Building friendship and more!

Cleaning the building blocks today after a fun play session reminded me that we weren't just building towers and forts...we are building friendships. Not only friendships, but through engaging and educational playtime with kids of similar and different ages, we are stimulating their learning and development. All while having fun! Because who doesn't like building blocks, or in the case of many children, tearing down what they've built and doing it all over again...with a smile!

They must be rabbits!

Because our kids love carrots lately! These are slow cooking for tomorrow's lunch with chicken breast, green beans, and toast. The corn meal muffins were devoured with today's lunch. Yum!

Happy Meals!

We eat nutritious and delicious meals, and the kids love them!  Menu planning for kids can be challenging. But with patience, patience, and just a bit more patience, I have learned to combine the guidance of the State's meal requirements with feedback from the kids to create healthy happy meals.

While eating this particular meal we played with letters: "C" for chicken and carrots, "R" for raisins, "A" for apple, and "B" for bread.

In addition to improving health, these nutritious meals positively affect the moods, behavior, and sleep quality of the children I care for every day.

Ping Pong

The kids and I decided to play some impromptu ping pong on the table. They loved it!

Christmas Crafts

We created a piece of the North Pole today as the children decorated Christmas trees and wreaths with holiday joy! You can't help but have a smile stuck on your face when our kiddos have so much fun. Sticky was definitely the word of the day with all these fun stickers everywhere!

Merry Christmas from All The Little Children!

Happy Dance

The kids at All The Little Children throw the best impromptu dance parties! Sometimes we play music and dance because it's a good way to "get our sillies out" and get some exercise. Mostly though, we do it because it's just so much fun!

If you haven't seen the young dancing sensations Kevin Tellez and Beberly Devers, then check out this adorable video of them on the Ellen DeGeneres Show.

My favorite line is when Beberly says "my heart is, like, happy when I dance." So cute!

Snacks!

photo credit: jeshoots @ pixabay

Fresh fruit is a favorite snack at All The Little Children! If any of you parents are looking for other nutritious lunch and snack ideas for your kiddos, check out the list that News Channel 10 has put out as part of its Back to School coverage.