balloons and bubble week...

today we painted with all kinds of balloons... big ones, small ones, blues ones and tied dyed ones!
They made cool prints on our paper.

We also jumped all around catching bubbles using the bubble gun and bubble machine. Fun times had to stop when we ran out of bubble solution.

When the weather is not rainy, we get to go outside... the kids even get a baseball game going. We even use bases, a pitcher, and teams... these kids are serious about playing baseball!

Fun Friday...ice cream party!

Today for Fun Friday we had an ice cream party...
We had lots of candy, toppings, and syrups.

Everyone had their own bowl of ice cream and piled on their own toppings, we had some interesting creations for sure!

Some even turned it into a math activity but counting how many candies they had. One even sorted the candies out by colors...

But, after all the toppings were on, we enjoyed eating it all.

Friday's Favorite pictures

Kadyn (performing to L.O.V.E)

Gaby (performing to Freeze Frame)

Mia telling me that she has an "ewwwww" in her diaper. Aka poopy diaper.

After the recital... (Gaby's 2nd song was Firecracker)

random thoughts...

This week we have not been home one night. I kinda miss being at home and looking forward to an evening with no rushing around tomorrow (Friday). Well, besides going to Walmart... does that count?

Mia is almost 2 years. In her little life, we have never left her with anyone other then family. Wednesday night we had an excellent neighbor friend watching Mia so we could enjoy Gaby and Kadyn recital. I had such a hard time leaving her, mom guilt! Mia ended the night with the sitter by throwing up. Luckily, the recital was almost over so not much was missed. Thanks to my neighbors mom, Courtney, she came over and had Mia's mess cleaned up, bedding in the washer, and Mia changed! Thank you again!

Tonight I had Gaby and Kendal at G's softball practice. Kadyn and Mia were with Dustin at the ball diamonds for Kadyn's game. As Gaby practiced, I walked the parking lot at the local high school. It was nice! Kendal kept me company as she would coo and smile as we walked. After about an hour of lapping the same parking lot Kendal went to sleep and I had time to myself. Just walking, and thinking! Thinking and walking! Just a few moments but it was sure grand!

I love how Dustin tucks the girls into bed at night! Then after a few minutes they get out of bed, get water or a snack then asked to be tucked back in again. Even when D is tired and ready for bed as well, he will always walk the girls back down and tuck them into bed again! How blessed are they to have a daddy like that!

I feel like I am so behind lately! We have busier days at daycare (and with my girls being home) so I don't get as much done during nap time. Then with us on the go in the evenings I am just not keeping up! It is driving me crazy. Oh well... what can ya do?

My carpets are just a mess! I have toyed with getting new carpet or just getting my cleaned over and over. It really doesn't make sense to replace it right now since the new carpet would have so much wear and tear because of my job. So... I am calling my friends at Stanley's to come and work their magic and clean my dirty carpet! Ahhh, to have new carpet!

Gaby and Kadyn had their recital last night! I was so proud of my babies.I love watching them dance. I saw them up on stage and it really hit me how big they are getting. What a mom moment! Gaby performed two numbers and Kadyn did one. This was KK's second year and Gaby's first. Gaby isn't sure about dance for next year but Kadyn is already signed up.

We have so much trash for pick up today! I think it is worse then what it was at Christmas! I had all of my trash for all the new daycare stuff and swimming pool trash, and just household trash. Wow, we look bad today!

We are heading out to a Royals game this weekend. The younger 2 are staying home-again the mom guilt but I know they would not enjoy the game. I must say my mother in law is awesome. She is taking them for the day. I know we'll have fun and looking forward to it!

I guess that is enough rambling for now! Chat at ya later!

Today was a crazy day. But we still planted a garden!
Little Mia was not a 100%, so between making sure she was doing okay and activities, it was a crazy day. (Oh wait, I think I said that)

We have been doing some gardening activities this week. Today we planted an herb garden. As we planted everything, we tasted it too! We tried Rosemary, Thyme, and Basil.
Here we are getting the dirt ready...

Once I told the kids what we were doing, I was pushed out of the picture and my older kids took over...

Our finished garden. Now, we will all take turns taking care of our herbs and flowers!

On a side note, we had water play today! I had 2 cuties that were so excited that their swimsuits matched!

garden time...

Today we each colored a group of flowers. The kids cut them out and worked together to glue and decorate our paper garden. They made a sun, clouds, bugs and bees!

Our Garden...

We even had a birthday... lil A turns 1!!! She was so tired today and wouldn't smile for anything, here was my best shot!

Lil A's mom made the best birthday treats ever... frosted butterfly sugar cookies. We had a yummy treat and had fun signing happy birthday!

Another fun day!

random thoughts... daycare time

So this weekend, I totally messed my house up to get all of my "goodies" from my grant put away!

I am pretty sure at one point I wanted to set fire to my house but since there is a fire fighter that lives across the street, I thought that might not be a good idea.

Here is my mess on Saturday...

I rearranged the tables, cubbies, and toys at least 20 times trying to get the set up the right way. It really was getting frustrating!

Here is everything from my art closet. I purchased 30 clear bins to go into my cool storage ( that isn't here yet). I went ahead and organized everything and got it ready to go for when the closet storage is delivered.

Here is one of the "final" pictures. I love the cubbies that are stocked full of new games, learning materials, and science/math activities. We had a fun morning pulling activities out, going over where it goes, and some basic rules since everything is so new!

Our routine has changed a little... nap time break just doesn't happen for me as I have older ones in care. They are good, but don't take naps. We are exploring new things everyday to see what works best.

My little nappers are sleeping aka "camping out" in Mia's room for the next month or so. This way my big kids can still play and do activities and my little kids can still get their much needed naps. I have a monitor in there and do lots of checks to make sure they are sleeping!

We are working on new table routines as well... the kids help pass out plates. Once the food is out, we pass around the folks and spoon holder. Each kid has a cup ( w/ new cool labels-thanks Carolyn) that they come and get and bring to their spot as well. They have loved helping during lunch time and having jobs to do.

This week we start water play!!! It is a lot of work but so much fun! The kids love it and it wears the little ones out. We are starting it tomorrow and Thursday as long as the weather holds up. I have a brand new slip and slide calling our name!

We have started summer theme days. Last week we had Field Day Friday this week were are having terrific treat Thursday. I can't wait!

Look for more updates as we make more changes to daycare!