December School Happenings

• The class finished up discussing feelings and emotions: they talked daily about how they felt by using colors and animals from the story "My Many Colored Days" and also etched pictures on a black background and created pictures with popcorn to express how they felt; they also watched a short movie based on the story and painted the animals in the story while listening to music by the Minnesota Symphony Orchestra.
• In science the children explored and experimented with color (particularly how to separate a color)
• In dramatic play they acted out songs, stories, and movies
• School now provides healthy snacks on both Wednesdays and Thursdays!
• Trains! Trains! Trains! was the topic for 2 weeks. After reading the "Polar Express" the kids found bells in their backpacks and were overcome with the holiday spirit; the movie theater was transformed into a train station, allowing the children to take many trips and vacations
• In art, the children worked on special projects for the holiday celebration; made trains from various shapes; and decorated scenery for their "train ride"
• At the water table, the kids experienced the smooth and slimy feeling of gak (a liquid starch concoction); they also made train tracks with shaving cream with different trains ad cars
• At the sand table they explored the miracle of magnets and learned about magnetic force- they were also asked to make a hypothesis and guess if a particular item would stick to a magnet
• They tried to solve a mystery about a man named Mr. Black and why his XMAS tree could have tipped over while he was out to the grocery store.
• At circle, they played a train game where they pretended to board a train and the kids had to find the chair that's number corresponded to the number on their ticket.

Christmas vacation!!!

Sick Child Update

Jake's cough is still "chunky", but less frequent. He has willingly taken his meds, which is good. We still have to remind him to stay away from the baby while he is coughing and to be careful around him; and he still isn't listening...which is very frustrating.

I was able to cut his hair this morning with little to no hassle AND I was also able to wash his hair without him crying (he is afraid of the soap...).

School bell rings on Tuesday!

Just like Dad..shorts in the winter (only in the house for Jake!)....

Little lunch on the side for later...

Sickness Doesn't Stop Him

Well, Jakob has been sick now for 1 week with his cough getting worse. I called to see the doctor today...turns out Jake has a form of pneumonia- that is always my biggest fear when he has a cold, this time I was right. Aaahhhh. He hasn't complained about anything, which is weird- and he is still JAKOB. Todd and I have both had pneumonia (Todd was hospitalized and I was out of school for one week), so we know it isn't fun. Jakob is also on Zithromax (like Kaleb) and Robitussin for his cough. Hopefully this clears up before Tuesday (school...where we think this all started from)

Signs for Breakfast

Ho Ho Ho

Jakob and I were both up about the same time this morning- I do not know who was more excited for him to open his presents, me or him!

He is definitely not like Todd or I when we were younger when it comes to opening gifts! He is very slow (as I had mentioned in his birthday blog) - almost savoring the moment, exclaiming "THIS IS WHAT I ALWAYS WANTED!!", and then asking if he could open the next. It was cute. Took a while to get through the gifts =). I can't tell what Jakob liked the best as he got some really cool gifts from "Santa" and family.

Santa found "UK" road signs

Christmas Eve

Pictures are on the family page of the boys in their matching jammies.

Holiday Celebration

Todd, Jakob, and I were very excited for us to be able to attend his "Holiday Celebration" at school today.

We walked into the classroom and Jake's eyes lit up like a Christmas tree! The celebration lasted about an hour and in that time we did 4 crafts (made a rabbit ornament, decorated a train, created a candy cane from red/white beads and a pipe cleaner, and decorated a snowman), had a healthy snack, and listened to the children sing a few Christmas songs such as "The Chubby Snowman". It was so cute! We had a great time. Of course, I wanted to tear up a few times....

Enjoy the pictures!!!

When we first arrived, the children were in circle and then sang a few songs:


Decorating a train and making a rabbit ornament with Daddy:

Singing "The Chubby Snowman":


Crafts and some gifts:

He Loves to Sing

Here is Jakob singing Rascal Flatts version of "Life is a Highway" from Disney's Pixar Cars. You can find a clip of him singing "Feliz Navidad" on our page.

You should see him bee-bopping in the car..you can tell that he has some kind of rhythm...something Todd and I do not have! Yes, he sways around like that when he sings. And yes, he does have that much energy ALL of the time!

Christmas Pictures

I have posted our Christmas Photo(s) on the family page. Enjoy!

Sleepy

Jakob rarely takes afternoon naps now unless he is really tired or being difficult. Tonight he was being difficult, so after me telling him "no" to the 3rd showing of Charlie Brown's Christmas", he cried himself to sleep (we had it out over him picking the scab on his chin and me having to "clean" it...).

"Napping with Baby Brudder" (I placed Kaleb there to take the picture and Jakob positioned himself this way).

Penrod "Penry" Pooch

Jakob has come to like many of the older cartoons that Todd and I used to watch (Herculoids, Jetsons, Flintstones). Although I rather he not watch them, he is allowed to watch one once in a while (on Boomerang). His current favorite is "Hom Kom Phooey".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hong_Kong_Phooey

Watching Over Baby Brother

November School Happenings

Here is a look at some of the things Jake and his classmates have been up to:

• Yankee candle fund raiser was delivered- Thanks for all who purchased an item or more to raise money for additional items for the preschool playground and a new gazebo


• The children learned about the life cycle of pumpkins


• At the water table the children sorted fruits and vegetables (FYI- fruit snacks are provided every Wednesday through a grant the school has); they also played with boats


• Played in the apple orchard for dramatic play; and were busy getting ready for the holiday feast (cleaning house, preparing food, and enjoying the meal)


• In art, they mixed red and yellow to finger paint pumpkins and also used a small gourd to make prints in a pumpkin patch


• They helped make pumpkin bread by measuring and mixing all of the ingredients!


• They learned about different types of apples (and also tasted an assortment) and created a chart about the characteristics of the apple slices; they also made applesauce and charted its characteristics-then compared the two


• In the sand table (and in their own cup), they planted apple seeds, made apple instruments in art (Jake's was yellow), baked apple pie with play dough, and measured the lengths of different objects with apples; they also played with mixed beans at this station; and carved sculptures


• They learned a bit about estimation by estimating how many paper apple prints would fit along the perimeter of the apples.


• In celebration of the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, the kids made mashed potatoes, fruit salad, and butter! They also went on a turkey hunt through the classroom (looking for colored turkeys and the child that had the colored match)


• Designs were made with rice and they also painted with feathers and sponge shaped feathers.


• Block area had Lincoln Logs!


• One subject they touched on was eating healthy (healthy food vs. junk, etc.)
• Feelings and emotions were discussed. In art, they kids cut out different pictures displaying a range of emotions to make a feelings collage. They also had to pick a feeling and represent that feeling while making a stick puppet. In their journals, they talked and drew about a time they felt a strong emotion. A hula hoop game was also played where the children had to express whichever feeling was in the hoop.

School Pics are in!

I was very pleased with the outcome of Jake's school pic. I made sure to tell him to smile correctly as he has this "fake" smile that he does. Problems with the scanner, so please excuse the quality (I mean dust on the pic).

Fake smile

Aaa-ha-ha-ha

Jakob's new Santa-like laugh...

So according to Jake, Daddy took him two places after school yesterday...to Nawrrwich and then to Nor-wich?

Tonight at dinner, I was opening ketchup packets to put next to a "few" fries and he was like "WOW Mom, you are a powerhouse!".

The boy sure keeps us laughing!!

A Teenager Already?

Jake keeps talking about "When I am 16....!". I have no idea where this is coming from. The other night he told me that when he turns 16, he will drive and pay attention and that he is also going to teach Kaleb how to drive!!!

Boy With Many Hats

So, Todd is infamous for having "many jackets". Will Jake be the boy with "many hats"? Took these two pics tonight within an hour of each other.

With his Bob the Builder hard hat

Wearing Daddy's dirty work hat

Choot Choot

Nana bought Jakob this really cool Lionel R/R Crossing signal and bank combo. When you add a coin, it makes the sound of a train blowing its whistle and the signal "dinging". Of course, he wants to be able to see the coins in the clear tube!

A Friends Special Day

We were invited to attend Maison's 5th birthday today at McDonald's. After I finished my NST, and a stop at Nana's, I picked up the boys and headed to the party. Jake was excited as he knew Daddy was getting him ready for a surprise, but he didn't know it was a birthday party!

Aside from the sun gleaming in the windows, we had a good visit. Jakob enjoyed running around through the play scape. He ran into a friend Mikayla from school- he was upset because he did not get to give her a kiss before we left- he said sighing, "She's my girl! I will kiss her on Monday at school."

Birthday Boy

Jake's Baby

Looked over and saw Jake sitting with his "Baby Kaleb":

Exo Island

Jakob told me tonight that I need to "Go to Exo Island!!"- he is referring to Exile Island on Survivor. Couldn't believe it!

We discussed his uncles (he was talking about them).

He actually wasn't feeling well for about a day, then was afraid that he was going to get a virus and turn all different colors...

Visit to Mr. Barber

Well, it almost happened. Jakob ALMOST got his hair cut by a professional (for the second time in his life). We decided to head to Rocky the Barber in town today to get Todd and his hair cut.
He was excited, even wanted to give him a hug when we got there! Had to wait a bit, but he climbed right up in the chair. Everything was looking good, got a picture in, cape goes on....and the it all begins to go down hill. Needless to say- lots of tears and more crying at home (the norm hair cut experience) while I proceed to cut his hair. Maybe next time?!

Children's Book Week

This week is National Children's Book week. To celebrate at school, teachers and students could dress up as a character from a classic children's book or story. Jake almost made the newspaper! The reporter interviewed him and took his picture...but probably because he is famous from TV, they didn't want to overload the star =). Below is the article from our local newspaper, a picture of Jake we took here in his costume, and a picture of his principle dressed up. Enjoy!

www.cbcbooks.org

Characters mark National Book Week

By JULIE A. VARUGHESE Norwich Bulletin

GRISWOLD -- Lydia* has ladybug clothes, a ladybug bathing suit and about 100 ladybug books, according to her mother, Holly.

So, it was only natural Thursday she would want to dress up as her favorite character from Eric Carle's "The Grouchy Ladybug" for National Children's Book Week.

This week, Nov. 13-19, is dedicated to the written word, and Griswold Elementary School students and staff Thursday suited up as their favorite children's book characters to celebrate.

National Children's Book Week began in 1919, when Boy Scouts of America librarian Franklin Mathiews presented the idea to the American Booksellers Association. The Children's Book Council, established by the association, has administered the week since 1944.

Thursday in Griswold, School librarian Judy Beahan, dressed as the Grinch from Dr. Seuss' "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," said she hoped to encourage students to read classic children's literature as opposed to comic books.

"I think it's more magical," she said, noting the classics recently have had to compete with high-tech forms of entertainment.

Teachers from some grades decided to dress up in themes. Fifth-grade teachers dressed as characters from 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz," kindergarten teachers dressed up as "Mother Goose" characters and preschool teachers dressed as "Three Little Pigs."

Holly Santiago liked the fact students got to dress up for one day as their favorite book character.

"It's great. They can express themselves," she said.

Third-grader Joyce* converted her "Blue Diva" costume into a fairy costume by adding wings.

She said she got the idea from "Winx Club," a series of books about modern-day fairies written by different authors.

"I always wanted to be a superhero," Joyce* said.

Her friend, third-grader Tameeka*, came dressed as "Angelica" from "Rugrats" books based on the television cartoon.

"I like her because she's mean," Tameeka* said.

Super Star

Jakob and Grammy made the news on Halloween. I am working on putting the video together to upload to this page. They spelled both his first name and last name wrong.

For now, here is the article from wtnh.com (where you can also view the clip).

Fox sightings prompt Griswold schools to keep kids indoors
(Griswold-WTNH, Oct. 31, 2006 5:00 PM)
Creepy Halloween characters are not the only things putting a scare into students in Griswold.
The threat of foxes is keeping the kids indoors and off the schools playing fields per order of the superintendent.

Two fox dens sit on this hill just above the practice softball field at Griswold High. Too close for comfort for the superintendent who says not a day goes by that someone does not spot a fox.
Supt. Elizabeth Osga, Griswold Schools, says,"We can see them morning, noon, or night. Running by."
Foxes around here are nothing new with the woods and a river nearby but lately Osga says,"They're more visible and they're bolder."

So bold, one was spotted just lying next to the fence of this playground as the pre-k kids were being brought to school.

Jakob*, Pre K, says, "It's not around but there was a fox here, huh? Where is it? That is what Jakob's grandmother would like to know. Sharon*, grandmother, says, "I was amazed to see it that close. I've never seen one that close before - laying' there."

To play it safe the superintendent has deemed this playground and these playing fields off limits. Which means no outside play periods for the kids and the soccer and football teams have had to find other fields for practice and games.

Supt. Elizabeth Osga, Griswold schools, says,"We really wanted to make sure we had all available information before we put kids in a situation of risk."

The superintendent hopes to have the teams playing on these fields again by the end of the week but she wants to make sure those players and those coming to the games are reeducated to know not to leave any french fries or other food sources around which would make these areas more attractive to foxes.
The DEP says there has been no sign that any of these foxes are rabid.

They just appear to be very comfortable around people.

A spokesman for the state Department of Environmental Protection says the agency will send trappers to the area to catch the foxes and set them free elsewhere, such as a state forest.

October School Happenings & Pics

Here is a peak at some of the things Jakob learned about in school this month:

• The class learned about themselves by making a collage about the things they like, finger painted the first letter of their names, and decorated a birthday cake. They learned their names by hunting around the classroom for their own as well as trying to find hidden names in the sand table. They talked about and graphed their birthdays and clapped how old they are- Jakob was one of the kids who knew when their full birthday was.


• When they arrive to school and get settled, they go to the class library area, locate their "magnetic" name and place it on the board under the first letter of their name


• They have been talking about their family members and have looked at some of the family quilt pieces that have been made. They have also talked about homes and the different types of houses around the world.
  

• In art, the kids made a home out of a shoe box and decorated the inside to resemble with their family inside.

The 3 sticks are us...Todd is the only one with "clothes" on

• In dramatic play, they celebrated birthdays- they wrapped presents, baked a cake, and sang "Happy Birthday!"


• At the water table, they fished for letters and numbers; discovered the properties of "goop"; and also learned about sink and float


• For "Science" they learned that there are lungs inside of their bodies and what their function is


• At the science center, the children mixed food coloring and white frosting to experiment with colors


• They learned about Autumn, and even went on a "trip" to the schools nature trail- they observed the leaves changing and found fungus, slugs, and acorns; they have also gone on walks to measure the circumference of different trees- they also clapped how many inches big the tree was


• They also learned more about the seasonal changes (FYI- they do do celebrate holidays)


• At the sand table they planted pretend bulbs and "grew" flowers

My Baby Brudder

"His name is Kaleb Lincoln Schreier SCH!" ~ Jakob

His Pumpkin

Jakob is so amazed by this "COOOL" pumpkin....

September School Happenings

Here is a glimpse of some of the things Jakob has done in school this past month:

• The children learned about nocturnal animals
• In art they cut our raccoon masks and decorated an owl with different types of feathers
• In dramatic play (set up as a forest schoolhouse), they used the rabbit ears and insects they created
• They "wrote" on chalk boards, and created "words" with magnetic letters
• At the water table, they washed food like the raccoons do
• They created their own story in circle time about pumpkins, a witch, and a princess
• At the science and water tables they learned the concept of warm and cold (they also charted which basin was warm or cold)
• On the playground, they practiced different walks

Family Fun Day

Today was family fun day at school. We were there about 1 hour...and was worth the $4 for Jakob. (I will comment no further, only that I hope the PTO uses the money for a good cause...).

Jakob enjoyed the moon bounce and doing a few crafts.

Later in the day we headed to Toys-R-Us to help celebrate Geoffrey's birthday (they had good sales and crafts for the kids). Jakob wanted to meet the guest of honor so bad, he came out before he was supposed to...only for Jakob to brush him off and be mean because he was scared of him (the costume was like 8 feet tall). Nothing Thomas Trains and the new Curious George movie couldn't cure!

Spending down time with Dad- he is off to Indianna for the week for work.....

Jakob Stew

Jakob was looking for leaves out back to put in his "stew"...these were his favorites and wanted pictures of them.

Hmmm....what is brewing in the pot?

His New Obsession

"Curious George...it's coming to the "veeters" this week!!"~ Jakob

A VW Repair

"Daddy, you fixed the BOLTSWAGON!"

Jakob and his pal Blacky

Jakob continues to enjoy school and gets good reports from the teacher. Yesterday, he had the opportunity of bring home "Blacky". Here is the story behind our fury freind as told to Nana:

Each day a child is picked to take home and share one of two classroom pets (they come in their own bag, a tooth brush, paper, crayons/markers, and a jornal), where they do things with the family and it is entered into a journal. Blacky, had his teeth brushed, went to Walmart, colored, ate dinner, and had a book read to him today (I am tired!). Blacky, is also a relative of Chester- a racoon-, the main character in the book the teacher is reading to the class called "The Kissing Hand". Chester leaves clues in the book and around the class and the children are sent on a "hunt".

We are told that he is bothered come snack time, because almost all of the children have milk (you pay the school .30/day for milk of your choice) and we pack "aqua pods (water)" and a juice box for a drink. Guess I will be sending along "milk money".

One other thing has also come up: When the class is doing an activity that Jakob's understands and is doing and they don't necessarily "get", requiring the teachers help, he gets frustrated with the kids.

Finally

With Jakob all ready, we headed to school! As soon as we pulled in our parking space, he was rearing to go! We waited our turn until we could go into class, and then I signed him in- he immediately ran over to his teacher and gave her a big hug. I looked around a bit, hung up his back pack, and put away his “extra” clothes in his cubby hole. He was roaming around the class- wanting to play with the water table (it wasn’t “open” for service yet); he then saw his classmate Logan painting. The aide put a smock on him and he was off! I gave him a kiss and he looked up with sad eyes, but quickly returned to painting.

I waited with the other parents when it was time to pick up Jakob, a couple of them peeping in the windows to see what was going on. Jakob’s class was dismissed last. As the children/parents are lined up to leave, Miss Corso sings to them “Good bye…Jakob….see you soon” and she tells the parent how the child did during the day.

Overall, he had a great day- painting, socializing, playing outside.

The First Day That Wasn't

Yeah, so Jakob's first day wasn't yesterday....I know what I read though- so now we know what we need to do Tuesday!

Left work, fed Jake his lunch and got a little routine going for school. Got there and there were no cars in the designated parking; walked up to the school and into his class...the preschool team was having a session, but his teacher welcomed him in and let him play for a few minutes. Did I feel like a tard. He was so excited to go, he wanted to leave the house at noon! (He woke up this morning and said that was where he wanted to go (he asked what we are doing/going every morning when he wakes up)).

With the program, they are required to bring certain snacks..so he is learning about "healpy (healthy) foods/drinks". He yelled at Todd when he went to drink a soda at dinner last night and said "YOU CAN'T DRINK THAT, IT'S NOT HEALPY FOR YOU!!".

Here are some of the 50 or so pictures I took yesterday: