Story Time

Letter Of The Week

I finally started Janelle on the Letter of the Week curriculum. I've been trying to get organized for about 3 months and realized that if I just didn't start with what I had, I never would. So the first week I only did the theme which happened to be "cows". I got several books from the library about cows and some story books as well. It was great. We learned so much about cows and she still remembers all of it. For example, a baby cow is called a calf, a male cow is a bull, and the names of some body parts ie, teats and udder. I found a picture on Google images of a cow and calf and posted the on her learning board. I'll have to post a picture of it.

The next week our theme was "Jungle" and I think she enjoyed that more than the cows. Also this week I added the letter to the board that we studied all week. Each week I added another component of the curriculum until I had the theme, letter, shape/color, number and this week I'm adding the nursery rhyme. I realized that it didn't have to be perfect for me to start, and that something was better than nothing. I'll keep you updated with our progress and fun. I love this job.

Watering Petunias

Here's Janelle at 17 months watering petunias I planted out front.

Reading

I wanted to post a video from a couple of months ago of Janelle reading a couple of words. She now knows about 20 words. I'm so proud of her.

First Steps

Apple Picking

We went apple picking with Marissa and her sister Joanna at a local orchard. It was a bit chilly but we had a good time. It was the last day of the season to pick apples, and we

made it just in time. They close at 6 and we got there at 5:55.

Afterwards we went to their farm store and got an apple cider doughnut and some of their delicious mulled cider. Janelle had fun holding the apples and also learning the sign for apple. We watched the sun set on the first day of day light savings time at around 6:15, and I took a picture of the full moon. Looking forward to going back in the spring for blueberries and strawberries. It was a beautiful day.

New Project

I started making Janelle a new hat. I found the pattern at crochetpatterncentral.com. Its a great site with lots of free patterns. I've posted the directions below. Here is a picture of what the hat will look like. I used an F hook (couldn't find my G), and ch 30 instead of 22.

I'll post pictures when mine is done.

Use Size G hook 1/2 oz of sport weight yarn

(To make the treble crochet (tr) do the following: YO twice, insert hook in next sc. YO and pull up a loop (4 loops on hook), (YO and draw through 2 loops on hook) 3 times. PUSH the tr to the right side on hat.)

Hat is made from one side to the other (not from the cuff up) It should end up with a 10.5" diameter before being stitched up the side.

Ch 18 (22 newborn) (This forms the height of the hat )

Row 1 (Right side): Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. Ch 1 and turn.

Row 2: Sc in first sc, (tr in next sc, sc in next st) across. Ch 1 and turn.

Row 3: Sc in each stitch across row.

Repeat rows 2 and 3 for 32 (36) rows. End off leaving 12" tail of yarn Finishing: Gather top by weaving in and out of the sts. Pull top tightly. Fold hat in half and whip st side seam. Brim: Add yarn at bottom of hat and sc in each st around to form brim. Sc around for 3 rows. End off and weave in all yarn ends.

You can make this hat larger or smaller by using a longer or shorter chain to start, and making more or fewer rows.

POM POM Wrap yarn around fingers till it looks 'fat enough'. Then remove it wrap 2 strands of yarn in the middle, tie tightly in a double knot. Now snip thru the loops, it's usually is a bit ragged at this point, so hold it over the garbage and snip till it is fluffy and even :-) To make it even more fluffy, separate the individual strands in the yarn.

Spring has sprung

Janelle and I have had lots of fun the past few days out in the sunshine. We've gone on several nature walks and have learned about trees, flowers, grass, rabbits, squirrels and colors. We sat in the grass and felt how itchy it makes you feel, and we got to smell different types of flowers. We especially liked the dandelions because they were everywhere. We heard the bees buzzing, the birds singing, and the lawnmowers. She really enjoyed touching the leaves on the trees, (although she did try to eat them). As an added bonus she was ready for nap time after each of our expeditions. :) But best of all, I had the pleasure of teaching her that God created all of these things for His pleasure. Rev 4:11 says Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. Next time we'll take the camera to document our findings.

New Pictures

I can't believe she's already 5 months old.

Good Find

I found this rocking chair at Goodwill for $2.99.
I'm going to reupholster it (one day).

Janelle really likes it.

Planting Zinnias

I planted some Zinnias to put in Janelle's room in front of the window. I though it would be nice for her to have something living in her room. Not only are they beautiful flowers, they will provide many teaching opportunities like how God created them, gratitude and appreciation for the beautiful things He created, responsibility (watering and caring), science (how flowers grow), and since I got an assorted package they can help with teaching colors. They also produce oxygen to help keep the air clean and fresh. I bought a package of seeds from Wal-mart for $.99, and I planted them in a gallon water bottle that I cut in half. After they sprout I will transfer them to pots. I found this picture online to show what they look like. I hope mine turn out this beautiful.

A Hope Chest

Here is a post I found on making/building a hope chest. It is something I would like to do with Janelle.

Janelle

Here are some recent pictures.

Sitting up at 3 months

Her Baby dedication at church

Playing with her favorite toy