It looks like I will not be returning to work next year. My former job-share partner teacher and I put together a proposal to share a class 1 day a week(me)/ 4 days a week. But it was not accepted, so we are on to Plan B for next year, which is to have me stay home. I have quite mixed feelings about it, I was actually surprised at how sad I did feel for a while once the job option was gone. But it is a wonderful opportunity to spend time with Jaina and Lewis, who are changing everyday before my eyes. I am happy to be home next year because I don't want to miss a minute of it, really. Matt and I decided that it will be a very good test year to see whether we can afford for me to stay home for even longer, should we decide that's what we want to do. But we are fortunate not to have to make that a final decision yet, as I am entitled to take next school year off as parental leave, and still be employed by the school board the following year if I choose to come back. I have given up my actual position at the school I have been at for the past 5 years though, by staying home next year. I think I was sad about that because I really loved the community, the kids, and my colleagues there. However, I need to get over my fear of change, and know that I will find myself in another situation that I also will like at another time, in another place. So we are kind of taking a "wait-and-see" attitude as to what will happen after next year, and consider ourselves fortunate that we have the extra time to make such a decision.
Jaina, Lewis and I have been happily playing at home, getting back into some sort of routine, and getting out for occasional visits with friends and other activities. Jaina began taking a gymnastics class which lasts until the end of March, which she is quite enjoying. She has a little fear of heights, but with time and the encouraging examples of the other kids, I'm sure she will overcome it. For now, she's just having lots of fun on the trampoline, mats, low beams, and other equipment. We have had some nice visits with friends this month too. We continue to go to storytime at the library, most weeks. However, Lewis no longer sleeps through the whole thing. Sometimes he does, but at other times he has been awake and I have to take him out of his stroller to sit on my lap, and he is quite fascinated with the sights and sounds of the library (today, there was a baby girl there too and they almost interrupted storytime with their cooing, gurgling and squealing at each other). On Saturday we were at Matt's cousin Jocelyn and her husband Jason's house to celebrate the first birthday of their daughter, Megan. Lots of family took part in the celebration so it was a nice opportunity to visit with them.
The weather this month has been interesting. Last week, we hit a record high of 14 degrees C. We took advantage of this nice day to visit the Zoo with Kristie and Devun and friends of theirs (where we saw the new baby giraffe!). It was a beautiful day and a bit of a respite from winter. I think many people have cabin fever this time of year, as it was quite busy that day. Tomorrow, I think the high is supposed to be around -14 degrees C, and as I look out the window right now I can see that it is starting to snow and blow out there.
Other than that, we have not been up to much. We have had both sets of Southern Alberta grandparents up to visit on different weekends. We've been swimming one Sunday afternoon, and on another I took Jaina skating for the first time (she got those double-bladed "bobskates" for Christmas). She had so much fun that she was the last one on the ice, and only the sight of the zamboni coming out to clean the ice was enough to convince her to come off. Oddly though, I haven't convinced her to go back or to try one of the outdoor rinks near here. That is a goal for February I guess. Matt also bought some skates, and said he might have to go by himself once to see if he can still skate, since its been so long!
Looking forward to February (I will try to post more than once a month), as the kidlets and I will be visiting my mom for a week while Matt is on call (peace and quiet for both of us, in different ways). Jaina is excitedly making Valentines as well, and by the end of the month Lewis will be half a year old!
Here are some photos of our January activities:
Auntie Michaelia with Lewis and Jaina:
Hot chocolate picnic, after a morning of playing in the yard:
Jaina, with Lewis still bundled up from a walk:
Feeding the ducks at the Zoo:
New baby giraffe and mother:
Jaina and the lions (and I can't post what they were doing before the photo was taken!):
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