Harvest Time Preschool - Tops and Bottoms

We are doing preschool at home! (And all over!)

A good friend told me about Wee Folk Art. A mother/daughter team who love crafting and homemaking. They have degrees in elementary education, home economics and fine arts. Their curriculum is a gentle approach and a great way to introduce children to the world around us. It is a 3 term year schedule that focuses on the rhythm of the seasons! There is Harvest Time, Winter Wonderland and Bees, Butterflies and Buds - 12 weeks each. We will be reading, crafting, baking and much, much more! (We will also be in Kindermusik and attending at least one library story time each week. Plenty of opportunities for socialization!)

Each week has a theme and a letter of the week. The first week's theme is vegetables. There are two main books to read, poems to read, art to enjoy and a suggested field trip and activity. (I hope to get better at taking photos of everything we do. It can be challenging to capture the moment when you also want to be a part of the moment.)

Harvest Time Week One:

Primary Book: Tops & Bottoms

Enrichment Book: The Vegetables We Eat

Activities: Salt Dough Veggies

Field Trip Idea: Grocery Store Produce

Art: Bull Vaulting

Poem: Little Boy Blue

Flower Fairies: Bugle Fairy & Coloring Page

Ted was traveling for work this week so we made sure to get out every day. We had friends over on Monday. On Tuesday we went to Child's Play, a toy store, for story time. We also enjoyed playing with their toys. Above is a photo of the kids playing at Falls Park. We went to Falls Park after story time for a picnic. 

Tavin's first real water color painting. I thought this was just lovely. Now that it's dry I'll be sure to have him sign it and I'll date it. This masterpiece is a keeper.

Here we are making the salt dough veggies. Our main event on Wednesday. I'm glad I brought their little table into the kitchen because it got surprisingly messy.

The veggies, ready to go in the oven.

Thursday's main event was painting the veggies. Here is the beginning of the painting experience.

Here is near the end of the painting experience. Tavin manages to stay pretty neat. Matilda, on the other hand, ended up painting her arm shortly after this photo. 

I made popsicle stick puppets of all the cousins and our family, which I think are hilarious. The kids enjoy them quite a bit as well. Tavin mailed his first letter and he wanted it to go to his Nana. Tavin colored a picture for his Nana and dictated a note to her,  he signed it, sealed it, stamped it and put it in the mailbox.

We also visited another friend this week, we went to the new library, and we went to the Gillen's for dinner and play. We had a busy week and it's only Thursday! 

Potpourri of Events

Piper's First Communion. It was a lovely ceremony from what I saw. Tavin and Matilda kept me rather busy. It was a beautiful day too! We never would have believed that a snow and ice storm was on it's way causing major power outages and many fallen trees. 

Look at my lego tower!

Tavin said he was making cupcakes. Haha, interesting recipe.

Tavin's first kite. It certainly was windy enough that day.

Cousin Sara spent three days with us due to school closings. I tried my best to keep them busy. The easel has been a great asset. Every kid should have one!

Tavin was tracing his hand.

Chalk, crayons and markers! Matilda loves those puzzles. 

Refrigerator magnet fun! Playing with those didn't last as long as I would have liked. Oh well.

Sara said, "There's been a tornado!" Yep, I'd believe it. This picture doesn't quite capture the wreckage.

Arts and crafts! Cowboy hat decorating!

Howdy, partner!

Coloring is very serious work!

The results of the snow and ice storm in our neighborhood. Some of the trees look sad, all bent over.

It was pretty, I'm glad I didn't have to go out driving in it though. You can see part of Ted's truck, it looks like a high topper.

Nothing like getting outside and enjoying the spring air. Ha!

Matilda had some fun outside too. This was the longest she has ever allowed her gloves to be on.

Sara, getting ready to throw some snow.

Tavin, getting ready to throw a big chunk of snow.

Are you really going to eat that? Yes, yes I am.

Gymnastics

Matilda, practicing her balance.

A rope swing! How fun!

Tavin loves a bouncy house, especially when there aren't big kids to bump into him.

Climbing. Work those muscles, Tavin!

Matilda likes to try just about anything she sees Tavin doing. 

Our second time at "gymnastics." It's laid back and not very structured. That's alright with Tavin and Matilda. They really just want to run, climb and jump around at their ages. There is a little circle time activity at the end, which Tavin thinks is a waste of his running around time. Can't say that I blame him. It's a little deflating to watch the bouncy house literally deflate in order to have circle time.  

Outdoor Play, Yay!

Yay for warmer weather! A nice, sunny day without a lot of wind seems rare around here. Maybe we should get some kites. I took some action shots of Tavin and Matilda playing in the dirt and throwing pebbles.

I think they were deciding which were the best throwing pebbles.

Our apartment is in the blue building on the right.

This might be good to throw!

Running!

Throwing!

Dirt doesn't taste very good, mom. Yuck!

Butterfly House

Tea time for Tavin. The kids love those little kid-sized mugs!

Matilda playing with a stuffed monkey at the Butterfly House gift shop. You have to go through the gift shop to get into the Butterfly House and Marine Cove. Well played, Butterfly House. Well played.

Whoa, cool! What are those, mom?

Stingrays!

Tavin and a butterfly.

Some kind stranger took our photo.

Tavin looking at the Armored Skink, Knight. Knight was rather active today, normally he hides under his rock.

It's April already?

It's been too long since the last post! Time flies when you're having fun and these kiddos do keep me busy. I went out grocery shopping for a bit today by myself. (I took my time too. After all, Ted was gone for two weeks!) When I came back Ted looked a little stressed. He said, "They were into everything!" Yep, that's what they do best. They're ready for some nice warm weather for outdoor play! Aren't we all? 

Here are a few photos from the last couple months.

Books! One of Matilda's favorite things. She looks engrossed, doesn't she?

Piper and Matilda enjoying a story. Piper is soon to be eight and is reading at a fifth grade level!

Tavin wants to join in on the fun!

Matilda in a little hide-out spot.

Peek!

They sit so nicely together until you bring out the camera. You must be quick!

Yum, yum, suckers. Sugar on a stick, a special treat.

Our little kitchen helpers having a snack.

Tavin said he was cooking. Cooking up a mess it would appear.

Helping in the kitchen....again. A lot of kitchen fun in this house.

Matilda, mastering the use of a fork...and fixing her hair.

Visiting Grandpa Jerry and watching the big dogs outside. I love this photo of Tavin! He's so sweet!

Having a yogurt snack, she pauses to give me a mischievous look.

No more crib for Matilda. She's moved on up to a toddler bed. 

Tavin, playing with some cars. He says, "I'm playing cars."

Grrrr.

Window crayon art with the Gillen Girls. Yes, they're washable...with a little elbow grease I might add.

Tavin felt he needed to wear a Viking shirt to match his new hat knitted by Grandma Sandy. Matilda's hat just happened to match her pajama bottoms.

Tavin and Matilda sat, briefly, for a posed photo Easter morning.

Tavin likes to take the camera away from me.

Looking cool on the ride to Great Grandma Elaine's house.

Running around out in Great Grandma's backyard.

Smile, Tavin. Handsome boy!

Mmm, chocolate Easter bunny. He looks pleased.

Matilda thought she was just handed some plastic bunny but decided to taste it anyway...what a pleasant surprise! Her whole body and facial expression showed her delight! This toy is delicious!

Our attempts at an Easter family portrait. The kids are just too busy for such business.

Not even 7:00 a.m. and Tavin and Matilda are in costumes. 

It fits and he likes it!