Avi & Svea - 12/31/2018

Avilene ate two servings of whole wheat Chex cereal and ate peaches for breakfast.  For lunch she ate ground beef, whole wheat hamburger bun, no tomatoes, ate avocados, and no oranges.

This is just an FYI for whoever is picking up your children today; Lauralea will be covering for me so I can join a friend at the Lady Griz game.  Cheers.  Thank you Lauralea.  I will probably be back by 4:30 - 5:00 so you may not see her anyhow.  Also, we want to wish all our Little Treasures families a Happy New Year.  No Blogs tomorrow, but they will resume on Wednesday.  Happy Birthday tomorrow to our sweet Svea!!!  I asked Avi and Atley how old Svea would be tomorrow.  Atley said, "3 in December."  Haha!  Ummm, no, that was your birthday Atley.  :)

Occasionally I'll let Avi go without a bib; usually at snack when it's something NOT messy.  So last Friday at snack she asked if she could go without a bib.  Super messy snack; yogurt and blueberries on the side.  So I said, "You have to wear your bib, BUT if you can keep it clean with this messy meal that would be impressive.  She had four big messes so we'll hold off on going bib-less!!!  I didn't make a big deal of it, but said we'll just keep trying.  For one thing, she takes a VERY relaxed approach to how she sits at the table.  She's usually sitting way low, legs stretched out and usually crossed, and just super relaxed.  :)  (She's usually sitting lower than Nora.)

I took this first picture last Friday afternoon when the neighbor's daughter-in-law brought their little dog to the window for the kids to look at.  Which was very sweet of her.  Avilene happened to be in the bathroom at the time and the puppy was gone when she arrived, but you can see Svea at the window.  Speaking of Svea, she gets her own Blog on Wednesday!!  It will be on this same page, but a separate Blog starting below Avilene's Blog.

Pictures from this morning:  We did a toy, book, and puzzle exchange so the kids were busy and it was a normal toy exchange Monday.  Except it was just three kids here.  Nora and Linnea will be back on Wednesday.  First picture; Atley was wearing a mask and I told her it was the "Grandma mask."  So Avi got a mask and Atley said, "I'm Grandma!"  Avi said, "I'm Grandpa!!"  (The Little Red Riding Hood story - Grandma, woodcutter, and there's a wolf mask too.)  Next picture: they found out they could stick some food toys to the window; "cheese slices and bologna!!"  Haha!  Last picture: Doing some Art on the box.

Avi & Svea - 12/28/2018

Avilene ate some oatmeal and dried cranberries for breakfast.  For lunch she ate tilapia, a large serving of whole wheat elbow noodles topped with a large serving of applesauce; she also ate her green beans.

I was gone for about an hour this morning and it was fun walking back into the daycare to hear all the squealing kids; like I'd been gone for a week!  So precious.  Svea was especially cute!!!  She came crawling to the gate as fast as she could go!!  Do I have the most qualified "substitute" ever while I'm at appointments!?!  Haha!  Three degrees, two in Early Childhood, with the last being a Masters in Early Childhood.  She develops and teaches Early Childhood classes, 30 plus years experience at all three levels in Montana: Family Home, Group Home, and Center.  Ok, I guess you qualify as my Sub and I can trust you with my kids!!  :)  (I'm just glad she doesn't charge me what she's worth!)  I so appreciate all the help and input she gladly gives me.  Thank you Lauralea.

Lauralea put a ponytail in Nora's hair and Nora wanted Avi to recognize it and comment on it.  "Avi, I have a ponytail."  Avi was giving her the silent treatment and Nora was exasperated.  She finally looked at me and said, "Avi's asking me it."  Haha!  Oh, ok.  So I had Avi respond and that's all Nora wanted.  (Which Avi already knew!!)  More about Nora, but this is cute and the story includes Svea.  Last night Nora's Mom asked Nora what she thought about having a new Baby at their house.  Nora thought about it and thought about the only babies she knows: Linnea and Svea.  (Lauralea told me this story, so the quote is not exact, but you'll get the idea.)  Nora seemed fine with the idea and said, "You can have Linnea and I have Svea."  Haha!

This first picture is from yesterday afternoon, but these same four kids were playing in the box again this morning and it basically looked just like this.  Avi, sitting in the back on the left, said, "Ok Everyone!!  We're going to the Grinch!!"  Haha!

Next two pictures: Well both Nelson girls are in this picture, but you have to look closely!!  Avi is under the table and you can just see her feet (with socks on) right behind Svea as Svea is making her exit out of the legos drawer.  Haha!  Then Svea was just standing hands-free beside the drawer for 30 seconds or more chewing on a legos.  Last picture:  Atley and Avi working on another preschool activity; same as what I've posted earlier this week.  This is one of their favorites.

Avi & Svea - 12/27/2018

Avilene ate breakfast at home.  For lunch she ate hamburger & sausage pizza with whole wheat pizza crust, peppers, pineapple, olives, and tomato sauce.  She also ate three servings of pineapple on the side.

This first picture is from yesterday afternoon, but I thought the cutest part is what Avi said when I showed her the picture.  She commented on two things: First she said, "I have my tongue out!!" Secondly, she said, "The basketball is in the picture!!"  Haha!  Yes!  Isn't that wonderful!?!

Next picture: I think Avi was as happy to see Atley as Nora was.  :)  Isn't this sweet?  Atley wanted to join Avi in the preschool activity she was doing and Avi was happy to have her.  I just thought this was precious.  Following picture: Avi also did some puzzles.  She really likes the one in the picture because it has sounds with the animals.

Next picture:  Avi let Nora join her in building with some little blocks.  However, there were conditions to joining - Primarily, Nora needed to understand that Avi was the "Project Manager!"  "We're building a house Nora!  Put that right there!!"  You know that didn't last too long!!  Nora was NOT the most compliant worker!  Haha!  Last picture: The kids pestered me and pestered me for the tunnels and of course they only played VERY briefly in them!!  Except for Svea; She loves to crawl and she motored through there several times.

Avi & Svea - 12/26/2018

Avilene ate three servings of whole wheat toast and three servings of grapes for breakfast.  For lunch she had a bite of pork roast, half of whole wheat tortilla, half of sweet potato, and half of fruit salad.

Avi alerts everyone when it's time to wave at the window in the mornings!  (When Momma Molly drove around the corner.)  "She's here!!"  (When Nora's Daddy Ryan drove around the corner.)  "He's here!!"  And that's all the kids here today!  Avi, Svea, and Nora.  Here are a couple pictures from this morning: Avi doing a preschool activity and second picture is Svea playing beside Avi in the big box.  Avi said, "I'm driving!!"  Pretty skilled; already using just one hand.  :)

This morning Avi said, "Hey Gary!  I'm gonna ski and you're gonna watch me!!"  Haha!  (Oh really? Ok, let me know when this is happening!)  Nora said, "I'm gonna ski."  Avi said, "I'm gonna ski fast."  Nora said, "I'm gonna ski fast."  Avi said, "Ok, you can ski right beside me."  :)

Nora said, "Gary, can we........?"  What?!?  "Gary, can we......?"  Repeat 3 or 4 times!  Help me Avi!  What is she saying?  Avilene said, "Gary, can we do sign language?"  Ha!  Thank you Avi.  So Nora said it again!  "Gary, can we.......?"  Avi said, "I already telled him!!"  Haha!!  So we did some sign language and I had to laugh at Avi in the middle of it; she was totally "zoning out" and staring straight ahead into some vast nothingness!  She looked so exhausted and wasn't hearing a word I was saying!!  :)  In the last picture Avi was trying to help Nora do the sign for "yellow."  Avi was saying, "put these down, put these down."  Thanks for helping Nora get those fingers to cooperate Avi!!

Avi & Svea - 12/21/2018

Avilene ate brown rice and raisins for breakfast.  For lunch she ate salmon, whole wheat dinner roll, no cauliflower, and ate mangoes.  First thing - I want to wish everyone a very merry Christmas!  Little Treasures will be closed Monday and Tuesday and the Blog will resume on Wednesday the 26th.  Avi was eating breakfast and watching Linnea play with Svea.  Avi said, "She (Linnea) said hi to Svea!!"  She sure did!!

Nora was reading books and singing, "Frosty the Snowman" with volume and enthusiasm!!  But she wasn't doing the words correctly and Avi had to intercede!!  Nora was singing, "Frosty the snowman was a nee nee nee nee nee."  Avi, speaking with animation and using her hands for extra emphasis:  "Nora, How about this!?!  Frosty the Snowman was a jolly happy soul."  LOL  So funny!  Avi was totally in "teacher mode" and couldn't let that one slide!

Avi did the same preschool activity that she's been doing everyday this week.  (I've posted pictures of it three out of the four previous days so I guess I'll refrain from posting a picture again today.)  Avi also read books and did some jumping.  But mostly she was pretty snuggly and every time I had a spare moment it went like this; "Gary, will you snuggle me?"  I'd love too!  So here's a selfie during one of those times!!  :)  How cute is this?!?

Here are a couple pictures from Svea's morning too!!  So that's how Svea's slippers get pulled off every morning! I finally caught them in the act!!  :)  Linnea was responsible for getting off both slippers.  :)  Haha!  Last picture: Here's Nora hanging out with Svea and Linnea.

Avi & Svea - 12/20/2018

Avilene ate two servings of toasted whole wheat english muffin and bites of oranges for breakfast.  For lunch she ate bites of ground beef and a large serving of everything else:  whole wheat elbow noodles, peas, and applesauce.

Avi blew me away again during Story Time: She has an amazing memory!!  We were reading "The Bear Went Over the Mountain" and my favorite kid's author and illustrator has created six or seven verses for that song.  Again, it's been a few weeks, but Avi nailed the last sentences on three of them that I left blank.  Here are the three sentences and she quoted them exactly correct.  "The moldy leaves decaying."  Next one: "Five happy ducklings dipping."  Third one: "Some berries tart and dewy."  I"m seriously impressed!!

Here are a couple pictures of Avi doing preschool activities.  This first one is a favorite of her's and she's chosen it every day this week so far.  She was giving Nora instructions on doing it as well.  Tell Nora what the next one is Avi; "Yellow cylinder."  "Blue square."  "Red ball."  Thank you Avi.  Second picture: Avi was intentionally creating her own animals.  :)  She said, "Hey Gary! I put this one in the wrong spot!!"  :)

This next picture is our neighbor's house and they have a Santa Claus that "repels" up and down this little rope.  The only way the kids can see it is from the top of the couch and I don't let them stand up there as it's not safe.  However, the Preschool room is two steps higher and they can see it; especially when they are on the stool to wash their hands.  This morning at breakfast even Linnea spotted it from her highchair and got all excited!  Last picture: Is this cute or what!?!  Svea was totally into looking at the book until she saw me taking her picture.  Look closely at the Title.  Apparently she's searching for her mother!!  :)

Avi & Svea - 12/19/2018

Avilene ate french toast and strawberries for breakfast.  Grandma Mary and Grandpa Mark picked up Avi about 10:30 so she ate lunch elsewhere!  She was only here about an hour and a half, but I have a couple of notes, a picture from yesterday, and pictures of Svea.

We always display our Christmas cards on the wall during this season and Avi was noticing them this morning.  She said, "There's eleven-teen cards up there!!"  Haha!  Yes, there are several!

I took this first picture yesterday afternoon.  I love the cuteness factor and also what a great sister Avi is for Svea.  She's like a Little Mommy.  Whenever Svea is having a problem or needs something Avi either goes immediately to fix it or tells me I need to do something!  "Gary! Svea is crying!" (Yes, I have my hearing aids in!)  "Now!"  "Quick!"  "Fix it!"  :)  They adore each other.  Second picture - Avi doing a preschool activity and Nora reading books in the background.  Third picture: Linnea and Svea were looking at the big poster and jabbering about it.  These two are pretty good buddies!

I love these last two pictures!  Linnea and Svea were putting the dress-up clothes over their heads and being silly.  They did this all on their own with no assistance from anyone.  I think Svea was actually doing it first and Linnea joined her.  In the first picture I like the "top view" of Svea's head trying to poke through the arm hole.  I also love in the last picture how Linnea's ponytail is sticking out of the arm hole!  :)

Avi & Svea - 12/18/2018

Avilene ate waffle and a large serving of grapes for breakfast.  For lunch she ate chicken, whole wheat tortillas, corn, and baked cinnamon apples.

When Avi was laying down for her nap I asked her if she was going to give her binky to baby Callahan.  She said, "Yes, when I'm big like Sylvie."  Haha.  That cracked me up.  When I was laughing she said, "Well, Sylvie doesn't use a binky."  No she doesn't and you've made a good point Avi.  :)  Maybe Momma will consider that!

First picture: When Avi saw Atley with the "fishing game" activity she said, "I'll teach you Atley!"  Atley said, "NO! I teach you!!"  Haha!  That made me laugh! And of course it continued with each of them saying it two or three more times.  So we had a little lesson on how to resolve a "standoff."  These two girls really don't have too many of those kind of moments!

Hey, I saw Svea coming off the mattress on her belly, feet first!!  Cheers!!  That was the first time I've seen her do it that way.  Always before it's head-first!  She very deliberately turned around and lay on her tummy before the dismount.  Also, she was doing this peek-a-boo thing with Lauralea and it was very cute.  She was moving her head to the side to "peek" and then moving it back, several times.

I like the last picture of Avi and Atley working on the same preschool activities side-by-side.  Atley left for Christmas trip to be with family today about 11:00.  Nora is feeling better and will be back tomorrow and Linnea is having a snuggle day with Mommy because she's not feeling too good either. So for the rest of the day it's just the two sweet and delightful Nelson girls at Little Treasures!!  :)

Avi & Svea - 12/17/2018

Avilene ate a big breakfast: two large servings of kix cereal and a large serving of mixed fruit.  For lunch she ate half of turkey burger, bites of whole wheat hamburger bun, no avocado, no tomatoes, and ate cherries.  We ate lunch early and went down for naps early because it was a tired Monday morning!  (For everyone except Atley!!)  All three of the other kids were exhausted!  (Nora is out sick today.)  I just looked over at Avi sleeping; she's laying on her back and her mouth is wide open! Sleeping hard!  :)

Atley was at a dentist appointment so Avi arrived first, but as soon as they came in Avi started telling Momma Megan about the Nutcarcker.  It was very cute.  :)  "Megan!  I went to the Nutcracker and watched Sissy dance!  But I had to be quiet!"  Haha!

We did a toy, book, and puzzle exchange this weekend.  First picture: We also changed a few things, including bringing in another big box, cutting a door in it, a few windows, and putting some chairs in there with dolls sitting in the chairs.  You may also notice some picture frames in the entry room to display the kid's art work.  Everyone was busy as usual on toy exchange Monday.

Here are some pictures from Avilene's morning: In the first two pictures she is doing some Preschool activities.  Then a picture of her playing with sister Svea.  Last picture: I took this picture immediately after you text me Molly!  You wondered how they were doing and I was going to include this very cute picture, but that stinking text disappeared too soon.  :)

Avi & Svea - 12/14/2018

Avilene ate two servings of oatmeal and ate baked cinnamon apples for breakfast.  For lunch she ate bites of hamburger stew with meat, carrots, green beans, and tomatoes.  Also, she ate whole wheat dinner roll and a large serving of apricots.  At breakfast Avi pointed accusingly at Nora and said, "Nora's eating with her hands!!"  Like it was the worst thing she'd ever witnessed!!  Totally ignoring the fact that earlier she'd been doing the exact same thing!!  Later, Nora returned the favor; "Avi put toy in her mouth!!"  Same thing; Earlier I'd asked Nora to take the legos out of her mouth!  LOL!!  You kids crack me up!  You're all experts on what everyone else is doing wrong!!  :)

I mentioned this yesterday, but Avi has been playing with Svea so much!  And it's so cute and sweet! Today Avi was petting Svea's head with 'bare feet' and said, "Oh, what a sweet baby!"  Haha!  See, I told you it was sweet!  :)  First picture: Avi joined Svea in the legos drawer and I took this picture because I was getting a kick out of watching Svea pile head-first out of the drawer.  The girl leads with her head most of the time!!  Thirty seconds later Svea dove head-first back into the drawer!!  :)

Here are more pictures from this morning: Avi and Nora were using cookie cutters with the play dough.  Then Nora apparently heard me say to Svea; "I'm gonna put you on the floor and go get you some clean clothes" because Nora sprinted for the gate and said, "I'M DONE GARY!!"  Haha!  Nothing interests Nora more than the babies!!  Especially a baby with nothing on but a diaper!  Last picture: Avi worked for a long time doing different art activities.  I think she has four art papers to take home today.  I love her concentration while she's cutting the tape with the scissors; it's fun to do a "close-up" look at this picture!!

Avi & Svea - 12/13/2018

Avilene ate french toast and dried plums for breakfast.  For lunch she ate pulled pork, two servings of whole wheat toast, ate peas, and strawberries.

Avi played with Svea a LOT this morning.  She's been doing that more lately as Svea has gotten more mobile and they both love it.  Avi only went to the preschool room one time this morning.  Which is obviously just fine, but it gives you an idea what she's been enjoying the past few days.  First picture: Avi said, "Gary, I'm sleeping with Svea!"  :)  Yes you're sleeping, but Svea is not.  Second picture: Nora was putting doll blankets over Svea's head and they were both having lots of fun with that.  Third picture: Avi and Nora were each holding a corner of the blanket and jumping on the mattress.  Fourth picture: More fun with sister Svea!  Love all the big grins in these picutres!!

Last picture: All the kids who were here today watching Avilene make designs with her hands on this pillow and then she said something that sounded like this:
Avi: "I'm making a bowl."
Me:  "Like what you eat cereal out of?"
Avi: "NO!! A bowl!!"
Me: (Because I'm so experienced I figured it out after 5 times!!  Haha!)  Oh, a BULL?!?!?
Avi:  "YES! Like phoning Ann."
Me: Oh boy, here we go again!  Knowing that's not what she said, but working hard to figure it out!!  
        "Like Phoning Ann?!?"  (We repeat this 3 or 4 times.) I finally get it!!  "Like Ferd-i-nand?!?!"
Avi: "Yes. Ferdinand the Bull.  Haha!

Avi & Svea - 12/12/2018

Avilene ate two servings of whole wheat toast and ate mangoes for breakfast.  For lunch she ate a large serving of ground beef with pasta sauce on whole wheat spaghetti noodles, no cauliflower, and ate bites of fruit salad.

First thing this morning Avi brought these two snowmen - one is a penguin snowman - for me to hook their arms together with the velcro on their hands.  She'd been playing with these yesterday and she picked right up where she'd left off.

I took this next picture while we were doing some sign language.  Atley's been asking to do sign language every day this week.  Look how focused and engaged they are; even though Nora was busy adjusting her pant leg she is still focused on me!  I usually do the sign and ask what it is; this time I asked them to show me the sign for "boy" and they were close.  In the following picture Avilene is working on a drawing project.  She did several activities in the preschool room.

Here are some pictures of the youngest Nelson girl who, by the way, is a bit of a daring little monkey too!!  Similar to what Avi was like and similar to many at this age!!  She loves exploring and doesn't have a clue when it may not be safe!!  First picture is Svea mauling Avi and the last picture is from yesterday afternoon.  :)  (Did you notice Avi's head in the last picture?  Sitting on the floor behind Svea.)