Thanksgiving Activities in the Preschool

What's been going on this month in our preschool classroom?

The kids have been making the classic hand-print turkeys...

They've also kept themselves busy by "cooking" a Thanksgiving Feast almost every day!

During our Native American lessons, I taught the kids how to weave. They did pretty good for 3 and 4 years old.

I made little pockets with plastic "windows" for each student's weaving project.

We made little paper tepees for our Native American village  

The kids have been really getting creative in the use of natural materials during play time.

Pine-cones become people, seashells become houses...it's pretty neat.

We made these hand-print Mayflower boats while learning about the voyage of the pilgrims.

I bought some of those decorative Indian corn things and gave them to the kids to play with. As soon as they got outside, the kids started "planting" the corn with a "fish" just like Squanto taught the pilgrims to do. 

So there are just some of the activities our preschool group enjoyed this November. 

I hope they can inspire you to try something new with your class. 

Oh, How Much We Change

Looking at those two pictures above, I can't believe they're of the same girl.

One was from my sophomore year in high school, and the other...well...the best day ever.

How much have I changed in those years?

I used to be the super self conscious girl who wouldn't even order a meal at McDonalds because she was too shy. I was nerdy and goofy and didn't really know how to put myself together. My hair was a wreck and my clothes never really matched or fit right. 

I wanted to be one of the pretty girls and had dreams of continuing my education by going to college.

Well now that I think about it, I'm still insecure and my hair is it's usual mess. My clothes don't match but I've accomplished my childhood dream of becoming a teacher. I sometimes hide my insecurities by being funny and making people laugh with me and not at me. I'm a little better about talking to total strangers (half of you fall into that category) and I am much much better at being transparent. 

People can accept for me who I am and know that I'm not hiding anything. I'm not a hypocrite so if I'm struggling with something, you'll all know about it. 

Being totally open my heart makes you feel secure, but it often takes me out of my comfort zone. 

Why do that to yourself?

Because I can grow as a person and as a Christian when I'm out of my comfort zone. And sometimes there's someone else out there (maybe one of my frequent readers) who is going through the same things that I am. Taking a peek into another girls heart can give a different perspective and bring comfort.

If sharing my feelings annoys you, just realize that these words might actually be helping someone else. 

So 90's

Well I know don't know about you guys, but my last thrifting trip was awesome!

I got so much!

Okay, so I bought three tops.... But for a girl who is used to walking out sad and empty handed, three tops is a big deal. 

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The one I am most excited about it a jean blouse/jacket thing. You know, the kind that used to be popular in the 90's?

I've been hunting one down all summer long. 

$4.99 was a total steal!

Here are some of the looks I'm really excited about putting together.

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I can tie on my jean shirt over a summer dress. Add a pin for some cute personality.

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Another version of the shirt-over-the-dress look. Defiantly roll up the sleeves or you'll look stuffy (in my opinion).

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Here's something new. Layer a tank top and jacket/sweater over the jean shirt. This could get a little bulky  so make sure your jean shirt is nicely fitted. 

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This last idea is the simplest one. Replace your typical cardigan outfit with a jean shirt. It adds interest in a look and you can't really go wrong with dark or white wash jean.

I dreamed my whole house was clean...

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So here’s a little piece of my heart. Everyone knows that I’m an open book and I don’t hide much.

I've been feeling down lately because I can’t be “the perfect wife.”

Mike and I are both teachers. That means that our feet hit the floor before the sun comes up. We work hard all day and make it home just as the sun is making its “farewell”. I try to cook something mildly edible and plan lessons and activities for the next day.

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 Don’t miss-read my post. I’m not complaining about work. I love my job and it’s my passion. I wouldn't be happy if I wasn't pouring my heart into preschool.

But I don’t think that I was prepared for the adjustment marriage was going to take.  Again, don’t miss-read me. Mike and I are doing fantastic as far as relationships go. He’s my best friend and I’m so happy to be with him! What I wasn't prepared for was the whole responsibility of running a home.

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I know that all of the veteran moms are reading this and thinking “yeah, just deal with it” but how in the world do I juggle meal planning, cooking, cleaning, working, socializing, blogging, and crafting? Please! Give me some wisdom!

I feel like I can’t do everything I want or need to

 so I have to let things go here and there. Before I know it, the dishes have piled way high or I haven’t picked up a crochet hook in a month. Our bed has just been made after several days of looking like a hamster attack.

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Where is Martha Stewart when I need her?

I made pompoms

Come on. Admit it.

Like me,  you've pinned countless pins on Pintrest saying to yourself "I WILL make this!"

I have made an honest effort to actually go back to my boards and use the ideas I've pinned. 

I mean, what's the use of brilliant ideas all organized and available at my fingers tips if I don't use them?

So this past weekend, when I was asked to help decorate for a baby shower, I flew to some of my old boards and found these beauties. 

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I made 20 pompom flowers and I can't tell you how easy this project was. All you do is follow this easy pompom diy I made a few months ago, and hot glue the pompoms onto sticks.

So simple, so pretty.

Anyone going pompom crazy yet?

Antique Adventures: Red

So if you guys remember a few weeks ago, I found an original Dream Pet on one of my antique adventures. 

Well, I was lucky enough to not only find another original...but this one was in a free box!

I'm naming him Red. I know...not totally original, but I really think it fits.

He's a little red dog with a slightly bobbly head. His ear had wires on the inside so I can perk them up in a surprised expression or down for a more natural look.

I think he's really cute and he fits so well in the smallest spaces.

Have a happy Saturday!

Hands on Learning

My teacher tip today is a quote from one of the best elementary teachers ever...Miss Frizzle.

"Take chances, make mistakes, get messy. "

Get messy

One of the scariest things a mother can hear. Most kid's can't get messy and dirty at home. They don't really get chances to tear apart daisies to see how those petals are attached. They don't get build with those mini pumpkins bought during October. 

"You'll break it"

"That's a decoration"

"Don't get your clothes dirty"

Well...at preschool... we have what I call "Controlled Chaos".

If you would have walked into my classroom last Friday, you would have become overwhelmed by the sweet smell of daisies. Then you would hear the happy chatter of children making "flower soup". 

It was so exciting to see what the kids were doing with the daisies.

I thought that they would just peel them apart, get bored, and walk away.

Before I knew it, I had little ones bringing toys from different stations to the flower table.

My kids were soon playing "house" and "chef" and learning science all at the same time! They play went on for an hour. 

 I had a nice vacuuming job at the end of the day, but it was totally worth it!