Today we played outside for 10 minutes after breakfast....and then the skies opened up and it rained the rest of the day! Since we couldn't play outside this afternoon, we opened up the Rainy Day Box, and got out the animal action books.

We learned our first letter today....Aa. We made an "A is for Apple" craft. Very simple...paper A with some apple stickers. But it helps them learn the "shape" of the letter, and begins the process of learning to write it. It also reinforces the sound. You will see one of these for most letters throughout the year.

I think the first week back in the "preschool" routine went fairly well. Since we don't have our big kids anymore, I have had to remember that I have a younger group, and back things up a bit. For example, I realized today that no one was going to guess that today was the 11th, and it didn't help to give the clue of what comes after 10. So instead of telling them, we found out the answer by counting the days so far in September. A few of them got it then!

It was wet...it was messy...and we all probably smell a bit fishy. But the kids had a blast! The intention was to have a bit of catch-and-release with the minnows and nets, but the next thing I knew, the hands had plunged into the water! It was a fun and different activity to enhance our pond and fishing theme.

Enjoy!

(Click link below for video)

http://s270.photobucket.com/albums/jj89/bevs_daycare/?action=view&current=IMGP1107.flv

How cute are there?!? I saw this idea a few months ago, and knew immediately we would have to work these in somewhere!

This was such a fun project! On Wednesday, we decorated the treat bags (dangit, it just occurred to me that I forgot to take pics of the finished product!). On Thursday, we colored the gift tags while we waited for Grandma to get here, because we all know that Bev wasn't going into a major baking project without Grandma!

The kids had a blast and are really good at this baking thing! Colby is an ace at egg-cracking! We didn't even have to pick out any eggshells like Bev usually has to! (Colby did ask if I got a picture, but unfortunately, I was too busy trying to help him, which he didn't need anyways.) He's also very good at measuring, pouring, cleaning blueberries, filling muffin cups, and supervising.

Brooklyn poured milk, put all the liners in the muffin pan, turning the oven on, and did an excellent job filling muffin cups. By the way, let the record show that I let her turn the oven on, not the stove. That one got me into a bit of trouble with Colby and his mom, haha!!

Aiden is also very good at cleaning blueberries, measuring, pouring. He even measured out the sour cream!

Peyton and Hadyn made some lovely cloth muffins over in their corner. 

Brennin did a superb job of overseeing the whole operation from his carseat.

I suddenly remembered that my camera does take video, so I captured a couple minutes of Brooklyn working hard at filling a muffin cup, Aiden was also at that task, and Colby stepped into supervise (he also had a couple turns at filling the cups).

(Look for more pictures in the Photo Gallery)

Peyton wanted to do some painting.

He even tried to hang up his apron.

The next time he went to the easel, I didn't bother with the apron. It distracted him too much from his painting, and I knew his mom wouldn't mind a little washable paint on the clothes.

I may have done this in the past, but I honestly can not remember having done so. Usually, when I put paint at the easel, they get some paint and paper and I just let them go at it. Painting at the easel is completely 100% free expression!

But, since we were having a Valentine's celebration, and every other activity I had set up had hearts incorporated into it, I decided to see what would happen if I drew a quick heart on the paper. I had to share this one in particular. It was quite unexpected!:

I had put out red, white, and hot pink paint. I was hoping for a bit of a learning experience and Colby came through for me! (Colby: Hey, look! Brooklyn made pink!).

It was a very fun, very messy day!

Our first change/improvement, or whatever you want to call it:

The end result, with some framing by Bev:

Ok, so I realize that I had just said that the little ones start doing art when they show an interest. Did they show an interest? No. But according to RFS, they should start doing art, even if it's just scribbling, at 12 months. It did occur to  me that before this latest bunch of little ones, I had started doing art sooner than I had with these guys. But then it was pointed out to me today that this is probably because when there is only one being left out, they show an interest a lot sooner. Peyton and Lyrik have always had each other to keep them occupied; therefore, no interest yet. 

But, those three one year olds had a good ol' time, and it was really no big deal to accomplish. Oh, and of course, Peyton and Lyrik did have to get a little competitive about the whole thing!  

So, apparently today was a fun day. I know this because I heard kids saying "this is so much fun" all day. However, they don't tell me this...they tell it to each other. Oh well, as long as I know they are having a good time.

This week is all about things with wheels. So, I got out the never before seen vehicle foam stampers. I'd been saving them for just the right time. Huge hit! You will find lots of proof of this in this month's art bag.

The big boys, while the others were still napping, had a car wash in the water table. They had a blast, and we have clean toys! Win-win!!