Miscellaneous Day

Yesterday was busy with a variety of activities.  It was time to return our library books and pick out some new ones.  I have an extensive children's book collection, but it's nice to read some that aren't familiar to me.  I use a reusable grocery sack as my trusty library book bag.  It holds almost 20 books, depending on the book thickness, of course.  So off we went- the kids were so good.  It was fun to escape.

We also assembled some large floor puzzles.  I sure love them.  It's funny how when something is bigger, suddenly it's more fun.

We took some time out to marvel at how Smudge loves to lay on his scratching box.

I thought I'd mention what happened over the weekend.  We have been looking at this muddy mess on the side of the house for a couple of months now.  We scheduled some gravel to be delivered.

See?  I am so glad to see that mud covered up.

But, OOPS, the truck driver who delivered it to us backed over a water meter and popped in half, causing flooding.  That is Joe, a friend of ours who works for the city of Snohomish who came out to assess the damage..   He was prepping it for repair. At least the sun was shining. ☼

I have big plans for that space over the fence.  First of all, we are getting rid of that boat.  It's too heavy.  We are also getting rid of the pools.  Directly underneath all of that stuff will be the new location of a pumpkin garden.  ♥  Adam said, "Will you not be happy until every square inch of our yard is covered in gardens?"  In my mind I was thinking,  "You'd LET ME cover every square inch?  Sweet!"  I just smiled.  He's great- always helping me dig out gardens wherever I choose.  He really doesn't mind. :)  Happy Tuesday!

Song for today is Mercy by Lillian Axe. ♥♫

St. Patty's Day Hats

I trust you all had a nice St. Patrick's Day, the sun was shining in Washington!  Friday we created some shamrock hats to wear on Saturday.

The kids colored green paper strips with green crayons.  Green on green works.  It helped add a little bit of time to our simple project.

Glue stick blob, stick.. slap the paper down to make sure it is secure.. repeat. :)

"Seee?"  ♥

Can't believe how big she is getting.  I must also share that I was contacted over the weekend because this little one was worried about me because she knows I do not like the snow right now.  We woke up Sunday to a winter wonderland- I was surprised.  Good thing we pulled through.  Although there is a snow dusting this morning, the sky is blue and I am counting my lucky stars.  Or maybe just counting my FAVORITE star, the sun.  It felt good at the bus stop!  Happy Monday!♥♥♥

Song for today is Lean On Me by Club Noveau.  Jamming right now at Henle House. ♫

Rainbows

"Let's pretend that the rain has stopped and we see a huge rainbow!"  We finger painted rainbows yesterday.

Dip, paint, dip, paint.. We tried very hard to use just one finger.

Bright colors sure can brighten the mood!

I really love Crayola paint.  It washes off so easily.  Sometimes we just use a baby wipe.

A pot of gold at the end of the rainbow completed our project.  We had just read about leprechauns and how they are always looking for gold.

Meanwhile, torrential rains forced me to rescue...

...the rain boots.  They are usually safe on the porch.  I read in the paper this morning that the country is experiencing an unusually warm week everywhere EXCEPT the Northwest.  I am trying to continue my love affair with Washington, but it is very hard right now.  Happy Friday everyone!♥♥♥

Song for today is by Hanson, Strong Enough To Break.  That's right, I said Hanson.  ♥♥♥

What The..

Had to share, we saw that Aiden was drawing furiously on the marker board.  It took us a second to realize he was only drawing an angry bird based on his hood blanket.  Phew! LOL, needed a laugh this morning.  Meanwhile, praying for some serious sunshine.  The rain is taking it's toll on all of us here in Washington.  Please, Lord.  Send us some sun!

Yep, I had to post this one AGAIN, it's just so beautiful.  All Souls Night by Loreena Mackennitt. ☼

The Clock Is Ticking

I wonder if people think that it is generally easy to open an in-home child care center.  It is most definitely not.  The clock is ticking awfully loud for me lately because I am working towards integrating all of the new rules that the Department of Early learning and the state of Washington have ordered to go into effect March 31st.  That booklet above is the package of standards that must be reached in order for me to keep my job.  It has 92 pages of rules and regulations.  Not easy reading.

So not easy reading in fact that they are offering classes every Tuesday for 7 weeks that we have to pay for and attend just to hear the new rules and work on getting them up and running in our childcare centers.  No problem.  I am a rule follower.  I love my job- I just wonder if my clients have any idea what I have to go through to do it!  This is not just a stay at home mom thing.  There are hoops to be jumped through, lots of money to be spent, inspections, classes, forms, paperwork galore, etc. etc. etc. etc.  I'm a little stressed.

Out of all of those rules, the new ones that affect my center filled just over one page of the to-do notebook.  Many centers are giving up and CLOSING.  This makes me so sad because the clients they help will be forced into new childcare, possible larger institutional ones.  Please pray for me as I feverishly try to complete this stuff.  With my minimal income.  I have to give this all over to God because I know that when I do that, things fall into place.  Adam and I see that all of the time in our lives.  Like how we are still in our home (miraculously having paid the mortgage each month with Adam not working steadily.)   That was all God, all the glory goes to Him.  I know this will fall into place, too.  Because I refuse to let a giant book of rules stop me from a job that I love and am blessed to have!  Happy Wednesday!♥♥♥

Song for today is by Toby Mac,  "Changed Forever". ♫  Rock on. ♥

Encouragement

Kids are amazing.  We have a new little guy this morning who was very nervous.  After significant snuggle time, a friend arrived.  Boy did he take the new little guy under his wing!  Empathy is so important.  What a gift this boy (on the left) possesses to be able to help his new friend feel better.  I think they will be great friends!

Meanwhile, I found some great ideas on Pinterest that I used to encourage some of the leaders at our church who volunteer at AWANA every Wednesday night.  I had to share because encouraging people is so easy, but sometimes we need motivation or simple ideas to actually do it.  I loved the S'mores idea!

This was also helpful, using the items as part of the text.  These could be used for teachers, neighbors, friends, mailman, ANYBODY.

Finally, for those EXTRA awesome people in your life!  Easy squeezy!  Happy Tuesday!♥♥♥

Song for today was posted yesterday on facebook by a friend of mine.  "Hold My Hand" by Natasha Davies. ♫

Shamrock Wreaths

St. Patrick's Day is March 17th!  It's time to get some green out, and a shamrock wreath is a fun way to do that.

Start by cutting a regular piece of construction paper into four rectangles.  (Bad photos alert..)

Next, fold the rectangle shape in half, and then in half again.  I folded two pieces together.  My scissors can cut through just fine.

Next, at the folded corner, cut a heart shape out of the folded papers.  Make sure not to sever the corner.

Look!  Shamrocks!  In no time at all. ♥

We used the rim of a paper plate for our wreath.  You will want to use something sturdy.

The kids glued on their shamrocks.  No glue sticks for this project- because of the ridges in the paper plate rim you will need Elmer's glue.  Glob it on generously to ensure that the shamrocks will stay.  We added some green glitter glue globs for the kids to spread around.  Don't forget to let it sit flat to dry- have you ever hung a project BEFORE it is dry?  Gravity glue on the wall is NOT FUN... (Been there. )  Happy Monday!♥♥♥

Song for today is Africa by Toto.  This band was born the same year that I was, but this song didn't come out until I was four.  I have always loved it.  ♫