Marking Time with a Snow Globe

A favorite holiday tradition of mine is to mark the year with a picture next to a particular snow globe. Never mind that the snow globe's music box was broken by a daycare kid the first year in business, it's the globe not the music, that holds the true meaning of the season and the reminder of each year passing for me...

Girl4 2007/2008

Girl3 2007/2008

Little

2008 (right)

2007 (below)

The Prince 2007/2008

And a "fresh batch" of babies in 2008 to start marking with our snow globe: Baby Cakes, Smiley, my 1st God Baby, and Sweetie-Pie.

And, if your head is "absolute perfection" - you can get you a second picture on the post...

I would say that I can't wait to see Baby Cakes Snow Globe Picture next year, but I know too well that babies grow up way too fast. I'm going to savor every day of "baby-dom" with her that I can - I can wait until next Christmas - and I will love every minute of the wait.

And, even if you move on from Marty's you may come back anytime (especially at Christmas) to visit, play and to "Pose with the Globe".

Mister C

2008 (right)

2007 (below)

Ham-samwich 2007/2008

Miss Bliss 2007/2008

And I couldn't resist these next two pictures. The Prince as "Daycare Baby 2007" (right) and Baby Cakes "Daycare Baby of 2008" (left, and yet a 3rd spot on this post). And what of 2009? We await the arrival of The Princess - goose bumps.

And then, there are always my "biologically involved group" of babies - My Girls.

• Girl1 - home from college for Christmas Break. (upper left)


• Girl3 now firmly established in her role as a Kindergartner Diva. (upper right)


• Girl4 about to head off a couple of days a week to Preschool. (lower left)


• And Girl2 about to graduate and leave the nest. Too fast, way too fast. (lower right)

Merry Christmas from our Daycare Home (and Home) to you.

2nd Annual Children's Holiday Party

2nd Annual Children's Christmas Party - 2008

What a fabulous time we had Sunday afternoon! Here is a shot of all the children - minus our two babies who had reached their personal limits on the amount of flash they can tolerate in two hours. Santa sure did notice all that "extra weight" this year - everyone has been busy being good and GROWING...

1st Annual Children's Holiday Party - 2007

And I just can't resist posting these two shots of my "second set" - Girl3 & Girl4. On the left is last year, this year on the right. I especially wanted to post the shot on the right since I don't think I will be able to figure out how the heck to purchase prints off Flickr and create Christmas cards this year....

This is such a season for traditions. Ornament making, cookie baking, the giving of PJs (Girl2 absolutely HATES this tradition - Christmas presents should not be practical), just to name a few. One tradition I think especially sweet is the tradition of Little's Family - Santa bringing a special book - now this will make some PRECIOUS MEMORIES.

We will be so busy this week and next following a crazy blend of my own childhood/family traditions with some of my "daycare" traditions. As each year passes, the lines between these blur more and more and there seems to be no real line between the two - my family and my daycare family. Maybe I'm just an old softie, maybe it is the Christmas Spirit, but the blurring of this line feels good to me.

And I just can't help but post about this year's Christmas Party Miracle. Last year, too young and niave to know better, The Prince posed fearlessly with Santa. You see, The Prince suffers from a unexplainable ailment known by those who witness it as Man Fear. Nobody knows where it came from, what started it, but it is definitely a "pure baby fear".

Even with ongoing exposure to many BABY MAGNET MEN, such as my husband and other daycare daddies, The Prince becomes quite nervous when one of them enters to close to (or into) our primary daycare space. The Prince has just recently begun to accept "treats" from my husband. However, as soon as The Big Guy offers to pick him up (usually with the promise of a better treat, or maybe airplane races on TV) he runs for cover behind my legs. Secretly, I kind of like this reaction - the running to me part - not the baby feeling fear part.

So the miracle part? This year, when Santa arrived and was swarmed with greetings from a dozen little children - The Prince was right in midst of it all. He went right up and checked Santa out! As I like to say, "He knows who butters his bread."

Something about a BIG RED FUZZY BEARDED ELF with a bag big-enough-to-stuff-you-in doesn't freak him out? Go figure, chalk this up to a Christmas Party Miracle (my husband was noticeably upset).

Next post? One of my favorite traditions of this season is my annual Snow Globe Shoot to mark the growth of my kids each year so stay tuned and MERRY CHRISTMAS...

P.S.

Thank You to The Queen (The Prince's Mommy) for updating your blog and linking to mine. That was what it took to take this post out of "drafts", finish it - and then publish it. Linking, that's cool - but over my head. Oh yeah, watch for a slide show of Santa and Kids Pictures. It's been a long time since I made a slide show and I will try and "re-learn" it out today at nap time.

What a Great Morning

Okay, so I'm slow on the Thanksgiving Post and then I post the next day!

What's up with that?

Another New Friend has joined our group today! Meet "Sweetie Pie". This seems to be an appropriate Blog Name, given her sweet disposition. And I wouldn't want her Blog Debut to be overshadowed by a Holiday Party if I let myself get too busy in party preparations to post her arrival.

Yesterday, I was a little blue calling in Girl4's confirmation for part-time preschool. She's the only one of my four children I've spent every day with since birth and I'm particularly fond of her, especially knowing she is "the last of my Mohican's" biologically speaking. A little blue, until today. Now I am riddled with a tinge of guilt over being excited Girl4 will be gone a couple of Daycare days a week.

I HAVE A WONDERFUL FEELING ABOUT MY GROUP OF KIDS - and these little toddlers are all so close in age - I THINK WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A BLAST TOGETHER. Good things do come to those who wait - I'm believing that today (thanks to Baby Cakes Mom for telling me something like this a few weeks back). And (I'm reminding myself) Girl4 will still be here 2 Daycare days a week, and she and I will still have our Fridays together.

So this is kinda quick, it's just some notes from our Daily Report today. Names have been changed to protect the innocent:

"Morning Circle just didn’t happen this morning. The kids were having a great time playing with all the “new toys” we rotated in yesterday along with the Big Trucks and books that we started our morning with. Each child seemed to take turns drifting to Sweetie Pie to get to know her. I think, had she been swarmed, it could have made for some tension – but they all seem to sense to be quiet and gentle. She stayed pretty close to me, drifting off into the play areas then floating back – I guess checking to see if I was still there. I sat on the carpet with a view of the hall and FR. Everyone could have some lap time. We did sing a few songs, and when Grandma Patty visited she tried to read a story, but nobody seemed very interested. It all seemed very relaxed and calm.

I need to remind myself not to underestimate the importance of “free play” – it isn’t always just a “filler” in between our “important activities” it is, in itself, a very important activity too.

There was a bit of a morning nap time going on for part of all the fun. Sweetie Pie conked out on me about 10:00 – shortly thereafter joined by The Prince who climbed up on my free lap and rested. Grandma Patty thinks I’ve spoiled them all – she’s probably right.

Just a couple of small bumps in Sweetie Pie’s initiation into the group: The Prince almost got her glasses - and got upset when I had to pry his fingers from them – Sweetie Pie who did not seem fazed by his attempt, did get a little upset when he did. Another tender-hearted kid – I LOVE IT. Smiley tried his “get-to-know-you-wrestle” with Sweetie Pie, I interrupted just before he could get a hold of her (I’m beginning to recognize a “wrestling twinkle” in his eye). He seemed to be thinking “It works for Little, why not Sweetie Pie?” as I separated them and explained we need to play gentle with each other. He and Little were wrestling 5 minutes later – they seem to know their limits – more rolling than really wrestling. Now that I think about it, maybe I’m misinterpreting a “horizontal hug” for wrestling…"

There were no bumps from Girl3 & Little with Sweetie Pie this morning. Sweetie Pie is the "baby of the group" today and both Girl3 & Little are the "Big Girls" of the house - they took a very maternal role leading her into play areas, sitting next to her at morning snack, and otherwise putting Sweetie Pie at ease. Little Mommies those two are, I'm so very proud of all my "babies".

Thanksgiving Week

When you do Daycare, a Holiday is never for just one day! Why, we are always looking for a reason to PARTY around here. Themes of the Week are fun, but a HOLIDAY? Now there is a reason to party.

Not only was it a Holiday Week - we had a new friend join our group - doubly good for a party in this world. "Smiley" is just what we needed around here. Now The Prince has a buddy he can bang toys with and do other fun "boy stuff" with. I forgot how much a second boy can add to the volume of this house. Sweet, sweet volume. And a "first day" is a really good reason for Cookies & Milk for snack time.

I am thankful for boys with beautiful eyelashes.

I am thankful for my Great Aunt Mary's picnic cloth -
when the kids see this, they know an extra-special snack is coming.

Our week was full of "Cornucopias" (the Word of the Week). We talked about all the things we are thankful for - Mommies & Daddies, Grandmas & Grandpas, Aunts & Uncles, Cousins, Our Homes, Our Beds, Our Toys. You know you are thankful for something when you feel all warm and cozy just thinking about it. We made Turkey Hats and played in them for two days - I think these are the cutest turkeys I've ever seen...

On Wednesday, Girl3 and Hamsamwich did not have school. Hamsamwich came for a Day at Marty's - it was so sweet to hear her singing in Circle! We had a Thanksgiving Feast of stuffed turkey breast with fruit relish, mixed vegetables (and edamame), mashed potatoes, bread and grapes. Everyone was ready for nap at the end of our big meal.

This time of year just speeds by too fast. Halloween rolls into Thanksgiving, then Thanksgiving rolls right into Christmas. Seems there isn't much time to think about all the things we are thankful for in our lives. That's why it is best to remind yourself all year long, besides I really like that warm and cozy feeling. If you pull along side of me in your car at a light and there are tears in my eyes - that's what I'm doing - counting my blessings. Counting my Blessings and singing at the top of my lungs are my two favorite things to do when alone in my car. Trust me, you'd rather see the tears than hear the terror.

"Winter is Coming" (this week's theme) and we are gearing up for Christmas. Our Annual Children's Holiday Party is this Sunday. I can't wait to see all my old Daycare Babies, family, and friends and share some hugs and cookies.

Who knows...if they have been good little girls & boys, maybe an especially round,white bearded, red & white dressed elf (and his wife) will drop in with presents.

Stayed tuned...

Finger Licking Good Scale, let me explain...

What is My Finger Licking Good Scale?

Well, my Finger Licking Good Scale (FLGS) is an average of how much I think, or how much I know my Babies/Big-Kids/Husband (like there is any difference) enjoyed a particular food I've served them. It's a basic 1-10 scale, of how many fingers a person is willing to lick after eating something really, really good. With a special footnote in the book I'm writing/compiling for a recipe any taste tester felt worthy of an '8 FLGS' or higher.

FLGS is inspired by a disgusting little gene that Girl1 inherited - the impulse to lick your fingers after you eat something - especially something you really enjoyed. And I know you are thinking that there really isn't a genetic link to a person's inclination for finger licking, but I can tell you with absolute certainty that there is. Girl1 is proof of it - along with all her fraternal family relations. If finger licking totally grosses you out, don't invite Girl1 to a great meal and certainly don't attend any family function on that side of her family.

And let me state for the record that "Yes" I am all for manners; especially when you are not in the privacy of your own home. But genes are genes, and some times things are just not your fault. You can't pick your parents.

Let me know if you would like to see a few 'teaser recipes' added to the blog by adding a comment below. And don't ask for details about my book - it's Top Secret. In fact, Mike didn't even know about it until he read this post. No estimated completion date, hopefully before I die because I can't wait to be on Oprah's Book Club List and meet her face to face.

Girl4 demonstrates a "9" on the FLGS (second half of score shown above).

Evolution of a Room & Meshing of Plans

I'm not sure exactly what I think of the Theory of Evolution, but I am sure about evolution - it does occur every day, every where, in our ideas and desires, and in the spaces we inhabit. Sometimes multiple ideas mesh together, confirming the correct purpose/plan/path before us.

I have this room in my 8-year-new-to-us and very older-than-that-home. It is a small sun room off the living room. It has always been one of my favorite rooms in the house - it has two of my favorite "old house features" knotty pine and walls full of windows. A favorite room, even though I never knew what to do with it. It's one of those rooms with a good vibe and full of promise.

Long ago, in the Big Dude's maternal family history, it served as Uncle M's bedroom until the upstairs of our home was finished by Papa G and Gram. Then, until the grandparent's moved out it served as Papa G's "man cave".

Initially, before our addition, we used this room for Girl1 and Girl2's homework, crafts, and shared toys. It was the room we signed our Marriage License in (sigh, happy memory). It was a "daycare storage room" until I had to expand our collection to my husband's garage.

Just a couple of weeks ago, it was transformed back into a real sun room for the outdoor plants we are trying to "recycle" for next year. I was considering bringing in my small bistro table for an early morning coffee and reading spot - a "mom cave" so to speak. But somehow, the "mom cave" idea wasn't sitting very well, it seemed a bit selfish as I already have a similar "mom cave" space upstairs with another evolving plan in progress.

About the only other purpose for the room that "felt right" was to turn it back into a kid's space for quiet play and/or a Children's Library (our books take up a lot of space). I was going to do the annual move of the bookshelves anyway, to make way for the Christmas Tree. An special challenge this year after the addition of our new Diaper Changing Area. If I were to make this into a space for the kids with books, I knew that different shelving for the books and window treatments will be required (to keep the books out of direct light). We have many books that were bleached the last time they were out there.

Here is the "Meshing of Plans Part":
Hopefully, we will be getting a New Front Porch in the Spring. We don't spend a ton of time out front (no fence) but often when weather is exceptional and I am am down to my last kid of the day, we head out there for the final minutes of the day. Kids love to watch the butterflies, occasional humming birds, and the koi. They like watching the cars go past, and neighbors out walking their dogs after work, and they especially LOVE to greet their Mommy or Daddy "curbside". Excitement mounts as they recognize THEIR car, see their parent emerge all full of smiles, and then rush to greet them in the middle of the yard. This method of reuniting at the end of the day is such a wonderful experience I've been looking for a way to incorporate it into our schedule whenever/however possible.

With the addition of a larger porch (and more security for the kids) when weather permits, I thought it would be fun for us to spend final 20 minutes of our day out front reading stories and sipping juice. Kind of an idyllic vision of how to end my work day, and and opportunity for everyone to enjoy those awesome front yard parent/child reunions at the end of the day. And the inside Library Area? What an awesome back-up plan "weather not-permitting" to the "front porch end of the day" approach.

Also inspired by trying to come up with ways to deal with the impending Cabin Fever that will soon be hitting us when the bitter winter hits and cuts back our outside time - and by my desire to expand my "Open Door Policy" for my parents by adding a Daycare Web cam (if you know me and "computers and other technical stuff" you can imagine the drain on my brain with this idea). Well, I think some stuff has meshed, and FINAL INSPIRATION has occurred.

I have finally found what seems the perfect purpose for one of my favorite rooms and one of my favorite times with the kids!!! I'm moving the books and all our Circle Stuff out there. Window treatments, shelving, a nice rug with extra cushy padding, some big floor pillows, something to play our music on, maybe a few "ABC and 123" wall decorations above the windows, incorporate some plants (and what an awesome place for our vegetable garden seedlings too) and "TA-DA" (hands up in the air) there you have it - an awesome new daycare area - a CIRCLE ROOM.

So I already have the shelving worked out - watch Big Dude's back and Patience Level, he doesn't see this one coming tomorrow. Then it is on to the curtains and shades. We will be in a bit of flux for a while, but I think this is a project that can be done - or at least "Circle Ready" - by the end of year.

Special note for Big Dude: "No Red Lobster Required" for my Birthday this year, AND you can consider the extra effort (and expense) my Christmas present too. I love you, Honey Bean.

Out with the Old, In with the New...

So sad, and so true: It’s been 2 months since Miss Bliss was here, and 1 month since Ham-samwich left. I just stopped making Ham-samwich's breakfast cup of milk two weeks ago (Miss Bliss took her cup with her). However, I’m still making Cheesy Eggs enough for both of them every Thursday. They may be gone, but not forgotten. Thank Goodness, I still get to see them – or I’d still be crying.

MAN - AM I LOOKING FORWARD TO OUR ANNUAL CHILDREN’S HOLIDAY PARTY! So many faces I want to see (and meet in some cases). It is not easy waiting patiently to get my arms around my “Milk Carton Kids”. And it will be such a treat to see them all together, playing and singing on December 7th.

Girl4 stepped right up and into the “Top Dog” spot with Ham-samwich’s vacancy. Little and The Prince are quickly becoming “Big Kids”; sitting in Circle, putting puzzles together, coloring, singing, dancing – and they were ‘The Babies” just 12 months ago!

So bitter, and so sweet: So God closes some doors, so that others can open. And by the way, I have never liked that expression. I prefer a "no closed door" policy around here. But it is true, a new door has opened and this week we welcomed our New Baby into the group. Baby Cakes (for purposes of this blog) is absolutely a perfect fit (Baby & Parents).




I had forgotten how wonderful it is to share those special one-on-one moments with a Tiny One while the other kids are napping. Baby Cakes and I have shared as little as 30 minutes and as many as 60 minutes of “Nap Time Quiet Play” each day she has been here this week. I’d forgotten just how sweet it is to breathe in that “sweet baby head” smell as they snooze peacefully all curled up on your chest as you recline in a cozy chair. And that little gaspy-gulping-sigh-sound a Tiny One makes as they take in their bottle. And her smiles (and other expressions) are priceless. And she coos too - at just 7 weeks. Have you read before how exceptional my kids are? She is no exception to this rule. I am a total goner.

Girl4 at 3 ½ years old is at that “Baby Crazy” phase – so Baby Cakes is really a hit with her. Little wants to help me feed and burp her. Twice this week the 3 of us have curled up in the big green chair while Baby Cakes took her first bottle of the day. And The Prince? He has adjusted much better than I expected. He may have lost his "baby position" within the group, but he will always be My Prince. Hopefully this experience will be just what he needs for the arrival of his little sister - The Princess. Actually, I think he has a little crush on Baby Cakes.

So two have gone, and a new one has arrived (with another on the way). I am sad, but very happy. I miss my Big Girls, but look forward to watching Baby Cakes (and The Princess coming) learn and grow.

Baby Cakes is awesome, very sweet, and truly a "Good Baby". It's just still a bit too quiet for us around here - hopefully soon we will have another "Big Kid" (and/or Baby) join our group - that should bring up the volume! Until then, there is just more "Marty's Lap Time" for everyone every day - and that's good too. Because when your lap is full, your heart can't be too heavy.

Today, as she laid on my chest snoozing - me drunk with contentment from 20 minutes of that "sweet baby head" smell - I thought about reincarnation. If this happens to us after this life , I'd like to come back as another Daycare Provider, or even one of those Moms that has 18 kids. Maybe that woman with the 18 children is just a Sweet Baby Head Addict. What do you think?

There's this silly commercial....

The one with the Rubber Duckie posed in various points throughout the house. Following the toddler around - anxiously waiting for some tub time with Junior. Every time the toddler gets dirty (pan to the duck all smiley faced), the Mom pulls a Huggie's Wipe and cleans the kid up (pan to rubber duckie all frowny faced).

So why is this so silly to me? Because, 3 weeks ago I bought a "Costco Sized" box of these very same wipes. Today, I just put it on my Costco List again. And I've only got 3 children in care right now!!!!

They are awesome wipes, all cucumber and green tea scented. Thick and perfectly moistened for any chore required at either end of your baby or toddler. They work great after a meal: Clean the little face, hands, then swipe up pieces of food off the floor. No extra wipe necessary.
Unless it's one of those messes requiring a Disinfecting Wipe - that's another post.

So why in the world - if I'm using so many of these blasted darned wipes - am I apologizing to someone's parent at least a couple of times a week, for how dirty their baby is? Reminding them, "A a bath tonight is definitely in order". Pleeez... Like they don't know that by The Banana & Cheesy Egg Mousse in their babie's hair? And I'm not even talking about OUTSIDE DIRT - I rarely apologize for that kind of dirt.

I like to say that "A dirty kid is a happy kid" and "If you pick your kid up from daycare and they are dirty, it is a sign they had a good day" or "Clean kids are only ready to be jammied, ready to be un-jammied, or just not feeling well".

Hang in there Rubber Duckie, you will be needed before bedtime tonight.

Especially if your "Junior" is one of my "Juniors".