Confession

In 2010 I got my fist daycare job, at a place that we will call Hell. I actually loved what I did and most of the people that I worked with, but the owner made poor decisions and some of the original staff SUCKED. When I started, I had a year of school behind me but no previous experience in a classroom. So I started off as an assistant. My lead teacher was very awesome and helpful and nice. We are still friends to this day. One of the other assistants in the room, however, was not as nice or helpful. In fact, working with her made me rethink why I was doing what I was doing. She made me feel like I never did anything right, that she had to do all the work (although I was completely capable!), never smiled or gave me any indication that she liked being around me... You know, just that kind of attitude.

Well, within a few months of working there, she got fired for some reason or another. I was working during the time she got fired and remember I had to take over her shift that evening. (Yes, a daycare with extended hours. Open 5 am to midnight, ugh.) No sadness from me once she was gone. I worked there for nearly 2 years afterwards and it had its ups and downs, but nobody ever made me feel that way again!

Today at work, (two jobs and many positions later), I found out that this girl handed in her resume to be considered for a position! I still have mixed feelings about it :/ When I first heard the news, I just remember how she made me so.... Useless and unwanted. I talked to my old lead teacher and she said that if this girl gets hired, now I can be the mean one.

But what kind of example is that, especially in front of the littles? If she does in fact get hired (part of me is still hoping she won't) then I think I will have a little smile inside knowing how far I've come since I first met her. I'm not that useless new girl she made me out to be. I AM an awesome lead teacher, and I will let it be known!

Camping List

I can't wait for the warm weather and to go camping!! I've put together a camping list of stuff you might want to take with you on your next adventure. I included a general clothing and food section too, but you will have to accommodate according to when and where you are going. Keep in mind the length of your stay, the weather, and any other factors that will play a role in what you pack.

Many items on this list can be bought at none other than the Dollar Tree! (Although if you are a hardcore camper, you may want to invest in some long lasting things.) The things highlighted in yellow are things that can be found at the Dollar Tree. Disclaimer: there may be more items on this list that they sell that I have not highlighted, but I did not see them. But anyways, here is my list:

Camping Checklist- 3 Days

Clothes:

1 Hoodie

1 Jeans

1 PJs

2 Undies

2 Bras

3 Socks

3 Shirts/ tank tops

2 Shorts

1 Bathing suit

Gym shoes

Beach:

Towel

Flip flops- or buy them on sale at Old Navy for cheap!

Sunglasses

Sunscreen

Floaties

Shovel

Buckets

Bathroom:

Bug spray

Soap- I personally prefer to buy the travel size body wash from Bath & Body Works.

Shampoo

- Shampoo/ conditioner images not shown because I prefer travel sizes of the good brands, sold at other stores

Conditioner

Toothbrush- Dollar Tree actually sells a toothbrush/ cover/ toothpaste set for $1!

Toothpaste

Hair brush

Hair ties

Razor- they sell disposables here, but this is one thing I would pack my good one

Hand sanitizer- I also prefer buying B&BW hand sanitizers, 5/$5. They smells so good.

Deodorant

Toilet paper- you never know when you will need it!

Kleenex- Dollar Tree sells single boxes, or an 8 pack of purse size (which is what I bought)

Nail clippers- you never know!

Chapstick

Contact stuff

Glasses

Food:

Cooler

Ice

Water bottles

Pancake batter

Butter

Syrup

Poptarts

Peanut butter

Jelly

Bread

Hot dog

Hamburgers

Buns

Ketchup

Mustard

Nachos

Pretzels

Chips

Salt- Dollar Tree sells salt and pepper in a pack- the kind with the closable spinny top which is nice for traveling!

Pepper

Drinks

Equipment:

Extension cord

Phone chargers

MP3 Speakers

Tent

Tarp

Stakes

Hammer

Rug- They sell small carpet type rugs, which are fine for putting outside your tent so you don't track as much dirt inside!

Chairs

Air mattress

Air pump

Marshmallow sticks

Plates

Cups

Bowls

Silverware

Spatula

Paper towels

Foil

Dish soap

Rag

Dish bin

Clothespins

Griddle

Lighter- They sell packs of lighters, as well as lighters with the long stick

 

Lighter fluid

Starter brick

Flashlight- They sell LED flashlights, as well as regular flashlights in a few different sizes

First aid kit

Citronella candle

Aloe

Benadryl

Small broom

Camera

Pocket knife

Books

Games

Balls

Frisbee

Trash bags

Ziplock bags- get a couple different sizes

Can opener

Tablecloth- They sell plastic toss away ones. I would invest in a reusable, sturdy tablecloth.

Tongs

Fan

Duct tape

Lantern

Pot holders

Rope- They sell 50ft of rope, as well as rope meant for a clothesline (which is what I bought)

Hatchet

Scissors

Matches

I hope you find this list handy! What other things do you like to bring camping that you can buy for cheap??

-Melyssa

Pot Roast Dinner

Last night we went grocery shopping, and we bought the ingredients to make pot roast. I am following this recipe found on Marie's Cooking Adventure blog. We'll see how it goes :)

First I rinsed an entire bag of baby carrots and then added them to the bottom of the crock pot. Then, I watched a video on YouTube on how to cut an onion (because I didn't know how.) I used half of an onion and spread it out over the carrots. I don't like onion at all, so I used really big chunks, easy to pick out later :) S thought we should add the onions for flavor, but we'll see. He doesn't even like them either. Next I peeled 4 potatoes and rinsed them and chopped them and added them. Then I put the roast on top, like the recipe says. Then I sprinkled all three packets in the crock pot. Lastly, I used 1.5 cups of water, and spread it all over.

Hope it tastes good!
Here's the photo for inspiration:

And here is a picture of how my pot roast turned out:
SOOOOOO delicious, we definitely will use this recipe again (minus the onions)