Weekly Wrap Up: Let's Be Friends!

Recently Caley has been saying, "Let's be friends!" to Amelia, especially while they're dancing and running around. It's the sweetest thing to see my children love each other. They hug and squeeze and kiss and say "I love you" and "You're my best friend." Of course they also get mad at each other and hit sometimes, but what can be expected from 2 and 4-year-olds?

We had a good week this week. Sunday the girls helped make Mexi-pizza and Caley's job was cutting olives (under close supervision of course). Food seems to taste better when it's a group effort! Monday we did activities at home, played some games and worked on handwriting. Caley is to the point with our handwriting curriculum that she is writing on a blackboard with chalk. I'm really enjoying the Handwriting Without Tears curriculum, it makes it fun and follows a child's readiness in a slow, comprehensive manner. I would kind of like to get help Caley learn lowercase letters too, since those are the ones mainly used in writing. This week we wrote the letters in her name- CALEY GERLACH. I was surprised at how quickly she caught on and didn't get frustrated. The slate board is a good size to help her learn the correct curve of letters. For being only 4, I'm impressed with her skills in this area.

Tuesday we had bible study and the girls played with some friends. Then we visited a new baby in the hospital- Isaiah Daniel Willett. Welcome to the world Isaiah! We got to hold him and "investigate" what a new baby looks like. I made a point to show Caley his umbilical cord and the leftover vernix in the folds of his neck and toes (Isaiah, though a big boy, was 3 weeks early). On Monday we had been talking about babies and belly buttons, so it was neat to see a new baby and his cord up close. It was also good practice for when they will visit their baby brother in the hospital soon. :)

Wednesday we went to Caley's orthodontist check-up. She has an underbite that will need some work eventually and this was our 2nd trip to the office, just to check on her progress. The doctor said she won't need to have anything done for at least another year, maybe longer. We had slept in a bit and left the house without breakfast, so afterward we went to Starbucks. Then we did storytime at the library, which the girls had fun at. I was very tired...so it was nice to have a bit of a break.

Thursday was playgroup day, and the topic was "The Mixed-up Chameleon" by Eric Carle. We did finger painting and animal charades. Caley has mastered the current memory verse- Proverbs 23:19- "Listen my son, and be wise, and keep your heart on the right path." They also learned about Jonah who learned to listen to God.

Friday we did activities at home and Caley worked on handwriting and cutting with scissors. I drew lines on black, orange and white paper and she had to cut on the lines. Some were dotted, others were curved or jagged. Then we made a paper chain with a pattern. We also took a trip to the library and Caley helped put together our snack. Yummy!

Next week we are taking a trip to the retirement center to paint pumpkins, happy Fall!!