Peanut is doing awesome with swim lessons - last week she dove in from a standing position for the first time on her own, unprompted. The instructor had four kids in her class, Peanut was by far the most advanced, and was asking the kids to jump in. While she was trying to coax one little boy who was scared to jump in, Peanut just put her hands in streamline and went for the dive! I think everyone at the pool was amazed - she had just practiced a seated dive the week before and figured things out on her own and did it. So so proud :). It usually takes kids a long time to get over the fear of diving and she just went with it.
This week she made huge strides again. Due to the huge difference in ability the week before, they rearranged classes and Peanut got a private lesson this week. In a span of two minutes, she learned how to do the breaststroke kick. AWESOME! So proud of my kiddo and so glad that she loves the water!
***
Side Note -
Last night I asked Peanut what her favorite activity was (preschool, gymnastics, dance, swimming) and she did not hesitate for one second before saying dance class. I'm so glad it's living up to her excitement before we started!
Thursday, September 25, 2014
Monday, September 15, 2014
First Dance Class
Last Thursday was Peanut's first dance class - it was a huge hit, although she wasn't completely ready to leave at the end of a half hour. She absolutely loved it and is looking forward to going back again this week. The class is pretty full, I think around 8 kids with 3 teachers - Miss Megan, Miss Catherine, and Miss ______. Miss Megan is expecting in November so she will likely be missing for a chunk of time in the middle of the dance "season".
Most of the kids in Peanut's class did the mommy & me class last year, but Peanut was not behind due to not enrolling last year. I think gymnastics helped prepare her for the athletic side of things and the couple weeks of Preschool so far has prepared her for the social aspect.
For their first day they did pizza feet, plies and relevé. They also did a crazy dance, stretching, and some tumbling (somersaults and crab walk). I'm thrilled she liked it because she was really looking forward to it. We can't wait to go back this week!
Most of the kids in Peanut's class did the mommy & me class last year, but Peanut was not behind due to not enrolling last year. I think gymnastics helped prepare her for the athletic side of things and the couple weeks of Preschool so far has prepared her for the social aspect.
For their first day they did pizza feet, plies and relevé. They also did a crazy dance, stretching, and some tumbling (somersaults and crab walk). I'm thrilled she liked it because she was really looking forward to it. We can't wait to go back this week!
Wednesday, September 10, 2014
Fall Swim Lessons
Fall swim lessons for Peanut started tonight. We would have done them for Buggy, too, but his were only offered on Saturday mornings and we wanted to avoid that. The pool is open during Peanut's lessons, so he can always practice while she is in lesson.
She did fantastically today - she did a seated dive for the first time and it was awesome! She also did much better at the backstroke than she was doing even at the end of the summer session, and she also worked on breathing during the freestyle the correct way. That's going to take a while to conquer, but she has a good start on it anyway.
Tomorrow is Peanut's first dance class and she is beyond excited. We got her outfits and her hair accessories, and we are planning to pick up the shoes at the dance studio. I hope she loves it because she has been looking forward to starting dance class FOREVER. We watch dance shows together and she imitates the performances. Fingers crossed for a fantastic initial lesson!
She did fantastically today - she did a seated dive for the first time and it was awesome! She also did much better at the backstroke than she was doing even at the end of the summer session, and she also worked on breathing during the freestyle the correct way. That's going to take a while to conquer, but she has a good start on it anyway.
Tomorrow is Peanut's first dance class and she is beyond excited. We got her outfits and her hair accessories, and we are planning to pick up the shoes at the dance studio. I hope she loves it because she has been looking forward to starting dance class FOREVER. We watch dance shows together and she imitates the performances. Fingers crossed for a fantastic initial lesson!
Home Design Notes
So we are trying to work out details for building our dream house. While the logistics are figured out, I am desperately trying to decide how I want to decorate so that decisions are easier to make. I wanted to get my thoughts down so that I didn't forget anything:
Possible Bathroom or Office Paint Color: Sherwin Williams 6476 Glimmer
Dining Table: Truss Beam Table: Ana White
Gray paint in great room/kitchen/entry
Possibly paint gray & white stripes in dining room
Under cabinet lighting option: Utilitech at Lowes
Buggy's Room - Bedding, Bedding, Bedding
Possible Bathroom or Office Paint Color: Sherwin Williams 6476 Glimmer
Dining Table: Truss Beam Table: Ana White
Gray paint in great room/kitchen/entry
Possibly paint gray & white stripes in dining room
Under cabinet lighting option: Utilitech at Lowes
Buggy's Room - Bedding, Bedding, Bedding
Tuesday, September 9, 2014
Preschool Schedule and Funny Stories
The daily schedule for Peanut's preschool class is posted outside of her classroom door, and I took a picture of it on my phone and thought I'd write it out here so that I could remember going forward. I can't believe how quickly she's growing:
7:50-8:00 AM: Drop off and select learning centers
8:00-8:05 AM: Clean up time
8:05-8:30 AM: Morning Circle Time (go over message board and Jesus time, discuss daily announcements, cover daily Bible lesson, have verbal sharing time)
8:30-8:45 AM: Planning Time (The class is split into small groups where each child in their group discusses what they plan to do during work time. They can share their ideas by pointing, speaking, getting materials, and showing an action/drawing
8:45-9:30 AM: Work Time (Kids act on their ideas discussed during planning time)
9:30-9:35 AM: Clean Up Time
9:35-9:45 AM: Recall (Kids go back into small groups and discuss/share their work with the others)
9:45-9:50 AM: Bathroom Break/Hand Washing
9:50-10:15 AM: Snack (I have been sending in a full lunch and letting her pick what snack she wants to eat from her lunch. Then after school is done she finishes up her lunch box at our house)
10:15-10:45 AM: Large Motor/Outside Play
10:45-10:55 AM: Bathroom Break
10:55-11:15 AM: Circle Time/Large Group Time (Includes activities like practicing the alphabet, discussing the week's letter and animal, movement through music and literacy activities)
11:15-11:30 AM: Small Group Time (Kids break into small groups and use manipulative materials to help them develop their fine motor skills, math skills, literacy skills and social skills
11:30 AM: Pick Up Time
Notes from weeks one and two:
Each week the kids pick jobs around the classroom. Peanut's job for week one was being the caboose in line, which she thought was fantastic. This week she chose being the washer - she washes the table after snack.
The class prays together during school. Peanut told me they were prayers we didn't say at home usually, so I was asking her how the prayers go. She said the prayers said "God" and "Jesus". Although I'm pretty sure there were other words in the prayers, I guess at least she picked up on the main points :) Ha.
Peanut mentioned how they are putting tiny beads in a jar at school and how when the jar is full they get a pajama and a movie day. She was pretty excited about it. I asked when they put beads in the jar - if it was when they were all being good, etc. She said no. She said we do it everyday.....but not the first day and not the second day. LOL. Since this is only the third day of school, I guess every day means today only. Then I asked if the class was good today - she told me that she was but two of the boys (James and Jameson) were "struggling" because they were playing in the kitchen and Mrs. Melissa said it was time to stop and they didn't stop. Struggling is a word I use at home and I guess she has picked up on it - ha ha.
Peanut's closest friend in school seems to be Kennedy so far. There is also a Celia, Abby, and Ash in addition to the names I already mentioned.
7:50-8:00 AM: Drop off and select learning centers
8:00-8:05 AM: Clean up time
8:05-8:30 AM: Morning Circle Time (go over message board and Jesus time, discuss daily announcements, cover daily Bible lesson, have verbal sharing time)
8:30-8:45 AM: Planning Time (The class is split into small groups where each child in their group discusses what they plan to do during work time. They can share their ideas by pointing, speaking, getting materials, and showing an action/drawing
8:45-9:30 AM: Work Time (Kids act on their ideas discussed during planning time)
9:30-9:35 AM: Clean Up Time
9:35-9:45 AM: Recall (Kids go back into small groups and discuss/share their work with the others)
9:45-9:50 AM: Bathroom Break/Hand Washing
9:50-10:15 AM: Snack (I have been sending in a full lunch and letting her pick what snack she wants to eat from her lunch. Then after school is done she finishes up her lunch box at our house)
10:15-10:45 AM: Large Motor/Outside Play
10:45-10:55 AM: Bathroom Break
10:55-11:15 AM: Circle Time/Large Group Time (Includes activities like practicing the alphabet, discussing the week's letter and animal, movement through music and literacy activities)
11:15-11:30 AM: Small Group Time (Kids break into small groups and use manipulative materials to help them develop their fine motor skills, math skills, literacy skills and social skills
11:30 AM: Pick Up Time
Notes from weeks one and two:
Each week the kids pick jobs around the classroom. Peanut's job for week one was being the caboose in line, which she thought was fantastic. This week she chose being the washer - she washes the table after snack.
The class prays together during school. Peanut told me they were prayers we didn't say at home usually, so I was asking her how the prayers go. She said the prayers said "God" and "Jesus". Although I'm pretty sure there were other words in the prayers, I guess at least she picked up on the main points :) Ha.
Peanut mentioned how they are putting tiny beads in a jar at school and how when the jar is full they get a pajama and a movie day. She was pretty excited about it. I asked when they put beads in the jar - if it was when they were all being good, etc. She said no. She said we do it everyday.....but not the first day and not the second day. LOL. Since this is only the third day of school, I guess every day means today only. Then I asked if the class was good today - she told me that she was but two of the boys (James and Jameson) were "struggling" because they were playing in the kitchen and Mrs. Melissa said it was time to stop and they didn't stop. Struggling is a word I use at home and I guess she has picked up on it - ha ha.
Peanut's closest friend in school seems to be Kennedy so far. There is also a Celia, Abby, and Ash in addition to the names I already mentioned.
Tuesday, September 2, 2014
First Day of Preschool
Peanut had her first day today, and it went great!!
We had to wake both kids up since it's earlier than they've been getting up lately. Peanut enjoyed a donut as a special treat for breakfast then she got ready and we took photos before heading to the school. At the school we took some more pictures, hung her backpack on her hook, handed her supplies to the teacher, and signed in. Peanut signed her name on the kids sign in sheet - she has a mouse as her "picture" that's on everything that belongs to her - hook, mailbox, etc. She gave me a huge hug and waved goodbye with a smile on her face and Daddy, Parker, and I took off.
When I came back to grab her she had a big smile on her face. She said they finger painted (she made a heart), read a story, played outside, and she played dress up. She also said the got to visit with Mrs. Eliza and they played - jump, jump, jump, STOP. shake, shake, shake, STOP. She thought that was a lot of fun.
Buggy loved being the "only child" for a couple of hours. He pulled nearly every toy out in the play room, played with me for quite a while, and was in a great mood.
Overall, our first day was a huge success! Thursday will be day 2!
We had to wake both kids up since it's earlier than they've been getting up lately. Peanut enjoyed a donut as a special treat for breakfast then she got ready and we took photos before heading to the school. At the school we took some more pictures, hung her backpack on her hook, handed her supplies to the teacher, and signed in. Peanut signed her name on the kids sign in sheet - she has a mouse as her "picture" that's on everything that belongs to her - hook, mailbox, etc. She gave me a huge hug and waved goodbye with a smile on her face and Daddy, Parker, and I took off.
When I came back to grab her she had a big smile on her face. She said they finger painted (she made a heart), read a story, played outside, and she played dress up. She also said the got to visit with Mrs. Eliza and they played - jump, jump, jump, STOP. shake, shake, shake, STOP. She thought that was a lot of fun.
Buggy loved being the "only child" for a couple of hours. He pulled nearly every toy out in the play room, played with me for quite a while, and was in a great mood.
Overall, our first day was a huge success! Thursday will be day 2!
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