Go see The Odd Life Of Timothy Green and when you see it once, you will feel compelled to see it again and again. This is the feel good movie of the year. LOVED IT!