Playing House

So Jack and I have been touring local Daycares now that I know where I will be working next year. There are a ton to chose from as far as chain establishments, but no small family owned and all the churches are for Mom's Day out a few days a week only. Yesterday we went on our daily outing and checked out this place down the street. From the outside it looked perfect. All nice and even kinda home like. Once we walked through the doors we both knew that it was far from perfect. The place was cluttered, disorganized, and there were 22 toddlers in a room that looked to be about the size of Jack's nursery. Yes there were 2 teachers and an aide...but come on....22 in one small room with tables and chairs....it was borderline inhumane. When I walked past the 2 year old room there was this little boy on his mat with a blanket over his head just crying his eyes out. When I said, "Poor Baby"....the director said that he was new. My response was, "First days are scary"...she replied with he had been there for 2 weeks. I'll be damned if Jack is still that sad and crying after 2 weeks if I let him stay there no matter how "good" it is. So needless to say I got to the car and absolutely lost it. We've been to tons of places and I spend all his nap time searching the Internet, Phone Book, and local parenting magazines but NOTHING has met my standards yet. Here we go again...

Karen and Olivia are going through the same situation and since misery loves company they came over in the afternoon to play. Visiting with Karen (although we talk "shop" a lot) and watching the kiddos play helped to cheer me up and keep my mind off of things...temporarily.

"Ask my Dad if I can play house with you Olivia...I don't think he will mind because he is the one that wanted me to get this kitchen...don't tell anyone though-don't want him to look like sissy Dad."

"Hi Honey, I'm home from work now. Could you make me some dinner?"

"Jack, Your dinner is ready...turn off ESPN and come eat before it gets cold."

"Mmmm, I love carrots. Olivia I knew I married you for a reason...you sure are a great cook (not at good as my Mom though)."

Watching them play house made me think how everyday I feel like that is what Nick and I are doing...I never thought I'd be married, living in the burbs- with a kid....heck, I never thought I was going to college...a chef in San Francisco...that was where my heart was. My how things change-and I wouldn't want it any other way! At the same time...I'm so envious of Jack and Olivia being able to play house because the real thing sucks sometimes when you have to make decisions that affect someone that you love so much. I wish I was playing house right now!