Circle Time Basket and Board

I finally finished my circle time basket and board. It took me forever to compile everything. I had a chance to buy one last year at a raffle but I thought it was too much money. Now I know I should have just bought it. The time, effort and energy put into this would have been worth it.

The kids reallly enjoy it.

Michael

Anthony

The board has a pictures associated with songs we sing and sign to. For example a bee for "Bringing Home A Baby Bumble Bee", a boat for "Row, Row Your Boat". In the basket are the props for the songs. 5 Little Monkeys I have a hand puppet with 5 monkeys on it, C is for Cookie I have Cookie Monster.

Funny Face

Michael

Pulling a funny face.

Jaileigh's turn.

Sweet Annie

Anthony didn't want to play funny face, he wanted to read.

Really bad picture but the only one I have of Jake. He's trying to pull the dolls hair out.

A Little Date

Michael, Annie and I got to hang out together one evening. Wow! 2 kids is so much easier than 5. I almost didn't know what to do with myself. Mike took the other 3 to football practice. Michael wanted to stay home with Mommy. I had a coupon to Michael's I wanted to use and so we went out on the town. I wanted to get a laminator but they didn't have one so Michael got a new elephant. He was thrilled especially since I just took away all of his other animals because he refused to clean them up. He was going through animal {ELEPHANT} withdrawals. Annie was just happy to be along for the ride. 

I do take the little munchkins out for 1 on 1 dates or sometimes 2 on 1. They always LOVE it! They just glow the whole time and TALK the whole time. I feel like they are trying to make up for shared time. Ahhhh, I love these little kiddos!

Annie

Michael with his new elephant.

Wearing my hair clips. He said it was just like Grandma's hair. hahahaha

My little girl getting so big!

I Want To Watch . . . .

 DISNEYLAND!!!!  Everynight the kids want to watch their Sing A Long Disneyland Fun DVD. I think that Bill and Gina gave this to them when they were a lot younger and now they really like it, love it actually.


Every night this is what our ritual is- (They all do this same conversation with me, at the same time. So I am answering for little people at once with the same 2 questions.)

Mom- I want to make popcorn.
Me- Ok
Them- And watch a movie.
Me- Ok
Them- DISNEYLAND!!!

 Annie, Jaileigh, Jake, (Jake's bucket of treasures), Anthony, Michael

Jaileigh and Jake

Annie

Anthony

Michael



Homeschool Preschool

Earlier I posted an entry about us going to preschool. Well, that didn't end up working out. It was a co-op, which is a group of moms that takes turns teaching. The Co-op decided to let 2 more people in the group, making the group 11. They split the group, splitting my kids, and told me I had to teach 20 weeks (everyone else teaching 5). So, we opted out. I couldn't imagine trying to get my kids going in two different directions and trying to teach and having another baby to worry about.

At first I was upset because my kids really enjoyed going to preschool but as I talked to my mom she talked some sense into me. First of all, I am a certified teacher and I can make do teaching for a year or maybe two if need be. Secondly, I was really worried about the socialization skills that they would be missing but she assured me that my kids are plenty social. This much is true. We are very active and visit a lot of places and people. Almost 4-6 times a week we are out and about and the majority of the time it is child-centered activities. This is more than they would be doing in the preschool anyway.

Lastly, I have a wonderful connection with a preschool teacher. Our old ECI teacher, Susan, was also a preschool teacher and she so generously offered her resources to me. I took her up on her offer and we have now started the official DeMaria House of Learning Preschool. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday are our official sit down do stuff days. Then we ad lib the rest of the days. The kids absolutely love it. They are always asking to do more, more, more!

Michael and Anthony finger painting apples

Jaileigh with her painting fingers.

Jake

Michael

Even Annie got to have fun. I guess she will get 4 years of preschool instead of the normal 2.

Anthony and Michael playing in the paint.

Look at Jake! Jaileigh is serious about her artwork.

It was Annie's naptime.

While I was putting Annie down the kids did play. Toe painting was discovered.

Look at that face! Oh my!! What am I going to do with this mischievous imp?!

Hidden Meadows On Saturday

We had a busy Saturday. We took Michael to the doctor for his shots, I'm pretty sure we threw in a trip to the dollar store, then we went to the park {Hidden Meadows}. In the evening we went to Daddy's football game.

Waiting in the parking lot at the doctor's.

Jake, Anthony and Jaileigh

My three babies. These three are always together. It's either Jai and Jake or Jake and Annie or Jai and Annie or all three.

Jake, Jaileigh Annie

Michael playing ball with daddy.

Anthony/Jaileigh, Michael/Annie swinging with daddy.

Jake found the sand.

Annie wanted to play in the sand too.

She does not have any sensory issues. She loves sand! She even licked it which really grosses me out.

Jake

Watching the airplane fly over.

Michael in the sand. He is usually a little more reserved in the sand, Mr OCD.

Anthony

Anthony

The last one to join us, Jaileigh-Bailey

Anthony

At the game playing on the bleachers.

Michael

Jakeroni

Annie

My little sweetie pie!

Jaileigh 

Jake 

Jaieligh and her tootsie pop.

Michael wanted me to take a picture of him clapping his hands. So funny.

Anthony was playing hard to snap a picture of.