Apples

One of the snacks today was apples. As simple as they are, the daycare kiddos always seem to think these are just about the best snack out there. Today we talked about some sensory concepts using apples.

We also did an exercise where we visualized an apple tree growing inside us. How big and tall and strong it would be, and how big and tall and strong it would make us. This was tied into our nutrition discussion as well. 

For sensory, the kids talked about their apples being sweet, and not spicy. They were cold, but could be hot if they were in a pie. And I've lost my train of thought because now I want to bake an apple pie... lol

Look What The Cat Dragged In!

Literally. The cat dragged in a praying mantis yesterday. I found her 'playing' with it in the kitchen and was able to rescue it before any serious damage was inflicted. :-)

A treat for the daycare kiddos to get to see and hold the mantis. I loved that not one of them was shy about getting closer to it.

Alex (professional hand model) coaxing the mantis to the branch.

When we were done investigating, we realized replacing it in the backyard would mean certain death as soon as the cats or dogs went back out. 

We thought the front entry bushes seemed like a nice safe place to relocate the mantis.

Have a good life, Manty!

October 2012- Children's Toy & Clothing Recalls

• Disney Character Fleece Hoodie & T-Shirt sets- sold only at Target stores. Hazard: The surface coating on the zipper of the fleece hoodie and t-shirt sets contain excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

• Graco Wooden Highchairs. Hazard: The high chair's seat can loosen or detach from the base, posing a fall hazard to the child.

• Cyclone Swing Seats. Hazard: The plastic swing seats can break during use, posing a fall hazard to children.

Traffic Safety for Biking & Walking

Now that our days are shorter and it's getting darker sooner in the evening, it's good to be safe and take reasonable precautions when walking or biking after dark. 

Stay safe!

Trusting Our Kids to Learn! ~Unschooling Video

I love this video! 

A wonderful presentation on curious based, and trust based learning from an intelligent perspective. 

Our October 2012 Visit to Hop 2 It

How Alex, the daycare kiddos and I spent our afternoon :-)

Throwing Kisses- The End!

Rhyme Time at the Library

For the little ones who attend on Mondays we often get to make it to the library's Rhyme Time. It's a half hour story time with two or three rhyming books, with some hand claps, feet stomps and songs worked in. Alex loves this time because he gets the rest of the downstairs library to himself usually, as all the kids are in here. So he brings a pile of books and spreads out to read to his little heart's desire.

Getting ready for story time... Taytum goes right up to the storyteller to be her assistant.

Today's theme was about dragons!

Here we are doing a ditty about dragons.

At the end the storyteller hands out coloring pages with a dragon on it, and thanks Taytum for being her helper.

Then we mingle in the puzzle room for a bit afterwards (aka the after party). 

Going up! The elevator ride is the best part!

If you want to be a dragon song...