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).
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Friday, May 25, 2012
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.
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.
Thursday, May 24, 2012
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.
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! : )
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... : )
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.
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.
Friday, May 18, 2012
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! : )
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! : )
Thursday, May 17, 2012
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!).
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!).
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
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!
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!
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
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.
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.
Monday, May 14, 2012
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! : )
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! : )
Friday, May 11, 2012
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). : )
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.
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.
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
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!
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.
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!
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!
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!
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
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!
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!
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
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".
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".
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