Little Explorers

Where do YOU go to school?

2011-10-14T07:49:00.000-07:00

She spelled it with no help!!! Way to go, Beth Ann!!

Wait...Weren't these headphones too big??

2011-10-14T07:34:00.000-07:00

It's VERY difficult to find headphone for our computers that fit tiny heads! So today, Ms. Tori had a brainstorm...It fixes the problem, and maybe it's the newest thing in fashion!

New Year...New Funnies!

2011-10-14T07:03:00.000-07:00

First time on for the new school year! Thought I'd share a few funnies that we've heard around LEP!!

Our friend Drew, who is a tiny little thing, also happens to be a fan of the skinny jeans fad. He wears skinny jeans nearly every day. Caryn helps Drew get ready for nap time, and changes him into a pull up before he goes on to his cot. (We joke with Caryn each day that if an emergency should ever arise, and one of the Jonas Brothers needs assistance in getting out of his skinny jeans and into a pull up...she is the man for the job!) So Caryn will call Drew over every day and say something like, "Let's get those skinny jeans off and get you into this pull up." And we all laugh... So one day, Caryn called Drew over to get him ready for nap, and with a huge grin on his face, Drew said to her, "Ms. Caryn, my jeans are CRAZY skinny today!"

In our Kindergarten class, the kids come in each day and do their jobs independently as Ms. Sally goes around and greets each of them. They then do a morning circle time, which Ms. Sally leads. Then, they get into their groups for the morning, which Ms. Sally divides them into by name. One morning, after all of these things had been done and the children were working, Ava walked over to the table where Ms. Sally was sitting and said, "Ms. Sally. I'm so glad you're here today! I hadn't noticed you yet!"

Our friend Tristen is one who will speak her mind...openly. One day, she told a friend that she didn't like her and I pulled her aside to ask her why. This was Tristen's response (please insert your own Kentucky accent!): "She was just sittin' there lookin' at me with a big ol' look on her face like this (insert frowny face) and I didn't like it." I told Tristen's mom I will be anxious to hear about the road she will travel with Tristen as she gets older...

One day after nap, I went into the green room to try and help with some of the daily chaos of trying to get 10 grumps awake, off their cots, shoes on, pottied, and to the snack table in some sort of orderly fashion. I was sitting on the carpet, tying shoes when I heard a "fatherly" sort of voice behind me say, "Ben LEEMaster, if you don't sit still, I don't know how you think I'm ever going to get these shoes on you." And it was Jase!! He was waking up the little ones, and helping them get their shoes on. As funny as it was to hear him say that to Ben, it also warmed my heart to see one of our "big" kids taking on the role of caretaker for one of our little ones. And on the flip side, Ben was lighting up all over that Jase was helping him...priceless!

On the playground one afternoon, the children found a spider, and were having mixed reviews about what we should do about him. Zachary C., however, was very clear on his thoughts, "KILL HE! KILL HE!!" Funny how a simple switch in pronouns can make you feel like you've suddenly time traveled back into a time of knights and such... (sound familiar, Liz??)

And many, many more funnies happen here every day! We'll try to post as often as we can, but know that every child at LEP brings a smile to our faces each and every day...some of them just happen to be more vocal than others!!

Lunch Chatter....

2011-03-28T11:02:00.000-07:00

Here's the conversation over lunch in the yellow room today... Ms. Lori: Kyle, please try a bit of your Ceasar salad. Kyle: Yeah...I'm just not that into salad. I've always thought of it as more of a parent thing. Beth: Ky-uhl. It's not a parent thing. If it was a parent thing, they wouldn't even give it to us here! Payton: I love it. I really love the protons. Kyle: They're not protons, they're cro-tons. Jay: Uh...I think they're croutons. Maggie: I'm going to eat a watermelon seed and see if a watermelon grows in my belly. Will it? Ms. Lori: Nope...no sunshine in there. Lynde: And I don't get this dark green stuff. Is it seaweed?? Ms. Lori: No, it's romaine lettuce. It's good for you...makes you strong. Beth (making muscles with both arms and KISSING THEM): Yeah, like these babies. Jay: Can I be excused...I think I just lost my appetite. So...how was YOUR lunch break???

A Lesson in History; A Lesson in Love

2011-02-22T06:22:00.000-08:00

Our theme for the week last week was "Black History." The children were busy learning about famous and important people such as Rosa Parks, Dr. King, and Barack Obama to mention a few.

Our kindergarten class gets especially "into" this week, as they love learning about history, and especially the "old days" when Ms. Sally was a little girl! Sally shares many experiences when them of when she was little and how hard it was for her growing up during a time when her nanny, who was African American, often couldn't join her family in certain establishments, especially in the South, where Ms. Sally's family kept a home.

It is a very, very moving thing to go into that classroom and watch the Q&A that Sally has with those children as they learn about a time in history, not so distant, that seems so surreal to them now. Many of them point out that our skin is "just for protection" and color doesn't matter. Some of them will say things like "Germs are just germs...it doesn't matter who's sharing our bathrooms." If only children could govern our world, I honestly believe sometimes we would be better off!

One of the best lessons shared in kindergarten is that of Rosa Parks. The children love hearing her story of determination and bravery. They love looking at books about her and then learning about the way she stood up for herself and an entire race of people. Many conversations come from that lesson, and excitement grows in the classroom as they continue to learn about Ms. Parks and then about Dr. King. Finally, while I was in there listening one morning, I said to them, "Do you realize how lucky you are to be alive during the time when you can say you saw the first black President elected into our White House?" They were ECSTATIC! They realized they were a part of history...and it was AWESOME!

This morning, I was walking the hallways, and I stopped to read some of the writer's workshop on the blue room bulletin boards. A question had been posed to them: "What would you have done if you have been on the bus with Rosa Parks?"

Here are some of the most common answers I saw:

"I would have given my seat up for Rosa Parks."

"I would tell Rosa Parks to keep her seat."

"I would have asked Rosa Parks to give up her seat." (no ill will here, I believe, just that in their five year old minds, they were thinking they would have wanted to sit down!)

I looked on down the board and saw that one little boy and one little girl had answered with the following:

"I would have sat down in the seat with her."

My eyes teared up and my heart overflowed. Numbers are good...Reading is great...but THIS is what we want our friends to learn in kindergarten at Little Explorers...compassion, love, understanding, and friendship.

How Old Are You, Ms. Cora??

2011-02-16T08:25:00.000-08:00

Cora was subbing in the Yellow room, and Aiden was curious about her age. "Are you a kid?" he asked. Cora was trying to explain to him that she is an adult, but a young adult, so she said, "Well, no not really a 'kid'...I'm an adult, but I'm not really old." Aiden, apparently anxious to cut to the chase, looked at Cora and said, "Are you big enough to go to the beer store??" : )

A few funnies to get you through the freeze...

2011-02-03T11:35:00.001-08:00

Kyle keeps us in stitches a lot of the time around here. Here are a few of his more recent funnies...

He was wearing a golf style shirt at school one day with a long sleeve shirt under it. He looked down at one point, and the buttons had come unbuttoned. He quickly started buttoning them, and said to Whittney, "Better get these buttoned. It's inappropriate for you to see my chest hair."

For lunch on one of Caryn's first days as our new cook, she prepared meatloaf, but made it Italian style with mozzerella cheese in it. Kyle saw me putting it out on the table, and said, "Oh, lamb chops, huh?" I said, "Kyle, this is meatloaf." He asked what the white stuff was, and I told him cheese...it was Italian style. He goes, "Meatloaf...Italian style...cool."

Today, as I sat in my office with the ceiling leaking all around me (thanks for that Mother Nature!) Jordan was sitting with me waiting for her dad. She said, "I'm glad you aren't making me sit in front of your desk where the water is dripping." I explained that I wouldn't do that, because I wouldn't want her to get wet. She said to me, "Yeah, and thanks. Because if my hair was wet, boy would I have to hear it from my dad. But I'll tell you right now, even if my hair got wet from the drips, don't worry because I wouldn't let him say a thing to you about it." I asked, "Well, are you pretty much in charge around your house?" And she said, "No, my dad is. But even though he's in charge, I won't even let him think about saying anything to you..."

Catching up on some funnies...

2011-01-05T15:13:00.000-08:00

George, in the red room, was trying to get a laugh at of Daniel. He squeezed his own cheeks together and said, "My name's Chubby..." Daniel, not really getting the humor in it, didn't laugh. George said, "C'mon, dude, that's funny. Watch me again." He squeezed his cheeks and said, "My name's Chubby..." Still nothing from Daniel. George goes, "Daniel, that's funny." Nothing. George threw his hands up and walked away muttering, "Just forget about it.."

When we were collecting our pajamas during our drive, Kyle asked me why we were doing it. I explained to him that they were for children who were in need of new PJs. He goes, "I could use some new ones, should I just pick them out when my mom comes?" I explained that if he needed new jammies, his parents would probably buy him some, but some children's parents can't get them new pajamas when they need them. So he said, "Ohhhhh..so what, are you just going to go house to house and ring the bell to see if they can't afford new pajamas and if they can't, you'll just give them some?" I told him no, there are people who know those children, and they can get the pajamas to them in time for Christmas. After two, maybe three, scenarios of what ifs and whys, Kyle said, "I think I'm catching on to this Pajama thing..."

Gwyneth's mom told me she had left her tuition check in Gwyneth's backpack. I was digging around in her pack, and Gwyneth goes, "I lost a wheel." (It's a roller backpack.) I said, "You did? Sorry to hear it." She goes, "Yeah...I'm a little off today..."

During the Holiday program, Pierce was walking up to the stage, and as he started up the steps, he said, "Ms. Lori, are my pants down in the back?" I said, "Nope. You're good." He goes, "OK." He took another step or two, and said, "Are you sure my pants are ok?" I said, "Yeah, buddy. You're fine...what's going on?" I hitched his pants up in the back and said, "It sure seems like I feel a lot of air on my butt..."

Oh these funny kids.....

Lessons in the Human Body...

2010-11-09T18:49:00.000-08:00

Kyle told me that he'll be out for a few days next week. He told me that he went to an "LMT" who looked down his throat and thought it would be best if he had surgery. "But don't worry, Ms. Lori, I'm just going to have my lungs removed. Then I'll be back to school soon and I'll be able to breathe better."

Translation: Kyle went to an ENT and will be having his tonsils and adnoids removed. We love you, Kyle and we'll miss you while you're gone!

*****

When Gwyneth's mom came to get her this morning, Gwyneth was so excited to share her discovery bottle that she had made. I asked Gwyneth to tell her mom why we made those bottles and Gwyneth said, "We learned about our five organs...sight, smell, hearing, taste, and touch!" (And yes, she actually remembered them all on her own! You go, girl!!)

She's got Football in her blood....

2010-11-09T07:51:00.001-08:00

Lynde came to Ms. Whittney last week and asked her if this is how you spell "DEFENSE". I think she may have watched a few football games in her life!!

Melt Your Heart...

2010-11-09T07:38:00.000-08:00

This is a video from the week of our LEP Olympics. We talked a lot that week about being a family and lifting each other up. This was our "closing ceremony."

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

2010-10-15T11:34:00.000-07:00

Ahhhhhh-tumn Break

2010-10-15T11:25:00.000-07:00

Next week is Fall Break. And while we are all smiling and looking forward to a few days off...it has nothing to do with the children around here! Do we look forward to sleeping in? Yes. Do we look forward to being able to spend time with our families? Of course. Is it nice to have time to catch up on things around the house? You bet. BUT...do we look forward to time away from these kids? Nope. Believe it or not...we MISS them! You know how you look forward to a vacation without kids, and then you get away and all you do is miss your kids?? That's sort of how it is to teach. You stay at home...and you kind of feel like you're missing a limb. And you look forward to coming back to the sweet faces and the giggles and the little hand that reaches for yours while you're walking in the hallway and the whiny voice the cries out "TEACHER...HE TOUCHED ME!!". OK...maybe not that. But these little ones do become engrained in our lives. Enjoy your time with them next week! And know that while we'll be enjoying our time, too...we'll be missing them.

Aww...I love you, too

2010-10-08T05:49:00.000-07:00

We have had a crazy week around here with water issues...no hot water (we thought), low water pressure, leaks..just craziness. I have been on the phone with the plumber more times than I would have thought possible in one week. Yesterday, I happened to glance over at the green room sink while someone was washing their hands, and thought it was leaking from underneath. I yelled, "OH NO!" And then told Whittney I thought she had a leak in her room. I said, "If I call that plumber one more time, he's going to think I have a crush on him." Kyle said, "What's a crush mean?" I couldn't really think of how to explain it, so I just said, "Well, a crush is when you're kind of sweet on someone." Kyle looked at me and said, "Ms. Lori, I think I have a crush on you." I love my job.

Speaking of Kyle, he announced yesterday that his dad lost four teeth. Annika replied, "My dad didn't , 'cause he's not old yet."

Today is dress like a farmer day! I always love to see the combinations that everyone comes up with for farmer day! Everything from John Deere hats, to bandanas, to galoshes...You parents have some great imaginations, and we appreciate the effort you put forth in helping your kids enjoy this day!!

What in the world ARE we doing??

2010-09-29T07:01:00.000-07:00

As I walked into the yellow room this morning, Jen was wrapping up an instructional time. She excitedly asked her kiddos to tell me what they had just learned.

Lauren: Exaggeration!
Beth Ann: Dishes!
Mallory: Competition!
Myah: Uhhhhh....

So what were they learning in the yellow room this morning??
Addition. : )

Welcome to another fun(ny) school year at LEP!

2010-09-28T06:12:00.000-07:00

So here it goes...first post of the new school year! And what a great start it has been! We have a super bunch of kids this year. Unique personalities, lots of interests, and...of course...all just as cute as can be! I've already picked out a few who I think may become "blog regulars"!

And now...on to a few cute things from the mouths of our Little Monkeys!

Kyle was on the playground, and by his own choice sitting on the curb.
Ms. Lori: Kyle, are you feeling ok?
Kyle: Not really.
Ms. Lori: What's up?
Kyle: My body hurts.
Ms. Lori: What hurst specifically?
Kyle: Everything...but mostly my throat...and my organs.
*************
As the kindergarten class was lining up to leave for the day, Zachary escaped the room and was out in the hallway where Ms. Sally couldn't see him. Sally has a strict rule, "If my eyes can't see you, I can't keep you safe."
Ms. Sally: Oh Zachary, you need to come right back in the room, please.
Zachary: Why? (add your own whining here)
Ms. Sally: Because if my eyes can't see you, I can't keep you safe.
Zachary: I know, I know...(and then muttering) why does she need to see me? I know where I'm going...Ms. Lori's office. Teachers think they know everything.
**************
It was lunch time, and Satch was serving home made chicken nuggets, which she had coated with panko bread crumbs. When she placed them on Kyle's plate, he said, "Oh, no thanks, Ms. Satch. I don't really care for furry chicken." She explained to him that it was bread crumbs, and that maybe he should try some. After a little coaxing, he tried a bite and said, "YUM! I never knew it, but I guess I DO like furry chicken after all!" The nuggets have now become known as "furry chicken" and are a lunch time favorite!!
***************
Nate is a new addition to our LEP family, and has brought a ton of smiles to my face this year. He also happens to be Ms. Jen's son. He is full of information that is always willing to share! One afternoon, I was sitting up front with the PreK class and we were looking for T words. Nate pointed out that his name is a T word...it's just in a different place. And then went on to give me this oration:
"My name is a T word, Ms. Lori. Just not a front T word. It's a back T word..like this (making the letter sounds) n-ay-t-...and then there's the 'e' but it's silent, and when you have a silent 'e' the first vowel says its own name. See I have these videos at home that teach you to read...and they tell you things like that...and also things like 'when two vowels go walkin' the first does the talkin'"...stuff like that. And THAT is how I know my name is T word. Nate." Everything Nate shares with me is in detail like that...I love it!
****************
Little Leah overheard me telling other children that it was time for Tumblebus and was insistent that she was supposed to be doing it, too! I finally had to call her mommy to check because she was so convincing! "Ms. Lori, I'm supposed to be doing the TumbleButt. I am. My mom signed me up for TumbleButt...she did. Call her." So I did, and her mom said it was fine! Leah's response? "Yay! I love TumbleButt!!!"
****************
Then there are our singers...
*Cameron making up his own words in the shape center to Paprazzi by Gaga...and making it educational! (I've got lots of circles, I've got lots of squares and hearts, too. I've got, I've got blocksies...) Nice!
*Beth singing "Baby I Like It" be Enrique Iglesias while washing her hands for 10 minutes in the bathroom...and watching herself in the mirror!

I know there are a million more stories I could post...and I will! Your kids do and say cute and funny things every day. Check back often for a chuckle or a smile brought to you by the kids of LEP!

Back to the blog...

2010-09-10T20:36:00.000-07:00

I've let the blog go for a while, but I think I need to get back to it! I went back and read some of the older posts, and realized that I miss it! So....I'm going to try to update it at least once a week. I hope you'll join me as I start down this path again. It's a great place to find funny stories, cute pictures, and just general goings on at LEP! Check in every now and then...I hope you won't be disappointed!

Is there a class for that???

2010-02-06T13:32:00.000-08:00

In the yellow room, the children were making Froot Loop necklaces by stringing Froot Loops onto a pice of yarn. The children were working quietly...and if you've worked with children, you know getting that yarn through that little hole can be a daunting task! After working at it, and finally finishing his necklace, Zachary called for Lynna to tie off the end of his necklace. "Ms. Lynna, a little help here...(one of my favorite Zach-isms) I haven't had a class in tying yet."

Happy 100th Day!

2010-01-24T12:54:00.001-08:00

Ms. Sally was explaining to her class that for their 100th day of school, she would like them to dress up like someone who is 100 years old. Ben piped up and said, "Ms. Sally, you won't even have to dress up!"

On 100th day, I went into the Blue room to see how things were going. Riley was doing a numbers activity with a big smile on his face. Knowing how much Riley loves working with numbers, I said to him, "Riley, you are in heaven aren't you?" Tommy looked at me, pointed at Riley and said, "Ms. Lori, Riley didn't die...he's right there."

Happy 100th day Blue Roomers!!

Give me a C...Give me an O...Give me an LTS!!

2009-11-13T06:34:00.000-08:00

GO COLTS!!!

I've got a lot of catching up to do....

2009-11-10T07:00:00.000-08:00

It's been a while, and the funnies are piling up! So...here we go!!

Harrison and Clayton playing dollhouse in Ms. Sally's room:
Harrison: The baby's crying.
Clayton: Yeah, it probably wants to eat.
Harrison: Yeah, it wants a bottle.
Clayton: No, it wants to nurse. Have you ever seen those babies latch on?? They can really suck.
Harrison: That's just not right. In fact, that's outrageous!

Learning about Barack Obama in Ms. Sally's room, Alex asked, "Was he alive when there were dinosaurs?"

And talking about cursive writing...
Ms. Sally: As you get older, you will write in cursive. You will learn to write your name in cursive.
Harrison: Ms. Sally, I don't care how old you get, you don't ever curse anyone. And you never curse yourself.

After a particularly good day in the yellow room, Zachary's dad said, "I'm so proud of you! Do you think we should go somewhere special?" Zachary replied, "Yes...and I think it should be somewhere that BOUNCES!" Bounce Zone anyone???

One day in the red room, Kyle had an accident and went to change his clothes. Realizing he didn't have any underwear in his bag, Ms. Carly said, "It's ok, just put your pants on." Kyle responded, "Well, my mom doesn't really like it when I go commando."

Ms. Lynna (pronounced like Renee only with an L) has started teaching in the yellow room...Here are the names she is answering to:
Lemay (Teagan)
Lemonay (Ava)
Renee (Bryce)
Lennamay (Tessa)
Melay (Val)
and (of course) Mindi!

Beth, who was having a cranky day at school didn't take a nap. She got up off her cot and was even more cranky than she had been before. I said to her, "Beth, when you feel cranky, you need sleep. Today would have been a good day for you to nap." Beth looked me right in the eye and said, "Well, maybe today would have been a good day for you to nap, too." And, undoubtedly, she was right!!

Wednesday Funnies...

2009-10-14T07:27:00.000-07:00

Ms. Sally: Friends your question of the day is "Do you have a favorite farm animal?"
Riya: I checked no. I don't have a farm animal. I have a sister, but she doesn't count.

Ms. Lori: Raise your hand if you hear the F sound. "We had pancakes for breakfast."
Teagan raises her hand.
Ms. Lori: Yes, Teagan! Where do you hear it?
Teagan: Pancakes!!!
Ms. Lori: I'm not sure about the F sound...but what other sounds do you hear?
Teagan: P and K. I just got confused because at our house, sometimes we call them FANcakes.
Ms. Lori: And do you eat them and drink FORANGE juice??
Teagan: Yeah...and lots of FYRUP!!

Playing with the parachute in Ms. Sally's room this morning...
Beth: Ms. Sally, there's too much people in here.
Ms. Sally: Beth, this is our preschool family...isn't it nice to be together as a whole family??
Beth: Not 'weally'.

If Mohammad doesn't go to the pumpkin patch...We bring the pumpkin patch to Mohammad!

2009-10-14T06:35:00.001-07:00

This might not LOOK like the pumpkin patch you were expecting....BUT....

Sally's class decided this morning that rain or no rain, they were going to the pumpkin patch! So they pulled out one of our pumpkin tablecloths, spread it on the floor, requested popcorn and apple juice for snack, cranked up the music, and...instant field trip!!!

(Ella enjoying her popcorn snack!)

Clayton said, "This is better than the real pumpkin patch!" And warmer...and drier!!

(Clayton and Mugsie Monkey...enjoying a day at the pumpkin patch!)

We promised them they wouldn't have to "learn" anything today...so they turned off their brains and got ready for fun!! The parachute will be coming out shortly...and I have a feeling some pumpkin races will be taking place in the hallway today!

(J playing his air guitar!!)

The other classrooms have followed suit having popcorn parties and taking part in fun projects. We're so lucky to have teachers who can turn it on and fly by the seat of their pants in a pinch!!

So, yeah...we don't need no stinkin' pumpkin patch!!!

UPDATE...the pumpkin races have officially started...I KNEW IT!!

Don't tell tales...

2009-10-09T06:24:00.000-07:00

Riya walked to Sally this morning, touched Sally's nose and then pulled her finger way out in front of Sally's face, saying: "Ms. Sally, if you are wrong, your nose will start to grow. And then you can't come to school."

Hmmm...wonder if Miss Riya got caught telling a little fib to mom and dad??

Fall Fun!

2009-10-08T10:33:00.000-07:00

With all of the rain today, we had to bring the outside in! The kids LOVED making the leaves "fall" with the parachute. What a great activity...and we came up with it on the spur of the moment!!!

Just another day in Ms. Sally's world...

2009-10-06T12:54:00.000-07:00

Ms. Sally fell yesterday...hard...to the floor. SHE'S OKAY!!! But after she fell, she looked up to see Harrison with a funny look on her face. She said, "You thought that was funny, didn't you, H?" He replies, "I wanted to laugh so bad, Ms. Sally, but I was afraid you might really be hurt!!"

This morning in Sally's room, two boys were having a problem because one of them said the other one spit at him. After some talking, Sally realized that the little boy spit on the other when he was talking...on accident. Sally sat with both boys and said, "It's important to swallow before you talk. If you don't, you may spit on someone else. It does happen, I've spit on Ms. Lori before when we were talking. I just told her I was sorry. So, "first little boy", can you please apologize to "other little boy"?" Boy #1: I'm sorry. Boy #2: I "assept" your apology.
Problem solved, Ms. Sally got up and walked away. Ben, who has been watching this whole thing goes, "Whoa...Ms. Sally, you're just like Dr. Phil!"

It's a WHAT?

2009-09-17T14:42:00.000-07:00

Ms. Whittney was playing a guessing game with the kiddos. Some of them were giving clues to an object they could see to a child who was blindfolded. Kyle was blindfolded, and the object was "something really pokey" and "an animal."

Kyle: I GOT IT!! It's a pike-u-porn. A pokey-cone. A corny-pike. I can't think...but I know what it is!!

Whittney: A porcupine??

Kyle: Yeah...I was getting there.

That musta hurt...

2009-09-17T10:05:00.000-07:00

Ms. Sally: How are you this morning Ms. Tori?

Ms. Tori: Ugh...Ms. Tori feels like she got hit by a truck.

Ben: OH MY GOSH...are you ok?? (then to his friends) She got hit by a truck...but I think she's ok.

*****

Shhh...Little ones at rest

2009-09-15T19:11:00.001-07:00

There is nothing I love more than walking into the Green room and naptime and seeing these sweet little sleeping faces, so I thought I'd share!

Gabby..Our Super Napper!

Ella

Davis

Myah's toes

Beth Ann

Aren't they so cute you could just eat 'em??

No really...he's sick!

2009-09-15T10:21:00.000-07:00

Lynde and Jay get to play with me every day because they come in a little early in the day. We play in the green room while we wait on Ms. Tori to arrive. Today, Jay was sick, so he stayed home. Lynde repeatedly asked me why Jay wasn't here, to which I kept saying "He's sick." Finally, the last time she asked, I said, "Lynde, do you remember what I said? Jay's not here because he's....." She thought about it for a minute, looked at me and said, "A goofball??"

Really???? For BREAKFAST?

2009-09-11T18:06:00.000-07:00

Kyle: Ms. Nicole, what's for lunch?
Ms. Nicole: Nachos
*momentary pause while Nicole goes into the hallway to make breakfast*
*Ms. Nicole returns with cereal and fruit*
Teagan (who had obviously caught a SMALL portion of the conversation between Kyle and Nicole, upon receiving her breakfast): What is THIS??? You promised NACHOS!

Ah, yes...Nachos. The breakfast of champions!

Yes, Old MacDonald is a fan of the Black Eyed Peas...

2009-09-09T11:22:00.000-07:00

This morning Jay was in the bathroom, and he was singing this version of Old MacDonald:

"Old MacDonald had a farm, EIEIO.
And on this farm he had a song, and it went like this.
I like that BOOM BOOM POW, and that BOOM BOOM POW.
They try to copy my swagger with that BOOM BOOM POW!
Old MacDonald had a farm BOOM-BOOM, BOOM-BOOM POW."

Not one we'll be singing in circle time, but still very cute!!

Fishers Fire Department

2009-09-04T11:49:00.001-07:00

Thanks to the Fishers Fire Department for a fabulous visit this week with our morning classes. Cutest quotes of the day?

Ella S.: So, fireman, where's your spotted dog?

Kyle: I like it, but if they turn on that siren, I'm really gonna freak out.

Tommy (upon seeing the truck): Are they gonna let us drive it??

Ms. Lori: Firefighters keep us safe if there's an emergency.

Ava: Yeah, but mostly they just shop at Wal Mart.

What a great, great morning!!!

From the mouths of babes...

2009-08-24T06:39:00.000-07:00

Mom: Ellery...what did you do at school today?

Ellery: (silence)

Mom: Did you have fun?

Ellery: (silence)

Mom: Tell me what you did with Ms. Mindi.

Ellery: (silence)

Mom: Ellery, if you'll tell me nothing else, will you at least tell me if you liked it??

Ellery (looking at mom like she's not very smart...): Well, what's not to like??

*******************************************

Kyle: Ms. Lori, this fire drill is scary.

Ms. Lori: It's OK, buddy, we're just having a practice.

Kyle: Well, what would do if there was a real fire?

Ms. Lori: You tell me. What would we do if we had a real emergency?

Kyle: We get the heck out the house. But I still don't like it.

********************************************

Jack: I had the chicken pox once.

Kyle: Well, where did you get those? Were you hanging out on a farm?

********************************************
Kyle: Ms. Carly, I'm going to stand up, but I'm not going to be singing today.

Lauren: Well, that's your choice, Kyle.
(This is especially funny if you are a teacher, and hear yourSELF say this a million times a day! We always say Lauren could run the school without us...this is further confirmation of that!)

Yep...that's a clothespin!

2009-08-11T14:04:00.001-07:00

Teagan really does not like the smell of our play doh. She says it makes her "gag", makes her "sick", and makes centers "no fun". Today was a play doh day, and Teagan was instantly put off by it. She told Tori in no uncertain terms that she would NOT be playing in the play doh, which Ms. Tori said was fine. However, when the others started playing, Teagan couldn't resist. She came up with a great plan all by herself...see how happy she is playing in the play doh??? Never mind that the clothespin was only clipped on the tip of her nose...she could still totally smell the play doh!

I FOUND IT!!!

2009-08-11T09:21:00.000-07:00

Today, our friend Lynde started with us in the Green Room. She is so very sweet and eager to please!! When we are trying to get the class' attention, you will often hear our teachers say, "Find my face." Lynde totally thinks this is a game...so everytime today that I said, "Find my face." Lynde would spout back with, "I found it! It's right there under your hair!!!" And then she would clap like she had really done something. So cute!

****
And then...
Jack: Once I had chicken pox.
Kyle: You did? How did you get chicken pox??? Were you hanging out on a farm???

It's gonna be tough with no pockets and only one sharing hand...but we'll make it!

2009-08-10T08:43:00.000-07:00

So, we're underway here for another year!! It's been fun so far, and we just keep expecting more and more fun to come along!

A cute little story to share about one of our new friends, Teagan. Teagan is a big helper and loves to get caught being good! So we very quickly needed to acquaint Teagan with our WOW program. (For those of you who have been with us before, you know all about WOWs and honeysticks...for those of you who don't know...just you wait and see!) So Ms. Tori sat her friends down and was explaining how when you do something great, you get a WOW (green slip of paper) or a honeystick to place in your pocket (an evelope type pocket on the wall). Teagan, and all of them really, were most excited for the opportunity to get a WOW/honeystick. It took no time to catch Teagan in the act of being good, and Ms. Tori said, "Teagan! Here's a WOW for your pocket!" Teagan lit up, then took the WOW from Tori. Then, as she looked down over herself, her shoulders slumped in disappointment. I saw this happen, and said, "What is it, Teagan??" And she says, "Well, I just got my first WOW. But I "weared" this skirt today...and it doesn't even have any pockets." I explained to her that her pocket was actually on the wall. She got that wonderful light back in her eyes and said, "OH...well I'm glad I don't need to BRING a pocket everyday!" I love it!! I love how their little minds are so literal to what we say! Regardless, Teagan got that WOW in the right pocket...and has added many, many more to it since!

Also, today Ms. Tori was heading outside with her class...trying to beat the rain. Just before they go out, Tori always reminds them to use their "sharing hands". She said, "Everyone hold up your sharing hands so I can see!" Little Ella holds up one hand with a band aid on her finger (she's OK, Amy & Mark...I couldn't even see the boo-boo...but it was there in her mind, so it had to be addressed!) and she says to Tori, "Well, one of my sharing hands is broken." Tori reminds Ella that that's OK, she has another hand that will still share. Ella goes, "Yeah...let's hope I use that one today!"

Let them be little...

2009-06-02T19:10:00.000-07:00

Today, Harrison wasn't feeling well, so he came up to my office to lay on a cot. I was sitting next to him talking. He said, "Ms. Lori, I think I won't be able to come to Pirate camp tomorrow. I'll probably still be sick." I said, "That's ok, buddy. You need to rest." He goes, "Yeah...do you think you'll have it next year? Maybe I'll come for it then." I said, "Just think, next year, you'll be getting ready for first grade!" He said, "What color is that room?" I explained that we don't have first grade at LEP, and he said, "I've noticed an extra room in the back...a gray room...you know gray around the door." I told him that was the closet, and he asked how big it was. "Maybe we could have first grade there." I said, "It's not that big, buddy." He said, "Well, I think we should talk to Ms. Sally and see if we can just have first grade in the blue room." Finally, I told him, "You'll be so big by then, you'll be getting ready for your new big boy school." And then, he made me tear up when he said, "I want this to be my big boy school...I love it here." He was quiet for a little bit, then he said, "We can talk more about it later. I'm going to close my eyes...you just keep rubbing my back." Oh, how I wish they stayed little...

Ms. Lori, how can you be so cruel??

2009-05-08T08:09:00.001-07:00

Yesterday, as Nolan was leaving school, he tripped and fell. He looked like he was going to cry, so trying to distract him, I said, "No, no floor! You don't hurt Nolan!" He looked up at me and said, "Not the floor, the tree." (Meaning the huge plant in the front office.) So I quickly said, "NO, no tree! You don't hurt Nolan!!" Nolan walked very quietly to the tree, started petting it's leaves and said, "It's ok, tree. It was just a accident (ass-uh-dent)." He kept looking at me like I was so cruel to talk to the tree that way...I actually felt a little sorry for the plant! It takes these kids to keep me sweet. (For those of you who know me well, stop laughing..I'm very sweet!!!)

Magnificent Moms

2009-05-07T19:38:00.000-07:00

Ahhh...Mom's night is complete, and it was a success! Now that most of you have your Mother's Day books that we made (whew!) I wanted to share a few funnies that happened while we were working...

By far, the BEST answer I got to any of the questions was this one that came from Josie:
Me: How are you and your mom alike?
Jo: We both like TV
Me: How are you and your mom different?
Jo: Well, I'M smart.

Alli told me that she loves how her mom is "squishy". If you've seen Alli's mom, you know she is super fit and there is no "squish" to her anywhere! I think it's Alli's way of describing her mom's soft personality. I love that!

I giggled at many of the ages given to you ladies...everything from 2 to 100.

The favorite foods were funny too. Lots of you moms are eating a lot of pasta according to your kiddos!

The overall favorite thing you all like to do or are good at is taking a nap...and I'm right there with you! But there were some other good ones, too, like "Give me a bath" (Kian), "Play PacMan with me" (Riley), and "Chasing daddy!" (Nadia).

I liked to hear what it is that your kids think you say to them a lot! Most of them said some form of "I love you." However, Alli said her mom says "Hi, Alli" quite a lot. Jasmine's mom asks her to clean her room. And Tessa's mom tells her to go to her classroom! (Considering Tessa has only been with us 2 weeks...)

I hope you all enjoyed the "How do you know your mom loves you?" question. It really is the small things you do!

Thanks again to all of you who were able to make it tonight. We were excited by the great turnout, and the children truly enjoyed it. Tell me you all didn't go home chanting "A Tooty Ta, A Tooty Ta, A tooty ta-ta!" What a great night!!

I hope you all have a wonderful Mother's Day! You all deserve it! Thanks for being the great moms you are, and in turn, raising phenomenal children! We're grateful!! Happy Mother's Day!

Yep...With a very expensive bow!!!

2009-04-20T19:22:00.001-07:00

Cute exchange between Ms. Carly and Remington:

Remington: Ms. Carly, was this school here when I was born?
Carly: No, it's only been here about a year.
Remington: Oh. Did you buy it?
Carly: No, Ms. Lori bought it.
Remington: Oh...(thoughtful silence) Did it come in a big package?

So precious. I think he was literally picturing this huge box, and when I took the lid off, there was Little Explorers. And although it was very similar to that...it was only a tad more stressful!!!

Miss Josie

2009-04-17T10:57:00.001-07:00

You know it's been a great day when your child gets a whole section in the blog named for her!

Yesterday, Josie was telling Ms. Sally a story...which I will get to in a moment...and she said, "Ms. Sally, I lie. I lie a lot. But I'm not lying now." Now here's the story that was all truth! Josie told her friends that her family had adopted another brother. His name is Jason. The kids were all looking at Josie with huge eyes...so she kept going. "He is a boy, his name is Jason. He lives with us." Then she saw me watching her and said, "Actually, he's just visiting us at our house, not living there. And he's not even a boy, he's a girl..." I think at this point, she realized she was doomed, so she just stopped.

Then, as she was leaving yesterday afternoon, she passed Ms. Holly, who had done Spanish with the children earlier in the day. Josie said, "Asta Flamingos!" and skipped out the door with a huge smile on her face. She was so sure of herself...I love that!

Yesterday afternoon, I was talking to Ellery, who had on a new shirt that said, "I'm the big sister!" I complimented her shirt, and Jay happened to hear me. He started talking, not to me...but just sort of muttering, "I think I look pretty awesome today, too. I got this cool shirt on and these new basketball 'showts'. I look pretty 'tool'." So I said, "Hey, Jay...you look pretty awesome today...like a basketball player." He looked up and me and very nonchalantly said, "Oh, thanks!" It was obvious that he was trying so hard to look uninterested in the compliment, after his pep talk to himself.

What's that called again???

2009-04-15T08:52:00.000-07:00

Many of you have probably seen the dioramas hanging on the wall on the way to the Pre-K room. Ms. Sally was so excited about these, and was having the children tell their parents about them when they came for pick up. When Wesley's mom came, Ms. Sally said, "Wes, tell mommy what we made today!" He was trying to think of the word, but couldn't come up with it on his own. Sally tried to help him out saying, "Di-uh...." and Wesley gave her the strangest look and said, "RHEA???" Too, too funny!

Also, for farm week, we've been spending some time square dancing! That, alone, has provided a few laughs! But at one point in the dance, Wesley piped up and said, "Ms. Sally, I'm a-do-si-doin'!" That little tidbit is only about a million times funnier if you've ever heard how serious Wesley is about everything!!

Finally, during square dancing, Harrison chose to sit and watch. During the time everyone else was dancing, he was sitting back with his arms crossed, and said, "Ms. Sally, I am really starting to see why you named this square dancing. I'm really seeing the square."

We're so happy to be back to our normal routine of love and laughter! Thanks for making us a part of your child's day!!

Does anyone know where I can get a good pair of shoes??

2009-03-17T08:09:00.000-07:00

I hope you are all having some luck with your shoebox gardens. The children really enjoyed putting them together in hopes that we might see some flowers start to bloom. Remember, when you do get a bloom, you need to repot it. They won't last in the shoebox!

On that note, when the children made the shoebox gardens, they got to look at the seed packets to choose what kind and color of flowers they wanted to grow. They all seemed to take a lot of time in choosing just the right ones, for just the right reasons. When Jack's mom came to get him, she asked him what would be growing in his shoebox garden. He thought a second and then said, "I don't know...I guess a shoe plant." As a woman, I know that if Jack grows a "shoe plant" he will indeed be set for life!

Yesterday morning, as I walked into school, I headed right to Ms. Carly's room to say good morning. Alli looked at me with the biggest smile on her face and said, "Ms. Lori! You're wearing clothes!!" I have no idea what that meant or where it came from, but she was so, so proud of me for it! I thought Ms. Carly was going to have to leave the room!

Thanks to everyone who made a point to dress your children for "Character Day!" They enjoyed it so much and it was such fun to see them all in costume. Check out our picture blogs to see the photos of our day!

Hope you're all enjoying the sunshine and warm weather!

Who loves you, Ms. Carly??

2009-02-20T11:33:00.000-08:00

Today in Carly's room, the children were saying to one another, "I like you, Riya." "I like you, Grayson." "I like you, Remington." Grayson looked at Carly and said, "But we all love you, Ms. Carly." I wonder if he was trying to get a honey stick...

Last week in Carly's room, Ellery was heading to the bathroom. She stuck her head out and said, "I'm going to the bathroom. I'm going to be going pee-pee...and poo-poo. You guys go on with your preschool...this could take a while." Someday, she'll be mortified knowing that I told this story to everyone!!

Today, Cooper's mom brought chocolate covered edamame for the teachers to try (very, very good!!). Cooper was explaining to us what they were and said, "I like the chocolate, but I don't like the dried edamame. It's really hard to get all of the chocolate off without eating the edamame...but I can if I try really hard!" I knew I loved him with good reason!!

Finally, I was working with Ava today on her book, and she told me she wanted to dedicated it to "the boys in Ms. Sally's room". I tried to dissuade her a little, but she was firm...that was her dedication! I said, "OK...you can dedicate it to the boys." Then she said, "My mommy says, 'No boys, Ava.' But I say, 'Yes boys!!'"

I love my job...
Have a great weekend, everyone!

Little funnies

2009-02-09T10:12:00.001-08:00

It's often the funny little things the kids say that really make our day!

Today, while working on his journal, Grayson was looking around the room and not really paying attention to what he was doing. Carly said, "Grayson, please pay attention to what you are doing." Nadia looked at Carly and said, "Ms. Carly...are you fussing at Grayson?" It was so cute!!

Then Sally's class was talking about what they would like to be when they grow up. Sara said, "I am going to be a rock star." Brooke said, "I'm going to be famous." Ashlee said, "I'm going to be a star." And then Gavin said, "Well, I guess I"ll be the moon!!" And he was so serious! Ms. Sally explained to him that a star is someone famous...he didn't comment...maybe he'll still be the moon!!!

Finally, I was in Ms. Carly's room this morning while she stepped out. The kids and I were watching the guinea pigs. I said, "They have been very loud today. Did you all hear them talking this morning?" Mihir's eyes were huge and he said, "I have heard them make lots of sounds...but I've never heard them TALK!!!"

And this....is why we teach!!!

2008-12-19T10:39:00.001-08:00

So here's a new one...
Ellery (who is usually very quiet and just taking things in) and I had a conversation yesterday that went like this...

Me: Ellery, come with me for a second please.
E: No, thanks.
Me: It wasn't a question. I need you to come with me..just for a second.
E: (at the tool bench) I'm fixing something.
Me: Two seconds, Ellery. Please.
E: OK...(dragging her feet and looking pretty irritated!)
E: (As we rounded the corner by Ms. Sally's room) I really do not have time for this.
Me: Well, you better make time, sister.
E: Well, I was fixing something...sister.

I busted out laughing and she did her best to continue looking irritated. Her mom said, "It's cute now...not so cute when she's older!" I beg to differ, thinking that she will be a woman who won't let anyone push her around! You go, girl!!!

Thanks again to everyone who came out to the program last night! We had so much fun and the children were amazing!! I hope you all have a great holiday with your cherubs! We'll be anxiously awaiting their return on January 5th, 2009!!

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-09T08:08:00.000-08:00

A couple of funnies from yesterday and today...

Yesterday Ms. Sally's blue room was up front playing on the computers. We had a big group, so we had to split up. The boys were on the computers, and the girls were playing with magnet blocks. Anytime they play with those blocks, the girls immediately make microphones out of the sticks and the balls that magnetize to the sticks. Then they proceed to put on a concert. So while this was all going on yesterday, Sally had her head in the office and she and I were talking. The girls were singing up a storm...and it was getting louder and more dramatic with each passing moment. All of a sudden, Oliver says "UH-SCUSE MEEEE!!" (If you've' heard him say it, you know what I'm talking about. He says "Excuse me" but what he means is "Stop what you're doing and focus on me for a second.") Sally looked at him and he said, without ever taking his eyes off the computer, "I can't take any more of that singing." Sally and I were hysterical!! I believe the singing continued, but at a lower volume and with a little less hip-shaking!

Yesterday afternoon, Jay was playing in the home living center, and he started throwing all of the clothes out of the dress up box. He wasn't planning on wearing them, he was just throwing them. He said, "Look, Ms. Carly! Grayson taught me how to do this!" To which Ms. Carly replied, "I hope Grayson taught you how to put them back." She truly is the epitomy of patience!!

Yesterday morning in the blue room, Oliver made a poor choice which Ms. Sally was using as a teachable moment. She never makes examples of the students, but when she addresses one of them for poor decision making, she always talks to them as a group. She sat everyone down, and they were discussing that the choice was not a good one and we all need to remember to make good choices. She never used Oliver's name, and was just speaking generally. When she does this, she always says to them, "Thumbs up if you understand my words." Everyone gave a thumbs up, and Oliver said, "I don't know why you're making them give a thumbs up, we all know you're talking to me. They don't need this talk, I do." I think he got the point!

Finally, today, Grayson and Jay were playing in the kitchen. Grayson put on a dress up outfit, picked up a purse, looked at Jay and said, "Come on, honey." And yes, Chad, Jay quickly did as he was told. He will make some woman a fine husband some day!

Ahhh...good times, good times!!! I don't know what each of your careers are, and you may really love what you do...but I guarantee you, there is no better opportunity in the world than to be the teacher or children in preschool. There are bigger paychecks, but there are no bigger smile makers in the world!!!!

Have a great day!

The Grand Prize Winner...

2008-12-02T10:13:00.001-08:00

Miss Sara came in today full of tales! First, she told Ms. Sally that EJ (her big brother) called her "stupid." I guess she reminded EJ that Santa was watching when he said it. She told Ms. Sally, "Oh, I got him good!" Then she said to me, "You should really come to our house and see Baby Lilly." (her new cousin) I said, "That's Lena's sister, right?" And she said, "Awwww...You're the grand prize winner!"

Today was Grayson's birthday. He was so confused because his party was over the weekend, and he thought THAT was his birthday. So I walked into the classroom this morning and said, "Happy Birthday, Grayson!" and he said, "Happy birthday to you, too." Poor little guy...he has no idea that today is supposed to be all about him. Give it time, I guess!

Ms. Carly was putting up Christmas lights in her room this morning, and told her kids to take a look. Julian said, "Oh, good job Ms. Carly! Merry Christmas!" Bless her little heart, she was so proud of Ms. Carly!

Hope you're all having a fun day...we are!

Happy Thanksgiving...

2008-11-25T16:18:00.000-08:00

So, we all made it through the feast happy (most of us, Grayson) and well fed (all of us)! I want to again send a shout out to Ms. Sally and Ms. Carly for all of the hard work they put into today's shindig. I really was not up to par, and they totally just picked up and ran with the whole thing. THANK YOU GUYS! I don't know what I would do without you!!

The kids were so great in their little performances today. In the red room, all of the children said that they were thankful for their mommies or daddies, except Jay...who is thankful for the zoo. You gotta love it as a parent when you get overlooked thanks to the likes of a couple of baboons and some overly sing-songy lorikeets! Sorry, Chad and Holly...better luck next year!

Once all of the parents and grandparents left today, the kids were still very wound up and excited. They were all running around and talking and all of the sudden, Kian said, "You guys, we were so great! That was a great practice!" I'm not sure what he thought the true performance was going to entail, but apparently you all weren't it. Maybe he thinks it's all a big rehearsal for Thanksgiving '09...

Once we finally got everyone calmed down, and we were sooooo close to having the lunch mess cleaned up, Harrison said, "What's for snack?" Sally and I both froze in mid table wipe, blew our sweaty hair out of our faces, and looked at one another. I said to Harrison, "Are you kidding me??" He goes, "Well, I never had any lunch." Like it's my fault!!! Don't worry, Cristi, we fed the little angel and all of his friends. They all should have left that school today stuffed like the little turkeys they are!

Lots of cute moments today...true to form for the little cuties they are.

And one more...from last week. We were in the computer lab, and I was helping Cooper log onto his computer. The game he was playing lists all of the children's names, and they have to click their name to log into a saved game. I was doing this for Cooper...only I was clicking on Owen's name (in case you don't know Cooper and Owen, they are IDENTICAL twins). Cooper didn't say anything to me, just placed his little hand over mine on the mouse, drug the cursor to his name, clicked, and very quietly said, "There you go, Ms. Lori." It was almost like he felt bad for me! Bless his heart, I do it to them all the time, and they are both so patient with me. But in Owen's own words, "We are twins...and twins?? They look alike." Simply put.

Hope you all enjoyed today as much as we did. Have a wonderful holiday break and enjoy your little ones. We'll be anxiously awaiting their return on Monday!!

From the mouths of babes...

2008-11-19T11:31:00.000-08:00

Just some cute things I've heard from little people recently:

On Tuesday, I was doing a tour with a potential family. I walked into the Blue room and was just telling them some different things the children do in there. At that time, the children were at the water table, which I pointed out to the family. Suddenly from the water table I hear these words, directed at not me, not the other children, but the family following along behind me: "Oh yeah. I'm the fabulous one!" I look over, and a "certain little girl" has both hands up in the air, both fingers pointing at the top of her own head, and one hip cocked out to the side. I thought the mom touring with me was going to pop! Would anyone care to guess who said it?

Today (Wednesday) the AM Pre-K was in the Green room working on a top secret project. Cooper and Owen were both using a turquoise color of paint. I commented that I really liked it, and Ms. Sally concurred, "I just love that blue! And Cooper and Owen, you're both using it." Owen piped up and said, "We call it 'Kleinmaier Blue'!"

Last week (or maybe the week before) I was talking to Harrison when his dad came in to pick him up. I grabbed Harrison as he walked past me and squeezed him and said, "I love seeing you everyday." Harrison pushed me away, looked at his dad and said, "See what I have to put up with all day?"

They certainly keep us laughing! More cute stories to follow regularly...I feel sure of it!

On a more serious note, we had our inspection from the State of Indiana today and passed with NO noncompliances. WOO-HOO for us!!! Lori (our consultant) was very happy with our program, and was especially impressed by our FABULOUS teachers!! And why wouldn't she be...they ROCK!

And HOORAY for these children who have achieved special milestones recently:
Ashlee can write her first AND last name!
Oliver, Cooper, and Owen completed all of the levels on one of our Clifford computer programs.
Riya and Nadia can say the Pledge of Allegiance.
Grayson is POTTY TRAINED! (WOO-HOO for Ms. Carly on that one!)

I know there's more, and I could go on and on. We're so proud of how quickly the kids are moving along! We're so excited for Parent/Teacher conferences to share more with you about what your child has done so far...and where we're going from here!

Welcome!

2008-11-13T10:46:00.000-08:00

Every single day at Little Explorers, something funny or cute or amazing happens that I want to share with at least ONE of you! So here I go! This blog will be a place where we can just share great things that happen at LEP. Look for updates periodically...I'll update as often as I can!