Beginnings

Why did I choose to write a blog?  Simple, to clear my thoughts and perhaps receive some enlightenment and share laughs.  I hope to add ideas and insights on daily activities of the 8+ kids that I take care of. I love cooking and doing hands on activities. I welcome comments and additional ideas from others.

Today is only Tuesday and it has started out as a doozy.  After my final kids left at midnight last night; my alarm went off at the regular wake up time of 5:30am.  This morning was going to be a rocky one for sure. I hit the snooze (which I normally don't do).  I decided to skip the shower this morning and get dressed in the dark.  I started by putting my shirt on backwards, and shocking as it seems I somehow managed to put my jeans on backwards as well.  After I managed to correct my attire I settled into my chair to wait for the first child to arrive.  Usually I use this quiet time to prepare myself for the day and to catch up on entering attendance and planning on activities. (I am trying to get myself to do this sooner; procrastination is a friend of mine that is oh so hard to be rid of)  After another cat nap the first child arrived; still asleep.  I quickly used this time to put together a game plan for the day.  Calming dough play in the morning, followed by the park (to get the wiggles out) then lunch, wax paper stained glass then sprinkler play.  All in all it should keep them occupied and happy.

"Stained Glass" with some of our melted bead sun catchers

More stained glass

The Problem with Picky Eaters

Let me just start by saying that picky eating is a huge pet peeve.  I never realized how much it rubbed me wrong until I started to take care of other people's kids in my own home.  I have several kids that are extreme picky eaters. I do not necessarily blame the parents; some feed their children only what they can afford and what they know how to cook.  I do my best to be understanding, but it really gets me fuming when I serve up a very tasty healthy meal and all they eat is the carb or the refuse to eat any of it.  I have been torn about what to do.
I follow the USDA regulations on what to offer and what not too along with my own preference to make everything homemade and with as much fresh fruits and veggies as possible.  I hated not having the kids eat the food I made and at first I stuck to foods that I knew they would eat, but I was running dangerously close to being out of compliance with the food regulations.  I asked them what I should do.  They stated that I am to serve the most healthy foods that I can; if the kids don't eat them don't worry about it.  I do serve food almost every two to three hours; so it isn't like they are starving.
I slowly have been having them eat a little more variety, but it is still a struggle.  I hate having to tell them that all there is to eat is what I have made and they can't have anything else till the next meal.  I have been trying to call the food different/funny names to get them to eat more with some success. Although, I am limited on time and energy to do that for six meals a day for 8+ kids.  I am always open for more ideas/tricks of the trade!  What do you do for picky eating?

Calm dough

For those who are interested here is the recipe I used for my "calm" dough:

Materials

• 1 cup water
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup salt
• 1 tablespoon cream of tartar
• Food coloring
• Saucepan
• 1 cup flour

Read more on FamilyEducation: http://fun.familyeducation.com/sculpting/recipes/37040.html#ixzz22G1JaahU

I used the recipe above but substituted the vegetable oil for lavender oil.  My mixture was a combination of chamomile, lavender, and orange oil. You can use any scents you want but do be sure to check with the children's parents for allergies as most oils are mixed with nut oils.  The scent of the dough can be any scent you like. I use the calming scents since the kids I take care of tend to be extremely active.