Carrie's 2.0 & Preschool Lathrop MO

08/20/2026

My job is funner than yours. 😂💦

But seriously, how many people can say they got PAID to play on a water slide today?!

Yesterday was our last big hurrah before school starts, and the kids absolutely LOVED it. 💦☀️

And apparently, Tiffany has quite the fan club. 😂❤️

The kids yelling “Tif-fan-y! Tif-fan-y!” while she went down with them might have been my favorite part.

That’s something I love about childcare. Yes, there is a lot of work behind the scenes. Yes, we teach, plan, clean, document, redirect, problem-solve and do about a million things people don’t see.

But sometimes…

We get to play.

We get to laugh.

We get to be silly.

We get to make memories.

And yesterday, we got to get WET. 😂💦

One more summer memory before we trade water slides for school supplies!

I’m pretty sure I won the career lottery. ❤️

08/20/2026

Sometimes you get to watch your kids grow all the way up. ❤️

As our end of summer tradition, we rent an inflatable water slide for our last Water Wednesday. 💦 When I saw John had started this business, supporting him was an easy decision.

He was actually one of my daycare kids back in 1998. 🫶

He was such a sweet little boy, and over the years he’s continued to have a special place in our family. Now he’s grown up, started his own inflatable rental business, and is out there building something of his own.

One of the best parts of doing childcare for more than 30 years isn’t just watching children grow.

It’s getting to see who they become.

I started “babysitting” in 1995, became licensed in 2004, earned accreditation in 2008, opened our center in 2020, became state PreK certified in 2024. Along the way, I’ve had the privilege of caring for a whole lot of kids - and every once in a while, one of them comes back as a grown-up and reminds me just how long this journey has been.

Yesterday, I was reminded again.

And yes… I think 1998 Carrie would be pretty proud of this kid. ❤️

Go support him if you need an inflatable for your next party or event! I love getting to cheer on the kids I once cared for as they become the adults and business owners in our community.

Get Farrell Party Rentals

08/20/2026

37 years. ❤️

Today my husband and I celebrate 37 years of marriage.

Looking at this picture, I’m reminded that life isn’t really about the big, perfect moments. It’s all the ordinary days in between - the growing, changing, working, laughing, figuring things out, and choosing each other again and again.

And maybe that’s one of the things I love most about being in childcare. Every day, we get a front-row seat to the beginning of so many little lives. We watch children learn to trust, love, try again, make friends, become independent, and grow into who they are becoming.

37 years has taught me that the little moments are actually the big moments.

So today, I’m celebrating my husband, our family, and all the little moments that somehow became 37 years. ❤️

08/18/2026

PreK officially starts 9/1.
State funded.
DESE supported.
2 spots left to help prepare your child for kindergarten.
Not limited to Lathrop residents.

08/17/2026

⭐️ Now Enrolling for Our 3-Year-Old Preschool

Our classroom is full of curiosity, discovery, laughter, and hands-on learning designed just for busy 3-year-old minds.

👉🏻 Play-based learning
👉🏻 Social skills & friendships
👉🏻 Early literacy & numbers
👉🏻 Safe, nurturing environment

Spots are limited.

Contact us today to schedule a tour or reserve your child’s spot!

08/16/2026

08/15/2026

How ‘Bout Those………

08/14/2026

School is just around the corner! ✏️

As our big kids head back to “the big school,” a few spots will open up in our preschool classroom! But before we say goodbye to summer… we had to go out with a FOOD FIGHT! 😂🍉💦

These are the moments we love - messy, silly, memorable, and full of childhood joy. ❤️

Here’s to one more summer adventure before a brand-new school year begins! 🎉

05/22/2026

After 11 years, the “Hatheway Era” officially comes to an end.

There are families who enroll, and then there are families who leave footprints on your heart forever. The Hatheways are one of those families.

Watching the last Hatheway walk out these doors today feels emotional in the very best way - because what a privilege it has been to be part of their village.

To the Hatheway family: thank you for allowing us to love your children like our own. Thank you for the years of support, friendship, and memories that will stay part of this place long after today.

The end of an era… but never the end of the impact your family made here.

05/20/2026

Today’s recess adventure included one very tiny special guest. 🐸

What started as outdoor play quickly turned into a lesson in curiosity, gentleness, and wonder. The children gathered around carefully, asking questions, taking turns looking, and celebrating their little frog friend like it was the biggest discovery in the world.

These are the moments childhood should be made of:
Dirty hands.
Big imaginations.
Fresh air.
And excitement over the little things.

Sometimes the best learning happens when we simply pause long enough to notice nature hopping by.