... did you know? Today, at 4:05 a.m. (well, actually 4:05 and six seconds), you could say it was:
04:05:06 07/08/09
So cool! This won't happen again until next August (05:06:07 on August 9, 2010). My dad usually gets me with this sort of trivia, so I was proud of myself for noting it first. Then, tonight, while reading one of my favorite blogs, I saw that they too had pinpointed a special time today (12:34 p.m. and 56 seconds) making it:
12:34:56 7/8/09
Personally, I like mine better! Even if I can't claim the thought, as I DID read about it in a magazine!
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Circus Camp: Circle Time
Well, day two of Advent Camp was yesterday (Tuesday) and I'm just now getting this posted. It's been sitting in my blog draft folder all day, so I think I'll finish it up before heading to bed. Folks - I admit, this camp is wearing me out ... I'm tired! Too much thinking! I feel like I've been keeping myself in shape ... CREATIVE SHAPE that is ... with all of our theme weeks and projects. But, planning activities for 40 is a lot different than doing a few science projects or nature activities with two little ones (who are pretty flexible!)
Well, maybe I should take that statement back (notice Tyler with his head in my lap, throwing a fit DURING camp yesterday). More on that later, and I promise to explain why the heck I'm wearing a tutu on my head!
Today I was in charge of a craft (which I'll post about tomorrow), but yesterday I had to do a circle time," and I'm glad to say it worked out just fine! I decided to scrap the "circle" (I'm dislike conforming!) and do some pretending/make believe instead. On the way out the door, I gathered a bunch of things from Abby and Tyler's dress-up stash, then I raided the resource room at the school for random bits of fabric, yarn, etc. and here's what we did:
Well, maybe I should take that statement back (notice Tyler with his head in my lap, throwing a fit DURING camp yesterday). More on that later, and I promise to explain why the heck I'm wearing a tutu on my head!Today I was in charge of a craft (which I'll post about tomorrow), but yesterday I had to do a circle time," and I'm glad to say it worked out just fine! I decided to scrap the "circle" (I'm dislike conforming!) and do some pretending/make believe instead. On the way out the door, I gathered a bunch of things from Abby and Tyler's dress-up stash, then I raided the resource room at the school for random bits of fabric, yarn, etc. and here's what we did:
- We "rode" our circus train from one city (a.k.a. one side of the courtyard) to the next city/next stop on the circus tour (the classroom)
- While walking along and making train sounds, I used Tyler's wooden train whistle to stop and start the line of children. One short whistle meant the train started moving, two short whistles meant stop, and one long whistle mean move backwards. The kids had a lot of fun with this. I told them WE were the animals on board enroute to the next city on our circus tour ... but that we would also have to double as the circus spectators.
- When we got to the room, I had "Big Top" music playing, and the kids filed into seats I had set up in a half moon shape around our single ring (preschool is a three-ring circus in itself!)
- Then, I used my homemade megaphone (construction paper taped in a cone shape) to announce the acts and take volunteers.
- We juggled scarves and had fancy horses (the kids galloped around while holding a feather on their head),
- We had children pretending to be trained seals balancing balls (balloons w/ double stick tape) on their noses.
- There were elephants on parade (love those gray tube socks that another teacher found!)
- Our "strongman" lifted a very hastily made barbell. If I had prepared at ALL for this, I could have come up with something much better (balls on a dowel, spraypainted black!?)
- Using Nanny's square dance pettipants (those things are priceless, seriously Nanny!), I had some of the girls be dancing/jumping poodles.
- Then we repurposed the yellow tutu and made it a lion's mane. The lion had a tail made from a drapery tie-back, and the lion tamer wore a cape, mustache and/or hat (depending on the class - I did this three times). But my favorite part was the "ring of fire" (made from a hula hoop and streamers) that the lion had to jump through.
When Tyler's group came through, he initially volunteered to be the lion tamer ... then the lion. But he threw a fit when saw the costume. That explains the first picture above. I was demonstrating how cute the "mane" looks when you put it on. Well, after seeing my photo - I'd admit, Tyler had a point! Let's just say 33-year olds don't need to be wearing tutus on their heads!
SK: Cutie Patoodie!
My grandfather used to call me his Cutie Patoodie, and I thought that was great ... until I learned "patoodie" meant your rear end! Well, Sarah Kate Smith DOES have a cute little rear end ... and a cute smile. She was precious when Abby, Tyler and I watched her this evening (Lorie took Emily to swim lessons), and I LOVE the fact that she doesn't talk back! But, she DOES get into everything. Abby was following her around when she grabbed this pool ring and toddled into the kitchen wearing it! 
Then she came up with a new game (I think we're going to be in trouble for laughing and encouraging her) ... climbing under the kitchen island stools. She had just taken a swig from her sippy cup, so we could probably safely say she "drank herself under the table!" Sarah Kate is a jouy ... I'll watch her anytime guys! 
Monday, July 6, 2009
Craft Therapy
I admit, we were tired after our busy day on Saturday ... so on Sunday, we had breakfast out (IHOP anyone? I hear they may be turning it into a bank!) then returned to the LYH for a whole day of "craft therapy." Now, it wasn't just because we felt like crafting, but because I am working at Tyler's Advent preschool camp this week, then leading the Arts & Crafts lessons for our church's Vacation Bible School next week. There were LOTS of jobs to be done, and fortunately, I had willing helpers. First up ... some of the prep for the clown face puppets. No Grammy ... they go on the paper plate, not YOU!
Who's that sad clown? Just me ... missing Dennis! 
Seriously, this was one of the samples we made to take with us today. The kids (about 40 at the camp this week) did a great job of drawing their own features, then glueing on the cheeks, hair and ears, and choosing the balloon for their clown nose. 
Speaking of clown noses. Today at camp, Tyler and Abby got to play "Pin the Nose on the Clown." And when we all had embarrassed ourselves by missing the mark, we got to take our clown nose home. 
Tyler was so excited to see some of his little friends from school, like this cutie - Kendall. 
Oh - this craft is from Sunday as well. Abby holed herself up in the upstairs bedroom late that afternoon with the science project book. Not only was she cutting these flowers out (it took seven times for her to cut it without breaking the fold - but she didn't give up) but she learned the petals would open slowly if folded over then placed in the water. The paper absorbs the water and expands. 
So cool ... and a great last experiment for Science Week. There was SO much we couldn't get to, but Abby will keep me on my toes. She started another project this afternoon, and we're penciling a few of the biggies in for later this summer. 
Who's that sad clown? Just me ... missing Dennis! Seriously, this was one of the samples we made to take with us today. The kids (about 40 at the camp this week) did a great job of drawing their own features, then glueing on the cheeks, hair and ears, and choosing the balloon for their clown nose. Speaking of clown noses. Today at camp, Tyler and Abby got to play "Pin the Nose on the Clown." And when we all had embarrassed ourselves by missing the mark, we got to take our clown nose home. 
Tyler was so excited to see some of his little friends from school, like this cutie - Kendall. Oh - this craft is from Sunday as well. Abby holed herself up in the upstairs bedroom late that afternoon with the science project book. Not only was she cutting these flowers out (it took seven times for her to cut it without breaking the fold - but she didn't give up) but she learned the petals would open slowly if folded over then placed in the water. The paper absorbs the water and expands. So cool ... and a great last experiment for Science Week. There was SO much we couldn't get to, but Abby will keep me on my toes. She started another project this afternoon, and we're penciling a few of the biggies in for later this summer. Water, Water EVERYWHERE!
And how could I forget the time we spent at the pool on 4th of July? I didn't forget ... I just hadn't blogged about it yet. After our morning by the lake, we offered to keep Anabelle for the afternoon, as her mother had just had surgery and was needing a bit of R&R. Abby had a great time with her buddy, and Tyler enjoyed a little nap so he would have energy for the fireworks later!
Would you believe Abby is under that huge splash? Well, she IS. Abby has recently gotten over her "bucket dumping" fears, and now she runs TO the bucket every time it's dumping. 
What a girl! 
Tyler still loves the water, but he's more of a "swim in the pool" type of kid this summer. And he does a great job swimming EVERYWHERE, and keeping us on our toes!
Fourth of July Fun
Abby and Tyler pretty much spent the weekend in SouthWood. First, they slept over at the Little Yellow House Friday night so I could wake up EARLY and take Dennis to the airport on Saturday. Then all three of us stayed there Saturday night after the fireworks ... and it was a good thing, because we were exhausted. The first thing Abby and Tyler did on 4th of July was decorate their transportation for the SouthWood neighborhood parade. Abby pedaled her bike ... 
And Tyler relaxed and rode in his wagon while I did the grunt work ... 
We ran into a few of Abby's friends (Anabelle, Emily and Reagan), who were also excited to ride in their first parade. 
See the Durham boys in their John Deere ride along (behind me)? Well, their parents were smart ... hands free was the way to go. That way you could jump in and direct traffic (i.e. six year olds on bikes who have forgotten how their brakes work!) when necessary. Tyler was actually very low maintainence, but he was OBSESSED with keeping the R-W-B streamers out of the wagon. You give the boy a job and he takes it seriously!
I was glad when we met up with Grammy and Grandan (who had been watching from the curb) so they could pull Tyler while I helped Abby. She wasn't sure about navigating the crowds on her bike ... 
But she made it ... and we all crossed the footbridge that led us to a wonderful 4th of July celebration under the mossy oaks! SouthWood always throws a great party ... 
And while that water station may have looked refreshing (to our four-legged friends), we cooled off with some watermelon!
And snowcones ... 
Plus we participated in an Independence Day ceremony, honoring SouthWood residents who have served our country. I love the creative liberties kids take regarding hand placement while doing the Pledge. 
Can you tell Lady Liberty is wearing sunglasses? She needed them that morning!
Tyler and Grammy checked out the firetruck that parked nearby ... 
While Abby and Anabelle "hung" around on the monkey bars.
Then the kids chose between balloon animals and face painting. We ALL chose to skip the blueberry pie eating contest this year. But it sure was fun to watch!
Can you believe Abby climbed ALL the way up this climbing wall?
We stood nearby cheering her on ... 
And she made it! I think she was really proud of herself.
Tyler chose a fun activity a bit closer to the ground! 
What a great 4th of July morning in a wonderful neighborhood!
And Tyler relaxed and rode in his wagon while I did the grunt work ... We ran into a few of Abby's friends (Anabelle, Emily and Reagan), who were also excited to ride in their first parade. See the Durham boys in their John Deere ride along (behind me)? Well, their parents were smart ... hands free was the way to go. That way you could jump in and direct traffic (i.e. six year olds on bikes who have forgotten how their brakes work!) when necessary. Tyler was actually very low maintainence, but he was OBSESSED with keeping the R-W-B streamers out of the wagon. You give the boy a job and he takes it seriously!I was glad when we met up with Grammy and Grandan (who had been watching from the curb) so they could pull Tyler while I helped Abby. She wasn't sure about navigating the crowds on her bike ... But she made it ... and we all crossed the footbridge that led us to a wonderful 4th of July celebration under the mossy oaks! SouthWood always throws a great party ... And while that water station may have looked refreshing (to our four-legged friends), we cooled off with some watermelon!And snowcones ... Plus we participated in an Independence Day ceremony, honoring SouthWood residents who have served our country. I love the creative liberties kids take regarding hand placement while doing the Pledge. Can you tell Lady Liberty is wearing sunglasses? She needed them that morning!Tyler and Grammy checked out the firetruck that parked nearby ... While Abby and Anabelle "hung" around on the monkey bars.Then the kids chose between balloon animals and face painting. We ALL chose to skip the blueberry pie eating contest this year. But it sure was fun to watch!Can you believe Abby climbed ALL the way up this climbing wall?We stood nearby cheering her on ... And she made it! I think she was really proud of herself.Tyler chose a fun activity a bit closer to the ground! What a great 4th of July morning in a wonderful neighborhood!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)