"FULL COMPLIANCE"

My "Momentarily Compliant" Bunch

Just as we were finishing up breakfast this morning - K.G. (our friendly Health Department Representative) came to visit. You never know when they will come, so the best you can do is try and stay on top of all your various State paperwork, work by the policies, and have fun doing your job.

So our morning was a little out of whack: no Circle Time, no Story Time (but we did get that in this afternoon). Simultaneously I watched my babies, and went through my inspection: pulling files/paperwork, locating a wayward Certificate, answered the 1 Million questions from the Provider Self-Evaluation Checklist (not really a million), changed diapers, pulled and passed out toys to “maintain” some semblance of order, got my first bite from the Prince (a few bites to the shoulder), and administered a couple of Time-outs (nobody said the kids had to be "compliant"). I didn't get my Circle Time, my morning Story Time, or my usual morning outside time – poor Marty - but it was All Good.

After 4 years of near-miss inspections...I have finally accomplished a “Full Compliance” on my Annual Survey. YEAH!

Thanks for all your patience and cooperation with me as I continuously seem to be bugging you for some signature on a paper outlining where your baby naps, where I plan on taking them today, or sign here for Triaminic, Tylenol, etc.

I know it seems I enjoy my role as the "Immunization Police". Bugging you about your child's last shots, what were they, what date? I don't mean to seem so noisy, it's those crazy forms.

And yes, there will be a PARTY! Tentatively set for Saturday, August 16 (probably around 6:00). I’ll send out e-vites to everyone – friends, neighbors, and families (current, past, parting, and potential).

First Harvest

Finally, the day we have been waiting for - First Harvest!
Faithfully (everyday) we venture into the garden
to check our growing veggies, weed, and water.

Herbs in, herbs growing, tasting fresh herbs last week - SPICY.
Tomatoes in, tomatoes growing, blooms on, fruit on, some ripening!
Cukes & Eggplants in, rabbit eat Eggplants & Cuke flowers,
put up fencing, growing good now.
Beans in, sprout, rabbits eat, put up fencing, replant some, okay.
Okra in (two kinds), okra sprouts, okra growing bigger every day.
20 Peanuts in, 4 Peanuts sprouting.
Peanuts grow slow... we won't know until Oct.

This particular cucumber has been taunting us for weeks.
Last week I told them we would pick it by Friday.
Friday I said we should wait a bit longer - maybe Monday.
Well, here it is Wednesday and we have harvested that taunting cucumber,
two big eggplants, and some assorted tomatoes - all to eat with lunch today.

Feeling quite "Lydia-like" I prepared a fresh lunch.
So this is Farm to Table. I like this - and the kids did too.
Happy plates all around - even the sauteed eggplant.

And being the lover of Silly Songs I made this up during lunch,
and they all sang along:

We grew it in our garden,
We cooked it on our stove,

We put it in our tummies,
And that is how it goes!

LOOK WHO'S ONE!

Anyone who knows me will tell you that I love kids.

Anyone who knows me better than most may tell you I prefer girls.

But that was my "pre-Prince" era.

This little snookie has stolen my heart in a way no other baby ever has.

He came to me such a tiny baby, and he's One Year Old Today - already!?

I don't know why it was this one that did me in so badly.

There was a time in my life when I dreamed of having 4 boys.

Then after Girl1, all I wanted was girls.

After Girl2, I was done (I thought) because 2 girls HAD to equal 4 boys.

Maybe he is the boy I've never had.

He is "my little boy" for the day - three fantastic days a week.

On Thursdays about 5:00-I feel a bit down-he won't be back until Monday.
I know he is going to change, & be up to new tricks the next time I see him.

On Monday morning, when he greets me with those brilliant eyes twinkling -

I just melt a little bit more in love with him!

And it's not just me - all of The Girls love this little guy too.

Everyone erupts in cheers of welcome as he beams out his welcoming love.

Our little "Daycare Brother" is here - Yeah!!!!

Yes, he is a very special boy.

To everyone who is blessed to know him - even for only a few days a week.

Very special, especially to me.

Happy Birthday, my Prince.

Loose a Tooth, Learn to Lie....

Dear Girl3,

Just because you lost your first tooth a couple of months ago, and you have recently mastered the fine art of telling a tall tale (and sometimes just telling an outright lie - PC fib) does not mean that you are all grown-up, or that I am taken off guard.

You may be able to take me by surprise - but I am MOTHER, I am always on guard. It's a freaky fact of nature about Moms - that, and we have EYES in the BACK of our HEADS. Ask your two older sisters.

Worse for you that you have two older sisters who have "seasoned" me to perfection (not that I am really perfect). Even more worse for you - SANTA is on my side. So Don't Mess With The Mom - seriously, this is a very important rule and you will be wise to take it to heart.

Eternally Watching,

Mom

P.S.

The next time you tell me it is your teacher's last day, and convince me to buy $15 worth of chocolates as a parting gift - you will eat the chocolate for dinner the next night.

This entry is a not meant to be taken seriously. Please refer to the post below about Girl3 and her Preschool Teacher. Apparently, Girl 3 is very excited at her upcoming adventure into Kindergarten and everyday at Preschool is her "last day". Mrs. Emilie must have been teasing her back and told Katie that this was HER LAST DAY TOO (yesterday). Those two are crazy, and I'm out $15 bucks.