Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Notebooks

Just thought I'd give you guys a heads up with a new little project we are going to be working on this winter for the full-time daycare kids. Reed and Talasia are going to be working on their very own "books". I have a notebook for each of them and we will be filling up the pages with a lot of different things: drawings, cut out pictures from magazines, photos, stickers, etc. Then when the notebooks are full, we will send them home. So if any of the daycare families have old magazines lying around or other kinds of things that could be cut up and re-used, you are welcome to dump them here!
We're going to get started with the notebooks tomorrow and I am sure it is something the kids will enjoy doing. We've reached that time of year that is hardest for everyone - it's the middle of winter, it's too cold to be outside and everyone experiences cabin fever and spring fever. So hopefully this new project will be a good distraction for awhile.
Thanks everyone!

Monday, January 25, 2010

Snow Day!

My girls (and I) are so excited - school is actually cancelled today due to the blizzard! We didn't end up getting that much snow or that much more coming down today, but it's enough with the 25-45 mph winds that you can't see anything! So, today we will be enjoying the day off. I'm still open for daycare if there is anyone that absolutely needs it though.
Enjoy the day everyone!

Thursday, January 21, 2010

New Word for the Day

I learned a new word today: GRAUPEL

Graupel:

Graupel is that Styrofoam ball type of snow that stings your face when it falls from the sky. It forms from strong convective activity within a storm (upward vertical motion) caused by the passage of a cold front or springtime convective showers. The static buildup from all these falling graupel pellets sometimes cause lightning as well.

It looks and behaves like a pile of ball bearings. Graupel is a common weak layer in maritime climates but more rare in continental climates. It's extra tricky because it tends to roll off cliffs and steeper terrain and collect on the gentler terrain at the bottom of cliffs. Climbers and extreme riders sometimes trigger graupel avalanches after they have descended steep terrain (45-60 degrees) and have finally arrived on the gentler slopes below (35-45 degrees)--just when they are starting to relax. Graupel weak layers usually stabilize in about a day or two after a storm, depending on temperature

So there you go! Don't you feel smarter now?!?!

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Amos Story

My dear friend Roberta shared this link on her blog and I thought I would share it as well. I posted the video of the song by Aaron Ivey that he wrote about his son Amos in Haiti - they're trying to get him home. Click here to read more.



Here is also another easy way to help. Click here to order a tshirt and donate $25 to help in Haiti.

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Muck Boots

I love my muck boots.

Are they sexy? No way.

Are they fashionable? Haven't seen them on any runways.

Are they cute? Nope, not even cute.

So why do I love my muck boots you ask?

Oh dear muck boots, who keep my tootsies toasty and help me trudge through my snow filled backyard. Need I say more?

No, I didn't think so.

I love my muck boots


Sunday, January 17, 2010

Outside Time

As most of the daycare parents know (from having to dry out gloves and boots every night), we are taking advantage of these super warm January days and spending as much time outside as we can! The kids are loving it, the dog is loving it, I am loving it....... fresh air and the new ways to play that the snow presents are a good break from the 25-45 below temperatures we had at the beginning of the month. So here are a few more pictures from our time outside.

Sophie enjoyed being outside too. Playing near one of the forts Pretending to be dogs.... a favorite game outside right now. Reed and Sophie

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

The Snow Pile

The backyard has become a winter wonderland of play area! We have huge piles to climb, a hill to slide down and 2 different "forts" to play in. There are also "trekking" paths through certain areas of the yard and the chance to dig and dig until they can dig no more! I think playing outside in the snow is just as much fun, maybe even more fun, than playing outside in the summer time!

There is also an amzing difference between our yard and the 2 yards on either side of us. Our yard is busy with kids of all ages and a dog who LOVES snow more than anything in the world and the yards on either side of us see neither dog, nor child, all winter long. Theirs are so beautiful, smooth and calm looking...... our yard on the other hand definitely looks like there may be some kids and a dog here! The above picture is my neighbor's yard - smooth, calm....
The below picture is our yard - crazy and wild!
Playing at the bottom of the snow hill and near one of the 2 forts.
On top of the snow hill just off the top level of our deck
They love their sliding hill!

Illness Reminders

I just want to send out a reminder to all the daycare parents: keep an eye on your kids' symptoms. There is a lot of junk floating around again: colds, ear infections, pinkeye, stomach viruses, etc. We've had a bit of all of that here since Christmas. I'm continuing extra vigilance on cleaning down toys and surfaces, but an extra eye on your kids' symptoms would be a good plan too. Hopefully we can keep everyone as healthy as possible!

Also, I do have 1 full-time daycare opening for a child age 18 months - 3. In March I will be adding a 3-month old little boy named Ethan as well. If you know of anyone with a child in this age range who is needing full-time care, feel free to pass my name along! Thanks everyone!

Here are just a couple of pictures from over Christmas break to enjoy.



Monday, January 11, 2010

CHUCK!

Because Jon and I love Chuck, just wanted to share another interview regarding the show. I also found a great article this morning in the RELEVANT magazine that is an interview with Zachary Levi which we found very interesting and encouraging. Click here to check it out!

Monday, January 4, 2010

Too sweet


I kind of, totally, over-the-top, unashamedly, forever and ever and ever love my man!