I'm Ready To Be A Yes House Again

A hot chocolate pool. Yes, they went swimming in it too!

Preface: I feel the need to mention that I realize I am extremely privileged to be able to keep my business up and running, make money, AND safely provide families with alternatives at this time. I am grateful in every aspect for all of it, especially the option to homeschool my own children. All of that is made possible because of my daycare business. Regardless, it doesn't negate my feelings. Like many people, I am navigating through a new world and trying to find my footing. Our entire world changed one year ago and while we have made it work to the best of our ability, it's HARD to make changes you weren't ready to make or didn't want to make. I was happy and content with how my business was run, how we were leading our lives, and everything in between. 

 In all of the changes in the last year, this one flew under the radar for a bit. It wasn't until I couldn't place my own feelings about things that I realized what the true issue was. Upon creating my daycare ten years ago, I wanted one thing above all else: I wanted the kids to hear YES as much as possible. This is how we've had things like feet and body painting, baby pudding painting, flour "sand," shaving cream and chocolate pools, using a mattress to jump on from off of the couch, and so much more. A kid's life is full of no's, I wanted my house to be the yes house.

I've succeeded in that for nine years. I made it nine years and then Covid happened. Quarantines and new ways of life overwhelmed us. Daycare was forced to become "school at daycare" out of necessity. I wouldn't have it any other way because I was able to step up, help out, and be someone that my daycare families needed in a time of uncertainty. But in the process, our house became a "no" house.

No, we can't use endless blankets to build forts. I can't let you play with blankets. Or stuffed animals, cloth toys, and anything else that can't be easily wiped down to be disinfected. No, we can't do that. No, we can't do a dance party right now because someone is taking a test. No, nap times. lunch times, snack times, or anything else can't be changed. No, we don't have time to play outside. No, we can't do ________ because I won't have the time in between helping kids with schoolwork, making sure they're at their classes on time, and teaching other kids.

It's breaking me to have so many no's. Don't get me wrong, the kids don't seem to be exceptionally bothered by it; it's ME who's taking it hard! What made every day fun was that I managed to make every day a little different (for the kids and me). With school at daycare, that's not always a possibility. I'm ready for my house to be a yes house again.

Maybe it's summer that I need. The long days spent playing in the yard, in barefeet (which will likely be another no this year because, well, dog), getting covered in dirt in the mud kitchen, eating lunch whenever the kids are hungry, and having as long of a lunchtime as they would like. I'm ready for it. I miss it. I'm ready for more yes and less no.

Playing a game they created circa 2015ish. They set up the chairs, then you must stand on our couch, throw a ball, and hit a chair to get points. For five and three year olds, I thought it was brilliant.

Beed's Lake State Park

 

As soon as the Arctic air was out of Iowa, we continued on our quest to visit every State Park in Iowa (read about that here). This weekend, we woke up early and began our adventure at the Ankeny DOT, so I could renew my driver's license. 

Funny story: Since we were headed to Beed's Lake and I had to go in that direction for the DOT, I decided that Matt and the minis should drop me off, grab breakfast, and then come back for me. Turns out, the DOT doesn't want people waiting long for appointments and I was done within five minutes. I had to ask to wait in the waiting area while they quickly ran through the McDonald's drive thru. Usually, this would be an hour or two ordeal, but it was the quickest appointment I've ever had!

From Ankeny, we drove the easy hour to Hampton, Iowa, up I35. Once we arrived at the Park, the dog was eager to hit trail. We started hiking on the path across the lake, but the wind was too much for the kids.

Walking on the frozen lake.

We decided to keep on the wooden trail to avoid the gusts of wind. This would have been great, except we realized about half-way through we were walking on the deer path in people's backyards and NOT on the actual trail. Oops! The dog was in heaven with all of the smells and the minis wound up hiking on the lake, so it didn't matter too much. We still managed to get a good walk in!

There were quite a few ice fishers on the lake that we managed to not disturb, but they must have made it look fun because the youngest requested we give ice fishing a try sometime. 

On the way home, we stopped at Ben's Burgers in Ankeny. I would define it as locally owned fast food. The food was good, but the customer service was outstanding! Naturally, the dog assumed we were at a coffee shop drive thru. When our drinks come out, the dog went crazy looking for his pup cup (yeah, I know, he's spoiled). The worker at the window saw this and asked if he would like a pup cup. We approved and she then handed us a cup FULL of ice cream! Dog and humans were happy.

Windblown faces after the hiking, taking it easy. They decorated cupcakes for my birthday the following day. I love the above picture of my crowded table: dinner (a new antipasti recipe that we loved), a snack box from Ukraine, cupcake decorating items, books being read, pictures that have been colored, and what the picture can't capture, but something I'll remember, silence.