Grandma's House Daycare

It rained off and on throughout the week but we managed to get some good outside play on several days at the beginning of the week. Outside the children enjoyed the new swings. I replaced the metal bench swing with individual rubber swings (Box states for children 2+). What a ball they had and understood exactly how to swing. Even Sloane was able to swing with a little help. On Friday we finally had another pretty day and was able to see lots of squirrels and birds enjoying our several feeders outside the windows. Emma will be one year old in April and is really making great progress. She sits regularly with the toddlers during their breakfast and snack eating pieces of bread products. She has taken 5 steps here at daycare and just this week we started putting a mat in her pack and play so she can get used to sleeping on it. If she follows in Sloane’s footsteps, we will probably try her napping with the toddlers at 13 months. What a big girl she is becoming. Emma loves playing with the toddlers, too. She sits so perfectly well and loves her tummy time more and more. Any day she is going to start crawling.

On Monday we learned about the letter “U” making a craft for our memory book, playing with the beginning sounds tub and reading a cute book about Uncle Ugby. On our Tuesday math day we concentrated on several ways to examine the number “7”. Counting various objects and correlating the 7 objects to the picture of the number “7”. We also had several various forms of art with the number “7” … my favorite being the 7 red painted fire trucks which we posted on the bulleting for show. We are working on number recognition and have had enormous fun with a book called “Chika Chika 1 2 3”. It’s a cute story of numbers racing each other up the trunk of an apple tree. With the companion two foot tree and felt numbers, we have a lot of interactive fun and skill building of colors and number recognition. A thank you to Landon’s mom (Kymber) for bringing donut holes on Wednesday. The children loved them with their breakfast.

Our Bible story on Wednesday was about Blind Bartimaeus. Can you close your eyes very tightly. Then cover your eyes with your hands, but still keep your eyes closed. What do you see? Nothing? Is it all dark? That is the way things look to a blind person – a person who cannot see. Now you can open your eyes and see, but a blind person does not see anything when he opens his eyes. It is always dark. The Bible tells us about a blind man named Bartimaeus. Because Bartimaeus couldn’t see, he could not work. He did not have any way to earn money for food, so he became a beggar. A beggar sat by the side of the road and begged money from people who walked by. One day while Bartimaeus sat by the road, he heard the noise of a large crowd of people coming his way. Though Bartimaeus was blind, he had very good ears. He had heard about Jesus of Nazareth. He heard about Jesus’ miracles, such as healing sick people. Bartimaeus believed that Jesus could heal his blindness. Jesus knew all about Bartimaeus. Jesus is God, and He knows everything. Jesus heard Bartimaeus calling Him. He knew that Bartimaeus believed He could heal his blind eyes but He wanted him to ask for it. He did and Jesus healed Bartimaeus. Jesus wanted Bartimaeus to ask for what he needed. He wants us to ask for things we need, too. Jesus knows when we are sick or hurt or in trouble. He wants us to learn to pray and ask Him for help. God’s Word says, “Call unto me, and I will answer thee” (Jeremiah 33:3) We need to take time to pray and ask Jesus for help. Jesus has all kinds of special blessings He wants to give us, but we need to ask Him.


After our Bible story we practiced using our scissors and made lots of scrap paper. We also practiced our pouring skills for some super messy but good fun. On Thursday we watched our early reading CD in the family room and reviewed our “Chika Chika 123” book and tree. On Friday we experimented making colors and did some cute finger print art. What a full week we have enjoyed.

Next week we will try our window gardens again with morning glory seeds. Lima beans did not grow so well. LOL! Also, we will plant a garden in the back yard with tomatoes, carrots, and whatever else looks good at the garden store which will provide many fun learning opportunities for us. A great big thank you to Davis’ mom (Sue). Her last business trip involved a science vendor convention and she found a Lady Bug Habitat for our daycare little guys. I am thrilled. I will send off for the lady bug larvae and we will watch our lady bugs grow and then be able to release them in the garden at a perfect weather time. Lady bugs, btw, are most beneficial in a garden as they feed on the unwanted bugs like spider mites. Our worm farm is still a big interest. We look at it 2-3 times each week. Once each week we sprinkle alfalfa food on the dirt and add water for moisture which the worms need. Worms, btw, are also beneficial in a garden as they keep the dirt aerated which is helpful to the plant roots. Lot’s of fun this time of year. Spring is probably my favorite season.

March has been an exciting month. We worked very hard on potty training all two year old toddlers. Attached is a pic of the bathroom chart showing progress. Look how great they have done in just this first month of formal effort. How are they doing at home? Remember, it’s a partnership heavily dependent on consistency between you and daycare. At home may I suggest your child try to peepee several times throughout the day … every day. Maybe even dedicate a whole day to the effort with cloth training pants. Drink lots of liquids and make lots of trips to the potty. Success needs to be cheerfully praised. Nothing negative if every time is not a success. These guys love to be a part of the “big boys” so use their names at home with “your friend _____ will be so excited …” I will add Davis, Cooper and Bryce to this group effort this summer so let’s all get on board. It’s a little more work right now but will be well worth the effort. And they are ready.

Since there are only two March days next week, I sent the art folders home on Friday so you, the parents, can have more time over the weekend to enjoy your child as he proudly shows you his artwork. Calendars for April (printed in black/white) are in the art folders as well as posted on the website. Color for April is PURPLE … the color for royalty for our King Jesus. Color day along with show and tell is the third Wednesday, April 13th. ALSO, April Fool’s Day is April 1st, Wednesday, and just for a head’s up, I come from a family of pranksters on April Fool’s Day so ………………………. LOL!

Have a blessed weekend. Hugs to all.