Friday, January 30, 2009

Funny Video

So the kids are on a pickle kick lately. They will ask for pickles almost every day (I don't even crave them that much!) I guess it is better then begging for candy or dessert. Holly and Hannah are the only ones who don't really like them. On Thursday, Holly asked for one. I had to take video of it because she actually ate two of them, making faces the whole time.
Yummy Pickles...

Music Class on Thursday

The kids learned a new song about Groundhogs and played rhythm sticks and with a parachute. They were a little hyper today but there were good spots too! Warmer weather will really help us! Nothing can really replace time outside, fresh air, and space to run.

Please check out videos of the kids singing and Nicole playing the guitar. Each child has a turn playing the guitar if they followed directions well in class. It is a nice way to end the class.

The Groundhog Song

Music Class is Over Song & Nicole Playing guitar.

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Snack time and snow time!

We had taco quesadillas and cheese & chips with salsa for snack today. I was surprised when all the kids ate the quesadillas, they were filled with hamburger, taco seasoning, black beans and cheese. Holly stuffed her cheeks so full, she looked like a chipmunk!

After snack, it was nice enough to go outside and play. The temperature was pretty cool but there was no wind and the sun was shining. The playhouse on the swing set was really icy and the boys were using it as a skating rink, spending most of the time landing on the ground.


Preschool Curriculum- Going to the Doctor

We have been learning about going to the doctor in our preschool curriculum. We have colored pages about all the different tools and things you see in a doctor's office. We also made our own little doctor's bags. We talked about things you see in a doctor's office and what they are used for- stethoscope, tongue depressors, etc. I asked each of the kids what they are used for. When we got to cotton balls, Mason said "you eat them." I laughed and told them they really don't taste good and we talked about what a doctor does do with them- alcohol wipes, stop bleeding, etc. It is amazing how much they do understand about the doctor's office!
We filled their little doctor bags with bandages, cotton balls, q-tips, and a tongue depressor.

Not all projects go home...

I ordered a new recliner/rocker for downstairs and we decided to turn the big box into a playhouse. The kids love playing in it! The most loved toys don't have to cost anything (ok, the chair was expensive but the box was free!). Today, we started putting shingles and siding on our house. It even has curtains! I am going to have the kids make some drawings/artwork for the walls. Haley & Hannah have been using it for a school house and reading to the kids in it. I am really glad we have the space for it now!

Reading time at the zoo- the school girls (Hannah, Haley, & Melanie) have been taking turns reading to the kids before nap time. There was no school on Monday or Tuesday. The younger kids get very excited to have them around. Myles loves having his buddy Josh here too!

What is on the wall and what are the kids playing with?

Ok, it looks funny, but it is a fun, creative, new toy: bendaroos. They are wax covered yarn. Silly but the kids love them. They are also called Wiki Stix- another brand name. They are kind of expensive for their simplicity but a quiet toy with no mess is priceless and they are re-usable! The art they make can be stunk to the wall or window, so if you notice funny things stuck to my wall it's the kids creations on display. Or if you see them playing with silly looking strings, they are bendaroos. Oh, they are nontoxic and don't taste like anything. They are also water proof if you happen to spill your drink on them. Yes, we have learned lots of things about them.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

It's a heat wave!

OK, it's not really a heat wave but the kids think it is. We can actually go outside and play! And it is forty degrees warmer this week then last week (-20 to 20)! We are hoping it gets even warmer tomorrow so we can build snowmen and take pictures of them!

Yesterday, we played outside in the morning. Today we played outside in the afternoon after nap time.

Lunch yesterday was homemade chicken noodle soup with lots of veggies, everyone ate it, some only ate the noodle but it's a start! Today we had hot dogs in buns, salad, alphabet shaped potatoes and pickles. It is a good thing I bought the gigantic jar of pickles from Sam's, the kids love pickles! Tomorrow is Spaghetti and homemade meatballs, the kids favorite!

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Musical Thursday

I thought I would share a picture & video from music class this morning. The kids really enjoy playing the instruments and singing. Today Kristin brought a wooden block and mallet and they sang "who's knocking on the door?"




Cold, Cold, Week

Tuesday, we played with play dough and made a fun mess. The kids liked it and no play dough was eaten! Usually someone has to try it- thankfully it is not toxic. It is not part of the food pyramid either but every kids tries it at some point.
Wednesday, we worked on scissors skills on our penguin cutouts. The kids are doing great with scissors. We did have a talk about how scissors are just for paper and we have to be careful with them.
Also, we had homemade beef barley stew for lunch and I was amazed how well the kids liked it. I have not made it for them before- it had beef, carrots, celery, potatoes, barley, and diced tomatoes. Everyone eat it, Hannah & Holly were not that enthusiastic about it but everyone else finished it.

Monday, January 12, 2009

Snowy Monday

The kids had a great time this morning shoveling off the driveway and pulling each other around in our little sleds. The temperature was fine in the morning so we enjoyed ourselves. The snow kept falling so you couldn't tell we had shoveled at all.

We will probably be inside for the rest of the week- the high tomorrow is 1 with a wind chill below zero. Too cold for the little ones. We will work on projects and have fun inside. Time to get the play dough, paints, and other super messy stuff out!



Friday, January 9, 2009

Penguins, Penguins, Penguins...

We are studying penguins in our Scholastic preschool curriculum for two weeks. This week we learned about how penguins have waxy feathers that keep them dry. The kids colored their own penguins with crayons, cut them out and experimented with spraying them with water. They were amazed at how the penguin stayed dry even though they sprayed it with water because the crayons are waxy like the penguins feathers. We are also reading books about penguins. Fun!

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Two for Tuesday

We had a small birthday party for Preston today- a little late but he didn't seem to mind. He doesn't like being the center of attention but he loved the cupcakes and opening his present. All the kids love birthdays or maybe it's the birthday cake they love!

Travel Tots Tuesday

Ms. Tee-our Travel Tots preschool teacher came today and the kids learned about a new country: France. They played games and dressed up and had a lot of fun. They really liked playing horseshoes, riding on the scooters, and drawing with chalk.



Welcome to 2009!

The kids were excited to get back to their "normal" daycare routine after the long holiday vacation. Kristie has been helping out over the holidays- we are going to miss her when she goes back to college this week. The good news is she has agreed to come back over the summer. She will be graduating in the Spring with a degree in Early Childhood Special Education and will be starting on her Master's degree in the fall. It has been wonderful to have an extra set of hands around and we are looking forward to an exciting Summer!