Learning Independence

This week Caley helped me move her clothes into new drawers, ones that are easier for her to open. I realized that she was completely dependent on an adult to get dressed, not because she can't put clothes on, she couldn't get to her clothes! So we moved them into the smaller dresser with handles closer together so she can open them. I don't know why we didn't do this sooner because it makes my job so much easier. I just ask her to go get changed and she does it! Brilliant! Knowing how to get her needs met is just as valuable a skill as knowing her letters from the reading book. 

The only "downside" is that she comes up with some interesting shirt/pants combinations. This week alone she's worn her Mars Hill VBS shirt three times (it wasn't dirty)! Oh well, it's not like she has a classroom of peers to make fun of her fashion sense, I only care that she's clothed.

Good reading

I just read this article that was very enriching and relevant to our schooling situation. Read it here if you're interested. 

Friday Ferry Tale

Friday was one of the best school days with Caley and Amelia, we had so much fun! We did the normal Bible reading, book reading, reading book and this project

 

painted fingernails and toenails (I painted theirs, Caley painted my toenails)And then took a field trip on the Whidbey Ferry! We went as walk-ons and only had to pay for me (Mommy) because kids 6 and under are free. The ride is less than 30 minutes across so the whole trip look about an hour. Caley and Amelia had a great time walking along the little bridge to the boat and looking out the window at the water, seagulls and eating sour worms! It was a great little inexpensive field trip that we didn't even need to plan for. On a foggy cold day it was just perfect.

Back to Normal

Last week, after many weeks "off", we got back to normal around here. The routine is back in place and our weekly commitments have started again. We had "school" Monday and Friday and experimented with doing the reading book Tuesday and Thursday in addition. Wednesday is usually a very busy day, so I'm not putting any pressure on myself or the kids to do anything other than what needs to get done that day. The reading book is going well, we are still using Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons by Siegfried Engelmann. Caley is on Lesson 18 and she's starting to enjoy it more because we are reading sentences with accompanying pictures. The sentence is actually a "story" so in addition to teaching her to read, she's learning how to draw information from the story. Her most recent story was, "Sam is mad at me" and there is a picture of a cat yelling at a woman. We figured out together that Sam is the cat. I am continually impressed with this reading curriculum, it's perfect for this setting!

On Sunday I worked in the Children's Ministry at church and got to watch Caley play in the gym. She didn't know I was watching her, and it was so cute to see her play without my interferring. She ran around the gym probably 20 times pushing a play shopping cart. When her teacher said it was time to go, she needed a little reminder but complied. I asked her later what her favorite part about church preschool is, and she said, "playing."

Here are some snapshots of other things we've been doing.

http://www.freepreschoolcrafts.com/paper-plate-valentine-holder/

Amelia likes to sit in any and every box or chair she can find. Recently she tried to sit in a dollhouse chair. Yes, the ones for the little figurines. Silly Amelia!