Zoo Favorites

This one is more for Caleb and Sophia’s friends than anyone else!

#1 Favorite: Cats
Since the weather was cool during our visit to the zoo, we had the opportunity to see the big cats up and moving.  After touring the cat complex, Caleb could tell you the difference between tigers, jaguars, lions, and pumas. 

#2 Favorite: Sharks
The aquarium at Henry Doorly Zoo is fabulous.  It probably helps that we had Sophia singing the Jaws theme song.  It started several years ago when Caleb was learning different actions for various animals.  Somehow sharks evolved into tickle monsters at our house and the tickling kind of sharks stuck around.  Two years later, Caleb still screeches and runs when he hears the Jaws theme song because he knows tickling is coming.  Now that Sophia pretending to be different animals, there’s not much cuter than a one-year old pretending to be a shark and going to tickle her daddy or big brother.

Honorable Mention: Giraffes

Ostrich. 

Penguins.

Big Orange Fish.  (That’s the official, scientific name, I’m sure.)

Aggressive bird from Africa. (Another scientific name)

Rhinos.

Polar Bears.

Gorillas.

Starfish.

And more cats.  Puma.

Tiger.

Jaguar.

Omaha Zoo

We had the opportunity to visit the Omaha Zoo recently.  It was cool and a bit rainy, so we didn’t have to push our way through too many crowds. 

Here are a few pictures of our little monkeys during our visit to the zoo:

Enjoying the aquarium.

Caleb braving the rope bridge on his own. 

I don’t really understand why gorilla statues make for good photo opportunities.  Oh well, my little girl’s beautiful even if there’s a weird gorilla and daddy’s arms in the background.

Sophia Snapshot

As Sophia is talking more and more, I’m realizing how little Caleb communicated with words.  He made his opinion known, but not usually with words.  Sophia, on the other hand, is beginning to be a little chatterbox.  Some of my favorite words that she says include “smoothie” (moo-ieee!) and “pajamas” (JJJamma).

She continues to be a regular houdini.  This is how I found her one morning in her crib:

Reminded me of this:

She also has a mild obsession with shoes, which is just fine until she wants to wear her church shoes in the sandbox or Caleb sees his shoes on her feet.

Sophia continues to be a world-class snuggler and would prefer to be close to mama in new or overwhelming situations. But put her in a shopping cart (familiar) and she starts waving and saying “hi” to everyone she sees.

It works!

Did you know green onions will re-grow if you put the roots and some of the white part in water? 

I didn’t either until someone in the grocery store shared this insider information with a friend, who then posted the news on Facebook.  I proceeded to try it out after adding some green onion to a stir-fry, and it works! 

Not only will it save fifty cents at the grocery store, it’s also a great project for little kids because they can see growth in just a few days.  Caleb kept looking over at the glass of green onions and exclaiming, “Look!  They’re growing!!” 

If I can’t enjoy the little things, what can I enjoy?

Seasons

I love living where I get to enjoy all the seasons!

Caleb Update

• wore his “coldies” (i.e. socks worn on the hands) throughout an entire morning at church.  It’s innovation from a 3 year old, and while it’s a bit strange to wear “coldies” on warm summer days, it’s a battle I’m choosing not to fight. 
• has a pretend potty in the basement.  That one has me really worried sometimes.
• is absolutely convinced that there are two Princess Frostine cards in Candyland. 
• picks his Candyland person based on the color he’s wearing that day.
• constructs bulldozers, excavators, yardy trucks, dump trucks, and garbage trucks out of our sofas and sofa cushions and gets very attached to them.  Currently we’re working with him to not stash all the toys in his truck so that Sophia doesn’t come in and bulldoze the bulldozer.  He gets very upset if she doesn’t use the door properly.  If you come visit, give us warning so we can put the cushions back on the sofa for you!
• creates digger trucks and dump trucks out of measuring cups while helping me make muffins. 

Moppets Lesson: Jesus Feeds 5000

I’ve recently started helping prepare some lessons for the preschool kids who come with their moms to my church’s MOPS group.  In the tradition of French diminutives (i.e. book-let, cigar-ette), we call the kids’ program “Moppets.”  I’m sure this won’t be all that helpful to the grandmas and grandpas who read this blog, but since I’ve taken the time to collect these ideas, I wanted to repost them here in case someone else could use some of the ideas.

My goal for these lessons is that the kids would get to know God better than they did coming in, the moms would be equipped to continue teaching their kids about God at home, and the volunteers would be prepared to share Christ with little people (and maybe even learn something themselves).  May God take these simple ideas and use them for his glory!

The first lesson centered around the miracle of Jesus feeding over 5000 people with only 5 loaves and 2 fish. 

Scripture: Matthew 14:13-21

Take-away: Jesus does what no one else can do.

Mommy’s take-away: Even though Jesus was grieving and tired (He had just heard the news of John the Baptist’s death.), he chose to show compassion. How can I show compassion to my family, my neighbors, or others when I may not feel like it?

Bible Verse: Matthew 19:26 “With God all things are possible.”

Song:  “All Things Are Possible” by Michelle Endicott

For with God, for with God

All things are possible

Repeat

All things, all things

Are possible with God

Repeat

Craft:  Make a picnic basket and necklace to re-tell the story of Jesus feeding over 5000 people with just 5 loaves and 2 fish.

Take It Home!

We’d love for you to interact with your child about today’s theme and story. Here are some ideas:

• Read the true story of Jesus feeding 5000 people with just 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish from an age-appropriate children’s Bible.
• Jesus friends thought it would be impossible to find (much less pay for) enough food for that many people. Jesus provided even more than they needed. Pray for something you and/or your child thinks impossible. “Lord, we know that with YOU all things are possible. If it’s in your plan, would you…?”
• Post this week’s memory verse (on the coloring page) in a visible spot. Share a time when you saw God do the impossible in your life with your child.
• Pretend to be on a picnic with Jesus and act out the story with your child. Ask questions like… “Where do you think we can find food?” “Do you think it will be enough for everyone?” “How many baskets of leftovers did Jesus’ friends pick up?” “How do you think Jesus did that?”
• Counting. Count the pieces of bread and fish on the necklace your child made in Moppets. Describe 5000 people in a way your child can begin to grasp: “Hundreds and hundreds.” “Lots and lots.” “The number of grains of rice in ¾ cup.” Or simply: “More than we can count.”
• Act out the difference between impossible and possible. i.e. “Touch your nose.” vs. “Touch the ceiling.”

First Day of Preschool!

Caleb, on his first day of pre-school, showing off his backpack and holding onto his MOPS craft from the day before. 

Caleb will be doing an informal preschool co-op once a week this year.  The first day was a success!