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!
Friday, July 13, 2012
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! : )
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! : )
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
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.
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
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. : )
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. : )
Monday, July 9, 2012
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.
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.
Thursday, July 5, 2012
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!
Monday, July 2, 2012
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.
Friday, June 22, 2012
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!
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!
Thursday, June 21, 2012
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!
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!
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
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...
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...
Monday, June 18, 2012
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! : )
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! : )
Friday, June 8, 2012
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.
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! : )
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! : )
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! : )
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
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!
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!
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
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.
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.
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
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).
It has not been a good pottying day for Alayna so far (two peeing accidents and one pooping).
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... : )
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