Today we took a field trip to the Beach... It was the first time for both Ryleigh and Braeden...and they had completely different reactions than I anticipated... Ryleigh LOVED playing in the sand...and wasn't so keen on the water part... Braeden wasn't so keen on any of it and downright disliked the water... however... he humored us and played in the sand for a good 2 hours...
Ryleigh was very specific on what she was wearing... apparently the fashionable always wear pink...
The girls got right down to playing... Braeden needed a little bit of coaxing...
And that didn't work...
So I sat him down... and he played for a very long time...
He actually got very into it...
So happy... and... as he did not like walking in the sand...AT..ALL... there was no running off...
All the younger kids enjoyed watching Dylan actually go in the water...
...although... none seemed to eager to try it themselves...
The girls played a silly game of tag....
Closeup of the monster tag...
The girls having fun in the sun...
Braeden...still playing in the sand...
Examining the sea shell that Dylan found...that's science-y....right?...
For our last day of class we had parties...one in the morning for TSB and one in the afternoon for Preschool... before the sugar rush, we managed to fit in a few fun activities... although "official" classes won't resume until September.... I am having a summer playgroup activity once a week for messy fun... outdoors of course!
Exploring the sensory bin, puzzles, and the tunnel...
Emma regarding Braeden warily...as he attempts to trade her a puzzle piece for a drum mallet...
Braeden and his friend...working on their Father's Day Frames...
Parachute and Bubbles Time...
Braeden having a hard time deciding which to eat first...the cookie or the brownie...
The wild TSB end of year party...
I made the girls Preschool Graduation Certificates.... I got the idea from here...
The Girls' last day of Preschool...
Ryleigh working on her frame...
The girls' finished Father's Day Frames...
The girls had a very civilized quiet party.... and then ran around screaming...with joy of course ;-)
Celebrating Summer Vacation...by taking the truck out for a spin...
Today we spent the day at the Aquarium... which was a huge hit... with all four kids... It was slightly challenging to bridle Braeden's enthusiasm... I think he wanted to ride some of the bigger sealife....
Ryleigh watching the fish swim...The kids really enjoyed being able to go right up to the fish, turtles, sharks....
The big fish were definitely a hit...
Braeden...attempting to climb out to ride the "fishieeeeeeeeeeeeee!"...
A close up of Braeden's reaction....
Fish...nibbling on a plant...
Going in for a [much] closer look....
At the very big Walrus...
The kids really like this exhibit- they could look [depending on their height] down at the fish... and it was like being outdoors in a pond...
Eye level with the fish...
"Wait...are there more fishies over there?"
"Ryleigh!!!! .....are those more fish? Can we go over there? Are those fishies too? Do you see them?"
"Yes- there are more fish over there! Come, let's see them..... Braeden.... BRAEDEN!!!! Are you coming with me?"
We finished our day with a walk on the boardwalk... Braeden very much wanted to climb out and go for a swim....
Apparently... I have not done an actual school post since the middle of April... (oops)... working is really cutting into my blog time... better than cutting into school time I suppose... Anyway... instead of posting all 565 pictures that have been taken since the middle of April... I have narrowed it down to some highlights... also... some pictures and projects can be found in my stART posts... further...coming up in posts...because I know you totally want to know... will be Ryleigh's Birthday and Dance recital...
Ryleigh and Braeden with the Easter Bunny at the Eggstravaganza...circa... end of April
Ryleigh turned 4 at the end of April... here she is blowing out her candle for her family party...During her Birthday week...we did Birthday themed school projects...
Her Birthday Party theme was Princes and Princesses...so I had the girls make these Shape Castles during the week...
In Tot School Beginnings the kids have been working on textures... here they are making a texture collage... with beads, flower petals (real), cotton, sequins, stickers, etc.... they all did really well gluing!
Braeden painting on some bamboo... more texture work... these bamboo place-mats are from the target dollar spot...he was more interesting in going on the swing-set...
I had the preschool class do some tie dyeing... so much fun... and the shirts came out great!
Ryleigh... modeling the shirt she made and holding up the one that I made for her...
This week we took a field trip to the Bronx Zoo... I feel like the kids were not so thrilled that the paparazzi followed them there...
The 5 monkeys watching the gorillas.... they were a huge hit and definitely Braeden's favorite exhibit....
This week I did Number and Letter assessments with the girls from COAH... they were very helpful in determining where we will start "next year"....
The girls love this MATH MAT... they jumped to numbers and colors...
I quit my full time job as an Attorney to stay at home with my daughter Ryleigh. It was the best decision I ever made. Now I practice more as a hobby. Life with a toddler gets pretty interesting at times and I'm busier now than I was when "went" to work everyday!!!!!