013 // Pinteresting

So, when you are a parent, trying to survive the toddler years, alone, due to your spouse being at work all day and law school all night, you need to get creative.

I'll admit it, sometimes I put her in front of the TV, so I feel like I can get something done. I try to do all of my "things" during her nap time, but with my computer in the room where she sleeps, sometimes this isn't feasible. Of course, she isn't watching just anything, just basically, everything they show on Nick Jr. (Having a sole channel for Nick Jr. is really awesome).

This week, I decided, since I am going to be a stay at home mom for the time being, I want to organize K's day similar to a preschool/homeschool day. Hopefully, this will get her ready for actual Preschool. This is where the awesome Pinterest comes in. Now, I hate to say it, but if you don't know what Pinterest is, you are really out of the loop! It's the fantastic website that lets you create visual bookmarks of things on the internet and sorts them into boards, that you can look at later. It's genius. However, I will say, Pinterest is kind of like The Sims. You know, you go on, and the next thing you know 2 hours have passed and you're not sure if you have anything to show for it. I try to limit my Pinterest-ing for that very reason.

Anyway, my toddler board is full of sensory games, arts & crafts, learning activities, and other toddler-themed delights like DIY clothing & toys. I cannot wait to do some of the activities with K! Now, the joke with Pinterest is, you pin everything from your dream house to delicious food to designer outfits, but you never have that house, or make that food, or get that outfit. It's kind of just a dream board, filled with pretty things to look at and dream about. Although, some people do attempt to do things (and the results aren't always "like the picture"), which is why there is a website called Pintrocity, which is just entertaining. :)

Tonight, I thought I would get a little creative with Miss K and do a Pinterest inspired activity with her. I went with bath paints. (Figured, bath tub = easy clean-up). It had a few ingredients: baby shampoo, corn-starch (seems like everything sensory for a little kid somehow involves corn starch!), food coloring, & water. Hey! I have all of those things! I even found an empty ice cube tray to mix the paint in!

I changed the recipe a little bit (small ice cube tray) & completely left out the water (which I think was a good thing) and came up with some pretty awesome paint.

And I do have to say, I think K enjoyed it too!

Whew! I think that we will be able to survive this law school thing! Thank you Pinterest!

012 // First Day of School

It's been two months since we've been in Seattle. It has taken a little adjusting, but overall things are fine. We have been taking advantage of the beautiful sunny days (it rained today - I know Labor Day means the end of summer on the mainland, so I'm a little bummed! But luckily fall has some things to look forward to!) We went camping at the beach, I went to two baby showers & visited with two close friends, we put our toes in the ocean and a lake! We have been busy. Which is good, because being busy makes you miss things less. 

C took his first law school class over the summer and earned a B, which I think is pretty impressive! It was a little hard adjusting to his school schedule because he got home so late. But he was home during the day. A few weeks ago, he started a full-time job filing contracts at a book company. So it's been just K & me home during the day and C home for dinner.

Tonight was his first "real" law school class. His first work all day, go to school at night, real law school class. It was just me & K, all day, all night. 

Although, I'm feeling pretty good. It's 7 p.m. and she is fed (made teriyaki beef with broccoli and rice - with extras for C's dinner tomorrow night), bathed, and we are watching a movie (Veggie Tales: The Pirates who Don't do Anything). The food is put away, the dishes are done, I'm 2/3 done with laundry, the living room & dining room are picked up. I'm feeling pretty good about this! I know, it won't last. Haha. I won't be this put together every night, but it feels good to have it all together tonight! 

Work/School back in Hawaii started without me, and two people have emailed/texted me looking for things/needing help, so that makes me feel a little loved. But sad. 

Being home all day with K has its perks and its downfalls. She is tiring! But so much fun. Though I am feeling like I am running out of ideas for things to do with her. I hope that I'm teaching her enough! I thought I wanted to put her into preschool when she turns 3, in January, and I have been researching information about this. Turns out, preschoolers only go to class max 3 times a week and for half days! So now I'm not sure what to do about work because I would hate to have to put her into a daycare for the rest of the time. They do have these interesting facilities called co-op preschools, where the parent goes one day a week and helps out, so I might check that out. I like that idea!

Anyway, I will try to be more regular with this. I know there aren't too many blogs about families attending law school and I want to keep this updated.