Winter Days

Welcome to Finn who has recently joined our growing group. He is a lovely and sweet baby that has caught the hearts of us all.
He will be here on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays and has enjoyed swinging in the hammock, listening to our live guitar music, and watching the other children play.
Hannah who has traveled from New York and is 4 years old will also be here for a few hours twice a week with her nanny. She is staying in Branson with her mother, Debra Granik, during the winter.
We have had busy and fun days together reading many new books, learning new signs, singing and moving to our winter themed circle times, cooking and inventing, and creating beautiful works of art. We are exploring the subjects of winter, snow, fairies, knitting, bears, owls and other animals and nature concepts relevant to the season.
Books we have read this week include:
Knitty Kitty by David Elliot
Bear Snores On by Karma Wilson
Annie and the Wild Animals by Jan Brett
Animal Signs, First Signs, and Signs for Pets and Animals
Snow by Uri Shuilevitz
The Big Snow by Berta and Elmer Hader
Owl Moon by Jane Yolen
Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
Secret World by Cicely Mary Barker
The Book of Fairy Poetry by Michael Hague
Where Fairies Dance by Michael Hague
The Secret Life of Fairies by Penelope Larkspur

These last few titles have inspired an interest in building our own fairy houses among the stumps and branches outside.

We have had visits with Karen Day from Educare and Amanda from Stories to Go.
Karen brought us a family themed bag full of new baby dolls, houses and play dishes.
Amanda spent time reading stories about snowmen with the children outside followed by the putting together of our own snowmen.

Thursday soup days have been a success with the children expressing more of an interest in helping to prepare our lunch. If you are able to bring in a favorite vegetable on Thursdays, we will joyfully add this to our soup. This helps the children feel a sense of contributing something from their own home for their friends.

As always, it is a joy having the children in our life and we wish everyone health, peace, and adventure with your little ones.