Reptiles at Cornerstone

This morning was a very exciting day for Taylor, she was asked again to bring in some of her Reptiles. She was delighted and choose Snowflake the snake and Welly & Boots the Tortoises. She did an amazing job, I tell you the confidence coming out of this child makes me so proud and extremely happy. She let all her friends hold her pets and she even answered some of their many questions.

Toy Train

This past weekend me and the girls went on the toy train, its a cute little train that goes around the park. The girls thought it was brilliant.

I Learnt a Very Good Lesson Today

Never EVER leave Hailey alone with dipping chocolate!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Not even for one single minute!!!)

Our Journal 'Caterpillars to Butterfly's'

TAKE ONE

We have been writing a journal everyday about what we see going on in the caterpillars cup. We sat up the table together looked and studied what was going on. Everything you are about to read was said by one of the girls and I just jotted down notes during our chats.

Day 1- My caterpillars arrived today, they are so small. They weren't moving at all, there is five of them. The bottom of the cup is covered in brown goo that looks like poo (quote Taylor) or sand (quote Masie). You cant take the lid off until their big change because of germs.

Day 2- They did not change much but they were moving a little. I saw the fat one eating (Masie) it was really cool. They have spun some silk on the side of the cup.

Day 3- They eat too much, there are loads of holes in their food and yucky pieces of poo. They are really big now and have changed a lot. They move fast now and are really big. We decided to name them: Kaylee, Browny, Lips, Fatty and daisy (no we do not know which one is which.

Day 4- There is silk everywhere, the smallest one is now almost the same size as the others. It looks like one of their heads have fallen off, they all look fine but there is a strange large hairy ball stuck in the silk. They sure do make a mess!! Taylor- I love Kaylee!!

Day 5- Not much has changed in their size, but they are a lot hairier. The silk on the cup looks like little scratches. There are now 3 'heads' floating around, really not sure whats going on there. They are all about the same size apart from one which is much smaller.

Day 6- The smallest one looks like a candy cane, there is poo everywhere. Not much has changed again today we are getting impatient and want them to do their big change.

Day 7- Wow, they are huge!! They are really pretty with the lovely patterns on their bodies.

Day 8- "Ewwww those two are pooing, look its coming out right now" said Masie showing Taylor. "Get that pooing caterpillar out of my face while I'm eating dinner" replied Taylor. ****Giggles from all**** Just about all the silk has gone now and we can clearly see in the cup, they must have eaten it. There is very little food left so we hope they change soon, the next stage is for them to hang upside down, so we are waiting for that. They each have a very bright white line going down their left and right sides.

Day 9- Well I hope I haven't killed them, you are not meant to open the cup the whole time they are caterpillars because of bacteria.... BUT.... Pablo knocked over the cup and some of their 'waste' got on the paper disk at the top (this is where they are meant to hang and do their change) it made the disk very weak and the caterpillars actually ate the disk. I should have called before but I just took off the lid (took a picture) and quickly added a piece of kitchen paper and re- sealed it. Then a few hours later they were all laying on the floor, so I called the help line and said what I had done and they assured me that they would be fine at this stage and I should have just left them as they can do the change on the floor if they have nowhere to hold onto. They did tell me to take off the paper towel though as they probably couldn't breathe (hence they are a lot more active now).

Day 10- "Wow they are so fat"!! Masie was shocked when she looked at them today, 3 of them are really fat they have condensed their bodies and laying on the floor. I hope this is them doing their change and not that they are dying. The other two are still active and long, hopefully they will catch up soon. They have eaten every bit of silk in the cup now, I'm thinking this is the reason they are on the floor (the silk helps them up and down the cup).

Day 11- 3 of them were dead this morning, so they weren't doing their big change they were dying, oops. I called the help line and said what happened and they asked the temperature of my house, I told them 68 and he said oh that's why they need to be at least 72 degrees at all times. He said warm the other two up and they might be OK, I did this and now they are dead too.

So I called them back and they are sending me some more.................... To be continued............

Taylor the Mini Me

Taylor is so much like me when I was a child it is not even funny, not one bit funny because I was not a very nice child (seriously ask my Mum). I gave my Mum and Dad a hard time and I would make them so mad with my 'I don't care' attitude from a really young age. It is hard to stay mad at Taylor because It is like talking to a mini me, like earlier I was telling her off for something and her 'I don't care' face made me smile and it ruined the whole moment and I had to walk away (hence she won that one).

Here are just a few examples from just one hour with Taylor today.

Hailey- Crying
Me- What happened baby
Hailey- Tator did
Me- Taylor did what
Hailey- Hit face
Me- Taylor hit Hailey in the face?
Hailey- Yeah, Tator did
Me- Taylor, did you hit Hailey in the face
Taylor- Yes
Me- Why did you hit her in the face
Taylor- Because I was trying too.

In the car, Taylor balanced her drink from the restaurant on the arm of the chair, and it falls.
Me- Taylor!!!!
Taylor- What
Me- Well pick it up then
Taylor- Alright
Me- What the hell were you thinking? That is all over my floor now
Taylor- OK
Me- What do you mean OK
Taylor- What do you want me to say
Me- Sorry would be nice
Taylor- Alright, sorry then.

Taylor chasing Rex (Rex does not like kids)
Me- stop chasing Rex with the flash light
Taylor- continues chasing Rex with the flash light
Me- Taylor you are going to be in big trouble
Taylor- OK OK, and quickly kicks him and makes him growl.

I'm laying on my bed
Taylor- can I turn off your light
Me- No you cant turn off my light
Taylor- Turns off my light and runs away.

God I love this kid, but man she makes me crazy!!!!

Hailey's Book

So I did decided to get Hailey a book for her England trip and it arrived yesterday. Taylor helped her out with the front cover and she coloured it. I asked Taylor if that was Nanny and Grandad, and she replied "umm no! Its Dora and Boots" ( she gave me that look, like are you dumb!)

Re-scheduled

Masie's appointment to have her teeth out has been re-scheduled for the 13th of April. We was a little disappointed as we were all really to just get it done and over, but when she was in the chair the nurse asked if she had a cold. I said she had a little stuffy nose but is fine otherwise. She informed us that the procedure could not be done as the gas and air had to be give through a nose mask.

$52 Tooth

Take a look at a $52 tooth, beautiful isn't it. Masie cant seem to great a break and if it isn't one thing its another, last week I took her to the orthodontist to get checked out as her adult teeth don't seem to have enough room to come in and they are pushing the other ones out of place. There is not much they can do for the top teeth right now, as she doesn't have the two adult teeth either side of her front two, they are just not there. So we are going to leave the top ones for now, she will need braces for sure but we have to get all her adult teeth in first. So tomorrow she is scheduled to have 4 teeth pulled out, after our insurance and without tax it works out to be $52 a tooth. So we were on a mission, she had a wobbly one and I told her that I would give her $2 if she got it out before her appointment (I know I'm cheap but I can get away with it right now). I also told her that she would receive $5 per tooth for being so brave at the dentist (from the tooth fairy of course), she is saving for England so she was delighted with that idea and it made her a lot less nervous, that tooth fairy is so kind!! The tooth had a little help from the nurse at the appointment for the other two this morning, we know her well and she is lovely. Masie went in there and showed her that it was almost out and was literally just hanging, she also explained that it needed to be out today to receive an extra $2. Lisa put on a rubber glove and opened her mouth "What do you think you are doing" said Masie. "Getting that $2 for you Masie" said Lisa, Masie looking a bit worried but agreed, and out came the tooth!! So here it is a $52 tooth.

Wish her luck!!

Update

Well I officially take back *some* of my comments that I said the other day about Holloman Air Force Base. Today we were there and we not only met some very nice and helpful people, we also got *excellent* care from our Doctor. Hailey had an appointment for 10.50am and Taylor had one for 12.45pm, oh and Masie had one for Thursday at 1.45. We went straight in and they immediately grabbed Taylor and Hailey's file and saw them together. He asked if Masie was OK, and I told him yes but he will see her on Thursday for her skin. He saw her right there and then too, how nice is that?? OK to conclude:

Masie- needs to moisturize her skin at least twice a day for her itching and she has some benadryl and Zyrtec if needed. He also gave us some reading with some other ideas.
Taylor- Has Conjunctivitis and an ear infection in the left ear.
Hailey- Well lets just say I can understand why I only slept for 20 minutes last night. Hailey has a double ear infection, Conjunctivitis, upper respiratory infection and Tonsillitis.

Poor Babies!!

So Hopefully we can now get better and start enjoying our Spring Break.

My Baby

Look at my sweet sweet baby, doesn't she just look adorable. I know several times a day I use the phase "its just Hailey being Hailey" because I'm not going to lie to you she is TWO and VERY good at it. She has so much character and so much personality I just love being with her every single day. Hailey can always make me smile, I love her sweetness, her loving side, and I love her naughty side. There is only one Hailey!! Oh and when did my baby grow up, look how big she is.
Hailey has been poorly for a week now with high fever, conjunctivitis and a cold. Its horrible to see your baby feel so bad, feel better Hailey Mummy and Daddy love you so much.

Live Butterfly Garden

My friend Martine bought Taylor a really cool birthday present, Live Butterfly Garden this link is to the web site, it has so many really cool things to get for your children, they seriously have some cool things, I might get the frogs for Masie's Birthday. So the live caterpillars arrived about four days ago, and boy have they changed. We have been doing a little journal everyday and Masie and Taylor have been drawing pictures to show the changes, I will post all that when the process is complete. I urge you to take a look, it is all so educational and so much fun. Stay tuned.........

Girlie Girl or Tom Boy??

These are Masie's new jeans, well, they are not new but they are only 2 months old. I cant figure out how my little girlie girl can do this much damage to one pair or jeans in such a short amount of time.

Off to the Mountains

This weekend we went off to the Mountains, We love to be outside and we love to hike. The girls were in a great mood, well until the way down when poor little Hailey's legs had had enough. Ive said it before and I will say it again, Chris needs to come home now, I do NOT have those kind of muscles to carry a 2yr old down a mountain. If I trusted Masie with my camera (which I do not, that kid is so clumsy) I would have a picture of how she wanted to be held. Don't you just love this kid? Only Hailey can pull off a cute Summer dress with trainers and socks, a Dora jacket and a pink Dora hat on backwards. My goodness she is adorable. We saw three horses on the way back, they were so cute but we didn't want to get too close just in case they wanted to eat us, so we watched them from the car for a while and then moved on.

I'm Too Nice

This is a good thing, right?? WRONG!! When you are too nice people walk all over you, they see this as an 'advantage' and use it. I love to be kind and I take pride in teaching my children that kindness and being polite is very important, it will take you to good places and help you on your way to a very good start in life. Lately I have been thinking that I am teaching them wrong, why should I teach them to be so kind and think of others when people are going to use this against them? I see angry, selfish people everywhere, the store, the base, the clinic, everywhere!! Its so refreshing to meet a generally kind person its so refreshing that I usually compliment people on this when I come across it.

Just a few of many examples: The base clinic is the most depressing place I have ever come across, people in there are angry, moody and live to make you feel the same way. The second I walk into this place I turn into a person that I do not like, I turn it those people, I am sarcastic to people before even giving them a chance, I have a harsh tone in my voice and I look like I want to kill everyone. This is my defence because I would get so upset coming out of there sometimes nearly in tears because of how I was treated or spoken to, but if you act like them, they cant hurt you? Wrong again, they have hurt you because they have brought you down to their level and turned you into a person that you do not like, your children watch you turn into this 'Monster' and cant understand why. Nice people cant survive in places like this.

Running a business like mine I meet and have met a lot of people, I am very glad to say that 95% of my daycare parents past and present are kind, caring, reliable, honest and nice. Its these people that make me love my job, I love running my daycare like a hobby because I love to stay home with my kids, I love looking after other peoples kids and I love helping people, but you can not run a business like this. I hate being strict and charging people for being late (like most daycares) I have even given up my weekends to help these people out. Its the 5% that has started to change my thoughts of how I run my business and think as a person, because its not real life to be that nice, I hate that!!

I have a daycare girl right now and she is so sweet, but her parents are part of that 5%. They have seen my kindness and they use it everyday to take advantage of me. I am so weak and I just take it, and just keep taking it. For the main reason that I don't like confrontation, but I don't like saying the truth because the truth hurts and I don't like hurting people, so basically I allow people to hurt me but again im too N-I-C-E that I don't hurt them back with a few home truths. I do not make a habit of taking time off, those kids go everywhere with me so I don't have to let the parents down even if it puts me in a difficult position. Still talking about this family, I have had this child for 8 months and have taken one day off for Masie's tests (+ she wasn't even working that day). Masie has an orthodontist appointment tomorrow and she has to have Xrays and stuff, again this parent is not working tomorrow and I told her about her appointment and she said without a doubt that she would bring her after. Obviously thinking something different because the dad picks the child up and tells me that she will be here at 8am as always, he looked at me like dirt. Do you know I didn't even mention it to any of the other parents because they are actually working, I thought she might be nice and as she wasn't working she could spend a little time with her kids while I take the other 6 kids to the appointment with me, but I guess not, that's fine she has paid me for those 2 hrs I guess, but over the last few months here is a little list of what extra I have done for that family for not an extra penny:

• They are late several times a week
• They are early about twice a month
• Their son goes somewhere else, they were busy so brought him to me
• They double booked their weekend and were both working, I watched them
• I feed her breakfast everyday (I do not get reimbursed from Chins), even though I stated that she needs to be fed before she comes (I will never not feed a child)

So I thought they might have taken a few of this nice, non selfish reasons and given me 2 hours off. But again its all my fault because I let them get away with it time and time again, so why am I shocked.

So I guess my point of this post is to A. Vent B. Learn C. Change. Now I just have to find away to still be the kind person I am but show people that I do mean business and my kind heart is not an advantage for them to get things in life for free. I also think its important to keep kindness going in this world.

Damn I'm Getting Good at This

These are my latest D.I.Y tasks, a wooden book shelf for the play room and a tall shoes rack (that actually turns) to help clean up the shoe cupboard. I am proud to say that I had the shoe rack up in less than 30 minutes and the book case up in about 20 minutes. BUT I'm ready for my man to come home now, this stuff gets old and is not a job for a woman, I hammered my fingers about 27 times, cut my arm and dropped the H-E-A-V-Y shoe rack on my foot. Also, I have a slight confession: There was originally 2 bookcases, and I totally trashed the other one. I put it together so wrong that it wasn't even funny, while trying to fix my mistakes it ended up in about 50 pieces and chucked in the garage.

Masie Memories

Masie has been sleep walking/talking for a little while and they make me laugh and thought I would share a couple.
A few weeks ago:
Masie- crying
Me- I go into her room and ask whats wrong
Masie- pointing to the TV
Me- Whats wrong baby?
Masie- Humjkksfnjekjdiocjk (Masie Language) the TV
Me- Laughing, what wrong with the TV Masie?
Masie- Nothing, why? Then goes back to sleep.

Last night:
I heard Masie come out of her room, she walks into my room and I'm on the computer (shocking I know)
Me- Whats wrong baby?
Masie- mdkejdjuufjkdsndjwe (Masie language)
Me- Laughing, go back to bed darling
Masie- Ok sdnjkhfiuefjnvmfldkmv (Masie language)
she turns and walks into my laptop cord,
Masie- jfjnjcfnjknjkewon, there's a wall
Me- laughing, and helped her get over the 'wall'
She then opens my closet door and walks in and closes the door, I smile and open the door and say "Masie you do realise you are in my closet, right?
Masie- Laughing out LOUD, and must have woke herself up and says confusingly "Mummy, why am I in your closet?"
Me- I about died laughing, it was so funny.
We had a giggle together and then I put her back into her bed.

Heaven on a Plate

This is what heaven looks like!! Me and the girls had a lovely time tonight and decided to crack open the dipping chocolate and cut up some fresh fruit. It was absolutely delicious, this is for sure going to be on our list for our next girlie night. Maybe I might plan one for next weekend, yeah that's what I'm going to do.

Taylor's 5th Birthday

So here it is people, my sweet little Taylor's 5th Birthday post. First I cant believe my Taylor is 5 this is unreal, I still remember like it was yesterday laying next to her in the hospital bed just watching her sleep and thinking how lucky I was, March 8th 2005. She has come so far and done so much in her 5 years, I'm so proud of that little girl.

Anyway, This is what she woke up to the morning of her birthday, well plus about 50 more balloons and streamers everywhere. I had a great time decorating the house, making it all pretty. Her eye immediately went to the pink pushchair, she pushed it around for a few moments and then said in a sad tone "but I haven't saved enough money to get my baby doll." Me and Masie smiled at each other as we knew something she didn't know. Masie put together a little box, with a homemade card and some yummy chocolates (shh don't tell Taylor that Masie took the chocolate out of the candy bucket) for her sister. Taylor loved it!! It was time for Uncle Rob, Auntie Sam and Maddie's gift!! As you can see by her face it was exactly what she was waiting for. She was absolutely delighted, and with no time at all that baby was in the pushchair and being love by an awesome 5 year old. That was all the time we had for presents before breakfast. One more after breakfast then we needed to get ready for school. As she is in Pre school I gave her the choice to stay home or not, she choose school so she could spoil her friends with treats and she got to wear her new pretty dress and gorgeous black shoes, doesn't she look like the cutest birthday girl ever?? Oh and still holding that baby I must add, good job it was show and tell day. When she got home she had a few more presents to open, and some really lovely cards. Birthday Balloons!!! We have a really cool party shop down the road and the girls get so excited when they get to go and choose their balloons, they did just run out of the number 5 balloons but she still had a blast choosing from the great selection. My Mum and Dad wouldn't miss seeing Taylor on her birthday for anything, my Mum got my Dad a doughnut so they could enjoy it together over the web cam. This was a really special moment and it meant a lot to Taylor, she was so happy eating her doughnut with her Grandad. Next was Uncle Rob, him and Taylor have and always will have a special bond. They have something that just clicks and they are so close. Little Maddie was in bed, so we will see her on the weekend and Auntie Sam came home and called her straight away, Taylor was talking her ear off about her new baby that 'Maddie' bought for her. Auntie Maxine doesn't have a web cam but did call her and sang happy birthday to her. How cute is this picture? She was talking to her Grandma in Montana, she loves her Grandma very much. Grandma sang happy birthday to her and was chatting to her about her day. This year we decided to not have birthday parties, we asked the girls to give up their birthday parties so we could have extra money in England. They were more than happy to give them up, I'm so proud of my girls. Taylor chose Apple bee's to eat at for dinner, we took the last few gifts. We really missed Chris, it wasn't the same with out him. We had the most wonderful day, Taylor really enjoyed her 5th birthday. Thank you for all your lovely cards, presents and birthday wishes.

Taylor's Birthday Video

Here is Taylor's Birthday video, Masie was a really great big sister and videoed Taylor's whole day. Here are a few clips from the collection.

I will do the blog post tomorrow full of photo's, smiles, and a very pretty Birthday girl!!!

Kindergarten Book Completed at 4yrs Old

My Taylor is so smart, she impresses me everyday. She has been working hard over the past few months to complete this 151 page Kindergarten basic skills book. We thought it would be a good goal to set to try and complete the book before her 5th birthday, the last 20 pages Masie decided that she would like to teach Taylor. This was an excellent idea, not only did it help Taylor immensely, it also helped Masie with her reading and some of her basic skills she has learnt over the past year and a half. Just a few pages from her book, my god is it just me or is she extremely clever.

My New Camera

A few days ago my Canon Rebel XS Camera arrived, and I am totally in love!! My sister in law Kristi knows a lot about cameras and really helped me through my decision on which one to get, I am so glad I went with her recommendation as the camera is so much more than I could have imagined, its perfect. So I took the girls to the White Sands today so they could play and run off some energy, but mainly so I could photograph some of the beauty there with my new camera.The Kiddies- As always the kids had a really good time, we stopped at a place where we were the only ones around so we had the freedom to run and be loud. I'm not a big fan of feet, but little kid feet are the cutest ever!! I absolutely love this picture of Hailey's cute feet in the white sand.