A look back at our week...

We started our week off with a get together with our Early Learners group where we talked about "Communities". The kids were able to start by chatting about our greater community, and all the resources available to us by way of this map.

The kids then had the opportunity to draw their own communities and cut and paste the buildings and vehicles onto their own roads.

After a snack and some free play, the idea of a social atom was introduced, and the kids got to work on their own starting with their families in the middle and growing out to all the people and friends that play a role in their lives.

I was very excited about this topic, as we have done very little, except in passing conversation, in talking about all the people and jobs that play a role in our health and well-being.

I am hoping to revisit this idea a bit and even snagged the group map to put up at our house!

On Tuesday we had a great chance to continue this idea, when Aunt Pam gave us a tour of the bank she works at. The girls were very excited to be allowed entrance into the bank vault, and to see what Pam's "office" was like. Not too long ago, we opened bank accounts for the girls where they got to bring in their rolled change ($75 each!!) and talk with a representative about where their money would be kept, and now they got to see it first hand!

Pam was also able to show the girls large paper rolls of money before they would be cut, and chatted with them about how it's made, what country it is made for, and the amount on each role.

I don't think they realised the significance of the bills, but did enjoy pointing out the robin, the word Canada and the queen.

Tues afternoon was spent playing with lego at a nearby lego store. The girls had a great time creating and racing lego cars down this track. One the left is Aislinn's creation. Once she had the base of the car, it was all about the decorations! I think she takes after me! :)

Wednesday we spent the morning running some errands, and spent most of our time browsing the used book section of Value Village looking for a new series of books I have just fallen in love with. They are the Serendipity books, and have great pictures on every page, fun words, repetition of phrases, and a morale to go with it.

There are apparently about 50 and we are now proud owners of 2 for 50¢ each.

The afternoon was quiet, but quick, as we did some reading together (the newest of our books above included), and spent some tie at the table colouring and doing mazes and worksheets. Aislinn flew through about 7 mazes in approx. 7 minutes. She very hard to keep up with nowadays. When I am done here, I am off to replenish our supply!

Today was one of those days, where my desires for finalizing Christmas shopping came before activities for the kids, but it surprises me how much they still experience even in a trip like that. After gymnastics, we ate an early lunch and picked up Aunt Jenn and drove the hour and a bit to a large mall! In the process of shopping, the girls got to bond with Aunt Jenn (as they were physically attached to her in some way the entire afternoon), wander through a pet store, visit Santa's village, take part in finding the perfect Christmas gift for their grandma and a close friend. It's also great exercise, as Jenn and I definitely didn't slow our speed for kid sized steps!

As always I look forward to what tomorrow will bring, and am sure whatever the activity the girls will come away with a valuable experience.

“Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in, forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day, you shall begin it well and serenely...” - Ralph Waldo Emerson