Ella the monkey

School is back in full swing & Ella is so bored without the kids home. The first week of school, Ella learned to open the refrigerator. Every time I turned around she was in the fridge eating cheese, hot dogs. She put the sour cream in the freezer & some other crazy things. She is also opening the kitchen drawers, getting things out & with her level of activity, you can see why I look forward to nap time. Ella sleeps for 2 hours, while I get to relax, read watch tv, sit in the office on the computer... Oh but there are 2 other kids, a 1st & 2nd grader, and they have homework. Yippee! So our new schedule during Ella's nap consists of a snack for the kids & homework. This usually takes 30-45 minutes, but last week we were spending 1 hour to 1&1/2 hours with Alex alone. So you see the importance of her nap. Well last week guess what else she learned. To climb out of the crib. She climbed out 3 times in a row, then I rocked her & layed her in her crib asleep. While she slept, I considered my options. 1. leave her in the crib 2. move her to a toddler bed or 3. get a crib tent. #1 I didn't want to risk, since Heather's daughter broke her arm after climbing out of her crib. #2 would work since her crib converts to a toddler bed, but then I'd have to deal with a new sleep routine & her climbing on furniture, all while trying to do homework too. So I decided on #3 the crib tent. Put her in the crib enclosed be a tent, and zip her in. Seems easy enough, but I was worried she may be scared.
After dinner that night, my mom & I went to Babies R Us to get the tent (they rip you off when you're desperate). Jody & I put it on (30 minutes) and then we put her to bed. She loved it. She never cried or anything. I hope she continues to like it, at least till the kids have a break from school or maybe even till next summer. I always like to do transition things like taking away a paci or moving to a bed when they have a break from school/preschool. I took Alex's paci away on a trip to Disney, Emily's was taken at Christmas break & she was potty trained at the same time. Alex was potty trained during spring break, and Emily was moved to a bed during the summer. When we took Alex's pacifier that was the end of naps for him & the beginning of bedtime battles. When Emily moved to a bed, she started sleeping with us. So with Ella being the 3rd, (you live & learn) I decided she could have a paci & sleep in a crib till she was 5 if that keeps her happy. We'll see what happens.

No pictures

I've lost my camera!! I've been holding out on a blog, hoping to find the camera first. It's been almost 2 weeks and I'm about to give up the search. One of the 3 children may be to blame, but we haven't succeeded at beating it out of them. Just kidding.

The last time I used it, I put it back in my purse, where I keep it. Several days later, I wanted to download pictures, since the memory card was Full. Yes it was full. All those memories are now lost with the camera. So I'm trying to wait it out & decide when to give in & buy a new one. I'll have to get one in the next 3 weeks. We are heading to Disney World & have to have one. I'll keep you posted.

Back 2 School

Today we started our new school year. Alex is in 2nd grade, while Emily is in 1st grade. We met the teachers Friday, and we love them both. Emily's best friend from last year is in her class again, along with 2 boys that she liked. One of the boy's mother, was room mom last year & said she is room mom again this year. She loves Emily & seems to be tight with the teacher already. So I know Emily is in good hands.

Alex's teacher was hand picked by his Sp Ed teacher from last year. The 2 teachers could be sisters. they look & sound alike. She seemed very nice. In some of her about me papers, she said her goal is to ensure each child feels cared for & safe in her class & then they can learn. She wants to get to know the child & appreciate them for who they are. Sounds like the perfect choice for us. I'm looking forward to getting back in the swing of things, but not the homework, so much. The kids were anxious but excited last night. Alex was more worried about there being an emergency at home, while he is at school, & he can't take care of it. He said that I had to be responsible for the house & Ella while he's gone. OR I'd have to go to the school & say "I need Alex Jarrett for check out". So I told him I thought I could handle it, for the short time he is gone. He is a sweet Big brother. Emily is just going to miss spending time with me & Ella.