Friday, November 27, 2009
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Olivia's first art project
Olivia made her first art project at daycare yesterday (presumably with some help)
Olivia starts a new daycare
We put Olivia in a new daycare last week. We were nervous about changing Olivia's situation (the parenting books all say that consistency with child care providers is very important to children.) But Olivia was getting too old to spend over 2 hours commuting every day. I took a day off work on Monday as her transition day (the thought being that I would leave her for only 3 hours on her first day.) On the way to the daycare, I told her that we were taking her to a new place to meet new friends. She looked a little nervous, but repeated 'new friends' to me as if she understood what was going on.
When we arrived at the daycare, Olivia immediately settled in and started playing. Another new girl was there with her father (who also stuck around to help ease the transition.) She started crying uncontrollably when her father left (she has been at home with her stay at home mom for 2 years.)
I wasn't planning to leave but stood up from the ground. Olivia immediately said 'Bye bye' and went about her business. (Even the grandma at the daycare was impressed by how confident and comfortable Olivia was in a new place.)
When I arrived to pick her up 3 hours later, she was pretty cranky. The teacher told me that Olivia had tried to steal the other children's blankets at naptime. (As we know, Olivia likes A LOT of blankets when she sleeps.)
I picked her up on the third day and she seems to have settled in well. She was excited to see me (and wanted to show me the piano,) but sat on my lap during storytime. She also ran up to the mini tables and chairs during coloring time. As we were walking out, she held both hands up to her head and said 'Hat!' (Even I didn't remember that she was wearing a hat that morning.)
We're pretty excited about the new daycare. There is a lot more outdoors and free play time than her former daycare. There's a playstructure and large sandbox on the premises, and they have one of those 6 seat strollers for outings to the playground. There is also story time and singing (the main teacher is a former preschool teacher.)
When we arrived at the daycare, Olivia immediately settled in and started playing. Another new girl was there with her father (who also stuck around to help ease the transition.) She started crying uncontrollably when her father left (she has been at home with her stay at home mom for 2 years.)
I wasn't planning to leave but stood up from the ground. Olivia immediately said 'Bye bye' and went about her business. (Even the grandma at the daycare was impressed by how confident and comfortable Olivia was in a new place.)
When I arrived to pick her up 3 hours later, she was pretty cranky. The teacher told me that Olivia had tried to steal the other children's blankets at naptime. (As we know, Olivia likes A LOT of blankets when she sleeps.)
I picked her up on the third day and she seems to have settled in well. She was excited to see me (and wanted to show me the piano,) but sat on my lap during storytime. She also ran up to the mini tables and chairs during coloring time. As we were walking out, she held both hands up to her head and said 'Hat!' (Even I didn't remember that she was wearing a hat that morning.)
We're pretty excited about the new daycare. There is a lot more outdoors and free play time than her former daycare. There's a playstructure and large sandbox on the premises, and they have one of those 6 seat strollers for outings to the playground. There is also story time and singing (the main teacher is a former preschool teacher.)
Friday, November 6, 2009
Update -- Olivia Halloween
We had a fun Halloween with Olivia. My parents came from Pennsylvania to visit and take her trick or treating.
In August, I saw a cute Cal Cheerleader outfit at Target. I thought it would be a cute Halloween costume for Olivia (we could put her hair in pigtails and give her pom poms.) I decided that I would just come back later to buy it, since Olivia doesn't know what a cheerleader is and it might be more fun to dress her as something she knows, like a lion or a chicken drumstick.
Of course, by the time I finally got around to going to Target, the costume was sold out. I bought a cow costume instead, which Olivia refused to wear.
She did wear her sequined bunny ears. Her 8 year old friend Mia was sweet to share Halloween with Olivia and took her trick or treating (with the Luhs and Knight's following.) Olivia seemed to understand the concept walking up to doors and ringing the bell thing (she's well practiced from day care.) When people answered their door with a bowl of candy, Olivia tried to walk into their houses. Olivia wasn't able to say 'Trick or Treat', but she was able to say 'Thank you' and 'Bye bye.'
Maybe next year she will understand the concept, and agree to wear a costume.
In August, I saw a cute Cal Cheerleader outfit at Target. I thought it would be a cute Halloween costume for Olivia (we could put her hair in pigtails and give her pom poms.) I decided that I would just come back later to buy it, since Olivia doesn't know what a cheerleader is and it might be more fun to dress her as something she knows, like a lion or a chicken drumstick.
Of course, by the time I finally got around to going to Target, the costume was sold out. I bought a cow costume instead, which Olivia refused to wear.
She did wear her sequined bunny ears. Her 8 year old friend Mia was sweet to share Halloween with Olivia and took her trick or treating (with the Luhs and Knight's following.) Olivia seemed to understand the concept walking up to doors and ringing the bell thing (she's well practiced from day care.) When people answered their door with a bowl of candy, Olivia tried to walk into their houses. Olivia wasn't able to say 'Trick or Treat', but she was able to say 'Thank you' and 'Bye bye.'
Maybe next year she will understand the concept, and agree to wear a costume.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
More highlights from BPN
I know it is a weak economy, but this guy sounds like a cheapskate and not anyone I'd want my teenage daughter working for -- he wants someone to come only if the kid isn't napping?
And come on, call it what it is -- babysitting. Playing with a kid while a parent is home is as much (if not more work) than if they aren't home. If the parents are home, there is NO opportunity to put on DVDs or TV.
''Mother's Helper'' sought for 2yr old (South Berkeley)
-----------------------------------------------
We are seeking a ''Mother's Helper'' to help look after our son on
Tue/Thur from 3:30-5:30. Our 2 YO son is very playful and
fun-loving. Mom works at home in the afternoons, and needs help
watching son while she is working (that's why this is a ''Mother's
Helper'' position rather than ''Babysitter''). Care would involve
mostly playing with our son around the house and yard.
We are looking for someone who is responsible, mature, and
willing to be flexible. You would need to be ''on call'' because
some days our son takes a long afternoon nap (this is
unpredictable), and we don't need the help. We ask that you call
before 3:00 on that particular day to find out if he is napping
and you don't need to come (this might be the case 20% of the time?).
This is an ideal position for teenager looking to get childcare
experience. There may be potential for other occ. afternoons or
evenings. Pay for this job is $8/hour. Our home is on Alcatraz
Ave in South Berkeley. Need someone who can get to our house on
his/her own.
Contact: XXX/XXXX
And come on, call it what it is -- babysitting. Playing with a kid while a parent is home is as much (if not more work) than if they aren't home. If the parents are home, there is NO opportunity to put on DVDs or TV.
''Mother's Helper'' sought for 2yr old (South Berkeley)
-----------------------------------------------
We are seeking a ''Mother's Helper'' to help look after our son on
Tue/Thur from 3:30-5:30. Our 2 YO son is very playful and
fun-loving. Mom works at home in the afternoons, and needs help
watching son while she is working (that's why this is a ''Mother's
Helper'' position rather than ''Babysitter''). Care would involve
mostly playing with our son around the house and yard.
We are looking for someone who is responsible, mature, and
willing to be flexible. You would need to be ''on call'' because
some days our son takes a long afternoon nap (this is
unpredictable), and we don't need the help. We ask that you call
before 3:00 on that particular day to find out if he is napping
and you don't need to come (this might be the case 20% of the time?).
This is an ideal position for teenager looking to get childcare
experience. There may be potential for other occ. afternoons or
evenings. Pay for this job is $8/hour. Our home is on Alcatraz
Ave in South Berkeley. Need someone who can get to our house on
his/her own.
Contact: XXX/XXXX
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