I hate Mother's day...

And Father's Day, Grandparent Day, and whatever family member day we have created. Before I get bashed let me explain...I think it is important to honor the people in your life all year round and not just on a holiday. These Holiday's are fine but I think it is kinda silly to cook, buy a card, necklace or flowers when you can do this any day, time, or year! So... honor the people you love everyday, treat them like it was Mother or Father's day everyday... okay, let the comments start...Now!
We had a very fun day on Sunday... I started my day working out (so I could eat whatever I wanted even though everything was pretty healthy to start with), then I came home and got the girls ready to go to church. We were moving in slow motion or something... by the time we snapped a few pictures, got loaded up, and driving, we were late for church. Not just a little late, but miss the first 15 minutes of all the songs late. So, because we weren't moving very fast, I had not had time to eat breakfast. Which leads me to my next picture...

We stopped at Spangles, because it just taste better and grabbed some grub, another good reason I worked out that morning! We hung out, played the toy claw game and went back home to get ready for our family cook out!
We had my mom, brother and his family over along with Dustin's mom, step dad and sister. It was a fun time. We ate and chatted and watched as the kids played.

Below is a picture of my mom unwrapping her gifts with a helper... she loves writing notes/cards to people so we gave her several packages of cards and of course pink pens.

Below is our last attempt at getting a good shot of me and my girls! As you can see...we were unsuccessful, but I am okay with that because to this date each year has been unsuccessful, so it would almost be more disappointing to get a great picture on this day then to not!

Much NOT to say Monday...

Much Not to say Monday... These were taken last week at my daycare. We were going to use pictures as a part of our Mother's Day gifts but went with the hand print cards instead! (Some kids weren't here when I was taking pictures... sorry kiddos for not getting everyone!)

Child Care Provider Appreciation Day ...

Why I became a Daycare Provider
By Laura Fluke

When I was in college I would have never thought I would stay at home and watch children. I would never thought I would change poopy diapers and actually get paid for doing it. I never thought that dancing and singing songs really off key would bring smiles to 8 children every day... I never thought!

When Dustin and I had Gaby, I was going to school to be a social worker. My mom left her job at the hospital to stay at home and watch her. She then took on a couple of children to make some extra money. This was the best of both worlds. My mom watched Gaby (for free), while Dustin and I worked and finished up college. Gaby was three years old when Kadyn was born. I since then had graduated and landed a job at FSGC. I loved working outside of my house and loved knowing my children were safe at Grammy's house. When K was 5 mo old and Gaby 3 1/2, my mom went into the hospital for a simple out patient surgery. While recovering from her surgery, she had a stroke. This changed our life forever. In one day we never thought... my mom might die, I would have a stranger watch my babies, and we would have someone hit Gaby while in their care. And this leads me to why I do what I do...
After 6 months of horrible care (3 different people), my mom moving into our apartment, and a job that I was close to losing... Dustin and I decided we needed a change! By the grace of God, we bought our house in December 2005, I left my job in January 2006, and opened my home up for daycare the last week in January with one child signed up. Within one month, I had 4 children in my care and felt like a mom again. I knew this was what I was supposed to be doing. From that point on my "never thoughts" were never thought of again.
God has open so many doors for me by staying at home, being with my kids, and giving the care that I want for my kids to others. Another door that has opened is my relationship with my best friend Dawn. Many of you look at her blog, have met her on parents night out, and know of her from when I speak of her. Dawn is a true motivation and a great Child Care provider. We met because I was asking questions on a message board about daycare. She has been in the business 9 years. Together we have put together lesson plans, art projects, and ideas for our daycare that keep us going. She is another reason I do this. On not so great days (that don't happen that much...=) she is there with uplifting words and speaks from experience. Dawn is what I want to be ...when I grow up.
This job isn't the easiest... but who's is? Everyone has ups and downs. But I am a Child Care Provider and very proud of what I do. I teach young children, I makes big messes on a daily bases, and I dance with scarfs. And, that is why I became a Child Care provider.... Thank you!

Today is our big day... Our Mother's Day gifts!

Our theme for this week is Mother's Day. We had read lots of books about moms, kids, and our special relationship with our parents. My personal favorite mom book is, "What mom's can't do". If you haven't read the book, you should... it is so true!

We have been preparing all week for this day. Some of my moms have already picked up so I felt I could go ahead and post pictures since I am bursting out of the seems with excitement!

Above: Kadyn is holding up our cards we made for our moms...

Below: Our finished gift... each day we worked on the project. Tuesday we rolled out clay, picked out flowers to use for the imprints, and spent a lot of time and muscle making the "pictures" in the clay. We baked them and attached them to sticks for garden decorations...

Wednesday we spent time on our pots, we painted and decorated them... all the kids really got into this activity. And, they even have these paint pens made for drawing on pots so even the little ones had a great time!

Thursday and Friday we have been putting the finishing touches on our gifts. We sprayed the pots to seal the paint, planted our flowers, and got them in bags for our moms.

Our finished Mother's Day Project...
Happy Mother's Day to all of the wonderful mommies. I hope you enjoy your day!

what we have been doing today....

Today was a busy morning! We spent a lot of time outside playing, reading books, and working on projects! As many of you know, Dustin is trying to "fix" our backyard. He is growing grass so we have a fun and not muddy river as a place to play. However this takes time. So, we play on the deck, driveway or on the non-roped off area of the backyard to get us by!

Today we switched out our deck toys to make the area fun again. We brought up one of their favorite climbing toys. They had a blast playing. And even though the toy house was still on the deck, they played with it like it was new as well.

While we were outside we did some "work" too! We are working on our projects for the special people in our life. And, it just might be something really cool for our moms... who knows! If you can't guess I am horrible at secrets and I can't wait for the finished product. I am bursting at the seems not telling... but here is a sneak peak of some of the fun supplies I bought last night at my FAVORITE craft store...Micheal's!

I also have a very heart warming story to share about my trip to M's last night! I had gathered everything on my list and started to check out. I started talking to the checker as I do because they are big people and I need big people conversation some times...anyway! I was telling her all this was for my home daycare and for my mom's. As she was ringing my order up, I made a smart comment like, "this will be fun for the kids but not fun on my pocket book" because it was certainly adding up. After the gal was finished, I saw my total. Then she started to type in some numbers and my total went down. I looked at my new total and she just smiled and said, "I worked with a lady who ran a home daycare and I know how the expenses add up". I thanked her again and again. As I was leaving I looked down at the receipt and she had given me 25% off my total order. That made my day. I was teary at her good deed. I wanted to talk to a manager and tell them how impressed I was with her but then I didn't want her to get in trouble for helping me out! I hope she knows how much I appreciate her gesture and that makes our projects even that more special!

The Killer's Conert

My all time favorite band, "The Killers" came to KC last Saturday. We found out about the show way back in January and bought tickets as soon as they were on sale. For some reason they always come to KC around our wedding anniversary so I always play that card to get Dustin to get me, I mean us tickets.
We had a great time... Dustin and I have seen this group 3 times now and each time the show gets better, the crowds get bigger, and the lead singer gets hotter. Okay, anyone that knows me understands that if I ever had the chance to be a Killer's roady, I would in a heartbeat. I am just that much of a fan. The entire night I was plotting ways to sneak past the hundreds of big dudes to meet my favorite band people... I was unsuccessful!

As a part of their set, they had a huge vase and real flowers in it. After the show, they (the stage crew) started throwing the flowers out. I of course went up by the stage to try to get one. The dude in front of my caught the flowers and then when I whined I just wanted one flower, he turned and gave them to me. And, yes, I am 30 years old and I whined...
So, when I tell the story in person, it really went down like this.... I was up by the stage and the lead singer, Brandon Flowers came out after the show and picked the flowers out and came over to me, knelt down, smiled and gave them to me and said, " I laid eyes on you during our show, I wish you were not married so you could marry me and give me all the marriage bliss you that you have with your wonderful husband". And, I smiled, thanked him for the flowers and said, "love like this only comes once in a lifetime" and then I walked away.
I know, a little over the top but I HAVE FLOWERS FROM THE KILLERS CONCERT... I have to have a dramatic story to go with it!

This is Dustin and I after I turned the lead singer down and after an awesome rock show!

One of the many shots that were taken on Saturday.... awe... have I mentioned how much I love these guys??? Awe....

My Kadyn is growing up...

This weekend was a huge realization that Kadyn is growing up. I think I miss some of the settle hints that she is doing so because I stay at home with her everyday. This Saturday as I was taking her the dance studio to get her pictures taken, I was pretty emotional.
Her pictures say it all about her... she is saucy, out spoken, original, emotional and loving... all rolled up into 27lbs of girl! And, even on our worst day of back talking, not listening, temper throwing day I wouldn't change it for the world.

Kadyn getting ready for dance pictures...

A few weeks ago we got a call informing us that Kadyn had been accepted as a peer model for preschool this fall. Again, this is a huge sign that she is growing up. My second baby will be going to school this fall. She will be gone four days a week in the afternoons. She will love it. She is ready. I am not! I decided to stay home and run daycare when she was 9mo old. Kadyn has always been with me. I dreaded the day Gaby entered into Kindergarten just like I will dread the day when K starts school. And Yes! I will send her but I will cry everyday for at least a week!

I know it is a natural progression to send your child to school, have them participate in "big girl activities", and let them explore without holding your hand. But it is hard for me. Knowing how much my day is spent with my children, doing for them, and being a better person because of them...still so hard!

Kadyn (and her sisters) bring so much to my day. I look forward to seeing if she will ask for her daily bowl of cornflakes (with sugar on top-as if I would forget), letting her pick out her out outfits, and telling me, " no, I am the boss applesauce".

So, even though I know she will not stay 4 years old forever, I should wish time would slow down just a little just for the sake of the wonderful memories this little girl has created for us and our family! My little Kadyn is growing up!

Kadyn after our girl night...she picked Pj's, purse, and hat that all had Hello Kitty on them...