Christmas Angels

Christmas is 3 days away....and the kids are very excited about our Christmas party. They see the presents under my tree and wonder if there's one for them. Which one is it? AND what is it?

Martin was hilarious last week. He said, "Mardeen, I'm not going to see you at Christmas. Do you have a present for me?" Tanner was more telling: "Keaton, I got you a hot wheel car." Despite me trying to keep Tanner from saying anything....He was determined to tell Keaton what he got for him!

The fact that the kids have no "filters" is part of the reason they're so blunt! It's when the talk seems obsessed with gifts and "getting" them, when I redirect their thinking. Usually I bring up Christmas stories we've read. Another thing they love is hearing stories about angels. They really like to hear that angels watch over and protect them. I tell the kids that they are my little Christmas Angels!

My digital camera broke right before we made the gingerbread houses. So, I'm currently using a disposable! I won't be able to post any photos until after it's fixed! I wish you all a wonderful Christmas. I'll post again in 2009!

All About Houses

This past week's theme was "All About Houses." I borrowed books from the library to read to them (Houses and Homes, Two Homes ). The kids really liked the book Houses and Homes. When I picked up this book, I was thinking about how the kids could just see how different the houses and homes are around the world. It ended up being a great learning opportunity for the the kids. They got to SEE what different people look like around the world. They were more interested in the fact that some people don't wear clothes! "Oh, look, there's a naked butt!" hee hee hee ...Or the fact that some people wear rings in their noses!

Megan really liked the book Two Homes. This one talks about the fact that the little boy/girl has two homes and what is physically in each home. Psychologically, it is a really sound book!

This learning block has inspired me to create cultural blocks. Like a month long block about China, etc. I'll work on creating something like that for the new year!

We also built Gingerbread Houses! Martin, Megan and Tanner participated and it took us all morning to build them. We kept everything up and on the table away from Lili (17 months). (She likes to grab things off of the table.) She did great until the end. She nabbed someone's gingerbread tree and took off running with it! I chased her around the kitchen and into the living room---all the while hoping she wouldn't take a bite of the cookie! Fortunately, I got the cookie back in one piece- minus one small wet spot. I think it was drool!!! The kids were all very proud of their gingerbread houses. It was a great activity for their fine motor skills. I will post a picture very soon!

Gingerbread Men Cookies

The kids had a lot of fun helping me with the gingerbread men cookies! I made the dough the night before. So, I took it out and rolled it this morning. Then they got to cut out their gingerbread men. We baked them and decorated them.....and of course ate one! I wasn't sure if this idea would be able to hold their attention for long. But, it did work. They loved being a part of the baking process. I highly recommend the activity for your family---if you have time. Considering all of the activities we've done this year, this was one of my favorites! Not just because it's a yummy treat to eat....(that helps!) but more because it invited them to see what or how you actually bake cookies. At snack time, we ate some more and I told them the tale of the Gingerbread Man. I got them a little wound up and someone knocked over their milk--as they were trying to grab the cookie!

Watch for our gingerbread houses next week!

The Turkey and Other Holiday Decorations

It doesn't seem to matter which holiday decorations I put out. The kids always find a way to play with them! At Halloween, I had the little" daycare kid". Thanksgiving was my "turkey." In fact, last week there were several struggles over who got to play with the "turkey!" Now that Thanksgiving is over, I have several Christmas decorations that have rapidly become items the kids like to play with! I have a snowman playing the piano, a snowman and a dog, and the favorite- a nativity scene with baby Jesus. I also have a Mr. and Mrs. Bear. They have not even touched those yet! (We'll see how long that lasts!)

I don't mind that they play with these items. I just think it's funny how they like to play with them.

Watch for gingerbread men photos....we're making them tomorrow!