Fishies are finished! I think...

Today we ended our monthly theme with I Can Pray with My Family.  To do this, we "fished" for the things we need to do to be ready for family prayer.  Such as arms folded, gathered together, ect. Each child was able to cast the fishing rod (ruler with a string and magnet) into the "water" (our blue feltboard) and pull out one of the paper fish (with a paper clip taped on it) with the step written on it. 
I dont have any photos of this, because I didn't have my camera and I was flying solo today.  Anywho, as each child caught a "fish" we all did that part.  It was cute and the little ones really loved fishing! Who knew?!

I am now in the process of thinking up what to do next, as far as nursery decoration is concerned.  This time is really hard, as within a month my family might be moving, so I would like to leave my partner/co-leader with something she can just add to or make minor changes to for the holiday season ahead.  I was thinking fir tree/forest. So, that during the Christmas season she can add some snow or shepards or something.   I am still thinking. 

Today's cutest moment has to be this!



Half of the nursery kids, crowded around the window.

 

 In our schedule we have a block of time that is called "Books and Babies" where they get to 'read' or tell a 'baby' (either a soft baby doll or a stuffed animal) about a book. We sometimes bring a child to the window and open it so they can look outside (aka be distracted either from a parent leaving, settle one down, or just when we need to fill the time.)  This group of nursery kids wanted to show their babies the outside. So, I opened the window for them. 




Showing their babies the outside.

The funny thing about this window is that it looks out into the A/C units and the brick wall the encloses them. So, really it just isn't that exciting unless we see one or two anoles (little lizards) running about or a bird.  But they love it!!

**Generally I do not post photos of the nursery children on a public blog as to protect them and their privacy. However, since it is the back of their heads I figured I was ok!**

Michelle

The Family A Proclamation to the World

Hey! I know I didn't post last week, but our stake had conference, and honestly, it wasn't a good day.  I went to drop off a couple puzzles I had purchased to discover that some people from the Saturday evening session were let into the nursery, cupboards opened.. and long story short..stuff was damaged and the room a mess.  It was highly upsetting to me. Sadly, I spent most of conference venting/writing a letter to our stake presidency about the problems.  That is all I will say about that, because I don't care to have any of you be struck by lightning. 

Onto today's lesson. While I wasn't able to stay for it (had to take a friend to the airport) my wonderful nursery co-leader took the helm.  She is fanastic! I don't think I say it enough!  Our theme for the month has been families, with that she talked about families and how to love them. The activitiy for the lesson was coloring.  I know, not that original or cool, but wait. I think it was super cute! Just look!!

First, I printed out The Family A Proclmation to the World on vellum. I was very lucky to find some on clearance at Walmart a few months ago. Otherwise this might be costly to some, but that is what the primary budget is for! Ask your Primary Presidency, mine is fanastic and she is okay with most of the stuff I do, and tells me to reimburse my spending. But check with yours before you do, honestly I hardly ever turn in receipts unless it is something big. Just me, okay back on topic!

 
During the activity, she had the children just color (any design, color, whatever) a blank piece of thick paper (mine was sketching paper, but cardstock or just white copy paper would be perfect too!) Here is the one I quickly did..since I left all the materials with my co-leader.

Once they finished coloring, she glued the pre-printed vellum paper on top of their colored paper. I thought it was cute. What do you think?

At this point, the parents could do whatever they wanted with it. Hang it on the frig, send it to grandparents, frame it.. up to them!

Sand and Sea!!

Changing the decoration in the nursery is always challenging...sometimes I wonder how far can I push the boundaries? How crazy can I go?  Well, I decided to take a dive...under the sea!  

 
This is the long wall in the larger room of our nursery.  It took me FOREVER to attach all the pieces, blue tacky poster putty stuff as to not damage the walls.  I think it was worth all the effort and time.. and pulling off tiny bits of poster putty!! 

 Hmm. I thought you'd be able to read that better, but oh well. It's Neal A. Maxwell. You can't go wrong with him! It reads "If we will hold fast to the Church's proclamation on the family, we will see that we hold the jewels, as it were, that can enrich so many other things..."

A view from the doorway between the two nursery rooms of the hanging fish, seahorses and a couple octopus/jellyfish.  I think the kids liked them!

And our chalkboard in the large room, still need to add the Proclamation to the World on the Family to it.  Looks cool either way!

In the small room I decided to do the shore, so the beach!  Here is what I came up with!!

This our chalkboard in the smaller room (the one we use for snack, some lessons, playdough, ect.)  The sign reads "Don't Be Crabby!" and a quote from Elder David Bednar "We can begin to become more diligent and concerned at home by telling the people we love that we love them. We simply should sincerely and frequently express love."



 And our stuff/shoe/craft holder, they are laminated shells with the "regulars" name on them as well as a few that are marked guest, buddy, new friend, ect..

 The hanging stuff in the smaller room, shovels, pails, sand castle molds. 

And lastly the long wall in the small room, complete with sand castle, sun (in upper corner) two kites, and a shovel and a couple pails.  

I hope it was completely over the top! haha!! Let me know what ya'll think!