Atley's Journal

The funnest part about coming home from vacation is always the greeting from the Daycare children!!  So many loves and everyone is happy to be back into their routines!  We had an awesome vacation and I thank everyone again for allowing this to happen!  We made it to Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, saw some old friends, went on many walks, and did lots of reading!!  Here's a picture of the sign entering NT. Atley was here for 40 minutes this morning before anyone else arrived.  She just played and let me give her several quick hugs.  (Those were for my benefit!!  Ha!  She just grinned at me and was like; "whatever Gary")  She was excited when Hudson arrived and the others arrived shortly after as well. I'm posting a picture here just for Brad!!  We stopped at Peace River, Alberta and had dinner with some friends (had not seen them for 40 years) and I got to see his airplane that he totally built - no kit.  He worked at it ...

Atley ate oatmeal and banana for breakfast.  For lunch she had bites of tilapia, ate whole wheat elbow noodles, no green beans, and bites of applesauce.  (Hey, this is just an FYI, but my computer frequently wants to auto-correct Atley to Alley!!  My apologies if I miss one!!) Just a reminder for everyone!  The next Blog will be on July 5th!  We are looking forward to our road trip and a time of relaxation!!  Lots of walks and lots of reading!  See you all when we get home!! There are only 3 children here today so it seemed like the Daycare was kind of quiet!  Well, if you don't consider Hudson's constant chattering and Atley's singing!  Haha!  (The 3rd one here is Avi.)  Atley's nose ran steady all morning, but Hudson was helping me keep up with it!  "Atley's nose running again!!"  Thanks Hudson!  :) Here are some pictures from the morning activities: Atley was playing with the lids that have the mirrors on the...

Atley ate whole wheat bagel and peaches for breakfast.  For lunch she ate hamburger & sausage pizza with whole wheat crust, tomato sauce, mushrooms, peppers, pineapple, and ate some banana. This is kind of "Gary's spot" on the couch!  Or at least these are the pillows I use for my back whenever I'm there reading stories or whatever.  Frequently, when I move in that direction Atley will run and flop on that spot!  Cracks me up.  Isn't that funny and cute! The neighbors are busy this morning getting ready for some camping and fishing - which provided the opportunity to watch them from the window!  Ha!  Then Austin (or as Hudson calls him; "Boston") mowed the lawn over onto our side of the lawn as well.  Thank you Austin!  I love it when you're home from college!!  :) Lauralea does a goodbye routine every morning and gives the kids loves.  Avi always points to the next kid to make sure Lauralea does what she is supposed...

Atley ate whole wheat toast and two servings of grapes for breakfast.  For lunch she had bites of roast pork, ate toasted rye bread, no vegetables (carrots, brussel sprouts, potatoes), and ate half of fruit salad.  It's easy to tell when Atley is done with eating - especially lunch when she's tired - she starts her singing; loudly!  Ha!  Hudson never heard a sound he wouldn't mimic and he's been joining her with ever increasing volume from both of them!!  :) We've frequently talked about Atley liking routine and here's another example.  We went outside to play and by the time I got everyone outside she was already sitting on the bench waiting for me to put her shoes on.  Also, after lunch and when I'm done changing her diaper I'll say, "Ok, you can go get your binky."  And she marches right down the hallway to her crib just like she's been doing it forever! Here are some pictures from this morning's activities.  She's been build...

Atley ate toasted whole wheat english muffin and dried plums for breakfast.  For lunch she ate a couple bites of chicken with stir fry vegetables, ate brown rice (that I fed her), and ate oranges. I thought this was a cute picture of Atley and Hudson playing side-by-side at the legos table.  This is what we call "parallel play."  Not actually playing together, but playing with their own toys beside each other.  Sometimes with similar toys, but not always.  Typically the concept of playing with the same toy (sharing) is something they become capable of grasping and doing around the age of 3. This is a cute picture of Atley looking at herself in the mirror.  The lids on these pans have mirrors and when this toy set is out I always say, "look at the monkey" and then show them their face.  Well 2 or 3 times of that, then all I have to say is, "look at the monkey" and they pick it up and look at them self!  Ha!  So now you know what your chi...

Atley ate cheerios and banana for breakfast.  For lunch we had taco salad and I serve it separately rather than all mixed together: she ate most of ground beef, ate pita bread, ate some olives (no tomatoes or lettuce), ate some cantaloupe. I enjoyed watching Atley play by herself for several minutes before Hudson arrived.  She played in the legos drawer (picture below) and with the barns and legos barn animals.  I know I've told you this many times, but I continue to be so impressed (and thankful) how easily and smoothly Atley has transitioned to life at Little Treasures.  She is totally comfortable here and loves the routines we do.  Toddlers love the routines!  It provides security and predictability. Almost all morning Atley was humming, singing, making sounds - sometimes building to quite the loud crescendo!!  :)  So cute.  I love it.  Sophie said, "She's singing "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star."  And it probably was that son...

Atley ate whole wheat english muffin and no oranges for breakfast.  For lunch she ate ground beef, whole wheat elbow noodles, half of her peas, and I fed her a few bites of applesauce.  She initially didn't want a bite of applesauce, but I put a little on her lips, she licked it, and then accepted some.  :) It's surprising how often that works!! There will not be any Blogs tomorrow, June 16th.  Little Treasures is closing for the afternoon so Lauralea and I can attend a Memorial service for the precious daughter of some dear friends of ours.  Thank you so much to all my Daycare Families for making it possible for us to attend the funeral and support this family.   Before Lauralea left for work she heard Atley singing and recognized the tune and the beginning sounds of a couple words.  I don't remember which song it was, but it was one we sing here too.  Lauralea and I both are fascinated by her singing, but no speaking yet.  I know I've ...