Two Questions!

[jenn]

Our neighbor used a large plastic kids pool and filed it with sand. It's actually a sand/pea gravel mix. She covers it with a fitted sheet when not in use. That keeps animals out, but it does still allow it to get wet. I like raised sand/water tables.
I had one child with a strawberry allergy. I just didn't serve strawberries when he was here. Easy fix.
I now have one with a diagnosed milk allergy and the family is vegan. I had them get a doctors note explaining his allergy and family preferences as vegans, just to cover myself with licensing. I have them provide his "milk", but it must be brought to me store bought and sealed. He eats lunch and snacks here. He eats our fruits, veggies, and breads/grains. They provide his protein. (Usually beans. lentils, or tofu) Again, it must be store bought and sealed when they bring it to me. When I am running low on something, I let them know and they bring it the next day.

[debbiedoeszip]

Our neighbor used a large plastic kids pool and filed it with sand. It's actually a sand/pea gravel mix. She covers it with a fitted sheet when not in use. That keeps animals out, but it does still allow it to get wet. I like raised sand/water tables.
I had one child with a strawberry allergy. I just didn't serve strawberries when he was here. Easy fix.
I now have one with a diagnosed milk allergy and the family is vegan. I had them get a doctors note explaining his allergy and family preferences as vegans, just to cover myself with licensing. I have them provide his "milk", but it must be brought to me store bought and sealed. He eats lunch and snacks here. He eats our fruits, veggies, and breads/grains. They provide his protein. (Usually beans. lentils, or tofu) Again, it must be store bought and sealed when they bring it to me. When I am running low on something, I let them know and they bring it the next day.

I'm not sure that I'm willing to accommodate a diet (different from the one I'm providing) that isn't medically necessary or religion based. A vegan or vegetarian family may have to find another provider.

That being said, I won't be the food police. I'll likely put a little of everything on each child's plate, but it's up to them what they eat (barring medical/religious reason not to eat it). If they don't eat the meat/fish/poultry/dairy/eggs then that is their choice. I'll likely have several vegetarian meals/snacks thrown in every month anyway.

I love the pool idea. I'm totally going to use one for the gravel box, and I'll likely also have another one filled with "ball pit" balls.

[CraftyMom]

My dck's love the sandbox! Hours of entertainment!

We don't have issues with cats or insects.

I rake it often.

You can find some tips on pinterest for sandboxes, such as cinnamon to keep insects out

A covered sandbox is your best bet

If all else fails, water table or tote box full of sand would be just as fun, something you can put away to keep cats and insects out.

Our state regs do not allow rocks for play...choking hazard.

Not only that, we have rocks surrounding our above ground pool and they are a magnet for the kids, but all they want to do is throw them and put them in their mouths!

[KiddieCahoots]

I'm not sure that I'm willing to accommodate a diet (different from the one I'm providing) that isn't medically necessary or religion based. A vegan or vegetarian family may have to find another provider.

That being said, I won't be the food police. I'll likely put a little of everything on each child's plate, but it's up to them what they eat (barring medical/religious reason not to eat it). If they don't eat the meat/fish/poultry/dairy/eggs then that is their choice. I'll likely have several vegetarian meals/snacks thrown in every month anyway.

I love the pool idea. I'm totally going to use one for the gravel box, and I'll likely also have another one filled with "ball pit" balls.

Funny story.....
Had a ball pit. Found out the hard way, potty training children should use the potty prior to using the ball pit
Once I discovered the wet bottom of the potty goer, hahaha, had to try and get the others out of the ball pit...fast. The children thought I was playing with them, and kept diving past me back into the ball pit.
What a mess!
Hindsight.... can laugh about it now ::

[debbiedoeszip]

Funny story.....
Had a ball pit. Found out the hard way, potty training children should use the potty prior to using the ball pit
Once I discovered the wet bottom of the potty goer, hahaha, had to try and get the others out of the ball pit...fast. The children thought I was playing with them, and kept diving past me back into the ball pit.
What a mess!
Hindsight.... can laugh about it now ::

OMG, I LOLed. But also EWWWW! Yeah, I'll keep that in mind.

[TwinKristi]

I have a DCB who may be Gluten-intolerant so we have been replacing his grains with GF versions. Instead of flour tortillas for quesadillas I do corn tortillas, instead of graham crackers they make GF bunny grahams. Instead of Ritz crackers I give him some PopChips or GF crackers. They make GF cereals like Chex. I stopped buying frozen nuggets (they were the hormone, antibiotic, GMO free) and make my own. They make a lot of GF items now so we just use those. It's more expensive than regular stuff but only 1 kid eats it and I just limit the items I serve with gluten in it now and replace it with something that's GF.

The sandbox is a PITB! I had the wonderful idea of getting one for the kids and almost shot myself by the weekend!! It was a holy mess!! I put it outside our play area for my DS only or maybe on a special event I will bring it in. A dirt box... No. I wouldn't even go there. Dirt is just too dirty, everyone will be a dirty muddy mess!

[butterfly]

I agree with everyone on the sand box ideas...

On the food question: I have literally 1/2 of my dcks with food allergies. I am willing to accommodate their needs. I myself have food allergies (gluten and dairy) so I'm well aware how to meet those needs. HOWEVER, I am not willing to make everyone a special meal. I plan according to the allergies that I have and everyone eats the same meal. I think it's very doable to make your meals ahead (I don't, but it's doable.) and serve everyone the same thing. I currently serve everyone dairy free/nut free meals and snacks.