Avi - 6/22/2018

Avilene ate brown rice and raisins for breakfast.  For lunch she ate salmon, whole wheat dinner roll, a large serving of green beans, and a large serving of mangoes.

This first picture is left over from yesterday afternoon.  We didn't go outside because of all the rain and there were times when it was pouring!  We have a metal roof and it's fun to listen to the rain when it's pounding hard.  The kids were at the window several times watching it come down and watching the water run down the road.

Here are a couple of pictures from this morning's activities;  They chose to use the sketching tablets to draw with at Art Time.  When they finished with these we used the magnetic boards where they move the buttons around.  Everyone worked together to build with the blocks in the middle picture. Notice how Avi has her foot up on the side of the blocks.  That reminds me of what she's been doing at the couch this week.  She'll put her foot up on the couch ("watch this Gary!") just like in the picture and try to make a BIG step onto the couch.  I told her to try to step up without using her hands so she immediately kept her hands up to her chest to show me she wasn't using them.  It hasn't worked yet, but probably soon!!  Ha!!

It's fun to give the baby something different (with different texture) to experience.  In the last picture this was just an old (but it's clean!!) thing that suctioned to the tub to lay the soap on.  It's very pliable with a unique feel and I like how Svea is totally checking it out!  I also like how much Svea enjoys looking at something above her such as the objects hanging overhead in her crib here.  She gets glued on those every time I put her down for a nap.

I'm sure most everyone reading the Blogs knows that Little Treasures is closed next week so we can go away for a little vacation.  But, just in case there are some who don't know I'm posting this now. After today the next Blog will be Monday, July 2nd.  See you all then!

Avi - 6/21/2018

Avilene ate whole wheat english muffin and bites of oranges for breakfast.  For lunch she ate half of ground beef, ate whole wheat elbow noodles with applesauce, and ate her peas.  (Also covered with applesauce - makes everything so much yummier!)

We'll start with a couple pictures of Svea!  Sorry Avi, but someone has invaded your Blog!  Stop me if you've heard this before, but this is the sweetest Baby!!  Oh good, no one is here to stop me!!  So here's what frequently happens in a Daycare: (and we decided a long time ago we would try hard NOT to let this happen) the most demanding loudest screaming child gets the most attention!  ("The squeaky wheel gets the grease!")  I know I only get Svea during these daytime hours, but she is the least demanding baby ever!!  Here's one example from this morning how I personally determine a baby's temperament!  I knew she was hungry and she'd probably only drank an ounce and here's Linnea standing up holding on to the couch with huge amounts of snot coming out of both nostrils!! And she was about to stick her face in the couch and wipe it all over the place!!  So I sit Svea to the side, quickly go get a tissue, wipe, and resume feeding Svea.  I can't tell you how many babies I've had that would (and have) scream their heads off if I did that!!  I Love you Svea and thank you for being such a sweetheart!  And Nora thinks Svea is such a comfy pillow!!

Here are a couple pictures from Avi's morning;  "Look at me Gary!"  Ok, but stay there for a moment while I grab the camera!  Haha!  She's pretty accustomed to me asking that!!  Thanks for cooperating Avilene!!  We read lots of books, sang some songs, and did some gluing at Art Time.  (following picture)

So here's a picture of how Avi re-entered the Play room after Art Time.  Haha!  I liked how she jumped up - granted it's not a huge jump - but she's always ready for another challenge when it comes to something physical!!  (And you can tell by the picture it wasn't much of a challenge for her to jump up!)  So I asked her if she'd do it again so I could take a picture.  And she was more than happy to repeat it!  Especially because she knew I loved it!!  This is a bit off the subject, but I'm looking forward to the different activities we're planning to start September 1st.  That will challenge her in other ways and I know she'll love doing those things as well!

Avi - 6/20/2018

Avilene ate french toast and two servings of strawberries for breakfast.  For lunch she ate paleo stew with beef, broccoli, cauliflower, sweet potatoes, and green beans.  She ate crackers and tropical fruit.

This first picture is from yesterday afternoon when everyone was examining a small roly poly bug that Hudson had in his dump truck.  They've been finding lots of roly poly bugs this year outside and everyone loves it.  Well the three oldest kids at least.  This is about the extent of interest that Nora shows!  :)  (She's in the bottom right of picture.  Like Momma Emily said, her head and Avi's head look very similar!)  Nora will occasionally look, but not touch.

Hudson and Avi were talking to Svea and I like how Svea was totally focused on her pants!  She stayed focused on those for a couple of minutes or more.  Then in the next picture Avi was wearing the lady bug jacket.

We went through the signs that the kids know (except for the colors) and everyone did awesome.  We also added a couple of new ones like "fish" and "cookie."  Even though they may not be able to get their fingers to cooperate they sure recognize the signs.  :)  Avi is trying hard to make those fingers work the signs!!

I took the last picture when we were doing some painting at art time.  This is another good example of how Nora likes to wait, watch, evaluate, speculate, weigh the pros and cons, more thoughts, check the weather, and maybe proceed!  The other kids had used their brushes and then switched to using their hands and Nora had yet to touch her's when I took the picture.  Before we started I asked if they wanted to paint with their hands or with a brush.  Hudson said, "Or your mouth, or your eyes, or your hair......or your feet."  Silly kid.  Some of you know the Cline kids and when Cooper was here I remember letting him and a girl named Mia (Mommy Molly knows Mia's Momma) paint with their feet.  It was pretty messy, but they had SO MUCH FUN!!  :)

Avi - 6/19/2018

Avilene ate most of waffle and three servings of grapes for breakfast.  For lunch she ate chicken, bites of whole grain tortilla, ate most of corn, and ate baked cinnamon apples.

I've mentioned before that the kids have "designated" spots where they always sit during Story Time. (They were the ones who chose their spots and then they've always kept them!)  Today Nora was sitting on the bump of the couch (sitting on Avi's Spot) and immediately moved when Avi came for Story Time.  Then Nora said, "Thank you Avi!"  LOL!  Why are you thanking her?  For "allowing" you to sit on her spot prior to Story Time!?

Here are a couple pictures of little miss cuteness herself!!  I like how she kind of has both hands behind her head in the first picture.  In the 2nd picture she was doing the back-n-forth head thing again!  And laughing!  :)  She's a wonderful baby!

Hudson and Avilene have sequestered themselves in the igloo again!  :)  (That's a pillow that's blocking the entrance.)  And again Avi left the igloo long before Hudson wanted her to, but he continued to stay in there by himself.  Avi also played with the puzzles, jumped on the mattress, and frequently asked me, "Are we having food today Gary!?!" Yes, we probably will!!  :)

In the last picture Avi was holding up the lids (which have mirrors on the back side facing Atley) and she was saying, "Monkey!  Monkey!  Monkey!"  (Yes, it's a game we play.)  A side note about this picture: Nora very frequently is in the background watching, listening, learning, and evaluating.  I watch Her and I often wish I knew what she was thinking!!  :)  Look at the picture and see how she is studying Atley!

Avi - 6/18/2018

Avilene had two servings of kix cereal and ate two servings of mixed fruit for breakfast.  For lunch she ate ground turkey, whole wheat hamburger bun, no tomatoes, half of avocado, and ate cherries.

We did a toy, book, and puzzle exchange this weekend and Avilene stayed pretty busy all morning playing with the toys.  Hudson and Avilene were playing with the food toys for a long time and Hudson was doing the cooking and they were feeding the dolls; which they were calling their "babies." Hudson said he was cooking and Avilene said, "I'm the feeder!"  :)  I haven't really talked specifically about this, but I'm sure you are noticing how their play is becoming more complex - moving into more dramatic types of play where they create their own games, recreate something from their everyday life, something they see on screen, from older cousins or siblings, older kids at childcare, or many combinations of these.

I was listing the colors of the doll blankets in Nora's Blog and I said, "If I'm wrong on these colors you can all blame Avi; I got my color information from her!!"  :)  She's my go-to-girl for color help!! Thank you Avi!!  I remembering telling one little girl years ago that I didn't know my colors and she said, "I know you're kidding me."  :)

Here are some pictures from Avi's morning.  First picture; trying on different masks and checking them out in the mirror.  2nd picture; Hudson had barricaded the entrance to the igloo and sequestered himself inside.  Ha!  Avi joined him for several minutes, but she got tired of it.  He learned this from the Cline girls; they were always doing this with the pillows and sometimes including Hudson in their play.  Later, Avi tried to get Atley to join her in the "dark" igloo (Avi's description), but Atley wanted no part of that!  And the third picture - Avi and Atley working on the "new" puzzles.  (Momma Molly may have noticed Avi is wearing different pants.  Not a big deal; I'll explain this afternoon.)

Svea took a huge nap this morning!!  Shortly after you guys left she woke up and I just moved her to her crib and she continued her nap and slept until almost noon!!  After a bottle she played on the floor; protected by the fence so Linnea couldn't maul her!!  Linnea tried hard to scale the fence, but it withstood the pressure!  I took this picture when Svea joined me when I was working on Blogs!  She was just whipping her head back-n-forth being a goof!  It's so funny when they learn new "tricks" like that!!

Avi - 6/15/2018

Avilene ate oatmeal and three servings of baked cinnamon apples for breakfast.  For lunch she ate half of hamburger stew with meat, carrots, potatoes, green beans, and tomatoes.  She also ate whole wheat dinner roll, and ate apricots.  The kids were maybe a bit wilder than usual and I said, "You guys are kind of crazy today."  Hudson said, "Yes they are crazy today!"  Haha!

On the days when we've been able to go outside we've been cleaning up toys in the Daycare room before going out.  We sing the same "clean up" song every day and the kids have been doing awesome.  I assign each one a job (rather than just saying, "ok, pick up toys") and they've have been staying on task amazingly well!!  I couldn't be more proud of them.

Avi asked, "Gary, can you sit on the couch?"  Why?  "Cause I want you to."  Why?  "So I can stand on your legs."  (Which I already knew, but wanted to see if she'd verbalize it.)  Later she was literally sprinting from the big window to the gate - back and forth!!  Hudson finally asked her; "What are doing?"  Avi said, "I'm running errands."  LOL!  That hit my funny bone.  (That's a great example of "concrete thinking.")

This first picture was taken yesterday afternoon while we were playing outside.  If you look closely you can see her fingers poking through where she's hanging on!  Except she has her hands in two different "rows."  Then I have a couple of "group" pictures from this morning.  The mattress is frequently a very busy place, but it's amazing how well they do!  The conflicts are few and the crashes are even more rare. They are always careful to not jump on each other.  In the last picture we were doing some Dot painting at Art Time.

Avi - 6/14/2018

Avilene ate half of french toast and half of dried plums for breakfast.  For lunch she ate pulled pork, whole wheat toast, bites of peas, and ate her cantaloupe.  The Monitor for the Food Program was here to observe our lunch time procedure.  She also checks lots of paperwork including sign-in sheets, temp in fridge and freezer, and makes sure I'm serving what's listed on the Menu.  All the kids were amazing while she was here.  I was (and am) so proud of them!!  Hudson was just chattering at her all the time!  Ha!  I said, "Hey Hudson, tell Claudette what Gary says about your talking all the time!"  He said, "jabber, jabber, jabber."  Perfect!  You nailed it!  :)  Also during breakfast when Nora wouldn't eat Avilene looked at Hudson and asked, "Why is Nora so mad?"  He said, "I don't know.  I have no idea why Nora is so mad."  Haha!

This first picture is from yesterday afternoon when Atley and Avilene were taking turns giving Svea rides up and down the sidewalk.  This old stroller with the small wheels is not an easy thing to maneuver, but they've figured it out.  You may have noticed the wagon blocking the sidewalk; that was to keep them from taking the baby into the bright sunlight.  Also yesterday outside Avi was riding and pedaling the bike and said, "Hey Gary! I'm pedaling with one foot!"  And she was!!  That is SO Avi!!  She masters a new skill and immediately starts experimenting with something different!  She's done that with crawling, walking, running, jumping, now riding bike, and who knows what else!?!  That's one reason I'm excited about setting up the new activities for this fall.  It will provide her many more opportunities to learn and experiment!  And keep her from becoming super bored!!  :)

Here are a couple pictures from this morning.  Svea and her amazing smile!!  (That's Hudson holding her hand!)  I love that smile and can't get enough of it!!  :)  Last picture; Well, Linnea is back from Helena and everyone was thrilled.  I really like this picture because it was crowded around the baby so Nora was taking what was available!!  Haha!  I think Nora said something like this; "You don't mind if I just lean against your back and suck my thumb do you!?!"

Avi - 6/13/2018

Avilene ate two servings of whole wheat toast and three servings of mangoes for breakfast.  For lunch she ate two servings of ground beef with marinara sauce on whole wheat spaghetti noodles, ate squash, and fruit salad.  Avi ate a LOT of food this morning!  She's a growing girl and a busy girl!!

I'm gonna start with three pictures from yesterday afternoon.  Svea was very happy laying on a blanket in the grass and watching everyone run around.  What a doll!  (Have I mentioned that I think she's an awesome Baby!?!)  Then in the 2nd picture Avi and Atley were checking out a bug they found on the yellow climber.  :)  In the 3rd picture the kids (except Nora - she preferred to watch) were inside the geo-climber using the balls as their pillows.  And laughing; they were pretty impressed with themselves.  :)  Children laughing is music to me!!  Love it!

 

The next picture is Nora, Avi, and Hudson surrounding Svea!  It's always a competition to be closest to the babies; especially just after arrival!!  Geez!  (I frequently have to rescue the babies from over-zealous Toddlers!)  I offered Svea a bottle before her morning nap, but she wasn't interested.  Anyhow, when I said I was gonna get Svea a bottle Avi said, "She's not crying!!"  Haha!  To further her point she added; "She's happy!!"  That tickled me!  Thanks for your input Avi!!

More pictures from this morning;  The shorts from the dress-up clothes fit better if you put both legs in the same leg hole!!  I told Avi I liked her skirt!  Then the last picture; I love this!  She was doing a good job of holding herself in the air for a few seconds and I managed to get a good picture of it! Avi the gymnast!

Avi - 6/12/2018

Avilene ate whole wheat bagel and three servings of grapes for breakfast.  For lunch she ate shrimp, most of brown rice, most of stir fry vegetables, and ate raspberries.

Hudson has obviously heard about the whole "pinky swear" or "pinky promise" thing.  He was walking around (primarily focused on Avilene, but she was basically ignoring him) with his pinky extended saying, "promise pinky, promise pinky, promise pinky."  Atley was watching it all and started saying, "pinky pinky pinky pinky."  And she was extending her index finger.  That is so classic Atley and it hit my funny bone and I was laughing so hard.

I had Svea laying on the couch beside me and Avi got on my lap and was being Gary's "Baby."  Ha! She had her eyes closed, laying her head on my chest and was sleeping except with a big grin on her face.  Ha!  (See picture.)  Avi came into Daycare a bit wild so I gave her some extra attention and she did fine and was a good listener all morning.  In the next picture she was standing on my legs so I managed to get a picture of that as well.  :)

Here's a picture of Hudson and Avilene putting on some dress-up clothes.  Hudson said, "Avi, where are we going?"  She said, "To shoot some baskets."  Hudson (suddenly excited) asked, "Shoot!?!" Avi said, "Yes."  Hudson asked, "Why?"  Avi said, "Because we are."  Haha!  (You all know where this is going!)  After a slight pause Hudson asked, "Where are our guns?"  Haha!!  I roared!!  In the following picture Hudson and Avi had been playing in the igloo and Avi got tired of it and left.  (Much to Hudson's annoyance!!)  "Hey Avi!  Why are you leaving!?  When are you coming back in!?!"  Avi answered, "Oh someday!"  Haha!

Start with a picture of Svea and end with a picture of Svea!  Now that's a good Blog!!  Here she is getting acquainted with a new friend!!  :)

Avi - 6/11/2018

Avilene ate bran cereal and raisins for breakfast.  For lunch she ate chicken, whole grain pita bread, olives, cucumbers, bites of peppers, bite of tomatoes, and ate her pears.

Last week during Story Time Atley saw a picture of Dr. Suess on the inside cover of a book and said, "My Daddy! My Daddy!"  (In the picture he is getting older with a gray beard.)  haha!  Atley did it again today; "My Daddy!  My Daddy!"   Nora said, "My Daddy! My Daddy!"  Avi said, "My Daddy!  My Daddy!"  Hudson said, "NO! That's the author that wrote this book!"  (That's an exact quote! Wow!)  They kept on chanting and finally Hudson gave up and joined in with everyone else; "My Daddy!  My Daddy!"  Haha!

In the first picture Nora is using Svea for a pillow as usual!  The babies must make Nora feel warm and fuzzy because she always lays her head on them, gets a dreamy look on her face, sucking her thumb, and this time even closing her eyes!  All the time I was taking this picture Avi was chanting; "Can I talk to Svea!?  Can I talk to Svea!?"  "Can I talk to Svea!?"  :)

The last two pictures: the kids were watching some birds feeding in the yard.  Before I took he picture the birds were actually right up below the window.  In the last picture we were just about done with doing some gluing at Art Time.  While gluing Avi was being a good helper for Nora getting her pictures with the correct side up!  Thank you Avi!

Avi - 6/8/2018

Avilene ate cream of wheat cereal and half of dried plums for breakfast.  For lunch she ate most of "baked beef kabobs" with meat, zucchini, peppers, and pineapple.  She ate a large serving of brown rice, and a large serving of pineapple on the side.

Atley and Avilene were jumping on the mattress and Atley did a perfect "belly flop" off the blue balance beam!  I said something about it and was laughing so Avi went to the top of the igloo and said, "I do a belly flop!"  Ha!  (She didn't.)  Then she was on the balance beam and shut her eyes tight and launched herself sideways off onto the mattress.  It looked hilarious and I just roared!!  Man that was funny and was she ever proud of herself for making me laugh that hard!!

Avi and Hudson were playing that same game on the chair that I described in yesterday's blog.  Except today Hudson was "driving" and instead of going to "Colorado" they were going on a trip to the "garbage dump."  Haha!!  Avi seemed to be totally satisfied with their choice of destination!!  Avi, do you like going to the garbage dump?  She said, "Yes."  :)

Well we're kind of loaded with pictures today so I'll go through them one by one!!  These first three pictures are from yesterday afternoon.  In the first picture Atley had just awoke from her nap and went over to talk to baby Svea.  This doesn't happen too often so I try to snap a picture when it does.  So precious!!  In the 2nd picture Linnea is checking out Svea!  The 3rd picture:  There are 5 kids inside the geo-climber, plus Kenzie dumping the balls, and Linnea watching from the edge.  Just as a FYI for you, yesterday was the last day at Little Treasures for Kenzie and Riley as they will be going to Summer Camps now that school is officially over as of this morning at 11:00.  Their Grandparents are moving to Missoula as well so it may have been the last day for good.  I'll miss them for sure!  They've been a part of the Daycare Family for more than 8 years!  (Where is Avi?  See the yellow ball and look at the little blonde head directly to the left!!  Avi!!)  The last 2 pictures are from this morning.  Hudson talking to Svea and Avi wearing two of the stacking cups on her feet.  She actually took several steps with these cups stuck to her heals!  Silly kid.  She loves to experiment!!

Avi - 6/7/2018

Avilene ate half of waffle and bites of fruit salad for breakfast.  For lunch she ate shepherd's pie with hamburger, green beans, carrots, and potatoes.  She ate whole grain tortilla and two servings of cherries.

Frequently when Avilene and Hudson play in the swivel/rocker chair, the chair represents their car and the one pushing is the "driver."  Avi is usually the driver!  :)  She was pushing and Hudson asked, "where are we going?"  Avi said, "On vacation. To see your Tutu!"  Hudson said, "She's in Colorado." Avi stopped the chair and started pushing it in the opposite direction.  She said, "Ok. This is Colorado."  Ha!  I love it!!

(For those who haven't seen the "signs" in the Daycare.)  The next picture is just some of the signs that Kenzie and Riley have made for the daycare.  They point at these signs like the kids can read!!  "Follow the signs!!"  They've drilled the kids and this morning Hudson just randomly said, "Be kind and caring."  (2nd sign from the left.)  Then he said, "Nora!  Be kind and caring!"  I couldn't see any reason for the admonition - at that particular moment!!  :)

There is a part of the pillow that is black (hard to see in the picture) and Svea was focused on it and just talking and cooing so loud.  So precious and cute.  Then I like the following picture because Nora and Svea were both focused on their hands.

 

Here are a couple more pictures from this morning.  The kids were watching the street sweepers again and then in the last picture Nora and Avilene were in the igloo and Atley kept peeking in and they were all laughing uproariously!!  I love that sound!!