Bring on the Summer!

Summer.
Gotta love it.
Juice Boxes.
Blueberries.
Sprinklers.
Swim Diapers.
Sunscreen.
Squishy yard.
Drinking from the hose (or sprinkler).
Swapping cups and cookies.
Check out the slide show on the left.
You should 'click' on it for fullest enjoyment.



Kids don't really care what you LOOK LIKE in a swimsuit,
they are just happy to see you in one - and ready to play with them in the water.

Earlier today the thought of appearing in my black swimsuit with my pale skin at pick-up time brought me to a negative self-comparison of myself to a Orca Whale. Funny how when you peel off those cozy layers of winter clothes - bearing it all for fun in the sun - you are more 'fat' than 'cozy'. But I am more than my size, and this afternoon while playing with my Day Care Babies in the sprinkler it occurred to me that I am more like a Beluga Whale - with many, many, very sweet Baby Belugas to love upon.

Ba-by be-lu-ga in the deep blue sea, Swim so wild and you swim so free.

Heav-en a-bove and the sea be-low, And a little white whale on the go.

Ba-by be-lu-ga, ba-by be-lu-ga,

Is the wa-ter warm? Is your ma-ma home, with you so hap-py?

From Baby Beluga words and music by Raffi and Debi Pike (1st verse)

The Bermuda Triangle of Lost Small Parts

I’d like to submit this post to Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Bermuda Triangle of Lost Small Parts, also known as Marty’s Home Day Care, is a region in the northwest area of Marty’s home (aka PDCA Primary Day Care Area/Kitchen/Family Room) in which a number of small toy parts for larger learning toys are alleged to have disappeared in mysterious circumstances which fall beyond the boundaries of human error, piracy, equipment failure or natural disasters. Popular culture has attributed some of these disappearances to the paranormal, a suspension of the laws of physics, or activity by extraterrestrial beings. PLEASE DO NOT SUGGEST THAT THESE MISSING SMALL PARTS ARE IN THE SAME PLACE(S) AS THE MISSING MITTENS OR SOCKS, I CHECKED THOSE SPOTS AND THEY ARE NOT THERE.

Innumerable reports of missing eating utensils, knives (serious cooking ones), scissors (kitchen and craft), tape, and multiple debit cards have been reported missing from this general area as well. Giving rise to the Remodeling Black Hole Theory that says any new space created by converting an area’s use to entirely a new use (in our case back yard to PDCA/Kitchen/Family Room) may open some kind of bizarre black hole in which common daily items may be consumed never to reappear again – where is the dog?!

The Day Care Proprietor's concern has recently peaked with the increase in the number of missing small parts not recovered immediately by an appointed search party (The Kids, or myself). What if "Lost Small Parts" becomes "Lost Small Children"? Don't check my "nursery" upstairs, they won't be there - and I've only been joking for the past 2 years when I say that I want more children.

While a substantial body of documentation exists showing numerous incidents to have been inaccurately reported or embellished by later authors, and numerous official agencies have gone on record as stating that the number and nature of disappearances is similar to any other area of ocean, there are incidents (see below) that remain unexplained despite considerable investigation.

List of Bermuda Triangle of Lost Small Parts incidents:
The 1st report of a lost small part was the semi-triangular STAR COOKIE COMPONENT from our Fisher Price Laugh & Learn Talking Cookie Shapes Tray. Initially it was thought that maybe Miss Bliss may have pirated it away one evening - as this was one of her favorite toys and certainly her preferred shape to the toy. After numerous search parties had been dispatched and re-dispatched, her father was questioned twice in this matter (Miss Bliss was non-verbal at the time) without charges being filed either time. The STAR COOKIE COMPONENT was found 6 months later magnetized to the underside of the refrigerator. Unfortunately, just a few weeks after, in total frustration over the missing STAR COMPONENT, the primary COOKIE TRAY COMPONENT had been thrown out by the Day Care Proprietor. The toy had been discontinued in its entirety by Fisher Price as well. The four shapes found their way to the front of the refrigerator and served as magnets for notes for approximately 12 more months until…

The 2nd report of a lost small part was the semi-triangular STAR COOKIE COMPONENT – AGAIN - from our Fisher Price Laugh & Learn Talking Cookie Shapes Tray which had been serving as a magnet on the fridge. Don’t ask us what the heck happened to it this time – we still do not know. The other 3 “cookie” pieces are on the fridge, holding down the fort, a melancholy reminder of a toy well loved and gone forever. Currently there is a whole Fisher Price Laugh & Learn Talking Cookie Shapes Tray on eBay up for auction (hint, hint).

The 3rd report of a lost small part is actually the occasional missing COINS to our Fisher Price Laugh & Learn Learning Piggy Bank. Naturally, with 10 COINS one (or even more) should be missing at all times – usually to surface at some point during deep cleaning on a weekend. We had 9 COINS for the most part, until the 10th COIN was recovered from under the pantry during the preparations for the new cork floor. As of this post, the SMALL YELLOW and the SMALL GREEN COINS are considered MIA.

The 4rd report of a lost small part occurred the week May 18th 2009. Search parties were dispatched on the 18th and the 19th without results. It was thought that the missing component would turn up in the packing/unpacking of the PDCA for the installation of the new floors – but no, it was not to be. The YELLOW SQUARE (CHEESE) COMPONENT to our Fisher Price Laugh & Learn Learning Pots & Pans has officially been declared “lost at sea”.

The 5th report, and most recent, of a lost small part occurred the latter part of last week. It was hoped that this most recent missing part would have turned up in the weekend’s deep cleaning – but the search party (Marty) came up emptied handed again. The TRIANGULAR TASTY TREAT COMPONENT (Pink icing) to our Fisher Price Laugh & Learn Pretty Please Tea Set is gone – disappeared – eaten maybe? A reward is offered (a hug & a kiss) if you find this missing treat and return it to its Pretty Please Tea Pot Platter.

Current plans are on hold to add the Laugh & Learn Learning Letters Mailbox, Laugh & Learn Learning Toolbench, Laugh & Learn Sing-With-Me CD Player, and other smaller Laugh & Learn toys until such time as paranormal circumstance can be ruled out (and the budget allows). No small animals were hurt, nor children neglected, in the process of creating this post.

Details, details, details...

Details - so much is in the details. I am pretty detailed, sometimes WAY too detailed. But sometimes people like to know the details about their kid's day. This was something I really missed with my first 3 Girls - with the exception of one of Girl1 & Girl2's providers, Miss Diana. When I started my Home Daycare I looked back at the details I liked about my previous providers (and the things I didn't like) and I tried to imitate the good and correct/avoid the not-so-good things from my own experience as a Working Mom with Kids in Care.

And details matter. They really do. I mean, aren't cupcakes better when they are frosted - and aren't they just a wee bit better when the frosting has almond extract in it? And isn't that cupcake even more appealing with some sprinkles on top? Seriously.

Little Dumpling was full of details on Wednesday this week. The details noticed say a lot about her - and her family. The first detail I noticed was Mommy & Daddy brought her this week! I know that this isn't something that can happen everyday - we are all so busy and schedules vary so much. But I can say that of all my families current (and my favorite ones no longer with us) that at some point(s) both parents came together at drop-off and or pick-up. I love to see my Day Care Families in their Family Unit. That is maybe one big reason I like to include my families in our "off hours" parties and other gatherings - because it is heartwarming to me to see their children with them.

Well, Little Dumpling was full of fashion details on Wednesday as well. Her little bitty pants label said "Heart Strings" - and her pretty smile will pull on yours! Check out her onesie:

And then there were her socks - the little 'shoe print' kind. Not just that, but the little rubber nonskid marks had something to say - and not just "Princess" either!

Complete with BLING:

But the best detail of all - her Little Dumpling self! Really, just look at yet another example of Perfect Baby Perfection that I get to love on!

I can't believe how lucky I am to have a job that I LOVE so much!

Goulash is Good

Hat's off to the Assistant Chef today. She helped with The Goulash. Yes, Goulash and Day Care - two things that aren't usually associated with each other. Oh, and Sorry about your kid's pants.

Goulash is Good. Especially mine. And I'm bragging. Because I can - it is that good. Above is a shot of Girl4 at 10-months-old with her first meal of "table food". It was taken on 4/5/2006 and hangs in the highest place of honor in our home. That would be on the kid's bulletin board across from the downstairs toilet. I can see these pictures there with fewer distractions - guests can see them too. Anyway, Girl4 ate Goulash for 2 full hours that day. She ate as much as I did for lunch - and if you know me - I eat. Girl4 is an eater too, and when she gets home from Preschool today and finds out we ate Goulash - let's just say the Goulash is going to hit the fan.

I don't care who you are - Goulash is Good Stuff. From the Big Kids today, Goulash is The Best. Of course if you are skinny and picky, like Girl3, you need your Goulash "Goulash-less" - or as she calls it Just Plain Noodles. She is whacked though, so pay no mind to her. Just look at the faces of Marty's Goulash Angels* will you? You will never feed your kids Spaghettios again - you are a loser if you do.

And what do you do, if you are too little for Goulash? Wait a couple more months Baby Cakes and you won't be too little anymore. I promise, even if your Mommy says "no" I will give you Goulash, honey. That's just the kind of Marty I am. The Goulash Giving kind. (But actually, if your Mommy says "no" I'm gonna call your Grandma first - just to be safe.)

In the meantime, while the Big Kids eat Goulash, just hang out with your new buddy Little Dumpling. You two can chat, and she can look admiringly at you - knowing that soon you will be eating Goulash without her. Sorry, Little Dumpling, you have to wait at least until you are 10-months-old for Goulash. That's my rule. I'm going to have to get a bigger Goulash Pot too.

*Goulash Angel footnote: The Prince is not here on Wednesdays. I do have a Glad ware container of Goulash in the fridge for him. He can take it home tomorrow night and have it for dinner. I wouldn't want any of my kids to feel left out.

Monday is Our "Hump Day"

Wednesdays are great around here. The toughest day (and usually it is limited to just the morning) around here is MONDAY.

1. Baby Cakes has to relearn how to get past all the distractions of her friends and fall asleep in a PacN’Play.
2. Smiley has to find his “inside voice” for inside the house – especially when Baby Cakes is relearning #1.
3. The Prince has to remember that the toy a friend is playing with is actually being played with by that friend and he cannot just take it away - he must wait for his turn. Good Friends take turns, and we are all good friends at Marty’s. (And taking things away from Smiley on Hump Day will usually result in Smiley using his outside voice in objection (see #2). This is especially “unfun” when Baby Cakes is relearning point #1.)
4. Little has to remember her patience - which she has an incredible amount of for a 3-year-old. But your patience can be tested early in the day, especially when The Prince is redirected toward the book bucket (from the toy he really wants - see #3) and he chooses the book Little is curled up with & reading on the couch. He’s still working on #3 because it is Hump Day and he is still a Little Boy!

I’m ready for Monday. Working means I get to rest. Resting for me is playing with, and caring for, my DCBs (Day Care Babies). "Resting" is much easier, and so much more enjoyable, once we get past our “Hump Day Adjustments”. ;O)

Have a Great "Hump Day"

P.S. ~ The photo above is my Sweet Hamsamwich last August at the KC Zoo.

Big Week for just 3 Days...

Wow. What a big week for just 3 days. How did we get so much in? How did I miss getting so much more in? I'm such a Bad Day Care Momma sometimes - we haven't even colored this week! Well, maybe we didn't color - but we sure had lots of fun.

This week we welcomed a yet-to-be-blog-named Little Dumpling (okay, maybe that will be her name) into our group. Look at this beauty, will you? Don't you just want to kiss her up? I know I wanted too - and I did too.

So how does this work, do you think this Little Dumpling, The Princess, and Baby Cakes will be fast friends forever? Here are some representations of the babies by Girl3 who just loves to steal pages from my notebook, climb into a corner, and create...

The Princess dropped in on Wednesday for a little photo shoot with her new BFFs - they were a little too busy to pose very long - especially Baby Cakes (confined to the saucer for the picture) who has now unofficially been released into General Population with her newly acquired skill in the military crawl. We will have lots of opportunities for more pictures at the end of summer, but here is a shot of my "Gaggle of Baby Girls" from yesterday...

And by the end of the day yesterday, overwhelmed with meeting her new buddies and worn slick by her awesome mobility skills, Baby Cakes returned to a womb, taking my Wednesday Hump Day Chocolate with her. I'm probably going to feel like this too - the first couple of weeks I'm watching the 3 of them together!

And we broke in our new floors, although not fully "cured" we worked around that with basic equipment that day care requires and followed everyone around with a towel to take care of my 7th Day Care Charge - the NEW CORK FLOORS. Do they like them? Yes. Do I like them? I will like them more when I am able to really clean them on Sunday and we can get out our Hot Wheels and other "more scratchy stuff" next week.

Before (right) After (left)

Pretty Floors for a Pretty Baby Cakes

Cork Burls and Boy Curls (Smiley)

And this week held The Last Day of Kindergarten for Girl4. Here's a shot from the first day, and then again (right) of the last day. She is now a First Grader, Mrs. IDKHSDI officially released her to her new title. She will be hanging out with us for a couple of weeks until Summer Camp starts in the middle of June.

(Going in a preschooler...)

(...coming out a 1st Grader.)

And what about that NEW 42 INCH PLASMA TV? The unexpected additional expense (along with those pesky termites) from getting new floors. Do the kids like it too? Well, of course they do. They do however, feel that the increase in viewing size should have come with an increase of TV Time - which is very limited around here during day care hours. Sorry guys, we just can't watch TV all day - we got stuff to do! On the left below are the two that appreciate the new TV - The Prince (couch) and Little (squatting with Diego).

The two pictured on the right, Sweetie Pie & Smiley, really aren't too impressed. Our 15-30 minute window of viewing time (if we aren't dancing to a CD instead) is usually spent for her on a morning nap. Today she insisted she did not want a nap and did not want me to remove her glasses - but predictably she crashed (and no, I did not "pose" her in the picture). I should have waited another 5 minutes to take the picture, by then Smiley had buried her with some "gifts" of books and dolls. Smiley usually uses viewing time to have a chance to play alone with whatever special toy we have out that day - but today I guess the opportunity to decorate Sweetie Pie was just too tempting. ;O)

And in the category of "Will They Eat It?" this month's winner is Asian Crunch Salad from today. The lettuce is finely chopped Romaine, the ingredients are shown. Extra on the crunch stuff - heck, just leave out the lettuce.

If I could wish you out of Heaven...

If I could wish you out of Heaven, just for one hour...

My Mother-in-Law Betty - I would wish you out of Heaven and into my backyard for a cook-out with the Other F-Family. I would love to see your two boys introduce all your grandchildren and watch you play with them in the backyard you played in as a child. You are the first person I have ever loved and felt connected to that I have never met. Thanks for raising such great boys - they are both fine husbands and wonderful fathers.

My Gram, Papa Jack, and Gene - I would wish you out of Heaven and to Sibley Lake in the Big Horn Mountains where we would all fish for trout together again. Either that, or hamburgers & beer at the bar in the Sheridan Elks Lodge. Gene, you pick which one - but the beers are on you!

My Aunt Jackie - I would wish you out of Heaven and we could be anywhere. I would just like to visit with you, write down as many notes about our family history as possible (you knew it all), and tell you goodbye properly.

My Great Aunt Mary and Uncle Ray - I'm unsure if I would wish you out of Heaven separately or together. If it would be together, it would be to that dumpy little diner with the awesome pork tenderloins you both loved so well. I loved hearing you talk, how you said things, I miss your voices and your stories. I would love to see all your "country friends" hug and kiss you too. Everyone knew you!

If it were separately, Uncle Ray I would want one more long tractor ride around the farm with you. I would want to tell you that our final goodbye at the end is one of the sweetest memories of my life to date, and to Thank You for making it perfect.

And Aunt Mary, if it were separately, I would wish you back to the hospital where you passed, to the last hour of your life, so that I could hold your hand and comfort you as you passed from here to Heaven. One of the biggest regrets of my life is that this is not how it happened - even though neither of us had control of the situation.

My 7th & 8th Grade Friend Bobby Brock - I would wish you out of Heaven and back to that spot behind Burney where we spent that silly awkward moment in the 8th Grade. I would tell you that my "closely guarded secret recipe" to those chocolate chip cookies I brought to you in the hospital is on the back of the Nestle Chips bag. I would share with you that your best friend, Phil, was the first person I ever recognized as truly a "great friend" and he is the one who set-my-bar on how to be a good friend. I would also tell you how I wished you had been my first kiss.

My Best Friend Carla - I would wish you out of Heaven and into your daughter's living room to play with your first granddaughter. I would like to be there to see that, and often have dreams of this scene. I would not need to visit with you either, because so often I visit with you in spirit still. I would tell you "sorry" that I am still - all these years later - working on that last promise I made to you. You always expected a lot, I will get there, you will be proud. You are one of my Best Friends - always.

Today I hope you think of someone who is gone, and come up with a happy memory of what you would do if you could have them back for one hour. Things in our hearts are real. I believe the love we have for family and friends does not deminish with their physical absence AND that you can love someone you have never met.