7/13/12

Alayna ate all of her prunes and about half of her oatmeal at breakfast.  At lunch she ate everything -- hashbrown and burger casserole, biscuit and mandarin oranges. 

Alayna loved how well her skirt flared out when she was spinning around in a circle.  She dis it over and over and it was so cute because she would look down and just chuckle watching it. 

Alayna was going from family picture poster to poster today and examining each one.  She was identifying many of the names of mommies, daddies and siblings, as well as the actual Little Treasures kiddos. 

Alayna really likes to try to do things that are a little risky on a pretty regular basis.  For example today she had one of the big blocks balanced on its end and then was trying to stand on it and balance while holding onto the couch.  It tipped or slipped out from underneath her several times before she managed it, but she kept trying. 

Alayna had a couple incidents today when she was determined to take a toy or push in between a couple kiddos and would not back down until either we intervened or she got hurt.  On of the times specifically she was trying to push in between Morgan and Kenzie (where there was no room) and Kenzie attacked the right side of her face before we could get there.  We put a cold cloth on it and gave her lots of snuggles and it doesn't look like it will leave a mark, but...  : ( 

Alayna had moments of cuddling with both Gary and I, but I don't think it was any more than on a typical day.  It just seemed like it because I was well aware of it being her last day.  Speaking of that, I just want you to know how much I have loved being about to take care of our sweet little red-headed Alayna.  Thank you so much for the privilege and pleasure.  She has grown and developed so much and so well during this time and I love to think we have been a part of those changes.  I love the bond we have with her (she really does love both Gary and I pretty equally) and how fun loving and just plain old loving she is!  I am sure she has given more spontaneous hugs than anyone else we have ever had.  The enjoyment she gets from making others laugh and be happy is also a treat and there have been many times where we have stopped whatever else we were doing to just observe and enjoy those moments along with her and the other party.  Her love of and gentleness with the babies is another thing that has been just precious.  She was never overbearing, but always friendly and interested in them.  Please keep in touch, post lots of pictures and Alayna comments on Facebook and know that all of you will be missed and in our thoughts and prayers.  Hopefully you will be back in the not-so-distant future and be can reconnect in person then.  : )   I haven't had the time to copy Alayna's pictures yet, so I will let you know when they are ready (before the end of the month) and we can find a way to connect and get them to you.  Love you guys!   

7/1212

Alayna was "reading books to my baby" for a long time and was even asking the doll questions and pointing things out to her, which was very cute. 

Alayna carried a bunch of the big blocks over to the box and put them in helter skelter then climbed in the box with them and played for about 20 minutes.  She didn't build anything with them or even put any of them together, just played in there along side of them.  She got a little frustrated a couple times when she was trying to move around and the blocks were inhibiting it.

Alayna told me she had to poop today and went.  She also has been telling either Gary or I that she has to pee at least half of the time now so that is awesome.

Alayna made a "tree" with the big blocks today and then brought it over to show me saying, "Look at the tree I bought.  It's for my birthday!"   I could see no resemblance to a tree, but she was very excited for her 'birthday tree'. 

Joslyn had done something that Alayna didn't like during outside time and Alayna came up and told me, "Jozzy was being a bad choice!"  Hmmm...  Usually we word it a little differently, but she did get the point across!  : ) 

7\11\12

Alayna ate seconds on whole wheat toast and all of her mixed berries at breakfast. At luunch she ate all of her bean soup, kiwi, ham and thirds on saltines. Alayna ahd Thomas kind of took turns bugging each other thisw morning, with Thomas being substantially more active in his pursuit of making Alayna angry. To start out with, he was determined to thwart her when she was trying to hook all of the big blocks together to make a sidewalk. After a couple reminders and then distraction and redirection attempts, I finally must moved him to the other side of the room. Within a minute, Alayna had followed him over to that side and was harassing him by trying to take the phone he was playing with away. So went the morning -- first one then the other! Alayna gathered up quite a pile of books today and took them to the big yellow chair. There were probably about 8 of them. When she sat down and started sing-reading them, I realized that every book she had selected was a book with musical tune for it. I just can't believe that was a coincidence. Alayna has been listening pretty well this week -- much better than a couple days last week. She has also been doing great pottying on the toilet. Alayna loved chasing bubbles when we first went outside (after sun screening, that is). She just races around like crazy. She catches or pops many of them, but even if she does touch even one of her mad dash through, she is laughing and her eyes are sparkling like she had popped the whole batch. I love her enthusiasm.

7/10/12

Alayna ate all of her dried apricots and most of her whole wheat bagel at breakfast.  At lunch she ate a couple bites of her tilapia and all of her applesauce and her peas and pasta with cheese on it. 

Alayna cracked me up today when she announced she was "going swimming with mommy and daddy and Gabe and Gramma Laurie and Grampa Forrest and Debbie and Holly and ..."  She just kept going and going until I think she had included about the whole family.  By the end I think she forgot what it was they were all going to do.  : ) 

Alayna was really into building with both the duplo blocks and the big blocks.  She was mostly just sticking the duplos today into tall towers, but making the big blocks into "motorcycles" and a "truck like great-grandpa's". 

Alayna was playing with the little plastic gorilla in the animal set we have out right now.  She said, "great-grandpa has a gorilla in his house!"  We cracked up.  I am sure it is just a picture or stuffed animal or something, but I had a hard time getting the image of an actuall gorilla wandering around a great-grandpa's home.  : ) 

7/9/12

Alayna ate almost all of her bran flakes and craisins at breakfast.  At lunch she ate all of her tropical fruit, most of her cheese pizza and a tasting bite of her summer squash (subbed for cauliflower)

Alayna crashed as she was walking across the floor today.  When she got up she looked at me with a kind of sheepish look on her face and said, "Silly Layna!"  It was pretty cute! 

Alayna spent quite a bit of our inside time playing Mommy and taking very good care of her dolly.  She did it for at least 20 minutes.  She was cuddling it, feeding and wrapping it up.   

Alayna was super excited when we told her we were going to go outside and "do bubbles".  She loves chasing them and invariably pops lots of them.  She just buzzes around there like a little worker bee.  She also had one of the bubbles pop in her eye, which is never very pleasant.

7/5/12

Alayna ate all of her blueberries and cinnamon raisin English muffin at breakfast. At lunch she ate all of her potatoes, canned cherries and chicken on crackers and then had thirds on just plain saltine crackers. Alayna made Emily and Riley her goal today as far as making the kiddos laugh. Riley was laughing almost before Alayna started showing off, but she had to work a little harder for Emily. At the time she started trying, Emily was actually kind of pouting because something hadn't gone quite right. It didn't phase Alayna. She just worked harder until Emily was also cracking up! Way to go, Alayna! Alayna has been dry and clean all morning. She hasn't told me at all, but I just had her go potty e very hour and she ended up peeing three times and pooping once. Several of the kiddos were talking about different types of wild animals today so I decided to gt out my computer and show them the Sea World and San Diego Zoo pictures from our trip. Most of the kiddos sat and looked at them through the whole thing. Alayna asked very sweeetly, "Can I go play?" after just a minute or so. I guess she wasnt very thrilled with my photograghy skills! : ) OUtside Alayna was pushing the merry-go-round and riding bikes mostly. She didn't really care if there were or were not children on the merry-go-round, she pushed it just the same either way. For a while when she was riding her bike, she kept tipping over on purpose and laughing at herself. Silly girl!

7/1/2012

Alayna wasn't here all morning due to going with grandma, so I don't have a lot to blog about. At breakfast she ate all of her banana and about half of her cheerios. She spent time exploring the new toy exchange for a while then chose to spend most of her time cutting apart and putting back together the Velcro fruits and vegetables. She liked trying to get them to fly off of the top of the kitchen set when she cut them apart and would crack up each time they did fly off. There was a doe walking down the street and the kiddos all enjoyed watching that, of course. Alayna stayed at the window for quite a while after it had left, watching to see if it came back. Alayna was also playing with and around Riley, trying to get her to laugh at what she was doing. Riley did laugh a couple times and made Alayna's day. She has been dry for me, except when she came back wet with Grandma.

6/22/12

Alayna ate most of her rice and raisins at breakfast.  At lunch she ate all of her meatloaf and her dried apricots, and a bite of both her french bread and her cooked carrots. 

Alayna was fairly testy this morning, as you had warned us Randa.  She had a couple times when she even screamed at me when I had to help you listen and I don't think she has every done that before.  He was aggressive with her friends several times also, and even with Aaron once.   She was also very cuddly several times and would come over with one of the bears and just cuddle up beside me.  I am sure she probably hears things concerning the upcoming changes that are kind of stressful for her and/or just senses the stress of dealing with the change that the adults are going through.  It will be very important to give as much extra positive time and attention to her as possible, as well as consistency with discipline.  That will help with her security issues! 

She also had two potty accidents this morning and only actually went potty on the toilet once.  After the second on we put her in a diaper, but we'll try panties again after nap.  


Overall she and Aaron played together very well though, and she loved making him laugh.  She told me after he was laughing at Gary for doing something one time, "Aaron likes to laugh.  So do I."  I thought that was great. 

Alayna wanted to be my helper today when I came in to cook.  She really didn't want to DO much, just come in and visit with me as I prepped and set up, which was fine!

6/21/12

Alayna ate seconds on grapes and thirds on cinnamon toast at breakfast.  At lunch she ate all of her cherries, chicken strips, about half of her dinner roll and a bite of her pan fried potatoes. 

Alayna was very loving today and wanted to "cuddle" quite a bit.  I was chilly after breakfast so I went and got a blanket to put over me.  Alayna and Morgan were both right there asking to cuddle and cover up with the blanket.  I decided to take advantage of that and we had an impromptu story time a little earlier than usual, just because everyone wanted to be covered up on the couch with my blanket! 

Alayna did several puzzles this morning and she is really getting good at any of them that we have.  Some of them are pretty easy (with only 4-6 pieces and the pictures on the board underneath, but several are more challenging with the same things like butterfly pieces (that look quite a bit a like and no pictures underneath) or 12 + pieces. 

Alayna has stayed dry all morning and told me twice (one being outside).  I did put a diaper on her after  lunch... 

Alayna has started really enjoying pushing the other children on the octopus merry-go-round.  She can push it when it is totally full (5 or 6 kiddos on it) so she has got to have some muscles there! 

6/19/12

Alayna ate all of her pears and about half of her blueberry muffin at breakfast.  At lunch she ate all of her tuna on saltines and her oranges and a bite or two of her sweet potatoes.

I don't know how many times today and yesterday Alayna told me, "I ride in the pick-up with great-grampa!"  Obviously she really liked it or was somehow very impressed with it!  : )

Alayna played with the pretend ice cream and cones for quite a while this morning.  Most of the kiddos will bring the cone and the ice cream scoop to us and ask us to "help" them put it on, but Alayna was adamant that she put it on herself and then switched it over and over.  She's got great determination and the skills to be about to actually do it. 

Alayna came up to me and asked, "You need some snuggles?" several times today when she wanted a love.  I thought that was so cute!  : ) 

After a couple successful trips to the bathroom I asked her if she had to go potty at 10:30 and she calmly said, "I already wet!"  Sure enough -- right through her clothes and our dress up clothes, which she was wearing.  Oops...

6/18/12

Alayna ate most of her fruit salad and about half of her Chex cereal at breakfast today.  At lunch she ate everything -- roast beef sandwich, tomato soup and apple slices. 

I missed Alayna last week!  It was nice to have her back today and get those wonderful random hugs and "I love you"s!

Alayna had an accident at 8:45 this morning, but did great (even pooped in the potty) the rest of the morning.  I just remembered I didn't put a diaper on her for nap time.  Oh...  Oh...  That was probably a mistake! 

Alayna asked for "My favorite 'Ring of Fire'" this morning so we played it as a "welcome back" for her!  : )  It was really cute because as soon as I put it on, all of the mobile kiddos went over to the mattress/rowdy side and started dancing or jumping to the music.  When it was over, Morgan came over and told me, "That was a fun song", so I guess Alayna isn't the only one who likes it!   Even before I put it on this morning Alayna was looking at a "Clifford, the Big Red Dog" book and singing Ring of Fire.

Alayna was carrying around the biggest stuffed Teddy bear we have out with this set and came over and told me "I have a big white bear at home!"  Later on in the morning she was sitting on the big yellow chair and having Emily "bury" her under all of the teddy bears.  They both were having a blast with it!  : )  I love it when she gets so tickled like that. 

Alayna was looking at the Fisher Price cameras that have wildlife pictures in them and came over and handed the camera to me and asked "Can you find me a pippo (hippo)?"  I thought that was SO cute!  : )  

6/8/12

Alayna ate most of her raisins and about half of her malt-o-meal at breakfast.  At lunch she ate all of her spaghetti with extra meaty sauce, all of her watermelon and most of her mixed fruit. 

We only had six kiddos here today so things were pretty mild.  Gary decided since there were fewer kiddos to try to check out the light fixture part of the big room fan (that died while he was laid up with his back).  The kiddos were enthralled when he brought in the 6 foot ladder.  They sat on the couch and watched him climb the ladder and work on it for about 10 minutes. 


It was kind of a "more" day today.  I started with four books I think and every time I would get done, all of the 'big kiddos' would say, "Can you read more?"  I think we ended up ready about 16 or so!  And it would have been more, but my throat was starting to get scratchy so I vetoed it!  : )

For about 20 minutes the other kiddos were all being kind of crazy over on the 'rowdy' side of the room.  Usually Alayna is right in the middle of that, but today she was very engaged in playing with one of the dolls and didn't even go over to check out what they were doing.  She was putting the doll into one of the cooking pans (like it was a seat for it) then taking it to the table to feed it.  That's fine as long as she doesn't decide to warm it up by sticking it on the stove top!  : )  

We have these magnetic boards that have little "M & M" looking things in them that you move around with a magnetic wand to make different designs.  We only have five of them so we don't use them when all of the kiddos are here, because we have 6-8 'big' kiddos usually and there isn't enough.  Today with just 5, we got them down and the four biggest loved it.  Thomas even tried to do it, but his skills aren't quite conducive to success yet.

6/7/12

Alayna was absolutely broken-hearted today when Thomas hit her.  They were just playing together and he suddenly whacked her for nothing that I could see.  She just melted and came racing over to me for a love.  I cuddled her for a little then she said, "Thomas love me."  I told Thomas to come over and give Alayna a love and he wouldn't do it on his own accord, which broke her little heart even more!  I finally did, later, but she was actually devastated!

Alayna was doing all of the motions to the songs on the ipod today, even when no one else was singing along or doing motions.  It was cute.  She really seems to enjoy music.  One of the songs that came on was "Row, Row, Your Boat".  Alayna went over to Emily and asked her if she wanted to "Row, Row".  They were rowing long after the song was over!   : )

Alayna has been giving us spontaneous loves and telling us "I love you" even more than usual.  I also think it is funny when she will hop off of the toilet when she is done and give me a big hug or tell me she loves me!  It just isn't the usual time I get loves!  : )  

6/6/12

Alayna ate seconds on peaches and all of her biscuit at breakfast.  At lunch she ate everything -- baked beans, dinner roll, broccoli and pineapple. 

Alayna was reading and singing to herself (and the toddlers) again today.  It is just so precious when she does that.  She is always just totally engaged in her own little world and it really doesn't matter what is going on around her.  She always has such a sweet and contented look on her face. 

Alayna was riding on one of the rocking horses today and kept telling me and the other kiddos, "This is my motorcycle, then making motorcycle-like sounds.  : ) 

We have been doing some playing around with our music time lately.  One of the things we have been doing is some humming the songs after we have song them with words and even whispering the words or just mouthing the words.  This gives them the opportunity to understand "quiet" and "no sound" better as well as melody without words.  All of the 'big' kiddos are actually pretty good at it! 

6/5/12

Hurray!  Gary is back (and so are journals)!

Alayna ate seconds on waffles and all of her hashbrowns at breakfast.  At lunch she ate all of her shrimp and oranges, most of her brown rice and a bite of her red pepper.

Alayna spent quite a bit of time looking at books and singing as she looked at them.  She also was being very sweet to a couple of the kiddos who were standing by as she was reading.  She got a book and said, "Miss Mary Muck, Muck, Muck...", then announced to Peyton and Emily "Are you ready, guys?"  It was really funny!

Alayna came over with a very proud look on her face and announced, "I help Thomas get out of the hole".  The "hole" is the little space behind the climber that he occasionally thinks he is 'stuck' in.  : )  I love it when she gets so pleased with herself when she is sweet to one of the kiddos. 

5/29/12

Just a note to let you know I am not doing actual journals today.  Gary hurt his back over the weekend and we don't have a sub so I was doing almost everything while Gary hung out, monitored the room and used lots of verbal guidance techniques to help as much as possible.  Anyway, I wasn't really able to focus on specifics of that the kiddos were doing.  I do know that they did amazingly well since it was a long weekend, things were different here with me doing more of the stuff and Gary not mobile...  Sorry for the inconvenience.  We are working on getting a sub for Wednesday through Friday so Gary can just relax, not stress over the extra work for me and just concentrate on healing up...

It has not been a good pottying day for Alayna so far (two peeing accidents and one pooping). 

5/25/12

Alayna ate all of her rice and raisins at breakfast.  At lunch she ate all of her meatloaf and dried apricots, about half of her french bread and a bite of cooked carrots. 

Alayna has done EXCELLENT so far on the pottying.  She is still wearing the same panties.  She did get a few drops in them not long after coming, but told me she had to go and they weren't really wet, so I let her choose and she wanted to leave them on.  : )  She pooped on the potty before nap, but I did put a diaper on just in case!  She has been super proud of herself!  : ) 

When we were singing songs together Alayna asked for "Frere Jacques" (not sure how to spell it).  We never sing it that way (always in English) but since she asked we did and the kiddos all thought it was very funny!  They listened with amused looks on their faces. 

Alayna was thrilled then she got Aaron to play peek-a-boo with her around the back of the big yellow chair.  They were both laughing so hard.  Alayna would announce, "your turn" and they would switch positions and continue on with the play.  It was really cute!  Lately Aaron has been paying more attention to the other kiddos also and I think Alayna has really noticed it because she really works hard to make him notice her and laugh.

5/24/12

Alayna ate thirds on cinnamon toast and thirds on fresh strawberries at breakfast.  We subbed the berries since Wal-Mart didn't have any grapes when I went shopping.  At lunch Alayna ate about half of her dinner roll and all of her mashed potatoes, chicken and canned cherries. 

Alayna spent even more than her usual amount of time talking to Nora (and singing to her) this morning.  Nora really responds to her so cute. 

Potty training didn't go real well today, but I am willing to give it another day of panties and then you can continue over the weekend and see how that goes.  She was obviously wet when she came, had another accident at 8:30 (right before I was planning to take them all potty).  She them pooped her pants at 10:40.  She told me immediately and was quite upset, so I think she really does WANT to do it and be successful.  That is why my gut says maybe we should keep trying for a few days. 

One thing that I thought was funny was that she spent a lot of time talking about pooping in "Gabe's room" and how "we don't poop in rooms, just in potties".  : )  I love kiddo's perspectives. 

Alayna was really cute reading stories to the stuffed bunny rabbit that she deemed "My bunny" for the day.  She read story after story and always situated him just right, asked him questions about the book or "can you see the pictures?" 

We played a game called "Hug a Bug" today.  We have played it plenty in the past, but we felt this group of kiddos have been too young to do it until now.  It is similar to 'Musical chairs' in theory, but helps the kiddos with spacial issues and build friendships.  We play dance music and then when we stop the music we announce "Hug a bug!  Find someone to hug nicely!"  They then each find a friend to give a hug and we turn the music on.  They really enjoyed it, but tired of it quickly.  Definitely something we will try again.

5/23/12

Alayna obviously really liked the shirt she had on today because she talked about her "pretty outfit" many times.  Gary really picked up on it and made her day by commenting on her "pretty outfit" several times himself.  It was cute because she just lit up. 

Alayna was sitting by Thomas and playing with the pop-up toaster.  At first he was laughing at it right along with her then he kind of just wandered off.  She tried to lure him back with lots of laughter and popping and calling "Look at this Thomas!"   When Thomas still didn't respond she the tried someone else, "look at this Gary!"  She knew he wouldn't let her down!  : ) 

Alayna wanted to sing the "Hickety-pickety bumble bee" song today and we had a lot of fun with that.  We have a bee cut out that we use for it and we chant, "hickety pickety bumble bee, please say your name for me" then the "bee" flies around and "stings" someone and I ask "What's your name?" to which the child responds with their name.  We then slap our knees as we say each syllable and they love it.

Alayna and Thomas were "eating" and cooking at the table and kitchen set for quite a while today.  Alayna is so great with the toddlers and babies!  I love it!  : ) 

5/22/12

I started teaching the kiddos a couple of new songs that we haven't sang with this group before.  One of them was the "Chin-Up" song from Charlotte's Web.  Alayna really liked it and wanted me to sing it over and over. 

We were talking about Tucker the Turtle today for quite a while and what he does when he is angry about something.  The steps are 1) Stop what your doing, 2) Keep your hands, feet and screaming to yourself, 3) take three deep breaths and 4) think of a good choice.  They really don't the whole concept, but I have noticed that it seems to help when I remind them to "think like Tucker the Turtle".  We have a stuffed turtle that we say is our Tucker the Turtle and when I am talking to them about it, I use him as a prop.  : ) 

Alayna seems to be more interested and motivated in the potty training arena than I have seen her yet.  She has been doing very well the last few days...  : ) 

5/21/12

Alayna was giving Peyton love after love this morning and Peyton was loving it and initiating as many of them as Alayna, I think.

I made the mistake of commenting that Jadey had cold fingers this morning so Alayna went over to the window and put her hands on there for a few seconds then raced over and put them on my arms so I would comment on her "cold fingers" too.  That just cracked me up!  She knew how to make them cold and harass me!  : )

Alayna announced "I wanna sing!" multiple times today and always had a list each time -- baby beluga, the bus, this old man, ring of fire...  We did a LOT of singing today (both at our usual music time and throughout the day).

Alayna was playing and accidentally bonked Joslyn and made her cry.  I didn't see what happened so asked Joslyn about it.  Joslyn didn't say anything, but Alayna came up and readily confessed and gave her a very sweet love to help make it better without any prompting.

Alayna wanted to wear one of the dress up robes that kind of have long and baggy sleeves.  She asked me to roll them up for her so I did.  She then started shaking them vigorously so they would roll back down and was cracking up!  : )

Alayna really enjoyed doing the magna doodle drawing today and was utilizing all of the board very well.  She was one of the last ones to want to be done also, so she was very engaged in it.

5/18/12

Alayna ate all of her prunes and several bites of her oatmeal, probably close to half of it at breakfast.  At lunch she ate all of her hashbrown casserole and mandarin oranges and a couple bites of biscuit.

Alayna asked to do puzzles three times this morning.  She goes for stretches when she isn't interested in doing them and then she will want to work on them several times a day.  The last several days as been like that.  She stays on task and engaged with them very well.  We have only found one puzzle that she struggled with enough that she needed our help.

Alayna and Joslyn have been playing with each other more the last couple days.  They are not often engaged with each other so it is kind of interesting to see.  Today it wasn't all congenial play though and Alayna ended up with a pretty good scratch to the right side of her neck after conflict over a toy.

Alayna spent time making both Aaron and baby Riley laugh this morning.  She actually was putting more time and energy into Riley than Aaron and verbalized that he wasn't "laughing hard enough".  : )

Alayna loves it that we have been able to go outside twice a day lately and starts asking to go outside even before breakfast.  I have to say that I enjoy getting out of the house too!  : )

5/17/12

Alayna only had tasting bites of both fresh oranges and French bread at breakfast.  At lunch she ate a tasting bite of her squash and all of her ham, crescent roll and dried mangoes. 

Alayna gathered a pile of books and sat on the couch by me reading for quite a while -- the whole time I fed baby Riley her bottle and then a while after that also. 

When 'Jesus Love Me' came on the iPod today, Alayna was thrilled and came racing over to me until her face was about two inches from mine and said, "That's my song."  She then sat up on the couch listening and singing along with it.

Alayna and three other kiddos played at the picnic table with the food stuff for about 20 minutes this morning.  They were very engaged and just 'eating' and 'visiting' right along.  They even let Thomas join them off an on during that time. 


One of the beanie baby bunnies we have got a hole in it and was loosing quite a few of the little plastic beads out of it before we realized it.  Alayna helped us search for them for a couple minutes until something more interesting caught her eye. 

We got out the light Frisbees out again today and played Frisbee chase.  I would throw all six of them to different parts of the yard and the kiddos were race after them to get them and bring them back for me to throw again.  They wanted to do it over and over and over again (almost 30 minutes of it!). 

5/16/12

Alayna ate all of her whole wheat toast and about half of her mixed berries at breakfast.  At lunch she ate thirds on bean soup and all of her ham, kiwi and saltines. 

Alayna was having so much fun entertaining Riley and making her laugh.  Riley is at a really fun stage and it doesn't take much to get her giggling.  That just feeds Alayna's antics and makes her work even harder to keep her laughing.  : )

Alayna and Morgan were sitting on the climber balance beam together.  Morgan was in front of Alayna and kept pushing her back against her.  Alayna moved around so she was beside and and told her "I don't like that!  Don't push me!"  Morgan then yelled, "No!" at her and Alayna just bent over and bit her on the cheek.  Obviously Alayna had to take a break, but I have to say that Morgan was really the instigator of it and also had a lecture on why it happened. 

Alayna's pony tail came out after she had been jumping and rolling on the mattress this morning.  I had her come over to me so I could redo it.  She asked me to "do a whale spout like Mommy did", which I thought was so cute. 

Outside this morning All of the kiddos really had fun trying to make a basket after I got the hoop back out and the balls that will fit in it.  Alayna is tall enough that she is able to stand on her tippy toes and kind of just roll it over the rim and into the hoop if she works really hard at it!    

5/15/12

Alayna ate about half of her dried apricots and a couple bites of her bagel at breakfast.  At lunch she ate all of her tilapia, applesauce and seconds on the pea and pasta dish. 

I forgot to give you some more asparagus last night, so if you read this and think of it, you can remind me tonight!  : )  There isn't much, but all that we could find last weekend.

Alayna was enthralled with the fish deal we got out this morning.  She kept asking great questions about how the fish got in there, where the bubbles came from and why it changes colors.  She really examined it for about 5 minutes solid, but watched it multiple other times throughout the morning also.

Alayna was trying to get anyone she could playing chase games this morning.  She started with the kiddos her own size (Jadey, Morgan, Joslyn and Kenzie) and when they wouldn't do it for very long she moved on to Thomas and Peyton.  All three of them really got into it on the rowdy side of the room.

Alayna was singing "Hush Little Baby" as she read the book this morning over and over.  She was also singing to baby Nora as she sat by her.  One of the songs she sang to her was the "Nora, Nora" song from one of our cds.  Nora really responded and grinned at her so cute, which Alayna (and I) really liked! 

Alayna told me "Daddy sat on my lap and he squished me", giggling as she talked about it.  She also said, "I hold him!"  She looked very proud of that bit of information! 

She has done good pottying today -- gone three times so far and no pooping yet. 

5/14/12

We had a very busy and kind of crazy morning so personal notes will be limited today (as I didn't have much time to closely observe and take notes).

The morning started out with me not setting my alarm close correctly, so I didn't get up in time to put away the old toy exchange and make sure the new one was totally in place.  I hate that feeling when I wake up and have slept in.  It is not the tone I like to set for the day.  : (  I did rush around and get things moved OUT of the big room, but just piled, not put away and I didn't have time to ensure everything was out that needed to be and in its right spots.  Missy brings out the new stuff, but doesn't always know where everything goes and frequently doesn't do the stuffed animals and dolls. 

We had a surprise monitoring visit from our food program sponsor, which isn't a big deal, but I have to say I was a little flustered just because I didn't have things as tidy looking as I like and so forth.  It also means that I have to find the paperwork they need to make sure is up to date and show them where the fridge and freezer thermometers are so they can check for appropriate temperatures... 

In addition to those extras we were trying to begin the new round of intensive potty training!  We have the two who are already 100% trained and the four we are working with now...  Hmmm...  Alayna went three times this morning (but was wet two of them also).  She also pooped in the potty.

The kiddos really enjoyed putting stickers on their papers for art today and worked hard to get some all over their papers.

So we survived the morning -- late start, unplanned visitor, extra trips to the bathroom, one peeing accident on the floor, one whole bowl of spilled cereal on the floor, quite a bit of Monday transition tears and frustrations, several other minor mishaps and all!  : )  

5/11/12

Alayna only ate a couple bites of her malt-o-meal and raisins at breakfast.  At lunch she ate most of her fruit salad, about half of her dinner roll and a bite of both her meatloaf and her mashed potatoes. 

Alayna was looking at books independently and singing as she did so for a solid 20 minutes.  There was a lot of busy-ness going on around her, but it didn't distract her or interrupt her because she was so focused.  It was great. 

Alayna gave Aaron loves several times today and was entertaining him, of course.  One of the times she went over to give him loves, they bonked heads (not too hard) and both of them just started cracking up.  That is part of why they get along so well.  They both have great senses of humor! 

Alayna was sitting in our big old overstuffed chair and banging on the arms to make dust storms (yes, they are quite dusty, obviously).  Well, it wasn't long before both of the little boys were over there "helping" her in her important task and having a riot.  All three of them were laughing so hard.  I don't even think the boys realized there was any dust, just enjoyed the banging!

I have to tell you that I catch myself singing or humming "Ring of Fire" all the time now.  I have even woke up three or four days with it going through my head (one of them was in the middle of the night).  : ) 

5/10/11

All of the bigger kiddos were very excited that Bode came to visit for a couple hours this morning.  His big brother, Tate, had a program at school that he was going to go to and mom needed to go into work but didn't want to run him across town for just a short period then pick him up for the program.  Bode is so great with the littler kiddos and did a wonderful job of entertaining them and leading them in some fun play.  He was teaching them some new stunts on the climber and mattress, "reading" to them, building with the big blocks and Duplos with them and showing them what letters the ABC banner had on them.  It was great!

Alayna was very attentive and involved in our story time today.  Sometimes she isn't really engaged and others she doesn't even choose to come join us for the stories.  Today she especially enjoyed the "Speckled Frogs" and the "On Top of Spaghetti" books.  She was chuckling almost all the way through them! 

I love how happy Alayna is almost all the time.  She sings as she plays so much of the time and just really gets into what ever she is doing.  She will laugh during her play even when there is no one else around. 

5/9/12

Alayna ate all of her peaches and a bite of her biscuit at breakfast.  At lunch she ate all of her baked beans, a bite of her whole wheat roll and about half of both her pineapple and her steamed broccoli. 

Now that Riley is moving around (crawling and pulling her self up to standing) Alayna has decided that she is another one of the mobile infants to entertain.  She has figured out several things that makes Riley laugh and will do them until Riley tires of the games and moves away.  It is so sweet to watch her!

Alayna was in a great mood this morning -- quite active, but cooperative and happy.  She was trying to get anyone and everyone to play chase with her on the rowdy side of the room.  Several of the other kiddos were also a little wired, so she always seemed to have someone chasing with her.  : ) 

One of the books she was looking at today had a button to push on it so had an extra thick last page.  She kept trying to get it to open into more pages and finally asked me, "Do this page open?"  She seemed very relieved when I assured her that it didn't. 

Alayna was looking at other books for quite a while also.  Most of them were nursery rhyme books or ones that have music with them.  She was singing the right songs to the correct pages for most of them.  If she couldn't remember what it was she would ask, "Can you help me sing this one?"  It was cute! 

5/7&8/12

I am combining Monday and Tuesday because Gary wasn't feeling too well Monday so I was more focused on the whole group than on taking notes for my small group. 

As I do many times throughout the seek I had Alayna on my lap for "a visit".  I asked her what she did the night before and she said, "Gabe bloody me toe."  I didn't really see where it was bloody, but I thought the way she told me about it was really cute!  She also had to tell me her whole bedtime routine when I asked her what she did at home before going to sleep.  She covered a lot of typical bedtime routine things, so I am sure she understood what I was asking perfectly.  One of the songs she said mommy sang her before going to bed was "Ring of Fire".  Imagine that!?   : )

Alayna was carrying the stuffed Donald Duck around with her and singing "Old McDonald had a farm", which hit my funny bone for some reason.  She saw me laughing and asked me "what funny?"  I didn't want to make her self conscious about it so I just told her I like how she was playing. 

5/4/12

Alayna was sitting on my lap and Gary needed to go get her a bottle so I told him I would hold her.  Alayna asked if she could hold her and I let her (with my help on my lap).  She was thrilled and was so careful and sweet with her.  She loves the babies (and actually all the kiddos). 

I should have never showed Alayna that "Ring of Fire" is on the iPod.  I don't know how many times she asked for it today.  I have decided that once a day will be enough from here on out!  : ) 

Alayna was again thrilled that Aaron was here.  She immediately give him hugs and then several more rounds of hugs as the day went on.  She also got him laughing at her many times throughout the day.  She asked me if she could play with him over and over too and then went over and asked him to play.  It was really cute! 

5/3/12

Alayna ate all of her blueberries and most of her blueberry bread pudding at breakfast.  At lunch she ate seconds on turkey burger on a bun and all of her kiwi and green beans.

Alayna was actually jumping on her knees on the mattress today and getting pretty far off the mattress.  It was pretty amazing!  I can't think of ever seeing another kiddo do it at all. 

Alayna has a pretty amazing play skills.  She adapts herself to the play level of whoever she plays with amazingly well.  She can play with the babies so well that they just love her.  She is very patient and kind to the mobile babies and beginning toddlers even when they aren't the most gentle things.  She also related to them and loved to do things that she knows will make them laugh.  She can then play with the kiddos that are also her age or slightly younger by doing parallel, associative and beginning cooperative play.  It is like she understands intuitively where they are developmentally and can adjust to that.  It is a great quality!

She and Kenzie were having a blast playing chase with each other on the "rowdy" side of the big room.  They were both laughing so hard at one time that that fell over on the mattress and just lay there cracking up!

5/2/12

Alayna ate all of her jelly toast and thirds on dried mangoes at breakfast.  At lunch she ate all of her tropical fruit and her beef and bean burrito, and a bite of sweet potatoes. 

Alayna 'read' books independently for about 20 minutes today.  She especially liked the ones with the nursery rhymes in them and was singing the correct one for many of them. 

Alayna was doing her usually flopping, jumping and somersaulting on the mattress.  She is so watchful and careful of the mobile babies when they are around there.  Actually she watches for all of the kiddos.  I can't remember her ever landing on any of the kiddos on the mattress. 

Alayna was talking on the pretend phones again to day to "Grampa Forrest" and "Great grandma".  It is so cute! 

5/1/12

Alayna ate all of her cinnamon roll and a couple bites of prunes at breakfast.  At lunch she ate all of her melon, waffles and hashbrowns and several bites of her scrambled eggs. 

Alayna played with the "Dress me doll" for about 20 minutes straight this morning.  She was really working on doing all of the different tasks.  The tying was too hard and the zipping too easy, so she spent the majority of it working on the button and the snap.  She got so she could do the snap every time by herself and she was so proud! 

Joslyn was sitting in the chair today and told Alayna she wanted to "hode (hold) you".  Alayna was more than happy to comply with that and climbed right up onto her nap.  Joslyn held her for several minutes then started squirming and said, "That's enough!"  : ) 

I can't even remember what got it started now, but the kiddos started bringing me a stuffed animal (the character type ones are out right now, like Big Bird and Pooh) and I would try to think of a song relating to either the character or what it represented.  After I had done a couple, they started bringing them by the handful and I think I literally sang a song about every single one we had out!  Some were quite a stretch, but the kiddos all loved it. 

One of the "animals" that was out was a turtle.  I don't know the character that he is supposed to me, but I made him into our "Tucker the Turtle".  Tucker is a character in a book we have about making good behavior choices (using words rather than yelling, hitting, grabbing...; stopping when you are angry and tucking inside you shell -- keeping your hands and body to yourself-- taking deep breaths to calm yourself and then coming up with a good choice or plan).  Using the stuffed animal really increased everyone's interest and participation in the "story". 

4/30/12

Alayna ate all of her mixed fruit and about half of her Kix cereal at breakfast.  At lunch she ate all of her ham sandwich and mandarin oranges and about half of her steamed broccoli. 

Alayna was looking at one of the "potty books" we have (talking about the kiddos going potty) and pushing the little button that makes the toilet flushing sound.  Kenzie, Joslyn and Morgan all came over to see what was going on and so she sweetly asked each one of them if they wanted a turn pushing the button!  It was very sweet!

We got to have Coral here with us today since there was no school.  Alayna always likes it when she or Missy are here and had to have her time playing with and getting her attention!  : ) 

Alayna explored much of the "new" toy exchange and really was excited to see the big bird stuffed animals out.  There are three of them and she was so nice about gathering them all up, then walking around and asking different ones, "Want one?" until she only had one for herself. 

Coral helped the kiddos build a "house" with the big interlocking blocks that was just big enough for one child inside.  She built it tall enough so that we had to lift each kiddo into it.  When they got in, they each loved squatting down inside to "hide" and Alayna thought is was really great when Coral then put a blanket over the top to make it dark briefly.  Talk about chuckling... 

4/27/12

Alayna at most of her rice and raisins at breakfast.  At lunch she ate all of her meatloaf and dried apricots, and a bite of both cooked carrots and french bread. 

All of the kiddos were just a little wild this morning before breakfast.  For some reason they were all wanting to run and be very loud.  We just had the runners stay on the "rowdy" side of the big room and get some of the energy out and after breakfast things calmed back down to a pretty typical morning. 

Alayna was on one side of the room after breakfast and Aaron was on the other.  I was sitting at the changing table on the floor as the "gate" between the two.  Alayna came up and told me, "I want to play with my Aaron!"  I thought that was so sweet.  She did play with him a lot, but he was also interested in interacting with some of the other kiddos as well, which he really hasn't done much of until today. 

I think Alayna as down graded somewhat in the "favorite" song department.  Until a week or so ago, it has always been "Jesus loves me".  Every time we sang it or it came on the iPod, she would excitedly announce, "That my favorite!"  It was often enough that all of the other kiddos picked up on it and called it "Alayna's favorite song" also.  Well twice this week (once today), it has come on and one of the kiddos has said "Alayna's favorite song" and she has corrected them, "No, my favorite song 'Ring of Fire'".  : )  It just cracked me up! 

4/26/12

Alayna cuddled with her blanket until breakfast time, but she did a very nice job of sharing (or trying to) with whoever was sitting by her on the couch.  The one that really enjoyed the sharing was Jadey and she came back to cuddle with it and Alayna several times.  Jadey was so thrilled that she would share with her.  About 5 minutes before breakfast, she just handed it to me and asked, "Tan you put it on my tubby?"  She then asked to use it to cover with at nap time so I did. 

Alayna has been doing a good job of using her words the majority of the time now.  One of the ones she has been using frequently (especially with Thomas and Peyton) is "Let go, please" when they grab something she is playing with.  It is AWESOME! 

Another thing she had really gotten down is that we only run on the "rowdy" side where the mattress is.  She is frequently reminding one of the others, "We only run on that side!" when she sees an infraction of the rule! 

4/24/12

Alayna was very attached to the huge cream colored teddy bear that is out today.  She was playing with it, wrestling it, and sitting on its lap.  She also called it "my friend" which I thought was quite cute. 

Baby Riley had pulled her herself into semi standing position while holding onto the mattress this morning and Alayna got so excited and announced, "She was standing up!  She was standing up!" 

Alayna spent a lot of time "baking" at the table and kitchen set.  She was using the mixer, the bowls and spatulas, putting cookies on the trays and putting the pieces of the cake together on the round plate.  She was very engaged with it. 

4/20/12

Alayna ate all of her prunes and oatmeal at breakfast today.  At lunch she ate all of her mandarin oranges and her hashbrown casserole and a bite of biscuit. 

I have decided that Fridays have to be Alayna's favorite days.  As soon as she sees Aaron, she is all smiles and started to try to make him laugh.  For some reason their temperaments and personalities really click.  Not only does he laugh at her, which she loves, but he also just follows her around and likes being with her. 

Thomas managed to get himself "stuck" in another area today and Alayna was really working hard to try to help him.  She worked at it until he got tired of it and pushed her away. 

It cracked me up when Alayna started singing Johnny Cash's "The Ring of Fire".  She sang almost all the word to the chorus.  If I didn't know better, I would have thought she grew up in my family's house.  : )  I have never heard one of our kiddos sing that song before!  : ) 

At 10:10 today Alayna was messing around in the doll cradle and slipped and bonked her left eye pretty badly.  I immediately applied a cold cloth and it helped the swelling and bruising quite a bit, but I will be surprised if she doesn't have a black eye tomorrow!  Ugh! 

Alayna got a bunch of books, sat in the middle of the couch and announced, "It's story time kids!  Are you ready?"  Several of the kiddos did actually join her and she did her best to "read" to them.  : )

4/19/12

Alayna was trying to get Emily to be her baby today.  She kept trying to convince her to lay down in the doll cradle so she could tuck her in with one of the scarves.  Emily would lay down very briefly (just long enough for Alayna to get a blanket about half on her).  Then Emily would hop up quickly and announce, "I wake up!"  Alayna finally gave up and started being the baby herself.  : )

She was enjoying "dancing" again today.  She didn't want to wear one of the tutus today, but that didn't stop her from spinning.  If anything she was spinning harder than yesterday (and falling just as much). 

Alayna had a couple of times of cuddling Gary throughout the morning, which he loved.  She hasn't been doing it as much lately, so he was enjoying it while he could. 

Alayna didn't take a nap today.  I went out and re-lay her down on her nap map 5 or 6 times sternly informing her it was nap time and time to lay quietly and go to sleep, changed her poopy diaper once, and reminded her she had to be quite multiple times. 

4/18/12

Alayna was having a blast playing and laughing with Emily.  They were chasing around on the "rowdy" side of the room and Emily was really enjoying having Alayna's undivided attention.  They have played together more in the last few weeks than ever before and they both really seem to like it. 

Alayna almost always spends some time during the morning playing with the dolls (which every ones are out).  We don't have actual doll blankets out with this set, just a lot of scarves that they can use for blankets.  It took me a little to persuade her that those could be her doll blankets, but once she decided it would work she was wrapping every baby she could find. 

Alayna did cooking and mixing play for over 20 minutes independently.  Other kiddos moved in and out of the play alongside her, but she didn't really interact much with them and just continued on when they moved on. 

We had put on some "dance" music on and Alayna really kicked it up a notch or two.  All of the big girls had on tutus and Alayna started spinning like crazy and watching her dress poof out so much that she just crashed and fell down, laughing all the while. 

4/17/12

Alayna, Thomas and Peyton all played at the little picnic table and kitchen sets with the food stuff for quite a while.  They were all pretending to eat cookies, cake and brownies.  Alayna was also doubling as the cook and server. 

Alayna was back spending a lot of time playing on the mattress today.  She loves to kind of dive off so she is level with the mattress then belly flop on it.  She was also doing the same thing backwards -- I guess that would be called a "back flop".   About 10 times in a row she was really stretching out and it looked like she was trying to do it out far enough that she made it to the end of the mattress. 

4/16/12

Alayna was excited to see the "new" toy exchange today and spent several minutes just exploring to see what was out.  After the initial exploration she kind of settled on "making cookies" for a while.  She was pretending to use the play mixer, but also stirring her bowl by hand. 

Peyton came up to her her and was "talking" to her (jabbering).  It obviously hit Alayna's funny bone because she really started laughing at her. 

Alayna played with the "new" babies out in this set for quite a while.  She also talked to "Gramma Laurie" on the phone and "read" a lot of the books out with this exchange. 

4/13/12

Alayna was glad to see Aaron when he came.  It had been three weeks because first he didn't come then she was gone for a Friday.  He looked like he was glad to see her also because he actually leaned into her and really let her hug on him. : )

Alayna made making Aaron laugh her mission most of the morning.  She was finding all kinds of places to hide behind and under then popping out at him.  She was also showing him different things and helping him.  One of the greatest things was that Aaron also initiated several of their interactions rather than just following. 

4/12/12

Alayna ate of her blueberries and a little over half of her cinnamon raisin English muffins at breakfast.  At lunch she ate most of her canned chicken on crackers and all of her potato salad and her canned cherries. 

Baby Nora just loves Alayna (and all the kiddos).  This morning Alayna walked by and and just looked at her.  Nora instantly started reaching out to her, smiling like crazy and making sounds to get her attention.  When Alayna realized it, she immediately stopped and went over and talked to her and played peek-a-boo to make her laugh.  She really likes it when any of the babies respond to her. 

Alayna didn't cry anymore after mom left this morning, but she was quite out of sorts and extremely testy -- pushing on the kiddos, trying to take toys, not listening or cooperating until we "helped" her and so forth.  She is still testing now (1:10).  She hasn't been to sleep yet and I have had to go to her and lay her down five different times so far. 

Alayna was doing lots of belly flops and face plants on the mattress.  Sometimes she does it because she is entertaining someone or trying to make them laugh.  Other times no one else is close and she still does it and laughs at herself just as much as if she had a whole audience.  : ) 

There was big crow in the tree across the street from the big window today.  The kiddos were banging on the window with their hands and yelling at him trying to scare it away.  He didn't even seem to notice.  When he finally did fly away (several minutes later) Alayna started laughing and said, "We did it!"  : ) 

4/11/12

Alayna ate all of her peaches and about half of her biscuit at breakfast.  At lunch she ate most of her steamed broccoli and all of her dinner roll, baked beans and pineapple. 

Alayna asked to go potty twice this morning again and went both times.  She was wet both times also plus poopy once, but still she is asking and that is good. 

Alayna has been playing with little Emily more and more.  Today they were getting all of the books out of the book rack and standing them up in the big window sill then knocking them off.  Not exactly what the books are for, but it was quite entertaining for them and they weren't hurting them, so we let them continue. 

Mia is getting big enough to sit up in the corner of the couch now and she really liked it when Morgan and Alayna went over and were talking to her when she was sitting there. 

4/10/12

Alayna ate all of her waffle and about half of her hashbrowns at breakfast.  At lunch she ate all of her brown rice and her shrimp and a couple bites of both colored peppers and orange slices.  

Alayna continued to use her words great with the kiddos.  Several times Thomas or Peyton tried to take one of the toys she was playing with and she was very patient with them, pointing to another toy of the same kind and telling them, "There's another one", or even just waiting until they were done with it and then getting it back. 

Alayna told me potty twice so far today, but also pooped in her diaper. 

Alayna and Jadey don't get along very well most of the time.  Jadey likes to do what we call "stirring the pot" at times, where she just kind of walks around saying or doing little things that don't get her into trouble necessarily, but do irritate the other kiddos at least slightly.  Today Alayna was playing with one of the dolls and blankets, minding her own business.  Jadey walked passed her, but on the way by, grabbed the edge of the blanket Alayna was holding her baby in and kept pulling on it on the way by.  That pushed Alayna's button and she immediately went after her with her mouth open and ready to attack.  I had been observing the situation and was already on my way to intervene and stop Jadey, so I stopped the attack first, then Jadey.  

Thomas loves to imitate what he sees other kiddos doing and he often chooses Alayna for some reason (probably because he recognizes that she likes him and is often more tolerant that the other "big" kiddos).  Today, specifically, Alayna had a plate with some pretend pizza on it and she was "cutting" it with one of the play pizza cutters.  She was really working at it and Thomas watched for a little then went and found himself a plate, slice of pizza and cutter to copy what she was doing.  : ) 

4/9/12

Alayna ate about half of her cheerios and all of her banana at breakfast.  At lunch she ate all of her grilled cheese sandwich, most of her apple slices and a drink of tomato soup. 

Alayna was using the play drill like a quirt bottle today and cleaning the table, the kitchen set, the posters and various other things.  It was pretty funny!  She did it for about 20 minutes, the first 10 or so totally by herself and then the others picked up on what she was doing and joined her. 

Alayna was trying to keep a whole pile of tools for herself.  She had at least ten items (pliers, drills, screwdrivers, wrenches...).  Every time someone wanted one she would either screech at them or tried to hit them.  We intervened and reminded her of the "one for each hand" rule and then let her choose which ones she wanted and move the rest totally away from her so it wasn't so temping to guard them.  : ) 

Alayna was crawling around on her hands and knees with her tongue hanging out, panting and making little barking sounds, pretending to be a puppy.  Pretty soon Morgan and Emily joined in so we had three puppies. 

4/6/12

Alayna ate about half of her oatmeal and craisins at breakfast.  At lunch she ate all of her applesauce, her noodle and pea casserole with cheese and about half of her ground beef. 

 Alayna was "helping" Gary with Nora today.  She was starting to get hungry and he had to do a couple other things before he fixed her a bottle. Alayna (and Nora) loved her job.  She talked to her and then went over to the mattress and tried to entertain her.  I love the picture of Nora leaning over to give Alayna a love.  She has just started doing this to a select few.  : ) 

Alayna has been doing such a great job of using her words with the kiddos much of the time, especially Thomas.  He really likes to try to take something then run away to get reactions from the kiddos.  Now that she is just telling him, "Give it back!" it takes away some of the sport!  : ) 

Alayna is such a loving little girl!  She typically tries to hug each of the children every morning.  Sometimes the kiddos are a little leery at first when she comes at them with her arms out, but when I let them know she is wanting a hug, almost everyone responds positively to her. 

4/5/12

Alayna ate all of her blueberry bread pudding and about half of the extra blueberries at breakfast.  At lunch she ate all of her turkey burger on a bun, her kiwi and a couple bites of green beans. 

Alayna didn't cry any more after mom left this morning.  I immediately took her over to pick out one of our teddy bears to cuddle with and she chose the one with the apron.  She cuddled with it and me for about 15 minutes then was busy playing the rest of the day.  While she was examining the bear, she noticed that the apron had a tear in it and wanted me to take it off and throw it away.  : )

Alayna also played with the whole bunch of the bears.  She was lining them up on the couch then along the wall.  She also piled them up and jumped on them, sat on the biggest one's lap and just lay and rolled on them.  

Alayna and Emily have been playing together on the mattress quite a bit.  She has been partially Emily's jumping partner, but more than that her instructor.  She gives her instructions on what to do different and also will tell her "watch me" as she shows her how to do different things (backwards, sideways, somersault...)

4/4/12

Alayna ate all of her dried mangoes and over half of her whole wheat toast with jelly at breakfast.  At lunch she ate all of her beef and bean burrito and her tropical fruit and a bite or so of her sweet potatoes. 

Alayna played with the play keys and flip phones quite a bit today.  She and Kenzie decided that the dress-up deal was their car.  They had their keys and phone and when one would leave the other one called them back.  First it was Alayna that went to get something and Kenzie called to her, "Alayna, tumm in heeyah!"  Alayna got back in and said to Kenzie, "Ya ready to doe?"  They played in it for at least 15 minutes and had no conflict the entire time. 

Alayna also spent quite a bit of time in the big room playing with the dolls and accessories.  She was feeding the doll her bottle, wrapping her up in blankets, putting her in the cradle then rocking the cradle (a little too rambunctiously maybe, but...)  : )

In the back room, Alayna was so sweet.  Riley was sitting on the floor with some toys around her.  Alayna was playing with the little car garage and saw that Riley was really watching her.  She went over and talked to her briefly, then went back over to the little people's garage and scooted it over where Riley could reach it and play along with her.  It was really cute. 

3/28/12

Alayna ate only a bite of her whole wheat mini bagel and about half of her peaches at breakfast.  She obviously wasn't here for lunch. 

She and Emily were both playing on the climber/balance beam and mattress at the same time today.  Alayna must have decided that she needed some personal coaching because she kept telling Emily, "Like this" then doing something and turning around to make sure Emily had watched what she did.  It was really cute.  The finniest thing about it was that I think Emily WAS watching because it really looked like she was trying to imitate what Alayna had done. 

Alayna and Thomas were both looking at the ABC animal poster set by the big window today.  Thomas would point at one of the pictures and make his "uhn, uhn" sound and Alayna would either tell him what she thought the animal was or ask me what it was.  They did this for several minutes.  One of the funniest ones was when Alayna told him that the kangaroo was a "bunny".  Well they both have ears that stick up and they both jump!   : )

Alayna's new best friend is baby Riley.  She loves it now that she can make Riley laugh.  Today she was making funny sounds with her mouth to entertain Riley at first and then she started vigorously shaking her head back and forth so that her pony tails were whipping back and forth.  For some reason, Riley thought that was hilarious and the fun began!  Alayna must have done it for about 5 minutes straight, with Riley laughing almost constantly.  It was really cute!

3/27/12

Alayna ate all of her pears and a bite of her blueberry muffin at breakfast.  At lunch she ate all of her tuna on crackers, and oranges and about half of her sweet potatoes. 

Alayna was a little out of sorts for about an hour this morning.  That coincided with breakfast time, so it may have been that she was hungry.  She fussed for a few minutes after Daddy left then was just kind of testy and easily upset for the rest of that time period.  After that initial struggle she was fine and had a happy and engaged rest of the morning. 

My sister had given me a set of four new board books about different creatures (dolphin, ladybug, turtle and tiger).  Since they were new, I read them for story time this morning and all of the kiddos really liked them.  We will probably keep them as special books for now then put them out with the regular rotations after the newness wears off. 

The kiddos did some free drawing this morning, as I am sure you will assume based on the markers on their hands.  I am keeping them overnight because I am going to use them as examples of the various stages of children's drawing in a class I am teaching tonight.  I just wanted to let you know in care you wondered about the marker on their hands or they mentioned drawing and there was no picture on their cubby. 

Alayna asked to do puzzles today when she saw Morgan out there doing them.  She and Morgan worked at puzzles for about 15 minutes, but Alayna wanted to continue even when we headed to the back room to play.  She stayed and did puzzles for another 10 minutes after we had switched. 

3/26/12

Alayna ate all of her fruit salad and most of her Chex cereal at breakfast.  At lunch she ate all of her roast beef sandwich, and apple slices and about half of her tomato juice. 

Alayna was cuddling with Gary and I had Kenzie on my lap.  She had a stuffed puppy that she was playing with as she "cuddled" and I started helping the puppy give her kisses all over.  Alayna thought that was so funny! She was actually shaking she was laughing so hard. 

Alayna was much more responsive and cooperative this morning that she has been lately.  I hope she has been sleeping better over the weekend.  I really do believe that lack of sleep or poor quality sleep has a lot to do with many other aspect of kiddos lives, especially in the behavior areas. 

Alayna realized she could jump off of the mattress and put her legs straight in front of her and her body upright and land on her bottom in an "L" shape.  She loved it and did it over and over, laughing hard each time she did it.  Even when she is so focused on doing something super fun like that, she still is very careful about going around the other kiddos on the mattress and making sure she never lands on or bumps into any of them.

Alayna was "pummeling" (that's Gary's word for it) one of the dolls again this morning.  When she was done she got one of the stethoscopes, put it in her ears and put the other end on the pummeled baby.  Gary said she was checking to "see if it still has some life in it".  : )  Silly Gary!  

3/23/12

Alayna asked to do puzzles today.  The puzzle rack is right outside the big gate so we let them do them out there (out of reach of the toddlers, but where we can still closely monitor them) one or two at a time.  Alayna isn't usually interested in doing them, so it was fun to watch how well she can actual put them together. 

Alayna had a very staring look in her eyes most of the morning, was quite unfocused acting, tested the rules more than usual and fought making eye contact with us, listening or following directions.  Again, it is probably related to lack of sleep.  I feel that way also when I am not getting the sleep I need. 

Alayna was very happy to see Aaron when he came this morning and that was the main thing she seemed to really enjoy today -- making him laugh.  Aaron really doesn't interact with any of the other kiddos much at all.  He just kind of does his own thing, but for some reason he has really taken to Alayna.  He will let her hug him and loves it when she does silly things to make him laugh.  It is really sun to watch. 

3/22/12

After breakfast was over and she was washed up, Alayna went over to the mattress ("rowdy") side of the room and just ran around and around in circles.  It was like she had sat just as long as she possibly could at breakfast and needed to get rid of some excess energy.  It was so funny to watch -- like a little puppy chasing its tail.

Alayna has figured out that I am not a spotless housekeeper.  She likes to whop the arms and cushions of the overstuffed chair and couch with her hand and look at the dust fly.  She often will do it and just throw her head back and laugh at the mini dust storm.  Hmm...  I'm sure there is a lesson in this for me...

We have noticed that Alayna has been stomping on, laying on, or rolling on the dolls a lot.  She also does a lot of pretty intense spanking of her dollies and just throwing them on the floor.  I decided I had better share this bit of information with you just in case you were planning on having another child in the near future.  : )  Just kidding!  It is perfectly normal, but always interesting to watch when one of the go through a stage like this.  We just remind her that we treat our babies gently at Gary and Lauralea's and don't make a big deal out of it. 

Gary and I have both noticed that Alayna has seemed extra sensitive, testy, pushing the limits and especially making it a point to not listen and try to ignore us lately.  With what you had said about her struggling with going to bed at a reasonable time, I am guessing it s directly related to that.

Alayna was into collecting as many of the stuffed animals as she could.  No one else was interested in playing with any of them at the time, so it worked well.  She had about all of them and was piling them up under the climber/balance beam deal.  After she got them all piled there she was done and moved on.  

3/21/12

It is so wild the way Alayna bonks her head on everything -- soft or hard.  She does it on the chair and couch cushions, the mattress, the wall the window, the floor...  I keep telling her that her brains are stored in there and she should be nice to them and she just laughs.  : ) 

Alayna looked at the books for quite a while today.  I don't think she had really spent any time looking at the "new" toy exchanges set of books yet, so it was like they were all new. 

Jadey had a dress today with a tutu underneath it to make it kind of puff out like an old fashioned hoop dress.  Obviously Alayna noticed that it was different because when Jadey was standing still for a couple minutes, Alayna went over to her lay on the floor by her feet and was looking up her dress, examining how that was all working.  It was pretty funny!  : )

Alayna was playing with Peyton several different times and making Peyton laugh and squeal.  They were doing it on and around the mattress and then in and around the dress-up deal.  It is so cute how she enjoys entertaining the little ones.  She has been interacting more with Riley now also because Riley is starting to laugh at her antics. 

3/20/12

Alayna only told me potty once.  I took her two other times (and changed two poopy diapers).  She went one of the times and not the other. 

We have out the medical play things in this set and all of the kiddos have been getting a kick out of that.  One of the things in the set is a neck brace I had when I had whiplash long ago.  Alayna hooked it together and put it on top of her head like a crown.  She wore it around just as proud as could be. 

Alayna wanted to "cuddle" after breakfast so we sat on the couch for quite a while.  I was sitting there with one leg crossed over the other and put her feet under the crossed leg and started kicking her feet so that it would swing my foot.  I was obviously pretty relaxed because she did it until it finally swung it off of my other leg and kind of fell to the floor.  She thought that was hilarious and had to try to get it to do it again and again.  She has such a great sense of humor and cute laugh. 

We got out the little rocking chairs and Alayna immediately got one of the dolls, blanket and medicine container for a bottle and went over and rocked and fed her baby.  She played in it a lot, either alone or with one of the dolls. 

3/19/12

Alayna ate about half of her bran flakes and cranberries at breakfast.  At lunch she ate all of her cheese pizza and tropical fruit and about half of her cauliflower. 

Alayna was happy that it was toy exchange day and especially glad to see that the kind of dolls she likes best are out.  She immediately went over and got one of them, wrapped it up and started taking care of it.  She played with it at least half of free play time in the big room. 

Alayna was really dancing and jumping energetically on the mattress and Kenzie was watching (in a kind of awe).  She then started cheering for her friend, "Go 'Layna'!"  It was really cute because when Kenzie cheered for her she started just grinning and beaming. 

Alayna kept telling me and her other friends, "Look at my nails", showing us her polish.  She was very proud of it and so excited. 

It was Emily's second birthday today so we sang "Happy birthday" to her multiple times.  After singing it the 4th or 5th time, Alayna came up and asked, "It Emmy's birthday?"  When we answered that it was, she raced over to her and gave her the sweetest "Happy Birthday, hug.  

3/16/12

Alayna ate all of her malt-o-meal and seconds on raisins at breakfast.  At lunch she ate seconds on salad with ranch and all of her mixed fruit and her spaghetti with burger in the sauce. 

Alayna didn't have a good pottying morning at all.  She had had several good days in a row, so I had high hopes.  She did go potty with the kiddos first thing this morning, but pooped in her pull-up before breakfast (and then again before lunch).  She also didn't want to go/didn't go potty on the toilet any other time this morning.  Silly girl!

When Aaron came today Alayna had a HUGE hug for him.  She also played with him a lot on the mattress.  Of course she was also trying to play peek-a-boo with him and other games to get him laughing and on the crazy side. 

Gary was doing story time with the kiddos.  He really enjoys readying the ones that have some humor in them.  One of the ones he was reading was "Down by the Bay".  Morgan was really getting the humor and cracking up.  I think Alayna was getting some of it also, but it was hard to tell because by that time they were all following Morgan's lead and laughing.  I just couldn't tell if it was at the book itself or at Morgan.  : )

3/15/12

Alayna ate all of her blueberries and all but a bite or two of her cinnamon raisin English muffin at breakfast.  At lunch she ate all of her cherries, canned chicken on saltines and potato salad. 

Alayna was dry all morning again and pooped in the potty twice. She told me she had to go potty once this morning.  I would be happy to let her try panties tomorrow if you have any training pants and think it is a good idea.  She has been asking to wear underwear "like Morgie".

Alayna shared her "purple blanket" with first Kenzie then Emily very sweetly.  When she was sharing with Kenzie they were just both sitting on my lap, but later she shared with Emily while just sitting on the couch, then they actually started playing with it (hiding and peeking together).  It was very cute! 

Alayna and Morgan had an altercation this morning that resulted in a bite to Alayna's hand.  Alayna was determined to get the toy that Morgan was playing with away from her, but she didn't realize that Morgan is just as stubborn as she is and wouldn't relent.  I was in the middle of feeding Riley and Gary was setting up breakfast.  Neither of us could get there in time and neither of the girls would listen to my words so we ended up have one girl taking a break for biting and the other with an ice pack/cold cloth on her hand to sooth the bite mark. 

Alayna has been so sweet about giving both random loves and loves when a child is upset about something.  I have been trying to work with her on asking if it is OK first because sometimes I think it startles the kiddos and they think she is just grabbing them.  She also is very sweet about asking before she gives any of the a babies a toy.  She gives toys to Riley more than anyone else and Riley loves it. 

3/14/12

Alayna ate all of her peaches and most of her biscuit at breakfast today.  At lunch she ate seconds on baked beans and all of her dinner roll, broccoli and pineapple.

Alayna sat and cuddled for a while this morning.  While she was sitting on my lap she was watching the other kiddos.  She would comment about what they were doing or laugh, which is so fun to listen to.  One of the times Morgan was making a "bridge" from the balance beam/climber down to the mattress with her body.  For some reason that really tickled Alayna.  After watching her (and then Jadey join her) for a while, she got down and went over to try it out herself. She really liked it when I started singing "Alayna (or whoever) bridge is falling down..."  : )

Alayna told me she had to go potty twice today!  : )  She was dry all morning.  I did have her poop before nap time (even though she said she didn't need to).  She went and didn't have any pooping accidents all morning.  If she could have a few days of this, I would love for her to be able to wear underwear. 

Alayna's dressing self-help skills are very good.  She loves wearing them and there really isn't any of them that she can't get on basically by herself.  Several of the ones out right now are full (head to foot) animal suits, which most of the kiddos have a difficult time doing without quite a bit of assistance.  She does them well. 

3/13/12

Alayna ate second on waffles and all of her hashbrowns at breakfast.  At lunch she ate all of her shrimp and orange slices, about half of her brown rice and a couple bites of red pepper. 

All of the kiddos were a little feisty and short fused today.  I think the time change hit them more today than yesterday.  Alayna struggled even more than the rest.  It really didn't matter what it was she drug her heals, tested, fussed or yelled.  Some of the things were just basic things like finishing the waffles she had asked for seconds on.  We never make the children eat their firsts if they choose not to, but if they ask for more we give them a little and expect them to eat it.  She missed out on story time because she chose not to finish them until after it was over.  Another example was that she was determined to take a toy away from Peyton.  I used my words to tell her to let go, showed her where another one just like it was and finally had to "help" her let go and move away from her.  She had a melt-down (and took a little break).  That was how much of the morning went.  Hopefully the afternoon and tomorrow will be better.  The time change messes with me!  I can't imagine how it must mess with the kiddos who aren't able to look at the clock and figure out what is going on. 

She also needed a lot of attention and cuddles, which both Gary and I gave her.  One of the times she was cuddling with me she had one of the stuffed animal tigers with her.  She put him up to my cheek and told me, "He tissin' you!"  I thought that was pretty cute.  

She started to poop in her pull-up and then told me, "I poopy".  There wasn't much in there so I took her in and she went quite a bit more in the potty.  She was very proud of that and immediately went out and told Gary.

3/12/12

Alayna ate most of her cheerios and banana at breakfast.  At lunch she ate all of her grilled cheese sandwich and apple slices and about half of her tomato soup. 

Alayna was pretty loppy and out of it until about 9:00 this morning.  She kind of had a "deer-in-the-headlights" look.  : )  We decided it was probably due to the time change. 

Kenzie came over to her (while she was cuddling on my lap) and asked, "Come play, Layna?"  Alayna didn't go play, but she still must have liked it because she got down and gave Kenzie a very nice hug.  : )

Alayna didn't go potty at all for me this morning and also pooped in her pull-up.  That should mean that tomorrow will be a better day, if the trend continues of good potty training day, not so good...

Alayna was very busy building with the duplos in the back room this morning.  She made a "building" and was very proud of it.  When I tried to get her to hold it for me while I took a picture, she wasn't very cooperative though, either hiding it behind her back, putting it on the floor where I couldn't see her too or putting it in her mouth (as I finally conceded). 

3/9/12

Alayna ate about half of her oatmeal and all of her craisins at breakfast.  At lunch she ate all of her ground beef and her applesauce and seconds on pea and pasta with grated cheese on top. 

Alayna was so happy to see Aaron when he came today and played with or alongside of him much of the morning.  They were having a blast playing in and around the dress-up deal.  When they started all of the clothes were still in it and Alayna was hiding behind them.  Aaron would pull back one of the dress ups to find her and they both would just crack up.  It was really cute!

We were listening (and the kiddos were dancing) to my ipod music today.  I started asking "what's this one" right after it started (just a couple notes into it).  Alayna knew what the song was every time!  She really likes and relates to music.  It is amazing how much she sings as she plays throughout the day!

Alayna is so sweet and careful with the babies.  She is the only one that will always check with me to make sure it is okay to give the baby a specific toy, give her a love, or touch her.

Alayna has been dry all morning and even pooped in the potty before nap.  She told me she needed to go once, and the rest of the time just went when someone else said they needed to go. 

3/8/12

Alayna ate all of her blueberry bread pudding and blueberries at breakfast.  At lunch she ate all of her green beans and seconds on kiwi and turkey burger on bun. 

Alayna was following Kenzie around today trying to give her a hug.  Kenzie didn't want to give or get one and kept telling her "no" and pushing her away which made Alayna sad.  I asked who wanted to get a hug from Alayna and Morgan and Jadey both went over for her to hug them, which helped her feel better.  I think it is so sweet how she just randomly decides to give someone a hug. 

Alayna was jumping on the mattress and flopping and saying she was doing a "flop-flop."  She got all of the other kiddos interested in playing on the mattress also.  She is often the catalyst in the rowdy area, especially on the mattress.

Alayna didn't do too well potty training today -- two wet diapers and one poopy this morning.  It is so crazy how it can be great one day and not much at all the next.

3/7/12

Alayna ate all of her whole wheat toast with jelly and thirds on dried mangoes at breakfast.  At lunch she ate about half of her sweet potatoes and all of her tropical fruit and her beef and bean burrito. 

Alayna snuggled with me (and her blanket) for about 15 minutes this morning after waving "bye" at mom and dad.  Morgan wanted to "cuddle" with me too and Alayna shared her blanket on her own initiative. 

Alayna was collecting lots of the Velcro fruits and vegetables and putting them into one of the back packs and carrying them around.  She didn't take them all and there were still some left for the other kiddos to use so it wasn't a big deal.  She kept putting them in the back pack them dumping them out. 

Alayna had been dry all morning and pooped in the potty right before nap, so hopefully will wake up without a poopy diaper (that is usually when she poops here). 

Alayna was doing some amazing belly flops onto the mattress today (and yesterday).  She jumps pretty high off of the climber/balance beam and it kind of takes my breath away to watch some of the flops.  It looks like it would really jar the body and brain, but she just loves it and lays there laughing!  Silly girl!

3/6/12

Alayna ate thirds on cinnamon roll and all of her prunes at breakfast.  At lunch she ate all of her cantaloup and waffles, and at least a bite of her scrambled eggs and hashbrowns. 

Alayna asked me "Where's Aaron?" at least three times today.  Aaron is the 1-year-old of a friend of ours and he often comes on Fridays (if there is an opening -- because Peyton often stays with grandma).  I am sure I have mentioned it before, but Alayna loves interacting with him because he laughs at all of the funny stuff she does.  Anyway, he didn't come last Friday and she must be missing him!  I will have to tell his mom.  That will make her feel good!

Alayna did such a great job pottying yesterday.  Her pull-up was only wet one time and she had no pooping accidents.  She didn't tell me any of the times, but she was staying clean and dry in between times.  Today was like a total reversal.  She wouldn't poop in the potty (did it in her pull-up -- a MESS), only peed once and didn't want to even go in and try any of the times I took her.  She is just so independent that is all depends on her mood that day, it seems to me. 

We just got a couple new books from the UC Bookstore with a gift card we had received from one of the families at Christmas.  One of the books was a gorgeous pop-up book with different sets of birds on each page (forest, swamp, water fowl...).  That in itself was awesome enough, but then each page also makes that set of bird sounds when you open it.  It will be one of the "special books" that only we hold and read to the kiddos.  Today was the first time we read it and Alayna was pretty intrigued with it. 

3/5/12

Alayna ate all of her mixed fruit and her Kix cereal at breakfast.  At lunch she ate second on ham sandwich, all of her broccoli and her mandarin oranges. 

Alayna wasn't sad at all after daddy left.  It was just for his benefit!  : )  She didn't even cuddle with Gary for very long after waving "bye".  She got down and played with the "new" toy exchange stuff within just a couple minutes. 

She loves it when she wears the dress she had on today and Gary smells the "flower" and pretends it doesn't smell good.  He will sniff it, then say, "Pee-eew!  Stinky flower!"  Alayna really chuckles every time. 

Several of the kiddos were spinning until they fell over this morning and Alayna sat and watched them, laughing out loud when they would crash and fall. 

Alayna was only wet once this morning and went pee twice and pooped once. 

She wanted the leopard costume on today and work it the rest of the time we played in the big room after I helped her put it on.