Thank God for the Teachers that Go that Extra Mile

Thank God for the Teachers that Go that Extra Mile

My daughter is in her first year of preschool and loves it. She goes three days a week, but would be perfectly happy to go 5 days if it was offered. My daughter goes to a small private preschool with only 9 students and 2 teachers. First let me explain the ‘private’ part of the school. It is private because it is at a Methodist church and I started out picking this preschool only because it was half the cost of the local public preschool. However after almost ¾ of a school year over, I would never send either of my kids any where else.

What is so cool about this school is that since it is private the class rules and curriculum is more flexible. Once a month each student is required to bring in the snack for the class, however it can be homemade. It is so fun to bake cookies or cupcakes with my daughter for her to bring to her friends at school. Also, the class can celebrate any holiday. We dressed up at Halloween, had a Christmas pageant, and the Easter Bunny made a personal appearance. However, my favorite thing is the curriculum and how the teachers make it fun.

For example, February was Cowboys and Indians month. Yes you read correctly, they learned about Indians, not Native Americans. I know some people think that is politically incorrect to say Indians and not Native Americans. The kids learned about horses, cowboys, western attire, Indians, and wonderful Indian folklore and it was all taught in the most respectful manner.

This last month the class learned about Scotland. Each week my daughter came home with wonderful knowledge about bagpipes, kilts, thistles, the Loch Ness Monster and much more. The most unbelievable thing that the teachers did for these kids was to give them first hand experience about what they learned was by signing them up as participants in the Scottish festival. These teachers personally made each student special outfit, including a kilt, to wear while marching in the parade. These kids had a great experience they will never forget.

So, I will wrap up this entry with a big THANK YOU! To all those teachers out there that go the extra mile, love our children and often use their own time and money to make lifelong memorable learning experiences for our kids.

What Is Happening at – www.kidsinstl.com
We have changed the format of the Parent Forum to make it more user friendly, check it out. Here is a sneak peak of what is going on around town for the next few days. Go to http://www.kidsinstl.com/ to see a detailed list of all the kids activities around St Louis.
Tuesday ~ April 15th
10 AM - 11 AM
A Storytime Classic- Borders Chesterfield
10 AM - 11 AM
Borders Storytime - Classic Story about Corduroy
4 PM - 5 PM
Club Read: Chinese 'Good Luck Knot' Key Rings.
Wednesday ~ April 16th
10 AM - 11 AM
Baby Storytime Sachs Branch
10 AM - 10:45 AM
Toddler Storytime Mid County Library
7 PM - 8 PM
Family Night: Science Fun - Lip Gloss/Putty
Thursday ~ April 17th
10 AM - 10:30 AM
Storytime: Toddler/Preschool - Schlafly Library
10 AM - 11 AM
Borders Storytime - I Want a Pet!
6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Bed Bugs Bedtime Story Hour
Friday ~ April 18th
10 AM - 1 PM
Earth Day Extravaganza
11:15 AM - 12 PM
Drop in Play Date Baby Moon Boutique
11:45 AM - 1:45 PM
Farm Fair

Coughs....Fevers....and Freezing Rain - Oh My!

My Life – Oh God… please stop the freezing rain…. I can’t take another snow day! Let me date myself, I was in high school over 20 years ago and it would take over a foot of snow before the schools would close. Now if there is a slight sheen on the streets the schools will be closed for days. Uggg. Not that I don’t love being imprisoned in my house for days with my kids, but last week everyone missed school because of the flu. By the end of the day tomorrow after being stuck in the house with the kids for the last 5 days I just may have to drink my self into a stupor after my husband gets home. Just kidding…. Hangovers just aren’t worth it any more.
My Web Site – http://www.kidsinstl.com/
Here is a list of some of the activities going on around St Louis the next couple of days. Go to the site http://www.kidsinstl.com/ for more detail.

Feb 23 - Sat.
10 AM - 11 AMSee You Later, Alligator! After While, Crocodile!
10 AM - 2 PMMaple Sugar Festival
10:30 AM - 11:30 AMPreschool Workshop - Artful Zoo
11:30 AM - 12:30 PMKids Club: Black and White Tic-Tac-Toe
6 PM - 9 PMSnow Moon Evening

Feb 24 - Sun

12 PM - 5 PMCelebrate the World: An International Festival
1 PM - 4 PMFamily Sunday Art Museum
3:15 PM - 4:45 PMFamily Jump Time- Chesterfield

Hey for all of you that are not in St Louis, I want to share one of the many other parts of my site that can be used by anyone regardless of where they live. Here is one of the great kid sensory recipes. From the home page click on the Kid Sensory button– To see the whole list check out our site. http://www.kidsinstl.com/
OOBLICK

1 part water1 part corn starch
Mix water and corn starch together, and stir

One of my Favorite Things – Battery Powered Toothbrushes. My kids were always fine with brushing their teeth, but never asked to do it. I bucked up and purchased a couple of those battery operated fancy toothbrushes and now they want to brush at least 3 times a day. I thought it was just a ‘new’ thing but this has been going on for over 2 months. Great Buy!

Not Everything Takes Batteries!

My Life – Monday was not only back to school for my daughter but it was also show and tell day. They have a show and tell day once a month and it is always a big production to figure out what she is taking. I try to suggest things, but I want her to make the final decision. From when she woke up through the next 2 hours she changed her mind 20 times. First it was a toy pony, then a book, then her princess dress….. what ever…pick one! Geeezzz. There was one item in her room that she cherishes but I never suggested for her to take it, a very breakable Cinderella snow globe. However, I it would be a great show and tell things, so I suggested the snow globe. Oh boy was she thrilled. She took it to school and show and tell was a huge success.


While my daughter was at school, I decided to go to the gym. They have a daycare at Club Fitness, so my son loves going there. Now I must make it clear – If I make it to the gym once a week…. I am doing good. I wish I had more motivation! I feel good about myself after I go…who knows. Anyway, I worked out….oh gosh I am so sore today. It hurts to pick up my coffee cup. How out of shape can I be!

My Web Site – http://www.kidsinstl.com/
Last night I worked on the ‘At home Extension Activities’ for the calendar. It you go to the site, you will see that everyday we have one craft that can be done at home that kind of goes in line with one the items on the calendar. It is a lot work finding these projects, so I hope someone is using them! HAHA. I am still working on this summer camp list, uggg. It never ends. Here is a sample of some of the activities for the next couple of days. Go to the site http://www.kidsinstl.com/ for more detail.

Wednesday Feb 6th
9:15 AM - 10:15 AM
Creation Station Museum of Transportation
9:45 AM - 10:30 AM
Where Science and Play Go Hand in Hand
10 AM - 10:45 AM
Toddler Storytime Mid County Library
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Meet a Construction Worker Magic house
Thursday Feb 7
9:30 AM - 10:15 AM
Computer Bryte Kids Classes
9:45 AM - 10:30 AM
Where Art and Play Go Hand in Hand
10 AM - 11 AM
Storyteller - Stories From the World Village - Weber Library
1 PM - 1:45 PM
Big Kids Art Studio Workshop
4 PM - 5 PM
Happy Valentine's Day - Prairie Commons Library
6 PM - 8 PM
REI Climbing Pinnacle

Hey for all you people that are not in St Louis, I want to share one of the many other parts of my site that can be used by anyone regardless of where they live. Here is one of our ‘Kid Sensory Recipes’
CORNMEAL DOUGH

1½ Cups Flour1 ½ Cups Cornmeal1 Cup Salt1 Cup Water
Mix all ingredients together in bowl. If mixture seems dry, add very small amounts of water until smooth dough is formed.

My Funny – We are kind of trying to potty train my son. He is 2 1/2 yrs old, so he is getting to the age, but I am not going to turn commando on him yet. A few times a day I will ask him if he wants to go sit on the potty (he still wears diapers). He will still and actually go pee pee almost every time. The problem is going poop on the toilet! I just can’t seem to get him to go. Yesterday he ate a big lunch and I knew it was just a matter of time. I have him sitting on the potty and I was reading to him. We sat there for a long time and I suggested for him to try to push. He did try then looked up at me and as serious as he could tell me – “Poop won’t come out because my wiener is broke and needs new batteries.” I laughed so hard I almost feel off the tub edge. I then had to explain that poop does not come out of his wiener and it will never need batteries.

One of my Favorite Things – This has become one of my favorite things because I hate to clean sand off my floor. My kids received a bunch of that moon sand for Christmas presents. They love it and I hate it! I would sit them at the table with trays and tell them to be very careful. Minutes later the floor would be covered in sand then it would be tracked all over the house. I stared to tell the kids that the moon sand was only an outside toy, but it is winter time…not a very good time to sit outside and play. I knew I needed to figure out a way they could play with this sand that made everyone happy. I decided to take my long wrapping paper Rubbermaid container and empty it out. I put all the moon sand in it! It is long enough for both kids to play with out sitting on top of each other and the sides are high enough to keep most of the sand contained. Now see that I said ‘most’ of the sand. There was still a mess to clean up, but it was something I could live with and not make my head explode.