Knotty Creek Child Care and Activity Center

Visitors 1/25

We had exciting visitors on a cold and snowing Wednesday afternoon.

John said at one point their were 2 adults and 2 young ones. I like to think they were a family :) We seen a young one in the same area last year about this time, and I am wondering if they are returning eagles or just passing through.

They like that front field area best - too bad our pond wasn't open, then maybe we could have seen them from the house.

The Last Week of the Year . . .

is coming to an end :( I can't believe it has been another year - the kids are getting older, but it still seems unbelievable.

We ended this year by making gifts for parents and singing lots of Holiday music.

We enjoyed each others company.

Wiped lots of snotty noses and applied even more lotion

And John even took us for a hayride in the snow!

Really, life doesn't get much better than this. We hope everyone has a great holiday season and safe New Year!

We thank-everyone of our families for trusting us with your precious little ones and feel very blessed to be in your lives.

We will be thinking of you on the beaches (okay, so it won't be 80 degree beaches, but it will be warmer with no snow, at least we hope).

HoHoHo

Merry Christmas!

First Snow Day :)

We are having our first snow day - YEAH!!!! I love these days and so do the kids.

The kids were outside playing playing hard and really enjoyed the snow.

The older kids made snow angles while the younger ones just took it all in.

Even the baby bundled up to enjoy the fresh air.

Then we all walked over and helped feed the goats, you can see how much help they really are :)

And Brooklyn, as always, telling everyone what needs to be done and how to do it. :)

New Additions

We have an addition to the farm, a pony. Unfortunately we had to get rid of the two big horses Monday. We did however get a pony. The pony (we haven't named her yet) don't take up as much space as the bigger horses did and she doesn't eat as much. Going into winter hay prices are a concern. We are going to take possession of a buck goat this weekend. It is time to expand our herd. Many changes are happening on the farm. The children in our care are growing and changing with each passing day. They are developing their own personalities. They are too funny.

Great and Exciting Things Heading This Way

The staff at Knotty Creek Child Care are working towards some exciting programs in the future. Our goal is to be on the leading edge of child care and technology. New updates will be posted soon.

The Hawk Eye

Nice article was in the paper about our diet. Enjoy!
The Hawk Eye

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Where Does Time go?

I just realized it has been almost 2 months since my last update - UHG!!!!! It has been so nice that we spend evey moment possible outside these days and then I am exhasted when I finally get in the house for the night. Life is good though and the kids are growing. I will post more soon. Sorry for the lapse.

Where Did January Go?

It finally dawned on me that we are now in Feb. and I totally missed the month of Jan. Time flys so quickly.
In the last month Brooklyn has gone from taking two or three assisted steps to walking across the kitchen and clinging to my legs. I feel so blessed that Kiley and Ryan have let me experience these grand occasions with their daughter.
The changes in the older kids, Colton and Maddy, are much subtler. I love to watch maddy interact and play with the younger kids. She really is a wonderful helper and caregiver. She has brought many enduring phrases into our household. Colton is getting restless and ready for nice spring days when he can be back outside playing in the tree house and fishing. It has been all I can do to keep him inside on these chilly winter days. Colton and Cheyenne are always wanting to be outside sliding around on the ice, sledding and just exploring the frozen winter wonder land.
Awh, and Vivian. Sweet Sweet Vivian is finally feeling at home. Lately she has been laughing with her mouth wide open, dancing with the other kids, and even stealing a few toys from the other kids. She was so reserved when she first started coming in September, and now she has blossomed into this wonderfully talented and inquisitive 2 year old. I am so excited, with spring right around the corner for her to explore the outdoors.
Jan. also brought a new addition to the house, Savanna. She is a wonderfully cute baby, who is finally starting to come out of her cocoon. I am excited to spend more time with her and watch her develop and build relationships with the other kids.

Whooping Cough

I just wanted you all to be aware of the news the Health Nurse forwarded to us today. I know some of your kiddo's have had a cough, and I know a few of you are concerned about it - although everyone's immuzations here at Knotty Creek Child Care are up to date.

I was contacted by the Des Moines County Health Department today and informed that there have been several cases of Whooping Cough in Des Moines County recently. They requested our help in spreading the word to area child care providers that we work with. We are asked to encourage providers to make sure that their day care children are up-to-date on their vaccinations (Whooping cough vaccinations are given at 2, 4, 6 & 15 months and 4 years.) and that they use proper (frequent) hand washing and disinfecting of toys/environment. Also an FYI: older children and adults can now get a whooping cough vaccination along with their tetanus vaccination. That combo shot is called TDAP and cost $35.00. Some insurance companies might cover the vaccination. Families with no/limited insurance can be referred to the Des Moines County Health Department for assistance with vaccinations.

Whooping Cough

Christmas Break

During Christmas break we decided to make a trip to Fun City with the older kids and it was a total blast! The older kids went down the water slide more times than I could keep track of and the younger kids played in the wading pool area. It was a hit all the way around.

Asleep on the Job ???

We had our first no school day Friday and John thought he might take a vacation day to stay home and help me manage all the kids - 9 total, including my own 3. The morning started out great and by lunch time I was really enjoying the extra adult company. It allowed me to log their daily journals a bit steadier and manage any scabbling before it became an uproar. Then 1:30 came around, and the true test began. I was in helping the older kids get their sugar cookies ready, so they could eat them after quiet time as their snack. I left John in charge of the babies - and you can see what happened; I think they started their quiet time a bit earlier than the school kids. . . and when do I get my quiet time?

No School = Lots of Fun

It was great having the older kids around all day. I had lots of great outdoor activities planned for them, and then we icky rainy weather. But we had a break in the clouds and I sent them out for their Leaf Scavenger Hunt and the fun began. We talked about photosynthesis, leaf types, and then made yummy leaf sugar cookies. It was a wonderful day and the little ones really enjoyed having the older kids around. Today reconfirmed my notion that the old one room schools house is a great way for all kids to learn.

Nice Fall Day

This is why I LOVE October! The kids spent all afternoon outside playing in the warm, fall sun as they explored the changing landscape. The babies sunned themselves on the throw, and the toddlers/pre-schoolers collected leaves and watched goldfish.

Warm Fall Sun - $0.00
Huge Pile of Leaves - $0.00
Amount of Fun - Priceless

It's Raining Leaves

A Barrel of Fun

Playmates

These two have the best time together, that is when they aren't pulling on each others hair. Right before this picture, one of them was sleeping on the others belly, which is what prompted me to get out the camera. Of course, the moment was gone by the time I got over, but I still think they look pretty adorable.

Activities

I came across this fantastic website that lists all the national days, who new we had a national rock collecting day. This is actually a great resource for planning activities for the kids. Monday we had National Hat Day, so we made paper hats, which turned out FABULOUS! Tuesday was national rock collecting day, so we collected rocks from our lane on our trip back from picking up the school kids. When we got back, we washed and dryed them off, and then proceeded to use markers to draw faces on them. Maddy left with a whole rock family! Today is national play-doh day, so we are making homemade play-doh.

Field Trip to Starrs Cave

Before school started back, we took a trip to Starr's Cave. We had fun and learned a few things! The boys learned about ecosystems and water quality by looking for different types of insects and aquatic life. We found water spiders, minnows, and even a crayfish.