It was another chilly morning at GS but that didn’t stop anyone from going outside and making the best of the cold! Annabelle and Theo were my 2 early birds, along with pre-tot and primary friends, we marched outside, with Ms Arielle to explore and learn about the outdoors! Theo invited me onto the “boat” to go visit our friend, Harvey Moon, while Annabelle sat on the log and finished up her breakfast! We waited on our other classmates and Ms Jackie to arrive then made our way inside for snack. It was quick morning, as everyone gobbled up there blackberries and grapes, and were eager to get back outside. We washed hands and marched out, bringing along with us books, tracks, cars, trains and diggers to explore in the outdoors. Ivy, Ben, Asher, Joey, and Paislie all sat on the grassy knoll stacking, lining up, and knocking down the blocks with their cars and diggers! Theo found the bigger green garbage truck and made his way over to “haul” blocks in his truck, While Annabelle “flew” over with her helicopter, asking for a different vehicle to use. We ventured around the playground looking for more materials to stack and drive our cars on and that’s when we found the big, green half-pipe. We took it back to the hill and started to take turns rolling cars and balls down the pipe. Each friend sat patiently til it was their turn to roll something down, all watching to see if their car was going to flip over or roll down, while a friend waited at the bottom to catch the cars. This went on and on, while some others friends left to explore something else. I asked if anyone would like to help water the garden, and Annabelle and Ben quickly said they would, while Paislie, Asher, Theo and Ivy found different containers to fill up with water. Once we were all down, we marched inside for lunch and nap.

After nap, most friends were eager to get to different stations and work on/with different materials. They explored until Ms Leona made her way in for Spanish. Everyone found a seat on the carpet, while Ms Leona set up her poster boards and got ready to start! We started with “Hola” song, then ms Leona brought her shakers, and got ready for some “Hokey Pokey” in Spanish. They all took their shakers and shook them as much as possible, having so much fun during the dance party. WE said our goodbyes and sat for snack. Those who were all done first, got shoes on and marched out to enjoy the beautiful afternoon, with our pre-tot and primary friends!

Much Love

Dom and Jackie 

When I got to school this morning, I stuck my head out the window to see all our kiddos huddled under the dome! They were busy shooting a fun music video that Cherokee is putting together, where the classes will be featured doing every day activities! So much fun! Well, I guess the huddle made for some warmth, too, as this morning it was soooo cold! We came in early to begin our snack and wash up. Had a lovely circle time where we repeated yesterday's fun book Racecar Alphabet. Every one seems to be into this book. We all practiced driving (moving our hands on the steering wheel) honking (pushing our hand forward and saying beep beep) and turning on and off our head lights (opening and closing our hands). These guys are great drivers! We sang a few songs and quickly moved foward to our snow man creations using cotton balls! Teo was interested in shredding the balls, Theo made a big pile out of his, Paislie was busy picking off small pieces of cotton from her sticky hands, Joey had fun putting the top hat at the top of his snow man, and Alanna was just excited to peel off stickers and put them on her shirt. Jasper was interested in putting the cotton balls on his head, Asher was quickly ready to be all done, Wren was having a sensory experience, seeing how soft the cotton was, and Ivy of course, had her little focus face on and was really into the project. We continued with our projects as we got our jackets on and headed outside to search for small twigs that we will glue to our snowman. Then, some fun fun free-play, and every one came in for lunch and nap.

 Every one fell asleep a little later than usual, so we woke up a little later, had some free-play and dance party, ate, and got dressed to go outside!

IT was a happy Monday as all my friends arrived; glad to be back from their Thanksgiving break! As friends arrived, we talked about their thanksgiving and all the fun they had with mom, dad, and other family who were here to celebrate! As soon as Jackie arrived we marched inside for snack and circle time! Jackie brought out the “Race Car Alphabet Book” and found a seat on the carpet, as friends were all done and washed their hands; they made their way to the carpet. Everyone was entranced as Jackie went through each letter, telling the story, which used words that began with the letters of the Alphabet, it was fun and we even started a game, of naming the letters! Once she was all done, we looked at the different race cars, naming them and their colors. Our friend, Ben, was also very excited, because he brought a digger from home to show and share with his friends. And as we got outside, Ben approached Gage, our pre tot friend, and showed him the digger, and how it worked! So cute!  We then talked about our community at Green Sprout and how we can all help out! I had several friends ask to help water the garden, and explained to them that that are in fact a way to help out! They found cups, buckets, watering cans, and about almost anything you could put water in to help water the garden, plants, and trees. We also talked about picking up trash to help our community and environment stay clean! We soon marched in for hand washing, lunch, and nap.

After nap, friends sat on the potty, had cuddles, and found fun books to read. They all soon found their place at the table for some water painting art! Annabelle, Koichi, Alanna, Paislie, Ivy, and Ben all sat at one table, while Wren, Teo, Theo, Jasper, Joey, and Asher sat at the other. They sat, focused, on their painting and paint brush. Ben and Koichi sharing colors, using brown, black, and green, While Wren discovered how much more interesting it is to use his fingers. Ivy drew lots of blue circles, Alanna and Annabelle explored all of the colors, and Paislie felt the need for a little face paint J  They sat working busy for quite a while before most friends said all done, and washed their hands ready for some snack. We sat and had snack, then got our shoes on. We marched outside for free play/pick up!

Much Love

Dom and Jackie

'Twas a wonderful morning with lots of smiling faces and climbing legs and feet! Ivy, Asher, Paislie, Wren, and especially Jasper were especially interested in swinging around the dome. We noticed Jasper has mastered the independent climb to the first level of the dome; way to go! Wren busied himself up climbing the slide in the sandbox in an attempt to reach the green lantern which we've noticed, each day, he's had his eye on. Annabelle found her favorite wheel and went for a drive with HeeHee, her imaginary friend who constantly changes colors! We started passing out bubbles and Asher was among the first to start blowin' away many small bubbles. Teo was quick to get some bubbles too, and he had fun with those as well. Wren, Jasper, Ivy, Theo, and Paislie also got a hold of some bubbles and started blowing away. We brought the radio outside to, of course, have an awesome Yo Gaba Gaba dance party. Ivy and Jasper were all over it, and Jasper danced for a very long time. We had an outdoor picnic and ate apples and oranges. Then, we sang a couple of songs and started an art project. We taped pieces of construction paper (thank you Teo, Ivy, and Annabelle, for helping set up!) and each got a paintbrush to paint with. Annabelle decided she preferred to observe while friends gathered around making their little masterpieces in the hot sun. Leina helped Asher paint his! When asked, what did you paint? Theo said "I paint paint," Ivy said "I paint Ivy's," Wren said "Orange and brown and yellow," Paislie said, "Turtle!" Teo said "Paint" After every one was done, Paislie, Teo, and Ivy noticed a beetle who got painted red. We took a pic of him and set him free, (well, I think Ivy and Teo got a hold of him again, and his future wasn't too bright!).

We had an awesome start to our short holiday week with some fun dance parties and exploration outside! We welcomed Theo back from his vacation, and talked about how today was a special day for one of our friends, Asher, because it was his 2nd birthday! We continued our exploration out by the garden, where we found some roly polies! Teo, Paislie, and Theo all wanted to hold them, and asked nicely and waited patiently! We rounded out our exploration with some gross motor practice and group work! Jasper, Ivy, Asher, Teo, Paislie and Theo all helped pick up the long black pipe and together, walked with it across the playground! Impressive! We soon made our way in for hand washing, lunch, and nap. 

After nap, we routinely changed diapers, had milk and cuddled! Friends broke off into stations before it was time to clean up and sit down to sing Asher happy birthday and have a birthday cupcake! We brought Leina (Asher's sister) in to join us in singing happy birthday! After we sang Happy Birthday, everyone dug into their cupcake! once everyone was all done, we got shoes on, marched outside to enjoy the beautiful afternoon!

Much Love
Dom and Jackie

It was a fabulously cool morning. We all enjoyed the weather and talked about how cold it's been getting! We decided to have a picnic, and then a huge dance-til-you-drop Yo Gaba Gaba Dance Party! This went on for an extended period of time, and every one had a blast. Then, we had a fun circle time where we all found a beat, and sang the days of the week and If You're Happy and You Know it and read the book "Me, Too!" We headed inside for lunch and nap. When we got up, we had a  fun snuggle party! We parted ways for some free-time while some of our friends finished the turkey's every one's been working on. We had some fun music time, and sang the Happy Birthday song to every one in the classroom! After second snack, every one headed outside with cars and construction trucks to dig sand in the sensory table. It was a great Friday! Enjoy the pics!

we started the day outdoors, most friends had a hard time letting go of mom or dad, but when i asked if they wanted to help water the garden, they all found cups or buckets to fill with water and take to the garden! Teo, Alanna, and Asher were all great helpers, and helped give the flowers and vegetables some love! :)  Ms Jackie came out with a book, and all my primary, toddler, and pre-tot friends sat to hear it! Ivy wanted to see the pictures up close, so after Jackie was done, Ivy sat quietly examining each picture as the book was about a baby, and Ivy is expecting a baby sister or brother soon!! I brought Ivy and Jasper in, as they were not here to work on their Turkeys, i had them glue feathers, pom-poms for eyes, and a orange triangle for a nose! we marched back out to meet our friends, then we marched in for lunch and nap! 

we woke up from nap and started our routine; milk, potty, books and cuddles! :) by the time we knew it, it was time to wash hands and get ready to sit for snack and Ms Leona, everyone sat and ate, while listening to Leona, then it was time for the bells! all of our friends got up and found a sit on the carpet, as we sang "hermano Juan", which we interchange "juan" with our friends name, as they pretend to be sleeping! they all love to ring the bells, and waited till it was time to "wake them up" to ring it! We said our goodbyes, got shoes on, and made our way outside for exploration and free play! 

Much Love
Dom and Jackie

We started this beautiful Wednesday morning outside, everyone exploring the entire playground! Ben and Maya showed up and everyone loved Ben’s ELMO hat, Alanna and Miya rolled balls and other objects down the pipe, while Teo and Paislie hung out under the playscape exploring mulch and other things they found outside, in the sensory table. We all marched toward the gate, and waited for all the toddlers to make it over, so we could go in together! We marched in and most friends sat patiently while waiting to wash their hands. We had watermelon and multi grain cereal for snack. We soon broke into groups, Jackie taking half outside, while Koichi, Paislie, Ben, Teo, and Asher stayed in with me. Jackie had a fun circle time ourdoors with Annabelle, Alanna, Joey, and Wren. My friends who stayed in helped me do a quick clean up, then we began our lesson. Today we talked about our families, brothers and sisters, and grandparents. We read “Becoming a Big Sister”, then we practiced washing our dramatic play “babies”. Paislie, Ben, and Teo all found a towel and wet it. They gently rubbed it on the baby and said “wash baby”. Asher found a brush and gently washed his baby, Koichi observed, while putting his towel over his baby, gently patting it to sleep. J They all worked hard washing and drying the baby, and once everyone was “dry” we put them away, then made our way to the table for some Thanksgiving Art! We talked and looked at pictures of Turkeys, and looked through books to find some. I cut out brown circles; they got to add glue and feathers onto their paper. Teo and Ben really wanted blue, while Paislie and Asher chose different colors. Once my group was all done, they got ready to march outside, while the other group, Annabelle, Alanna, Wren, and Joey came in with me!  We again talked about our families, which was all prompted by the family collages. We made our way to the carpet, and practiced washing babies, like the first group! Annabelle observed for a bit, while Alanna and Joey washed and covered their babies, and Wren gently brushed his baby. We dried the babies, then made our way to the table. They were very excited when I brought the feathers and glue out. They each chose a handful, then added glue to their brown paper, and pat-pat-patted the feathers down. Once they each thought their Turkeys had enough feathers, we marched back out to join the class, and transition inside for lunch and nap!

After nap, we all cuddled on the carpet, while Asher, Ben, and Wren sat on the potty. Asher was so excited about his poop on the potty, while Ben and Wren chit-chatted with each other while sitting. They said “all done” and got a fresh diaper on! We brought over the cars and our mini machines, which are a big hit! And everyone drove theirs around, while friends got diapers and pants on! They broke off into stations, exploring the Kitchen, atelier, construction area, and book nook! It was no time before Joey and Alanna made their way to the table with the liquid/eye dropper lesson. Ms Jackie sat and demonstrated how to use each material, she mixed the colors together and they were in awe! J When it was their turn, their new found skill became focus time and they spent 20 mins mixing colors, adding colors, and observing the changes. While they were busy, Ben, Asher, and Teo found another lesson, which has them putting straws in holes counting up to 15! They all worked together and got all the straws in! Wren was busy in the book nook with his “digler”, while Annabelle and Paislie were doodling at the Art station! We worked for a few more minutes before making our way to the tables for Spanish and snack! Ms Leona made her way in, midway snack and began singing! Most friends tried to stay in their seat but couldn’t resist the dancing bug and joined in with Leona and Jackie! We sang “Adios” and washed hands! We got shoes on, and headed outside for free play and pick-up! It was a busy ending to a great day!


 Much Love
 Dom and Jackie

We had a fantastic beginning of day outside in the cold weather. It was fun to talk about jackets, boots and being bundled up. We weren't outside for long before we came in to eat some apples. We washed hands and had a chance to draw on some dark paper with chalk. Not every one participated, but Jasper, Alanna, Ivy, Teo, and Paislie were certainly interested. I asked them all what they were drawing and wrote the titles to their pieces on their paper. Jasper was drawing "Daddy, Mommy, Daddy," Teo's is "untitled" as he wasn't interested in giving a title, Ivy's was "Purple" Paislie's was "Pink," and Alanna's was "Mommy, Daddy".  Meanwhile, Asher, Wren and Asher were very busy constructing things with the diggers and taking turns trading cars and making driving noises. We went outside once more and heard the fire alarm for a fire drill! Our kiddos knew just what to do and most of them ran straight for the gates! We counted heads and marched outside to sit in the parking lot. While we were out there, we had a quick circle time, singing name songs, and especially the Wheels on the Bus, to which many of our friends did all the motions! We went back for just a few more minutes of play, and every one was crazy about the kangaroo climber. With a little guidance, they took turns going in and out, and sliding down the slide, patiently waiting for turns (oh, how this takes practice!). All this activity must've really taken it out of them, they were soon ready to go in for lunch! While eating, we picked out a book, and read Cordouroy. We talked about teddy bears and saving up allowance money to buy something at the store. What a great morning!

After nap, every one had inflated hand balloons (latex gloves!) to decorate, and boy did they get busy! Enjoy the pics! We had free-play/dance party, and finally headed outside to water the garden and end the day!

Love,
Jackie and Dom

We started our usual Monday early in the morning. The kids really seemed to enjoy this weather today, as some of our guys felt they absolutely did not need a sweater! We spent a little extra time outside, and finally went in for snack. We went out again and had a circle time on the grassy knoll looking up at the blue sky. We sang what's the weather and talked about how cold it is and how clear the skies were today! It wasn't long before every one went their separate ways, playing house in the kangaroo climber and taking turns capturing each other in hula hoops! We went in for lunch and talked about what foods we were all eating. We washed up, read books, and snuggled up for nap (what fantastic weather for this!)

After nap, we got up and did some free-play, and then went to the tables for some water coloring fun. Every one made beautiful pieces; you can see them hung up on the wall. We had some more time at centers, and counting activities and trucks remain a hit. It was an easy-going Monday with lots of cooperative play.