It's Monday!

Today is going well for a Monday. Michael and Connor ate breakfast and had some free-play time and then I set them up at the table to work with play dough. After play dough time I read books and we did singing and dance time. I let the kids play Lego's while I got us ready for our errands outing.

I needed to find some white T-Shirts for an art project with a friend this week, and I couldn't find any white T-Shirts at the Thrift Store, Consignment Shop or Fred Meyer (in Size 2T or 3T). I'll have to go out again tonight to check out WalMart and Joanne's. We did our shopping and found some toys at the Thrift Shop (see picture of Michael playing with his new army cars and bridge). I found a really neat chunky wooden toy puzzle for Connor.

When we got home I fixed the kids lunch while Michael and Connor played with their new toys. After lunch the boys played walkie-talkie while I cleaned up and I put Connor down for a nap. Michael is having some 'quiet' time and then I'll let him watch some Signing Time a little later.

Menu for Monday, October 27

Breakfast

Cinnamon Toast, Banana Slices, Milk

Lunch

Homemade Mac n' Cheese with whole wheat noodles, Baby Carrots, Juice

Snacks

Animal Crackers

Fruit Leather

Pear and Apple Slices

Today went by fast...

The kids played together very well today. I set Michael and Kolby up with some arts and crafts and then played with Connor and Makayla. We sang songs and played with musical toys, watched some Signing Time and played legos as well. The kids ate lunch and then Connor and Makayla took a three hour nap - both falling asleep and waking together. Michael did not nap, Kolby was tired this afternoon and just relaxed on the couch so I put on 'The Incredibles' for them while the younger kids were napping. Michael didn't last only half thru the movie then got out the crayons, paper and stencils. When Connor and Makayla woke the kids all had snack and then I did their hand prints in play dough.

Menu for Friday, October 25

Breakfast

Cereal, Grapes, Milk

Lunch

Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches, Apple Slices, Mini Carrots, Juice

Snacks

Annie's Cheddar Bunnies (Crackers)

Pear Slices

Fun, Fun and more Fun!

We had a lot of inside activities Thursday due to the gale-force wind and rain winding thru the valley.

The boys played a lot of play dough, made paper bag bats, painted wooden animals for Christmas Tree ornaments, played with Mr. Potato Head and practiced tracing the Alphabet on wipe off boards.

The little ones and I read books, danced and sang songs.

We all watched Signing Time to review some sign language

Everyone had fun playing with the laundry baskets as well, Michael Jr. was pretending he was Rocket from Little Einsteins and Connor was pushing him around.

Menu for Thursday, October 23

Breakfast

Eggs (made to order), Toast, Grapes, Milk

Lunch

Dinosaur Cheese Sandwich, Apple Sauce, Mini Carrots, Juice

Snacks

Fruit Leather

Animal Crackers

Pre-School Day

Once a month I host a 'Pre-School' day, rotating with three other mothers, from 10am - 1pm. The kids all bring their own lunch boxes and we let the kids have a play date and do something educational.



When I host the 'Pre-School' day I like to focus on sign language, and I use Signing Time videos as part of my lesson: http://www.signingtime.com/. I also like to incorporate arts and crafts projects. The theme today was 'On the Farm' and learning signs for farm animals. The kids made a puppet mouse and colored farm animals. I printed these out from http://www.dltk-kids.com/.

Menu for Tuesday, October 21

Breakfast

Scrambled Eggs, Toast, Milk

Lunch

Hot Dogs, Sweet Potatoes, Apple Slices, Carrot Slices

Snacks

Grapes

Fruit Leather

Animal Crackers

Art Projects

Today the kids did two different art projects. The first was painting animal shapes for ornaments and the second was making coasters with tiles and wall paper cut-outs. They had a lot of fun!

A Full Day

Today the kids all ate well. This morning Gilian, Michael and Connor played with play dough. This weekend I scored on some crafty items and play dough toys at a few garage sales. After play dough and snack the kids went outside for about half an hour - it wasn't too cold, but with the kids playing in the water it makes their little hands so cold, no one complained about coming inside. After everyone dressed down out of their rain gear it was free play while I put lunch together. After lunch Michael and Gillian worked on some art projects and then practiced tracing the Alphabet on the dry erase boards. We then sang songs and danced around the living room floor and read some stories. I put Connor down first and then read Cinderella and Bambi to Gilian and Michael. Michael was over tired and really had a hard time today, up and down, up and down on and off the couch so I ended up putting him in 'time-out' a few times then just ended up putting him in his own bed in his bedroom. Right now all the kids are still napping. They all played hard today, so I hope they all sleep for a little while longer. We'll probably watch Signing Time when they wake up.

Menu for Monday, October 20

Breakfast

Peanut Butter Toast with Honey, Banana, Milk

Lunch

Chicken Nuggets, Apple Slices, Carrot Slices, Juice

Snacks

Grapes

Fruit Leather

Animal Crackers

Picture Frames and Playing 'House'

Thursday was a good day. The kids had fun with painting photo frames and paper bags for wrapping paper to give to their parents. They also had a good time playing 'house' and putting diapers on the stuffed animals and laying them down to sleep in baskets.

Menu for Thursday, October 16

Breakfast

Scrambled Eggs, Toast, Milk

Lunch

Chicken Noodle Soup with Animal Shaped Rice Noodles and Carrots and Celery, Crackers and Cheese (non-dairy cheese is available too), Juice

Snacks

Apple Slices

Banana

Animal Crackers

ABC's and Pumpkins

I'm part of a group that shares in 'Pre-School' activities once a month on Wednesdays. Michael and Gilian went to Rachel's home and learned about pumpkins, came home with a little pumpkin and a 'Five Little Pumpkins' mini coloring book. http://www.dltk-teach.com/

When we got home I worked with the kids on tracing the alphabet with really neat wipe-able tablets, we're also working on spelling names - that's going to take some time!

We had some quiet time and the kids worked on puzzles and then I read two stories - Cinderella and Alice in Wonderland and they both ended up falling asleep - and they're still asleep. They must have really played hard today at Rachel's.

Menu for Wednesday, October 15

Breakfast

Pancakes with Maple Syrup, Bananas, Milk

Lunch

Dinosaur Peanut Butter Jelly Sandwich, Apple Sauce, Banana, Juice

Snacks

Fruit Leather

Animal Crackers

Art Project - Afternoon

An Off Day - Licensing Visits

Today was a little off than our regular days. Today I had a state child care licensing representative at the house to review me for compliance with the regulations. She showed up around 8am and left just before 1pm. So you can imagine the kids didn't get their regular scheduled day. It was a bit frustrating for all of us. The licensing representative had a checklist she needed to go thru and had questions for me and of course, the kids needed me so we could do our regular scheduled activities, it was quite the juggle. I'm glad it's over with!

This kids did get to play with play dough again today. That seems to be a winning activity. In the afternoon after quiet time the kids did a few different paint projects - first with sponges and paint and the second with 'dot' paint - the kind that you would find at bingo. The kids had a blast.

I had to do some grocery shopping (a very short list when you've got three kids to contend with) and I had to get some gas as well. Safeway is the only store that you can put three kids in a cart and they all have a seat.

I will post the art pictures in a little while after the kids go down. Right now I'm blogging in the bathroom with my kids in the tub, just praying that they don't splash too much and ruin my laptop. Connor screams bloody murder now when Michael takes anything away from him, however, he doesn't mind his brother dumping gallons of water over his head. Well that was a sight to see, Michael got shot in the face - Connor just peed in the tub. I'd better sign off now.

Menu for Tuesday, October 14

Breakfast

Peanut Butter Toast, Apple Sauce, Milk

Lunch

Hotdogs, Sweet Potoato Fries, Juice

Snacks

Pear Slices

Animal Crackers

Banana Bread

Afternoon Crafts and Activities

This afternoon after Gilian and Michael had some quiet time they worked on a few crafts, first they colored wood cut-outs. Gilian had a horse and Michael had a train. Then with the same play dough I made earlier I had them do hand prints. All you have to do is dry them in the oven on 200 degrees, and then lay them out to dry overnight.

We also took a walk to the duck pond and the kids had fun swinging and playing on the play ground equipment. On our walk back we picked up some leaves that had fallen and did some rubbings.

Activities

This morning before lunch the kids played outside a bit. As you well know with all this rain, our yard is like a sponge when you walk on it. Connor isn't as sturdy on his legs so I usually try to put him in a water-proof outfit. Michael and Gilian had fun as well - playing in the water!

While the kids were waiting for me to make their pizza (no cheese) for lunch they played with Lego's.

Later this afternoon, after they wake from their naps I'm hoping to do hand prints with some of the play dough that I made earlier this morning.

Arts & Crafts - Morning

I made up a batch of home made play dough and the kids (as I type this) are playing and making all sorts of things with it. Gilian is very verbal about her creations. I'm letting them use all of my cookie cutters and some non-sharpened pencils.

Here's the recipie that I have (from the Super Baby Food book by Ruth Yaron)

http://www.superbabyfood.com/

2 + cups white flour (non-self rising)

1/2 cup table salt

1 cup hot tap water

1 teaspoon cooking oil

glitter and food coloring optional

Mix all together in order, add additional flour if dough is too sticky. Kneed for 5 plus minutes and it's ready to use!

Make sure you don't dump this down your drains and that kids play with it in a non-carpeted area!

Store in plastic bags - so the dough doesn't get hard.

I chose to leave the play dough plain without colors or glitter.

Menu for Monday, October 13

Breakfast

Pancakes, Maple Syrup, Bananas, Milk

Lunch

Whole Wheat Pizza with vege and ham toppings, Popcorn, Juice

Snacks

Banana Bread

Fruit Leather

Today went by fast...

Today went by fast. The kids played a while in the morning and then we had to go out for errands. Tonight I'm going to a Ladies Retreat and I signed up to bring a salad and so we needed to go to the grocery store. Michael and Gillian 'drove' the cart at Safeway and were well behaved. After the grocery store we headed over to the Red Cross to find out what's going on with them canceling CPR & First Aid classes - it's the only thing I have left to become a 'Licensed Childcare Provider.' The kids took turns pressing the elevator buttons and left the office fairly intact. After that we went to the Church. Some of us ladies get together to do crafts while all our younger children get together and play, and I packed a lunch for the kids and they loved it. When we got home the kids went down for a nap. It still took Jr. a long time to go down, he's just not used to having company stay over during nap time. I'm sure it's a phase and he'll get thru it just fine. Gillian slept till 4:00. Then the kids did a crayon melting craft and Gillian's parent's picked her up early.

Menu for Friday, October 10

Breakfast

Pancakes with Maple Syrup, Bananas, Milk

Lunch

Peanut Butter and Honey Dinosaur Sandwich, Applesauce, Carrot Sticks, Popcorn, Juice

Snacks

Animal Crackers

Fruit Leather

Trampoline

After the art project the kids played on the trampoline and we made popcorn with the left over kernels that weren't glued down and then played outside for about half an hour.

Connor loves the trampoline so much, although he can't quite figure out how to jump yet, so he sits on the side while the other kids jump and has just as much fun without all the work!

Art Project - Afternoon Session

This time the kids glued popcorn kernels in the shape of the first letter of their names to a card that had pictures of themselves inside.

Naps

It took some time for all kids to go down for naps. Connor is teething and Michael and Gillian have some adjustment. Micheal's adjustment having someone else in the house and Gillian's in a new place. We started trying to go down around 12:30 and Michael and Connor finally fell asleep around 1:00 and Gillian didn't go down till 1:30 (but at least she stayed put and was quiet - compared to my movers and noise makers). Michael's picture was taken after he woke from his nap and Gillian's was taken while the boys were both awake and watching Signing Time - she's a good sleeper!