Lemonade Stand

Today was our first Twigs and Twirls, titled Lemonade Days. Wow starting off with a bang!! We decided it would be cool to let the kids make their very own Lemonade Stand. We had no idea how cool this would be...they loved it!! I know my boys ask me all of the time to let them sell something...anything...once my oldest Tommy asked me if he could sell Slim Jims!! I love the idea, but let's face it...it is a lot of work for mom to help set up a stand! So that's why we thought this would be fun for these little entreprenuers! We started off the day with free play on the swingset. It was very hot out, but a gorgeous day and start to summer! They played great together. We had children from 3 years all the way to some "big" 6 year olds! I love how kids have to find out everyone's age! Can you imagine at an adult get together if everyone was asking your age? Funny stuff...that's why I love kids, they are so honest and innocent! After some free play we gathered around and discussed our plan for a sale. It was truly a hoot listening to them throw out their ideas!! They all have such sweet hearts and were really excited to share their ideas! We decided as a group to sell lemonade for 25 cents and cookies for 25 cents. We made the lemonade as a group, taking turns pouring and stirring and then we put the lemonade in the fridge to chill. We then decorated cookies, painted our bags, and played on the swingset. It was fun to work with each child one on one. I painted their hand to make a fish on their "Twigs and Twirl's' bag. Some of them love getting their hand painted and giggle and some of them darn right don't like it at all...cringing the entire time!! They all have their own unique personalities and they are all amazingly smart! OOPS I forgot to mention somewhere in here we ate lunch. We made PB&J sandwhiches, but I found out quickly some kids like a P sandwhich and some like a J sandwhich and some don't want the P, B, or the J!! LOVE KIDS!! Anways, we made signs to let our "customers" know the price of our goods and the direction to turn, again lots of great ideas!! Jennifer took a few on the corner and I stayed with the "servers" to wait for our customers. We were very fortunate that the first passer byer was a nice man who turned around to come to our sale, which by the way, we donated our money to the flood victims! Unfortunately, he was the only one ... the rest of our customers were our parents! This was a good lesson...I will NEVER pass a lemonade stand again! The kids looked so sad when a car would pass and not stop at our sale...a good lesson for them, too! That is how our day ended everyone had lemonade and cookie and hopefully went home and took a long snooze! See you next time!!

Flip Flops

Wow It Was HOT!! Funny thing about kids they don't seem to mind the heat!! I loved today, it reminded me of my childhood! The children just absolutely loved playing in the water in the hot, hot, sun! Covered in grass, and food from their lunches, they ran and jumped and laughed and screamed ...all in the hot, hot, sun! Jennifer and I got a kick out of watching them play, it takes all of two minutes for them to get comfortable with each other and act like they have known each other their whole lives...hmmm I wish being an adult was this easy! We had 3 girls and 6 wild boys, they are all so cute I can't stand it! I have a new baby girl who I have longed for all my whole life, but I just can't tell you how much I love boys this age...so stinkin cute!! Caden and Zack were new today and they fit in so well...both such sweet angels!! Wyatt, George, Caleb and Justin, I met at our last group, and they just, "go with it!" Love it! Our girls are so sweet...little Addy is just about the most adorable little girl ever...so gentle and kind, but I loved this, as soon as the water started, sweet, quiet little Addy through her hands on her hip and started hollering at those boys that she didn't want to be splashed...love her!! Jennifer's nieces Izzy and Grace were our big girl helpers, they just finished kindergarten this past year..so they were very helpful! I taught them pre k, so it is always fun for me to see them..I am so proud of both of them!

After the kiddos played outside on the swing set we came inside to make homemade ice cream. They were all very interested in how ice cream is made. We made vanilla ice cream, all of the children had an opportunity to pour, mix, stir, all of the ingredients. We put the ice cream in the freezer to get cold and then we made some crafts. They made visors, father's day cards, and helped me put together their flip flops. They were so cute picking out the colors for their flip flops and telling me all about their favorite colors...luckily they only had a few color choices!! The girls made flip flops that were very cute, but a lot of work...at this point the boys were back to the water, grass, and bug talk! The girls used many different scraps of fabric to craft these adorable flip flops...they inspired me to make some for my nieces. It is a very unique opportunity to sit with a few children at a time to make crafts...sadly I wish I had this time and patience with my own children...this got me thinking..."Twigs and Twirls" should be a time where children can try/do the activities that are just too time consuming, messy, or difficult to do at home! That will be our goal...I know when my boys ask to make a volcano or cook it just makes me cringe, knowing there will be a mess, smell, or possibly a fight between the boys...but at "Twigs and Twirls" that is what we are going to do SO ...shoot me your ideas! What is it your preschooler is always whining to do, that you would love for them to do, just ...not with you?!! We will give it a try!!

Twigs and Twirls

Jennifer and I set up this blog to share our new program Twigs and Twirls! We are so excited about this program and can't wait for your child to come experience the fun of Twigs and Twirls. Twigs and Twirls is a preschool enrichment program. We will be offering this program once or twice a month, the idea is a playgroup that is set up very similarly to a "Birthday Party!" Who doesn't love a Birthday Party? We will have different activities at each class, a delicious snack(made by your child), a cool craft, free play time, and home for a long nap(hopefully)! Both Jennifer and I have taught preschool for many years and have five children between us. Thoughout the years we would discuss so many fun crafts and activities we would love to do in the classroom, but didn't have the time ...that is just how it is in a classroom setting. With this small group setting we will be able to do some really neat activities including science, cooking, arts, crafts, and so much more. Being a mom to two boys I know how much energy these little guys and gals have...whew!! I was always looking for opportunities for my boys to grow socially...learning to play is VERY important!! I couldn't find many opportunities for my boys to get together with other children and play during the preschool years. We will definately be focusing on how to play nicely, learn to share, and how to make friends. This age is just plain awesome! I miss it so much with my boys, they are now 7 and 9 and way too cool to try new things...lets get them exploring while they are young! Most preschools are only 2 or 3 days a week, that is great, but sometimes these little guys need more,they are like little sponges just soaking it all in...that is where Twigs and Twirls comes in, an extra morning a month!! Please pass this on to other families who may want to try out this unique program!