A new normal

Things are a little different in the Tatum household this year.  We now have a stay-at-home dad and a working mom.  It's not too difficult of a change for us as we have been slowly transitioning for the last two years.  Last year Jason was working, but mostly from home.  This summer Jason worked part-time from home.  I have always worked part-time, some out of the home and some childcare at home.  When we decided to stay here for the year, part of that decision included me finding a job that would supply enough income for our family.  I looked into nanny jobs that supplied a huge income (huge for us), but also required long hours.  But then the perfect job just popped up - from Facebook no less.  I knew my time on Facebook was productive!  So now I am taking care of three very sweet children for a great friend, and it really is the perfect "job" for our family.  It is only 30 hours a week, but with that and my job in the church nursery we are able to make it work financially.  But the best part of the job (besides the wonderful family I work with) is that it is super flexible - I can bring any of my kids at any time and two of the days of the week I only watch their youngest at our house.  So I am only away from the kids for about 20 hours a week.  Everyone is adjusting wonderfully so far, even Violet, who previously would barely let me out of her sight.  And Jason (who is also finishing up his dissertation) has jumped with both feet into staying at home; he even cooks delicious lunches for the kids!  Speaking of the kids... 

Violet is more toddler and less baby every day.  She is walking short distances, but not full-on toddling yet.  This little one definitely has an opinion about everything, and she isn't afraid to show it!  Although she is making more defined babbles and some noises that sound like they might be words, her preferred method of communication is screeching.  She loves putting her toys away, how do I encourage that to continue?

Rowan is attending 4K (pre-kindergarten).  This is the first year that our city offers free, public 4K, and the school district is contracting out spots to many of the preschools (including our neighborhood preschool that both older kids have attended and we love).  So, he is able to go play at his school every morning for free, and he loves it.  He is also loving playing in the sandbox outside with friends and spotting words that he can read around town.  After this month of last minute summer fun, there have been several days when he told us, "This is the best day ever!"  One of those days was spent at a circus museum that puts on daily circus shows during the summer and now I'm pretty sure he wants to be a clown someday. 

And Ellie.  Ellie truly is growing up.  Physically, she is growing so tall and beautiful (especially with her new toothless gap!).  And her personality is just so sweet, sensitive, and outgoing.  That's not to say that she doesn't have her sour moments, because she certainly does.  Jason is homeschooling her for first grade this year, and she really is enjoying it.  Her school work takes one hour or less each day and the rest of her day is spent playing, creating, or organizing activities for Jason and I to join her in.  Right now one of her favorite things to do is play art class, which consists of either Jason or I being the student and she creates an art project for us to work on. 

In summary, things are going well for the Tatums.  Now we just have to figure out a new housework routine, because right now no one is claiming responsibility for the bathrooms.  Yuck!