Author Archives: slfinnell

About slfinnell

Child care provider for 22+ years in my home. I feel so blessed to have cared for so many children. Spend my spare time creating items for Etsy and searching for vintage items that need a new lease on life. Blogging?, well I just enjoy it.

Hint From the Kitchen

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Have you ever made too many pancakes?

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Credit for this blog post goes out to my youngest daughter who had a coworker uninformed of what I’m about to share. So here goes…….

Well with little hungry children (or big ones) around, there’s no such thing as too many.

But what to do with all those extras? If you make them from scratch, there’s all that effort and the box mixes don’t come cheap. Feeding them to the dog is a possiblility but I have a better idea.

First you’ll need some:

XBrand Freezer Paper
Scissors, Gallon Freezer bag & Cut squares of freezer paper.
  1. freezer paper, wax paper or aluminum foil. —I prefer freezer paper but I’ve used all 3 in a pinch.
  2. freezer bags (do you see where this is going?)
  3. scissors

Cut the paper into 5 or 6 inch squares but dont get too worried about them being perfect. Their use is mainly to allow you peel-ability.

And by now you know we’re about to stack the extra pancakes on top of each other with a freezerpaper square between. They’ll freeze for up to 2 months although they won’t last that long here

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You could place them on a metal cookie sheet and freeze them individually for baggin’ later like Pioneer Woman. But who has time for that? One and done is my motto.

4 slice toasters are the only way to go.
Our topping of choice. Butter and maple syrup with No High Fructose Corn Syrup added.

Pop them in the toaster to reheat and you have a snack/meal ready in just minutes.  I love this simple method that allows the little ones to help with meals too. Just don’t let them touch that toaster, please!

Thanks to everyone for your visit! Hope you’ll leave a preferred pancake topping in the comments below. I’m always interested in other ways to get these kids to eat here 🙂

 

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1930’s Era/ThursdayDoors

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In early August each year, our city is invaded by flocks of campers whose aim is to attend the Missouri State Fair.

I did not attend this year.

But I was lucky to see this little gem parked along 16th Street a few days after the fair was over. I probably should say gem(s). That 1930’s truck is definitely an original. But I’m not knowledgable enough to know if the teardrop camper is Really from the 40’s or 50’s. You be the judge.

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Please take a few to stop in at Norm 2.0 where folks have been camping out with their door discoveries for quite awhile. Just follow his directions to the blue frog.

Keep Your Foot Hard on the Pedal/Thursday Doors

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I’m giving you a tour this Thursday Doors of Uncle Bob’s Car Museum.

UncleBob

Entrance to the museum

I won’t be showing the outdoor view because I’m a stickler for keeping folks valuables safe. Too many break-ins in our area of late, including your’s truly. But that’s a story for another day.

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My first ‘doormat’ feature.

Which brings me to this above photo of his theory on the subject. {please refrain from sharing the multitude of opinions on firearms. I’m only featuring the item, not the politics.} He and my aunt have staunchly supported the DARE program for many, many years and you may see signs of his extreme generosity within this post. We are very proud to have him as family!

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The use of cabinets is widespread throughout his building.

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He has hand-built these shelves as well.

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More mini cars (hotwheels) in those curio cabinets. Not to mention all the signs, hat pins, magnets and other memorabilia.

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Repurposed store displays.

We Are Talking Cases and Cases of Cars here.

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Remember those Christmas villages for under your tree? Yep. He has ’em.

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Trophies are in the rafters here as well as whereever they can fit alongside cars. I told you he was a DARE legend. I’d venture to say one of the top contenders in our nation. I’ll check in on that and write an update sometime.

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And my personal favorite of all the peddle cars (that I regrettably neglected to get enough photos of) is his identical replica pedal car of the racing legend, the Honorable Dale Earnhardt. Astonishingly, he has 2!!

And this seems such an appropriate post to be writing as I hear actor Burt Reynolds has passed. Who can ever forget Smoky and the Bandit?? I daresay, there’ll be a car here somewhere from that movie.

I hope you’ve enjoyed my little tour of our local car collecting aficionado, my Uncle Bob. For other wonderful doors around the world, please begin at Norm 2.0 for the road map.

 

YarnBombed in Denver/#thursdaydoors

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The photo below was the first part of a text from my eldest daughter.

I informed her that it appeared ‘yarn bombing’ was underway.

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I’ve crocheted since the age of 9 and lots of my family and friends will send me photo/ideas of things they think I might want to crochet. These knob covers happen to be in a Denver brewery called “Just Like Grandma’s House”.

justlikegrandmashouse

While they didn’t offer any g-free brews, the atmosphere grabbed her attention enough to text me some pics. She told me they had chairs like we used to have in our kitchen, cold couches (70’s-esque) and that this particular night they were doing cross stitch. They also had hard candy, board games and a tv with Atari. Above you may notice they had nicknacks and an 8-track tape collection. Player? Not sure. But you get the general idea of how much a throwback this place was trying to be. Very unique down memory lane. If only I wasn’t 2 states away 🙂 Thank goodness she was only on vacation!

For Grandma’s Only
Notice the ivy canopy?

And the mandatory door insertion goes here.

I’m not a grandmother (someday-fingers crossed) but we all have a favorite one or someone we’ve considered our grandma. I would have loved to take mine on this walk down memory lane!

For other Thursday Door memories-in-the-making, check out Norm 2.0 here and he’ll explain where to find all the weekly entrants. Have a wonderful rest of your Thursday!

A Pen Tip

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Whether you agree or not on immunizing your child, it’s a law in most areas to have your child immunized before their first day of school.

 

August is IMAM

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For this Free Tip Friday, I’m sharing a little gift from my mother-in-law on her recent excursion to the Missouri State Fair. She knows about the yearly report I’m obligated to make each year to our state licensing agency on the number of children in my care who are up-to-date on shots. Lots of red tape when you have a license to keep up with. Anyway, just wanted to give a shout out to thank her for thinking of me and to the Dept. of Health and Senior Services for the freebie offered this year.

2018-08-24_06-47-36_823 It’s hard to take a picture of this totally unscrolled with one hand. But you get the general idea of why it’s a cool little item. It’s easy to reference something like this when a parent has questions.

First Appearance: February 3, 1981 #peanutsspecials #ps #pnts #schulz #linus #lucy #pen #mightier #sword #mouth www.peanuts.com www.peanutsspecials.com

Have a wonderful rest of your Friday!!

Leawood / #thursdaydoors

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I would have to research Leawood, Kansas (Kansas City suburb) if you really want to know much about it. For us, it’s a pass-through city on the way to dinner with our daughters. One rode with, and one met us. We were pre-celebrating a birthday for the youngest and went to an old favorite place. So you’ve seen it before and I’m not going to repeat that one.

You’re welcome.

The collage is made just to give the door interest. I personally love a screened-in porch and would dearly love to have one. And there’s that stone! But for now, I present this one with some play on filters.

LeawoodKansas Collage

You’re probably going to tell me the only ‘real’ stone is the wall. I’m sure you’re probably right considering this is not The East Coast 🙂 But a gal can try right?!

Hope you’ll take some time to drop in on Norm 2.0 for some more doors by clicking here. He’ll direct you to the blue frog.

Happy Thursday everyone!

About Soil

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For this week, I’m taking Free Tip Friday to a new realm. This advice donation is about helping parents with potty training tips from a 25-year veteran childcare provider. I’ve held onto this draft for a few years, waiting for the correct moment. I currently care for ‘potty-trainee’s’ who are blessed with parents who are doing a wonderful job in this child-rearing arena. I could not ask for better cooperation and so in no way is this article for them 🙂 But I can tell you we all have made mistakes in raising our children so take my wisdom at face value. I have no ulterior motive in sharing these tidbits. I hope you enjoy!

  • Please don’t leave your child alone during pottying. They can give you some of the most insightful moments of your child’s life. There’s something about bathrooms and conversations. Girls, just ask your sister. Besides, they shouldn’t be left alone anyway. What if the dreaded worst happened??
  • Do not give your child Polyethylene Glycol (petroleum based laxative) if you want them to have success ‘holding it’ til they can tell you they need to go. Click here (or look it up yourself) on the risks of using these from pretty reputable sources. I can testify first hand that there is a link to behavior and the use of these products. Before I go on and on, just do your homework. Your children are worth it! NONE of them can be replaced.
  • Children don’t Have to have a bm every day. Ask your health professional if you don’t believe me.
  • It certainly helps if they will tell you they need to go. Language skills or even hand signals are a good sign they are ready to work on potty training.
  • Its not mandatory tho. Just try actually watching them. Novel idea for certain parents with attachment to gadgets
  • Incentives help. Sometimes whatever works in desperation. Just wash hands before rewarding treats, please. Yours And Theirs.
  • Rushing can backfire. Once you commit to trying to potty train, don’t back down. Be patient and celebrates small victories
  • It takes everyone involved to work on it. Not just during the day at the child’s daycare even tho they are often there 10 hours of the day.
  • Alert!!They are onto you if you’re not really trying
  • Keep it light hearted and not too serious. In the words of mothers and grandmothers everywhere,You get further with sugar than with vinegar. 

Just a few points to ponder for one of the most frustrating times for young parents.

Columbia Repository/#thursdaydoors

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A childcare training got us out of the house early last Saturday morning. The destination was Columbia, Missouri. It took us a little over 1 hour to drive to the meeting place, Daniel Boone Regional Library. Daniel Boone is a big deal in this part of Missouri. I’ve written a little about his Missouri home here.

Daniel Boone Regional Library

Pardon the lights smack dab in the center of the building shot. It is a library that I had never been inside. So this was something to look forward to…..of course Thursday Doors was first in my thoughts.

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The rear door is the main entrance, or at least it felt like it to me. The sculpture has its twin in the first photo so it’s hard for me to decide the orientation they want you to have. So I’m just going with the ‘parking is in the back’ mentality.

The present building was built in 2002 in the exact location of its predecessor, the first being built in 1959. Quite a short life-span for that first building but that seems to be the way around here. Not too fond of this pattern of replacement personally.

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This painting was in a side hallway adjacent to the room I spent training hours in. No label to explain which building it is. But Columns are definitely a thing here associated with the University of Missouri. Just google ‘Mizzou pillars’ and you’ll get plenty of examples.

Inside the entrance
A full-size view

One busy place for a Saturday in August! It took a dual effort between the hubby and I to come up with people-free pics of the inner door view. (Thanks Ron!)

Looking at the hallway length in one direction
Looked like a group of painters
The end of the training

Much unused space in my opinion. But what do I know about building architecture??

Daniel Boone Regional Library3

View towards the stacks. They sure have a lot of help desks. A good thing to see.

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I found this ‘door surround’ the most interesting focal point in the building. I’m not sure the exact meaning behind the mosaic of faces and images, but it’s definitely eye-catching.

Side note: I want this carpet pattern for my daycare. There would be sooo many hours of driving hotwheels all over the place 🙂

Hope you catch up with Norm 2.0 over at the original Thursday Doors spot. He’ll direct you to the blue frog button where you can peruse doors from around the world.

Tubes

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We like Dramatic Play in my childcare environment. And when you need something to fill the time, you make something the children can take home. But first, we do a ‘Test Run’. After all, it’s more fun to play with friends! Right?!

So showing you how we turned a simple color page into a way to extend our theme of Fire Safety into the Dramatic Play Center. This color page is from about 19 years back so sorry no link for making a copy.

This was such a great magazine!

 

But maybe you could find a back issue on Amazon??

 Notice the $5.50 price? Unheard of today.

 

Color page

What you’ll need

 

Here is a view of supplies needed including a color page. We printed ours on cardstock for more longevity.

 

The color and cut stage

Connect the long tubes on each end ONLY.

Masking tape works best.

For the “People”, firefighters in this instance, use tape loops and attach to the smaller tubes.

Finally, slide the fire truck in-between the longer tubes. It should be a snug fit. Trim the ends if it’s a little long. And there you have it! Individual play sets for your theme to enhance Dramatic Play.

 

Skills Learned from Dramatic Play:

 

  • Learning to cooperate, to control impulses (like tearing it up by ‘crashing’, leads to less aggressive tendencies.
  • Eye/hand coordination, fine and gross motor skills
  • Developing literacy skills with use of new language, role-playing and problem solving
  • Learning to ask and answer questions. This introduces a larger view of the world they are living in. Some of them will relate the events of the evening news they see at home to their play. Great opportunity to ‘be there’ to discuss our times.

 

Talk with your caregiver about the importance of Dramatic Play.

This post is being updated and reblogged from my personal daycare blog from Oct. 17, 2015.

DeBruce Center/#ThursdayDoors

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The Groundbreaking for this entry into the Thursday Doors was in 2014. Not vintage doors by any means, but what lies beyond them are pretty cool.

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In an office somewhere back in 2013, a KU alumni purchased for a mere $4.3 million, the original rules of basketball. And these are the doors you enter to see them.

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James Naismith was the author of these original rules and KU has embraced both Naismith and the generously donated ‘rules’ with the DeBruce Center.  I’m a little short on time this week but hopefully the following collage will give it some recognition it deserves.

James Naismith complete with ‘baskets’
First View of the DeBruce Center
Centered is one of the bicycles you can rent for a ride around Lawrence
View of doors and Naismith to the left.
Quiet weekends won’t last long once classes resume.
Original Rules of Basketball engraved on this wall.
One of the metal Wheat depictions. Love this!

Please stop by Norm 2.0 for other wonderful Thursday Door entries. You’ll definitely be glad you did.