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".

Words for the Day: Safari & Habitat

I knew going into today that we would need to play hookie from Circle today. This week our theme was "It's a Jungle at Marty's" and we have had a blast. There are so many books, crafts, songs, poems and toys to play with about The Jungle. Colors are even more fun.

So this morning, we talked about going on a SAFARI to find some wild animals. We definitely needed some SAFARI Vests. So off we start, crafting some vests from brown paper bags. This took some extra time, because:

• Girl4 (3 years old) is getting very confident in her scissoring abilities and wanted to help cut out the neck hole on her vest. It took a little more time too because it's not so easy cutting-to-size the head holes required for such genius-sized noggins as these kids have around here.
• The Prince figured out that markers are much cooler than crayons. Today he really "got into his art" for the first time. Give the boy some extra time, he's getting it!
• And Little figured out that marker does not brush off like sidewalk chalk, we needed a little extra time for her to figure that out.

There's always plenty of learning to go around.

Next we gathered up all the Little People Zoo Animals (most of them anyway) and headed outside with the required equipment necessary for our play involving various HABITATS.

First comes the Animal SAFARI. Usually we never throw a toys - especially not a Little People toy - because that could hurt your friend, even put out an eye if you have a good arm. Throwing is for OUTSIDE, and you can even throw Little People toys if I say you can for this activity. Then we went on SAFARI collecting our animals from the tall GRASS LAND HABITAT of the African Plains.

Normally, we do not pull up Mike's precious grass. But I explained to everyone that this was for educational purposes (I hope that flies with Mike tonight) so off to ripping up grass without worry of scolding they set.

Can this day get more fun? Yes, it can.

Then it was off to dig up some dirt from the garden. More Fun? You bet your sweet bippy. Let's add some sand to that bowl to make our DESERT HABITAT.

And then let's sort out the animals into each of their HABITATS:

The Grasslands

ater (Rivers and Oceans)

Antartica

The Desert

Or, just "experience" the HABITAT.

The Prince found the Antartic refreshing.

And the Grasslands?

Who needs a salad bar.

In fact, Management (and I) has just approved an extension of this week's theme into next week. We just didn't get through enough of all the neat ideas for this week - and those paper plate/finger painting/scissoring things sound like a blast. And some of the books I reserved at the Library were not there when we went to pick up books last Friday. And some of the books we got were just not that great.

You learn to let yourself linger while you are having fun, and not to try to rush a toddler through fun - it just brings them down, man. I can't disappoint them (or myself).

"Halloween" was going to be the theme the next two weeks. We will just combine "The Jungle" and "Halloween" together for next week. This thought sends my mind rushing to even more fun things to do next week - the possibilities and fun are endless in our world.

Breathe, woman. It's no wonder I'm so exhausted at the end of a day...

"I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly"

Tell me that I don't have the best job in the world.

Go ahead, but I won't believe you.

Who gets to sing such silliness
in the middle of the morning
then again in the afternoon
to a happy audience of bright smiling faces?

Here are our 3 Old Ladies
fresh from the salon (Arts & Crafts Table)
enjoying some sunshine
this afternoon.