Today was one tough day! How did we get such a yucky day? Yesterday morning my Joshie fell outside and cracked his head open. (Matt came running inside carrying Josh-- BLOOD ALL OVER!!) We took him to the clinic where he ended up getting 3 staples in the back of his head. So trying to keep Josh down and the two Alexs from jumping or running by my Joshie has been quite the task. The two Alexs are boys who are four, rambunctious, and physical which is fine except for this week when Josh has a head wound. Add to that one baby with a ouchie diaper rash and another baby who is making a career out of being attached to Mommy (that would be baby Ava) and the rain so we all had to stay inside and that is one rough day! When Matt and I decided to let the kids come today I didn't think about it being so rough because I didn't realize how much one person touches the back of their head. Josh couldn't sit on the couch to watch Baby Signing Time, he couldn't eat at the table because is head kept brushing up against his chair, he couldn't play Batman dress ups since the clothes rubbed on the back of his head when he put the costume on and off. He couldn't sit at the table for our art project. Man! I'm going to think tonight and come up with some non-head-touching activities for the rest of the week.
We ended up sitting in a circle on the floor for our art project which was a pizza shaped puzzle. We colored sauce, crust, cheese and our favorite toppings and chopped it into bits for pizza. We traded puzzles and sang a song about pizza.
We started a new Baby Signing Time DVD today. I was hoping it would keep the older boys calmer since they've never seen it. It included the signs for emotions so watch out for happy (hand moves up from chest towards face) and sad (two pointer fingers trace the path of a tear on cheeks) . It also has the signs for hot (one hand in a claw shape moves from the mouth towards the shoulder) and cold (arms near body with hands in fists, shaking). From our sign language book we're learning the signs for game, share, help and music.
We didn't do much today because it seemed someone or another was sad most of the day and I just spent a lot of time reassuring my kiddos they were okay. I know tomorrow will be better!
On a positive note: Tyler sang the tune of ABC's with us when we sang it in preschool and Kiara was walking around singing the Baby Signing Time Theme (Baby, Baby, Baby Signing Time). CUTE!!
Monday, August 30, 2010
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Marshmallow Test
The boys are doing Spiderman and Cars puzzles at the table. Kiara is playing with Ava's new laptop. Miss Ava is still napping. The house is surprisingly quiet for the middle of the day.
We started our day with oatmeal and fresh blueberries. After breakfast the boys jumped off the chair in the bedroom saying (you'll never believe this) "I'M BUZZ LIGHTYEAR! TO INFINITY AND BEYOND!" They chased each other around the living room as Woody, Slinky Dog, New Buzz and Old Buzz.
Kiara and I sat together and sang B-I-N-G-O this morning and played peek-a-boo. She's so cute!
While the girls and Tyler slept the older boys did what scientists have called "The Marshmallow Test" A four year old child is given a marshmallow (I didn't have any marshmallows so we used whopper candies) and you tell the child "You can have this one now or you can wait for me to come back and if the marshmallow (whopper) is still here I'll give you two" Then the adult leaves for a few minutes leaving the child and candy alone with no other stimulus. I read books to the other kids in a different room while the one boy sat alone with his candy. Scientists followed the four year olds for almost thirty years after the test was completed. They found the four year olds who were able to wait for the adult to return and not eat their candy turned out to have more education, higher paying jobs and rate their overall happiness higher than the four year olds who gave into temptation and ate their marshmallows without waiting for the grown up to return. They speculate the ability to hold off desires for a short while in exchange for a greater pay off is evident from as early as age two. Our results? We should have some happy grown ups! None of the boys finished their candies while I was reading :)
For our art project today we are going to make frog puppets.
We started our day with oatmeal and fresh blueberries. After breakfast the boys jumped off the chair in the bedroom saying (you'll never believe this) "I'M BUZZ LIGHTYEAR! TO INFINITY AND BEYOND!" They chased each other around the living room as Woody, Slinky Dog, New Buzz and Old Buzz.
Kiara and I sat together and sang B-I-N-G-O this morning and played peek-a-boo. She's so cute!
While the girls and Tyler slept the older boys did what scientists have called "The Marshmallow Test" A four year old child is given a marshmallow (I didn't have any marshmallows so we used whopper candies) and you tell the child "You can have this one now or you can wait for me to come back and if the marshmallow (whopper) is still here I'll give you two" Then the adult leaves for a few minutes leaving the child and candy alone with no other stimulus. I read books to the other kids in a different room while the one boy sat alone with his candy. Scientists followed the four year olds for almost thirty years after the test was completed. They found the four year olds who were able to wait for the adult to return and not eat their candy turned out to have more education, higher paying jobs and rate their overall happiness higher than the four year olds who gave into temptation and ate their marshmallows without waiting for the grown up to return. They speculate the ability to hold off desires for a short while in exchange for a greater pay off is evident from as early as age two. Our results? We should have some happy grown ups! None of the boys finished their candies while I was reading :)
For our art project today we are going to make frog puppets.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Holy Ham Fried Rice, Batman!
Highlight of the day-- ham fried rice. Oh yeah! I made an entire pot today foolishly thinking I could freeze some for Matt to take to work for lunches. By the time the kids were done I had two servings left for my Chouie. The kids ate and ate and ATE! It was pretty good, if I dare say so myself.
Today we drew a map for our art project. We used the big newspaper roll so the map was about four feet by three feet. We drew roads to get to each daycare kids house and my house. We drew Magna, Kearns, West Jordan and a bit of the east side since we just had to have Wheeler Farm and the zoo on there. We included Grandma's house and two McDonald's. We had a pizza place next to the bank since my Alex said, "Mama, on Saturdays when Daddy works you go to the bank and pizza" That is true, child. Shh! Daddy doesn't know we eat pizza every time he works extra. The kids colored the map and drove cars on it. They had fun with it. Other land marks included Wal-mart, the mountains and the Great Salt Lake with sail boats on it.
Today we played outside in the backyard. The kids really love to be out there. Kiara likes the sandbox and plunks down right in the middle of it usually. Avaleigh likes to crawl up and down our hill. Tyler and Alex usually play together in the cube-thing. It is a square, it has a slide and the kids can climb it and use it as a playhouse. It also has a big ledge where the kids like to sit in the shade. Chase played ball with my Alex today. We got some of the mitts that the ball sticks to and they had fun together. Emmett played in the exersaucer.
We blew bubbles today. We played Jr. Bingo where shapes of varying colors are called out instead of numbers. We jumped off the couches and pretended to be Buzz Lightyear. Chase made me laugh when he yelled, "I AM BUZZ LIGHTYEAR! THE GREATEST, BEST SUPER HERO IN THE WOR---LD!!!" We had a "Tickle Race" where the kids ran past me trying to see if they were fast enough not to get tickled. We played a little game while we were cleaning up the playroom. I put my head in the corner, closed my eyes, counted to ten and when I turned around I had to guess what they had picked up while I wasn't looking. They were great cleaners today so I think we'll be playing that everyday!
Today we drew a map for our art project. We used the big newspaper roll so the map was about four feet by three feet. We drew roads to get to each daycare kids house and my house. We drew Magna, Kearns, West Jordan and a bit of the east side since we just had to have Wheeler Farm and the zoo on there. We included Grandma's house and two McDonald's. We had a pizza place next to the bank since my Alex said, "Mama, on Saturdays when Daddy works you go to the bank and pizza" That is true, child. Shh! Daddy doesn't know we eat pizza every time he works extra. The kids colored the map and drove cars on it. They had fun with it. Other land marks included Wal-mart, the mountains and the Great Salt Lake with sail boats on it.
Today we played outside in the backyard. The kids really love to be out there. Kiara likes the sandbox and plunks down right in the middle of it usually. Avaleigh likes to crawl up and down our hill. Tyler and Alex usually play together in the cube-thing. It is a square, it has a slide and the kids can climb it and use it as a playhouse. It also has a big ledge where the kids like to sit in the shade. Chase played ball with my Alex today. We got some of the mitts that the ball sticks to and they had fun together. Emmett played in the exersaucer.
We blew bubbles today. We played Jr. Bingo where shapes of varying colors are called out instead of numbers. We jumped off the couches and pretended to be Buzz Lightyear. Chase made me laugh when he yelled, "I AM BUZZ LIGHTYEAR! THE GREATEST, BEST SUPER HERO IN THE WOR---LD!!!" We had a "Tickle Race" where the kids ran past me trying to see if they were fast enough not to get tickled. We played a little game while we were cleaning up the playroom. I put my head in the corner, closed my eyes, counted to ten and when I turned around I had to guess what they had picked up while I wasn't looking. They were great cleaners today so I think we'll be playing that everyday!
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
I'M BACK!!
Princess party is over and I am back to my normal life. My kitchen is free of princess cups, napkins, and plates. Princess puzzles and decorations have been put away and I feel like I can function again. Hooray!
Let's recap the past oh, I dunno... month? We've been to the park quite a few times. We painted, drew pictures with crayons, went on a walk and played on our swing set. We have been LOVING the movie Toy Story and the boys have been playing Buzz Lightyear most often. The girls have been loving some new dolls Ava got for her birthday.
We've been working on learning our body parts and signing new signs. We've been learning the song "As I Have Loved You" with it's signs.
We have learned a few new silly songs and we've been singing them.
Today we have been playing Army Guys and chasing each other. The girls have been playing with a few necklaces Ava got. They've been cute wearing them around and smiling at themselves in the mirror when I hold them up. Later today we're going to get together all of our Toy Story toys and we're going to draw a mural to play with them on.
Let's recap the past oh, I dunno... month? We've been to the park quite a few times. We painted, drew pictures with crayons, went on a walk and played on our swing set. We have been LOVING the movie Toy Story and the boys have been playing Buzz Lightyear most often. The girls have been loving some new dolls Ava got for her birthday.
We've been working on learning our body parts and signing new signs. We've been learning the song "As I Have Loved You" with it's signs.
We have learned a few new silly songs and we've been singing them.
Today we have been playing Army Guys and chasing each other. The girls have been playing with a few necklaces Ava got. They've been cute wearing them around and smiling at themselves in the mirror when I hold them up. Later today we're going to get together all of our Toy Story toys and we're going to draw a mural to play with them on.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Sock it to me!
Today for our art project we colored a four feet tall bulls eye. We taped it to the wall in my living room. We got 100 points for the inner circle, 50 for the middle and 25 for the outer ring. What were we throwing at it? Socks. I pulled the boys underwear /sock drawer out and we threw our arms out. Alex P was great at it and hit the red most of the time. Tyler threw a few times but then settled on retrieving the rocks for us. Kiara held onto a pair of socks I handed her but never threw them. She waved them around a few times. My Alex got silly and started to throw the other things in the drawer, ties, underwear and swimsuits. The boys (of course) thought it was funny when we threw the underwear up in the air and laughed because "it's raining undies!" We had a snowball fight with the socks too. They liked this a lot.
We went to the park today. The kids buried their feet in the wood chips. We had a little incident where it looked like we lost Josh's sandles but thanks heavens we dug enough that we found them again! Phew! We've all ready had to replace one pair this summer.
Alex P. is especially good at making friends at the park and he enjoyed a game of tag with some kids a little older than him. Tyler gave me a heart attack when he started counting while standing at the fire man's pole and I was half way across the playground, but he stopped when I yelled "HANG ON, TY GUY!" The boys brought a ball launcher with them to the playground so I threw it a dozen times for Kiara and she would get it and bring it back to me. A friend of mine just happened to be at the park today so they got to play with her little boy, Cameron today.
And that in a nut-shell is what your kiddos did while you were at work. And ya know, breakfast, nap, lunch and nap ;)
We went to the park today. The kids buried their feet in the wood chips. We had a little incident where it looked like we lost Josh's sandles but thanks heavens we dug enough that we found them again! Phew! We've all ready had to replace one pair this summer.
Alex P. is especially good at making friends at the park and he enjoyed a game of tag with some kids a little older than him. Tyler gave me a heart attack when he started counting while standing at the fire man's pole and I was half way across the playground, but he stopped when I yelled "HANG ON, TY GUY!" The boys brought a ball launcher with them to the playground so I threw it a dozen times for Kiara and she would get it and bring it back to me. A friend of mine just happened to be at the park today so they got to play with her little boy, Cameron today.
And that in a nut-shell is what your kiddos did while you were at work. And ya know, breakfast, nap, lunch and nap ;)
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Tickle Race
I don't think I have laughed so much in months as I laughed today. We played a super fun game. It was called 'Tickle Race' The kids ran by me as fast as they could and I tried to tickle them. It was a riot! I had them jump past me, dance past me, and crawl on their tummies past me, all while trying not to be tickled.
Earlier in the day we danced the hokey poky. The kids liked putting their backsides in, especially Alex P and my Alex. I held Ava and moved her parts for her and she was hysterical.
All though most of the day was pleasant, poor Mr. Emmett is teething and was sad. He doesn't return Ava's affection which makes Ava sad whenever she crawls over to him and I have to move him or he starts to cry from her constant hugs and kisses. Poor Ava and her unrequited love.
Bella came to visit today and was loving Josh's kitchen set. She made chicken nuggets for me about a dozen times. Yum!
Earlier in the day we danced the hokey poky. The kids liked putting their backsides in, especially Alex P and my Alex. I held Ava and moved her parts for her and she was hysterical.
All though most of the day was pleasant, poor Mr. Emmett is teething and was sad. He doesn't return Ava's affection which makes Ava sad whenever she crawls over to him and I have to move him or he starts to cry from her constant hugs and kisses. Poor Ava and her unrequited love.
Bella came to visit today and was loving Josh's kitchen set. She made chicken nuggets for me about a dozen times. Yum!
Monday, August 9, 2010
The boys have been really into tumbling and summersaults lately and we had a little competition today to see who could jump the furthest and do a summersault at the end. Ava and Kiara were interested in this and watched. Ava got into position a couple times and I helped her by flipped her over. I tried to do the same with Kiara but she didn't like it. It was the landing on her bum she didn't like. After the girls went to bed the boys played Buzz Lightyear and jumped around. We watched Baby Signing Time and signed for awhile to each other. After lunch we made some pudding and sang some nursery rhymes. The boys each picked a story and we read until they fell asleep.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Just another Wednesday
Today we pulled all the couch cushions off of the couch and jumped on them on the floor. The joys of jumping over "lava" cannot be described ;)
We went to the park today for about half an hour. The kids begged to go but I was nervous about Ava and Emmett getting rained on so we compromised with a short visit. The kids really enjoyed the playground today. The heat has made the plastic hot on the play ground but the cooler weather today allowed the kids to be able to play without worrying.
Alex P. was very proud of himself. His sisters taught him how to slide down the fire mans pole on the playground and he showed me six, yes-- count them, six-- times how awesome he is. Way to be kid! Chase and my Alex played on the long slide most of the time today. Josh played with the wood chips. Tyler played by himself on the bridge and on the slides. A few times he found a ledge and started 'counting' "EAH! EAH! EAH!" Whoa buddy! Let me put down Ava first, then you can jump.
Ava was a little less possessive of Emmett today. I wonder if she is getting over her great puppy love. It worked out well since Emmett wanted to be held most of the day and normally when that happens Ava wants to be held too, on the same side as Emmett. Today, however, Ava was okay playing with the floor with her brothers. Good.
The boys made watches today. They were pretty cute with them. Chase kept asking me what time it was and I kept telling him "you tell me, kid. You're the one with the watch" He thought that was really funny. Joshie was cute. He kept telling me it was 18, 19, 20 o'clock. Apparently Joshie functions on military time.
We went to the park today for about half an hour. The kids begged to go but I was nervous about Ava and Emmett getting rained on so we compromised with a short visit. The kids really enjoyed the playground today. The heat has made the plastic hot on the play ground but the cooler weather today allowed the kids to be able to play without worrying.
Alex P. was very proud of himself. His sisters taught him how to slide down the fire mans pole on the playground and he showed me six, yes-- count them, six-- times how awesome he is. Way to be kid! Chase and my Alex played on the long slide most of the time today. Josh played with the wood chips. Tyler played by himself on the bridge and on the slides. A few times he found a ledge and started 'counting' "EAH! EAH! EAH!" Whoa buddy! Let me put down Ava first, then you can jump.
Ava was a little less possessive of Emmett today. I wonder if she is getting over her great puppy love. It worked out well since Emmett wanted to be held most of the day and normally when that happens Ava wants to be held too, on the same side as Emmett. Today, however, Ava was okay playing with the floor with her brothers. Good.
The boys made watches today. They were pretty cute with them. Chase kept asking me what time it was and I kept telling him "you tell me, kid. You're the one with the watch" He thought that was really funny. Joshie was cute. He kept telling me it was 18, 19, 20 o'clock. Apparently Joshie functions on military time.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Ice Cream and Red Rover
Today was so hot, it seemed like a great day to make some ice cream. We started with 3 bags, some heavy whipping cream, pure cane sugar, and vanilla. We added Oreo bits and extra vanilla to turn one into cookies and cream. We added Reese's chocolate, peanut butter, chocolate syrup and Reese's baking chips to another for some pure deliciousness. The third one we made into rocky road. We added marshmallows, chocolate syrup, almonds and a ribbon of fudge. We added plenty of ice cream salt and ice. We sat down in a circle and took turns shaking until we had ice cream. I have never done this before and I was really happy with the results. The ice cream was seriously great, seriously the best I've ever had, I'm seriously considering never buying store bought ice cream again and just making my own from now on. I'm completely serious. The kids all liked it too. My Alex liked the cookies and cream the best. Joshie liked the Reese's the very best. Alex P. liked the cookies and cream. Bella (who is visiting today) liked "all of ice cream" My fav was the rocky road. I LOVE ICE CREAM!
We went to the park again today. Again? I know. We go everyday it seems like. But hey, they're all happy to go and it keeps my kitchen clean since we're eating there. I love anything that means I have less dishes and sweeping to do. Today we played Red Rover with some other kids we met. Tyler didn't get what he was supposed to be doing so he just mostly followed Alex P. around. Other than that they seemed like they had fun. Of course Bella and Joshie were holding hands the whole time. Cute! We also ran up and down the hill at the park. The kiddos rolled down it. Looked really fun! I wish I could have joined but SOMEONE has to play in the grass with Ava and tickle her little toes.
We went to the park again today. Again? I know. We go everyday it seems like. But hey, they're all happy to go and it keeps my kitchen clean since we're eating there. I love anything that means I have less dishes and sweeping to do. Today we played Red Rover with some other kids we met. Tyler didn't get what he was supposed to be doing so he just mostly followed Alex P. around. Other than that they seemed like they had fun. Of course Bella and Joshie were holding hands the whole time. Cute! We also ran up and down the hill at the park. The kiddos rolled down it. Looked really fun! I wish I could have joined but SOMEONE has to play in the grass with Ava and tickle her little toes.
Monday, August 2, 2010
Frisbee Golf :)
We organized our food storage this weekend and I saved some big ol' boxes to play with today. Kiara climbed on hers and pushed it around. The boys used theirs as a fort, a cage for a puppy (Josh was that puppy), to run around, to crash into and to jump out from behind and scare each other. I taught the kids to do a martial arts kick and tip over the boxes. We had a pretty rocking time.
We took a break from the boxes for baby signing time. Josh had a neat experience on Saturday. We had gone over to Southtowne Mall for the evening. Josh, Ava and I were sitting on a bench waiting for Matt and Alex when we saw a deaf person signing to his friends. We were able to catch the sign for 'shoes' It was pretty neat to have a small window into his world.
After morning nap time we colored some styrofoam plates to use as frisbees. We used our big ol' boxes outside as targets for frolf (frisbee+ golf= frolf). We played a couple rounds. Josh was our over all winner. His best for the three targets was eleven throws. Way to be kid! Tyler was pretty cute doing this. He just threw his little heart out for about 20-25 throws then he marched over and gently set his frisbee in the box. Cute-ness!
We went to the park today since they love it. We've made some friends there last week and the two Alexs were really excited our friends were there today.
IT WAS A GREAT DAY!
We took a break from the boxes for baby signing time. Josh had a neat experience on Saturday. We had gone over to Southtowne Mall for the evening. Josh, Ava and I were sitting on a bench waiting for Matt and Alex when we saw a deaf person signing to his friends. We were able to catch the sign for 'shoes' It was pretty neat to have a small window into his world.
After morning nap time we colored some styrofoam plates to use as frisbees. We used our big ol' boxes outside as targets for frolf (frisbee+ golf= frolf). We played a couple rounds. Josh was our over all winner. His best for the three targets was eleven throws. Way to be kid! Tyler was pretty cute doing this. He just threw his little heart out for about 20-25 throws then he marched over and gently set his frisbee in the box. Cute-ness!
We went to the park today since they love it. We've made some friends there last week and the two Alexs were really excited our friends were there today.
IT WAS A GREAT DAY!
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