Happy Valentine's Day!

We were snowed in with 22 inches of snow on Valentine's Day!  The girls were a little disappointed that our coop was canceled and they weren't able to pass out Valentine's Day cards to their friends. 

 

 

However, we had a great afternoon building snowmen and drinking hot chocolate! 

 

 

 

Thankfully, the girls' Valentine's Day activities were earlier in the week.  They had a great time at a Valentine's Day party!  This was their first year passing out and receiving Valentine's Day cards. They were super excited!

 

 

They made Valentine's Day cards for residents at our local nursing home. 

 

 

We spent one morning visiting with the residents and passing out goodies and cards!

 

 

Happy Valentine's Day!



Snow much fun!

The girls had "snow" much fun spending the afternoon at our local library!

 

 

After reading several "snow" books, it was time to make crafts! 

 

The girls decided to start with the messiest craft...creating snowmen out of candy...

 

 Then, they created these adorable snowmen out of popsicle sticks! 

 

They had a great time making snow-covered trees from puffy paint (shaving cream and glue).

 

Then, they strung beads onto pipe-cleaners to make these beautiful snowflakes!  



Lastly, they created more snowflakes from marshmallows.  



We love going to our library! 

Our first official "SNOW DAY"!

We woke this morning, anticipating a lot of snow.  Nothing.  Absolutely nothing was outside.  The girls were very disappointed.  I was very disappointed.  Apparently, the "storm" was late.  However, all area schools were out, which meant a snow day with Daddy at home!  By mid-morning, the snow had arrived!  

The girls spent the morning playing and the afternoon watching Mary Poppins. 

 

Afterward, the girls were bursting to get outside!

 After dinner, we even squeezed in some sewing!  The girls have completed the big stuffed animal and are getting very close to finishing the smaller one. 

It was a fabulous lazy day at home.  Tomorrow, I'll probably regret that I didn't use my timely wisely as a "teacher" workday! 

Merry Christmas!

Spreading Christmas Cheer...

We have been thoroughly enjoying our visits to the local nursing home.  The girls loved passing out candy on Halloween and homemade cards for Thanksgiving.  For our Christmas visit, the girls made these adorable candy cane ornaments to pass out along with the Legend of the Candy Candy poem.  

 

We visited and sang Christmas Carols for many of the residents. 

This was our third visit to this particular nursing home.  Not only are our visits a valuable experience for the girls, but they brighten up the day for the elderly, who often feel isolated and excluded from the community.  Our goal this year is to maintain an ongoing visitation program with this community of elders.

Merry Christmas!

Home Depot Kids Workshop!

My girls love going to our local Home Depot on the first Saturday of each month for their FREE Kids Workshop!

We headed there back in October and made a Rescue Plane!  

 

In addition, there were many community workers there!  The girls loved walking around and meeting our local heroes and seeing their cool gadgets!

 

This semester, I'm teaching a Community Helpers preschool class at our weekly co-op.  While at Home Depot, I asked if their "Workshop Team" traveled and they do!  The lady in charge was thrilled and more than willing to come out to our local co-op for a workshop!  She was extremely organized and brought all materials with her and she was so good with the kids! 

At our local co-op, she discussed all the tools and safety rules with the children. 

Then, it was on to building the rescue plans.  We arranged for several high schoolers to come in and help the preschoolers with the building of the planes.

Lastly, it was time to paint! 

  

The kids LOVED the Home Depot rescue plane workshop!  And, they loved their aprons, workshop pins and certificates, and balloons! 

There's a FREE Home Depot Kids Workshop this weekend!  Everyone will be building a Tic-Tac-Toe game.  Be sure to check it out at your local Home Depot.