new thread about daycare Sheila (turned out long)

[Stephanie]

>> I have not read a lot of this thread. Sounds like it was a wise move. But

I want to put my 2 cents worth. Please Don't Go.

I don't want to, and I'm working to find a way to make sure that I can be a productive member of the group, without the angst. Trying the KF, and I have to say, so far, it is working quite well. Of course, I'll be leaving for a week soon, but, that will be having fun. Hey... how is the daycare thing working out? Do you think you'll be able to stay at home in the fall? People must be making their arrangements by now. Sheila

Alas, it is not going to happen by fall. We had 2 things that made any kind
of change undoable. Both cars needed repairs to the tune of about 5K. I did
not want to do it, but that is still cheaper than new cars. And they are
good, if aging, cars. And we had to replace the deck, which itself was not
an obsticle. Actually, the daycare was the thing that caused us to do it
now. Good thing we did. It was about to fall down! Anyway, the deck went
about 150% over budget. Either of those alone would have been doable, but
not both together. We still need to put up a fence in the backyard for the
daycare. And without going into our property tax fund, whcih we escrow
ourselves, we don't have the dough right now.

DH and I see things a little differently. I am of the leap in and make it
work camp, to a degree. If I can prove that it *should* work on paper with
some wriggle room, then I can make it work. He was saying, well what if you
had the daycare and this happened. Well, for one thing I don't really need a
car if I don't have to commute from the coutry to the big town. And for
another thing, I *will* be making money. It seems he thinks that the daycare
would bring in zero dollars.

He is of the Change Is BAAAAAAD camp.

I have a problem (want to be with the kids, need to have my son have
afterschool care local to the school) which daycare could be but one
solution. There are other possible solutions, like SAHMhood. I have written
up a hundred budgets demonstratng how it could work, but I get kind of a
dead stare. It makes sense that he does not beleive it is reality since we
don't currently live under those numbers.

So I am pursuing a parallel track in the next 6 mo or so.

Live under the proposed budget for living on his salary while I am working
(minus daycare expenses). That large amount of money plus any improvements
to the house we make to increase its value will act as downpayment for a
mortgage. We have a family mortgage arrangement which will expire in 2.5
years. (Which is another thing that worries him, our ability to get a
mortgage on the open market if I have no income. A very reasonable worry.)
Then, when we have a proper mortgage and some more dough in the bank decide
do I want to pursue SAHM or daycare or something else. Being able to live on
his salary and bank my salary, in addition to the fact that we will be
saving up boat loads of money, proves it can be done.

My big challenge is that I find often that saving money involves an
investment in time. If the kids need pjs for example, I go into the store, I
pick up the pjs in the right size, and I buy them. Can't do that anymore. I
don't even *know* what a low price is for pjs (or anything else for that
matter). Everyone says, start a price book. But that takes time. I
frequently do the shopping alone now, so I will be able to start noting
prices while I shop, which is where I will start. I wish there was some
other magic way for me to begin knowing what thinks cost, but I cannot think
of any. (Aside from the difference between chicken and beef thanks to Kath.)

One thing we spend way less than we used to but way more than we should is
dining out. One day a week, we dine out with the kids. And we usually each
get an alcoholic beverage. We are talking The 99 here, not fancy smancy. But
still, it adds up. Not being able to rely on that, and get a break from
dreaming up some quick, easy yet tasty meal for one more night will be a
bummer. But I will just have to do it.

Luckily DH is pretty laissez faire about this kind of thing. He does not
care how often we eat out. It is kind of a hassle with the kids, too. So I
think I will choose to look on it as a benefit. When I was a kid, every
single Saturday of my childhood we had hot dogs and beans. I have just
recently been willing to eat hot dogs and beans! Mom and Dad did it to have
1 night per week that they could do on autopilot. Fri is my challenging
night. I think Friday wil become spaghetti night.

I don't like the thought of 4-6 more months. But we can only do what we can
do. The kids seem to be thriving at their daycare. I had very possitive
interactions with them recently which renewed my feeling that this is the
right place for them. My 22 mo DD has many more outdoor and water playtimes
in the summer than the former place, for example. The teachers have a lot of
energy, and will take the kids out before and after nap. That's a lot of
sunscreen, hat adjusting and swim diaper manipulating. And I like that.

Anyway, I ramble.

Stephanie

[AllYou!]

"Stephanie" <IwishICould@NoWay.com> wrote in message
news:3kse6bF1035t1U1@individual.net...

I don't like the thought of 4-6 more months. But we can only do what we can do. The kids seem to be thriving at their daycare. I had very possitive interactions with them recently which renewed my feeling that this is the right place for them. My 22 mo DD has many more outdoor and water playtimes in the summer than the former place, for example.

By *former place*, is the current place the one where you brought the service
providers to dinner, or is that the *former place*?

[AllYou!]

"Stephanie" <IwishICould@NoWay.com> wrote in message
news:3kse6bF1035t1U1@individual.net...

I have not read a lot of this thread. Sounds like it was a wise move. But I want to put my 2 cents worth. Please Don't Go.

Alas, it is not going to happen by fall. We had 2 things that made any kind of change undoable. Both cars needed repairs to the tune of about 5K. I did not want to do it, but that is still cheaper than new cars. And they are good, if aging, cars. And we had to replace the deck, which itself was not an obsticle. Actually, the daycare was the thing that caused us to do it now. Good thing we did. It was about to fall down! Anyway, the deck went about 150% over budget. Either of those alone would have been doable, but not both together. We still need to put up a fence in the backyard for the daycare. And without going into our property tax fund, whcih we escrow ourselves, we don't have the dough right now. DH and I see things a little differently. I am of the leap in and make it work camp, to a degree. If I can prove that it *should* work on paper with some wriggle room, then I can make it work. He was saying, well what if you had the daycare and this happened. Well, for one thing I don't really need a car if I don't have to commute from the coutry to the big town. And for another thing, I *will* be making money. It seems he thinks that the daycare would bring in zero dollars. He is of the Change Is BAAAAAAD camp. I have a problem (want to be with the kids, need to have my son have afterschool care local to the school) which daycare could be but one solution. There are other possible solutions, like SAHMhood. I have written up a hundred budgets demonstratng how it could work, but I get kind of a dead stare. It makes sense that he does not beleive it is reality since we don't currently live under those numbers. So I am pursuing a parallel track in the next 6 mo or so. Live under the proposed budget for living on his salary while I am working (minus daycare expenses). That large amount of money plus any improvements to the house we make to increase its value will act as downpayment for a mortgage. We have a family mortgage arrangement which will expire in 2.5 years. (Which is another thing that worries him, our ability to get a mortgage on the open market if I have no income. A very reasonable worry.) Then, when we have a proper mortgage and some more dough in the bank decide do I want to pursue SAHM or daycare or something else. Being able to live on his salary and bank my salary, in addition to the fact that we will be saving up boat loads of money, proves it can be done. My big challenge is that I find often that saving money involves an investment in time. If the kids need pjs for example, I go into the store, I pick up the pjs in the right size, and I buy them. Can't do that anymore. I don't even *know* what a low price is for pjs (or anything else for that matter). Everyone says, start a price book. But that takes time. I frequently do the shopping alone now, so I will be able to start noting prices while I shop, which is where I will start. I wish there was some other magic way for me to begin knowing what thinks cost, but I cannot think of any. (Aside from the difference between chicken and beef thanks to Kath.) One thing we spend way less than we used to but way more than we should is dining out. One day a week, we dine out with the kids. And we usually each get an alcoholic beverage. We are talking The 99 here, not fancy smancy. But still, it adds up. Not being able to rely on that, and get a break from dreaming up some quick, easy yet tasty meal for one more night will be a bummer. But I will just have to do it. Luckily DH is pretty laissez faire about this kind of thing. He does not care how often we eat out. It is kind of a hassle with the kids, too. So I think I will choose to look on it as a benefit. When I was a kid, every single Saturday of my childhood we had hot dogs and beans. I have just recently been willing to eat hot dogs and beans! Mom and Dad did it to have 1 night per week that they could do on autopilot. Fri is my challenging night. I think Friday wil become spaghetti night. I don't like the thought of 4-6 more months. But we can only do what we can do. The kids seem to be thriving at their daycare. I had very possitive interactions with them recently which renewed my feeling that this is the right place for them. My 22 mo DD has many more outdoor and water playtimes in the summer than the former place, for example. The teachers have a lot of energy, and will take the kids out before and after nap. That's a lot of sunscreen, hat adjusting and swim diaper manipulating. And I like that. Anyway, I ramble.

Do I read this correctly that one option you're looking at is to open your own
daycare canter in your home (e.g., the fence for the daycare) wherein you'd take
in other kids as well as your own?

[Stephanie]

Do I read this correctly that one option you're looking at is to open your own daycare canter in your home (e.g., the fence for the daycare) wherein you'd take in other kids as well as your own?

Yes.

[AllYou!]

"Stephanie" <IwishICould@NoWay.com> wrote in message
news:3ksmqfFvnq30U1@individual.net...

Yes.

Well, a few questions then.

Does your area require licensing for such a facility, or are you planning on
just flying under the radar?

Have you looked into loan guarantees, if not outright grants, for people
starting new businesses? There's such a demand for child-care facilities these
days (at least in my area) that there may well be local and state low-interest
loans specifically for this purpose in your area.

Did you do a full proforma P & L (projections of income and expenses) on the
enterprise, including liability insurance?

How many kids will it take to reach the breakeven point?

--
NOTICE: You should assume that I regard everything which anyone posts in Usenet
as just a story, and so unless substantiated with supporting data, everything in
my post was either my speculation or my opinion, and was offered in response to
the story presented by the poster, without regard to the parts of the story
which were not posted, and probably without regard to the parts of the story
which were posted elsewhere.

[Stephanie]

"AllYou!" <Idaman@conversent.net> wrote in message
news:la-dnY99FajyunTfRVn-jQ@conversent.net...

"Stephanie" <IwishICould@NoWay.com> wrote in message news:3ksmqfFvnq30U1@individual.net...

Well, a few questions then. Does your area require licensing for such a facility, or are you planning on just flying under the radar?

License. Aside from a little of work, the vast majority of which I have
done, there is no downside. And I cannot get insurance w/ out being
licensed. And there are lots of freebees for licensed providers.

Have you looked into loan guarantees, if not outright grants, for people starting new businesses? There's such a demand for child-care facilities these days (at least in my area) that there may well be local and state low-interest loans specifically for this purpose in your area.

No, I have not. Hmmmm. Hmmmm. The state grants are stinky. But I have not
thought of loans. Hmmmm. I will have to look around.

Did you do a full proforma P & L (projections of income and expenses) on the enterprise, including liability insurance?

Well, I will tell you what I did, and you tell me whether I did that. I
don't have a lot of business experience. I took a look at the information
available to parents about rate ranges and services offered, and picked a
rate based on the services that I plan offering. Then I figured the number
of kids / hours I wanted. Then I listed expenses, using a monthly escrow of
things that are due annually, like insurance. I subtracted In and Out and
came up with take home. I did this without considering some expense
reduction like the food program that reimburses you for providing healthy
meals. And I tried to figure the expenses very conservatively. But it was no
more complicated than that.

How many kids will it take to reach the breakeven point?

Break even? Like make the same amount of money I make now minus childcare?
That is a complete impossibility. Doing this would represent a change in
income, period. Just not achange to zero. I make a boat load of money.

-- NOTICE: You should assume that I regard everything which anyone posts in Usenet as just a story, and so unless substantiated with supporting data, everything in my post was either my speculation or my opinion, and was offered in response to the story presented by the poster, without regard to the parts of the story which were not posted, and probably without regard to the parts of the story which were posted elsewhere.

[AllYou!]

"Stephanie" <IwishICould@NoWay.com> wrote in message
news:3ksp2qFvseubU1@individual.net...

"AllYou!" <Idaman@conversent.net> wrote in message news:la-dnY99FajyunTfRVn-jQ@conversent.net...

License. Aside from a little of work, the vast majority of which I have done, there is no downside. And I cannot get insurance w/ out being licensed. And there are lots of freebees for licensed providers.

No, I have not. Hmmmm. Hmmmm. The state grants are stinky. But I have not thought of loans. Hmmmm. I will have to look around.

Well, I will tell you what I did, and you tell me whether I did that. I don't have a lot of business experience. I took a look at the information available to parents about rate ranges and services offered, and picked a rate based on the services that I plan offering. Then I figured the number of kids / hours I wanted. Then I listed expenses, using a monthly escrow of things that are due annually, like insurance. I subtracted In and Out and came up with take home. I did this without considering some expense reduction like the food program that reimburses you for providing healthy meals. And I tried to figure the expenses very conservatively. But it was no more complicated than that.

Well, it sounds like it was thorough, especially the part where you *escrowed*
or amortized annual expenses. The only other thing I'd add is long term
depreciation (adding in enough money to account for the costs) of fixed assets
(e.g., the fence) as well as increases in houshold stuff like heat (doors
constantly open and closed), wear and tear, etc.

Very well done, IMO, except I'm a little fuzzy on whether or not you included
the cost of insurance. I did some very preliminary research, and it looks like
just insurance against the medical costs for accidents would be $300. That's
minimum, and is not liability insurance. As far as that goes, try
http://oci.wi.gov/pub_list/pi-054.htm for more info.

How many kids will it take to reach the breakeven point? Break even? Like make the same amount of money I make now minus childcare? That is a complete impossibility. Doing this would represent a change in income, period. Just not achange to zero. I make a boat load of money.

No, I mean how many kids would it take to get to the point where your child care
business is making money. IOW, there are certain fixed costs (those which
you'll have almost no matter how many kids you have), and then variable costs
(those which vary almost in direct proportion to the number of kids). If your
fixed costs are significant enough, then you may find that one kid won't make
it, but five will. However, if almost all of your costs are direct, then it may
not matter much.

I'm not trying to be a wise ***, but I have some experience with this, so I was
just curious.

[Stephanie]

"AllYou!" <Idaman@conversent.net> wrote in message
news:SvGdneduZcVnrHTfRVn-rw@conversent.net...

"Stephanie" <IwishICould@NoWay.com> wrote in message news:3ksp2qFvseubU1@individual.net...

Well, it sounds like it was thorough, especially the part where you *escrowed* or amortized annual expenses.

Well that's what they call it for mortgages, isn't it? Well, I don't want to
get caught with my britches down when the bill comes due.

The only other thing I'd add is long term depreciation (adding in enough money to account for the costs) of fixed assets (e.g., the fence) as well as increases in houshold stuff like heat (doors constantly open and closed), wear and tear, etc.

decrease fixed assets and heat. I'm sorry. I don't understand what you said.
You mean have a savings account to replace the fence when it breaks? I did
that, just forgot to mention it. It is one of my monthly expense items.

Very well done, IMO, except I'm a little fuzzy on whether or not you included the cost of insurance.

Yes, I included the cost of insurance.

I did some very preliminary research, and it looks like just insurance against the medical costs for accidents would be $300. That's minimum, and is not liability insurance. As far as that goes, try http://oci.wi.gov/pub_list/pi-054.htm for more info.

I got a quote for liability which is about $500 /year.

No, I mean how many kids would it take to get to the point where your child care business is making money. IOW, there are certain fixed costs (those which you'll have almost no matter how many kids you have), and then variable costs (those which vary almost in direct proportion to the number of kids). If your fixed costs are significant enough, then you may find that one kid won't make it, but five will. However, if almost all of your costs are direct, then it may not matter much.

I am not at the computer with that spreadsheet. But the make money point I
never figured. I figured the need to take home part. So I am not sure
precisely where the break even point is. Should I care in particular about
that piece of info? Is it germaine (right word?) in a way I am not aware of?

I'm not trying to be a wise ***, but I have some experience with this, so I was just curious.

Well depreciation, L&P (or was it P&L?) ... I got that impression! I do not
think you are being a wise ***. I appreciate the tip about a loan, though
you have to pay those dang things back. We have been avoiding 'em for years.

[AllYou!]

"Stephanie" <IwishICould@NoWay.com> wrote in message
news:3ksqctFvhnneU1@individual.net...

"AllYou!" <Idaman@conversent.net> wrote in message news:SvGdneduZcVnrHTfRVn-rw@conversent.net...

Well that's what they call it for mortgages, isn't it? Well, I don't want to get caught with my britches down when the bill comes due.

Actually, they call certain types of loans *mortgages* because they're the type
which die (i.e., have a fixed term). Mortuus is latin for dead. This is no
joke, look it up.

The only other thing I'd add is long term depreciation (adding in enough money to account for the costs) of fixed assets (e.g., the fence) as well as increases in houshold stuff like heat (doors constantly open and closed), wear and tear, etc. decrease fixed assets and heat. I'm sorry. I don't understand what you said. You mean have a savings account to replace the fence when it breaks? I did that, just forgot to mention it. It is one of my monthly expense items.

That's great. Not to get too complicated, but another way of actually putting
the money aside is to accrue it on the books. IOW, the way larger businesses do
it is that they add up all of their expenses on paper, whether or not the money
is actually spent. For instance, I see you use a spreadsheet, so in the expense
column for every month, you could enter the amortized amount (the cost of the
fence divided by the number of months you'll expect it to last) in the column.
You don't have to actually put the money aside.

Another more meaningful example is that of the annual insurance premiums if you
pay all at once. Just divide it by 12 and put that amount in the column.
Anyway, after you've done that for all of your expenses, including the actual
day to day ones, then you'll know exactly how much it cost to run the daycare
for that month, no matter how much cash you actually spent. By doing it that
way, if you add up all your expenses and all of your revenue for any given
month, you'll know if you're making or losing money. Believe it or not, cash
flow is important, but a secondary issue in most cases because there are many
ways to solve cash flow issues if you're making a profit.

Now I'm the one who's rambling. It sounds like you've got it under control. If
you go forward, Quick Books by Quiken is a great way to manage your accounts.

Yes, I included the cost of insurance.

I got a quote for liability which is about $500 /year.

Sounds too cheap, but that's great.

> How many kids will it take to reach the breakeven point?> Break even? Like make the same amount of money I make now minus childcare? That is a complete impossibility. Doing this would represent a change in income, period. Just not achange to zero. I make a boat load of money. No, I mean how many kids would it take to get to the point where your child care business is making money. IOW, there are certain fixed costs (those which you'll have almost no matter how many kids you have), and then variable costs (those which vary almost in direct proportion to the number of kids). If your fixed costs are significant enough, then you may find that one kid won't make it, but five will. However, if almost all of your costs are direct, then it may not matter much. I am not at the computer with that spreadsheet. But the make money point I never figured. I figured the need to take home part. So I am not sure precisely where the break even point is. Should I care in particular about that piece of info? Is it germaine (right word?) in a way I am not aware of?

There's always two ways to look at this situation, the IRS way, and the more
practical way. Technically, you should look at the total *take home apart*
cost, but practically speaking, if you'd need or want to do some of these things
anyway, then for your own purposes, maybe you don't need to figure those in.

Anyway, let's say you decide to depreciate (for your own purposes, not for the
IRS) all of your home improvements (e.g., the fence, the kitchen, the bathroom)
over 60 months, and then let's say that your fixed annual costs (e.g., licence,
insurance, etc...) divided by twelve all add up to $300 per month. That's your
fixed expense. Now let's say that whatever you charge per kid, less the direct
costs attriutable to each (e.g., food, toys, etc...) is a $50 per month *gross*
profit. That means that you'd need 6 kids to break even.

Now, I have no idea if any of those are anywhere near correct, but the idea is
to divide all your outlay either into direct costs, or fixed expenses, and to do
the math to see where you come out.

Well depreciation, L&P (or was it P&L?) ... I got that impression! I do not think you are being a wise ***. I appreciate the tip about a loan, though you have to pay those dang things back. We have been avoiding 'em for years.

But you've got to think of this as a business, and very few startup businesses
can operate debt free. But what's more, as long as your revenue covers the
amount of the loan, then it's a whole lot different than how you'd look at a
personal loan that generates no income. If the loan puts you in a revenue
generating mode, then debt is good. The only downside is if the business fails.
Opps. But that's why it's so important to do the math first. Too many
businesses don't do that due diligence, and they only know if they're losing
money when the cash runs dry and it's too late.

[-Calliope-]

On Thu 28 Jul 2005 12:07:40p, Stephanie wrote:

When I was a kid, every single Saturday of my childhood we had hot dogs and beans.

Every single saturday of my childhood was similar.. baked beans and brown
bread. I *hate* beans and brown bread to this day. Don't even like the
smell of them.

I have just recently been willing to eat hot dogs and beans!

Once I moved out, I never had them again, and never will if I an help it!
--
Cal~

calliope 123 at gmail dot com

[DrLith]

Stephanie wrote:

One thing we spend way less than we used to but way more than we should is dining out. One day a week, we dine out with the kids. And we usually each get an alcoholic beverage. We are talking The 99 here, not fancy smancy. But still, it adds up. Not being able to rely on that, and get a break from dreaming up some quick, easy yet tasty meal for one more night will be a bummer. But I will just have to do it.

In addition to the suggestion to buy something nice but totally
pre-prepared, I'd suggest the idea of spicing things up on the cheap by
having "picnic night" or "deli night" or "sandwich bar night" once a
week as your break from cooking. Do the dinner out once a month, but
make it really worth the money by going some place more out of the way,
or ethnic (if y'all like ethnic).

Luckily DH is pretty laissez faire about this kind of thing. He does

not

care how often we eat out. It is kind of a hassle with the kids, too. So I think I will choose to look on it as a benefit. When I was a kid, every single Saturday of my childhood we had hot dogs and beans. I have just recently been willing to eat hot dogs and beans! Mom and Dad did it to have 1 night per week that they could do on autopilot. Fri is my challenging night. I think Friday wil become spaghetti night.

Chili is also a good autopilot meal that requires little more than
opening a few cans and browning a little ground beef. Have you explored
crockpot cooking, btw?

Our family tradition was popcorn, fruit, and cheese for Sunday dinner in
front of Wild Kingdom/Wonderful World of Disney.

I don't like the thought of 4-6 more months. But we can only do what we can do. The kids seem to be thriving at their daycare. I had very possitive interactions with them recently which renewed my feeling that this is the right place for them. My 22 mo DD has many more outdoor and water playtimes in the summer than the former place, for example. The teachers have a lot of energy, and will take the kids out before and after nap. That's a lot of sunscreen, hat adjusting and swim diaper manipulating. And I like that.

I'm glad you were able to work out your issues with them. Having a
daycare that "feels" right is important.

[Lauri]

On Fri, 29 Jul 2005 16:28:40 -0400, DrLith <drlith@spamnotmail.com>
wrote:

Our family tradition was popcorn, fruit, and cheese for Sunday dinner infront of Wild Kingdom/Wonderful World of Disney.

Ours was toasted cheese sandwiches, soup, and cocoa (made with real
cocoa powder and milk, not the stuff in the packets). We got to eat
in the living room on TV trays and yes, watched WK and Disney!

Lauri in WA

I like my email spamless

[Joy]

"DrLith" <drlith@spamnotmail.com> wrote in message
news:3kvhp1Fvq0mkU1@individual.net...

Stephanie wrote: In addition to the suggestion to buy something nice but totally pre-prepared, I'd suggest the idea of spicing things up on the cheap by having "picnic night" or "deli night" or "sandwich bar night" once a week as your break from cooking.

My kids are older, which obviously makes a difference - but occasionally
I'll have "build your own burrito" (or taco) night. I brown some ground
beef, and then people put on whatever fixin's they want. Once in a while
I'll also decree it to be "scrounge night" - at which time I point out that
there are plenty of leftovers in the fridge and we own a microwave.

Also, there's the ever popular "breakfast for supper". One of my favorites,
actually.

Chili is also a good autopilot meal that requires little more than opening a few cans and browning a little ground beef.

When I make chili I make a BIG pot of chili. It becomes supper for 2-3
nights (note "scrounge night" above).

[Stephanie]

"DrLith" <drlith@spamnotmail.com> wrote in message
news:3kvhp1Fvq0mkU1@individual.net...

Stephanie wrote:

In addition to the suggestion to buy something nice but totally pre-prepared, I'd suggest the idea of spicing things up on the cheap by having "picnic night" or "deli night" or "sandwich bar night" once a week as your break from cooking. Do the dinner out once a month, but make it really worth the money by going some place more out of the way, or ethnic (if y'all like ethnic).

not

Chili is also a good autopilot meal that requires little more than opening a few cans and browning a little ground beef. Have you explored crockpot cooking, btw?

I *live* by my crockpot. In addition to not liking the expense of prepared
food, I like my food to be .. well, food. Tonight we are having a prok
"roast." Thursday is something else in the crockpot. We have chili about
once a month. DH loves it. I cannot stand it, but I don't need to like every
meal.

Our family tradition was popcorn, fruit, and cheese for Sunday dinner in front of Wild Kingdom/Wonderful World of Disney.

I like it. Snack plate night.

I don't like the thought of 4-6 more months. But we can only do what we can do. The kids seem to be thriving at their daycare. I had very possitive interactions with them recently which renewed my feeling that this is the right place for them. My 22 mo DD has many more outdoor and water playtimes in the summer than the former place, for example. The teachers have a lot of energy, and will take the kids out before and after nap. That's a lot of sunscreen, hat adjusting and swim diaper manipulating. And I like that. I'm glad you were able to work out your issues with them. Having a daycare that "feels" right is important.

[Stephanie]

"Joy" <joydoesn'tlikespam@nospam.net> wrote in message
news:8nEGe.4326$c63.1561@fe05.lga...

"DrLith" <drlith@spamnotmail.com> wrote in message news:3kvhp1Fvq0mkU1@individual.net...

My kids are older, which obviously makes a difference - but occasionally I'll have "build your own burrito" (or taco) night. I brown some ground beef, and then people put on whatever fixin's they want. Once in a while I'll also decree it to be "scrounge night" - at which time I point out that there are plenty of leftovers in the fridge and we own a microwave. Also, there's the ever popular "breakfast for supper". One of my favorites, actually.

I like this too. I sort of over did it recently.

Chili is also a good autopilot meal that requires little more than opening a few cans and browning a little ground beef. When I make chili I make a BIG pot of chili. It becomes supper for 2-3 nights (note "scrounge night" above).

[Doug Anderson]

"Stephanie" <IwishICould@NoWay.com> writes:

I like it. Snack plate night.

Speaking of chick flicks (oh, maybe no one was speaking of chick
flicks, but my wife and I went to "Must love dogs" last night which
was silly, predictable, but had its fun moments. John Cusack is fun
to watch, and Diane Lane is fun to look at), did anyone see Mermaids?
[Reminder: Cher, Bob Hoskins, and our favorite kleptomaniac.]

The mom only cooks appetizers. The meals are always a bunch of little
dishes you would eat with a martini.

[jwb]

"Doug Anderson" <ethelthelogremovethis@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:42ee7c45$1_1@x-privat.org...

Brian Chamberlin <jbrianchamberlin@yahoo.com> writes:
See Wedding Crashers yet? That was funny... IMO of course. That _has_ gotten good reviews even though it looks irredeemably stupid to me!

Not my kind of movie, I'm afraid.

[Brian]

On 01 Aug 2005 12:38:09 -0700, Doug Anderson
<ethelthelogremovethis@gmail.com> wrote:

"Stephanie" <IwishICould@NoWay.com> writes:

Speaking of chick flicks (oh, maybe no one was speaking of chickflicks, but my wife and I went to "Must love dogs" last night whichwas silly, predictable, but had its fun moments. John Cusack is funto watch, and Diane Lane is fun to look at), did anyone see Mermaids?[Reminder: Cher, Bob Hoskins, and our favorite kleptomaniac.]The mom only cooks appetizers. The meals are always a bunch of littledishes you would eat with a martini.

I thought about seeing that last night but it started too late. Read
in the paper it got only 1 star and while I generally don't pay much
attention to critics, a 1 star kinda scares me. Still, I've got a lot
of times on my hands so I still may end up seeing it.

See Wedding Crashers yet? That was funny... IMO of course.

--Brian

[Doug Anderson]

Brian Chamberlin <jbrianchamberlin@yahoo.com> writes:

On 01 Aug 2005 12:38:09 -0700, Doug Anderson <ethelthelogremovethis@gmail.com> wrote:

I thought about seeing that last night but it started too late. Read in the paper it got only 1 star and while I generally don't pay much attention to critics, a 1 star kinda scares me.

It is _very_ light. Don't go to the movie unless you are prepared to
not mind the fact that when each scene begins, you can see exactly how it is going to end.

See Wedding Crashers yet? That was funny... IMO of course.

That _has_ gotten good reviews even though it looks irredeemably
stupid to me!

[Tai]

Doug Anderson wrote:

"Stephanie" <IwishICould@NoWay.com> writes:

Speaking of chick flicks (oh, maybe no one was speaking of chick flicks, but my wife and I went to "Must love dogs" last night which was silly, predictable, but had its fun moments. John Cusack is fun to watch, and Diane Lane is fun to look at), did anyone see Mermaids? [Reminder: Cher, Bob Hoskins, and our favorite kleptomaniac.]

Mermaids was cute. I like John Cusack and Diane Lane and intend seeing
"Must Love Dogs" when it gets here. I went to see "Monster-in-Law" with some
friends yesterday and we all laughed heartily through it (there was even a
masculine voice to be heard amongst the general chuckles). Jane Fonda was
very funny and it was good to see her acting again.

The preview of "The Wedding Crashers" was shown and it looks like it might
be funnier than I expected it to be so I'll probably go with my husband
since he thinks he might enjoy it too.

(He enjoyed both "Meet the Parents and "Meet the Fockers" very much.)

The mom only cooks appetizers. The meals are always a bunch of little dishes you would eat with a martini.

Yum...but only if someone else is cooking them!

Tai

[Tai]

jwb wrote:

"Doug Anderson" <ethelthelogremovethis@gmail.com> wrote in message news:42ee7c45$1_1@x-privat.org...

Not my kind of movie, I'm afraid.

But did you see "Sin City"? I was hoping you'd have an opinion to share on
that one. I thought it was interesting that Tarantino was a guest director
(although I have no idea what that really means!)

Tai

[jwb]

"Tai" <tainuiti@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:3l81ghF119jf4U1@individual.net...

jwb wrote:

But did you see "Sin City"? I was hoping you'd have an opinion to share on that one. I thought it was interesting that Tarantino was a guest director (although I have no idea what that really means!)

I will when it comes out on DVD - I am eagerly awaiting it, actually.

I generally don't go to the movies - way too many idiots.