Every year I have the child care kiddos make Christmas gifts for their parents, usually something “big” and a photo ornament. One year the photo ornaments were based on blank wood cut-outs but this time I went even simpler and started with a craft foam kit. True confession: I don’t…
When College Boy was young he attended in-home childcare during the school year when I was teaching. One December he made a popsicle-stick ornament with his photo on it as a Christmas gift for us. I’ve treasured that ornament, and love putting it on the tree every year. Because I…
At this time of year one of my favorite activities to do with the children is making homemade bird feeders. They’re a little messy but super easy, cheap, and the kids love to make them! All you need for this homemade bird feeder is empty toilet paper tubes, peanut butter,…
Last December I reached a major milestone in my family child care career – I completed the Family Child Care Certificate from Fox Valley Technical College, and was awarded a Family Child Care Credential by the Registry. Because I teach the first two classes in the Credential – Curriculum for…
All the stores have been stocking their shelves with Christmas since October and the grocery store had a Salvation Army bell-ringer before Halloween – what’s up with that? I refuse to think about Christmas before Thanksgiving, except for Toys for Tots. Cowboy is in the Marine Reserves, which helps out…
It was a hot, humid Friday nap time when I first met – and was totally intimidated by – my first student teacher, Miss N. Angel Face walked in the back door, “Mom, there’s someone here to see you.” Hot and sticky, in a tank top and cut-off jean shorts…
Children are created to be in motion! A fundamental right of childhood is to move – to run, jump, climb and dance, yet children are confined in small spaces more and more. Instead of moving they sit, they watch, they wait, and wait, and wait – it’s no wonder they’re…
When I opened my child care in 1999 I had the children bring their own sleeping bags for nap time. It seemed like a good idea, but ended up being a huge hassle. The parents had to take them home to wash every Friday and didn’t always remember to bring…
Yes, I realize it’s 2016, not 2015. But just like the Mother’s Day Craft Keychains we made last year that I didn’t have time to write about, I didn’t have time to write about last year’s Mother’s Day cards either. But they were so cute I wanted to share them…
If you’ve been around a while you’re probably shocked that I’m writing about a Mother’s Day craft so far ahead of time, since most of the time I’m rushing around at the last minute like a chicken with it’s head cut off. In fact, the year we made sun catchers…
