Sneak Peak for Halloween

How on earth did this child get to be so big?

The end.

Inclusion by Invitation

One of the positives of having an "adopted daughter" who works at Teddy's school is that we get to hear more about Teddy's school life. His teacher does a great job with communication, but she has some insights that we wouldn't hear otherwise. 

For example, we heard about Teddy's classmate who burst into tears when he saw Teddy's picture because he misses Teddy. That prompted an entire 3rd-grade class discussion about why Teddy wasn't in school right now and how much everyone missed Teddy and wanted him back in the classroom. That was heartwarming to hear.

Then, an invitation to a birthday party came home last week. This is Teddy's second invite to a party. Of course we won't send him because of COVID, but were it not COVID, I'd consider sucking it up to attend with him because I think he'd have such a great time. I know this little boy and his mom somewhat from our interactions, and his mom has an idea of Teddy's abilities, so I'd be comfortable that we wouldn't completely make a scene.

So, this time around, we'll send a present to school with our connection to give to the boy's mom. That way, he'll have something to remember Teddy by until he sees Teddy back at school. (This wasn't the boy who was distraught that Teddy wasn't in school, just as an FYI.)

I love that Teddy's classmates and friends remember him, miss him and want him to rejoin them at school. I want the same ... 

Not Normal Works for Us

For the past 2.5 months, we've had one of our childcare providers living with us. Her lease ended before she landed her teaching job, and she's been on a wait list for an apartment. Since school started, our other childcare provider has been living with us as well during the week. (She has an hour commute, so she stays through the week rather than driving each day.) 

Honestly, it is so much easier to have extra hands around the house. Although they don't spend every waking moment with us (and those waking moments probably happen earlier than they'd like living in the basement with Teddy thumping around upstairs), it's so nice to have an extra set of hands to redirect Teddy at mealtime or to keep him from snatching fresh pain au chocolats when I pull them out of the oven. AJ loves having another person to play games with in the evening, and they both spent virtual time entertaining AJ when he was quarantining while his test results were pending last week. 

Also, given that our social circle is so small with COVID, it's nice to have another person to go for a walk or run or bike ride. Or, since I'll never have daughters, I can even talk them into going to craft stores with me sometimes. 

I know it's a unique living arrangement. It's a little odd that our one "daughter" is a teacher at Teddy's school, and the entire staff knows she's living with Teddy's family. But honestly, it works for us, and it works for them. 

This kept Teddy out of the pain au chocolat while they cooled.

I think we're all going to have a bit of withdrawal when our beloved houseguests move out. We've talked about gradually weaning ourselves, still with some family dinners or treats dropped at school. As much as they might miss the meals and tasty treats (perk of living in a cottage kitchen bakery), we're all going to miss each other's company. We'll start the adjustment period this weekend when one moves out to her new temporary place ...

A Snapshot Series of a Weekend With Teddy

Teddy is running away from me with a fly swatter.

Teddy is running to put wood on the fire, wearing my gloves.

Teddy wanted in on the cornstalk sword fighting that was happening. 

This is the moon. This is how early Teddy wakes up.

At least the sunrises are pretty when they happen an hour later.

This is how I feel about the early wake up calls. 

But he's so cute, and we still love him.