Monday, December 19, 2016

Dec. 19-23

It's here. It's here...Christmas time is here!  The excitement is about to reach it's peak!   The kids have loved counting down on our Chain and they are really looking forward to our Christmas program!  They have been working hard, but there is still more dancing than singing!  Fingers crossed they find their voices by Thursday!

Last week we celebrated Lana's 2nd birthday!  Thanks for bringing yummy Cupcakes for the kids!



This week we have a VERY busy week crammed into just 4 days!!!!  

Tuesday, we have Travel Tots with Ms. Beth at 9am.  She said we are going to be having some Holiday fun!!!  Can't wait!

Wednesday is Christmas Pajama Day!  Send your kids in their pajamas for a day of Slumber party fun! We will be going outside with the mild temps forecasted, so be sure they are jammies that will work under their snow pants as well!

Thursday is the big day!  The Christmas program will start at 4:30.  Please do not arrive before 4:15 so we can have time to get ready after nap time. If you would like to send a different shirt/dress for me to change your child into quick, feel free to send that along in a bag Thursday morning.  Bring a camera for some good photo ops!  Rumor has it the jolly old man may even be making an appearance! :)  After the show, there will be cookies and milk for everyone if they would like before heading out for Christmas break!  

We will be able to get outside FINALLY most days this week, please be sure your child has the required winter gear to stay warm and dry!

Menu:
Monday- French toast sticks, ham, oranges and milk
Tuesday- Rotisserie Chicken, peaches, peas, dinner roll and milk
Wednesday- Macaroni and Cheese, mixed veggies, applesauce and milk
Thursday- Peanut butter and Jelly, apple slices, carrots and milk

HAVE A GREAT HOLIDAY BREAK, See you all on January 3rd...oh yeah and GO PACK GO!!!!

Monday, December 12, 2016

Week of December 12-16

The kids are really starting to get in the Holiday spirit!!!!  We have been singing some Christmas sings and reading all sorts of books about Christmas and winter! This week we will all be making our stockings to hang on the fireplace!


I decided that we will be doing our Christmas program Dec. 22 at 4:30 pm.  Please arrive on time, but no earlier than 4:15 so we have adequate time to get ready!  And be sure to bring your cameras as there are some great photo opportunities! It will be a great send off before our Christmas break!

Last week we had so much fun at both our Travel Tots class and Music class!

This week we will be celebrating Lana's 2nd birthday on Monday!

I am also closed on Tuesday, so I can enjoy a relaxing day for my birthday!  I will have 3 whole kid free hours while Gavin is at preschool that I am going to go get ALL my Christmas shopping done!  Sounds relaxing, right?!

Menu:
Monday- Sloppy Joes, green beans, fruit cocktail and milk
Tuesday-  CLOSED
Wednesday- Cheeseburger macaroni, oranges, corn and milk
Thursday- Tacos, applesauce, carrots and milk
Friday- Grilled Cheese sandwiches, mixed veggies and peaches

Upcoming dates:
Dec. 21- Christmas Pajama Party
Dec. 22- Christmas Program 4:30
Dec 23-Jan 2- Closed for Winter break

Monday, December 5, 2016

Week of December 5-9

Tis the season...for germs!!!!!  Hope everyone is hanging in there with this nasty cold virus we have all been sharing!!!  Many kids with ear infections, fever, strep, a rash...all various things going along with it! Please review my previous post for my illness policy.  I realized I never sent the link for it so some of you may have never seen it.

Also I apologize for my lack of posts the last couple weeks. With all the stress the last few weeks, the primary goal was to just for everyone to make it through the days!  Hope to start returning to a little more normal routine around here soon.  Thank you all for your understanding and patience with me the last few weeks as my family dealt with this difficult time. 

This week, we have Travel Tots on Tuesday with Ms. Beth!  I wonder what kind of Christmas fun we will have with her!!!!  

We also have Music Class on Friday.  Tasha always has some fun holiday songs for us to sing!!!

Speaking of holiday songs...we will be doing our annual Christmas show again this year.  With the younger group of kids, it may not be as long or impressive, but we'll do it!  I am trying to decide on the best date to do it with us traveling for the holidays this year.  I will let you know by the end of the week.

Important dates for DECEMBER:

Dec. 5- Travel Tots
Dec. 9- Music Class
Dec. 13- Closed for my much needed bday day of relaxation.
Dec. 21- Christmas Pajama Party
Dec. 23-Jan 2- CLOSED FOR THE HOLIDAYS

A couple other quick winter reminders.  I do need snow pants, boots, warm jackets, mittens and hats every day now.  We go outside (MOST DAYS) if it is above 20 degree windchill.  I only have limited extras and can not leave children inside unattended, so if your child does not come prepared, they may end up with cold hands...or risk making the whole group stay inside.

Also, please remove your shoes at my front door if walking through my house.  With the high traffic, shoes/boots can create quite the mess on my floors.  Also when leaving, please do not put your child's boots on until you are at the door since the boots could be wet/muddy from playing outside earlier.

If you have a grandparent picking up who doesn't want to walk down the hill in the winter.  They may just holler from the top of the hill if we are playing outside and I will run the child up for them.  I don't want anyone getting injured here.  It's a good idea for the parents to just keep a pair of boots in the car for themselves to slip on instead of trying to slide down the hill in dress shoes!

Menu:
Monday- Meatballs, green beans, applesauce and milk
Tuesday- Italian hotdish, corn, pears and milk
Wednesday- Fish sticks, carrots, peaches and milk
Thursday- Hot dogs, Bakes beans, oranges and milk
Friday- French Toast sticks, pineapple, sausage and milk

Tuesday, November 15, 2016

Week of November 14-18

I am already tired of the yucky germs and it's just the beginning.  We have had a nasty little respiratory bug going through daycare.  It seems like it has come and come for others, but for me it is just settling right in!  Hope to be rid of the crud soon!!!


With that being said, here are a few things I have been working on with the kids to limit spreading of germs this cold and flu season:

-They watch their hands when they get to daycare before going out to the playroom
-Most of them can independently wash their hands, the younger ones still need a little help, so if you could help reinforce proper hand washing at home that would be great!
-ALL OF THEM are expected to be covering their coughs and sneezes with the inside of their elbow.
-After blowing their noses, they go throw the kleenex in the garbage and then wash their hands.

As parents, please review my illness policy:

I do not have a sick room here at daycare.  If your child is ill, they need to be home where they can get the care and rest they need so they can return to daycare healthy. Your child will need to be excluded from childcare under the following circumstances:

*Fever of 101 or higher. May not return until the fever has been gone (without the aid of medicine) for a full 24 hours
*Vomitting.  May not return until 24 hours after the last vomiting episode
*Diarhea. May not return until 24 hours after the last soft stool
*Unexplained rash. Must be seen by a doctor
*Pink eye. Child must be seen by a doctor and on antibiotics for 24 hours
*Strep throat. May not return until on antibiotics for at least 24 hours
* Hand Foot and mouth disease:  Excluded from care until the fever is gone (for 24 hours) AND all blisters have crusted over. This could be up to a week.

There are other illnesses that your child can be excluded for and will be evaluated if they arise.

In addition to these above exclusions, if your child is just well enough to participate in our activities, they may be sent home.

If any of these symptoms become present while in my care, it will be required that the child is picked up within 30 minutes.


**If I believe you sent your child to me aware of the above symptoms and did not disclose it to me, it will be grounds for termination of care.

These are minimums.  You know your child best.  If they are sick or not feeling well, just keep them home.  You taking a day off to care for your child and minimize the spread of germs means other parents may not have to take time off with their child. Also, then I won't get sick, possibly resulting in EVERYONE having to take a day off. In turn other parents will do that if their child gets sick, hopefully preventing you from having to take more time away from work. If everyone does their part and is courteous of others, we should be able to make it through these germy months without a huge outbreak!!!! ;) I appreciate everyone's assistance in keeping our daycare family healthy!

This week we have Travel tots on Tuesday with Ms Beth at 9am!  The kids sure love their time with her and I must say, I also enjoy my one hour break just as much!!!!

Next week on Wednesday, we are going to have a Daycare Thanksgiving Feast.  I will send out a sign up sheet for everyone to pick something to bring for it, just like people do at Thanksgiving!  It will all be pretty easy, basic stuff, but helps teach the kids about contributing to a Holiday meal and coming together to feast!


Reminder, I am closed for Thanksgiving and the day after.  Enjoy your weekend with your family!

Here are additional dates I will be closed the remainder of 2016.  Be sure they are on your calendar!

Dec. 13
Dec. 23- Jan 2

MENU:
Monday- Corn dogs, carrots, oranges and milk
Tuesday- Lasagna Hotdish, green beans, peaches and milk
Wednesday- Chicken Patty Sandwiches, Bananas,  mixed veggies and milk
Thursday- French Toast Sticks, ham, hashbrowns, pears and milk
Friday- Pizza, grapes, peas and milk


Monday, November 7, 2016

Week of November 7-11

We had a great time last week at our Halloween party!  I loved everyone's costumes!


















 We also had such beautiful that we spent the afternoon down at the park on Friday!  This fall has been just beautiful!  Please keep an eye on the next day's forecast as it is supposed to start to cool of now and the kids will need more than just a sweatshirts!

With that in mind, it would be VERY helpful if you could work with your child on putting their own shoes and jackets on.  Once winter comes and we have more and more layers to put on, we will be able to get outside much quicker if the kids are able to independently get ready.  I use the flip method for their jackets, at least for the younger kids.  They lay the jacket down, stand by the hood, reach their hands in the sleeves then flip it over their hands!  It is great!  Once we have all the snow gear, we do "Snowpants, jackets, hats, boots and mittens" in that order! Your encouragement at home will be greatly appreciated and will give your child more time to play outside!

This week I AM CLOSED on Thursday for my grandmothers funeral.

Friday, we have music class at 10am with Tasha.

We will also be having a surprise visitor or two to go with our community helper curriculum theme thanks to the New Brighton Department of Public Safety!

Reminder I am closed for Thanksgiving and the day after (Nov 24 and 25) later this month as well!

Menu:
Monday- Hot dogs, baked beans, grapes and milk
Tuesday-Chicken Nuggets, green beans, fruit cocktail and milk
Wednesday- Eggs, sausage, peaches and milk
Thursday- Closed
Friday- Cheese quesadilla, corn, pears and milk











Monday, October 17, 2016

Week of October 17-21

Sorry for the lack of blog post last week, it completely slipped my mind until it was too late!  Figured this week I should be on top of it!

Even with the lack of reminder everyone remembered Pajama Day!  Great job!  That is the kids favorite Fun day at daycare so I am glad everyone got to participate!  They love watching a movie and having popcorn for snack on PJ day!



We had a lot of fun with Tasha at music class on Friday!  We sang songs about our emotions and did some fun dances!

This week we have travel Tots on Tuesday with Ms. Beth

We will be continuing on with our Farm theme!  The kids are having a lot of fun with it!  This week we will be talking more about what is grown on farms!


Also a reminder that Mike will be here all day on Thursday and Friday while I am on vacation.  If you know ahead of time that your child is going to be gone or that you will be doing drop off or pick up at an abnormal time, please try to let me know by Wednesday so I can get accurate information to him!  If something comes up last minute, you can text me and I will pass the info along to him!

I AM CLOSED ON MONDAY, OCT 24th.  See you all on Tuesday!

Menu:
Monday: Spaghetti, garlic bread, pears and milk
Tuesday: Bean and Cheese burritos, corn, grapes and milk
Wednesday: Pizza bites, oranges, green beans and milk
Thursday: PB &J sandwiches, mixed veggies, applesauce and milk
Friday: Ravioli, pineapple, peas and milk

Tuesday, October 4, 2016

Week of Oct 3-7

Happy October!!!

With a new month comes a new curriculum!  This month we will be learning about "Down on the Farm!"  This always ends up being one of the kids favorite units!  We will talk about animals that live on the farm as well as harvesting and everything that goes along with it!  We have a fun time with this one!


We have a busy month, so here are important dates to put on your calendars:

Tuesday, Oct 4: Travel Tots, 9:00am
Friday, Oct 14: Music Class, 10:00am
Wednesday, Oct 12: PAJAMA DAY!
Friday, Oct 14: Mike will be here in the afternoon to meet the new kids and their parents
Tuesday, Oct 18: Travel Tots, 9:00am
Thursday, Oct 20 and Friday, Oct 21: Mike will be here all day while I am on vacation
Monday, Oct 24: DAYCARE CLOSED
Monday, Oct 31: Halloween Party

Please send current extra clothes for your children.  Many of them have very little extras left, and what is left here is mostly summer clothes!  I will go through their bins this week and send home anything that is not weather appropriate for fall/winter.  Please help me stay stocked with at least 2 complete outfits at all times!  Extra underwear is always a great idea!

Menu:
Monday- Tacos, green beans, oranges and milk
Tuesday- Pancakes, sausage, strawberries and milk
Wednesday- Turkey Sandwiches, corn, apples and milk
Thursday- Chicken strips, mixed veggies, peaches and milk
Friday- Macaroni and cheese, peas, fruit cocktail and milk

Enjoy the rest of your week!



Week of Oct 3-7

Happy October!!!

With a new month comes a new curriculum!  This month we will be learning about "Down on the Farm!"  This always ends up being one of the kids favorite units!  We will talk about animals that live on the farm as well as harvesting and everything that goes along with it!  We have a fun time with this one!


We have a busy month, so here are important dates to put on your calendars:

Tuesday, Oct 4: Travel Tots, 9:00am
Friday, Oct 14: Music Class, 10:00am
Wednesday, Oct 12: PAJAMA DAY!
Friday, Oct 14: Mike will be here in the afternoon to meet the new kids and their parents
Tuesday, Oct 18: Travel Tots, 9:00am
Thursday, Oct 20 and Friday, Oct 21: Mike will be here all day while I am on vacation
Monday, Oct 24: DAYCARE CLOSED
Monday, Oct 31: Halloween Party

Please send current extra clothes for your children.  Many of them have very little extras left, and what is left here is mostly summer clothes!  I will go through their bins this week and send home anything that is not weather appropriate for fall/winter.  Please help me stay stocked with at least 2 complete outfits at all times!  Extra underwear is always a great idea!

Menu:
Monday- Tacos, green beans, oranges and milk
Tuesday- Pancakes, sausage, strawberries and milk
Wednesday- Turkey Sandwiches, corn, apples and milk
Thursday- Chicken strips, mixed veggies, peaches and milk
Friday- Macaroni and cheese, peas, fruit cocktail and milk

Enjoy the rest of your week!



Week of Oct 3-7

Happy October!!!

With a new month comes a new curriculum!  This month we will be learning about "Down on the Farm!"  This always ends up being one of the kids favorite units!  We will talk about animals that live on the farm as well as harvesting and everything that goes along with it!  We have a fun time with this one!


We have a busy month, so here are important dates to put on your calendars:

Tuesday, Oct 4: Travel Tots, 9:00am
Friday, Oct 14: Music Class, 10:00am
Wednesday, Oct 12: PAJAMA DAY!
Friday, Oct 14: Mike will be here in the afternoon to meet the new kids and their parents
Tuesday, Oct 18: Travel Tots, 9:00am
Thursday, Oct 20 and Friday, Oct 21: Mike will be here all day while I am on vacation
Monday, Oct 24: DAYCARE CLOSED
Monday, Oct 31: Halloween Party

Please send current extra clothes for your children.  Many of them have very little extras left, and what is left here is mostly summer clothes!  I will go through their bins this week and send home anything that is not weather appropriate for fall/winter.  Please help me stay stocked with at least 2 complete outfits at all times!  Extra underwear is always a great idea!

Menu:
Monday- Tacos, green beans, oranges and milk
Tuesday- Pancakes, sausage, strawberries and milk
Wednesday- Turkey Sandwiches, corn, apples and milk
Thursday- Chicken strips, mixed veggies, peaches and milk
Friday- Macaroni and cheese, peas, fruit cocktail and milk

Enjoy the rest of your week!



Week of Oct 3-7

Happy October!!!

With a new month comes a new curriculum!  This month we will be learning about "Down on the Farm!"  This always ends up being one of the kids favorite units!  We will talk about animals that live on the farm as well as harvesting and everything that goes along with it!  We have a fun time with this one!


We have a busy month, so here are important dates to put on your calendars:

Tuesday, Oct 4: Travel Tots, 9:00am
Friday, Oct 14: Music Class, 10:00am
Wednesday, Oct 12: PAJAMA DAY!
Friday, Oct 14: Mike will be here in the afternoon to meet the new kids and their parents
Tuesday, Oct 18: Travel Tots, 9:00am
Thursday, Oct 20 and Friday, Oct 21: Mike will be here all day while I am on vacation
Monday, Oct 24: DAYCARE CLOSED
Monday, Oct 31: Halloween Party

Please send current extra clothes for your children.  Many of them have very little extras left, and what is left here is mostly summer clothes!  I will go through their bins this week and send home anything that is not weather appropriate for fall/winter.  Please help me stay stocked with at least 2 complete outfits at all times!  Extra underwear is always a great idea!

Menu:
Monday- Tacos, green beans, oranges and milk
Tuesday- Pancakes, sausage, strawberries and milk
Wednesday- Turkey Sandwiches, corn, apples and milk
Thursday- Chicken strips, mixed veggies, peaches and milk
Friday- Macaroni and cheese, peas, fruit cocktail and milk

Enjoy the rest of your week!



Monday, September 26, 2016

Week of September 26-30

It is officially Fall!  The leaves are starting to change and the sun is setting earlier and earlier each day.  The weather changes daily, even multiple times through out the day!  Please send your child with a sweatshirt or light jacket.  We typically go outside in the mornings by 10am and there is still a chill in the air, even on the nice days!!!



This week we will be continuing on with our monthly theme.  This week our focus will be on OUR BODIES.  The kids love our body songs, in particular Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes!

On Thursday, we will do Show and Tell!  Please help your child find a picture of them as a baby to show their friends!  It's always fun to see how much we've grown!

Menu:
Monday- Hot dogs, carrots with Ranch, strawberries and milk
Tuesday- Tator Tot Hotdish, grapes, dinner roll and milk
Wednesday- Peanut butter and Jelly, oranges, green beans and milk
Thursday- Pizza Quesadillas, corn, pears and milk
Friday-  Tuna Hotdish, peas, bananas and milk

Next month I will be sending home a copy of our school songs for you to listen to at home or in the car as well.  If anyone has any blank CD's, cases, or even just the paper sleeves, I'd always be open to donations!!!!


Tuesday, September 20, 2016

Week of September 19-23

This week, we are learning about our FEELINGS!  We have some fun songs to sing during our school time that the kids are loving!  Of course the favorite is "Happy and You Know it!"  I love watching even the youngest of our kids singing along and participating!  They all get so excited when I tell them to come make our circle for school time!

We also have Travel Tots on Tuesday at 9am with Ms. Beth.

This weekend, our family will be celebrating Aidan's 13TH birthday!  That is just crazy to me that I officially have a teenager! Time flies so fast, I really can't believe it.  And to think he was a baby when I started doing daycare!  Enjoy the little years while you can, they are gone before you know it...and then a whole new adventure starts!
Aidan at 4 years old!

Last week we celebrated Charlotte's 3rd birthday!  She brought us in some yummy treats and bubbles to play with!  The kids had a great time!  







Menu:
Monday- Grilled Cheese, corn, bananas and milk
Tuesday- Sloppy Joes, applesauce, mixed veggies and milk
Wednesday- Spaghetti, grapes, green beans and milk
Thursday- Burritos, peaches, peas and milk
Friday-Meatballs, carrots w/ranch, apple slices and milk



Tuesday, September 13, 2016

Week of September 12- September 16

What beautiful Fall weather we are having!  The kids are enjoying spending time outside without all the heat and humidity!  Unfortunately the bugs are still bad, so I will keep putting spray on the kids to avoid the large numbers of welts!


Everyone is loving our September Theme- "Me and My family"  There are a lot of fun crafts and activities to do!  Thanks to those of you who have sent back your "About me" sheets,  I will be hanging them all up this week, so if you have not, please send them back so your child can be included on our bulletin board!

Last week we got to know Mackenzie and Berit, what fun girls!  This week we had Jaxon join our group and he is fitting right in!  It is really a wonderful mix of kids and they all seem to be getting along great!
Mackenzie

Berit

Jaxon
Last week, we also had a great time at Music Class on Friday and Travel Tots on Tuesday!



Also, with new families starting, just wanted to send out my vacation day notification again for anyone I forgot to mention it to...I WILL BE CLOSED  MONDAY OCTOBER 24

Menu:
Monday- Lasagna Hotdish, carrots, peaches and milk
Tuesday- Chicken Nuggets, oranges, peas and milk
Wednesday- Corn Dogs, green beans, apples and milk
Thursday- English Muffin Pizzas, grapes, mixed veggies and milk
Friday- French Toast Sticks, Ham, applesauce and milk