Substitute Teaching, Siblings and Potty Training: Week Four

Do you have a goal(s) for yourself?  Things that speak to you that you are passionate about?  Mine is teaching.  Teaching for me has been a rocky journey.  Some years it was an amazing experience, and some years it was hard, messy and exhausting.  There have been times I swore I would never teach again.  However, this past year, I was able to remember and realize why I became a teacher.  It really started when I began walking Matthew to his class each day he had preschool.  We would walk past all the kindergarten and first grade classrooms.  I would peak in the large windows and admire the brightly colored classroom rugs and décor, and all the little desks/tables arranged just so.  I couldn't help but realize that it spoke to me, that teaching was more than just a career for me but a calling.  So, before Christmas, I began the paperwork process to become a substitute teacher with both the Evergreen and Battle Ground School Districts.  I had my first sub job a day after my paperwork was all processed and I was approved.  I still have dreams of having a classroom again.  Maybe someday I tell myself.

I enjoy those rare moments when all the sibs get along at the same time.  I took the girls out to lunch at the Spaghetti Factory, and found the boys playing guitars together.  Luke called themselves the "Rock and Roll Brothers".  They keep me on my toes and always laughing.

Mimi took us out to lunch after church on Sunday.  They love their Mimi!

This guy....so opinionated and so full of ideas.

I've been enjoying making fun activities for him to try now that we are on a break from therapy.  Most of them have been a hit.  He LOVES to stamp.  And he will stamp EVERYTHING!

We finished up week four trying some more potty training and failing miserably!  Anyone have any tips? Tricks? Miracles?  Seriously.  You think with kid #4 I would have this down by now.  But NOPE!  Not.Even.Close!

Sensory Table and New Bed: Week Two

Friends, how many of you enjoy being on a break from things?  Maybe school, chores, making dinner, an adult vacation from the kids?  Currently, we are on a break from therapy, and I couldn't be more happy about it!!!  After 18 long months of multiple therapies (sometimes 4 therapy appointments per week), WE.ARE.ON.A.BREAK!  Yay!!!  Not only am I enjoying saving all the money on co-pays each week, but also life seems to have more time.  We've slowed down.  We've had more time for play, and reading and just "being."  And my soul has needed this.

In an effort to continue to help Man Cub with his skills, I have been making him all sorts of sensory experiences at home.  I bought this Flisat table from IKEA about a year ago, and finally put it to use.  I am absolutely in LOVE.  It is perfect and small and interchangeable, and he LOVES bouncing off the school bus to see what is in his table today.

Do you ever feel like you just need "less" in your life?  I have been feeling that way for several months, and finally I am having the opportunity to step back from some things.  Currently, I am on a break from teaching VIPKID.  That is the beauty of the job.  When I need a break, I can take one.  I will probably return in March, after the time changes back.  In the meantime, I have been enjoying staying up late and not getting up at 4am.

The end of the week saw Man Cub get a new twin sized bed.  He is a pretty tall guy and a CRAZY sleeper, and often would wake up in the middle of the night and then sleep with us.  I theorized that a new bed would help him sleep longer and wake up less.  I found this one on a Facebook Marketplace site and picked it up.  It is just what I wanted for him.  And guess what?  I was correct in my thinking.  He has been sleeping longer and sometimes completely through the night in his new bed!  And all the tired parents said, "AMEN!!!"

Week #22 @ The Dahlhouse

Week #22 started off with a holiday.  I enjoyed some down time after my big birthday bash.  We recently purchased some new patio furniture and I must say I really LOVE it.  I've also served as mediator for about a bazillion badminton games.  I hate sitting out, but my arm isn't in badminton shape right now (darn scar from my skin cancer). 

I had this FABOULOUS idea to take the kids shopping at the mall.  We hadn't been to the mall in awhile, and Luke needed new shoes, and my kids generally love going to the mall.  I should have known.  I should have remembered...shoe shopping for Luke is not for the faint of heart.  Everything has to fit precisely or NO GO!  It took two hours, six shoes stores, one container of baby puffs, package of crackers, and a few bad words muttered under my breath before he located the "perfect" shoe.  Sensory disorders are a real thing! 

After Mark came and took the baby home (and I purchased him a new outfit because he peed through his clothes and little prepared me didn't pack him an extra outfit) I took the olders out to sushi.  Oh my word!!!! They loved it!!! 

 This beauty!  Twelve years going on twenty!

 The aftermath of the sushi feast!

This is a book I am thinking about ordering.  My therapist (yes I have one) recommends it.  I am always looking to shape my parenting into ways that meet my children where they are. 

We purchased a gizmogadget watch/phone for the kids.  Luke loses things all.the.time. and we wanted him to be able to be more independent.  This is amazing device.  It even had a GPS locator in it.  Safety is big with us!

We enjoyed the kids' student led conferences.  They each had the opportunity to present some of their best work from the school year.  It was very meaningful, and we are incredibly proud of our three children.  PS... I don't have a picture of Grace's conference because I had to take Bella to the bathroom and held Matthew the entire time.  I try...I try.  We celebrated with lunch at Red Robin which I have no picture of because I spent most of the time praying that we would survive the lunch with Matthew.  He is at that age where everything is difficult.

Friday evening we celebrated the end of the school year with the annual Lion Palooza.  We had never been before, but enjoyed an evening of face paint, bouncy houses, dunk tanks and silly string.  We were able to hear from the school's superintendent that they just purchased land and will be building a new campus soon. 

Saturday we had 4h and enjoyed the time with our bunnies.  In the next couple of weeks we will be adding another bun-bun to our crew.