Early in my maternity leave, I wrote that I did not want this blog to turn into a “mommy blog.” If you are wondering why I seem to have stopped updating, it’s because that’s all I have to talk about! Mommy stuff! So, instead of boring you with diaper change stories, nap schedules, and things like that – I just haven’t updated…until now! I waited until now to bore you with that stuff.
Since my last update, things haven’t changed too much. I did have my 6 week checkup and I was cleared to go back to normal. I’ve been going to yoga and working out and lifting whatever I want, so that has been wonderful. I know a lot of people hate working out and would rather have a doctor’s notice telling them not to, but working out is what keeps me sane, so I was happy to get back to it.
I finished up my National Board Renewal stuff…now I just have to wait and see what happens.
I have been doing some planning for next school year (by “planning,” I mean thinking and pinning). I know we are going to do our regular events, like Star Wars READS Day, Digital Learning Day, makerspace stuff, and an author visit. Looking for inspiration for new stuff too.
Baby is fantastic. She is already 2 months old (actually, 11 weeks). She is sleeping through the night (we are so lucky, I know). She is sticking to her schedule, for the most part. We are using Babywise to guide us in our schedule…not doing everything in the book (not going to “cry it out,” we are using sleep props, etc.) but the schedules are wonderful and very helpful.
We have started going to Hello, Baby! storytime at the public library. LOVE IT and I am totally using some of the tricks and things they do in my preschool storytime next year. A few things I’ve picked up:
*Bubbles and music at the end. This is so fun and makes me want to do a bubble-theme storytime next year. Basically, you (the adult) blow bubbles while music is playing. The babies and toddlers are in awe.
*I’ve learned some new fingerplays and movement activities that I plan to use with my Kindergarteners and my preschoolers. Simple rhymes like (if we are standing) “1-2-3, sit with me.”
*A basket of books to checkout at the end. I’m not sure why I haven’t done this in the past. My preschoolers can check out 1 book. The whole time I have done storytime, I have let them wander around and choose whatever, where ever. This is fine, and I still plan to allow this, but I am also going to start filling a basket of great books geared towards that age group to have out at the end. They can just choose from there! I think parents will be happy because they won’t have to chase their kid around the library.
*You do not always have to have a theme! There does not appear to be a theme to any of the storytimes I have been to. Yes, we’ve read great books and we’ve done some dancing and singing and fingerplays, but they do not actually all connect. This is magic for me! I spend so much time thinking of a theme, finding fingerplays that go with the theme, themed books, snack, etc. Sometimes, it can just be a random storytime of favorites! Totally going to do that a few times next school year.
So, that’s what I’ve been up to for the past few weeks. The last day of school is coming soon, so I’ll be on summer vacation instead of maternity leave! YAY!
How have you been?
VBF
