Note to self: painting with one year olds and baking cookies at the same time........

maybe not such a good idea!

Today was one of those days where I stepped back and realized "wow...I have got the best job in the whole world!" While walking to the school today Amelia reminded me that even though we lead busy lives, it is so rewarding to take the time to stop and smell the flowers. Later in the afternoon we also stood and watch a bee coming to drink nectar from the flowers in the garden. The children were fascinated with how the bee used his feet to open the pedals of each flower.

I keep forgetting to take my camera with me as we walk to the school everyday. I want to try and catch on film (i still think old school photography) the joy that Amelia has while hopping to school. What a great hopper she is!

Nathan today joined the lunch time nappers club today. I think I now have a photo of every child ( past & present) asleep sitting up in the high chair. Poor little guy was SOOO tired!

Today was a pro D day for Max so asked if we could goop for art. We hadn't done that in quite some time so I said " sure, why not". Jamie and Max went straight to squeezing and squishing the goop through their fingers. When Max was the last one left at the table he worked hard at trying to make all the goop into a big ball without it melting from the heat of his hands. Soon he asked "can I put this in the frezzer"? I answered " why". Max answerd "I want to see what will happen" I asked him"what do you think will happen"? He shrugged his sholders and said "It might freeze". "lets find out" was my response. Science experiments in action! Love it.

This was Nathans first time playing with the goop. He didn't sit in a chair but was free to roam around the table and see how his friends scooped, squeezed, poked and scrapped the corn starch mixture with their hands and various utensils. He loved then mess!

This was also Amelias first time with the goop, she wasn't so sure about what to do with it at first. But after watching max and Jamie dive right in and cover their hands with strings of the stuff she decided to try it out by poking it with her fingers which led to squeezing it, and letting it flow through her fingers. After I stepped back from the table she anounced "cake" I asked her "is that a cake you made". She answered "yup". I asked "I wonder who it's for?" and she said " Melia". Amelia has great languge development for a child her age!

Well, here it is! The first of our everyday happenings. I wanted to create this space so parents could see how even the little things that happen everyday, while their children are playing, lead to learning. I believe in the philosophy of learning through play, where everyday experiences provide opportunities for children to learn without being taught too or at in the traditional sense. I sort of see myself as not only a care provider but as a learning facilitator, not a teacher or even a babysitter (I try not to sit on any babies). I hope you enjoy the everyday happenings as much as I do.