Awesome Babysitters

We have been extremely blessed with babysitters. Since Ally was about 11 months old and some friends found out we did not have a sitter, at all, and immediately hooked us up, we realized how important babysitters were to our family happiness. That babysitter graduated and moved away a long time ago, but we've been really lucky with sitters since then.
One very important part of our life is our morning babysitter. This year is Lauren (last year was Tara), she comes to the house every week day at 7AM, and get ALly ready for school and walks the 1 1/2 miles to school with Ally, well she pushes Ally in the stroller. This month we've had so much snow that the stroller has not been an option. SO Ally and Lauren have walked to the T and taken that to school, or when the weather is really bad, they take a taxi. Its always and adventure, and Lauren is always here with a smile and positive attitude. Lauren is in a Master program in theater. Here is picture evidence of her awesomeness as a babysitter.

The label she has for her sewing creations.

The amazing apron she made Ally for Christmas. It has a full pocket all along the front of it.

Lauren is always documenting Ally's pictures and stories. We came home one day to see this one. Later in the day Ally copied the letters (words) that Lauren had written. So cool to see Ally writing (copying) sentances.

Its no secret that Ally really likes Tinkerbelle and her fellow fairies. In the movie Great Fairy Rescue there is a fairy house. One Sunday when Lauren was babysitting we left a plane box out and suggested she and Ally might want to make a fairy house, like in the movie. I was so impressed with their creation.

It is decorated exactly like the one in the movie - with buttons, a clock, glitter for the rug (or pixie dust if you believe in fairies).

Of course the Toy Story 3 stickers give it that Ally authenticity!

Ally loves it!

Our other weekly sitter Sarah is pretty fantastic as well. She picks Ally up at school on Wednesdays and walks home with her, and then stays for a few hours. They usually stop at a children's book store in Harvward Square or for a treat at a cafe along the way. When they get home they usually watch an episode of Curious George and then work on craft projects until we get home.

It can be hard raising a child without family (grandparents) near by to help with babysitting or even just an occasional dinner or hour of free time.

Both of these women really care about Ally and play an important role in our success as a family. It helps that Ally likes them both and enjoys spending time with them.