A Shout Out for Maverick and Claire

From the first day that Maverick joined our daycare, Claire has been in love.

He is such a gentle soul, and I believe she sensed that from the beginning.

She showers him with hugs and kisses all day long, and he smiles and laughs for her like for no one else.

This is Claire and Maverick snuggling after naps.  Snuggle, snuggle, snuggle!

Cute sayings

I wanted to dash down a few things before I forget about them.

Claire sleeps in our bed for her naps when we are at the farm (Farm Day).  She has a special heart blanket that I lay on top of the bed that she lays on.  (This blanket was made by GG years ago for Bethanie, called a quillow - a quilt that folds up into a pillow.)  Then she has a little pillow, and a small colorful fleece blanket that lays on top of her.  She also sleeps with two of Omi's Cabbage Patch doll preemies, dressed up in real baby preemie-size sleep sacks.  We get it all set up for her each time she naps.  She comes down from her nap on her own, so I don't put it all away.  When Papa and I go to bed at night, he takes it all off (it's on his side).  He used to just put it back in the basket I have by the bed.  This time, however he set it all up on the bench to look like the dollies are sleeping wrapped up in the blankets with the pillow.  Yesterday Claire came into the room and said, "Omi, did you see what Papa did with the blankets and the babies?  Isn't he funny?"

We bought the kids all warm used hooded sweatshirts to leave on their hooks in the porch at the farm so that when they are at Farm Day, they can put on the old sweatshirt and go outside to play (and work) without getting their good coats dirty.  They are pretty excited about them.  Yesterday when it was time to leave, Max threw a fit that nobody understood.  He finally said to me, clear as a bell (he's 2 1/2), "I feel so bad that I can't wear my farm jacket home."  Of course, he wore his farm jacket home!!

Yesterday Claire had an issue and wanted to take a bath in my bathtub.  The other four kids were all downstairs (with GG, and Jeff and Sean had come in for a late coffee break), so I was trying to rush the process along.  Brody came toddling in to the bathroom (I try to keep some things private, but they don't have those issues yet.) and starts chatting with her.  He was telling her that it was all going to be ok, that the bath was going to make her feel better right away, then reminiscing about the time he got to take a bath in my tub.  He can be such a caregiver and is such a softie.

Maverick has a hilarious gut laugh right now, gotta try to capture it.  He also eats every crumb he can find on the floor (food item or not) (and I vacuumed at least 4 times yesterday).  His long arms and fingers can reach up and grab anything from table tops and gets into trouble with the older kids all the time.

Mara shakes her head no on demand, and also fake coughs to get attention and to keep up with the other kids' antics.  When they are playing with her, they can get her laughing (especially Claire), and the louder they get, the louder she gets - to keep up with them. 

Zoo Day

Papa and I try to take the kids to the zoo a few times a winter.  Today was our last time for this winter (spring is here tomorrow!)  Claire and Brody are sharing his sit n stand stroller seat (Mav is napping behind them).

The three big monkeys in front of the real monkeys.

I'm not a great photographer, but I try to capture some memories.  Here, Claire is entering a tunnel (one of their favorite adventures at the zoo)...

...and here is Brody entering the tunnel.  One of us sends them in and the other waits for them at the other end.

Maverick is watching the lynx on the Minnesota Trail.    

Sean is showing Mara the penguins, she just loves them!

Auntie Heather and Uncle Sean are getting up close with Max, Claire, Brody, Mara and the penguins.  (Maverick was napping in the stroller.)
It was a great day at the Zoo!

Having Quiet Fun

Brody was showing Maverick some fun things to do with blocks (Mav just ate them).

Brody got comfy watching Daniel Tiger on TV (that's the new version of Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood).

Maverick and Mara have started interacting, here they are both trying to play with the telephone on the jungle gym (their favorite), they keep it happy though!

All About Maverick

Maverick found lots of fun things to do this day.  Claire and Max were with their mom, and Brody was helping Papa all day.  Mara didn't bother him a bit!

Climbing the soft chair and peeking.

THAT was funny...

THAT was more serious...

He found the full length mirror and was entertained by his new friend!

He spent lots of time alone in the kitchen opening and closing doors...

and cooking up a storm...

his little body with just white onesie is so adorable...

   I think he agrees!                                                                                                 

Auntie Heather Day

Auntie Heather joins us at daycare every Thursday.  She doesn't go into the office that day, she can work wherever she has a computer and a telephone.  Claire and Brody set up their own "work stations" at the dining room table with her.  They each have their own computer and telephone and are ready to take calls and send emails and do other computer work that only they know how to do.  She reads books to them on her break.  And lets Max snuggle against her while she feeds Mara.  And does "seek and find" with them on her break.  (those are books or papers that have hidden items that you seek and find - she is really good at it and they LOVE it)  And settles arguments.  And picks them up if they are sad or crying.  And listens to their stories.  And listens to their songs.  And teaches them new songs.  And encourages them when they are doing projects.  And cleans up after them.  And endless other helpful tasks that make my Thursdays oh so nice.  The kids love her so much and ask me every day if this is the day Auntie Heather is going to come and stay.  I can't tell you how many "Auntie Heather"s I hear in a day when she is there with us.  When she feeds Mara, Claire gets her baby doll, Abby, and feeds her and burps her at the same time - every time.  I wanna get more pictures of her with the kids, but for now, this one of her teaching Mara and Maverick a new toy trick will have to do.  Thanks, Auntie Heather, we are so lucky to have you!

Starring Miss Everleigh

Aunt Bonnie brought Everleigh (beautiful daughter of my nephew, Scott) to visit our daycare on Friday.  Sliding in the freshly fallen snow was in our plan for the day, so Ev joined us.

Brody and Claire were very excited for her to go down first, and she was game, if a little leary.  She did so great.

Papa Jeff catches her, which is part of the deal.  Brody claps.

Trek back up the hill.  She's stylish as always in her fur-lined coat and Uggs.

After this first trip down the hill, she decided to put her mittens on!

It's nice to have someone to carry the sled, right?

Ready for the next trip...  Thanks for joining us, Everleigh.  We sure had fun!