Once a month, I host preschool at my home for four little boys. It’s crazy fun. I plan to share my lesson plans here from now on (mostly so the next time I teach preschool (for my other kiddos) I will still have the lesson plans). Hopefully they help or inspire one of you too!

Theme: air [...]]]>

Once a month, I host preschool at my home for four little boys. It’s crazy fun. I plan to share my lesson plans here from now on (mostly so the next time I teach preschool (for my other kiddos) I will still have the lesson plans). Hopefully they help or inspire one of you too!

Theme: air transportation

Letter: O, o

Number: 15

Color: rainbow

Discuss Theme

- What flies in the sky? (birds, airplanes, helicopters, hot air ballons, etc). See how many the children can brainstorm.

I drew pictures of everything they brainstormed on a big pad of paper as they named it.

- Have you been on an airplane? Where did you go?

- Where did you go to get on the airplane? (airport) What was it like there?

- Who drives the airplane? (pilot)

The boys had a lot to say about airport! It was fun to hear all about where they have been and what it was like.

Game: Fly/Not Fly

Name an object and if it is something that flies (bird, airplane, etc) then the kids fly around the room. When you say something that doesn’t fly (couch, tree, etc) then the kids freeze.

The boys LOVED this game.

Math: Color Matching/Sequencing

I cut out four sets of little airplane silhouettes and laminated them (green, blue, yellow, orange). I gave some to each boy. I put out a sequence of airplanes on the floor and the boys took turns matching the sequence and telling me what would come next.

I had also planned to practice spatial commands too, but we didn’t get to it. For example: put the blue airplane on top of the orange airplane. Put the blue airplane next to…. etc.

Prewriting: Rainbow Rice

I made rainbow rice (super easy and super awesome!) to use for this. At the kitchen table, I gave each boy a cookie sheet (with edges) and a heaping cup of rice. First we practiced drawing the letter “O” in the rice. Then, the number 15. Then they practiced their names. After that, I had them close their eyes and do it (they thought that was hilarious!).

They were enjoying the rice so much, that I got out a bunch of our plastic animals and let them play… for 35 minutes! They couldn’t get enough of it.

Music: Airplane songs

Tune: Frere Jacques

We are flying, we are flying
Up so high, Up so high
See the fluffy white clouds,
See the sparkly sunshine
In the sky, in the sky.

We are flying, we are flying
Round and round, round and round.
See the tiny houses,
See the tiny people
On the ground, on the ground.

Tune: I’m a Little Teapot

I’m a little airplane, I can fly,
Here is my throttle, give me a try.
When I get all revved up, then I fly,
Off the runway and up to the sky.

Fingerplay

Five little airplanes in a row, (hold up 5 fingers)
Some go fast; some go slow. (move hand fast, then slow)
They fly up high and then zoom down. (fly hand up,m then down)
And slowly, slowly touch the ground. (slowly bring hand down to the ground)

Free Play

Before I let the boys loose to play in the play room, I made each one a paper airplane and wrote his name on it. If the interest had been there, they could have colored them, but they were ready to play. I learned how to make a paper airplane in elementary school and it is the most awesome airplane ever (maybe I need to do a tutorial?). The boys had fun launching them over the banister into the entryway.

Between my family and Chris’ family, there are 22 people. 9 of those have a birthday in December or January. I find it hard to keep up with honoring the birthdays because it’s in the middle of the holidays (I know, that is lame!). Does [...]]]> (My mother-in-law blowing out her candles at her birthday celebration)

Between my family and Chris’ family, there are 22 people. 9 of those have a birthday in December or January. I find it hard to keep up with honoring the birthdays because it’s in the middle of the holidays (I know, that is lame!). Does anyone else struggle with this? I love my family dearly. And your birthday should be a day that makes you feel awesome. So here’s a little birthday blogging shout out to Mom, Grace, Will, Karina, Nancy, Henry, Justin, Violet, and Karen.

Maybe we can celebrate half birthdays in 2012? Any takers?

If you know me well, you know that I love lists. I make lists for everything (this goes back to my high school year book days where list-making was mandatory). So it may be surprising to know (especially to Melissa–Hi, Melissa) that I don’t make lists at the new year.

Years ago, I found that I was [...]]]>

If you know me well, you know that I love lists. I make lists for everything (this goes back to my high school year book days where list-making was mandatory). So it may be surprising to know (especially to Melissa–Hi, Melissa) that I don’t make lists at the new year.

Years ago, I found that I was making the same lists each year. You know, more gospel study, more exercise, more adventures, etc. Obviously the yearly lists were not working.

So, I decided to go a different route.

Now, I choose a word or a phrase or a scripture to be my theme for the year. (A few years back there was an article about this very thing on Bloom. You can read it here.) I let the word/phrase/scripture guide my choices for the year as they come around. Usually, by the end of the year I have internalized my theme and it’s a part of me. I really have changed. I really have made progress. And that feels awesome.

This year I’m aiming for the essentials.

Here’s the back story. (The back story happens to be personal, unlike the craft tutorials I usually post about around here, but I feel like I want to share.)

A couple weeks before Christmas, I miscarried my little baby bean at 12 weeks. The whole experience included passing out in the ER in the wee hours of the morning, very kind doctors and nurses, heartache for the little one we lost, and a deeper awareness of how precious life is. I still get teary thinking of all the angels (seen and unseen) who came to our rescue when we needed back up. Words can’t express the feelings of gratitude I feel for them.

At the end of the day, I’m glad I’ve had this experience. I better understand other women who have had similar experiences (there are a lot of us!). I realize how amazing Chris is. I care more tenderly for my three healthy, darling boys. My trust in God and the Plan of Salvation has deepened.

The experience has left me with a deeper awareness that some things are essential and some things are just nice to do.

My husband and kiddos: essential.

My relationship with God: essential.

My role as a nurturer: essential.

My connections with my family, friends, and neighbors: essential.

I hope that in 2012 I can keep the essentials in the spotlight–giving them the most time, attention, and loving care.

>:<:>:<:>:<:>:<:>:<:>:<:>:<:>:<:>:<:>:<:>:<:>:<:>:<

Good reads if you are interested in the essentials, too:

Good, Better, Best by Dallin H. Oaks

Finding Balance by Julie B. Beck (listen to the audio clip)

I spent most of the day Thursday packing up our Christmas decorations. I always have trouble with my berry garlands — the berries get all stuck together and smashed when I store them — and I have a lot of garlands.

But then I had an idea (all by myself without [...]]]> It’s the last day of 2011! Crazy.

I spent most of the day Thursday packing up our Christmas decorations. I always have trouble with my berry garlands — the berries get all stuck together and smashed when I store them — and I have a lot of garlands.

But then I had an idea (all by myself without looking at Pinterest – ha!).

So here it is:

First, I cut down the sides of a big black trash bag and opened it up flat.

Then, I put the garland along one side. And rolled it up like a caterpillar.

Then I taped on a post it note to label the garland.

Ta-da!

When my three-year-old saw what I was up to he was so disappointed that “Christmas is over?!” and at the same time totally thrilled that I had made a giant snake.

After I wrapped up all the garlands, I covered both ends with two more black trash bags and I have one very big, sort-of heavy garland snake. Chris took it up in the attic. I’ll let you know next year if this was a good idea or not…

Just as an FYI: I only used a little scotch tape to hold each snake together because I want to reuse the bags next year. If I had used packing tape or duct tape I think that would make unpacking them trickier.

Happy New Year’s Eve!

Here we are a little dazed and exhausted after Christmas Sunday church.

The last two weeks have been jam-packed full of family and holiday spirit. We loved every minute of it. We have an empty house now (kind of lonely — very quiet) so I have lots of time to think [...]]]> Merry Christmas from my family to yours!

Here we are a little dazed and exhausted after Christmas Sunday church.

The last two weeks have been jam-packed full of family and holiday spirit. We loved every minute of it. We have an empty house now (kind of lonely — very quiet) so I have lots of time to think about the year ahead… What are my goals? Are my priorities in the right order? Which dreams will come true? I can’t wait to see how it all pans out.

Wishing you the very best in the year ahead!

Monkey glasses, bunny ears, a beard and gloves is almost the same thing as a shirt and tie, right?

Tomorrow, Chris and I are playing a viola [...]]]> As you may or may not know, we go to church each Sunday. This is what happened one day when Chris asked the boys to go get their church duds on:

Monkey glasses, bunny ears, a beard and gloves is almost the same thing as a shirt and tie, right?

Tomorrow, Chris and I are playing a viola and piano duet at church. All the practicing of In a Bleak Midwinter has made it my favorite Christmas song. I especially love the last verse:
What can I give him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
if I were a Wise Man, I would do my part;
yet what can I give him: give my heart.

I love Christmas time. I love celebrating the birth of the Savior of the World with my family. Merry Christmas, everyone!

One of my boys cannot get enough of sports. He loves rules. He loves strategy. He loves winning. He loves wearing his electric blue hi-top converse.

He just started his first basketball season. It was so fun watching him play his first game: arms up and waving, feet shuffling, eye on the ball, making baskets.

So proud of [...]]]>

One of my boys cannot get enough of sports. He loves rules. He loves strategy. He loves winning. He loves wearing his electric blue hi-top converse.

He just started his first basketball season. It was so fun watching him play his first game: arms up and waving, feet shuffling, eye on the ball, making baskets.

So proud of my little man.

It has been unseasonably warm here. I’m tired of the 80′s (and I’m not talking about the leggings and over-sized sweaters). My black-eyed susans are so confused. They started blooming again.

There is an up side, though. The beautiful weather has made product photo shoots a breeze. See what a good helper Baby O is?

I will be [...]]]>

It has been unseasonably warm here. I’m tired of the 80′s (and I’m not talking about the leggings and over-sized sweaters). My black-eyed susans are so confused. They started blooming again.

There is an up side, though. The beautiful weather has made product photo shoots a breeze. See what a good helper Baby O is?

I will be editing photos and Chris will be listing items in the shop. You can start purchasing now, but by Wednesday, we should have the bulk of the items listed.

Exciting news for locals: You can opt for “local pick up” instead of shipping. Just swing by my house to pick up your purchase within 3 days.

And if you are still left wondering if I have something that’s not listed online, send me an email and we will get you hooked up.

Thank you for buying handmade.

Someone at my house turned 30. So we celebrated.

Some of our Birthday Traditions:

>> The special person of honor chooses the dinner menu (Chris chose lasagna).

>> They also choose the cake (Chris chose the most delicious chocolate cake known to man, minus the frosting — we don’t like frosting)

>> The family decorates the family room with signs [...]]]>

Someone at my house turned 30. So we celebrated.

Some of our Birthday Traditions:

>> The special person of honor chooses the dinner menu (Chris chose lasagna).

>> They also choose the cake (Chris chose the most delicious chocolate cake known to man, minus the frosting — we don’t like frosting)

>> The family decorates the family room with signs celebrating the birthday person (hand-written on computer paper… mostly inside jokes — my family did this when we were kids and that was one of my favorite parts of birthdays. I loved reading the signs on my birthday and making the signs for my family when it was their turn. Really fun tradition. In fact, I still have a stack of my birthday signs from years ago.)

>> Birthday person gets to use the “You are special today” plate at dinner (another thing I loved as a kid).

I think that’s it. Pretty simple. Happy birthday, Chris. We think you are great!

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Happy Thanksgiving! I’m enjoying this time with all my kiddos home, which means not much blogging.

If you are waiting to buy something from BookBoundBindery.com, please email me. I have items in stock (journals, photo albums, gift card holders, notebooks) and would be happy to email you (unedited) photos since I’m slower than I thought getting it listed on the web. Because I could totally get it to you before Christmas.