More joy of the body

Katherine and I have been so busy that we are already a few lessons behind on Joyschool, but we will catch up. The other day we used our sense of touch to feel a lot of things. I put together a tray of all different kinds of things to touch, hot, cold, wet, rough, smooth, etc. Katherine liked the feel of the bumpy cold avocado and the spongy sponge most.

I prefer hot water and soft fabric.

Katherine loves painting and thought finger painting with shaving cream was especially fun.

I like it too. I wrote this message for her.

She asked me to write this one back.

She is super loving. I will love her always too and treasure this special time with her.

I have enjoyed teaching her some new songs too. We are listening to them in the car a lot. She seems to learn them very well with pictures when we are doing class at home.

My favorite Halloween look on Katherine

Thanks for the cute scarf, Grandma! 

These boys add a bit of extra excitement to my mornings

This year and last I watched  a few boys before school. Sometimes on half days and snow days too.  I watch Elijah every morning except Thursday and Kaden and Ethan come on mornings when their mom needs to work. That is usually 1-2 times during the school week. She is a nurse and works weekends mainly. It is a pretty good gig. We have to get up a bit earlier and it can be a little hectic some mornings, but for the most part is has been great. I love all three boys. They all get along with my kids and I like their parents too, so we are very lucky! 

Honestly, a lot of mornings they read or play quietly. Some mornings we all watch funny youtube videos like Rhett and Link, Good Mythical Morning, or Studio C. I love it because I think those ones are all funny too. The other day I introduced them to Mr. Bean. We have had some nice breakfasts together too. Occasionally, we play hide and seek or uno attack. Our game of the month has been, "Find the Ghost."  Basically, 1 person hides a ghost and they all go look for it. Whoever finds it gets to hide it next. Simple fun. 

I like watching this crew. The extra money is coming in handy too. Christmas covered.

I better start thinking about a November game! 

Friend photoshoot by V

 My friend, Laura, and I had a great time sitting in the driveway talking while V took pictures of the younger kids playing. Then, she somehow had the power to execute a successful photoshoot that seemed like a lot of fun for everyone! No cropping needed. She has a good eye.

Beauty captured and created by the girls

Photos and Hair by V. Visible happiness and sass by Katherine. When I look at these pictures I see some of the results of "Joy School," the preschool curriculum that I have enjoyed with V, C, and G and am starting with K. The joy of the earth, joy of the body, joy of goal striving, joy of family identity and pride, and joy of spontaneous delight are all represented to my mind by looking at the pictures or thinking about their relationship and how Victoria is working on hair and photography. It makes me really glad!

Ii insect preschool

A few things I have done before, but a couple different things too. We learned about insects, green, ovals, and 5.

Khloe was sick, but the other girls enjoyed insect day!

Finding Ii's in alphabet soup

 Building I a few ways

 Insects in Flight- listening and drawing the bumblebee's path.

 Making green

 Ants on a log brought varied responses. Gogo squeeze in a green pouch to the rescue!

 Insect observation!

 I think they liked the crickets!

 Stations

Insect buttons

 I was so proud of Zori for really listening and applying her new knowledge! 3 body segments, 6 legs on her green play dough insect!

free sort with insects and spiders and other bugs

These girls are interested, intelligent, and incredible!