Picnic at the Park

Today I took the kids to a park I haven’t been to since Araya was first born. I don’t like to take the kids here because of all the bark chips, not the greatest when my kids wear crocs all the time.

So today we were in for a GREAT surprise! The park has been redone! It has that great ground that’s kinda bouncy and gives a bit when you walk on it – GREAT for falls. And all the Playground equipment has been replaced and it’s totally TODDLER friendly!

Nothing was too high, and there wasn’t anywhere the kids couldn’t get to by themselves. It was so great and as you can see we had a lot of fun! (and it was mostly in the shade which means slides that aren't burning little bottoms!) =o)   

I think we will be visiting this park ALL the time!

Ezra’s first day of Pre-Preschool!

Ezra started Tuesday School this week. He goes every Tuesday from 9:00-11:30. He has homeroom, music, crafts, play time, and lots more! He has 4 teachers for the 18 kids in his class!

We had a rough first day, which I’d rather not re-live, but hopefully it’ll all be up hill from here! =o)

 

My friend Kate’s little girl Haven is in Ezra’s class! I am so glad! They look like they’re already having fun together!

The Letter Factory – By Leap Frog

So, this is probably a little controversial, since I know a ton of people who do not let their kids watch TV, and are homeschooling their kids.

First off, I thought I would home school my kids in the beginning. That is, until I had kids and I found out #1 I have very little patience, #2 I am not a teacher. So, I have no problem with home schooling.

So, as far as teaching my kids their letters and Alphabet, I have done my part. We have books, and puzzles, and games, and toys that show the kids their letters, what sounds they make, what words start with what letter etc…. But to be honest it did not seem like my kids were getting it – again back to the “I am not a very good teacher.”

Well, I do let my kids watch TV. I try to keep it educational and interactive as much as possible.
This post is for those parents that think TV is horrible for their kids to watch.

We recently got a Leap Frog video from Netflix called the Letter Factory. My kids watched it maybe 4 times. Yesterday we were out on the swing and somehow the sound of a letter came up, so I went through the whole alphabet with them and they know almost all the letters sounds. Thanks to that video. It has very good descriptions visually and audibly what each letter sounds like.

My kids remembered the analogies, and because of that they know the sounds of their letters. Ezra (3  1/2) knew almost every single letter, and Araya (2 1/2) knew probably 2/3rds of the sounds.

(That’s what I call a success!)

All this to say…don’t always think of the TV as evil…sometimes it can be helpful even with educational purposes!