Well, That Didn't Take Long!

I'm slowly getting back into the swing of things at work... it really was fun to see my students' eyes light up when they came around the corner to see me that first day.  (Much better than eye-rolling or long sighs, hahah!)
It reminded me that although I can't be with my own children all day long, I am with other people's children all day long, and I owe it to these kids and their parents to be as 'present' as I can every minute I'm with them.  I think about how I would want Izzy and Cooper's teachers to be.  And I would want their teachers to first love their own kids, then love ours almost as much :) 
As for the 'business' of teaching, that's where it's going to take some work on my part.  I forgot how hard a person has to work during the day in order to just get everything done between the hours of 7:30 and 3:30.  I don't take much home, because with bedtimes still a little unpredictable, I can't always get stuff done.  Plus, I'm TIRED.  Cripes, this working full-time thing is tough stuff!!

Dropping the kids off at daycare was better than I expected.  It feels so good that Kris isn't new to us anymore, and we trust her completely to take good care of Cooper and Izzy.  Both kids had a great day--Cooper was super excited to be back with his friends, and Izzy surprisingly slept like a champ and drank both full bottles.  I couldn't disguise my relief and excitement that they both had a great day.  And Izzy's huge smile when I came in the door assured me that she'd be okay :) I know there will be some rough days mixed in here and there, but so far, we're off to a great start!

I got a sweet surprise from Cooper and Izzy that first day back--a beautiful delivery of flowers and a card that must have taken Cooper a looong time to write.  Since Izzy 'kept trying to eat the pen,' he had to write it for them both.  It was super cute.  And, of course, it sent me into a tizzy of tears all over again.

Another awesome surprise I've had since returning to work was a SNOW DAY!  I already posted those pictures.  But today, I'm home again, not for as fun of a reason... Cooper's sick.  He puked yesterday morning just as we were getting ready to put shoes on to head out the door to work and daycare.  Fun.  Anyway, he's been okay today, but we haven't hit the 24-hour mark with no vomit yet... so I'm still holding my breath.  I didn't mind the extra snuggling today on the couch; besides, I've been dying to catch up on my Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Jake and the Neverland Pirates, and Dora the Explorer.  Right.

Jeremy started softball practice yesterday... which means SPRING is right around the corner.  I can't WAIT to get out and go for a walk to the park with the kids!

Cooper talking on the phone to daddy. 

A winter zoo trip... Izzy LOVED facing outward in the Moby wrap--she didn't fuss once. And Cooper LOVED the fishies (especially the 'sharks, whoa!').  

And the turtles (who eat 'lelluce' and cheese).  

And the bears (who were 'hiding').  

And the wolves (who he insisted were puppies).  

And the lizard (with the 'icky tongue').

We love his growing confidence in his vocabulary :)