Psychology class + play date with Mia

Ms. Hemming teaches psychology class and the past several years (since we've been here), when she does the lesson on human development, she has invited faculty children of a wide array of age into her class for an observation day.  It's basically a play date for the kids, and her students get a real life view of what sorts of activities kids of various ages can perform.  

Here, Sierra is demonstrating that a 3.5 year old does not necessarily understand the concept of "conservation of number."  The two lines of an equal number of buttons are lined up to be the same length.  Q: "Are there the same number of buttons in these lines?"  A: "Yes."  

One line is then spread out to be longer.  Q: "Are there the same number of buttons in these lines?"  A: "No."  Q: "Which line has more buttons?"  (the longer line is indicated).  

Ms. Hemming had two classes with a free period in between, so we went to campus for the first class and then went to the playground to play before attending the second class as well.  Mia joined us that day and just added to our fun.  After class, Sierra took off toward the playground with Mia not far behind and Kaia trying her best to keep up with the "big girls."  (Mia is actually between the 2 in terms of age).

Mia and Sierra had to stop on the way to "ride the horse."

Playground have cool things like tiny trees growing out of the dirt to look at!

Aren't these just the sweetest girls you ever did see heading back for the second class period??

Wide view of so many small visitors in the psychology class indicates that it was certainly a little chaotic.  

Everyone looks like they're having a good time, though!  I hope the boys got something out of the class; we sure had a good time!

After class, the girls and I headed back up to the main campus building to meet Daddy for lunch.

Spring Dance Observation Day

On the last day of the spring semester of dance class, there was a parent observation day.  These little gals (and one little guy) are just so darn cute!!  I can't believe the spring session is already over.  Sierra is still going to class once a week, but at this point, it's rehearsals for their recital at the end of May.   I seriously cannot wait for the recital.  I'm certain I will die of all the cuteness.  They've already had their costumes delivered and oh my!  I wish you would all be here so you could go too!  We'll be sure to take a lot of photos and maybe some video of the event!!

They were practicing the exit for their recital number here.  Sierra blew me a kiss!

And then they did a little caterpillar dance.  Here, they are creeping along the ground like caterpillars.  

Now, sleep caterpillars make a cocoon.  

And the butterflies fly!!

Fire drills + music with Ms. Marcia

Once a month, Sierra's preschool has a special day with Ms. Marcia, who comes in to do different kinds of music with both of the preschool classes.  In March, I was the helper on that day and got to be part of the fun.  

First up, though, we started the day with a fire drill.  What fun!!

Back in the classroom, Sierra's class had "Circle Time," where they talk about the weather, the days of the week, date, and color, letter and shape of the day.  Since I was the classroom assistant that day, Sierra got to lead Circle Time.

There was a drawing and numbers activity.  

Sierra and Tommy played a game on the computer.  

Sierra, Sophia, and a couple other classmates decided the baby dolls needed some love.  I believe I was told this one had hurt her arm and Sierra and Sophia were trying to make her feel better.  

The music theme was African music, but Sierra was decidedly not a fan.  I don't know if it was just too much bass or if she didn't like the drum beat, but she was really not interested in the hands-in-the-air-dance-in-a-line activity Ms. Marcia was teaching the preschoolers.  

You know who did like it?  Spencer!

Sierra decided she would much rather just snuggle with Ms. Jeannette until that song was over.  

She did participate in the "sleeping cats" song and Sophia encouraged her to dance during a partner dance.  

The day ended with lunch in the classroom and play time in the gym.  

A family walk

We are a family that enjoys being outside.  And on a nice day, when we have some together, we like to go for a walk around campus.  Since we live near the golf course at the school, our destination is usually one of two ponds on the course.  Depending on the day and time, there might be some caution to avoid golf balls, but the girls like to run through the grass, climb on rocks and look for frogs and fish in the ponds.

Kaia is trying to grow up way too fast.  She wants to be able to walk Casey, who weighs about 4 times more than she does.  

She also wants to be able to do whatever that big sister of hers does.  She sure tries, and I know it won't be long before she gets there.

This time, Kaia decided that a rock a little bit more her own size would be more appropriate.

Molly is part pointer.  Sometimes she reminds us of that fact.

This is not a great photo of Sierra, but I think it's hilarious that Molly is coming up behind her full speed!

This one is better!

It's hard to believe how fast these little girls are growing up!

Green Day!

Sierra's favorite color is green, so naturally, she was really excited for Green Day at preschool.  She helped me pack her green lunch: pesto pasta, green grapes, cucumber slices with green dip (ranch dressing + a little food coloring), and some broccoli.

When we got to school, the teachers had us wait outside until everyone arrived to we could see if they caught the leprechaun in the trap they made the day before.  They didn't catch the leprechaun, but he left them a note on the top of the leprechaun trap and scattered gold coins around the room for them to find.

I took a few photos before I left for the day.  The report is that it was a great day.  

Sierra greeting her best pal

Entering the room, the kids check out the mess the leprechaun made

You can see the leprechaun trap to the left side of this photo.  He tipped over chairs and left gold coins scattered around the room.

Looking for coins, the leprechaun trap to the left

The girls thought the cubbies for their backpacks made great little houses!

I attempted to get a photo of all the preschoolers together.  Getting them all looking at me?  This is as close as it gets.  Getting them all smiling at once?  No way!

Though, I'm not sure if Sierra's "cheesy grin" is any better than not smiling.

And when I came to pick Sierra up, everyone was having a blast enjoying a beautiful day outside on the playground.  We arrived early enough that Kaia got to get in the mix with the big kids for a few minutes.  

Sierra, Kaia and Sophia on the see-saw

Riding the dinosaur

Kaia found a new friend in Cassidy that day.  Cassidy recently joined the class and is one of the younger members, so she's likely closer in age to Kaia than Sierra anyway.  

 This is for Sarah: I just love this photo of Sophia in the little clubhouse!

Best buddies!

I love these two little gals!  Can you tell they've been playing hard?

When it was time to leave, I asked Sierra to grab her backpack and Kaia promptly found it among the pile of backpacks sitting along the fence, drug it out and insisted on wearing it to the car!