from February to the firetruck

Reminders:
Ms. Heidi is planning an art show next month featuring one piece of art by each student at TOT Time.  Please help her by bringing in one piece of art by your child to place in the marked blue box in the hallway.  She would like it to be something done in art class.  (usually has your child's name written on the back side at the bottom, middle of page.)  The art will be returned to you after the show.  Let us know if you have questions.

We seem to have some sickness moving through the school/room lately.  Please help us by following school policy about when to keep your child home from school (fever/diarrhea/vomit free for 24 hours, NO thick, green/yellow nose drips).  Thank you!

Now the fun part.  I have so many great pictures for this post!

Back to Valentine's / Pajama day.  We did a color matching activity that everyone was interested in!

 And passed out Valentine's...

 And we tried something we never have before...we watched a Veggie Tales movie for a special V Day treat!  Look at them all sitting so nicely.

 A few didn't want to finish the movie, so they came over to do some more color matching in our room.

 We did a classifying puzzle:  things that fly in the air, things that go on the road and things that go on the water.

 For spirit day, Bridget's sister joined us...

 So cute!

 Then I brought in my son's train set for a day and Woo! Woo!  It was a hit!

 The new month of March brought in a new color:  green!

 This group is really getting the hang of sitting on the rug for books and activities.

 Notice these two always sitting together on the rug. #friends

 Did you know that St. Patrick lived in Ireland many years ago and used the shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity:  Father, Son and Holy Spirit?

 We brought out the green Play-doh for some fine motor fun.

 This group is so great at independent play.  Lemley likes to squeeze her way into a corner somewhere to ensure some alone time.

 They love to explore and try lots of different activities!  Shape sorting...

 The old standard, cars...

 Babies...

 And some serious laptop learning...

 Again, sitting so nicely for a story...

 And the big moment when they saw the firetruck!

 They got to take turns sitting inside...

 Graham was the only one who didn't want to get in...but he was still excited to be there.  (We did eventually get him inside, mom.)

 Check out our crew on the front of Engine 19!

This group has really grown since the beginning of the year.  Not only are they physically bigger and have more hair :), but they really get into the things we do in the classroom, they're talking so much, and really learning a lot!  It's hard to believe we only have a couple months of school left this year, but it's great to reflect back on how far we've come.

Hope you stay dry on this rainy, rainy Sunday...see you Wednesday!

Well.....

This has been an interesting winter!
January was...cold.  And inconsistent.
Now February has brought us a winter storm.
What's next?
Please, let it be spring!

I hope you have all enjoyed the beauty of the snow and maybe even had some fun taking the kids out to play in it.  But most of all, I hope you've all stayed safe and warm so that we can see you again this Wednesday!

When we are all back at school this Wednesday, we will celebrate a belated Valentines Day.  Please remember to send in 8 Valentines from your child and they will have a chance to pass them out to all the friends in class!
ALSO, this Wednesday is a school wide pajama day, so please send in your little ones in their cute pj's! 
What a day it will be!

Because of how crazy things have been, I haven't posted pics here for a while.  So, please enjoy seeing some of the fun we've had so far in 2014!

 The new sensory table (filled with rice) was a BIG hit (and a big mess!)

 Playdoh.

 Making snowmen with the letter "O".

 Playing with scarves in music.

 Too cold for the playground, but we still enjoyed gym time!

 Getting in the TOT Time spirit!

 Our first watercolor experience :)

 Painting with heart shaped stamps, and cars and trucks ...

 with RED paint!

Before the storm hit, we decorated our Valentines bags and some special Vday cards that will come home to you next week.  We sure do love your little ones and look forward to telling them so on Wednesday!

Our 2nd annual toddler nativity story

Mary and Joseph traveled from Nazareth to Bethlehem.  While they were there, Mary had a baby.  She wrapped him in (orange and yellow striped) swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

In the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.  

And an angel of the Lord  appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them.  And the angel said to them, "Fear not, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people.  A savior has been born today in the city of David.  He is Christ the Lord."

 And suddenly, more angels appeared filled with anticipation and praising God...

 and singing "Glo -o - o - ry to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!"

Then 3 (or 2 in our case) wise kings traveled from the East to find the baby Jesus.  When they saw the star they shouted joyfully.

When they came in and saw the child, they bowed down and worshipped him.  Then they gave gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh (sort of like these gingerbread cookies our class decorated on the last day of school before break.)

Then, the whole crew traveled to TOT Time spirit day to spread the good news to all the people there.  And later, they settled in for a group pic in front of the beautiful Church at Charlotte Christmas tree.  Well done, little ones!

CAST:  Elliott as a shepherd, Bridget as an angel, Cannon as Joseph, Emma as Mary, Lemley as an angel, Graham as a wise king, Grant as a wise king, and Shiloh as an angel.

Happy Birthday Jesus and Merry Christmas to everyone!!!