Sports Week at CDO!

Last week was SPORTS WEEK at Children's Day Out!  What a great time we had with this theme! While still teaching our normal letters, numbers, colors, shapes and Bible stories to our kiddos, we incorporated SPORTS into the routine.  The highlight of the week was our guests, the Football Panthers from Kentucky Wesleyan College.  Head Coach Holsclaw and several players came to visit and read "Gunnar, Football Hero" to our kids.  And much to the kids excitement, the football players hung around after story time to play with our kids.  The football team were playing building blocks, coloring pictures and all sorts of fun things at CDO! 

We closed out the week with a CDO "Playdate" at the KWC football game on Saturday night!  Not only did these guys come to visit, they brought tickets for their game!  THANK YOU!

I cannot say enough great things about these young men from KWC!  They were polite, kind, and all loved kids!  What great representation of our local college!?! Good luck to Coach Holsclaw and the KWC Football Panthers!  You've made some young new fans at Children's Day Out!

{flashback} the hardest first day of school...for this mamma

**Disclaimer**
 Hi, I'm Mindy, one of the guest bloggers!  I'm thankful for the opportunity to share a little of my heart about parenting, kids and life in general!  My prayer is that you will be encouraged by my ramblings!

The following post is from my girls' first day of school, and I failed to post it several weeks ago as I was supposed to.  I blame it on my "mushy Mommy brain!"

I'd love for you to come visit me at www.shipshopsandpoppops.blogspot.com

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Every year on the kiddos first day of school, I cry.  I always have.  But then again, I cry easily.  I get it from Mom.

This year was different.  Today was the first day of school for my girls and I haven't just been crying, I've been squalling like a baby.  This year has been difficult because we're new to this town and still feel like strangers.

{I'm sure the tears shed today were ones building up from this "life change" that we've experienced over the past month....today just seemed like a "good" day to let the flood gates open!}

When we walked in to the school this morning, we were greeted by a sea of unfamiliar faces.  I looked around desperately hoping to see someone that I recognized.  Of course I came up short.

I began fighting tears.  You know that feeling in the pit of your stomach and the burning in your nose you get when you're trying to hold back tears?  That's how I immediately felt.

We walked Ellee to her class, met her teacher and got her settled in her chair.

Everything in me wanted to pull the teacher aside and make sure she understood just how important that brown eyed girl with the contagious laugh was.

Instead, I kissed Ellee,  said "I love you" and walked away.

My heart was aching.  I had just left my baby with a total stranger, surrounded by total strangers, in a strange building and she didn't even know where the bathroom was.

And I had to do it again.

We found Addie's teacher and I really wanted to give her the same speech about my precious, sensitive girl that I was "allowing" her to teach for a while.  

But Lee gently led me out the door and into the parking lot.  People looked at my tear streaked face and swollen eyes.  One lady even said, "She'll be ok, I promise."

Lee and I sat in the car and debated on driving away.  Maybe we should just sit there and wait for the day to end.

We drove away.  Why was it so hard to leave those girls?

Hours later, I was still upset and went to see my hubby at work.  He held me while I cried some more and then he read this to me from "The Gospel Coalition" website:

Dear Stay-at-Home Mom,
You are a gift of God to your husband and your kids.
But you don’t always feel that way, do you?
There’s a low-level feeling of guilt that creeps into your heart from time to time. Sometimes it bubbles over into tears, usually on lonely, difficult days.
You scan blogs and read books about being a good mom. You find some helpful tidbits here and there, often from women who are grandmothers now. Women you can learn from but who seem to have forgotten the struggle. They seem to have it all together.
In your heart, you want to be the kind of mom who trains up kids to make a difference for the kingdom. You know it’s an honor to be entrusted with these kids. You know you’ve only got one shot. You want to be the mom who teaches them the Bible, models how to pray, and trains them up in the fear of the Lord.
But most of the time you feel like you’re barely holding it all together.
Your house cleaning can’t keep up with your kids’ mess-making.
The kids embarrass you by acting up right when your guests arrive.
Your husband doesn’t get just how worn out you are by the end of the day.
You come to the end of your patience. You lose your temper. Then you feel worse.
The last thing you consider yourself to be is a “good mom.” And you think to yourself, It’ll be a miracle if my kids turn out okay.And – surprisingly – that’s right where God wants to meet you. The place where you admit your powerlessness and your need for Him.
It’s only by God’s grace that any kid grows up to be a force for the kingdom.
You see, there are no perfect kids and no perfect mothers. No matter what you read in blogs, see in magazines, and learn in books. There are sinful kids and sinful moms and dads.
And the only thing greater than both is the grace of God. The God who says “there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” The God who loves to forgive, to transform, and empower.
God loves you – not because you are a good mother but just because you are His precious child.
God loves you – not because you’ve mastered all the skills of parenting but because He has.
It’s divine grace that will transform your parenting – not guilt.
It’s grace that will keep you going and serving and scrubbing when you’re exhausted and worn out.
It’s grace that will conquer your feelings of inadequacy and remind you of God’s love for you in Christ.
It’s grace that goes for the heart of your kids, not just their behavior.
God has demonstrated the fullness of His love for you through the cross of His Son, even while you were still a sinner.
He has promised you His presence.
He has spoken His approval over you in Christ.
He is the perfect Father who delights in you as a daughter.
Find in Him your Treasure and Joy. Be to others what He is to you.
So walk in freedom. Let Him hold you together when everything seems to be falling apart.
Bask in His unfailing love for you. And rest in His promise of power.

I'm so thankful that my husband knows how to comfort me when I'm struggling.

He knows to point me to Jesus, the only One that can truly bring comfort and peace when you are feeling desperate and hopeless.

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Well, I'm off to pick up my girls.  Yes, I do realize that I'll be about an hour early.  Cut me some slack...at least I didn't sit in the parking lot all day! :)

I remember just a year ago when I was considering where my child would attend childcare.  I recall my anxious thoughts about whose hands I’d be placing my precious “gift” in and if my child would be happy.  Children’s Day Out just felt like the right fit for our family.  And we were correct!  My daughter flourished in the program and loved every minute of her time at CDO. 

I never would have imagined that a year later, I’d be the one assisting families in making this decision for THEIR family.  It’s a blessing to be the Children’s Day Out Director.  I’ve been in your shoes and would love to assist you in any way possible.  We’d love for you to be a part of the Children’s Day Out family and enjoy all the support and encouragement that goes beyond providing child care.  Our Play Dates, special events, service projects and online community allow you to connect with other caregivers of children in their early years. 

Did you see (below) that we're offering a chance to try Children's Day Out for FREE??? If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me!  I’d love to answer all of your questions in this important decision. I pray Children’s Day Out will be a great fit for your family!

Blessings to your Family,

Erica Houston

684-1467

cdofpc@gmail.com

 

Please join us for

 

1 FREE DAY PASS TO

CHILDREN'S DAY OUT

 

Call TODAY to inquire how you can enjoy 1 free day trial at Children's Day Out!  Come see if CDO is a great fit for YOUR Family!

684-1467

2nd Week...Just as Neat!

So, the 2nd week of Children's Day Out was just as great as the first...even better! We had a great theme of "Feelings".  We painted while listening to music to express our feelings and had other activities to learn all about our many emotions.  Our teaching themes this week were the letter "B", the number "2", the color "green" and the shape of the week was an "oval". The kids are adjusting so well to "circle time" and sitting better and better each day.

We enjoyed playing with the parachute this week as a couple of days seemed a bit too hot for playground play. Of course, I dont have pictures of this because I was too busy joining in the fun!  The kids loved "Mr. Parachute" and the fun games that we enjoyed with it.  

The kids have loved being Handy Helpers and seem to enjoy being "weather watcher" the most! 

They love being helpers and never have to be asked twice to complete their task.  Why is this never the case at home??? Ha! 

Again, thanks CDO families for allowing us to spend a little time with your precious ones each week!

It's a BLESSING to be your Children's Day Out Director!

Erica Houston

First Week!

New Children's Day Out Welcome Area!

It's the FIRST WEEK OF CHILDREN'S DAY OUT!  What a great time we've had this week!  New faces, familiar faces, it's all been a BLESSING!  

This year we have a certified teacher on staff planning the curriculum for the entire CDO crew!  Ms. Meredith has done a great job teaching this week's theme "All About Me".  We learned about the Letter "A", the Number "1", the Color "Red", and  "Circle" is our Shape of the week!  

Our Scripture for the week was "Your word is a lamp for my feet." Psalm 119:105.  We've been talking each day this week about the BIBLE!  The kids have done great discovering treasures inside the Bible and today followed a treasure map found by Ms. Erica!  

We're loving the BRAND NEW PLAYGROUND and we're so thankful for the new addition to Children's Day Out!  

Fiona enjoying the NEW swings!

CDO Families, we're so grateful to have the privilege to spend each week with your precious kiddos!  I'll be in touch next week to let you in on what's going on at Children's Day Out!

We had 2 birthdays this week!  Happy Birthday Hadley and Kirtley!

It's a BLESSING to be your CHILDREN'S DAY OUT Director!
Ms. Erica

 

Welcome Mindy, Our Guest Blogger!

The following Blog entry was contributed by a dear friend named Mindy Brown. 

I am so pleased to share that she will be a Monthly Contributer to the Children's

Day Out Blog!  We will be BLESSED with her monthly contributions of wisdom, faith, 

and humor!  

I would encourage each of you to follow Mindy and learn all about her on her

personal blog http://shipshopsandpoppops.blogspot.com/

the monotony of motherhood

If you've ever taken the time to read the back of a shampoo bottle, 

you'll see these words...wash, rinse, repeat.

Some days, as a mother, I feel this way. But mine would look more 

like this...clean, feed, repeat.

My days are {generally} filled with sippy cups, diapers, snacks, squinkies, 

crumbs, and dishes. And let's not even discuss the amount of laundry 

my sweet family of 5 can produce!

The truth is that motherhood can begin to feel monotonous when day after

 day, week after week, you are consumed with needy people under 4 feet

 tall. Let's face it - young children are very dependent and need us for every

thing...from wiping their nose (and other things!) to fixing their lunch to 

picking out their clothes.

Having babies forces you to stare your selfishness in the face! I didn't 

realize how stingy I was with my time, my sleep and my privacy until

 it was abducted by my munchkins.

But here's the reality of biblical mommy-hood...we have the privilege of 

not just teaching our kids the gospel, but actually living out the gospel

 to our babies every single day!

We can demonstrate God's grace to them by loving them when they're 

unlovable and by being patient with them when we're at our wits end! 

We can be "slow to anger" and "quick to listen."

we. can. be. the. Gospel.

And that is a privilege that I wouldn't forfeit for anything in this world - 

no job, no amount of money or luxuries could compare to the joy of 

being the gospel to my children every day!

Rachel Jankovic on her blog (desiringGod.com) says...

Is motherhood a rock-bottom job for those who can’t do more,

 or those who are satisfied with drudgery? If so, what were we thinking?

Motherhood is not a hobby, it is a calling. You do not collect children

 because you find them cuter than stamps. It is not something to do if you can 


squeeze the time in. It is what God gave you time for.

You represent everything that our culture hates, because you represent

laying down your life for another—and laying down your life for another

 represents the gospel.

We should run to to the cross. To death. So lay down your hopes.

Lay down your future. Lay down your petty annoyances. Lay down your

desire to be recognized. Lay down your fussiness at your children.

Lay down your perfectly clean house. Lay down your grievances about

the life you are living. Lay down the imaginary life you could have had

by yourself. Let it go.

So the next time I step in an unknown liquid substance on the floor, or read that

 book for the 5th time in a day, or unload yet another round of clean dishes, or trip

 on another matchbox car, I pray that God will pour out His grace to me so that, 

even through the monotony, I can pour out that grace to my kiddos!

Thank you, Mindy Brown!  What a great example you are to 

us moms!  As always, it's a BLESSING to be your 

Children's Day Out Director!

Join us for a Play Date at the NEW Playground!

-CHILDRENS DAY OUT PLAYDATE NEXT THURSDAY @ 10AM-

Please join us next Thursday as we let the kids try out the new Children's Day Out playground!  Let's get together and have a Play Date at 10am to show off the new "toy" to the kids!  The rubber flooring was completed on Tuesday and its ready for some play time!  It's GORGEOUS!  I'm so grateful to First Presbyterian Church for making  such an incredible investment for OUR kids!  I look forward to seeing each  of you then!

Here's an updated pic of the Playground with the BEAUTIFUL new rubber flooring.  So Fancy!

It's a BLESSING to be your Children's Day Out Director,

Erica Houston

Movie @ Malco Tuesday!

I hope each of you had a Happy 4th of July!

Finally, the weather seems to have given us a bit of relief from the heat and it's time for our INDOOR Play Date! Ha! Please join us tomorrow, July 10th 10am, for "Charlotte's Web" at Malco Movie Theater!  Hope to see each of you there!

NEW Playground is almost done!

Man, that was quick!  It seems like such a short time ago that we got word that First Presbyterian Church had approved the purchase and installation of a BRAND NEW Playground!  Wow, that day is already here!!!  Several gentlemen have been working hard this week on pouring new sidewalks, installing a new fence and the new Play Ground Equipment and swings!  It's BEAUTIFUL!  Our kids will be overjoyed to see the new "toy" just for them!

(The playground will be completed as soon as the weather cools enough for the rubber flooring to be installed.  Sadly, that may be a while longer.)

Another FUN Play Date!

Once again, Children's Day Out hosted a Play Date!  Last week, we played at the spray park at Panther Creek Park.  I cannot express how great this spray park is for those with young kids.  Let me name just a few reasons...

• 1.)  Small Crowds!  For most of the time, Children's Day Out kiddos were the only ones playing in the spray park.
• 2.)  Bathrooms nearby!  Bathrooms were just steps away from the spray park!  (...for all those parents in the middle of potty training or dealing with potty trained kiddos who sometimes forget to stop playing to take time to go potty!!!)
• 3.)  Small child-friendly equipment!  The picture above shows the gals on the cutest turtle that sprayed water.  They LOVED it!  My 12 month old was even quite in love with this turtle. 
• 4.)  Parking lot steps away from the Spray Park!  I was able to park so close and quickly move my soaking wet kiddos to the vehicle to change into dry clothes for the ride home.   
• 5.)  Covered picnic area right beside spray park!  Parents can sit on picnic tables inches away from the spray area to watch their children.  Especially GREAT if you have newborns.  You and your little one can sit in the shade while your toddler or Preschooler can enjoy the water!

As you can tell...WE'LL HAVE TO GO BACK TO PANTHER CREEK PARK!  It's a little out of the way, but well worth the drive for all those perks!  For families with young children, the Spray Park is GREAT at Panther Creek!  

It's a blessing to be your Children's Day Out Director!

God bless!

REMINDER!

Hello, Children's Day Out Families!  I want to remind you of our Play Date on Tuesday, June 19th.  We will be enjoying the PANTHER CREEK SPRAY PARK.  (Please let me know if you need directions)  We will now be playing from 9am til 10:30 to avoid the heat (and the crowds).  Remember to bring some water for your child/children and plenty of sunscreen.  Oh, and of course bathing suits!  I look forward to seeing each of you TOMORROW!

Children's Day Out Play Date in the Park

How handsome is that hat?!?

Enjoying the Big Kids Swing!

What a fun Play Date we had!  Over 30 Children's Day Out parents and kiddos showed up at Moreland Park on May 31st for a morning of fun!  Play dates are a must during the summer months.  For my little gals, age 3 and 1, summer consists of no routines!  And no routines = moody girls!  Play dates always break up those crazy moods and provide us tons to talk about just leading up to the event!

Having a blast getting dirty!

 
Mark your calendars for our next Play Date on June 19th (Destination TBD) and July 10th "Charlotte's Web" $2 movie at Malco!
This week the CDO Board and I will be painting the PreK, office and welcome center!  The floors are also getting a little spruce up!  Hope you are as excited about all the updates.  By the way, have you driven down Griffith Ave lately and seen all the commotion at the playground area?  The BRAND NEW playground is well underway!  I'll post updates on all the excitement soon!
So, until next time...It's a blessing to be your CDO Director!
-Erica Houston- 

Welcome to the Children's Day Out blog!  We're so happy that you've joined us!  Check back, often, for all the exciting updates!