Getting to Know Each Other

This photo was from yesterday, but is still out today. I took some photos today, and can't seem to find the camera as I sit down to post today. What did we do?? Getting to know each other has been top on our list this week. Although Little Miss M knows me and my space, she has been gone for the summer and actually is only visiting for the week until her new school starts, and Roo is getting used to a new space, new friends, and new rules.

So, what did we do today?? We performed some silly songs, our favorite was one from Jim Gill's CD Make it Noisy in Boise. The song, Stick to the Glue, was hysterical. It sings about getting stuck together, like shake hands... Oh No, now we're stuck to the glue!! Every time I pretended to be stuck to their hands, or my side, etc... it was giggle/laugh fest time!!

We also took toys out and put them away, learning where things go, how to ask for help, or how to stay on task (when everything is new and exciting). There was light table fun, play dough creations, building with some new blocks D-Man donated to us, and housekeeping was visited a lot this morning. The Do-A-Dots were out again and many new pictures were made and exhibited to the big kids when they woke up and came down for breakfast. We can't forget snack and outdoor time!!

Outside saw us at the water table, where the goal today was to find all the watering cans (or anything that held water) and water every blade of grass and tree (I had to fill up the table twice). There was tire swinging, ball kicking, sandbox playing and mud pie making. The slides were still a little to hot to slide down, but maybe we can get those swim suites on and the sprinkler going tomorrow or Thursday. We'll see.

It was another great morning and I think little Roo is enjoying her time with us so far. Even though the kids that will be with me all year aren't even here yet, she is settling in just fine.

I'm Back!!!

WOW... what a 3 weeks it has been. It seems like I have been away a life time. As much as I long for the beauty and coolness of the Adirondack Mts, I am glad to be home. I missed my dogs, my house and my own bed :) We got home yesterday and it took all I had in me to get the house in presentable condition for my arrivals today. We have Little Miss M back for the week, until her new school starts up, and our newest friend joining us, we'll called her Roo, because she is so inquisitive and friendly, just like little Roo with his Mama Kanga.

This morning I was able to welcome my friends back to "school" with some new and old toys, (Miss M liked finding some of the toys right where they were when she left) and plenty of activity to go around. We sang some songs, moved from Do-A-Dots, to sand table, to play dough effortlessly, and even went outside for a rather hot and muggy romp in the yard. Thankfully, the water table was in full swing and the breeze from the swings made it tolerable. It was nice to have "my" kids back, I missed them!!




Below you will find some photo's from our many excursions and adventures we had over the last 3 weeks...

Romping in the Atlantic Ocean off Fire Island in NY

Jumping off Aunt Kimmy's boat on Schroon Lake, NY

My Dad and I enjoying the views at Red Rock Canyon in NV

I have lots to post about in the up coming days... I loved each and everyday of the NAFCC conference, I loved visiting family and friends in NY and I loved coming home.

A Summer Moment

Family Child Care at its Best!!

The Hurricane Deck

We recently went to Buffalo, NY to visit my sister and her family for my nephew's high school graduation. It was a wonderful trip, but one of our favorite things was our trip to the US side of Niagara Falls. We have been to the Canadian side many times, before the border required passports, but the American side is absolutely wonderful. We got to visit the Cave of the Winds and even were able to go on a Maid of the Mist boat ride. We got really wet, and had a ball!!!

The Cave of the Winds thrilled my 6 yr old to no end. Can you imagine, being so small and seeing something as huge and powerful as the American Falls. Not only see it, but walk along side it and feel it's power on your face. Well, that is just we did on the Cave of the Winds tour. It really isn't a tour in the real sense of the word. It is more like a self guided walk. There is a wooden walkway and deck system (that they take down each Winter and put up again in the Spring) that you walk on, and you get to admire the Power of Nature.

I was watching as my young son stared at the water, as it crashed right in front of him and sprayed him with a mist that was stronger than our shower at home. All of a sudden, standing with his back to me, he lifted his little fists into the air and pumped them like he just hit the winning run in the World Series... he then turned to me (as I snapped the photo) and pumped them again. WOW!! I don't know what he was thinking when he did it, when I asked him, he just said, "I just loved it Mom!" and ran back in to do it again.

While we were on this "Hurricane Deck," as it was called, there were some young children that ran in and out of the mist just like my son, but there were many more that choose not to. The power of the Falls were to intimidating to them, maybe?? I was proud of my boy for running in there, full throttle, assessing the risk of the unknown, then adding another experience to his list. What an awe inspiring experience for his Mom!!

NAFCC Conference

I have 1 week before I leave for this years NAFCC Conference in Las Vegas. It will be just me, just to costly to have the family come this year. Though, someone special is meeting me this year. My DAD!! I am very excited to see him, plus spend time with him exploring Las Vegas.

Sight seeing aside, I am looking forward to all the information I will be acquiring this year. It is a great way to jump start the school year, get your creative juices flowing and get the passion back into my job. Don't get me wrong, I love my job. I miss all my kids when they aren't here. It is just that sometimes you get in a slump, don't feel like your making a difference, even though your doing everything you usually do. Then you go to a conference like this, surrounded by so many people doing what you do, hearing all their stories, which are so close to your own... it keeps you passionate about providing child care in such an isolated line of work.

I am taking a pre-conference workshop that talks about creating the space in your home for the children in your care. It is one workshop I am really looking forward to. I love having a special space for my child care, even if it is the first thing you see when you walk in my home ;) but creating that space to work for 3-5 children ranging from 1 to 11 is sometimes hard. So I look forward to any information that I can glean from this workshop.

I can't wait to get there, for the workshops, the sight seeing, and the camaraderie that abounds.

What Have We Been Up To??

Now that we are in summer mode it has been laid back and fun times around our house. I lose most of my kids for the summer, their parent(s) are teachers, and have D-Man only part-time. This means we can do a lot more, or nothing at all :)

We have had some fun Field Trip though.... The Children's Museum...

I took some of the boys on a road trip to see my sister and her family in Buffalo, NY. We got to swim in this awesome indoor-outdoor pool!!! Loads of fun!!!

We also have gone to an amusement park, movies, baseball game, and firework show!!! I am trying to keep my boys, as well as D-Man, busy this summer, but mini-camps, baseball and tutoring are making it hard to leave early in the morning, then we have to get back early for baseball practice, all this in the high 90 degree heat. So, we try to get some mini-outings in when we can.

I am also trying to organize our curriculum for next year, throwing out old, broken toys, fixing walls, replacing supplies, and just that all around clean up you need to do after a school year of putting things off. I will try to keep you updated on how things are going... maybe I'll change some things up and post a picture or two. Until then... Happy Summer to Everyone!!!

Child Care Ends, Summer Begins

I remember the day Princess walked into my home for our first interview. She made herself right at home and thankfully stayed that way. She would spend the next 2 1/2 years here, growing into the beautiful, spunky, smart, lovable girl she is today. I will miss her.

It is unbelievable that today is her last day coming here. I am thankful that Little Man is still here and Princess will come pick him up with her mom next year. It won't be the same, but I know I will get lots of hugs and kisses when she picks up, and I will hear all about her adventures in Kindergarten. It will be a wonderful journey for her!!

So, now we start our summer vacation. Having families that work in education has it's perks, when it comes to vacations and holidays I pretty much know I will have them off. We have lots planned as a family this summer and we get started today.... I will miss all my kids and our routines, but I look forward to spending some quality time with my own children this summer. They sacrifice a lot of my time during the school year, that I really try to make it up to them in the summer. I look forward to our own adventures this summer!!!