Creative overload

Now that the boys are in school it is time for me to gear up for my "school year" activities. Although I swore to everyone that I would never return to preschool to teach I have gone against all common sense and signed back up. But this time I am staying true to the "never will I step into a two year old classroom again ever ever in my life..." and I've gotten the easiest possible job at a preschool! I'm the helper to the Creative Movement teacher (aka. gym teacher on a preschool level). We have no classroom, no diapers to change, no potty training responsibilities, no letters to teach, no parents to deal with!!!! We do get to have each age group for 20 minutes to play with and get them all wound up till they pop only to hand them back over to their teachers! How much fun can that be? And did I mention I plan on losing 10 pounds while doing it? =) Of course if this really ends up stinking I can always blame it on my friend (the actual gym teacher I will be assisting) who asked me to teach with her. We do have plans to be "Hawns and Frawns" one day a month, dressing up with leg warmers, wrist and head bands only to make the kids all sweat to the oldies!

I have to admit though as Tuesday was the first day for teachers to come back and get their rooms together (we have no room so we acted very busy as not to be put into childcare duty) I had my tearful moments about putting sister girl in "the nursery." She is too young for the 1 year old class and that is another reason I chose to come back...she gets her own Grandma Haley to watch her (and a 12 week old baby - darn that mom)! I felt just horribly guilty for putting her in childcare you know a total of 4 1/2 hours twice a week --- I know, I know!!! The best part of all my emotional breakdowns on Tuesday was that Elizabeth was scared to death of Mrs. Haley - thought it was because she was a black woman (no offense to all my black friends out there) but later realized sister girl is just prejudiced against old people. She cries whenever she sees a woman of mature age! (in the grocery store, at church, for goodness sake she even did it with Nate's grandmother, G.G., for the first 9 months of her life! (love ya G.G.)

But Thursday was a little better. She didn't cry when Mrs. Haley looked at her but she wouldn't really get near her. There were lots of "young" (and white - hee hee) helpers in the nursery to help with other teachers' kids while they got their rooms ready so the real test will be when preschool actually begins in about two weeks. I've decided to go visiting nursing homes between now and then! I'll let you know how that idea pans out!

I think because I did nothing at all last year but care for a baby in the house I am now overloading myself with things to do. I also signed up for Creative Activities Leader in my MOPS (mothers of preschoolers) group at church. I've had fun brainstorming ideas for crafts (gotta love the Martha Stewart website) but have already had panic attacks over a stupid name tag craft I'm supposed to create for next week's first meeting. God help me!

And did I not just tell the PTC president this morning sure I'd chair a holiday marketplace fundraiser for the school this November. WHAT AM I THINKING? Note to self...don't take a year off doing nothing ever again!

Other then all that for my "school year" I did sign up to watch the 1 year olds for an hour and half on Wednesday night at church. I figured since my 3 boys (that's Nate included) would be at church for bible drill I might as well go with sister girl and help out in her room. And last but not least...my adult special needs class of 2 very special brother and sister down syndrome adults who I teach every other Sunday morning. I was scared to death about the first month doing it (there is a severely physical and mentally developed woman in a wheel chair) but I've since gotten a great helper in the class. I now love being around them...can't stop laughing at their conversations with me and love the hugs I get from sweet Jason!

I'm also learning to say no...ask me something, go ahead..."no!" See there I know I can do it! It should be a very exciting and busy year, but honestly I'm looking forward to every minute of it.