Transition

In the fall, I always expect an adjustment period. Typically that adjustment is for the kids though. After a very fun, very busy, very full summer with lots of school aged kids, I didn't know what to do with myself as I sat there yesterday with Miss Brooke and just 6 children! It was as if I had never done daycare without the "big kids". The pre-schoolers just sat and played. There was no bickering, no wild running, testing the limits of all the toys and finding that their strength and size is greater than the limits of our toddler toys.

If these boys don't look like trouble, I don't know what does! ;-)

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE those school kids, it is just so different suddenly with them in school.

So, yesterday, the first full day of school we all transitioned back to what will now be our typical days. Get the big kids off to school, eat a semi-quiet breakfast with all of the younger kids, and find each and every teachable moment throughout the day to make a game or activity out of.

Our wonderful Miss Brooke had some leis and had found the idea to make grass skirts out of garbage bags, so we learned about Hawaii...hula dancing and volcanoes and beaches, oh my!

Some kids liked the dancing most, while others were obsessed with watching videos of volcanoes erupting and the lava oozing everywhere. Fun stuff!

The Fabulous Miss Brooke

It was not planned, but it turned out so perfect to have Brooke begin working in the summer months (aka: the crazy months). Now her job this fall seems easy in comparison!

Truly though, it has been such a blessing to me and the kids to welcome Miss Brooke, her husband, Brad, and her boys, Brayden and Brice into the Little Friends Family. I can not wait to see how dynamic this year will be!

The kids instantly fell in love with Miss Brooke when she subbed with me last year on and off, and they have been waiting for her to be with us every day since! Brooke and her family live just down the street from us on Belclare Rd, and her boys are in the same classes as Chloe and Carter at Prairieland.

Brooke has a degree in Elementary Education (How cool is that?!?!?!) from Millikin University, so it is our hope to share in the teaching and planning this year. Brooke also has a love of learning, a love for kids, and a love for God that is so big! I am thrilled to see the new ideas and fresh perspective she will bring!