Babysitting blues............

I didn't think I would do it again. I pretty much gave up on babysitting full time. I loved it while I did it but Mr noise box was enough for me when it came down to it. Now that I have decided to not put him in school this year I thought about it again, but had nothing in mind. Well one of Alexandra's friends (Tristen's mum) came back to Michigan and is going back to college. She has two children now. Brittany and Jeff were looking for a sitter and the price was prohibitive. She wanted to finish her degree and so I offered to help them. So Tristen has a play mate twice a week. Ryland was one of the kids I watched before but was small then. Now she is 3 and her brother is about 9 months. Tristen and Ryland get along quite well so far.
Here they are taking a break on the Ipad

I went outside because it was quiet...........the garden was a mess. They had been digging in the garden, in the black dirt. I found them watching the garbage man. Tristen likes to watch him, and this day especially because I had put a load of stuff out and Tristen thought he needed directing.


They were both black as the ace of spades. Ryland was especially grubby because she had a white shirt on.

They ignored my comments and got in the sand box, it was by then too hot over in the garden. Just as well as most of it was on the path.

I went to clean up over by the garden and then watered the plants. You cant see the path for the dirt, it all looks like a part of the garden.

Then I tried to clean up the deck, not sure exactly what they were playing, but there was definite dirt transportation going on.

So once I started to water plants they came out of the sand box. Ryland was giggling and trying to get into the water spray. I looked at that grubby little face and hosed her down so much screaming and giggling, she loved it. I managed to get most of the dirt off her and then put her into some of Tristen,s clothes. He was quite indignant and didn't want her taking home his tee shirt. He was not so happy to get wet, very unusual for him, but he was a bit touchy that day. It was so hot by then I decided it was lunch time. So they dried off and got changed.
Here they are, looking so innocent and a little cleaner.


Bodi is saying "rescue me, I did nothing"


All this time Brodi was sleeping. He missed it all. Just as well because I would not have been able to get all that done if he were up. Brodi is not so happy with the arrangement just yet. He is going through anxiety leaving his mummy. The next time went better though. I bought a baby walker for him and he was better in that playing. Easier to feed him too. I am watching my gr grandson Cooper at least once a week too so it was a good decision to buy that. Cooper loves it too. So anyway........I am back to babysitting again. I am not sure how this happens but we do what we must, right? Don't get confused with Brodi and Bodi haha.

Taking back my life.............

Today I made a descision. I am taking back my life. Let me explain. I have over the past 3 years stopped driving. I really had no need to drive, I seldom went anywhere alone and so it was not a problem. I drove up to the point that my sight was getting really bad. Eventually I completely lost the sight in my right eye. Long story, but it took a long time to reach that point. When it went, it went quick. It left me with bad equilibrium and I would often loose my balance and walk into things and people. I felt I needed a beeper telling people to pass on the left. So since I now also had Tristen I felt I did not want to chance driving under the circumstances. Now the sight has gone I am a bit easier with it for the most part. I still dont have good depth perception but I am more comfortable with it. I am adjusting. So with that in mind I want to begin to start to drive again. I will take it easy and get used to just driving close to home. Get lots of practice. I will drive during the quiet times of the day.
So today I surprised Tristen and took him to the school playgrounds. We have 3 close by but this one is big and he loves going there.


We had got to the playground and he was off at a run. A little girl was on one of the riding thingies and he and Reina had enjoyed a rolling good time on that. SO he hopped on behind her no by your leave. I had to remind him to calm down. She decided retreat was the better part of valour and went off with him hot on her heels to the play house.



There were two girls, one Tristens age and one a little older. Tristen got their grandmother who was babysitting to join in their game and got her in the play house with them. A very nice lady.



Well apparently he was paying attention to the Mr Rogers program today because he decided he was a doctor and was going to give everyone a shot. He had the lady sit down and he told her to think happy thoughts and he pretended to give her a shot....he really got into that game giving everyone a shot until I distracted him. This is his office

After that they rode the school bus

They all ran over to the big kids playground and whooped it up over there. They girls were comfortable with him by now, he does have to be reminded to be gentle with them. So I made him go up first rather than shove them down hehe.



Then his favourite ride


Now the dilemma .....how do I get him to leave without a fuss. I told him it was time to go. "I don't want to".....natural response, so I said "I know you dont but we have to and if we go now with no fuss we can come back" .....and then the bribe....a nice drink and he said he was thirsty......so off we went. Woo hoo and we got home in one piece with no tantrums. So he got a nice big sucker.

Kid in a box.........

What to do on a rainy day? Give a kid a box and watch them entertain themselves.


They will play all day in a box



Better than any new toy and its free.