Summer is over, even if it doesn't feel like it! All of this humidity and crazy heat needs to go away! Either way school is back in session. I've been at the daycare now for 5 months and I've only worked in one room--my 3's. I love them! They are such a fun age, always saying or doing something funny. Even through their tattle tailing and tears, I love spending my days with them! Over the summer, I've gotten to know the kids even better and vise versa, they expect me in class everyday and when I come in the afternoon they are asking where I am--precious, I know! 

Two weeks ago more than half of my 3's moved to the 4 year old room and we transitioned up the 2's along with a few new kids. It's a whole new dynamic but I am thankful I get to see my new 4's outside on the playgroup. Watching them behave and adapt to the new room, teacher, and rules makes me feel like a proud parent! I know they are going to grow up and be a great group of people someday and it makes me wish I could be around to see them in high school and how far they'll go.

It is really crazy how fast time flies, here I am beginning my 5th year at UNI and my last year as a graduate student. It doesn't seem all that long ago I was getting moved into the Quads and trying to squeeze a loveseat up 4 flights of stairs. My time at UNI has been wonderful, I am so thankful for the opportunities I've had and the people I've met. I learned early on to not waste any time and take advantage of the opportunities in front of me. I joined Alpha Delta Pi and found my closest friends and roommates, traveled abroad for an entire summer, found a career path I love with mentors who are passionate about what they do, and experienced college life to the fullest. Looking back at all my memories at this university, I can't pin point any one favorite time because so many stand out to me. I really am one lucky girl. 

Now that I've got my amazing roommates, a cozy apartment, and the first semester of grad school under my belt; I'm ready to take on my last year on campus--and enjoying every second of it! 

I grew up watching Bill Cosby and his little cohosts on Kids Say the Darndest Things with my family. Every show we would bust a gut laughing at the things that would come out of these little kids' mouths. I think that's where my love for children began. I just get so caught up in their innocence and boldness, nothing is too outrageous! 

About 3 months ago I started at a daycare in town working in the 3 year old room, I love it! There are a couple stinkers, but for the most part they are a lot of fun to be with. Over the last few months I've really gotten to know the kids and they are starting to see me as their best friend and lunch buddy. Not only are they tiny, cuddly, and sweet, they're hilarious too!

One of the little girls is up-to-date with all of the pop-culture, she knows all of the current songs and sings them everyday. Well yesterday I had to sit her down because she was running in the hall and yelling. I had just sat her down in her chair and turned to walk away and she starts singing at the top of her lungs, "I DON'T CARE, I LOVE IT!" by  Iconia Pop. I could hardly keep a straight face while trying to tell her to use her inside voice!

Today, one of my favorite little boys whispered to me that he was a Transformer and when asked to transform in front of me, he looked at me with a serious face, "I only transform when bad people try to hurt my house" and walked away. 


Today was also waterplay day, aka naked-toddlers-running-around-with-undies-on-their-head day. It literally takes 30 minutes to get 18 children dressed, sunscreened and out the door. You look away for 5 seconds to find someone's missing water-shoe and look up to find naked kids playing in housekeeping. No thank you. Look back at the kid with missing water-shoes to find they put them on the wrong feet. Look to your right and see a kid with his undies on his head and a leg in the air. Look to your right and see a boy with  his trunks on backwards. Never a dull moment in the 3 year old room! 

Finally, everyone is outside splashing in the pool when Child A splashes Child B in the pool causing Child B to start crying because they are wet, excuse me, you're in a pool hunny, you're already wet. Child B, "oh yeah" *continues playing*. =) When its time to round everyone up everyone requested to be "wrapped like a taco" with their towels. I accidentally called it that a few weeks ago and it stuck, now all the kids NEED to be wrapped like a taco before they can come back into the building. 


Seriously, I love this job, my kids are adorable and they say the darndest things! =)