Day 28

"Angels on Parade"

Today was the "Angel and Saint Party" to celebrate fall, Halloween and All Saints Day. Everyone in the school could dress up as an angel or saint! Hannah's class got to walk around the entire school, visiting all the classrooms like a parade! Hannah had a blast today. They exchanged snack bags full of treats, played bingo with candy corn and made spider art projects! Hannah and I put together her treat bags last night. She brought m&m's, toy story fruit snacks and granola bars. She wanted to try them all at once, of course.

Hannah and Mrs. McGowan (above)

Hannah and Mrs. Schmidt (above)

Hannah and Alyissa (above)

Alyissa, Shawn, Hannah and Collin

Day 27

"Jack-o-lanterns are magnets!"

Rainy day, rainy week, rainy month. No outside for Hannah's class today. It's been the wettest October on record for St. Louis.

Hannah was very excited to bring home the jack-o-lantern magnets she made at school this week. I was pretty impressed with how well she's staying inside the lines! They each have something different carved on them, and Hannah was quite particular about putting them in the correct order on the refrigerator.

Hannah sang us a song at dinner tonight that they sang in music class today. She doesn't know all the words, so I have no idea what it actually was. Something about "Nancy went up the....." She said that they played the stick instruments, and she had fun.

When I left Hannah this morning, she was starting to do watercolor painting with the girls. They decided that they were going to paint ducks. I was so excited to see that Mrs. McGowan put a smock on Hannah- as this was a struggle earlier in the year, when Hannah didn't want to wear one. My how she is growing to do different things- even small things sometime seem so big!

Hannah played with Shawn and Mrs. McGowan on the floor with all the trains. They built train tracks and then they drove the trains around on them.

Other things Hannah said about today:

• Leonard was still sick
• Keejuck was back, he got a new haircut
• Keejuck forgot the show and tell bag again
• Grace did the weather frog
• Collin held the flag for the pledge of allegiance
• ate vanilla wafers for a snack

New thing- Hannah knows the entire Pledge of Allegiance! She can say it all by herself without any help!

Day 26

"School Pictures"

Today we got Hannah's school picture. Oh my. Coming soon will be the class picture. This is the face Hannah makes when you tell her to smile. You'd think the photographer would think this looks unusual...

Hannah sang "Old MacDonald" all evening, because that was the song they sang in music class today! They played the tambourines, because it was Ignacio's favorite.

Hannah's new job this week is the snack helper. She gets to pass out all the snacks to everyone. Part of her job is that she counts the kids, then counts the snacks and passes them out. She didn't understand why she is the snack helper, but we didn't have to bring the snacks. (I don't understand that either)

Hannah says they didn't go to the gym, the library or the chapel today. Even though they typically go to these places on Monday, I guess they had other things to do. She talked about painting pumpkins- and came home with orange paint on her arm.

Hannah also told us:

• had cheese and crackers for a snack
• Keejuck and Leonard were out sick today
• Alyssa stayed for the after care program
• it was raining, no playground today

Day 25

"The three bears have beds!"

This morning, when we arrived at school, Mrs. Schmidt was the only teacher in the classroom, because Mrs. McGowan was home sick! Hannah surprisingly didn't seem too concerned with this. On Thursday's there are only 5 kids in the classroom, so it didn't seem to be a problem at all.

Hannah was very excited about the art project that they did today. In class, they have been reading the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. They made a stand house, bears, beds and porridge all to match the story. We played with it all evening. It was a great project idea!

Today was Hannah's last day of the week for school, which meant this was the last time she'd do the calendar in class for a while. We talked about the calendar tonight at dinner.

Other things Hannah told us:

• Keejuck was not in school today- he was out sick
• played with Leonard on the floor, got out the animals
• went to the centers room and ran around
• Shawn was very nice to Leonard today
• made cards for Daddy and Papa

Day 24

"Mr. Gerdell was back today!"

When I picked Hannah up from school today, she ran out yelling, "Mr. Gerdell was back today!" She was so happy to be back in the normal routine and going to music class. They didn't play instruments today, but did sing Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.

Mrs. Schmidt pulled me aside to talk after I put Hannah in the car, to tell me about a situation that happened yesterday. During free play, Hannah was playing alone for awhile in the kitchen. At one point, Ignacio joined her and took some of her food. Hannah pushed him out of frustration. She said that Mrs. McGowan witnessed this and immediately addressed Hannah, and it made her cry.

Mrs. Schmidt also mentioned that Hannah isn't helping clean up. The signal to the kids that it's time to clean up is to flicker the lights. When the lights are flickered, Hannah stops playing and watches everyone else clean up.
Other things about today:

• had popcorn for a snack, that Mrs. Schmidt made
• made lots of 'cards' for everyone at school today
• Shawn took Keejucks toys today
• played outside on the playground
• went to the centers room and played with Grace
• showed the calendar again today
• Keejuck forgot his Show and Tell bag at home

I scheduled our parent teacher conference for November 2nd... can't wait!

Day 23

"The music teacher was sick."

Hannah couldn't wait to tell me about music today- because Mr. Gerdell was sick. He was not at school today! There was a different teacher for music class, but Hannah can't remember her name. They played cymbals in class, because they are Ignacio's favorite.

Every week jobs change... and this week Hannah gets to do the calendar! This is her first time doing this job, however, she's been practicing at home. She has a pointer from her abacus that broke, and she uses it in her room to point at the days and dates on her calendar. I caught her teaching Nemo a few days ago, and now I understand what she's doing!

I arrived a bit early today to pick Hannah up, so I decided to go inside and sneak a peek at what was going on in the classroom. They were in the library with Mrs. McGowan when I arrived. They were reading a book about a big pumpkin that rolled down the hill. I hid around the corner, so Hannah wouldn't see me. It was amazing to see her listening, following instruction and behaving so politely- all on her own. I'm so proud of my little girl.

The drawing above, is the United States- I can see it!

Other things Hannah told us about today:

• went to the Chapel this morning to say morning prayers
• played outside for the first time in a week
• Mrs. Schmidt helped her do the monkey bars
• Grace brought a horse for show and tell
• made a house for art project, but couldn't bring it home
• ate crackers and cheese for a snack
• painted pumpkins, but they had to dry
• Keejuck did something funny
• Shawn played with Legos
• Leonard and Collin pretended to be dinasours
• Alyssa played blocks with Hannah
  
  
  

Day 22

"There were animals in the kitchen!"

When we arrived at school today, the first thing Hannah told Mrs. Schmidt, was that she forgot to water the plant yesterday. It was her job as the special helper and the teachers forgot! Hannah remembered last night around dinner time and wanted to go back to school to water!

Today was Collin's birthday. The class sang "Happy Birthday" to him, but Hannah told us that she didn't sing. She was very excited that the cookies they had for his birthday had purple icing and all different colored sprinkles.

The class painted leaves today to decorate a tree on a bullitan board. She liked painting and drawing today. It sounds like they stayed in the classroom for most of the day- no music, library or chapel. They also couldn't go outside because it was still raining.

When I asked Hannah about what toys she played with today, she was more interested in telling me what Shawn did today. She found it funny and frustrating that Shawn put all the Noah's Ark animals in the kitchen- because, of course, they don't belong there.

Other things Hannah told us about today:

• Leonard brought a pillow to school today
• Ignacio's dad brought him to class this morning
• Grace was not there
• Mrs. Schmidt read Goldilocks and the Three Bears

Day 21

"I like glue."

Hannah did lots of art projects today. When I left her this morning, she was busy with Mrs. McGowan getting out colored paper, scissors and glue. She has been bringing home papers that she's glued smaller shapes on and pieces that she is cutting out. I am very impressed with how quickly she has learned how to do these things- these are things that she has done at school- and not at home.

Hannah couldn't wait to tell me as soon as she got into the car after school today, that Grace was back in class. I asked if she knew where Grace was on Monday- she told me, "Grace was at the lake with her Dad." It really made me chuckle- it was such a matter of fact conversation.

The girls did art projects together all morning. In class they've been focused on animals, fall and Halloween. They painted spiderwebs and made spiders.

Hannah played by herself today during free time- with Noah's Ark and the animals. She told me she lined them all up in a really long line and counted them. She told me there were 26 animals. I asked her what their names were- she told me that these animals don't have names. She just calls them what they are.

Things Hannah told us about:

• went to music class, played bells
• sang a song about Mommy sleeping
• Shawn didn't play nice today
• ate pretzels for a snack, that Collin brought
• Leonard brought a knife for show and tell (I need to find out about this)
• didn't go outside today because it was rainy

Day 20

"I said it just like Daddy told me to"

Brrrrr!! It's cold outside!! Hannah looked so darling going to school today! She wore tights with her skirt, a big winter coat, and pink gloves with butterflies on them!

Today was Show and Tell Day again for Hannah. This time was quite a debate over what to bring. We've tried to encourage her to incorporate all of the different things she likes and enjoys. Sunday night, we finally decided on something to represent "The Little Einsteins"... Hannah picked out what she was going to bring- all the characters.

Tyler worked on her all night, helping her come up with different things to say about each one of them. The Little Einsteins are great- I thought they were weird when we first started watching them- but I am amazed at the things that it's teaching Hannah. She's telling me about the pyramids in Egypt and about the Monarch butterflies migration. When we asked Hannah about Show and Tell Monday night- her response was, "I said it just like Daddy told me to." Oh brother.

Hannah's new job this week is the special helper. Part of that role is to water the plant that they planted outside last week. She was very descriptive telling me about the watering can, and that it had flowers on it. She said, it's like the one I have at Nana's, but different. I use it to put water in and water the plant.

Other things Hannah told us about today:

• Grace was not at school
• Rice Krispie treats for a snack
• went to music class
• went to the library, but Mrs. Roberts was not there
• went to the centers room to do an art activity
• Shawn played nice today

Day 19

"Last Day for Treats"

Today was Hannah's last day for being the treat helper for a while. She was very excited that the class would be having cheez-its. That's all she talked about on the way to school!

I can't believe that Hannah is doing paint by numbers!! She did the submarine above, and I think it looks awesome!! I vividly remember doing paint by numbers when I was younger. I remember going to K-Mart and going to the art aisle to find new paint by number posters all the time.

Other things Hannah told us about today:

• went to the library, read books about bears
• did not go outside, because it was raining
• played with Keejuck today, and put together a puzzle
• made pumpkins out of orange play dough
• Grace was not at school today
• Mrs. Schmidt cut up apples for snack time to go with the cheez-its

Day 18

"I didn't like the apples. They were too hot!"

Hannah's class has been very busy learning about the seasons and the transition from September to October. They have been talking about apples. They made apple trees for an art project.

Today, they made grilled apples in the classroom. They helped to peel, slice and stir the apples. Hannah didn't like them because they were too hot.

The class has been watching seedlings grow inside, and they were finally ready to move outdoors. The class was able to help plant them outside in pots by the playground today before recess. Hannah said it was just like planting the garden that she helped me with this summer.

Hannah was excited to have passed out the snacks in class again today- they had individual circus animal crackers in the box. She had broken the string on one of the boxes when I brought them home last week- and she made sure that she got that one today.

Other things Hannah told us about today:

• went to the music room
• didn't play instruments, only sang songs
• continued to remind me that I scratched her nose this morning with my ring while taking off her sweater
• played play dough with Grace and Shawn
• read a book about bears
• talked about winter
• played on the playground- of course, on the slide

In the car on the way to Nana's- where I get most of my information, Hannah said, "No more questions, Mom!"

Day 17

"The fire doors will be closed..."

In addition to counting school buses on the way to school, Hannah and I pass a fire station on Long Road. It has 2 doors that we try to guess if they will be opened or closed~ sometimes one door is opened and one is closed. Today when we drove by, the doors were closed, just like Hannah predicted.

Hannah has been slowly introduced to the fire trucks and firemen. She's heard the sirens at Nana's when they play outside, she hears the Monday 11:00 weather sirens also. She knows what police cars, fire trucks and ambulances are. A few weeks ago, Nana and Hannah were at the grocery store, they saw the fireman out the window when the pulled up, and Hannah waved at them. The fireman wanted to meet Hannah, and found her in the grocery store to bring her a fire helmet!

Today was Safety Day at school- the fireman were supposed to come with the fire trucks and ambulance- just for the preschool class. They weren't able to come, they were called out to an emergency. The class did lots of activities about fireman. Shawn was very sad and cried because they couldn't come today.

Hannah's job this week is the snack helper. We get to bring snacks for the class for the entire week. Hannah couldn't wait to pass out today's snack- Toy Story Fruit Snacks, this is her new favorite snack.

Other things Hannah did today:

• colored with Mrs. Schmidt
• waited for the fireman outside
• went to the chapel - said the prayer we say at bed time
• went to music class
• sang a new song, but can't remember the name
• Ignacio was smashing the Toy Story Fruit Snacks together
• Keejuck helped Hannah put together an animal puzzle
• Leonard's dad brought him to school today, and his little brother came into the classroom
• read a book about firemen in the classroom
• read a book about pumpkins in the library

Day 16

"Cinderellie... Cinderellie!!"

When I left Hannah at school this morning, she was making play dough pumpkins with Mrs. McGowan, Leonard, Alyissa and Shawn. There were no tears this morning, and Hannah was off and playing before I could say goodbye.

Today Hannah overcame a previous fear and enjoyed going to the gym today. It was raining, so the class went to the gym to do some running around and physical activities. They played with a parachute and bean bags. Hannah was very animated telling us about how much fun she had.

Last night Hannah brought home the Show and Tell bag. She immediately knew that she wanted to bring her 'soft' Cinderella from Nana's house. (I don't know why she chose this one over the others that she has) She told the class that her name was Cinderella and that she has a stepmother, friends with Gus, wears glass slippers and marries Prince Charming. The entire way to school this morning, she was singing in the car... "Cinderellie.. Cinderellie..."

Other things Hannah told us about today:

• went to the library
• read a book about a frog in space
• at chocolate graham crackers
• Ignacio got to throw the bean bag on the parachute
• ran around the blue lines on the gym floor
• Keejuck changed the calendar to October
• didn't play outside because it was raining

Tonight Hannah acted quite different. She had several tantrums and was very demanding and bossy. I don't know if there was anything specific at school that triggered this behavior, if she's not feeling well or if it's just one of those things....