Ode to Chapman

Henry’s last day at Chapman Childcare was Friday. It was bitter sweet. There were hugs, tears (all mine…Henry didn’t have a clue it was his last day), dancing, and lots of camera cheese. I was able to capture some fun moments of Henry and his closest buddies. The only one missing was Cash…not sure if he missed Friday, or just got to school late that day.

Henry and Mina getting jiggy with it





Hugs with Dominic


Halleigh hugs


Henry making google eyes at Caroline


Neck hugs from Tessa



We will forever be indebted to the Chapman’s for loving and caring for Henry. Chapman welcomed Henry into their family in August 2009, and Henry has been fortunate to have the same teacher, Miss Jenn, and many of the same tots in his class for the past nine months.

Henry and some of his teachers




Now, you’re probably wondering why we’re leaving if we LOVE Chapman so much…well, when I was pregnant with Henry and researching childcare options, I put Henry on the waiting list at the Child Development Lab (CDL) at OSU. I heard it was the best. In April 2010, two and a half years later, we received a phone call from the CDL informing us there was an opening and that Henry was next on the waiting list. Quite honestly, I'd forgotten the CDL even existed. After much prayer and consideration, we decided to enroll Henry. The CDL is within walking distance from the Foundation, we have friends and family that wholeheartedly endorse the program, and again, I hear it’s the best. And what mom wouldn’t want the best for their kiddo? Henry will begin attending the CDL in August, and we have made alternative plans for him in the meantime.

(I have no doubt that every day from now until August, I will wonder if we made the right decision...we will miss you, Chapman.)

But the story gets better...because the CDL includes more holidays and parent-teacher conference days than I have vacation days, in order for Henry to attend, we had to figure out an alternative plan for days the CDL was closed. We knew the ideal situation would be to hire a nanny to care for Peanut at home, which would mean that on days the CDL was closed, Henry could stay at home with his little brother/sister and nanny. But in order for the ideal/dream to become a reality, we had to find the perfect someone(s) to watch our baby. Only days after going public with the news that we were actively searching for a nanny, we were blessed with three college students, all who were looking for nanny jobs and whose collective schedules equal 8 - 5, Monday - Friday. God is good.