Sometimes

I love my Peanut, that I get to stay home and take care of her, that I get to see her do all her amazing/wonderful/silly things.  

But sometimes I wish I could be alone for an entire day. Sometimes I just want her to let me do  what I need to do without having her right on top of me. Sometimes I want to go to the bathroom without "company." Sometimes I want to read a book without pictures and not have to stop to get a glass of juice. Sometimes I want to have a day that doesn't depend on the mood of another being. 

Then the guilt washes over. Sigh. 

Happiness and Gratitude

Life is hard and the world cruel.  No matter how wonderfully fantastic your life is, there will be times when the feeling of emptiness can creep into our lives.  As a upper middle class woman in the United States I think, thank God I don't have to carry water miles from a well, or search for firewood and risk rape or worse.  I have a roof over my head, hot and cold running water, why am I feeling empty? I think it's human nature that at times a darkness comes over us and discontentment rears it's ugly head.   I'm not talking about a clinical depression, but a short term black cloud that seems to hanging over us.  For me I've found, the best way to send that darkness away is to start counting my blessings.  I don't care what god you believe in, but I do mostly believe in the one God, but I'm not opposed to thinking that she's a woman.  Two messages of thankfulness came my way today.

Feel free to insert the deity of your choice for the word "god".  I'm not a terribly religious person.  All I know is that I am the most happy and at my personal best when I make a conscious decision to operate from a center of love and gratitude and forgiveness.  When I'm conscious of being thankful for the food that I really wasn't in the mood to cook for my family or for the ease of an automatic washer and dryer for the laundry that I reaaaallllyyy don't like doing,  it is these times that I know I am better able to handle a stubborn child or a cranky husband.

 

Now mind you, if I did wake up today and find myself with the things I thanked God for yesterday, I'd be hoping that coffee and chocolate would take me a long way.  So yesterday maybe I wasn't glowing with gratitude, and I might not be today either, but I am giving it serious consideration.  

Beautiful women...

I have a theory and I share it often with people I don't think will be offended by "grown up words". That theory is... wait for it... if you're offended by "grown up words" stop reading now... okay, here it is... For every beautiful woman, there's a man standing next to her that's tired of fucking her. That's right. Brad Pitt is tired of fucking Angelina Jolie. Jay-Z is tired of fucking Beyonce. Don't get me started on Tiger Woods. I'm not saying the reverse isn't true. Angie might roll her eyes and claim she has her period. Beyonce might pretend to be asleep. And don't get me started on Tiger Woods. My point here is not only the original point that for every beautiful woman, there's a man standing next to her that's tired of fucking her, but also to remind myself (and maybe you) that what looks like a perfect life probably isn't. We never know what goes on behind closed doors. That other mom/wife/daughter/sister/friend who has everything all together really doesn't. That woman who always looks immaculate isn't. Everyone has problems and when we measure ourselves against the imagined perfection of others, we'll always fail. You know what? I kind of like me. I'm judgemental and a bitch. I'm also fiercely loyal and loving. All in all, I'm not tired of fucking me.

Chopsticks.

In true Singing Princess Astronaut style, I did some house work wearing my tiara. Sometimes it's the little things that make life more fun.
Oh, I am also perfecting my left-handed chop stick using technique. Because I want to add ambidextrous chopstick use to the pointless skills list on my resume.

My first...

I'd like to thank Becca and Colleen for this invitation to the SPA blog.  We SPA'ers are an interesting bunch.  We can sing, are princesses (I'm sure there will be tiara photos somewhere) and could be astronauts, or anything else in this world that we would find it necessary to be.  Stay tuned.

Foodgasms

Look at me! I'm blogging! This is so freaking fancy! All right. I'll rein in all the excitement. Well, not really at all because I want to talk about a Food Network and Cooking Channel "thing" I call the foodgasm. In case it's not self-evident, the foodgasm is when a tv chef/cook takes a bite of whatever they've just prepared and their eyes roll back in their heads. They put their head back a little bit and chew, with eyes closed and seemingly jizz in their pants. This is almost always followed by the words, "so good" (or some variation there of). I cook everyday (or nearly everyday). Sometimes new recipes, sometimes tried and true family favorites, but never anything that I think, "Hey, I'll bet this will make me experience a spontaneous orgasm". I get it, they're on tv and they're selling themselves, sometimes their product lines, and trying to stay on the air, but seriously. That cottage cheese pancake you just made was not THAT good.

Your kid is obnoxious.

   I've said this publicly before, but that's not the point. Unless you are very close friend, I probably don't think your kid is cute and find him annoying. I'm going to brag a bit, but my kid is pretty fucking awesome. She's well behaved in public (most days). When she is being a brat, I take her away from public.
  I don't have to deal with screaming, crying, kicking, I'm spoiled rotten and get what ever I want tantrums. It's a combination of being a mom with a back bone and being blessed with a good kid.
  Back to other people's kids. Oh my gracious. I have no patience. NONE. Even when I can tell the kid has been brought up well and the parents are trying, I get annoyed at tantrums. When I hear that annoying, whiney, I'm not hurt cry I cringe.  I can tell the difference between the tantrum cries and the I'm hurt, tired, and/or hungry.

  All that being said, if a little one is being cute, sweet, or says hi I will be more than happy to say hi back. Cause kids can be pretty fun. Mine is just more fun.

Play time.

Shiny New Things

New things are coming to Singing Princess Astronaut. I can't wait! Keep checking back!

On this day.

Peanut and I watch some Sprout together this morning and a commercial for cake pop pan came on no less than 17 times. Peanut decided we NEEDED one. Instead, we are making our own cake pops. The Red Velvet cake is baking right now. Tonight we will start making up the pops. Pictures coming soon.

Random

Toaster oven S'mores are AWESOME.
That is all

Almost 20 Questions (I think) you should ask when deciding on a preschool

   I am not a professional. I am a mom that worked as a preschool teacher for almost 8 years. I won't tell you the "right" answer, these are just things I think you should consider. You know the what is right for you and your little one. They are not in any special order of importance.

1. What kind of curriculum is taught?

2. Who writes the lesson plans? (Does the planner have any knowledge about early childhood education?)

3. How is the curriculum implemented? (If the school hires someone with a degree to write a curriculum,  but the teachers don't follow through or care, what's the point)

4. How much free time/outside/get your wiggles out each day? (cause kids need to wiggle.Being forced to sit all day is just not good, if you ask me)

5. How big are the classes, what is the kid to teacher ratio? (smaller is better, especially with little bitty ones)

6. Teacher turnover? (The longer the teachers have been there, the more likely they are happy. Which means happier kids. Trust me)

7. Do teachers have degrees or experience working with preschoolers? (having a degree isn't important, but experience really makes a difference. Sure the girl right out of high school is energetic, but she's also more likely to not have a handle on tough situations.)

8. If the preschool is at a church, how much is faith a part of the daily activities? (Faith is a very personal thing, make sure you are comfortable with what your little one may be learning)

9. Are meals or snacks served? What kind of food is served? Are you OK with what your child may eat? Find out the policy on allergies, especially peanuts.

10. Do they allow drop in visits or require you to make an appointment?( I would never, ever trust a school that made me call ahead to visit/check in on my Peanut. Makes you wonder if anything shady is going on.)

11. What kind of security procedures are in place? Are they doors locked so random strangers cannot come in? What about an emergency, such as a crazy gunman? Does the school have a plan?

12. What are the rules for sick children? Are they actually followed? (and PLEASE follow the rules. Don't take your sick kid to school)

13. Rules and procedures for problem children? (Sometimes there are children that just can't be in a group setting. It's sad, but the safety of your child is important)

14. Discipline. What do the teachers do when kids fight, throw tantrums, act like kids? Is it something you can agree with?

15. Is the place clean and organized? Does it smell nice? (There are times when kids get stinky, but if the place reeks, EWW)

16. How much media are the kids exposed to? Do the teachers put on a movie every day and let the class zone? (I let my little one watch movies at home, but if I'm paying, I expect her to be taught. Not sitting in front of the TV all day)

17. If you have a little one still in diapers, does the school provide them with tuition? (Diapers aren't cheap. If a school supplies them, it may make tuition higher. Something to keep in mind when comparing schools)

18. Finally, do you like the place? Would you be comfortable leaving you little one in the care of these people?