I am closing in on two years of working full time out of the home. I have to say it hasn't been all that bad. Sure I dream of being a stay at home mom again, don't get me wrong. I loved every minute of being at home with the boys, but we have managed quite well balancing work, kids, and activities.
When we made the decision to accept the full time position at Corrugated Concepts, I began the dreaded task of day care shopping. I know every parent is concerned with the type of care your child will receive, the interaction, the attention, safety, etc. But I also have the concern of what my child may eat since they both had food allergies at the time. (Cort has since been declared free of all allergies)
Milk is all over
daycares, and I mean literally all over! When Keaton was 14 months old, I took a contract assignment with
AIG. Keaton had 5 allergic reactions in 5 months at daycare. At that age, they don't know what they can or cannot eat, so it is up to the teachers to monitor them at all times. Kids eat all day long at day care; breakfast, mid-morning snack, lunch, afternoon snack, late afternoon snack. Teachers are in and out through out the day, and I needed a school that was going to make every effort to keep my child SAFE!
This time I thought our new decision would be easy and the boys would go to the same day care we used then, Primrose (despite the 5 allergic reactions). Unfortunately, they did not have an opening for Cort. As I began my search, I held up pretty well since I already knew the schools I planned to visit. I didn't burst into tears as I walked in each day care like I did last time. I visited Children's Courtyard again along with 3 other schools. My first visit to
CCY years ago I was not impressed at all. But this time the boys would be placed in the main
pre-school building versus the Lab School (training facility).
Cort started off in the Toddler room and Keaton was supposed to be in Jr
PreK-2. Keaton had a harder time adjusting to life without mommy. He cried a lot. And when my kids cry.....they throw up! Anyway, they moved him around several times to see where he was the most comfortable. Some days they would even let him go into Cort's class and stay with him. Some days they would let him sit at the front desk with the director. Keaton had the staff wrapped around his little finger. The director even told me he breaks her heart because he is just so sad! That is when I told them we needed to decide on a class and stick with it. I was grateful for their
leniency, but it was time to get him in a routine. Anyway, he settled in Jr
PreK 1 even though the kids were a year younger than him. The assistant teacher was Ms. Mary Ann and Keaton loved her! He slowly adjusted, but this process took about 2 months. Most children adjust in about 2 weeks.
In the beginning, Mark dropped them off each morning. I don't think I would have been able to handle the drama and heartbreak each morning. It was hard enough telling them bye as I left home for work, or leaving when they were still asleep and not seeing them at all. So how do I make it through the day without my kids?
Watchmegrow.com. The daycare is equipped with web cams and I can log on anytime to see the kids. The only time I can't see them is when they are outside. I love taking a break and logging in so I can see them playing with their friends, eating lunch, or taking a nap on their nap mat. I giggle a little
every time. It is comforting to know they are happy and safe.
Although I have to admit in the beginning, it was difficult at times to see them cling to Mark at drop off and cry as he left. There were also the days I couldn't see Keaton and began to worry. That is when I would call and they would tell me he was sitting at the front desk or in a different class. But I can't forget the day I couldn't find Keaton as his class was getting ready for lunch. I could see a pair of legs on the little red couch that were not moving. As I studied the picture, I convinced myself it was K's shoes. Why was he on the couch? Why was he not moving? Why was he not eating lunch? So I call. He had been so upset that morning, he finally cried himself to sleep on the couch. I asked them if they planned to wake him up and let him eat so they did.
Now almost 2 years later the kids are doing well. I am sure Mark and I could make a list of complaints, but no person or daycare would be able to live up to our expectations.....okay my expectations. But overall, we are happy with our choice. Keaton has been in the grade school building now for a year. Unfortunately, that building does not have web cams. Cort will promote to
PreK in a few weeks and he still makes me giggle when I log on to see him. Some days him and his friends are dressed in costumes like Elmo, Ninja Turtle, or the
Fireman and I love it!
Here is a couple of pictures of me joining Cort and his class for lunch. I try to eat lunch with him at least once a month. This summer I have gone pretty much every week. One week I have lunch with Keaton, the other with Cort. Notice the food is set out family style for the kids to serve themselves and pour their own milk. A food allergy parent's nightmare!!! But we still manage some how. :)
Here he is, all ready for the 1st day! Just like last year, Mark and I take Cort to daycare and them take Keaton to grab a quick breakfast. Last year we had McDonald's, but this year Keaton wanted Dunkin Donuts. He ordered the chocolate donut holes and they were out. He decided he would rather have nothing then. (He did eat a little cereal with Cort before we left the house) 
We then drove to the school and waited in the parking lot until it was time to drop him off. Last year we were able to walk him in all the way to his classroom. This year they asked the parents not to come in the building in order to decrease the chaos. Since he seemed so excited and ready to go, I relented to just driving through the car rider line and dropping him off.
But not before I got his picture!
We wanted to end the summer with a BLAST, so OFF to Space Center we went.
The kids posing with an Astronaut suit...
and Cort trying on one.
We took the Tram Tour....
30" Red Fish caught from the dock 
Loading the boat for dinner 
Keaton standing Co-Captain
Melinda and Ella enjoying the ride
Mark and I
BOAT HAIR
