Alayna ate all of her prunes and most of her oatmeal at breakfast. At lunch she ate all of her hashbrown casserole (with burger), about half of her mandarin oranges and bites of her dinner roll.
Yesterday I had made these "steps" with the big interlocking blocks that were three blocks tall. They all had fun climbing up them, walking across the short platform and them jumping off and onto the big room floor. It took a while for Alayna to get the hang of not grabbing the other kiddos or pushing them to "help" them jump, but she was doing much better today than yesterday afternoon when they were doing it.
They were also having a lot of fun marching, crawling, hopping, running, walking... around the blocks while I sang a version of "Around the walls of Jericho" (Marching (or other action) 'round the blocks). Alayna was really chuckling as she did it.
Alayna seems to be liking story time better and better. She almost always stays for the entire story time (about 8-10 minutes) and is actively engaging most of the time. If I ask questions, she will point or answer them often. She also watches and listens more closely.
Friday, October 28, 2011
10/27/11
Alayna ate all of her french bread and cantaloupe at breakfast. At lunch she ate a bite of her turkey and a bite of her dried mango. She also bit her tongue when she was eating her bite of mango and that ended her wanting to eat anything else.
Alayna spent at least 20 minutes looking at books and singing unrelated songs. For example we have a book about taking a nap and she was singing both "Old McDonald" and "The Wheels on the Bus" as she was looking at it. It was pretty cute.
Gary and I have both noticed that Alayna has been pretty sensitive this week. She is usually pretty tough and when she bonks into something or someone accidentally stumbles over or into her she usually just takes in in stride. This week those types of things have made her just melt-down and have a difficult time regrouping. We have both been spending extra time filling her little love tank, and that seems to help for a little while, but... It just makes me wonder if it is still her ears bugging her (or maybe the sore bottom or other side affects from the antibiotics).
Alayna was playing with the camera that has pictures of nature stuff (mostly animals) when you click the picture. Alayna kept handing it to me and saying "See deer?" or "See elephant?" She wasn't even looking into the viewfinder when she handed it to me, so it never was what she said it was, which made it really funny! : )
Alayna spent at least 20 minutes looking at books and singing unrelated songs. For example we have a book about taking a nap and she was singing both "Old McDonald" and "The Wheels on the Bus" as she was looking at it. It was pretty cute.
Gary and I have both noticed that Alayna has been pretty sensitive this week. She is usually pretty tough and when she bonks into something or someone accidentally stumbles over or into her she usually just takes in in stride. This week those types of things have made her just melt-down and have a difficult time regrouping. We have both been spending extra time filling her little love tank, and that seems to help for a little while, but... It just makes me wonder if it is still her ears bugging her (or maybe the sore bottom or other side affects from the antibiotics).
Alayna was playing with the camera that has pictures of nature stuff (mostly animals) when you click the picture. Alayna kept handing it to me and saying "See deer?" or "See elephant?" She wasn't even looking into the viewfinder when she handed it to me, so it never was what she said it was, which made it really funny! : )
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
10/26/11
Alayna ate all of her whole wheat toast and mixed berries at breakfast. At lunch she ate all of her ham, bean soup and kiwi and about half of her saltines.
Alayna really likes and is sweet to baby Peyton. The feeling is mutual because Peyton is always crawling over to Alayna and gives her some of the best smiles. If most of the other kiddos get in her space like Peyton does she really doesn NOT like it, but she puts up with Peyton and seems to even like it.
Alayna was into collecting today -- play spoons, ice cream cones, ice cream scoops, dinosaurs... She didn't really play with any of those things, just collected them. She did put all of the play spoons into one of the plastic jars and use it as a shaker toy. : )
Alayna played with the doll and blanket quite a bit and was reading stories to her, taking her for rides on the ice cream cart and putting her to bed.
Alayna really likes and is sweet to baby Peyton. The feeling is mutual because Peyton is always crawling over to Alayna and gives her some of the best smiles. If most of the other kiddos get in her space like Peyton does she really doesn NOT like it, but she puts up with Peyton and seems to even like it.
Alayna was into collecting today -- play spoons, ice cream cones, ice cream scoops, dinosaurs... She didn't really play with any of those things, just collected them. She did put all of the play spoons into one of the plastic jars and use it as a shaker toy. : )
Alayna played with the doll and blanket quite a bit and was reading stories to her, taking her for rides on the ice cream cart and putting her to bed.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
10/25/11
Alayna ate all of her bagel and seconds on dried apricots at breakfast. At lunch she ate all of her fish and her applesauce and bites of her pea and pasta salad.
Alayna was putting stuff in one of the play hats then carrying it around and calling it "my purse". She also gathered up the top of the hat and was carrying it a ways away from her body and calling it "poopy garbage". That cracked me up! : )
Alayna spent time cuddling with both Gary and I again today. She seems to like getting her little love tank re-filled very morning at one time or another. She especially likes the cuddle times with Gary because he starts out by cuddling with her then starts to tease and tickle her after a few minutes. He always play the "Hey! Where you going?" game when she starts to move to get down where he hugs her tight or squishes her between his knees and won't let her go. She just LOVES that!
We have been working on a friendship pledge almost every day for probably a couple months. The three oldest (Jadey, Alayna and Morgan) can basically say the whole thing (when they want to). It goes like this, "I pledge to myself (pause) on this day (pause) to try to be gentle (pause) in every way." It is really cute to listen to them say it (even if they really don't totally understand what they are saying!). : )
When we put on some up-beat music today Alayna was holding out her hands to first Kenzie then Jadey to hold hands and dance. She and Jadey did it for quite a while. : )
Alayna was putting stuff in one of the play hats then carrying it around and calling it "my purse". She also gathered up the top of the hat and was carrying it a ways away from her body and calling it "poopy garbage". That cracked me up! : )
Alayna spent time cuddling with both Gary and I again today. She seems to like getting her little love tank re-filled very morning at one time or another. She especially likes the cuddle times with Gary because he starts out by cuddling with her then starts to tease and tickle her after a few minutes. He always play the "Hey! Where you going?" game when she starts to move to get down where he hugs her tight or squishes her between his knees and won't let her go. She just LOVES that!
We have been working on a friendship pledge almost every day for probably a couple months. The three oldest (Jadey, Alayna and Morgan) can basically say the whole thing (when they want to). It goes like this, "I pledge to myself (pause) on this day (pause) to try to be gentle (pause) in every way." It is really cute to listen to them say it (even if they really don't totally understand what they are saying!). : )
When we put on some up-beat music today Alayna was holding out her hands to first Kenzie then Jadey to hold hands and dance. She and Jadey did it for quite a while. : )
Monday, October 24, 2011
10/24/11
Alayna ate most of her cereal and all of her craisins at breakfast. At lunch she ate everything -- cheese pizza, tropical fruit and steamed cauliflower.
Alayna took time out of her play to come over to first Gary then me for loves and suggle time on our laps. It was cute. I have noticed that even on regular Mondays she often does that more than during the rest of the week, but if she has been gone for ay extra time, she almost always does it. : ) It is so sweet! She is really a great little girl and we are so glad that we get to take care of her.
She was sharing her "ice cream" with Jadey and Emily this morning and loved it when they came back for more. This group of kiddos is really becoming more and more interested in dramatic/pretend play. They love feeding each other, cooking, dressing up, taking care of the dollies... It is so fun to watch and listen to them interact with each other.
She was also using the ice cream cart as a stroller for her dolly. She carefully wrapped the doll in a heap of blankets then tried to stuff her inside the ice cream cart for preservation. : )
Alayna took time out of her play to come over to first Gary then me for loves and suggle time on our laps. It was cute. I have noticed that even on regular Mondays she often does that more than during the rest of the week, but if she has been gone for ay extra time, she almost always does it. : ) It is so sweet! She is really a great little girl and we are so glad that we get to take care of her.
She was sharing her "ice cream" with Jadey and Emily this morning and loved it when they came back for more. This group of kiddos is really becoming more and more interested in dramatic/pretend play. They love feeding each other, cooking, dressing up, taking care of the dollies... It is so fun to watch and listen to them interact with each other.
She was also using the ice cream cart as a stroller for her dolly. She carefully wrapped the doll in a heap of blankets then tried to stuff her inside the ice cream cart for preservation. : )
10/19/11
Alayna ate most of her biscuit and all of her peaches at breakfast. At lunch she ate all of her steamed broccoli, pineapple and dinner roll and most of her baked beans.
Alayna and Jadey were so cute today sitting in the big yellow chair looking at books together. Jadey started it by inviting her to come "read" with her. She had one of the touch and feel books and kept asking Alayna to "touch it" as she turned every page. Those two don't play together very often so it was fun to see.
Alayna was experimenting with bonking kiddos on the head for some reason today. There was five different incidents to four different kiddos. None of them were in anger, just looked like experimentation. She tried it with one of the play cameras, a books, a block and her hand (twice). Each time, I had her give the kiddos a gentle touch (pet their arm) then ask if they were OK. I also firmly reminded her that "Hitting is no OK!" and "We only use gentle touches at Gary and Lauralea's!"
Alayna came up to both me and little Emily and told us, "I have a treat for you!" She then scooped up some air from the play ice cream cone and give us each a "bite". She was so thrilled when we played along with her and asked for more treats! : )
Alayna and Jadey were so cute today sitting in the big yellow chair looking at books together. Jadey started it by inviting her to come "read" with her. She had one of the touch and feel books and kept asking Alayna to "touch it" as she turned every page. Those two don't play together very often so it was fun to see.
Alayna was experimenting with bonking kiddos on the head for some reason today. There was five different incidents to four different kiddos. None of them were in anger, just looked like experimentation. She tried it with one of the play cameras, a books, a block and her hand (twice). Each time, I had her give the kiddos a gentle touch (pet their arm) then ask if they were OK. I also firmly reminded her that "Hitting is no OK!" and "We only use gentle touches at Gary and Lauralea's!"
Alayna came up to both me and little Emily and told us, "I have a treat for you!" She then scooped up some air from the play ice cream cone and give us each a "bite". She was so thrilled when we played along with her and asked for more treats! : )
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
10/18/11
Alayna ate all of her hashbrowns and seconds on waffles with syrup at breakfast. At lunch she ate a bite of both yellow pepper and sauteed shrimp and all of her brown rice and orange slices.
Alayna was listening intently while I read and talked about the feelings book we have out right now. She especially liked it when I "cried" on the "sad" page and exclaimed "This is fun!" on the "excited" page. She wanted me to "cry" over and over. : )
Alayna wanted to play with the big interlocking blocks by herself so took them into the "box" with her to build. Even then she yelled at anyone who came too close to the box, tried to watch what she was doing or tried to talk to her. We had to remind her several times to use words rather than scream at them and/or use gentle touches.
There was a bunch of crows outside the big window today that the kiddos were all lined up watching. I love how often simple things are so intriguing. If we would only keep the interest and wonder of a child... : )
Alayna was listening intently while I read and talked about the feelings book we have out right now. She especially liked it when I "cried" on the "sad" page and exclaimed "This is fun!" on the "excited" page. She wanted me to "cry" over and over. : )
Alayna wanted to play with the big interlocking blocks by herself so took them into the "box" with her to build. Even then she yelled at anyone who came too close to the box, tried to watch what she was doing or tried to talk to her. We had to remind her several times to use words rather than scream at them and/or use gentle touches.
There was a bunch of crows outside the big window today that the kiddos were all lined up watching. I love how often simple things are so intriguing. If we would only keep the interest and wonder of a child... : )
Monday, October 17, 2011
10/17/11
Alayna came late today so she didn't eat breakfast with us. She drank most of her tomato soup and ate most of her sandwick and apple slices.
Since Alayna didn't come until later, I don't have many notes for her. She acted glad to be here and didn't complalin about her eye or face hurting at all.
She explored all of the new toys for the first few minutes she was here then started pushing and filling the ice cream carts with stuff. She was also enjoying "feeding" her dolly the cake and ice cream. She even "gave Thomas" a bite when he crawled over and whined about it after seeing her feeding her doll.
I have been getting such a kick out of watching the kiddos explore the "new" toys today. One of the things that are are are cameras. Even though we have a digital camera, it still looks so funny to see the kiddos holding the cameras out in front of them rather than up to their eyes. They were all doing it and saying "cheese" this morning. It is really cute!
Since Alayna didn't come until later, I don't have many notes for her. She acted glad to be here and didn't complalin about her eye or face hurting at all.
She explored all of the new toys for the first few minutes she was here then started pushing and filling the ice cream carts with stuff. She was also enjoying "feeding" her dolly the cake and ice cream. She even "gave Thomas" a bite when he crawled over and whined about it after seeing her feeding her doll.
I have been getting such a kick out of watching the kiddos explore the "new" toys today. One of the things that are are are cameras. Even though we have a digital camera, it still looks so funny to see the kiddos holding the cameras out in front of them rather than up to their eyes. They were all doing it and saying "cheese" this morning. It is really cute!
Monday, October 10, 2011
10/10/11
Alayna ate all of her mixed fruit and most of her Kix cereal at breakfast. At lunch sht ate most of her steamed broccoli and all of her mandarin oranges and ham sandwich.
Alayna told me, "Wanna nuddle (snuggle)" several times today. She didn't snuggle for very long, but she did want that direct attention off and on throughout the morning. She had an excellent day other than her nose running green several times. I think every one of the kiddos have runny noses, so...
Alayna was singing "Baby Bawooga (Beluga)" off and on all through the morning. Some of the time she was actually looking at the Baby Beluga book we have and others she was just doing other things as she sang. It was very cute.
Alayna was also looking at a book we have called "Baby Faces". It has a difference face on each page that shows a different expression, excited, sad, disgusted, yummy... I was helping her do a different motion along with making the same kind of face with her and she loved it. She asked me to do it "adin" and "adin" and again. : )
Alayna told me, "Wanna nuddle (snuggle)" several times today. She didn't snuggle for very long, but she did want that direct attention off and on throughout the morning. She had an excellent day other than her nose running green several times. I think every one of the kiddos have runny noses, so...
Alayna was singing "Baby Bawooga (Beluga)" off and on all through the morning. Some of the time she was actually looking at the Baby Beluga book we have and others she was just doing other things as she sang. It was very cute.
Alayna was also looking at a book we have called "Baby Faces". It has a difference face on each page that shows a different expression, excited, sad, disgusted, yummy... I was helping her do a different motion along with making the same kind of face with her and she loved it. She asked me to do it "adin" and "adin" and again. : )
Friday, October 7, 2011
10/7/11
Alayna ate most of her brown rice and raisins at breakfast. At lunch she ate all of her french bread, most of her meatloaf and a bite of both cooked carrots and dried apricots.
After waving good-bye at mom, dad, and Gabe, Alayna and I cuddled for a few minutes. At the end of our cuddle time, she said, "Here I am, Gary" to get his attention so he would ask where his Alayna hug was. It was really cute!
Alayna has been figuring how to put the duplo farm pieces together more and more. Today she figured out how to stack the fence pieces and make a tower. She was very proud of that!
Gary was sitting in the yellow chair today and Alayna was down behind it. She kept popping up to "peek" at him over the back of the chair and giggling when he would comment that he saw her. She is a lot of fun!
After waving good-bye at mom, dad, and Gabe, Alayna and I cuddled for a few minutes. At the end of our cuddle time, she said, "Here I am, Gary" to get his attention so he would ask where his Alayna hug was. It was really cute!
Alayna has been figuring how to put the duplo farm pieces together more and more. Today she figured out how to stack the fence pieces and make a tower. She was very proud of that!
Gary was sitting in the yellow chair today and Alayna was down behind it. She kept popping up to "peek" at him over the back of the chair and giggling when he would comment that he saw her. She is a lot of fun!
10/6/11
Alayna ate seconds on cinnamon whole wheat toast and all of her grapes at breakfast. At lunch she ate all of her chicken strips, cinner roll and canned cherries and a bite or two of mashed potatoes.
Alayna was playing peek-a-boo with baby Peyton so cute. She was putting one of the scarves over Peyton's head then pulling it off and saying peek-a-boo with her. She was also putting the scarf over her own head and doing the same thing. Peyton really was grinning the whole time.
Gary's daughter, Christina has been here visiting since Tuesday night. Yesterday she hung out with the kiddos in the big room for a little and they loved it. They were all showing off like crazy -- spinning and dancing around, jumping and rolling on the floor. Alayna was showing off with them, but actually enjoying watching them all show up more than anything.
Alayna was playing peek-a-boo with baby Peyton so cute. She was putting one of the scarves over Peyton's head then pulling it off and saying peek-a-boo with her. She was also putting the scarf over her own head and doing the same thing. Peyton really was grinning the whole time.
Gary's daughter, Christina has been here visiting since Tuesday night. Yesterday she hung out with the kiddos in the big room for a little and they loved it. They were all showing off like crazy -- spinning and dancing around, jumping and rolling on the floor. Alayna was showing off with them, but actually enjoying watching them all show up more than anything.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
10/5/11
Alayna ate most of her whole wheat bagel and all of her peaches at breakfast. At lunch she ate all of her macaroni and cheese, ham and salad and most of her corn.
Alayna was really into playing with her dolly today. She almost always spends time in the morning playing with it and some mornings she carries it around to do whatever else she is doing with her -- reading, pretending to eat, building with legos... It is cute!
This morning Alayna was "reading" to both her dolly and Joslyn. Joslyn was really engaged in the play also. Alayna would ask "See that?" and point to a picture or something in the picture and Joslyn would answer "Yeah!" in enthusiastically. It was great!
Alayna was a little sensitive and yawny today, so she probably is tired. These gray rainy days kind of do that to the kiddos (and some of us adults also!) : ) She was asleep within 5 minutes of laying down even with the activity of getting everyone else ready for bed and laying down.
Alayna was really into playing with her dolly today. She almost always spends time in the morning playing with it and some mornings she carries it around to do whatever else she is doing with her -- reading, pretending to eat, building with legos... It is cute!
This morning Alayna was "reading" to both her dolly and Joslyn. Joslyn was really engaged in the play also. Alayna would ask "See that?" and point to a picture or something in the picture and Joslyn would answer "Yeah!" in enthusiastically. It was great!
Alayna was a little sensitive and yawny today, so she probably is tired. These gray rainy days kind of do that to the kiddos (and some of us adults also!) : ) She was asleep within 5 minutes of laying down even with the activity of getting everyone else ready for bed and laying down.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
10/4/11
Alayna ate all of her pears and about half of her blueberry muffin at breakfast. At lunch she ate all of her sweet potatoes and oranges slices and most of her tuna and crackers.
This morning Kenzie was repeatedly intentionally bonking her head on the big room floor. Alayna thought that was just the funniest thing. She was sitting on my lap and just shaking, she was laughing so hard. She kept telling her "Do it adin!"
I have noticed that Alayna seems to be biting her nails more and more these nails. I haven't made a big deal out of it but I have just talked about how it can make us sick or hurt out tummies inside. Do you guys remind her to stop or anything at home. It doesn't really matter to me, I just kept forgetting to talk to you in person about it so I know how you are handling it at home and can be congruent here.
Alayna just loves playing on the mattress in the back room. She jumps, bounces, spins, somersauls and does stunts. A lot of times she climbs up on the climber/balance beam that is back three beside it and will jump off and onto the mattress. Alayna is very tough and she has gotten many bumps but just shakes them off. She sometimes just kind of richochets off of one thing to the next! The mattress gives her the outlet she needs to jump and shake the sillys out. She is all smiles while she is in there jumping.
This morning Kenzie was repeatedly intentionally bonking her head on the big room floor. Alayna thought that was just the funniest thing. She was sitting on my lap and just shaking, she was laughing so hard. She kept telling her "Do it adin!"
I have noticed that Alayna seems to be biting her nails more and more these nails. I haven't made a big deal out of it but I have just talked about how it can make us sick or hurt out tummies inside. Do you guys remind her to stop or anything at home. It doesn't really matter to me, I just kept forgetting to talk to you in person about it so I know how you are handling it at home and can be congruent here.
Alayna just loves playing on the mattress in the back room. She jumps, bounces, spins, somersauls and does stunts. A lot of times she climbs up on the climber/balance beam that is back three beside it and will jump off and onto the mattress. Alayna is very tough and she has gotten many bumps but just shakes them off. She sometimes just kind of richochets off of one thing to the next! The mattress gives her the outlet she needs to jump and shake the sillys out. She is all smiles while she is in there jumping.
Monday, October 3, 2011
10/3/11
Alayna ate bites of her fruit salad and about half of her chex cereal at breakfast. At lunch she ate all of her roast beef sandwich, about half of her apple slices and a drink or two of tomato soup.
I noticed a couple times last week that Alayna would tell me "I'm poopy" when she wasn't, but then would be poopy within about 15 minutes. I have decided that if she tells me, but isn't I am going to take her in to try to go in case she is feeling the need. She did it again this morning, but didn't go when I took her in, just peed.
Alayna really likes music, as I have said many times before, I know. She always loves it when we sing and always requests "Jesus loves me" and usually one or two more songs. Well, both Friday and today she must have decided that we weren't singing enough because she would just randomly come up and request a song, no matter what we were doing (eating, coloring, free playing, building with blocks... It has been pretty cute!
Another thing that was really cute to watch today was when she and Emily were sitting at the picnic table side by side. Alayna was singing and clapping and Emily was just watching her. Alayna turned to Emily and said, "Sing... Clap..." so Emily started clapping and singing with her. Adorable~!!!
I noticed a couple times last week that Alayna would tell me "I'm poopy" when she wasn't, but then would be poopy within about 15 minutes. I have decided that if she tells me, but isn't I am going to take her in to try to go in case she is feeling the need. She did it again this morning, but didn't go when I took her in, just peed.
Alayna really likes music, as I have said many times before, I know. She always loves it when we sing and always requests "Jesus loves me" and usually one or two more songs. Well, both Friday and today she must have decided that we weren't singing enough because she would just randomly come up and request a song, no matter what we were doing (eating, coloring, free playing, building with blocks... It has been pretty cute!
Another thing that was really cute to watch today was when she and Emily were sitting at the picnic table side by side. Alayna was singing and clapping and Emily was just watching her. Alayna turned to Emily and said, "Sing... Clap..." so Emily started clapping and singing with her. Adorable~!!!
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