i'm back

Hello,

 Haven’t written here in a while probably because I wasn’t working. Yesterday I started my first day at a 2 month nanny position so you have me again for at least 2 months ;).

It started out alright I got there 30 mins earlier than supposed to but then again it’s a 30 minute drive down a motorway in high winds so I was leaving myself plenty of time for that.

The little girl (yes only one this time) greeted me with her granny who is visiting till Wednesday and we sat and played in the front room with anything and everything, games, castles, playdough, crafts, jigsaws and reading.  In between this there was also lunch to make of cauliflower cheese and potatos, but I didn’t eat with them as I was getting weighed in last night. I’m glad I didn’t as I lost 5 lb.

Mid afternoon we went for a walk past the nursery and to the park struggling against the wind which I guess was the highlight of my work day. Although the girl (lets call her ‘E’) can chatter, it still seemed rather silent.  I guess I’m used to background noise.

Today I am planning on bringing a cd so we can liven it up a little. Will see how that goes J. Well that’s all for now as I need to get ready to go again today! J

A week later...

Hello again!

Alot has happened this past week and not all about nannying either!
So I finished last post with my interview... well the following day, Friday I had a phone call saying I had got the job!! :)

Friday was actually a nice day for me just busy! With it being the last official day with that family I had organised my parents to bring a bouncy castle with slide for the children to use in their garden. Lets just say it fit where it touched but they had a fab time on it and that's all that matters!

As a leaving gift I was given 2 vouchers for High tea in a posh restaurant place which was a nice idea :) and the kids enjoyed opening gifts from me which included a framed photo of themselves with me then the girls both got a dvd each and the boys got a camera thing that attaches to tv screen so they can see themselves dancing on tv :)

After work I swung by Asda and town centre to gather last bits and bobs for the following days camping trip!
As it was also my mums Birthday I also hurried home for her birthday meal with friends so got to see my friend with her almost 1 year old girl then quickly packed for camping!

Saturday Chris and I left at 8 am for camp grounds but stopped along the way to grab food and petrol and also managed to miss a turning on motorway causing us to arrive at campgrounds in Lenchwood an hour later than planned. We were first from our church group to arrive and set up Chris's tent and prepared lunch before the next family arrived and we could help pitch their tent.
The week was very hot and I hadn't accounted on that so couple days in had to buy cheap shorts and skirt from Tesco.
Every morning and evening I attended church in a tent and listened to inspirational speakers and during the days I learnt to not do much but relax or wash dishes :-D.
The tent I shared with a friend was the girly tent with the fairy lights and little windmills! I had also packed glow sticks which was enjoyed by kids and adults alike!

Yesterday was the day to pack up and return to real life ;)! How it rained..... Once home I had a very upside down room to put right so I could actually go to bed last night and my aunt and cousin had come up to visit.

Today was sunny again so perfect for drying tents! I have also unpacked, washed, dried and ironed all camp clothing so back to normal. The rest of the day has involved holding a 1 week old baby boy, visiting Chris's parents and Chris taking me out to a nice restaurant for a meal though I wasn't too keen on what I chose!

Tomorrow is my Birthday, Sunday I will continue celebrations then who knows what will happen!

Will write again soon!
Jenny x

long day!

Today I started work tired though that would be mainly the fact that I stayed up till early hours of the morning trying to sort out my room and find a missing 'early years first aid certificate', which as you probably guessed I thought was rather important. On not finding it and in the process of the 'great hunt' I decided to empty all cupboards and drawers and desk of clutter/junk and re-fill them 'tidily'. After 3 hours I still couldn't step through the floor, had not found what I was looking for, read all my school reports from infant school up to 6th form, read several letters from my past and disturbed all the dust from, everywhere. I was sneezing and wheezing and rubbing eyes that much I decided to call it a night and slept in my sisters old room (only empty bed).

This morning I still had to get up bright and early, though the shower helped wake me up a little and get into work for 7:30.
I was able to lie in Monday and Tuesday and have days off which was nice but then to get back into routine can be a little difficult sometimes. By 8:30 I had all 4 kids breakfasted, dressed and at the park (talk about making use of good weather) and my plan was keep them there till 10am then home ready for one of the boys to go see doc with mum. What actually happened is 9am one boy decided to pull a strop as his sister wanted to push her other brother in the roundabout but he just wanted to stand holding onto roundabout. He yelled and threw himself angrily to floor then hit his head of tarmac and cried alot more. Seeing that it was his head he hit (I heard it too - ouch) I looked to see what looked like 4/5 red lines appearing quickly on his head but wasn't wet so under the skin. I decided it would be wise to get him checked out so encouraged 2 whining girls to hurry up, had 1 crying boy on my hip and almost dragging other boy as he kept calapsing his legs shouting 'more park' back to the car for the 5 min drive home. The mum said all was fine but just play in garden.

It felt like I did lots in little time but maybe as I started getting even more tired and started to clock watch (bad habit). At about 4:30 the doorbell rang and we all had outing to the front door where there was a package.... for me! There were flowers from the family. I think it was as an engagement present (for those reading and didn't know, I got engaged last week) but it could have been a leaving gift as tomorrow is my last day with this family, or even an early b'day present for next week. Then again it could be combination of all ;).

At 5 I was allowed to go home early, yay! I got home and Chris came with more flowers (which I also loved) and a little teddy now called 'Chris de bear' hehehe.

At 6:30 Chris drove me to my interview down in Catterick as I was feeling too tired to drive. Got there at 7:15 so 15 mins early and it lasted just under hour. This interview is just a temporary 2 month position September till November but will find out tomorrow if I get it. If not it's still an experience.
Well need to wrap up leaving presents for the kids and it's already 10:30 so this could be another late night. zzzzzzzzz thanks for reading zzzzzzzzzzz

So you just get paid to play with toys all day?

So you just get paid to play with toys all day?
This is the question I get asked alot after giving my job title!
The answer is: Yes I get to play with toys but I also have to go in to work whilst alot of people are still sleeping, get children dressed, make sure they are fed and ready for school, change many nappies (no they don't smell like roses), make lunch, look after them if they are ill, do some cleaning jobs and sorting out of cupboards or toy boxes, make beds, help with laundry, pick up kids from school, take to after school activities, help with homework, make dinner, washing up, clean mats and floor, occasionally bath them. So I guess you could say a nanny is a substitute mum while the mum isn't home.
I actually find it harder now the mum is home as the boys continuously want to "go find mummy" and the girls think it's ok to misbehave and upset me as "your not our mummy" and what mummy says overrides what nanny has said.
Today School has broken up so I have the joy of 4 monkeys this next week and a half, not that I am counting of course. Please let the days not go tooo slowwwllllyyyyy!!!!

First Post!

Well here I am... Now i've started this blog i'm not sure what to write but thought writing something would be a start.

I currently nanny for 4 children ages 7, 5 and twin 2 1/2 year old boys and have only 2 weeks left with them, oh how the year has flown. We've had ups and downs and I have learnt from mistakes but nothing that couldn't be fixed or sorted.

So far I have managed to burst 2 car tires, have a parking ticket (not my fault), had a pleasant letter left for me saying where not to park, smashed 4 glasses, broken one plate, and possibly other things I can't think of at this moment. Not too bad if I dare say so myself, I've been known in the past to be clumsier...
On the plus side I have learnt to cook things from scratch, never been late for work, not been in too much trouble for any of the accidents above and kept the kiddies safe and entertained.
On the whole I love what I do and like to think I am doing a good job helping these children progress in different areas :)
I am hoping to find another family to nanny soon so watch this space :)