“Green, white, red, Green, white, red! That’s what Luciano Pavarotti said!”

Today, after spending the the early morning outside catching butterflies with big red nets, we came inside and studied the colors of the Italian flag. We studied the shape that makes up the flag. A small group of friends worked at one table gluing flag shapes to white paper. It morphed into scissor work and sketching.

At the other table, a group of friends used tape, in the colors of the Italian flag, to create a larger work of art.

Simon found the colors of the Italian flag in his transportation book.

We studied two songs within two different genres of music: the Italian aria and the American pop song. First, we listened to Luciano Pavarotti sing “Caro mio ben”. We listened closely to his voice and the instruments being played. Friends recognized the flute and violin! Friends described his voice as strong. Then we listened to Taio Cruz sing “Dynamite”. Friends said they heard the beat and the drums and it was very fast. Ada expressed that she liked Luciano better because his voice was softer. After our discussion,  we stood up and sang our own song “Green, white, red, Green, white, red! That’s what Luciano Pavarotti said!”. We explored how that long interesting name, Luciano Pavarotti, fit into our mouths and how it sounded in our voices. We rolled our r’s and we incorporated hand motions, just like Baboo taught us. Then we added a little choreography as we sang along.

After lunch, our smaller friends read Fancy Nancy with Lisa, and our older Wee Friends read Bob Books, aloud, to each other.

Wee Sprouts: pea pods and cucumbers, Breakfast: Cheerios and bananas, Lunch: whole wheat English muffins with cream cheese and melted mozzarella, pea pods and grapes.

Have a great day.

Good Afternoon!

When we headed outside this morning, P.K. and Clara headed straight to the sand box. They used shovels to scoop the sand and pour it into a container or pail. P.K. made sure to slowly pour the sand into the bowl so that it wouldn’t spill.

Friends headed to the house where they looked at an ant that was living there! Marina helped her friends by pointing to where the ant was. Clara stuck her head out and smiled.

There were many boxes in the wooden house. P.K went into the house to investigate. He looked at the multiple boxes and found that some of them had tap on them. He tried with all of his might to pull the tap off!

The water table was open and our friends scurried over. Marina dipped the watering can all the way into the water so it would become full of water. She poured the water back into the water table or onto the ground where it splashed her feet! Clara used a pot that had holes at the bottom so when she lifted the pot full of water, water came pouring out of the bottom.

Children used different tools while playing in the water table.

Clara opened her mouth WIDE to get the water in there. Marina poured the water from her watering can and it hit the ground. P.K. pointed and said, “Cold.”

Our friends smiled as they sat on the swing over looking the playground where friends were getting wet and experiencing water balloons!

Children got to experience water balloons: what they felt like and what they do when they break on the ground! We soon found out that it was hard to hold the water balloon because it was very slippery.

Even when we dropped the balloon on the ground, it didn’t always pop! But when it did, children found out that all of the water comes out and splashes us.

P.K. had a blast in a mud puddle! He splashed his hands and explored the dirt and mud. He decided to run a stick through the puddle and make lines. He sure did get dirty! After he was done exploring, we washed him off with a hose. He liked the cold water shooting out onto his legs.

Zoey continues to grow at Wee Wee Friends. She’s becoming aware of her surroundings and the different noises that occur throughout the day. She was so tired after playing with the baby jungle gym that she decided to take a little cat nap. Of course we were right there watching her as she experienced taking a nap on her belly.

For breakfast, children had toast with cinnamon and bananas. Lunch consisted of egg casserole with hash browns, mixed fruit (cantaloupe and watermelon), applesauce, and cucumbers. PM snack was fresh oranges and animal crackers.

Have a great evening!

-Mindy

“Walk as though your feet are kissing the ground.” – Thich Nhat Hahn

Or flying through the air!

 

Another happy and hot summer morning! Before we jumped into water play, we had the joy of working with Amy from Red Purl: A Wee Knit Shop (www.redpurlknits.com). Under the shade of the tree, she taught us how to create felt using strands of wool. Yesterday, Vivian gathered a bucket full of smooth rocks. First, they discussed how the rock felt: was it smooth or bumpy? Next, they explored the texture of the wool. She showed them how to wrap the strands of wool around their rock with the intention of creating a wee jacket, totally covering the rock.  Then, using an Ivory soap/water solution, she sprayed the wool and friends rubbed the wooly, sudsy rock between their hands. Before they knew it, they had created felt!

We hope Amy will return later this summer for a knitting class! THANK YOU, Amy!

Wee Sprouts: A basket full of farm fresh juicy strawberries gorged on outside dripping deliciously off chins, lips and fingers.  Breakfast: Raisin Bran and oranges, Lunch: Tami’s delicious egg casserole with ham, cucumber slices and applesauce.

Happy walking today.

Good Afternoon!

Today, Zoey enjoyed the baby jungle gym. She looked at the different attachments and reached for a few that caught her eye. She was stimulated by the circular contraption that holds round balls. Her eyes got very wide and her legs were kicking.

While the baby jungle gym was out this morning, a few of our friends decided to lay on it and look at the different toys that are available. P.K. and Clara pretended they were going to sleep and Marina kicked her feet in the air.

Friends read books independently and together.

Clara vacuumed the carpet and well as read a Clifford book. She loves being read to and her literacy skills are improving greatly.

P.K. enjoyed working with sand in the house as well as examine a cardboard box that had pictures and writing on it.

Children gathered in the house and manipulated the sand that was there. They put the sand on plates and in the faucet.

P.K. swayed back and forth on the teeter totter. This activity helps P.K. with his balance and body control.

Ellie sang ‘The Wheels on the Bus’ to herself as she sat on the swing. She did the hand motions as well!

Breakfast was cheerios and apples. AM snack was corn. Lunch consisted of hummus sandwiches on whole wheat bread, strawberries, and green peas. PM snack was pretzels and raisins.

Have a terrific evening!

-Mindy

 

Happy Birthday, Ada!

Ada turns five today!

“Oh my goodness snakes!”

                         –Finn upon seeing Aaron and Ryan’s reptile collection

This morning we had the best surprise: Lisa arranged for Ryan and Aaron to come in and show our Wee Friends their reptile collection. They brought two Ball Pythons, two water turtles, 2 Bearded Dragons, a baby Tortoise and two Savannah Monitors. They taught us all about the reptiles and then we got to touch them and study them close up! We learned about what they eat and that they have their very own room at Aaron’s house. The Reptile Room.

 

Before we jumped up to explore the reptiles more closely, Jane led Wee Friends in a thank you version of the WF favorite “Jack and the Beanstalk”.

Some different comments we heard:

“Look! I picked one up!” – “Will you take my picture?” – “Look! His poop is green!” – “My poop is pink and purple!” – “His poop is just like ours!” – “Can they come back on my birthday?”

Friends were thrilled. After thoroughly washing their hands, they ran outside and spent the rest of the morning on the playground.

Thanks again, Aaron and Ryan for sharing your “sweet, lovable” cuties with us!

Wee Sprouts: celery sticks, Breakfast: Raisin Bran and raisins, Lunch: Hummus sandwiches on whole wheat bread, strawberries and peas. Thank you, Matt, D. , for the pints and pints of strawberries you have shared with us! DELICIOUS!

Have a great day!

Happy Monday!

We started off our morning by welcoming our new friend, Zoey! She is three months old and had a great first day! Our friends were so welcoming to Zoey and loved having her here.

P.K. welcomed Clara back from vacation by dancing with her! They both smiled at each other when they saw one another. They did an excellent job today sharing their toys!

We headed outside where children played with the water table. They splashed themselves as well as their friends!

P.K. laughed as he splashed as hard as he could. He got his face wet and realized how cold it was! He took his hand and rubbed his face with the cold water.

Ellie watched as Elizabeth poured water into the water table. Elizabeth let Ellie know, “It’s cold!”

Marina and Elizabeth joined our Wee Friends on the homemade slip and slide! They were hesitant as first but did a great job at trying something new.

P.K joined his brother Nate by the water table. They worked together to move boats around along with different animals.

After indulging in the water table, P.K. headed to the house where he laughed hysterically at Miss Mindy and Nate. He was so full of joy and happiness that he just laughed to laugh!

 

Elizabeth carefully took the boat and guided it around the water table channels. She said, “The boats floating on the water!”

Ellie played at the water table and made sure she was very careful so she didn’t get her clothes wet! While watching her friends go down the slip and slide, Ellie turned and yawned and said, “I’m tired.”

 

Our friends played in the water table with one another. They splashed the water and ran their fingers through the water channels.

Ellie worked with different animals and helped them swim in the water. She said, “This is a turtle!”

 

P.K. squirted water from the frogs mouth! Marina found that the sponge soaked up the water and she rang it out on her arms and into the water table.

Clara worked with different foods while her friends were sleeping. She put food onto the plate and took it to the table.

Breakfast was Chex and banana. AM snack was snap peas. Lunch consisted of rice with red beans, mixed fruit (apple and pineapple), and broccoli. PM snack was cheese and whole wheat crackers.

Have a great evening!

-Mindy

Today Baboo took us to Italy!

Using a food map/work of art (it could have been Giuseppe Arcimboldo!) he taught us many things about Italy. “First,” he said, “in Italy, people eat slowly. People make pizza slowly.” He counted to ten in Italian (a few friends followed him in Spanish). He showed us olives and explained what olive oil is.

He brought in a pictorial book of Italy, a cookbook and Marta’s baby book. Marta’s book had audio recordings of Baboo, Nona and her Aunt in Italy. We talked about how Baboo’s voice sounded differently then our voices.

Baboo explained to us that Italians like to use their hands to speak. He taught us several hand gestures to express words: hello/goodbye, hungry, ‘I’m thinking’ and ‘after’.

He showed us where Italy is on our globe and we compared that shape to the one on the food map.

And then…..he served us pistachio gelato!

Thank you, Baboo for a great trip! We will be spending our whole week there!

And after our first day in Italy—–we ran outside to play in the water sprinkler!!

Oh Happy Day! We said goodbye to Miss Jennifer and the Blue Bus this morning and will see her again after Labor Day.

Wee Sprouts: carrots and pea pods, Breakfast: Cheerios and pear slices, Lunch: Whole grain rice and red beans, fruit salad and broccoli.

Have a great day!

Happy Friday!

Chloe was all smiles today! She rocked in the chair while listening to her favorite music as of late!

P.K. looked at the different animals on the board. He saw a dog and said, “Roof!”

Music was played throughout the morning. Chloe and P.K. danced together and clapped their hands! Chloe spun in circles around the room while P.K. enjoyed jumping up and down.

They lounged around reading different books and also incorporated a few yoga poses into their morning.

Marina and Chloe played dress up. They both asked very nicely, “Please, help.”

Chloe loved rocking on the teeter totter. As she was riding it, she was saying, “Teeter, totter.” Marina enjoyed being in the sandbox where she used cups to fill with sand. She said, “Coffee.”

P.K. worked with bouncy balls outside. His green ball went under the sensory table. He looked and said, “Uh-Oh.” He crawled underneath and table and was finally able to get it out. Again, P.K. worked on his downward facing dog pose.

Our vegetables and flowers are coming in very nicely in the back area of the backyard. Children used their noses to smell the flowers.

Ellie tried throwing the ball up in the tree. She also worked on kicking the ball with her foot.

P.K. looked up the tree and said, “Whoa!” He realized how tall the tree really is!

Children sat in the boxes that hold the balls. Marina looked out of the hole and said, “Hello!”

For breakfast, we enjoyed rice krispies along with strawberries. AM snack was carrots. Lunch consisted of barbeque chicken sandwiches, strawberries, and salad. PM snack was raisins and string cheese.

Hope everyone has a fun and safe Father’s Day weekend!

-Mindy

 

Parent Reminder:

• Monday is the first time we will be changing friends into swim suits for water play. Please make sure your Wee Friend has a swim suit for Monday! Thank you!

 

Yesterday Lisa guided our Wee Friends in Beginning the Basics- Wee Friends’ afternoon life skills work. Right now the focus is working with kind but definitive words to express our feelings.

“We were practicing telling our words when someone does mean stuff to us like hitting and calling us names and pushing. Well, we, ummm, we were telling them NO when they hit us. We acted it out. It was pretty fun. We say NO! and please don’t do that and I don’t like that. and that’s all I know.”-Kai

The Child Is Father To the Man- Gerard Manley Hopkins (1918)

“The child is father to the man.”
How can he be? The words are wild.
Suck any sense from that who can:
“The child is father to the man.”
No; what the poet did write ran,
“The man is father to the child.”
“The child is father to the man!”
How can he be? The words are wild!

Wee Sprouts: carrots, Breakfast: whole wheat toast with peanut butter, Lunch: BBQ chicken on whole wheat bread, salad greens and fruit salad.

Have a fabulous time celebrating fathers and grandfathers this weekend!

 

Good Afternoon!

Marina started off her morning with multiple activities. First, she worked on patterns along with shapes and colors. She requested the pattern boards right when she walked in the door. We talked about different colors and where to put it on the pattern board. She then moved to foam puzzles where she decided if the animal or object belonged in the ocean or the farm.

Marina joined P.K. in the kitchen where they worked with green play-dough. P.K. also brought a book into the kitchen where he looked at the pictures while Marina used tools to hammer the play-dough.

Many of our friends worked with bouncy balls outside this morning. Different actions took place including throwing and kicking the ball.

Ellie asked Miss Mindy if she would throw the ball high up in the tree and touch the branches. We watched as the ball went into the tree and came back down.

Chloe and Ellie enjoyed going down the slide. Since the sun was shining down on the slide, they noticed that the slide was hot if you touched it!

Elizabeth made a special birthday cake in a cup. She went to go get a pail and the handle was stuck! She asked for help and once it was fixed, she very politely said, “Thank you Mindy.”

To find some shade, friends went under a small tree to play together.

      

P.K. went into the play house where he opened the door and window really fast to say ‘”hi!”

Miss Laurie brought out a special friend: Miss Piggy! We talked to her about various things.. We all talked about giving Miss Piggy soft touches instead of hard touches. Children gave her kisses on her nose and soft, gentle touches.

P.K. rode the teeter totter. He started gently falling off on purpose! He would laugh, stand up, and dust himself off. He hopped right back on!

For breakfast, our friends enjoyed Chex and bananas. AM snack was carrots. Lunch consisted of tortilla bread sandwiches with melted cheese, mixed fruit, and broccoli. PM snack was rice cakes with cream cheese, apples, and a strawberry banana smoothie.

Have a super evening!

-Mindy