Learning Time

 

I think that rhythm is starting to settle in again after me being so sick last week.  The girls actually started learning time by themselves this morning.  They worked on puzzles, sounds and counting from about 9:30am-11:30am.  I was so pleased that they are liking that time and starting it themselves.  I really enjoy it!!! 



 

Hailey even got our her learning mat!

Toys?

 

The girl's Waldorf classroom got some new toys and rearranged the play area this week.  I think this "boat" is fabulous.  The girls actually pretended it was flying and they were amongst the fairies.  Such fun!

 

And, this is why we don't really buy toys often in this house...they play with hampers!  Both are actually doing really well in helping me to get the laundry folded. 

New Washing Machine!



 

Brian and I have been married for almost 12 years and have always had a front loader washing machine.  Well, let me say, our last one was disgusting!  It was moldy and everything that came out of it stunk.  It was gross!  And it was so loud we thought that an airplane was taking off in our own home.  Even with the laundry room door shut.  So we broke down and finally bought a new washing machine.  A top loader this time.  I LOVE IT.  I arrived today and I did 6 loads of laundry...happily!  Laundry really is my nemesis, but with this new washer, I may have turned a corner.  It's nice to be able to load it easily and have clean clothes after.  We'll see if the novelty wears off, but I'm lovin' it...so far. 

 

 

It as a glass lid so they sat and watched it all day. 

Our Valentne's Day

Our Valentine's Day was delayed until Saturday.  I was finally starting to feel better on Friday night.  I gave the girls their Valentine jammies on Friday night and they were so excited!  (Walmart for $6.00 each!)  I had planned a bunch of stuff to make from Pinterest, but that just didn't happen.  So I went through the stash of things that I had collected over the month and put it all together.  Luckily, my aunt had sent packages for them and several friends and relatives had sent cards.  They were loaded.  They had fun. 

 

Brian of course suffered the most in that everything I had planned for him was to be made.  So he got a homemade Valentine Card and the one heart of chocolate that I did get for him.  Hopefully next year we will all be healthy and perhaps him and I can go out on a date!  

Upside down Valentines

The loot!

So happy Valentine morning. 
Clearly candy and cookies are what we had for breakfast. 

Toy from Auntie

Toy from Auntie

Nanny's Watch

 

As I described, I was really, really sick last week.  My mom had to be here to care for the girls most of the week.  These are a few things that happen on her watch.  Mind you, it is FEBRUARY!  Free spirits for certain...makes me wonder what I will let my grand kids get away with.  Goodness!  My mom would have NEVER let me do any of this when I was a kid.  

Putting water in the freezer drawer
(not a seperate container, the drawer!) and waiting for it to freeze. 

Swimsuits? Outside?

Seriously?  Feet in the pool?  Splashing too?! 

Montessori Valentine's Party

 

The girl's Montessori school had their Valentine party on Wednesday, the day before Valentine's Day this year.  I was way too sick to go, but I'm so lucky that my mom was off work and could take them so they wouldn't miss it.  They had crafts, a petting zoo and they sang songs for the parents and grandparents.  My mom was amazed at all the candy they get now for Valentine's Day.  I remembered from last year and DID NOT include candy with the girl's Valentines.  I think my mom had fun at the party too and like I said, I'm so very grateful that she could take them. 

 

Making Valentines

Despite trying not to get sick, I got the girls started on putting together their Valentines.  We had painted the coffee filters back in January.  I then cut out the chickadees and bumblebees and glued the heart shaped painted coffee filters on them.  I ordered the stickers from Vistaprint, which I don't recommend.  Expensive and slow.  Hailey's chickadee read, "I hope your Valentines Day is really "tweet"!" and Paige's read, "'Bee' My Valentine."  The girls then added the glue and glitter. 

 

Then, I got the notice from school that each girl needed 45 Valentines!  I had planned for 30, and made 35 for "just in case."  Needless to say, I needed 20 more Valentines!  By that point, I was definitely sick.  So sick that I called my mom over to help take care of the girls, which I never do.  I had a horrible bronchitis, cough and flu.  Oh, it was horrendous.  All I wanted to do was sleep but couldn't because of the cough.  Anyway, my mom ended up having to finish the Valentines for us.  They did turn out cute. And I'm very thankful that my mom is really crafty too.   

 

Nanny finishing the Valentines

Hailey's final big bed

Hailey's bed finally got all put together.  Brian and I had been sick over the weekend before last so her bed got delayed an extra week.  The girls had fun watching and "helping" Brain put it together.  They actually were very good at handing him tools.  Hailey is doing really well sleeping in it and it's super comfortable.  Now with two full size beds, more sheets are warranted.  Guess that goes on Hailey's birthday list...lucky her!  

 

Hailey's Official 1st Day of Montessori

Today was Hailey's first official day of Montessori school.  I got a bit verklempt as we turned onto the street of the school and then as I walked out the door of teh school.  I can hardly believe she's old enough to go to school.  But she was definitely ready.  She walked right in and sat on the circle. 

All week we had been discussing what to do at school if you need to go potty.  Paige had a rough time adjusting to the classroom and had many accidents when she first started.  But after I talked to Paige about what to do, she was fine.  I wanted to make sure that Hailey knew what to do (so much easier with the second child.)  When I went to pick them up, I saw that PAIGE was in her change of clothes!  Mrs Hart came to greet me and tell that Paige was so worried about Hailey having an accident that she herself forgot to go in time.  How sweet is that?! 

Both did great in class and Hailey was fine.  She did really well.  Both were tired when we got home, but fine. 

As for me...this was the first time in 4.5 years that I had 3 consecutive hours to myself.  I think I overdid it a bit because I'm TIRED!  I went to the park and walked for an hour.  Then to the craft store, then to Costco.  I think I'll jsut do my walk and then come home on Thursday.  Not used to being out that much.  HaHa. 

A bit of Waldorf came oout at Montessori today,
they were too busy watching the bees do thier
work in the bush to pose for the picture. 

Making Valentines

This morning I started the girls in on gluing the glitter on Valentines.  I just made some for practice today that we hung on the window (we finally replaced the snowflakes!) in their play area.  They did really well with the glue and glitter and discovering how to make it stick and move it around.  So we can now start on our Valentines for Montessori school and for our dear playgroup friends. 

 

Spelling?

Paige is getting proficient at writing her name.  She has now been attempting to write Hailey's name.  I have a feeling she's on the verge of beginning to read because clearly she is sounding Hailey's name out to get it spelled.  She colors pictures for Hailey and then writes her name on them to give.  Sister sweet!

"Heyli"

"Paige"

"Heile"

Tree and Bridge Climbing

At the girl's Waldorf school, it is encouraged to climb.  They both climbed the tree stump behind them after class and then went to the beautiful wooden bring a the entrance to the school and began to climb on that too.  Several folks walked by and simply smiled.  Hooray for self discovery and exploration and allowing it happen.

Paige

Hailey

Under the Table

I'm sure I have a pic on this blog somewhere of Paige under my Mom's kitchen table at this age too.  They are the perfect size to fit in there.  So cute. 

Hand Me Downs

I am so grateful for good friends and their hand me downs!  I have a couple fiends who give us their daughter's handmedowns and we LOVE them.  I think they get worn everyday.  My very first friendthat I ever had... who I met as I was sitting in my driveway putting on my roller skates at the age of 4 years old came skating by herself.  She was 5.  I'm pretty sure we spent every waking moment we could together until we were about 10 years old when she moved away.  However, we have remained in touch and close ever since.  We actually wrote letters to each other with pen and paper and put them in the mailbox for the US Mail service to deliver.  Can you imagine?!  Then we found email.  Now we are in constant contact on Facebook.  She also has 2 beautiful girls and is lucky enough to have squeezed a little boy in there too.  So she sends me her girls clothes.  Lovely.  This is a pic of Hailey wearing an 18-24 month Gymboree outfit she gave us.  It's been through her youngest daughter and my 2 girls.  It will go in the bin now since Hailey has finally outgrown it and we (my friend and I) are anxiously awaiting her youngest sister to tell us she is pregnant with a girl.  No pressure or anything.  But they are safely packed away for that occasion. 

My Hailey

Her Maggie and precious Hannah, who has really blossomed since this pic.