It’s been a bit since I did a childcare update. I thought I would share one with you today…We’re into summer now. I have anywhere from three to six kids. It’s a nice number of kids and I’m so content with having only that many. I would love to have 5-6 kids a day. That would be my ideal. I’m not actively looking for kids though. If someone comes my way, I might add them to the roster if they fit in really well with the kids I already have. I very much feel like I am a Grandma to the group and not so much like I’m working.
Playing cards has been a big hit with the older kids. The game they love is called Trash. I’ve heard others call it Junk-others call it Garbage. Carver is only four and can totally play this and loves to. For a week straight playing this game was what they did.
HERE is a link if you want to learn to play. If you have people in your life 4 and older, I highly suggest giving it a try. Carver taught his Great Grandparents to play and they all have a good time.
The new swing set has continued to be a popular attraction. I’m so glad I got it.
The baby I have in my care is growing up. He’s really a sweet-sweet kiddo. Here he lost his sock and Gannon is trying to put it on him. Keep in mind, Gannon can’t get his own socks. So cute!
I told you he is growing up. He’s pulling himself up all the time and I’m now having to childproof things a little higher.
What’s more fun than… having a live baby to play with?? These two older girls mother hen him all the time.
We made donuts two days in a row. Here the kids are helping me cut them out.
Gannon loved them!
The baby got bumped out of his #1 spot when Kelli brought the boys. Eli is on the left. Emmett is on the right.
We’ve done a few fun crafts that are really simple. Carver is showing off our fish.
These were made with toilet paper tubes.
To make one flatten a toilet paper tube and cut as shown.
Save the cut pieces. The mouth opening gets stapled to the back end to make the tail fin.
The other pieces that were cut are hot glued onto the tube to make the side fins.
The kids painted them and put wiggly eyes on them. They wanted them to be puppets so I stapled a craft stick onto them.
A blog reader sent some calendars my way. The calendars had great animal pictures in them. I had the kids pick a calendar picture. Then we talked about the habitat that the animals live in. I gave them paint and paper and challenged them to paint the habitat. After they dried, we cut out the calendar picture and glued it to the habitat painting.
Here is a sea turtle…
Here are baby penguins. So cute!!
The kids had lots of fun with these and begged to make several. Thanks so much to the blog reader who sent the calendars.
So far, we’ve had a great summer. We have lots of kids working on their reading skills. We really need to do some work on math too. I don’t want them to lose the skills they learned over the school year.
When I went to the doctor a couple of weeks ago I was cleared to have more childcare kiddos if I want…so I’m thinking about that. The amount I have is so cozy and comfortable. I guess we’ll see. If someone contacts me, I’ll think about it. I’m not looking to fill up with lots of kids though. One or two more might be okay…We’ll see. In the meantime, I’m loving up and enjoying the kiddos I have with me. They are the perfect reason to wake up in the morning!!
I so enjoyed this update on child care! You seem to always have the neatest activities (cooking, crafts, games, etc) going on. Thank you for sharing these with us. My children would have loved you and I would have felt like I was leaving my children for the day with someone who would do a better job than me. You certainly are making this world a better place one child at a time….as each child grows up and goes forth, using the things they learned from you. And you do it with such love.
Jo,
I just love your blog! I say that every day, and look forward to it. You make us all feel such a big part of your family and life. Thank you sooooo much!
Such fortunate children. Thanks for sharing
Jo, Your creativity shows up in every project you undertake. That’s a gift! You also make learning fun — wonderful that you’ll be helping the kids on their reading and math skills. They will always remember that and you. I have been wondering about the swing set–remember how you studied and figured out how to make it work in your setting.
Jo, you remind me so much of the sitter I had for my kids when they were young. You love the kids as your own, which is what she did. People like you make it easy for moms to go to work every day. I honestly don’t know how you do it though. I’m exhausted after watching my two grandchildren after one day!!!
Thanks for the update, Jo. Looks like a good group of kids! I’ve been wondering… What you are going to do about baby swings with your new play set? I don’t see any there.
What a brilliant idea for the animal pictures! I used to love helping with the children at my daughter’s primary school and running the village Mums & Tots group. Reading your childcare chronicles brings all the memories back!
All the kiddos are so cute and sure get along well with each other. That fish is such a cute idea. I’m taking it with me to Texas to see my great-grands.
Hi Jo… Were your donuts no fry? Will you please share the recipe? Thank you
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itdza8kY0zY&t=7s This is the recipe Susan
I made these Summer treats when our children were small & they helped. (We had no food allergies)
Pudding Sandwiches
Use electric mixer to combine 1.5 cups creamy peanut butter with 1.5 cups milk. When smooth, mix in 1 small box chocolate pudding (must be instant pudding). Let sit 5 minutes. Spread between 2 graham cracker squares. Wrap in waxed paper then freeze.
Awww Jo, I want to be in your childcare! You teach these kids so much and yes you are more of a grandma to them!