The Kassel Family Project Life 365

I decided today was “clean out the pantry” day.  I hadn’t done it for probably two years so I figured it was overdue.

I started about 1:30 pm with removing everything from the pantry.  I’ve been asked by people before if I’m a good organizer and I think that I can officially say that I’m pretty good.  I really did not realize just how much stuff I had in that small pantry.  Every surface in my kitchen was covered and a large part of the floor surrounding the kitchen was full as well.

I sorted and purged at the same time.  We had some things in there that we just never use.  I think the scariest thing in there was a bag labeled “Powdered Sugar” that had gotten shoved behind the rest of my baking supplies.  It had turned *GREEN*…  Yes, you read that correctly.  It hit the trash about as fast as I could get it there.  I finished right about 5 pm, and the pantry looks great!  While you can’t really see it in the picture, there is lots of extra space!

Before you ask, I’ll answer.  Yes, I’ll fill it up and probably pretty quickly.  Hey….I made more space!  That means I need more things right?

Whew….  What a few days!  On Monday evening, our daycare provider called to say that she was retiring early and closing on September 28.  She and her husband are purchasing a house in South Carolina and moving as soon as possible.  After the initial shock, I was angry because she had always said that she was going to remain open until John and another little girl there were in school.  Not to mention that nine business days is not a lot of time to find daycare.  However, after a rather sleepless Monday night, I had a bit more perspective and realized that I was more sad than angry.  I hit the phone on Tuesday.  LOTS of our friends offered help and suggestions and it culminated in finding the Walnut Street Day School for John today.  He’ll start on October 1.  It’s a bit more expensive than what we pay now, but I think it is going to be a great fit for him.  Andy and I took him with us to see the facilities and he was amazed by the huge playground.  He can also continue with swim lessons at Macher Swim School and with gymnastics lessons on the Gymnastics Express bus.

It’s a huge relief and has given me the chance to step back and be happy for Cheryl.  She’s dreamed of retiring to South Carolina and I’m glad she has the opportunity.  I am sad that our kids won’t be able to go to daycare with her anymore as she’s given them lots of love over the years and she has been a HUGE part of both of their lives.  Since Laura does not have school on Monday, she’ll get the opportunity to have one more day with Cheryl.  She told me that she would give Miss Cheryl a big hug and tell her thank you for taking such good care of her.  John’s last day will be next Friday.  I’m sure it will be a sad day for us all.  As with anything, we’ll move on, but still be thankful for the years that our children were with Cheryl’s daycare.

To Cheryl – Good luck in your next chapter.  May you enjoy retirement as you’ve certainly earned the opportunity to focus on yourself and enjoy the rest of your life.  Thanks for helping to shape Laura’s and John’s lives for the past six years.  We will all miss you.  Make sure to look us up on Facebook and here from time to time.  I think Laura said it best, “Miss Cheryl took the best care of me and always made sure that I was doing what I needed to do even if I was bad.  I love her and I will miss her.”

We spent the evening outside enjoying a beautiful evening.  The kids played with many of the neighbor kids.  Andy and I hung out with our neighbor and enjoyed some great conversation and drinks.  We are just trying to enjoy every moment of this beautiful weather.  It’s a great change after a summer full of awful heat and ridiculous electric and water bills!

Just before bedtime, I wandered into the kids’ room to discover Laura singing Mary Had a Little Lamb as loudly as she possibly can while John happily sleeps.  He really can sleep through anything.

Simple answer…  *My* daughter.

The kids discovered a fun, new pastime – Tonka truck races down our backyard hill.  John was hanging out with Andy and I on our back porch when Andy suggested that he bring his Tonka trucks outside and push them down the hill.  After one good shove down the hill and a crash at the end, John was hooked.

Laura happened to notice that we were having fun without her and she suddenly appeared on the back porch to join in.

Both kids got a huge kick out of watching the trucks start slowly on the hill at first and then pick up speed as they raced down the hill.  I think they both liked the crashes the most.  Fun times!