Alphabet Play - The Letter A

I started alphabet play with Kate this morning.  She has been showing an interest in letters in books, on signs, and just around the house lately, so I thought it was time to have fun with those letters.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE toddler/preschool lessons (I should be a preschool teacher), so I am excited to be doing this with her now.  I'm not doing anything too structured or showing her flashcards (BORING); we are just having fun - just as I did with the other kids, it's really about play and incorporating the alphabet into that play.

 This was Kate's first experience with Do A Dot Markers.  She seemed to enjoy using them, and she did really well putting dots in the circles!

 I cut an uppercase A out of a paper grocery bag and let her use the Dot Markers and paint to decorate it.

Next week, I plan on trying a few alphabet activities from No Time for Flashcards.  I'm a huge fan of that site; I used a lot of her ideas when Collin and Reagan were little and I'm very excited to try them with Kate.

First Day of School - Take Two

Today is Tyler's first day of school.  He is now a junior in high school.  He looks thrilled, doesn't he?  I don't feel old enough to have a high school junior.  I hope he has a great day and a great year!

First Day of School

Today is the first day of a new school year for Collin and Reagan.  It was a little crazy getting back into the routine, but everyone got out the door dressed, with clean faces and brushed teeth, and with lunches and snacks packed, and a few supplies in their backpacks.  Hopefully we didn't forget anything!

I made first day of school pancakes, blueberry for Reagan and chocolate chip for Collin, and I attempted to shape them like a two and a four in celebration of their new grades.

 First day of second grade for Reagan!!!

 First day of fourth grade for Collin!  I can't even believe he is in fourth grade - that's just crazy.

 That is Ellie (our next door neighbor) with Collin and Reagan.  She comes over in the morning to take the bus or walk to school with us.  When I told Kate that Ellie was coming over this morning, she said, "Meow Meow Meow"!!!  I laughed so hard!  Ellie also happens to be the name of one of Auntie Karen's cats.  I guess Kate remembered that from our trip to New York this summer.

I can't wait to hear all about their day!!!!!!!

Boston - Museum of Science and Faneuil Hall

The third grade social studies curriculum in Massachusetts is mostly focused around the history of our state.  Collin enjoyed this study last year, and one thing he wanted to do was head to Boston to walk the Freedom Trail.  We planned this for yesterday, and left the house with every intention of doing the Freedom Trail.  Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate.  While the Weather Channel app showed clear skies for the morning, the actual weather was quite different!  On the way there, we encountered heavy rains and thunder.  So, Tom came up with Plan B, and we all (Grandpa Jim and Grandma Susan, Collin, Reagan, Katelyn, Tom, and I) went to the Museum of Science.

We purchased tickets for the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit and the Exploring the Universe Planetarium show.  Grandpa, Tom, Collin, and Reagan also went on the space exploration motion simulator.

My only complaint about the Museum of Science is that additional tickets (at an additional price) are required for everything!

After some time there, we went to Faneuil Hall.  We walked around a bit trying to decide where to eat, and then we spotted Dick's Last Resort.  When we told the kids that it is a restaurant known for rude wait staff that makes fun of the customers, Collin and Reagan knew they wanted to eat there!

Reagan loved it, and wanted to participate in the worst way.  It's a good thing she got a hat, or she would have been devastated!

 Collin's hat said, "Ask me about my EPIC Barbie collection".

Reagan's hat said, "I kick puppies".
I can't say the food was good, but the experience was definitely memorable!!!

We walked around a little after lunch.

Collin posed in front of the Samuel Adams statue.

Reagan was hoping to visit the One Direction store, but it appears to have been a temporary shop, so we got ice cream instead (not that we wouldn't have got ice cream if we found the shop)!

It has been about four years since we last visited Faneuil Hall, and yet we saw one of the same street performance acts that we saw last time - The Red Trouser Show.

They perform a few acrobatic stunts during their show; it's fun for the kids to watch!  The last time we were there (May of 2009 - you can click here to read about that day), Reagan was a little over a year older than Kate is now, and Tom and I remember her rolling around on the ground while we watched the performance.  It was like deja vu with Kate yesterday as she rolled around on the ground!  After the show, we all headed home.

Even though we changed our plans, and didn't get to walk the Freedom Trail this time, it was a great day for all of us, and we were happy that Grandma and Grandpa shared the experience with us.  I am sure that we will find another day to walk the Freedom Trail.

Bubbles Finale

Two bubble treats that are rare around here make for the perfect end to a bunch of bubble fun.

Mario Party

I had one Super Mario tablecloth left from Collin's party, so I thought it would be fun to have a little Mario Party.

 I put out plates of fruit and told the kids that each one symbolized something from Mario.  They knew right away!  I was surprised!  I thought I was way off track, but I guess not!

Strawberries = red for Mario
Green grapes = green for Luigi
Peach slices = Princess Peach
Banana slices = gold coins

 They gobbled up all of the fruit.

Later in the day, I made brownies and cut one to look like the Super Mario Goomba.  I added some details with pieces of marshmallows and mini chocolate chips.

Ha ha ha - NOT perfect, but Collin and Reagan knew what it was, so who cares!!!!!!!!  It's all about having fun!

Bubbles - Part Five

Maybe because it's not typically allowed, but blowing chocolate milk bubbles is WAY more fun than you would think!  I didn't actually blow any of my own milk bubbles, but just watching Collin and Reagan have a sanctioned milk bubble blowing contest was a blast for me!!!

Just in case you are wondering who won, Collin's mass of bubbles was higher, but Reagan's bubble mass had the most coverage.  In the end, they both won because I cleaned up all of the mess while they enjoyed glasses of chocolate milk!