I spent almost a year as an SAHM, did the whole PTA thing, and while I loved it, it just wasn't as lucrative as I had hoped. Thus, I have re-joined the rat-race and am loving my new line of work. Well, it's actually an old line of work I've done before, but in a new place. I am back to working in emergency communications, and it is wonderful! I've always felt that profession was my niche, and I'm very happy to be there once again. Perhaps this will be the occupation I end up retiring from?
Anyway, an update on the family:
Little Princess is now a Kindergartener and wowing everyone she comes in contact with. She goes weekly to the 1st grade for reading enrichment (surprise, surprise), and is even about to be evaluated for the county gifted program for next year. She loves going to school, and gets super excited to ride the bus. I think having her older brother at the same school as her has also helped her adapt pretty quickly. She comes home telling me she saw him going from one class to another on occasion. I try to have lunch at the school with her when I can, now that I'm working it's not as often as it once was. Her tenacity (read: stubborness) never ceases to amaze me. She gets it from her father. Ok, and me too. Kid was doomed from the start. Other than that, she is a real joy.
My son is in the middle of his last year in elementary school. We just attended his middle school orientation this past week, and I must admit I was a little overwhelmed. It's a huge middle school for one, so I don't see how that building can not be daunting to the children. I'm having a hard time coming to the realization that my babies are growing up. A few months ago, he participated in the school wide spelling bee and got 4th place. He was bummed about not winning, but the fact that he even made it that far was impressive enough for me. Makes me feel really good that my children are so smart. Even if their behavior isn't always up to par. Guess it wouldn't be fair to have perfect children. He has made a few friends down here despite the fact he was certain that he wouldn't. Of course I still haven't heard that glorious phrase I've been waiting for, you know, the "You were right, Mom," phrase we all love to hear. Maybe one day....
Hubby is enjoying his longer commute to work, honestly he is. Only because it's at night and he doesn't have to endure rush hour. There is the rare occasion when an accident or construction will delay him, but luckily it's only once in a blue moon. Of course now that I have said this, he will come into contact with one or the other on a more frequent basis. Sorry, honey! We're still working on getting our schedules to meld nicely so we don't have to involve the horrible cost of childcare, but for right now he has enough leave time accumulated to take a few hours off here and there to make sure he's home in time for me to go to work. Luckily both children are in school, so he's able to sleep while they're gone. It's not a dream arrangement, but it works for now.
One of the endeavors I attempted while staying at home was to take a few cake decorating courses. I think I did a decent job at it, here is my final cake from course 2:
I've decided to work on that a little more as a side thing when I have the time. I'm hoping to be able to make decent cakes for my kids' birthdays now instead of forking over the dough for grocery store ones. I'm also investing in nail art supplies so that I don't have to spend money on manicures anymore:
