Thursday, August 30, 2012

Randoms Late Night Addition

 Gaby had a band parent meeting Monday night. She knew she wanted to try percussion. In order to play the drums they have to learn to read music on the bells. I love this. When we grew up in band, drummers didn't have to learn the notes- I am excited this is a part of her music education. We were very lucky that Gaby's uncle Ian played drums and had a bell and snare kit we can borrow for the year. Whew- one monthly experience we can spare. Thanks Ian.

I am over the moon excited that she is doing band. When we were at the high school listening to the teachers speak I thought back to my good ol' days in band, Yes, my inner music geek is coming out. I meet some of my best friends in band, I meet Dustin in band, and I had loved being a part of a tight group like band. I loved marching band, pep band, jazz band, and concert band. My confidence, my out going personality, and the ability to take on challenges came from situations and being pushed in high school music. I hope that Gaby will enjoy music as much as Dustin and I do.

We are still adjusting to school routine. Correction, I am still adjusting to the school routine. I try to have Gaby and Kadyn up and ready before daycare arrives. Some mornings are better then others. We have a bigger bus stop crew this year as well. So, Dustin is normally outside with the school kids while I stay inside with the younger peanuts. The last 20 minutes before the bus comes is quiet the sight.

This week we kicked off our Awana clubs at church. We have over 90 three to five year old's enrolled. I was able to meet some of them last night as well as their parents. It was such a motivation to see all the kids and their excitement. They were full of energy and it was certainly contagious. Next week is our first official club meeting. 

Next week also kicks off all the programs such imom, bible studies, and parents day out programs that we provide nursery for. I am excited to get these programs going again. I have a wonderful nursery staff I get to work with and I know the kids will thrive and hear God's word during their time in the nursery.

Earlier today Kendal was climbing up Kadyn's dresser trying to reach her earrings. The drawers were pulled out and the dresser tipped over. Luckily, the bed caught the dresser from landing on Kendal. However Kk's globe, piggy bank from her mema, and picture frame broke. The glass went everywhere. Mia's bed, clothing, and floor. I am rewashing all of Kk's clothing and bedding to make sure we have all the glass out.

Speaking of doing a lot of laundry... Kendal dumped all of her clean clothing on top of her dirty laundry. Then mixed them all together. So... I am washing all of her laundry. Needless to say I hate laundry, I hate laundry, I hate laundry.  I am so out numbered when it comes to laundry and I am so behind.  

I just got back from working out and am wide awake. I so did not want to go but my neighbor has been picking me up to help hold me accountable. So I went, and I was so glad I did. I have fallen off whatever roller coaster wagon I have been on.  I am trying to focus just on working out right now. I want to be consistent so that is my #1 focus right now. Next I will add my food tracking into the mix. We will see how it goes after that... 

Dustin is busy preparing to teach and online class this semester for Washburn Tech. It something he can do totally from home. It is a fun, exciting, new adventure for him.

My mom is moving out of of home and into an apartment. This is a huge change for our family. She isn't moving too hard away and the kids have already planned movie nights at Grammy's. I pray this is a great move for her and that our kids will adjust to not having Grammy living with us. It has been 7 years since she moved in with us. It is all our kids know. I am excited for the chance for my mom, I am happy that she'll have her space to make a "home". It is a bonus to gain our down stairs space back along with a large bedroom. We have so many plans in our head... one being daycare. We are toying with idea of moving Mia and Kendal together, Kadyn getting her own room, and moving daycare TOTALLY downstairs. We will see!!!


Monday I tried Aldi's. I had all my reusable sacks ready and my quarter for the cart. Let me just say I am a planner when it comes to the store. I have my meals, snacks, and coupons ready. Since I had no clue what Aldi's offer, I had nothing. I stocked up on easy breakfast items and snacks. Other then that, my trip was a bust. I was flustered, overwhelmed, and still needed to go to Walmart to finish the rest if my food shopping. It ended up costing more this week in time and money. I will stick to what I know which is Walmart, basic couponing, price matching, and meal planning.

I guess I should wrap this up. I still want to watch my Hollywood Heights on teen nick and clean the bathroom up. Did you know that my toilet was flushed over 32 times yesterday during daycare... crazy huh. Probably more crazy that I was keeping track...

Thanks for checking in... Happy almost Thursday!

Wednesday

 One of our new peanuts brought a book to read to her friends... 
 Mia thought it was her time to read her favorite book too...
 We are waiting for our big preschool kickoff in September, while we wait we have been finishing up our summer lessons, working on sharing, and reading about manners. Last years school theme was dinosaurs, this weekend I switch everything over to Under the Sea.

We are going on year 2 of using Funshine Express lessons. They are affordable, provide a tons of lessons and games, and keep us on track for our year of learning. I have no doubt we cover all the basic concepts needed to Kindergarten. I can't say enough about our lessons. Excited to start them up next week.
 My little wee ones playing together...

 We have been reading, "Chicka Chicka Boom Boom". Today we colored our cocoanut tree and glued foam letters. It was fun to hear the kids recite parts of the story. It is certainly a favorite of mine.
Hard little workers... Such a fun and spunky group we have this year.

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Thursday

 Today we worked on stamping. The kids love using the big stamp pads. Some kids stamped a lot of their papers, some stamped a lot of their arms...Hmmmm, KENNI.
 We worked on grabbing letter stamps and saying the letter name as we stamped.
 The younger ones said their colors...
We also had sticker/coloring for a center today. The kids love creating without being told what to make. They had some pretty pictures this morning. Some were for moms, teachers, and dogs!

Happy Thursday!!!

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Today during circle time we asked how old everyone was and charted it. After we made our chart, each child used a bingo doper to count out their age again.

Collection necklaces...take II. The first time our tissue paper wasn't sticking to our containers. Yesterday we tried it again and was successful. The kids were able to go outside and find something special to start "collecting".
Our preschool keepsakes.
Making our fun art...

We took pictures for our Cubbies. Yesterday I had lots of helpers as we laminated, cut, and posted our pictures. Everyone now has their own marked space.
Outside time... enjoying the awesome weather in the morning.

Trying to make our collection necklaces again...

We ended our morning with the parachute. Lots of giggles and laughs.

Happy Wednesday!

Monday, August 20, 2012

Monday Monday

 Working in teams to make block creations...
 The little peanuts playing around this AM
 It's always a good morning when we can get some play-doh in. They had a blast trading colors, using cookie cutters and making cool art.


 After play-doh we started our art projects. We are making "collector" necklaces. We are finishing them up after quiet time today.
It was a beautiful day. After I finished making lunch, we thought it would be fun to eat outside. So, we did. It was a great ending to our morning!

Happy Monday!

Pictures from last week...

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Sunday, August 19, 2012

Mia's 4th birthday


Our little Mia turned 4 on Wednesday. Saturday we had her "Sweet Treat" birthday party. 

We had awesome weather and where able to have most of her party outside. We sat up 75 cupcakes, 4 colors of frosting, and lots of sprinkles. Cupcake decorating time. 

As friends were coming, we played outside for a while... 

We had a cupcake pinata. 

Decorating...

Using some sprinkles... a lot of sprinkles.

Mia and her cake. Thank you Jan H. We loved it. 

We decorated cupcake boxes for all the yummy cupcakes. 

Mia enjoying her party and friends! 

Present time.

Thank you for an awesome party and making Mia's day a perfect one!