Following the zoo posting about what preschool activities we can practice while at the zoo, I've come up with some park/playground and beach ideas!
PARK/PLAYGROUND
1. What colors do we see at the playground? How many slides are yellow? How many bars are red? Green? Blue?
2. How many kids are at the playground when we arrive? When we leave? How many swings are at this playground?
3. We can bring our egg carton "I Spy" containers to find different items that "live" at the playground: bark, grass, leaves, sand, etc.
BEACH
1. What is the beach made of? Sand? Rocks? Beach wood?
2. How many rocks can we throw at one time into the water?
3. How many rocks can we fit in our bucket that are white? Round? Black? Speckled? Wet? Dry?
4. How many people are at the beach today? How many were here the last time? *graphing, comparing*
5. Again, bringing our egg carton "I Spy" containers, what can we find at the beach?
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Zoo School
So here's a few ideas I have for doing preschool-esque lessons with Flash now that most of his buddies are starting at a real preschool this fall.
My thought today is about the zoo. We have a year-long membership, so why not go on a weekly field trip and discover different traits of the zoo?
1. We can go count how many of each animal there are in each area of the zoo and record it in our "Zoo Exploration" book. Other counting options: how many legs does that animal have? How many wings? *writing numbers, counting*
2. I can have Flash draw each animal and see if he can name the colors (again, in the "Z-E" book). *colors, art*
3. Flash can read the zoo map to find our way to which animal he'd like to see next. *map skills, directions (left and right)*
4. Working together, we can talk about the different habitats that each animal lives in and the reasons why they live in that environment.
5. Maybe we could ask a zoo keeper (or try to make it to the different "animal talks") what each animal eats for meals and see if there's similarities between what the animals eat and what we eat. *matching*
My thought today is about the zoo. We have a year-long membership, so why not go on a weekly field trip and discover different traits of the zoo?
1. We can go count how many of each animal there are in each area of the zoo and record it in our "Zoo Exploration" book. Other counting options: how many legs does that animal have? How many wings? *writing numbers, counting*
2. I can have Flash draw each animal and see if he can name the colors (again, in the "Z-E" book). *colors, art*
3. Flash can read the zoo map to find our way to which animal he'd like to see next. *map skills, directions (left and right)*
4. Working together, we can talk about the different habitats that each animal lives in and the reasons why they live in that environment.
5. Maybe we could ask a zoo keeper (or try to make it to the different "animal talks") what each animal eats for meals and see if there's similarities between what the animals eat and what we eat. *matching*
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Cupping . . .
I just got home from my first ever cupping massage. Look it up; it's pretty amazing. But I think I need to keep downing water like it's going out of style, because a headache is creeping in.
Getting back into the groove . . .
There were a few days last week where I couldn't seem to get anything together. This week, I've started fresh. Rising when my husband does, getting the chores started before Little Chef's first nap, and it feels great to have the rest of the day chore-free. I feel so much more normal.
Now, to the reason why I've been getting up with the sun. My sweet niece will be joining us five days a week in about two months and will be dropped off early. I am preparing myself now so that when I start, I've already got my rhythm and groove down pat. I want this to be an easy transition for all of the parties involved, and so up I get to start the laundry, unload the dishes, and start my day!
Have a great week!
Now, to the reason why I've been getting up with the sun. My sweet niece will be joining us five days a week in about two months and will be dropped off early. I am preparing myself now so that when I start, I've already got my rhythm and groove down pat. I want this to be an easy transition for all of the parties involved, and so up I get to start the laundry, unload the dishes, and start my day!
Have a great week!
Friday, August 5, 2011
is it too much?
I am really struggling to find the balance with everything. Laundry, cleaning, teaching the kids how to be good people, working with my oldest son on the fundamentals, cooking food for my family, keeping up with playdates and friends for the boys and myself, exercising (or trying to), appointments; the list goes on! SO, enter last week . . .
I was dealing with a grumpy toddler and was losing my cool, so my husband suggested I find someone to help me by watching the kids so I can get back into running. Well, I asked, but the only person who could help is busy.
SO, I'm just going to have to buckle down and get up earlier to get everything accomplished. My new goal is to get up with my husband in the morning, start the laundry and cleaning, and then the moment the kids are up, take them in the double stroller for a run on the trail by our home. By the time we get home, it should give me just enough time to shower and get ready for the rest of the day. I know other moms do it just fine, but who doesn't need a break now and then? Right? I mean, everyone, in any situation and in any job, needs a vacation from their work; their daily routines. A rejuvenating, mind-clearing break. Is that too much to ask?
I'm also trying to figure out how to get nap schedules back on track for the boys. Hoping this weekend and the lack of plans will lead to a great starting, nap-filled week.
*Still looking for my nursing cover. So far I've found 6 crochet projects that need to be finished. We'll see if I ever get them done!*
I was dealing with a grumpy toddler and was losing my cool, so my husband suggested I find someone to help me by watching the kids so I can get back into running. Well, I asked, but the only person who could help is busy.
SO, I'm just going to have to buckle down and get up earlier to get everything accomplished. My new goal is to get up with my husband in the morning, start the laundry and cleaning, and then the moment the kids are up, take them in the double stroller for a run on the trail by our home. By the time we get home, it should give me just enough time to shower and get ready for the rest of the day. I know other moms do it just fine, but who doesn't need a break now and then? Right? I mean, everyone, in any situation and in any job, needs a vacation from their work; their daily routines. A rejuvenating, mind-clearing break. Is that too much to ask?
I'm also trying to figure out how to get nap schedules back on track for the boys. Hoping this weekend and the lack of plans will lead to a great starting, nap-filled week.
*Still looking for my nursing cover. So far I've found 6 crochet projects that need to be finished. We'll see if I ever get them done!*
5 things . . .
5 THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY TODAY
* my children laughing with each other in the backseat of the car
* helping a friend organize her home
* spending time making a nice homemade meal for my family
* being surprised by my husband with flowers, just because
* giving of my time to help another mom by watching their kids
* my children laughing with each other in the backseat of the car
* helping a friend organize her home
* spending time making a nice homemade meal for my family
* being surprised by my husband with flowers, just because
* giving of my time to help another mom by watching their kids
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