Atley's Journal

Atley ate half of whole wheat English muffin and ate dried plums for breakfast.  For lunch she ate chicken with stir-fry vegetables, large serving of brown rice, and two servings of mandarin oranges.  Atley was telling us all a big story at the breakfast table and it went something like this; "Today Lexi was barking and Mom put her in the garage.  But she wouldn't quit.  And Mom got sick of it!  And put her back in the garage."  :) These first two pictures are left over from yesterday afternoon and they were enjoying the sand box. They didn't care that some of the sand was still pretty wet.  In the second picture Atley and Avi were practicing their nail driving skills.  I've mention before, but this wood is perfect for this activity.  It's so soft I can drive a nail with one hit. Next picture; Avi was pretending to sleep and Nora and Atley were rolling her back and forth.  I'm not sure how this evolved into running from "ghosts, ...

Atley ate cheerios and banana for breakfast.  For lunch she ate ground beef, two servings of whole wheat pita bread, ate olives, no avocado, and two servings of strawberries. One of the first things Atley did this morning was show everyone the scratch on her leg.  I had a picture of it, but I lost it.  Nothing attracts attention in this setting like a wound; regardless of size.  Minor wound to major wound - they all draw the same attention.  :) The big girls had Alexa playing "Baby Shark."  (At least that's what I understood it to be!)  Haha!  So they were doing some motions and actions to the song and they all knew what to do, so it was apparent they'd all been watching the same video, cartoon, movie or whatever it is.  I was asking, but 3 big girls and I was getting 3 different answers.  Haha! Last two pictures; This is probably one of the most challenging puzzles we have.  It's really a cool puzzle and we've only put it t...

Atley ate brown rice and two servings of raisins for breakfast.  For lunch she ate salmon, whole wheat dinner roll, several bites of riced cauliflower, and she ate her mangoes. This first picture is leftover from yesterday afternoon.  Avi has been practicing and practicing to do what you see Atley doing in the picture.  I hadn't seen Atley practicing much at all and all of a sudden  I looked up and there she was and I yelled, "hold it!  hold it!  hold it!"  Trying to get my camera! LOL! And she managed to hold it long enough for this picture.  I haven't seen her come close to doing this since that one time. Haha.  Nice job Atley. Next picture; This is one of many things Atley and I were doing for entertainment for 50 minutes until the next kids arrived.  :)  She's been a real trooper last week and this week even though she's been the only one her for a long stretch in the morning.  Thanks for not moaning Atley!!  :) ...

Atley ate two servings of whole wheat English muffin and two servings of mandarin oranges for breakfast.  For lunch she ate ground beef, whole wheat elbow noodles, peas, and applesauce. First picture; Atley was here for probably 40 minutes before anyone else arrived.  That's kind of been the norm this week (and last week) because Callahan and Linnea have not been here.  In this picture she was getting the food all set up again (like yesterday) in preparation for everyone else's arrival.  However, after about 15 minutes she picked it ALL up and put it all back on the shelf.  Wow, that was a first.  Haha. Next picture: Hey someone else did arrive!!  Everyone is doing the pajama thing again.  I think Momma Megan set this up - I know it wasn't me!!  Haha.  Megan, did you call Momma Molly too because the Nelson girls also have their pajamas on today?  Anyhow, it's all pretty cute.  Atley is using the dry erase marker and follo...

Atley ate two servings of French toast and ate strawberries for breakfast.  For lunch she ate a Large serving of Hearty Paleo Stew with meat, broccoli, cauliflower, green beans, sweet potatoes, carrots, and tomatoes.  She ate two servings of crackers and two large servings of tropical fruit. This first picture is leftover from yesterday afternoon and they were holding hands preparing to jump. Not exactly synchronized, but within one or two seconds.  Haha.  At least they were still friends at the end of their exercise.  :)  They did this for 4 or 5 jumps. Next picture: Atley and Nora were searching for Woody and Airplane.  "Nope, not in there!"  Atley is the champion "finder!"  Someday she'll own a business and the idea will be simply: "Let Us Find Your Lost Stuff." Guaranteed or your money back.  :)  Last picture: She and Nora were taking a nap after a busy morning of hard work.  When I was young I thought kids did nothin...

Atley ate three servings of waffle and ate grapes for breakfast.  For lunch she ate chicken, bites of whole wheat tortillas, ate corn, and three servings of apple pieces. This first picture is left over from yesterday afternoon when we were playing outside getting some fresh air!  This beach ball was the primary source of entertainment for everyone for the first 15 minutes. I told Atley the ball was too big to go through the hole and she said, "Nooooo, I"m trying to get it on top to Avi."  :)  Following Picture: First thing this morning Atley and Nora playing at the Doll House. Next picture: "What are you guys doing?"  Atley said, "Getting ready for Halloween.  We're Super Heroes."  Haha.  Well you should be well prepared when the time it arrives.  :)  Last picture:  This was in the middle of Lunch Time and someone spotted snowflakes and everyone started squealing, yelling, and running for the window!!  The arrival of...

Atley ate kix cereal and mixed fruit for breakfast.  For lunch she ate turkey burger, two servings of whole wheat hamburger bun, ate avocado, and two servings of cherries. We did a toy, book, and puzzle exchange this weekend so it's "Toy Exchange Monday" (TEM) and as we all know that's a good day.  Atley was here for almost an hour before Nora and Miles arrived, but with TEM she stayed busy and didn't seem to care or notice.  Ha!  In the first picture she sat up all these food toys and said, "This is for a party when Avi comes."  I'd told her Avi was coming today (arrived about 10:00 so that was much later) and she was happy about that. I realize the three pictures I took for Atley were taken before Avi arrived, but she was happy to see Avi and they played in the preschool room together two or three times this morning.  As you can see in this next picture Atley and Nora were laying on the floor and originally they were covering up with blankets...

Atley ate two servings of oatmeal and two servings of apple bites for breakfast.  For lunch she ate bites of hamburger stew with meat, carrots, potatoes, green beans, and tomatoes.  She ate whole wheat dinner roll, and peaches. Atley noticed Baby Miles has a couple of teeth.  She said, "His teeth are starting to grow up."  Yes they are.  :)  Then she was telling Nora what she has planned;  "Nora, I'm going to Phillipsburg so you won't be able to play with me tomorrow. You're gonna miss me SOOOO much!!"  Haha. Another moment that made me laugh.  (Which happens regularly!!!)  Atley was sitting on the couch with MY phone on HER lap.  She said, "Gary!  I have MY phone on YOUR lap!"  :) This first picture is leftover from yesterday afternoon.  Atley is pulling Nora in the wagon.  Yes, Nora is in the wagon; you just can't see anything, but her hair.  Haha.  Under the pillow.  I had the pillows in...

Atley ate three servings of French toast and ate dried plums for breakfast.  For lunch she ate bites of ground beef with marinara sauce on whole wheat spaghetti noodles, ate cauliflower, and fruit salad.  At breakfast they were doing a bit of bickering or actually just saying, "I love you Gary," but trying to do it better than the other person.  "I love you Gary."   I love you Gary."   " I love you more !"  " No, I love you more!"  "I love you SO much Gary!"  Haha!!  And of course it takes on a life of it's own and away they go!! Yesterday the electricity went off about 3:00 - just before snack time.  It was off for about 30 minutes.  Atley immediately said a "bucket truck would come and fix it."  And she followed that up with what caused it; "A tree fell over."  Then during snack Atley said, "Well I have lights at my house."  Haha.  You gotta love 4 year old logic. First picture; Atley was...

Atley ate whole wheat toast and mangoes for breakfast.  For lunch she ate pulled pork, two servings of rice, two servings of peas, and two servings of strawberries. One of my least favorite songs cycled through this morning - not even sure of the exact title - but I think it's "I like to move it."  And it repeats that phrase over and over and over and over and over.....and now you know what I dislike about it.  I was standing up to push the "skip" button and Atley said, "This is my favorite song!!"  Haha!!  I sat back down.  But I wanted to know so I asked, "Why do you like this song?"  She said, "Because I like to move it!"  :) The only ones here today are Atley, Baby Miles, and Nora.  (Obviously I have space for Nora this week.)  So we did a fire drill this morning.  I must say the fire drills are more simple and easy with only 3 kids.  Haha.  And it counts for one of the 10 annual fire drills I'm required to do. ...

Notice: There will be  NO  Blog tomorrow, Tuesday the 17th.  I have my yearly wellness checkup tomorrow and another appointment after that.  Lauralea will be covering for me starting around 11:30.  No Blog on the 17th. Atley ate bites of bran cereal and no raisins for breakfast.  For lunch she ate chicken, whole wheat pita bread, no cucumber, no avocado, and ate pears. First picture:  Nora is here today (and maybe more days this week depending on several factors) so Atley was a happy camper when she arrived to find Nora waiting here for her.  They immediately started playing at the Doll House.  Atley told Nora; "I have an idea.  A real good idea."  Haha.  Then Nora was telling Atley and Avi about her upcoming Birthday Party.  She said, " They have to get it all set up for me."  I was curious about the "they."  Haha.  So I asked Nora and she said, "The Mismos." (Plural)  LOL  For you out of tow...

Atley ate two servings of cream of wheat cereal and most of dried plums for breakfast.  For lunch she had no turkey loaf, ate a large serving of brown rice, no sweet potatoes, and ate cherries. I have a couple notes on Atley left over from yesterday.  She was listening to Baby Miles whimper and she said, "That's fake crying!"  Hahaha!  That made me laugh!  (She's heard that a couple of times.) Then Callahan was in his high chair, done eating, waiting for me to wash him, and go take a nap.  And he was yelling! Atley said, "Cal said give me that stinking binkie!!"  :) First picture - it was a fun morning for Atley; Nora is here today instead of Miles and she's gonna be here Monday as well.  Atley and Nora played at the Doll House immediately after Nora arrived.  Later, Atley was complaining about bumping her elbow and Nora said, "Maybe it'll quit hurting when you go home."  Ha!  I used that line later when Atley bumped into somet...

Atley ate French toast and fruit salad for breakfast.  For lunch she ate chicken, whole wheat toast, broccoli, and pineapple.  At lunch Atley asked, "How are pineapple made?"  Avilene said, "From lemons!!"  LOL. First two pictures; Callahan was watching Atley play with the food toys and every time she reached in the shelf he'd try to swipe one of her toys.  In the second picture you can see she's going for more food toys, but with her left hand she's ready to ward off an unwanted intruder.  :)  Thank you Atley for being sweet to the smaller people.  You have a good heart. Next picture; The game that never gets old; playing dead.  Shortly before I took this picture Atley said, "Linnea, see if you can catch me when I die."  Haha.  Whatever that means. Last picture; This particular puzzle is a great challenge for Atley and she stuck with it until it was completed.  Nice Work Atley.  Most of our puzzles have pictur...

Atley ate three servings of waffles and three servings of strawberries for breakfast.  For lunch she ate a bite of whole 30 chili with meat, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, tomato sauce, and peppers.  She ate half of whole wheat dinner roll, and ate a large serving of tropical fruit. This first picture is from yesterday afternoon when the three girls on the mattress were "playing dead."  Again!  As I mentioned a few days ago, this is a very normal game for kids even though it may seem a bit morbid to adults.  Avi had been on the blue balance beam and dramatically fell off dead.  She was yelling at Svea; "Watch me!!  I'm gonna teach you how to die, ok??!! Watch me!!"  Haha. The pictures from today were taken fairly early this morning when Linnea and Atley were doing lots of play together.  Linnea is getting more brave all the time; Just a week or two ago she would have never got up on the igloo with someone else up there!!  In the follow...

Atley ate whole wheat English muffin and two servings of grapes for breakfast,  For lunch she ate pork roast, two servings of whole wheat toast, ate beets, and two servings of applesauce. First picture: Avi and Atley were putting all the stuffed animals they could find on top of Baby Miles. And as you can see he wasn't the least bit concerned or maybe not aware of what they were doing. Haha!  Avilene said, "Hey Atley! I found another animal!  And I put it on Miles!" Atley voiced her approval; "Good job!" Next picture: Atley worked hard on this puzzle today.  (Same one she worked hard on yesterday.) I love it when she puts forth lots of effort and stays focused on her project like this.  It reinforces the fact that she can do it whenever she wants to!!  Especially when it's something she likes! (Just like all of us.)  We were doing sign language this morning and the sign was "cat." Atley said, "Kitty Cat."  Svea said, "Caddy Kit...