Avi - 6/28/2019

Avilene ate oatmeal and bites of baked cinnamon apples for breakfast.  For lunch she ate hamburger stew with meat, carrots, green beans, and tomatoes.  She ate whole wheat dinner roll and three servings of apricots.

I want to remind everyone my vacation starts next week on Thursday July 4th and I'll be back on Monday July 15th.  I've told several of you, but in case someone is wondering we've rented a Forest Service cabin for 7 nights - no electricity or cell service; Cheers!! - and then go to Billings to see our Granddaughters.  Oh yes, my Son and Daughter-in-law live in Billings too!!  :)

I have a leftover note from yesterday afternoon outside.  Avi was pestering me to do something (don't remember exactly what it was) and I was busy with the Baby.  So she decided to try and work some of her magic on me.  She said, "Gary, I love you."  "NOW, can we do....."  Haha!  Nice try Avi.

I've mentioned several times how Avi is quick to defend and protect her sister Svea and it's super cool!  However, she also works hard to teach Svea to follow the rules at Little Treasures too.  Here's an example that happened this morning.  Svea was at the big gate and I don't allow the kids to "shake" it.  It's a fairly wide span and it's easy to shake and rattle it!!  Svea was shaking it and Nora said, "Svea's shaking the gate!!"  Avi immediately said, "Nora is right Svea!  That will wreck the gate!"  Isn't that cool?  Thank you Avi! You're a rock star!!

First picture: I did a selfie over my shoulder because someone was attacking me over my shoulder from behind!  :)  And look at that expression; I think she was enjoying herself!!  :)  Second picture: Avilene using a headlamp and flashlight for assistance with some art work.  Last two pictures: Callahan and Linnea are not here today so it was a perfect time to get the pool out and play with the marbles and the marble maze.  Last picture: Atley and Nora were long gone, but Avi continued to put pieces together and experiment with different configurations!

Avi - 6/27/2019

Avilene ate half of French toast and ate dried plums for breakfast.  For lunch she ate three servings of ground beef with marinara sauce, three servings of whole wheat spaghetti noodles, bites of cauliflower, and bites of fruit salad.

Nora's Daddy Ryan gets a kick out of the fact that Atley still says he's got a "new truck!"  When he came around the corner this morning Atley said, "He's got a new truck!!"  Nora was in total agreement and said, "Yes he does."  And it will probably be that way for a long time going forward. Atley still says that about Andy and his truck.  Ha!  This morning she said, "He got a new truck!!"

Avi ate breakfast late - after swim lessons - and as soon as she was done she just stayed out in the preschool for almost all of the morning!  (Except for the last few minutes before lunch.)  She started off by reading books beside Atley and then it was back to the art supply cabinet.  They had lots of the art supplies out and accessible!  Markers (small and large), stickers, stamps, and scissors.  The "new" thing applies in the art supplies too!  This morning Atley asked, "Can I do the new stamps!?"  Yup, you can do the new stamps! (they're about worn out!!  Ha!)   :)

 

Last picture: I got a picture of Avilene doing something besides working in the preschool room!  She's in the igloo playing with a flashlight and also has on a head lamp.  This was probably 10 minutes before lunch was ready to be served!  :)

Avi - 6/26/2019

Avilene ate three servings of whole wheat toast and two servings of mangoes for breakfast.  For lunch she ate pulled pork, whole wheat bun, peas, and strawberries.

This first picture is leftover from yesterday afternoon.  There are small apples falling off the neighbor's apple tree and the kids have been picking them up and tossing them around the yard.  So I went and got the garbage basket (semi-hidden behind Avi) and gave them a place to toss the little apples.  Right now the apples are "choke-able size" for Svea and Linnea and that makes me very nervous!!  So I'll be doing some major branch cutting this weekend!!  (I do have an agreement with my neighbor, just in case you thought you might be reading about me in the paper!!  "Neighbor destroys Neighbor's apple tree!!"  Haha!!  Anything hanging over my fence is legal!)

Avilene said, "I'm going to Disney World." Then after a couple of moments she continued; "But it does NOT have a trampoline!!"  Haha!  Avi asked Atley, "Do you want to come?!?"  Atley considered it, but decided not to go.  "No, I'm going to the new house."  LOL!

Pictures from this morning:  Avi worked HARD all morning in the daycare room and primarily spent all of her time doing art projects.  Lots of the time I let them choose the projects that interest them for that day and she's really on an art kick right now!  As time goes by and they get older I'll be doing more "planned sessions," but even then she'll have lots of opportunity to chose her interests and work at her own speed!  Check out the last picture!  I didn't notice until after I took the picture what was on the digital frame at that moment!  Svea "attacking" Avilene!  haha!

Avi - 6/25/2019

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

Avi was in the preschool room and heard a commotion in the daycare room.   Avi said, "I did NOT see Svea NOT hitting Linnea!!  haha!  Oh, so does that mean she was hitting Linnea?!?  :)

Avi has been practicing jumping across the room and the yard on one foot.  And she can go a long ways on one foot!!  Well today, for the first time, she was alternating between left foot and right foot while still jumping across the room without stopping.  Two or three jumps with one foot, then two or three jumps with the other foot!!  You're pretty tricky Avi!!

First picture: Avi was enjoying playing the xylophone yesterday afternoon and she played on it several times.  Plus, she kept asking everyone; "You wanna dance!?!  That was pretty cute.

Next picture: Avi did some stamping and stickers at Art and then cutting with the scissors.  Notice what she did to all four corners with the scissors.  Pretty cool Avilene.

 
Last two pictures: Avi had completed her name and then was "helping" Nora do her name.  At least I thought she was just helping Nora.  When they were done I asked Avi, "Oh, did you help Nora do her name?"  Avi said, "No I did it by myself.  I did it for her."  Haha!  Nora didn't mind at all!!  :)

Avi - 6/24/2019

Avi ate bran cereal and raisins for breakfast.  For lunch she ate two servings of chicken, ate whole wheat hamburger bun, ate two servings of cucumber, ate avocado, and ate pears.  That was a lot of food at lunch Avi!

First picture: It was during breakfast and I could hear Callahan waking up from a short nap.  I was more or less just thinking out loud and I said something like: "I'm gonna bring the saucer in here while I finish feeding Svea and maybe Callahan will stay happy for that length of time."  Nora said, "Yes, that will be better."  Haha!  As soon as Callahan and the saucer appeared Avilene and Nora were ready to be done and attend to Callahan.  Or more accurately - just play with his saucer!!

Avi was doing a preschool activity and she could hear Svea yelling about something so Avi "needed" to take care of the situation.  She went to the Daycare room and quizzed Nora who gave some sketchy details about the incident!!  Ha!  Avi started giving Linnea the scolding words, but the funny part was Avi was pointing with both fingers!!  You better pay attention Linnea when Avilene starts pointing at you with both fingers!

Last two pictures: Avilene spent most of the morning in the preschool room again doing several different activities.  Nora asked to do a couple of them with Avi and that worked good; this time at least!!  Ha!  Avi loves to "teach" others how to do the activities.  Last picture: We only have one or two pieces of "technology" in each toy set because I figure the kids probably get plenty of that elsewhere. Anyhow, this is one of the electronic games.

Avi - 6/21/2019

Avilene ate two servings of kix cereal and most of dried plums for breakfast.  For lunch she ate half of baked beef kabobs with meat, zucchini, pineapple, and peppers.  She also ate whole wheat toast and large serving of pineapple on the side.

First picture:  Well this is a good way to start your day!!  Do some wrestling with your sister and turn it into a tickling session!  And they were both having a great time.  :)

Next picture: Avi's got those cowboy boots on again and they stayed on all morning.  As I mentioned earlier this week she loves this book: "1001 Things to Spot."  She just studies it and studies it!  I love it!!  Next picture: She just finished doing the activity in this tray; clipping the right colored clothes pin on the matching colored sheet.

 

Next picture: The kids had a good time doing art on this bigger piece of paper and their creation was very fun to look at.  So we have it hanging in the entrance room as you'll see when you come to pick up Avi and Svea.  Last picture:  Avi did lots of practicing with the scissors.  Atley and Nora were also giving it a go so we had lots of cut paper laying around.  I was busy with the Baby and when I was done Avilene had cleaned up ALL the scraps laying around.  It was actually quite impressive.  She also put away the three white trays you see in the first picture.  All of that on her own initiative!! Very impressive!! Thank you and good work Avi!!  While they were working with scissors Atley said, "When I'm done I'm gonna throw it in the trash!"  Avi said, "That's another word for garbage."  :)

Avi - 6/20/2019

Avilene ate two servings of waffle and a large serving of fruit salad for breakfast.  For lunch she ate most of "whole 30" chili with meat, sweet potatoes, peppers, tomatoes, and tomato sauce.  She also ate whole wheat dinner roll and tropical fruit.  At lunch Nora was calling the Whole 30 chili, "chili."  Haha!  Avilene was all over that!!  She said, "NO!!  It's COLD 30 Chili!!"  LOL!  Oh man I roared!

First picture: Check out those cowboy boots! Very cute with your jumper outfit Avi!!  And she kept them on all morning.  Avi asked, "Gary, can I have the bee-nock-lee-ors!?!"  Sure.  :)  She went to the window and said, "I'm looking for a crow!"  As she's scanning the sky!!  Very specific in her viewing the birds!!  I like how Svea is learning the fine points of bird watching!!

Avi and Atley were playing with the legos in the preschool room and were making several things.  Atley was making points with Avi by supplying her with lots of "eyeballs."  Avi said, "I love eyeballs!!"  Ha!  So if you zoom in on the next picture you'll see what she's meaning.  Following picture: I'm not exactly sure how they managed to scatter the little legos around, but they worked hard to pick them all up.  You make the mess in the preschool room, you pick it up.  And they did a good job without complaining once.  Thank you Avi and Atley!!

Last picture:  They followed up the legos mess by engaging in activities less likely to end messy!!  Haha! Avi worked on puzzles while Atley read some books.

Avi - 6/19/2019

Avilene ate half of French toast and ate strawberries for breakfast.  For lunch she ate several bites of Shepherd's Pie with green beans, carrots, and potatoes.  She also ate whole wheat tortillas, and ate cherries.  At lunch Avi told Atley; "It's shepherd's pie Atley!"  That surprised me and I asked, "How'd you remember that name Avi?"  Avi said, "I remember it from a few years ago."

First picture: This is from yesterday afternoon and the kids were hanging out with Coral who was admiring Callahan when I took this picture.  That's "our" girl Coral who was visiting from California.  She was in our Program before she was Callahan's age (and she's now 17) and she still has her own bedroom downstairs!  So that gives you all a clue how a piece of our heart belongs to Coral!!

Next picture: Avi was drawing this picture with sidewalk chalk and wanted to explain to me what she was doing.  She said, "I made a guy with one finger."  (meaning - one finger pointing outward)  She added, "The other fingers are pointing down."  Then she pointed with one finger to give me an illustration of what she was doing!!  Avi did LOTS of activities this morning and stayed very busy!  Last picture:  Nora asked Avi if she could join her in doing some stamps!  Avi had to give a little lecture with instructions as they began.  The only part I heard was; "Now Nora, we cannot leave the lid open because it will dry out!  And then we won't be able to use it!!"  Nice job of articulating our rules Avi.

Avi - 6/18/2019

Avilene ate whole wheat English muffin and three servings of grapes for breakfast.  For lunch she ate half of pork chop, ate whole wheat toast, beets, and two servings of applesauce.

First three pictures: Avi was very very busy in the preschool room almost all morning!!  I did eventually put a ponytail in her hair, but I didn't want to interrupt her until she was taking a break!  The book in the first picture is titled; "1001 things to spot long ago."  She loves these kinds of books that have the pictures around the edges and then search for those items in a very "busy" picture! (meaning lots of stuff!!)

More activities!  She built with the legos, sorted colors, and found a new activity that expands their knowledge of shapes.  It's slightly advanced, but she was starting to get the hang of it.  I like the second picture below because Avi was lining up the colored cups she'd sorted so everyone could admire them during breakfast time!!  So cute.

Last picture: She put on some cowboy boots and ladybug jacket before returning to the preschool room for more activities.  :)  Looking good Avilene!!

Avi - 6/17/2019

Avilene ate whole wheat Chex cereal and peaches for breakfast.  For lunch she ate ground beef, whole wheat hamburger bun, avocado, no tomatoes, and ate most of her oranges.  Breakfast conversation went like this;  Nora said, "I have a new room."  Avi said, "I have a new bed."  Even Linnea got in on this conversation; "I have a nap mat."  That was SO cute.  Not real "new," but close enough!  Atley said, "I have a new house."  Nora said, "Gary has a new baby and blanket!"  Referring to the Toy Exchange!!  Haha!!

I asked Avi, "What's the woman's name that took your family pictures this weekend?"  Avi said, "Megan, but NOT Atley's Mom!!"  Ha!  Well thank you for making that very clear to me!!  :)  I thought that was cool that she immediately made that distinction.

Pictures from this morning: First; "What color of ponytail holder do you want?"  Avi said, "White. And I want two ponies!"  Wow!  Awesome! It's been a long time since I got to put two in your hair!!  Next picture: Avi invited Nora to work with her in the building block activity.  Avi continued building and doing most of the work.  Nora said, "Hey Gary! Look what I'm building."  Haha!

 
Last two pictures: Whenever Avi builds something or draws something she always asks, "You wanna take a picture of this!?!"  "Please take a picture!"  Next one; "You wanna take a picture of a guy?"  I Love all the details in this picture of a guy!!  Feet, hair, arms, eyes, nose, and a couple of pimples! Ha!!  Last picture: Not much detail, but very representational!  She said, "It's a school bus."

Avi - 6/14/2019

Avilene ate oatmeal and no dried cranberries for breakfast.  For lunch she ate two servings of tilapia, ate whole wheat elbow noodles covered with applesauce, and ate green beans.  Once again the lunch time conversation was all about halloween! Finally Avi said, "I just don't know how we're gonna get back home!!"  I try not to say anything during these conversations, but I was too curious!!  "Back home from where!?!"  Avi said, "From trick-or-treating!"  Haha!  I guess she thinks they'll just get dropped off!  (Bye Kids! Have fun! We'll see you at home!!)  Atley said, "I know how to get back home!"  Nora said, "I know how to get back home!"  Avi said, "I don't!"  :)

The kids were waiting at the window to wave at the Mommies this morning.  Avi said, "Where is my Mom!?!  She's NOT coming!!"  Haha!  I said, "She and Maddy are yakking!"  Avi said, "No they're not!  They're talking!!"  :)

First picture: Avi was creating all kinds of interesting stuff this morning.  When she was done with the legos she told me it was her "airplane."  Second picture: This is one of the same trays that I posted a picture of yesterday.  However, she was using a different technique today.  She dumped the beads in the tray, put all of one color in the cup, then poured that color into the correct spot.  I love how you experiment with everything Avi.  Soooo fun to watch you at work!!

Last two pictures: I want to include the last picture which is Nora standing beside Avi while Avi is doing this activity.  Avi was concentrating and working hard at doing the activity, matching the little hippos by color and then counting them.  Nice job Avi!  Meanwhile, this is what Nora would MUCH rather do than any activity in the Preschool room!!  Snuggle something!  Ha!  Nora had one of the little hippos in her arms and was saying, "Oh he's a cute little blue hippo. He's a cute little hippo!"  haha!!

Avi - 6/13/2019

Avilene ate whole wheat bagel and ate peaches for breakfast.  For lunch she had several bites of hamburger and sausage pizza with whole wheat pizza crust, tomato sauce, olives, pineapple, and peppers.  She ate a large serving of pineapple on the side as well.

First picture: There was a lot of activity to watch outside the window this morning!  First thing, the kids like watching the little black puppy across the street when it accompanies the dad and boys as they walk to school.  Then Big Willy was mowing his lawn, there was a rabbit to watch, FedEx truck like you see in the picture, birds, and neighbors walking dogs!

Next picture: Avi was letting Nora tag along in this activity and when they started Avi laid out three choices of patterns for Nora to choose.  "You want to do this one, this one, or this one?"  Nora said, "this one" and pointed to one.  So Avi immediately proceeded to lay out three more choices!!  Haha! "Or how about this one, this one, or this one?"  That cracked me up.  Also, when Avi has completed putting beads on one of the stems it's interesting to watch her take them off which she does in a very strategic manner.

Next picture: Avi was sorting beads by color and her system is to only sort one color at a time.  When I took this picture she had finished the blue beads and was searching for any she may have missed.  Side note: When she was done with ALL the colors she brought it to the fence and was holding up the clear plastic tray with ONE hand and asked: "You wanna take a picture?"  Uhhhh......sure, but that is not a safe way to hold it.  Two seconds after I said it, the tray was on the floor!!  :)  Not a big deal; now just get to work picking them up.

Last picture: The girls were huddled together and their conversation was very cute.  Avi spent yesterday with her Grandma and cousin at the movie so she was talking about proper theater etiquette!!  "You got to be quiet!!"  Atley said, "Why!?!"  Avi, "So people can hear the movie." Very good answer Avi.  Next, I thought Avi was talking about a new "Toy Store" in town!!  LOL!!  Not! It was a new "Toy" Movie and I think she said a "new Toy Story."

Avi - 6/11/2019

Avilene ate most of whole wheat English muffin and ate dried plums for breakfast.  For lunch she ate chicken, brown rice, stir fry vegetables, and ate some oranges.

I have a note left over from yesterday afternoon when Linnea was trying to climb up the slide while others were trying to go down.  Avi said, "I wouldn't do that if I was you!  It's not safe!!"  That's exactly the phrases I use.  :)  Linnea said, "ok."  Thank you for watching out for the smaller and younger kids Avi!!  You are awesome.

First picture: Avi was working to get her sunglasses perched on top of her head.  I wasn't going to keep this picture until I saw that both of your children are in the picture.  You can see sweetie number two in the mirror.  :)  Second picture: This doll Avi is working with has snaps and a zipper for them to learn with.  Avi said, "Hey Gary!  I got it!"  Good work Avi.  I also like the accessories you have on Avi; head band and soccer shoes!

Last two pictures; Nora, Avi, and Atley doing some drawing with markers, pens, and pencils.  They also did some stickers and stamps.  When they started with the pens Atley said, "I"m gonna sign out.  I'm gonna sign out."  (Making reference to "signing in and out on the attendance sheets.)  Both Nora and Avi picked up on that and started chanting it too.  "I'm gonna sign out. I'm gonna sign out!"  When Avi finished she asked, "How do you like this page!?"  Good work Avi!  It represents lots of work.  So she turned it over to the back side and asked, "Are you gonna take a picture of the other side?!?"  Ok sure, why not!?!  :)