I think I can...

These lessons were on Trust & Confidence and learning to understand that everyone is good at many things, but that we are not all good at the same things and that's okay! We learned to say, "I think I can," like the Little Engine that could instead of "I can't."

I got to praise each child's gifts "lavishly" and it was so fun & easy to think of many things our kids are good at! After we sang our welcome song we had each child come to the front and hold a picture I got off our computer and blogs and then we took time to compliment them.

Mark is good at catching BUGS and giving big HUGS. He's very loving and affectionate. He mediates arguments by having "conversations" with those that are fighting. He's good at sports like soccer and is a good brother to Christopher and Anna. He's also learning how to read and is awesome a cutting shapes out!

Ethan is good at SMILING brightly and at being a KIND and forgiving friend. He is is good at so many SPORTS, including mini-golf. He is great older brother to Issac. He says really grown up phrases. When I read "The Little Engine that Could" I'd ask, "What do you think is going to happen?" and he'd always reply, "Let's check it out!"

Ches has a good IMAGINATION, and is good at making "merry-go-rounds" out of play dough and toys (I asked him what this picture was about and that's what he said.) He has an amazing MEMORY and is good at memorizing long scripts and saying big words like, "thicket." I forgot to write that he is really good at moving his EYEBROWS!

Elise is good at PAINTING, drawing, and SINGING. She is a good helper and loving older sister to Elijah. She is really good at writing her own name and is getting better with other letters.

Elijah is good at smiling and giving great HUGS, and he's great at mimicking. He tries to say new words and phrases all the time.

Everyone did such a good job on our train art activity! They did it all by themselves - I just gave them the pieces in order and they figured it out.

Love those big, cheesy smiles! Here the kids are trying to cut out their shapes...

Little Nature Walk

Finally I am getting these pictures on. We had a chilly but fun little nature walk during our interest and curiosity lesson. The kids were really taking notice of things, and asking questions. We were finding all sorts of sticks, leaves, and the big one was the worm Mark found. Then we went to the park for a little bit, but we all quickly chilled out.

Unfortunately I didn't get any pictures of our Valentines day party, but the kids had a great time. It was fun to watch the different ways the kids handled their cookies. Elise was very particular with the frosting, and I think almost afraid to eat her masterpiece. Ethan loaded up the cookie with frosting and candy hearts, though quickly discovered that the candy hearts aren't so good, and licking the frosting knife is much better. I think Mark probably had the most frosting and hearts and sprinkles on his cookie. Then Ches was probably the first to decorate and then quickly eat his all up.

Spontaneous Delight

I think that Jackie got to do these lessons last year. What great fun we had! It was all just a big party! We blew bubbles, which everyone loved! Ches just enjoyed watching because he didn't like the idea of soap in the water. We read silly stories, painted, sang, ate popcorn. What more can I say? Wouldn't everyone like to go to Joyschool when we have days like that?

The kids also loved playing with the stomp-rocket!

We painted with bleach. Elise was sick this day and we missed her, but still another day of spontaneous delight! We marched around and pretended to be a band to music, played hot potato, sang more fun songs and read more fun books!

Magic Day

I was excited to see that I got to teach this lesson this year since both the kids and I loved it last year. It was all about discovering the magic in things around us. We baked bisquits and experimented with soap and paint, but the highlight of the day was definitely the magic tricks. I did them last year and the kids seemed impressed which is actually saying a lot since I'm pretty terrible at slight of hand tricks. So this year I asked Taylor if he'd take 20 minutes to show the kids some tricks. It was so fun to watch the kids eat his tricks up and they couldn't stop laughing.

This first one is a card trick. He actually has a special deck of cards that has a little rubber band that helps elevate the chosen card.

The second one is actually a little plastic toy that has both a real ball and a look-alike ball built into it. Ethan has been walking around all week hitting his pocket and saying "shazaam" because of this one.

The third trick got the most mixed reviews. The boys absolutely loved it and couldn't stop giggling. Elise was slightly bothered. She refused to touch the pencil after this one and wouldn't let anyone come near her with the pencil the rest of the day. I did make Taylor show the kids the trick on this one especially after Tiana informed me that CJ has been doing similar magic tricks and Ches decided to put eggs in his ear as part of his own magic trick.

The last one is just the old disappearing quarter trick. Don't worry CJ, he didn't give the trick away.

What happened to January???

Sadly the month of January was kind of a loss for Joyschool. Most days there were 2 kids at most due to family trips and lots and lots of colds and flus. The first day I taught it was just Ethan and Ches (and Isaac who was very happy to be able to sit on Elise's mat while she was gone).
The second day was just Ethan and Mark. We had lots of fun activities but it was more like a playdate than school. Here's to Spring coming soon and everything warming up!

Christmas Party

Here are our Joyschool moms. The kids performing for the dads and siblings.

Just having fun! It is a party after all!

Christopher (Mark's brother) joining in the fun.

Christmas Service

Okay, I accidentally added the same picture twice, but it is just twice the memories then! Here are the kids getting ready for their nativity performance at the senior center.

Here they are singing their songs.

What a picture perfect group!

And the audience seemed happy! A service well done and appreciated.