Cal's Preschool Birthday

We love Cal's preschool. In order to make sure that the kids with summer birthdays don't feel left out, they pepper their birthdays throughout the normal school year. Cal's was this week, and we brought cupcakes for the class. I also got to stay and volunteer. It was a little tricky with brand new baby Elliot, but the teachers were very understanding. I didn't want to miss the opportunity to experience Cal's class in action. 

Preschool Pajama Day (and a story!)

Cal's preschool had a pajama day this week, and everyone was told to bring their favorite stuffed animal. Cal chose his new plushie Companion Cube. 

For those of you unfamiliar with Companion Cube, it is a "character" in the Portal video game, given to you as a friend by the computer who is running the tests. It's supposed to be a joke, but Cal got very attached while he and Reed were playing one day (remember how we were waiting and waiting for the baby to come?), and when they got to the scene where you have to incinerate Companion Cube in a furnace, Cal lost it. He cried and cried about the death of his new friend -- he was inconsolable!

Later in the game, there is a wall drawing that depicts the dearly departed Companion Cube with wings (also a joke). Cal launched into a fresh round of tears, wailing, "That angel is so beautiful!"

The only way Reed could calm him was to print out a foldable version of companion cube. Cal took that paper cube everywhere with him until his plushie arrived.

Back to the PJ day at preschool. When I picked Cal up, I realized that the kids had made necklaces for their stuffed animals as part of the preschool activities for the day. You'll notice that a cube doesn't have a neck. Undeterred, Cal had shoved that necklace proudly around Companion Cube.

Preschool Field Trip: Planetarium

Maybe it's just me, but I think it's really cute that Cal's preschool goes on field trips! While Reed was gone, Cal's class went to the planetarium at the local college to see a show about the planets. Cal was really excited, and chose a seat by his friends.

The guy running the show was this awesome bearded fellow, who was surprisingly great with all the kids. The class has been doing a unit on the planets -- I was surprised at how much Cal knew, even before the show. I love that the trips build on what the kids are learning, and I love that the teachers have an actual curriculum for the kids.

Cal loved the show, and we got to call Dad in Europe and tell him all about it afterward.

Preschool Silkworms

Cal is loving his twice-a-week preschool, and every time I pick him up, it's easy to see why. The teachers are so good at providing stimulating activities for these busy, curious kids! The latest project involves three boxes of silkworms. Cal was thrilled to show me. Here he is explaining everything:

At the most recent session of preschool, many of the worms were in cocoons. I asked Cal what they were going to turn into, and he said, "Big flying BUGS!!!" It's amazing how his little mind is growing. He understands more than I expect him to, and remembers concepts and conversations, even if I just briefly mention things. I'm constantly amazed by my little preschooler!

Simple Goings on: October edition

I know I've written about Cal's co-op preschool before, but I had to share some additional photos. He and I are both loving it so much!  I am so grateful for a wonderful, supportive group of friends in my ward. It's fantastic being a part of such an active and vibrant little community of sisters.

In addition, my friend Natalie and I have worked out a weekly, post-preschool swap that is working out fabulously. This week it was my turn to pick up these two and entertain them for a few extra hours while Nat had some free time.

Hard a work on muffin-making!

And thanks to cousin Brandon for the Halloween package, which included these muffin-toothpicks! Here they area after a day or two, after Cal had added an umbrella:

Other fun things we've been doing? Grow capsules in the bathtub, which turned into bats, pumpkins and spiders:

Perusing the Macy's Christmas decorations (already on display! It's not even Halloween yet, people!). The kids were transfixed by these singing/dancing stuffed christmas trees. I mean, who wouldn't be?

Making "monsters" out of healthy snacks (sugar-fast friendly!):

Playing with all the leaves we can find. Cal loves the way the crunch and fly everywhere -- I mean c'mon, it's pretty fun.

Pretending to be a puppy, a mouse, or a squirrel. I'm excited that Cal is getting more interested in imagining and pretending. He has always been very spacial--loves puzzles, blocks, lining things up, etc--but didn't really role play or pretend. Now, he's constantly crawling between my feet and squeaking, saying, "I baby mousie, mama! I want cheese!" 

Speaking of cheese, we've even gone so far as to take the block of parmesan from the fridge (in a ziplock, don't worry) and set it out as bait to catch our hiding mousie. He loves coming out of his hiding place, sneaking up to the cheese for a pretend nibble, and then getting caught by me and Reed, who are always extremely scandalized to see a mouse in our house!

These last three photos are from a cute Halloween lunch we went to with some friends. I loved that we all can up with non-candy items to share. How do you like those bananas? :)

That's it for this week. I know it's not a party-a-minute, but we're enjoying life, one day at a time. :)

Co-Op Preschool with Friends

In addition to his formal preschool, Cal and I are involved in a cooperative preschool program with five of my friends from church. (Side note: I am constantly grateful for the amazing young moms we have in our ward. It is an incredibly friendly, supportive environment.) Ashley and Amanda got this program started and recruited us, and now I don't know what we'd do without our wonderful once-a-week preschool with our nursery and primary friends. Each mom teaches one lesson every 6 weeks.

 This is a picture from my week. We learned about the letter D, and birds. Above, the kids are learning how to use glue by sticking feathers on a chicken. (The picture was taken before the event I like to call "Feathergeddon.")

Cal opted for one, showy, blue plume:

The aftermath of an awesome day teaching preschool:

This is a photo I snapped the day my friend Natalie was teaching. Look at these cuties waving snowflakes:

Natalie and I live close to each other, and have worked out a kid swap that is saving my life. It's hard to live far away from Cal's grandparents (both sets), but I am very fortunate to have such a supportive network of wonderful friends.

Potty Training

Honestly, potty-training has freaked me out for a while. It's overwhelming, and like anything relating to motherhood, there is way too much advice and way too many opinions. Frankly, if we didn't need to be potty-trained for fall session of preschool, I'd be fine just letting him tell me when he felt like doing it. Alas, we have a deadline, so I've had to make up my mind about my potty-training strategy. 

Jellybeans. That's what I've decided. I told him he gets one jelly bean every time he uses the potty, and it has worked like a charm. You know how some dogs are "food-motivated"? Well, this kid is candy-motivated. I have never seen someone jump so immediately through such foreign hoops. Maybe it's this no-sugar diet we're on, but he is jazzed about jellybeans. The other night at bedtime, I think I counted NINE trips to the potty. It got to the point where I had to say, "Okay, now please just go in your diaper. We're done with the potty for tonight."

Just imagine if everyone in your life were that motivated by a jellybean. I don't know if there will ever again be a time in Cal's life where I hold such power over his decisions!

Preschool!

Yes, it's true! Cal has started preschool! A few months ago, I did some research and ended up touring a place nearby that I really liked.  Turns out, it even had a summer program, which is perfect for us. Here are a few pictures of Cal on his first day.

 Several other kids were having a hard time, and cried when their moms tried to leave (which is understandable -- they're all only two or three!), but Cal did great! I owe a huge thanks to his wonderful nursery leaders at church. He didn't bat an eye when I left, just smiled, blew a kiss and waved goodbye.

Cal is very social, and was running to the door to greet other newcomers. He'd say, "Hi! Cal two!" and then take their hand and lead them over to the circle of mats. He even continued to smile and wave at them after they were seated, like, "Can you believe it? We're here at preschool! This is happening!"

When I came to get him, the teachers reaffirmed his social tendencies; they told me, "You're son is very...enthusiastic." Haha! That enthusiasm has remained: He wakes up everyday and asks, "Cal preschool?" I'm so glad that he loves it, and I have loved breaking up our week with a little classroom time. The teachers are lovely, and the kids do tons of different activities. Cal even has a friend that he talks about during the week. He comes home with art projects that he's made, and always greets me at the end of the day with a boisterous, "MOMMMMMEEEEEE!!!" as he runs up to me, beaming. 

Preschool rocks! :) 

Jr. Preschool!

Guess who's going to preschool this fall!

Anyone who has spent 5 minutes in our presence has learned what Reed and I have known for some time now: Cal is a busy toddler. Not hyperactive, and not obnoxious, just super, super busy. My mom has been urging me to get Cal into a preschool (in response to a string of exhausted phone calls from me), and last month, life slowed down enough for me to finally start researching facilities in the area. I narrowed it down to a place that also does a summer program called Jr. Preschool.

This morning, I left Cal at home with Reed (we're all still feeling sick), and I went to tour the facilities. It did not take long for me to determine that Cal will LOVE the place: it has tubs of beans to scoop and sort, a book nook, a playground, art tables, tons of toys, and a bunch of fun little toddlers to make friends with! As the head teacher took me around to each area, I could totally picture Cal doing the activity. I can't wait to get his curious mind and busy little fingers and wiggly little legs into this environment. I just hope that, once he experiences preschool, he won't be mad at us for having held him prisoner for so long in such a boring apartment!