Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes :)

I would like to introduce everyone to our new "nannies" - Ericka & Stephanie! (Ericka, I stole this from your facebook!).

Rob and I are SO excited about this change!!!! I don't like the word "nanny" though; it makes me think they should be 80 with white buns in their hair :) For anyone who has been reading our blog you know how much we are missing the care that Justin got when he was in their classroom. It turns out they are not happy with a lot of things at PALS either - it's not just us. So we are going to have them come to our house and watch Justin and baby brother 5 days a week! Stacey (Lauren's mom) is going back to work part time after maternity leave, so Lauren (Justin's friend from the zoo pics) and Lincoln (born May 3) will come to our house 2 or 3 days per week depending on the week. Ericka drives right by Beusters house to get to our house, so she can pick them up and then Justin has someone his age and the babies will only be 4 months apart! We still have to sit down and decide when the whole change is going to happen and work out a few logistics issues, but I am so happy to know that at least it's coming! E&S have a lot of their own materials that they bring to the classroom for teaching at PALS, so they are going to keep doing the same lesson plans that Justin and Lauren would get at school. They are going to keep a structured schedule too like they have now - playtime, circle (learning) time, art projects, outside time, nap time, etc.

It works out great for all involved... we LOVE them, they come right to our house, hopefully will cut down on illness (especially with the babies), they will each get a 3 day weekend (we don't need both of them on the Monday and Fridays when Beuesters are not here), etc, etc, etc. We were a little concerned with the kids not getting the social interaction, but there are plenty of activities around town that they can take the kids to - probably more than I even realize since a lot of park district activities and such are weekday mornings geared to stay at home moms. Plus there is a church less than a mile from us that does pre-school for 3 and 4 year olds for 2 days a week for a couple hours in the morning. Lots of options :)

It will be an adjustment for all of us, but I really think that this is for the better! I still feel like it's not real that we will be getting Ericka AND Steph - to just teach our kids and Beusters....we are very lucky!!!!

PS - Please don't post any comments about this on Facebook - there are other PALS people on there and this is not public knowledge yet....only those special enough to be our blog readers :)