This and That

• We have much more hope right now that  the house we are hoping to buy really will be ours. I'm not good at waiting for answers and it's been rough waiting since Thursday evening for them. But finally this evening we were able to talk to someone and it looks like it's going to happen. Not set in stone yet but hopefully heading that way. I'm excited again.
• I took this picture yesterday to commemorate the joy of seeing brother and sister getting along. Unfortunately it didn't carry over into today. I know they love each other but Wow! They can really argue!

• We are happy that two more new children joined our crew this week. Kansas is 7 years old and is here 2 -3 evenings a week and Jayden is 15months old and here 6 mornings a week.
• But I was sad when this morning, the very first morning that Jayden was here, he fell and bumped his head on the door frame resulting in a rather larger goose egg on his forehead. Why do these things always seem to happen on the first day?
• We had two children out sick today. I hope they feel better soon and we see them tomorrow.
• Our new history book The Story of the World Volume 1 finally arrived. We started it yesterday and really enjoyed it. Unfortunately our afternoon school session was interrupted so we didn't get to read any more of it today. We were able to get math, reading and Bible done before I had to call an end to schoolwork for the day because of very cranky babies. I had planned to include history and literature today as well but it just wasn't going to happen. But tomorrow is another day and should be a much easier one. I sure hope so anyway.
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• This afternoon a friend of ours from church came over and had Doug help him work on his truck. Michael enjoyed going out and "helping."
• And now I think it's time for me to go make sure I have things set up to run smoothly in the morning. First child is scheduled to be here at 5:15AM.

As of today all my school age children that I provide childcare for are in school. So begins the days of waiting for the bus, arranging drop-offs and pickups and homework. No homework yet but I know it's coming.

The silence here was almost deafening today. Well, I guess that's an exaggeration because there are still my own three even if no one else shows up but it was much quieter without a houseful of school age kids - mostly boys. Although, honestly, some of the girls are louder than the boys.

This happened to be one of those days when the preschoolers were either home with their parents, parents were working a late shift or, as in the case of one child, were coming late because of a doctors appointment. So we took advantage of the extra time this morning and did a lot of work upstairs. Amanda still has things to rearrange from her room change. Austin needed to just do some general cleaning in his room. And I had lots of clothes to sort through and put away and laundry to do. There were four big boxes of clothes that were given too us to pass on as needed, use for the kids or do whatever with. I knew a lot of them were Michael's size or the next size or two up and needed to be put in his closet. I'm so glad that's done now.

Michael took advantage of the fact that I was busy and decided to give himself a haircut with Doug's electric razor.

I had to laugh every time I looked at him until Doug finally gave him a haircut this evening. He had to cut it down really really short, but it looks better than this anyway.

The salon that was in business right behind us has moved to a new location. Today the salon owners were back to finish cleaning out and offered to let us have four bookcases, and a small table that they no longer had use for. I was more than happy to give them a new home and now I'm full of ideas of how I want to rearrange the playroom. But the actual rearranging may have to wait until next week when we're on vacation and I won't have so many little ones to work around.

I can feel myself getting excited about vacation and feeling less focused on the day to day work. I can hardly wait to sleep in, read, write, and work on some projects that I've been looking for a chance to tackle. We are also planning a couple day trips - to visit Doug's parents and to go to the zoo. We've never taken Michael to the zoo and I'm excited about seeing his reaction to the animals.

As I'm writing this Austin and Amanda are outside with a flashlight looking at all the spiders that have shown up to take advantage of all the bugs that fly around our porch light every night. Because it stays on all night due to parents in and out picking up and dropping off their children their is a steady supply of insects to fly  into the webs. Amanda said there are about 12 spiders out there right now. And now Austin just came running in to tell me he found "a humungous gathering of slugs" outside.  

And on that lovely note I will say goodnight. I wonder what adventures tomorrow will bring?

From Twitter 08-13-2010

• So glad it's Friday. I guess this is going to be a full week now with no helper.
• RT @Nicheology: Every day do something that will inch you closer to a better tomorrow. - Doug Firebaugh
• just had a butterfly come visit the kids while we were playing in the yard. It . . .
• . . . flew all around their heads but stayed just out of reach. The kids were so excited!
• This naptime is a disaster. Little ones can`t sleep because older ones will not be quiet. They keep interuping naptime to say things like .
• "Someone spilled milk on the carpet" (2 drops), "I`m going to go rinse my mouth out with mouthwash now" (I really needed to know that?) .
• "I can't find my shoes" " The bathroom curtain fell down." Ugh!
• I was going to try to do the dishes while the little ones slept but no such luck.
• RT @AutismTips: There are no seven wonders of the world in the eyes of a child.There are seven million. (Walt Streightiff)
• WHY does my 3 year old turn the thermostat up to 90 degrees in the middle of summer? This is the second time recently.

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Daily Adventures at Rose's House Monday July 27, 2010

It was so nice to get a break from the hot weather today. It still felt like summer but not like "the dog days" of summer. The kids were glad to play outside more and I was definitely glad as well.

This morning I made drew a hopscotch pattern on the porch with chalk. The older kids played hopscotch a little but the younger ones enjoyed it more. We just called out the numbers as they landed on them and they thought that was great.

We played with water in the water table. I think we need a bigger water table. Or maybe two of them.

We also got played in the back yard awhile. This was the first time in nearly a week we had been in the back yard to play.

Austin has a friend here who has been here since Friday evening. I think he may just have decided to move in with. Not really, but I know he's planning to stay until at least Thursday morning. I'm just happy to see the two having so much fun together.

Austin, Amanda and Austin's friend Aaron went to Bible School this evening. They seemed to have had a great time. They came home happy and a little wired.

Austin had an appointment for a consultation with an oral surgeon this afternoon. He's having a molar removed in about two weeks. I think the main thing Austin got from the appointment is that for a few days he can only eat soft foods - like yogurt, mashed potatoes and ice cream. Some of his favorite foods. No salad allowed which makes him happy.

Lots of fun today and more fun on the way tomorrow.

Daily Adventures at Rose's House Monday July 19, 2010

Today started at 3AM when Michael woke up and crawled into bed beside me. He was very restless, swinging his arms around and tossing and turning. Doug couldn't go back to sleep so he got up, got ready for work, went to the store for milk, and ran an emergency call with the Rescue Squad before he even started work.

I dozed off and on between Michael's flailing around and then, when I thought he had finally settled down enough that I could get up without him noticing I slipped out of bed. This was around 4:50. By 5:30 Michael was back up and wouldn't go back to sleep. And so began another Monday.

It had been awhile since we got our the rice and beans for the sensory table. I put them in the freezer early this morning so they would be very nice and cold as an added sensory experience. The kids loved it.

We did some Math.

The kids enjoyed taking a close look at a grasshopper. It's hard to see but it's sitting on Gabe's hand. Gabe said he was having a staring contest with it.

The kids enjoyed playing with balloons during music and movement time. We ended up just doing a whole lot of moving with no music since the cord to my CD player misteriously disappeared. But it was fun anyway.

The letter of the week is Ff.

Queit time with music and books. And yes we did have music. I didn't find the power cord to my CD player but I did use my computer to play the CD.

We played two games of Memory this afternoon .  .  .

.  .  .  and then got out the craft supplies.

And here are some pictures of the fun they had during their free times.

It's been a good day, and fun day, a LONG day. I'm really hoping Michael sleeps well tonight. Not too sure how it's going to go though - he has already fallen out of bed once tonight.

And now I'm off to bed to get some sleep.

Daily Adventures at Rose's House Saturday July 17, 2010

Amanda is just loving Little Red, the guinea pig. Technically this is Doug's pet, but . . . we'll see.

Don't you just hate it when vacuum cleaner belts break?

A little math practice.

Coloring pictures to go with our Bible lesson - Jeusus Baptism.

Some imaginative play.

Perler beads remain a huge favorite with the older kids.

We had a good, fun day. More adventures tomorrow.

The Binky Bandit!

Austin set up and took this photo of Kaleb. "Look Mom" he said. "It's the Binky Bandit.

Establishing Learning Centers

There are two points to consider when planning a learning environment that includes learning centers.

1. How will it be customized to include the learning styles of each participant?

2. How will the planned activities and the child's environment compliment one another?

Typical learning centers to consider are blocks, housekeeping, art/writing, table toys (manipulatives), sensory table, library, music, science and computers. Life skills, social skills, risk taking, and responsibility with freedom are important lessons children are learning while using centers and interacting with each other. Children should feel that this is a place where they can trust and feel safe.

There are a number of points to consider when setting up learning centers.

1. Separate noisy areas from quiet areas.

2. Each area should be clearly defined. Children need to know where the boundaries are for the toys that belong in each learning center. Traffic patterns should naturally flow in a way that keeps children from interrupting each other and also discourage running.

3. There should be enough space in/at each learning center for more than one child to play comfortably.

4. Resources near each play area should be relevant to that area.

5. Ensure that caregivers can clearly see into each area.

6. Each learning center should be accessible to each child regardless of handicaps or disabilities.

7. There should be plenty of storage for the supplies needed in each learning center so that the children are able to keep things reasonably neat without too much difficulty.

When setting up learning centers remember that this does have to be expensive. Dividers can be created by hanging a curtain, or by putting up and office cubicle divider. Art shelves can be made from inexpensive materials or purchased second hand. Just remember to make sure surfaces are washable.

An organized and properly arranged environment makes it easier for children to choose constructive activities. An organized environment also makes it easier for the children to play in an orderly way and to keep their surroundings neater. Some things to remember are to makes sure all toys and materials have their own storage space. Make sure items are within easy reach of the children and are easy to put away again. Ensure that the learning centers are easy to get in and out of.

Pay attention to what children play with a lot and what they seem to be losing interest in. Often even minor changes to the learning center, such a slight rearranging, or a few inexpensive new toys or supplies can spark new interest.

Learning centers are a fun and creative way to give children a learning experience customized to their needs and interests. I hope this article has given you some inspiration in creating learning centers for the children in your care.

Tent City

Nearly every afternoon when the younger kids go down for naps, the older kids pull out all the big blankets and sheets they can find and turn my living room into a tent city. 

Here is today's construction. And Holly brought dress up clothes so the fun is even better.

Daily Adventures at Rose's House Tuesday June 8, 2010

These snack crackers (recipe here) were such a hit last week that we made them again today. Gianni doesn't look too sure of Michael's oil pouring skills but Michael actually did really well.

Snapshots of the day.

When we first got our cat, Scout, he was a very timid cat, afraid of other animals and very of afraid of little kids. He would refuse to be in the same room with them and run and hide if they unexpectedly came near him. Amanda has worked very hard to help him get over this fear, gradually introducing him to the kids and rewarding him with treats when he allowed them to come close. Eventually he would tolerate a little petting and now he will occasionally come in the same room or in the play yard and seems to enjoy the interaction. I think Amanda has done a wonderful job with Scout.

Doug started painting Amanda's room this evening. Since we have agreed to take in a another child if everything works as we hope, plus there are two more who may come stay with us for awhile while their grandmother undergoes some treatments for cancer, we really need to finish the work we started on the upstairs rooms. 

And that is today's peek into our adventures today. More fun tomorrow.