The day I’ve been dreading is quickly approaching.  As I’ve already chronicled on this blog several times, our dear babysitter, Esperanza, is retiring at the end of next week.  As the fateful day approaches,  my anxiety is nearing record-high levels.

We are in full-on transition mode.  I have a cleaning service evaluating the house tomorrow morning.  Sophie went to aftercare for the first time today and fortunately, she had a good time.  It certainly helps that a few of her friends go to aftercare, too.  She didn’t do her homework there, however, which is not so good.  With everything else going on, I don’t want to experience an encore of the struggles we had last year – getting her to focus when she’s tired and we adults are cranky after a long day at work.

As the readers of this blog know, Chloe is always looking for ways to earn money.  We told her that we’d pay her $5 for each load of laundry she washes and folds.  Needless to say, she’s chomping at the bit to get started and had her first training session with Esperanza today.  Thanks to Esperanza’s tutelage, I am sure that by the end of next week, Chloe will be ready to go.  I’m a little skeptical as to how long Chloe will persevere in her new job, but even if it’s short-lived, at least she’ll know what to do when she goes to college.

Esperanza has been one of the few constants in our lives over the last 11+ years.  It’s not going to be same around here without her.  And I’m just not ready to let her go.