Plan B day

Best made plans can (and do) change. We had a really awesome Farm Day planned today, but the weather had other plans. So disappointing, but the farm came to us at the end of the day. And all was well. (Thank you Neufeld's and neighbors!!)

The children were so excited when they
saw the pickup and
trailer headed our way!

Cute little peepers!

Wish you could have seen this
gal's expression - she was
thrilled with the little chicks.

They even let us feed the goats.

The goat kids were pretty cute and they
put on a little show with bleating kind
of loud!

It was a good plan B day!

Homemade butter

There's nothing better than homemade butter. It's easy to make in just 3 easy steps: pour, shake and serve. (This is the old-fashioned method and a great science and movement activity!)
Want to try some? All you need is a small container of heavy cream and a glass container with a secure lid. Pour the heavy cream into the container (I usually add about 1 inch) and tighten the lid, then shake it. And shake some more. It's a good muscle builder. Keep shaking until it forms a solid clump of butter. There will be a residual milky substance that won't absorb into the butter, but just drain it and spread the butter on a cracker or whatever suits your fancy. The children were quite good shakers; it took all of us to get the butter made! And it was good!

Firefighter - TR

Yes. This post is late. Someone had Spring Break brain. This group was thrilled to have a real firefighter visit the class!

A new friend. Showing the firefighter our
preschool toy fire-truck.

The firefighter and his former preschooler
assistant. 

They wear suspenders!

The children could give him high-5's if they wanted to.

Now it's time to put out fires!

It's hard work being a firefighter.

Firefighter - MWF

Today we had 2 special visitors - a firefighter and his younger son assistant. It was quite exciting. 
Mr. Chad talked to us about several important things: a safety plan - a place that your family would meet outside in case of a fire, to get out and stay out, stop - drop - and- roll if your clothes catch on fire and make sure you have working smoke alarms in your house. Then he put on his gear.

He had his boots tucked into his pants, so
he can get them on quickly.
They have to be dressed and ready to
go in less than a minute.
That's fast. 

Firefighters have to wear an oxygen
tank in order to breath clean air.
(The assistant firefighter used to 
be in preschool a few years ago).

When he put the mask and oxygen on;
his voice sounded funny.

That's a big firefighter helmet.

Passing around the helmet.

He crawled around just like he would
if he were in your house.
He taught us to yell out - help, I'm over here
in case we couldn't get out!

It was a great experience!

Fire Safety - TR

We read the book, Firefighters by Robert Maass during circle today. The book describes what firefighters do and what they learn when they go to firefighter school -- how to work a hose, how to use a ladder, rope and tools, plus much more. It's always neat to see how children take concepts they've learned and integrate them into their play during choice time. One boy decided that he was going to be a firefighter instructor and teach us pupils how to be firefighters. And so off to school we go!

There was a lot of firetruck engine noises
going off in the block area. Yes, there are
3 fire trucks and one of them makes
real siren noises.

The art area was on fire! 

Here we are receiving important instruction
on how to use a fire hose. In very specific
detail. I think we got it!
Do we look studious?!

Then we had to learn how to use a rope.
Very important information.
I hope I can remember everything.

Fire Safety - MWF

There is something very fascinating and thrilling about firefighters. Children especially enjoy pretending to be firefighters and putting fires out, so we provided hats, hoses and firetrucks and let the pretending begin!

Putting out fires in the house area.
Don't see a fire? Look closer. A child
colored pieces of papers red and
put them around the room. These were
the fires the firefighters had to put out.
Clever!

Got the call and we must go!

These are the fire dogs sniffing out a fire.
Who knew?!
Kids crack me up. 

Art at Frog and Toad

Hopefully you were able to see the delightfully fun Frog and Toad show, but in case you didn't make it, I took a picture of the children's art work that was on display. And our name - Hesston College Preschool made it into the program. Impressive!

Looking good!

We are famous!

The beautiful set - wish we could snag this 
artwork for the preschool....