Princess week!

Again, in accordance with a trip, we "studied" princesses for a week.  During Circle time, we listened to a different princess song each day (Note: that means we didn't have to Let it Go every day!).  At the end of the week, we went to Dutch Wonderland in PA to meet Princess Brooke.

Princess painting

Making princess jewels

Princess shrinky-dinking

Meeting a real princess!

Science camp!

This was SUCH a fun week!  We did a different experiment each day.

Q: Which balloon will pop first: air or water

A: Cailin's

Which taste better: mixed lemonade, straight powder, straight sugar, or unmixed
A: The powder (top right) was the worst and both mixtures were approved

Water fun.  Not sure there was an experiment
 but we needed a token picture of Matthew

Magnets!  Which toys are magnetic?
Hypothesis/Answer: Our magnatiles

Magnets are fascinating

And so so fun

Q: Where will the ice melt first: inside, outside, or on stove?
H: Outside
A: Stove

America!

The week of July 4th was full of fun projects!  We sang the Fifty Nifty United States, studied the map, made fireworks using paint and straws, and even made our own flags.  

It took weeks to convince the girls it's called "The American Flag" and not "The 4th of July Flag".  

Family

C2 busy busy

C1 focused focused

Choo Choo

Trains!  Patterns and cutting and lots and lots of track building (and re-building).  Even Matthew got in on this week's fun.  He usually misses out since his morning nap is prime "preschool" time.

Fish Week

Planning around a pre-scheduled trip, we then had Fish week.  

Fish Math using Goldfish crackers.
C1 adds and C2 works on 1-to-1 correspondence

We went to Fish Storytime at the Nature Center (classes are free!)
and then went down to hunt for fish in the creek (C1)

No fish, but C2 found a rock

And Matthew stays on dry land with his dino

Creating an Under-the-Sea scene.
Stickers and glue makes C2 happy

C1 adds some details

Baby boy doesn't care about fish yet.  And he eats stickers.

Finding fishes in the ocean

Summer themes

To get the summer a framework, we have picked a theme every week.  Activities and projects were then chosen based around the theme.  While all very simple, it's kept us busy and I've never heard "I'm bored."  

From early June: Dance week.  The girls took a couple dance classes, wore tutus everywhere, and we included some special dance songs in our morning Circle time.

C1 @ Adagio

Tutu circle time

Fancy dancers in heels

C1 at Move n Groove

C2 movin and groovin

Watch your mouth

I was shamed this morning, AT the gym, BY an employee for "Not even giving us a full hour."  I wanted to cry.  And I later did.  And I wish I could say I've gotten over it a few hours later.

I have worked very hard lately to find time to exercise and to eat well.  Saturday morning, I hit my Goal Weight.  I was elated.  But what I heard from that employee today was "Hey Fatty, way to be lazy."  I want to assume he meant well, but his words hurt.

Forty minutes on the treadmill + some time in the weight room was enough today.  I promised the girls some time in the pool and was happily heading to pick them up when this man soured my day.

You have NO idea what people's stories are.  You don't know how hard or long someone's been working on something.  I am constantly reminding my 4-year-old of this: If what you're saying isn't going to make someone feel good, don't say it.

One on One

We generally operate under a 3:1 child to adult ratio.  But a little piece of each day, each kid gets some one (or two) on one.

Matthew wakes up before the girls and spends the first 30 minutes of the day in my bed pretending to be an only child: 

Charlotte does not nap and instead spends the first 30 minutes of rest time working on school skills: 

 Due to her long nap, Cailin stays up the latest and enjoys her milk and books out on the front porch while the others are in bed:

Matthew - 6 months old!

Baby Boy is half a year old!  6 months gone.  Already.

Long and Lean - You are 27 inches and 15 pounds.  You're in the 75th percentile for height and 10th for weight.  Tall and skinny just like your parents...  You wear size 6-9 months and size 3 diapers.

Movin and Groovin - You have been rolling back to belly and belly to back for a couple months.  A couple weeks ago, you started intentionally scooching.  You see a toy (or cord, or bead, or goldfish cracker) and you hurry to it.  We should probably baby-proof in the near future.

Naps and Nights - You are quick to move while on the floor but you're also content to snuggle especially just before or just after naps.  You take 2 solid naps and often a 3rd catnap.  You go to bed around 7 and sleep til 7 in the morning.  You snuggle with your blankee and suck your thumb.  You also accept the pacifier but clearly prefer your left thumb.

Fruits and Veggies - You have tried a few fruits and veggies and everything has been delightful to you.  You have enjoyed sweet potatoes, bananas, squash, apples, and peaches.  Summer is a fantastic time to start eating foods since there's so much goodness available.  You have two bottom teeth and it looks like 2 more are coming soon.  Much as Cailin was, you are currently allergic to avocado.  Like the girls did, you have a dairy allergy.  You nurse 5 times a day (including the dream feed) and eat solids once around lunch time.

Squeeling and Smiling - You smile constantly.  People constantly remark "He's such a happy baby!!  Is he always like this?"  We are blessed.  Yes you are.  You love to play in the pool.  You've recently learned to splash.  You like to chase the battery operated trains (and equally enjoy chasing an empty 2 liter).  You are consistently content in the ergo carrier.  Much to my delight, you are a Mama's boy.  At church Sunday, you were happily playing until you saw me walk by your class and then you got very angry.  It's bittersweet for me.

Charlotte and Cailin - The girls love to "help" take care of you and you smile at their presence.  Charlotte makes a more frequent (and generally gentler) effort and your expressions indicate a preference for her.

Happy half birthday Baby Matthew!  Time flies when you're having fun.

6 month check up - pre-shots

Poolside

Giggles McGee

Beachside

You've outsmarted the blanket

Playing with the big kids

Twinsies