Big Energy-Little Learners...Can I do it all?

I will be trying to plan a group activity for the elementary school kids once a week.   I am doing this to give them something to look forward to each week and to help with some of the after school chaos.  It also helps the kids relax and let go of the stressful school week.  Youtube video explaining the tea party This week we had a Tea Party!  I watch two kids aside from my own during the school week and I also invited some cousins to join us for tea.  I asked that the girls wear dresses  And the boys wear collared shirts I did talk to the kids about traditional tea parties.  That ladies and gentlemen would get together for tea and sandwiches and socialize.  We briefly talked about what behaviors ladies and gentlemen show.  So the kids tried their best to be gentlemen and ladies :) They even held out their pinky's! Supplies 2 tea sets (found at good will) mint candy centerpiece tea sample box   serving tray spoons

Each month we are doing a mini photo shoot for Baby Dragon.   Our overall goal is DND themed each month because, well, we are nerds. We also update her character sheet each month with what she has learned or achieved that month.  Month 2 our we focused on Treasure!  Treasure is important to all adventurers Baby Dragon was happy for this shoot and gave us a lot of fun faces. For this shoot we used pearls necklaces change gems from the dollar store DND books candle money box from our wedding black sheet She also did a good job sitting up Baby Dragon had more neck and body control for this shoot.  She would lean forward or backwards which gave us different angles and worked out great!  She also responds more to hearing her name which made getting her to look at the camera easy.   Also being only 2 months she wasn't grabbing for the props, this was a plus.  Again I am very happy with these photos :) 

I recently wrote a post about after school activities for my elementary aged kids. I wasn't sure what would work best for the kids or myself.  It has been almost a month now since the kids started school.  A month of after school bags all over the floor. A month of loud stir crazy kiddos.  A month of everyone wanting it their way.  A month of chaos.  I need change and I think the kids need change.  Before I start planning activities I tested the waters with the kids.  I pulled out some coloring books and crayons, colored pencils. Alice in wonderland and Harry Potter for the older kids and a race car book for the younger.  I sat down on the floor with the supplies and asked the kids to come and color with me.  They all came running. They were all excited to color together. We listened to some soft music and chatted while coloring. We admired each other's work. It was quiet relaxing.  The next day I asked if they would like it if we did activities to

Each month we are doing a mini photo shoot for Baby Dragon.   Our overall goal is DND themed each month because, well, we are nerds. We also update her character sheet each month with what she has learned or achieved that month.  For her first month we did Out Of The Abyss We took a bunch of photos and moved things around a bit to get some different shots and angles.  When doing a shoot for with a baby you have to just keep clicking and hope you caught a good facial expression.  She did pretty well.   The trick to getting her to stay was putting the Boppi under the sheet so she could be propped.   I think they turned out great! I am very happy with the results :) Character Sheet