A New Day

Well, this post is long overdue.

As you know, I recently made a huge decision to quit my job so that I could spend more time with Emma and Drew.

And let me just tell you, it took me awhile to get to this place as my pride had me struggling with it for quite some time. However, after taking the day off of work to drop Emma off at her first day of Kindergarten, it was with 100% certainty that I could no longer go on working the way that I had been these past few years.

You see, I always envisioned being this “career girl,” being some hoity-toity buyer in NYC.

No kids.
No poopy diapers.
No carpools.

Then I fell in love and had a couple of them.

So things changed a bit, but I still thought I would be a working mom with a demanding job. I wanted to show my children that I could be a strong, successful business woman but yet still be and do all the “mommy” things.

But over the course of the past few months – well, years truthfully – my vision changed. Yes, I love working. Yes, I love being in a fast-pasted retail environment, where I manage accounts of some of the most exciting brands.

But I love my children more.

I love making felt food and pretend ovens out of cardboard. THAT’S what makes me most proud when I lay my head down on the pillow each night. THAT’S what makes me excited to wake up each morning.

Not some marketing brief for the next footwear launch.

So I took the plunge and gave my 2 weeks’ notice.

And then the unthinkable happened.

I was offered (without asking, mind you) a part-time position at Finish Line, allowing me the flexibility that I was wanting. What the what?!? I couldn’t believe it! Never in a million years did I think that they would offer such a thing. I was completely prepared to leave my former life – all 8+ years of it – at Finish Line behind me. I had begun the job search and in fact, had a few interviews lined up for some PT positions. But when this opportunity was presented to me, I couldn’t refuse! Who could? The opportunity to stay at a place I enjoy, working with people I genuinely love, for a boss who’s pretty cool. I’d be a fool not to accept.

So accept I did.

And I’m happy to say that I’m still employed at Finish Line. Only in a much less demanding position.  Working 4 hours a day Monday-Thursday in the office and from home on Friday.

To say I’m a fortunate and blessed individual would be an understatement.

Welcome to the Car Wash, yeah!

Another little project that I did (idea courtesy of Pinterest, of course).  Using materials I had laying around the house like...

• empty diaper box
• felt foam
• plastic serving spoons
• wrapping paper rolls
• plastic bag

...a cute, little car wash was born!

Angry Birds Pizza

Pepperoni. Cheese. Sausage. 

Boring. Boring. Boring.

Ordinary pizza is just plain boring. 

Around here, we have FUN with our food!

Emma's 1st Reading Assessment

Emma had her first reading assessment at school last week. 

And you have NO IDEA how proud I am of her!

I thought I was a proud momma the first time she rolled over.
I thought I was a proud momma the first time she took her very first steps.
I thought I was a proud momma when she was potty trained in 2 days.

And - don't get me wrong.  I was.  For sure.

But after getting the results back from her very first reading assessment, her first "official" indication of her scholastic ability that I've known for years........

Well.

There are just no words that I can put into sentences that could possibly describe how very proud I am of this little girl.  She is beyond amazing.  She is - and always has been since the day she was born - wise beyond her years.  Aacademically, physically, mentally.  Oh, I just love her so much.  She's so freaking awesome!

Exhibit A, Letter Naming Fluency (LNF)
She received a 97.4% accuracy, getting 38 correct and only 1 wrong scoring ABOVE AVERAGE than all other Kindergartners in the state of Indiana.  Her official recommendation is to "Consider Need for Individualized Instruction."  Meaning, individualized, accelerated course work.  Because she's so freaking fantastic that she's above and beyond her classmates.  (Okay, okay....I added that last bit in.)

Exhibit B, Letter Sound Fluency (LSF)
She received an 85.7% accuracy, getting 18 correct and 3 wrong which places her in the AVERAGE category (but only 1 answer away from Above Average). 

Left: LNF graph. You see that dot at the top? That's Emma. The square represents the "average" Kindergartner; the line represents where they want kids to be at this stage.
Right: LSF graph.  It's hard to see, but Emma's dot is right on the cusp of the top of the square. So she's technically in the "average" category.