It is official! I was offered, and accepted, a job with CCLC at their Stanford Madera Grove Children's Center as a Head Teacher for their Mobil Infant Classroom!
I am sure you are all replying, "Yay!!!" which will then be followed by a long list of questions. Let me do my best to answer them for you.
First, CCLC stands for Children's Creative Learning Centers and they provide top-notch child care for large corporations and such (like Oracle, Pixar, and Yahoo!). In other words, they are a large company that partners with other companies, thus giving me essentially two employers. CCLC was founded by a Cal Poly graduate, and when I was in my senior year, the founder came and spoke to my class about it. I have been holding onto that business card since 2007.
My center is contracted through Stanford University and is on the Stanford campus in Palo Alto, CA. It provides care to the children (infants thru pre-K) of the Stanford faculty and staff. Working in Palo Alto does mean a bit of a commute from our apartment in Sunnyvale. Matt predicts about 20-30 min with traffic; however, my hours are from 9:30-6:30 so that may help.
A Mobile Infant Classroom means that the children in my care will typically be between 1-2 years old and able to sit on their own, crawl, and walk. They will be eating more solid foods and they are also able to manipulate more objects using their hands than younger infants can.
Being a Head Teacher means I am the one responsible for the classroom. I will be in charge of bulletin boards, photos of the children and their daily activities, marking their achievements, and meeting with parents. It also means doing some things like adding to the Center's newsletter, and plenty of other things I am currently clueless about.
I currently have a friend from my Cal Poly Child Development classes who works there and she helped me get the interview (Thanks Heather!!!). I am excited to be starting off in a new place with a familiar and sweet face so nearby.
As some of you know, I graduated from Cal Poly in 2008 with a B.S. in Child Development and double minor in Psychology and Communication Studies. While I can't say I haven't used that education in the last 2 years (because in customer service and sales I certainly have), I feel I can say I haven't used it nearly to its potential and I am most excited about that. I LOVE watching kids learn and grow and accomplish new things and this job will allow me to do that. But also, this job allows me to continue my education to be sure I am on track with the field and up to date on new research. I am so excited! Thanks everyone for being excited with me!
Here is a link if you would like to see more (including a few pictures): http://www.cclc.com/center/ca/stanford-madera-grove-childrens-center
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Wedding Invitation Frenzy
Hours after researching, purchasing, battling over the telephone with the company, prepping, creating, typing, labeling, and printing... the invitations are complete!
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| Two computers, a check list, and a pen- finalizing the invitations. Making a list and checking it twice is not just for Christmas. |
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| Count them out in piles of ten and then pack up for the post office. |
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| Sample of the outside. All put together and ready to show up at your door! |
Matt & I can't wait to see everyone there!
P.S. I also just got my very cute Bridal Shower invitation for April 30, being thrown by my cousin Holly and my sister, who's my MOH. Can't wait!!!
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Home Sweet Home
This last week I drove up to Palo Alto for a job interview at a Children's Center. It will take a couple weeks to hear if I will be offered the job or not so I'm crossing my fingers until then.
While I was up there, Matt and I decided to go over our finances and really think about where we wanted to live, what features we wanted in a home, and what we could afford so we wouldn't be house poor and could still plan fun trips and such. We started feeling a little frustrated that we would end up settling and at the last minute we decided to go check out one more place. We had tried to tour this apartment complex before but weren't able to tour a unit. To our surprise when we got there we were able to view three units and found one we thought was PERFECT for us! Because it had immediate availability we had to scramble to put all our paperwork and finances together but we were approved and Matt should be picking up the keys tomorrow! Here's the floor plan for our new home in Sunnyvale (there is a washer/dryer in unit too):
While I was up there, Matt and I decided to go over our finances and really think about where we wanted to live, what features we wanted in a home, and what we could afford so we wouldn't be house poor and could still plan fun trips and such. We started feeling a little frustrated that we would end up settling and at the last minute we decided to go check out one more place. We had tried to tour this apartment complex before but weren't able to tour a unit. To our surprise when we got there we were able to view three units and found one we thought was PERFECT for us! Because it had immediate availability we had to scramble to put all our paperwork and finances together but we were approved and Matt should be picking up the keys tomorrow! Here's the floor plan for our new home in Sunnyvale (there is a washer/dryer in unit too):
Matt will be moving his things in slowly, between trips to China, and will start living there in May. I will move up the furniture I have been storing in my garage sometime in April so Matt will have what he needs for now. The only thing we really will need is a larger bed than the Full's we both have now.
So lots of changes. We are both really excited about this new home together. It is remodeled so it has granite countertops in the kitchen and bathroom, new cupboards, new carpet, a great patio and storage closet, and feels cozy.
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| Kitchen |
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| Washer & Dryer |
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| Shower/Bathroom |
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| Sink/Bathroom |
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| Patio (with security glass for extra privacy/safety) |
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Happy Birthday Best Friend!
Today is Matthew's birthday. We are now both 27 and it is so fun to think about meeting each other when we were 19-20 and reflecting on how far we have come. I always knew I wanted Matt in my life for forever. He was someone I always felt comfortable with, and someone who made me feel like I was somehow home when I was with him. We struggled for a long time with me telling him he should keep me and him telling me it wasn't going to happen. Sometimes I can't believe we're actually where we are today and somehow my best friend decided he wanted to keep me after all. :)
Unfortunately life has just been so busy lately that I feel it has steamrolled right over us. Matt came down south for his birthday this weekend (as well as for some wedding appointments) and we were both so exhausted that I felt we didn't really get to talk or accomplish much but it was still so wonderful just being in each other's company. We had an appointment to pick out his tux for the wedding and were both frustrated over the lack of help from the stores we went to, so we brainstormed what looks we liked from catalogs I had collected and decided he would do some more shopping on his own in the Bay area. We had our cupcake tasting (after our original cupcake person suddenly emailed me to say they were canceling our order and closing the business) and found four amazing flavors to serve from a wonderful vendor. We also said goodbye-for-now to my cousins Dani & Brian on Saturday night with our other cousins in downtown Ventura. They are headed to Texas tomorrow and we will see Dani next at our wedding and Brian later in the summer when we hope to visit and see one of his baseball games. We also made time for several delicious meals and a good movie (Just Go With It).
I feel horrible that we were in such a daze for our few short hours together out of the month but it is so good to know it's not forever and the end is in sight. I am such a blessed girl to have a best friend who treats me like a princess, has the patience of a saint, and knows me better than myself. There are a lot of changes coming up but one thing I know is constant: Matt is an amazing man, an amazing friend, and will always take care of me to the best of his ability.
Happy birthday my friend! I look forward to celebrating so many more birthdays together!
Unfortunately life has just been so busy lately that I feel it has steamrolled right over us. Matt came down south for his birthday this weekend (as well as for some wedding appointments) and we were both so exhausted that I felt we didn't really get to talk or accomplish much but it was still so wonderful just being in each other's company. We had an appointment to pick out his tux for the wedding and were both frustrated over the lack of help from the stores we went to, so we brainstormed what looks we liked from catalogs I had collected and decided he would do some more shopping on his own in the Bay area. We had our cupcake tasting (after our original cupcake person suddenly emailed me to say they were canceling our order and closing the business) and found four amazing flavors to serve from a wonderful vendor. We also said goodbye-for-now to my cousins Dani & Brian on Saturday night with our other cousins in downtown Ventura. They are headed to Texas tomorrow and we will see Dani next at our wedding and Brian later in the summer when we hope to visit and see one of his baseball games. We also made time for several delicious meals and a good movie (Just Go With It).
I feel horrible that we were in such a daze for our few short hours together out of the month but it is so good to know it's not forever and the end is in sight. I am such a blessed girl to have a best friend who treats me like a princess, has the patience of a saint, and knows me better than myself. There are a lot of changes coming up but one thing I know is constant: Matt is an amazing man, an amazing friend, and will always take care of me to the best of his ability.
Happy birthday my friend! I look forward to celebrating so many more birthdays together!
Thursday, February 17, 2011
My New Nephew
Well I knew it would be hard to move away from my family. I also knew it would be hard to move away from my nephew. But wow, now moving away from this new cutie is now going to make it even harder!
Nathan James Stone was born on February 16, 2011 at 9:29am. He is a healthy 7lbs 13 oz and just over 20 inches. When Ben was born I wasn't able to be in the room and I was pretty devastated about it. This time I not only had the honor of being in the room but I also got the honor of taking pictures for my sister of this very big moment. I hope I got the pictures she wanted. :)
Nathan has a full head of dark hair and is quite the sleeper. He is very quiet and when he opens his eyes he just seems to want to observe and take it all in. Ben loves his brother, although he is a still confused about the name switch of Owen and Nathan, as well as the fact that the baby is no longer in Mommy's tummy. He always wants to hold the baby and kiss him, which is cute but you have to be careful because he also wants to try and carry Nathan around like a doll. Haha!
We have been taking a lot of pictures so I am sure that when Mommy feels more like herself she'll be posting and sharing them and then I can pass some on too.
As far as wedding plans... I have ordered the invitations and am working on getting desserts. When Matt comes down next we are going to pick out his tux and the suits for the guys. So far we have bridesmaid dresses for 3 of my 5 girls. Sometime next month I will go with my sister to shop for her dress. No way to do that when 9 months pregnant! This weekend is my bachelorette/shower and I am super bummed that everyone I thought could probably come now can't, but I am still really excited about girl time with my cousins and Kristina.
That wraps things up for now. I am so happy to hear you all wanted an update and enjoy catching up through my blog. Thanks for letting me know and I'll work harder on updating everyone. :)
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Breathing After the Rush
Christmas, and Birthdays, and Showers, Oh My!
Christmas was filled with the hustle and bustle of, well, Christmas. Which was followed by my birthday. Which was then followed by my sister's baby shower. During all of that I was busy working on booking wedding things: photographer, florist, DJ, buying my dress, picking colors and flowers, buying Matt's ring, an purchasing some of the little things needed (at super great deals). My amazing florist (and family friend) took myself and another friend (who is getting married in March) down to LA to shop in the fabric, flower, and jewelry marts. What a day! We got a ton done and I learned a lot. Here are a few of the things I picked up:
Our photographer is going to be be Anna Joy Photography which Matt and I are really excited about. Anna has a great eye, is super easy and fun to be around, and we are really looking forward to having her be a big part of our day. Anna's website is: http://www.annajoyphoto.com/main.html
Our DJ is going to be Kyle Taylor. He is someone I went to high school with and who now has a very successful business in the area. He is always booked well in advance and we are so excited to have him helping to keep the flow of the wedding and setting the mood. Kyle's website is: http://www.djkyletaylor.com/
Sandy Fuller is a close family friend who is going to be doing our flowers. She is an amazing lady who is full of so many talents. I am so blessed to have her creative eyes and hands making our centerpieces, bouquets, and more!
This month I am going to be looking at invitations, desserts, places to live after we move, jobs, and bridesmaid dresses. Somewhere in between I plan on remembering to breathe and enjoy the moments!
Christmas was filled with the hustle and bustle of, well, Christmas. Which was followed by my birthday. Which was then followed by my sister's baby shower. During all of that I was busy working on booking wedding things: photographer, florist, DJ, buying my dress, picking colors and flowers, buying Matt's ring, an purchasing some of the little things needed (at super great deals). My amazing florist (and family friend) took myself and another friend (who is getting married in March) down to LA to shop in the fabric, flower, and jewelry marts. What a day! We got a ton done and I learned a lot. Here are a few of the things I picked up:
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| Flower Girl Basket for Keira |
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| Ring Bearer Pillow for Ben |
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| Garter Belt |
Here are some of the flowers we looked at:
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Our photographer is going to be be Anna Joy Photography which Matt and I are really excited about. Anna has a great eye, is super easy and fun to be around, and we are really looking forward to having her be a big part of our day. Anna's website is: http://www.annajoyphoto.com/main.html
Our DJ is going to be Kyle Taylor. He is someone I went to high school with and who now has a very successful business in the area. He is always booked well in advance and we are so excited to have him helping to keep the flow of the wedding and setting the mood. Kyle's website is: http://www.djkyletaylor.com/
Sandy Fuller is a close family friend who is going to be doing our flowers. She is an amazing lady who is full of so many talents. I am so blessed to have her creative eyes and hands making our centerpieces, bouquets, and more!
This month I am going to be looking at invitations, desserts, places to live after we move, jobs, and bridesmaid dresses. Somewhere in between I plan on remembering to breathe and enjoy the moments!
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