A new chapter in our lives

Last October, we decided to re-open our home daycare. We had one several years ago when Collin and Kaitlyn were little.  Now that everyone is older and able to help, we decided it's time to welcome some sweet babies into our home again.  We started the process by attending a 5-hour class to learn about all the new rules and regulations for a Family Home Daycare and Meagan took three on-line courses so she could be the legal substitute.

In December, we laid out our plans to put up/replace fencing, have a fire inspection, lay out the playroom, porch and play-yard, and get paperwork together. Todd and Meagan were required to be fingerprinted and have a background check, even Collin and Kaitlyn had a juvenile background check!

On Thursday, January 19th we received notice that all our paperwork was in and we could schedule our inspection date... the inspector had an opening on February 8th. That gave us 20 days to get it all finished. Boy did we scramble!!!

I don't think we have ever done that much combined yard work AND house work EVER. The fencing was done within a week, the house gone over with a fine-tooth comb, cleaned, dusted and scrubbed (Meagan even pulled out the oven to clean behind, beside and underneath). Collin crawled on his hands and knees through the whole yard making sure there was no animal feces of any kind or ants anywhere! We put rocks around the pool, made sure every electrical outlet had a plug cover, put up the baby gates and put locks on cabinets.

Not only did we clean like crazy, we also went shopping almost everyday for all the necessary supplies.  Consignment shops, Craigslist, and Goodwill are our current favorite ways to shop.

There was not much sleep the few days before the inspection, and Todd was heard commenting that he needed to go back to work to rest!  The morning of the inspection Diona and Meagan stayed up until 1:30am getting stuff done then they were both up at 5am  Todd was a dear and brought Diona a mocha frappe from McD's to help keep her awake for the inspection.  The inspector took about fifteen minutes to inspect every room in the house, the yard, and the porch... and three hours to do the paperwork!!!  After all that... We didn't pass.  Three little things needed to be adjusted and the next day the inspector came out again to re-inspect and all is well!!! We are licensed!!!

Our opening day was Feb 13th.   So far it's been a lot of fun!  Meagan, Collin, and Kaitlyn are a huge help and they seem to really enjoy the little ones.  This is a blessing indeed!!!

So, in ending, here is a peak into the prep and the outcome...

Todd and Collin putting up the new privacy fencing.

Look how nice the fencing looks! Our yard actually looks bigger!

Todd and Collin replaced the fence that divides the play-yard from the pool yard

White rocks around our above-ground pool

Kaitlyn climbing the fence.

Thanks to Pinterest! We got a canvas drop cloth to make a curtain to hide the computer nook!
We used a puzzle piece to measure where to put the sewing pins.

The reading, music, and puzzle area with rubber mats and cozy pillows to sit on.

Lots of toys and the Rat... the babies love watching Lexus bounce around in her cage.

The children's play kitchen area complete with a stove, fridge, microwave, table, dishwasher and even a baby doll highchair.

The Picture wall. These were the kids' drawings from when they were little. We hope to add more in the future...
pictures that is :)

porch toys

Ride on and push toys

Our arts and crafts section. Mom found a really pretty hutch and we stuffed it full of artsy stuff!

Pinterest again! Ribbon on a tension rod!

Outside table... Todd drilled a hole in the middle and we stuck a beach umbrella in the hole to make some shade for the kids.

God has been good and blessed us with great children to babysit and great parents too! 
So, if we don't post on here very often... you'll know what is keeping us busy!!!
With love, The Boyles