Welcome to our Online Journal!

Practicing Our Names

2012-02-08T14:02:00.000-05:00

One of the things that we practice a lot is the spelling of our names! Some of the preschoolers can tell you their name, and some even can spell them. We start out, as Owen is doing, by coloring them and beginning to recognize the letters that make up their name.

Our next step is tracing the names in really large letters. Rylie is working on this stage, and she was practicing her first and last name. She is very patient with her tracing too!!

Ali is on the 3rd and final stage. She can write the short version of her name, but still struggles, at times, with writing her whole first name. For some reason, she decided to do it upside down! Whatever works!! It is a lot of fun watching them progress and learn!!

Welcome Owen!!

2012-01-29T17:27:00.000-05:00

Friday marked the first day of our newest little friend! His name is Owen! He fit right in with the kids and he acted as if he'd been here forever!

WELCOME OWEN!! WE LOVE HAVING YOU!!

He has amazing eyes!!

Lexi and Owen have already started bonding! (Owen was saying CHEEEEEESEBURGER)

Watching a movie at nap time

What's gonna work? TEAMWORK!!!

2012-01-29T17:22:00.000-05:00

I have been working very hard at teaching my 3 preschool girls that they CAN work together and they CAN all play together! Sometimes they have a hard time playing with more than one person at a time, so I have been giving them things to do that show them that they can all be together!

Wonderpets is a show that the kids like. One song that I like is the "Teamwork" song. They girls were singing that song as they worked on the puzzle.

All About Me Theme

2012-01-24T11:07:00.000-05:00

This is always one of my favorite themes! I love watching the kids discover things about themselves, and the other kids.

M IS FOR ME.....

Nickolas

Alexis

Greyson

GOD MADE US SPECIAL....

We Love Our Friends!!

2012-01-24T11:02:00.000-05:00

We always enjoy the times when our friends come to spend time with us! Playdates are AWESOME!

This is Caleb and he is 4 months old. He came to visit with his mom, and his brother, Josiah.

Caleb and Jackie read a book about cows together!

This is Josiah and he is 3 years old! He was more interested in the train than the camera!

This is bright-eyed Jeremiah and he is 6 months old! He loves the camera!!!

Happy 2nd Birthday, Braxton!

2012-01-24T10:54:00.000-05:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRAXTON!

At SonShine Kids, we try to make every child feel special on their birthday! Last week, we celebrated Braxton's 2nd birthday!! As you can see, he wasn't totally into it, at first. He had just woken up form his nap, and wasn't ready to go yet. He woke right up when we handed him his cupcake!

YUMMY!!!

All the kids wear party hats, but the birthday child wears a special headband. We have 3 to choose from and it makes them feel so special!

YEAH!!! PRESENTS!!!!

Fine Motor Time

2012-01-24T10:46:00.000-05:00

As part of our day in Son Rays Preschool, we spend time working on our fine motor skills. I try to give the kids puzzles that challenge their skills. They really enjoy puzzle time!!

My Prayer (Mother's Prayer)

2012-01-18T15:47:00.000-05:00

A friend of mine had this posted on Facebook, and I thought it was perfect! I think it's what should be in all of our hearts, whether parent, teacher, or whoever is involved in the life of a child!

My Prayer (Mother's Prayer)

Oh give me patience when wee hands
Tug at me with their small demands.
And give me gentle and smiling eyes.
Keep my lips from hasty replies.

And let not weariness, confusion or noise
Obscure my vision of life's fleeting joys.
So when, in years to come my house is still
No bitter memories its rooms may fill.

Author Unknown

If anyone were to ask me why I do what I do, it would be easy to give them an answer. Children are my life, next to God and my family, of course. Follow this link to see my heart for children!

Thankful for GREAT Friends!

2012-01-17T13:17:00.000-05:00

I have amazing friends that love to give to the daycare! Because of them, we have a lot of new toys, and a lot of new things! Tim and Rachel have been a special part of our lives for the past year and a half. Sunday, they gave the daycare 2 boxes of toys, including playdough and tools, pretty necklaces, etc. The kids have been having a blast!!

PLAYDOUGH IS FUN WITH MORE TOOLS!

PRETTY GIRLS ENJOYING PRETTY NECKLACES

Ocean Life Theme Favorites

2012-01-14T19:28:00.000-05:00

Ever heard of a Spaghetti and Hot Dog Octopus? Our kids have now!

It doesn't take much. 4 pieces of raw spaghetti stuck through chunks of hot dogs. The kids had a great time making them! We had to be careful of giving the littlest hot dogs, but he loved the spaghetti!

Lexi worked hard at making them!

Braxton did his best!

Papa helped Greyson.

The cooked product!

It was a lot of fun watching Braxton try to figure out how to eat it!

First Snow Day of 2011-2012 School Year!

2012-01-14T19:22:00.000-05:00

I do not need to say much in this post. I will let the pictures speak for themselves!! Enjoy!

Fun with "Plants and Animals" Theme

2012-01-14T19:13:00.000-05:00

Our first theme of the year was "Plants and Animals." Our Bible concept for the month is "God Made Everything in the World." Our Bible verse for the month is Acts 17:24 which states: "God made the world and everything in it." We had fun playing with various animals and even playdough during this theme!

New Favorite Toys

2012-01-14T19:01:00.000-05:00

As a serious daycare owner, I am always looking for new ways to make the daycare fun, as well as a learning experience. In doing so, I often go to the 2nd hand stores nearby, and make investments in toys. It saves a lot of money! Last weekend, I found 2 amazing toys at a local Goodwill, and I haven't regretted a dime of the investment!

Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Smart Bounce & Spin Pony

This is what Amazon says about it:

"Product Features

The Bounce and Learn Pony is an active learning toy that interacts with the television
The Pony uses a wireless device to connect with the TV delivering animated content
Baby interacts by bouncing up and down and spinning a roller on the handle bars
Mom can choose the level of play and audio options
Without being connected to the TV, baby can play on the pony and be rewarded by songs and sound effects from the pony itself"

My review? VERY worth the $15 I spent on it! The boys absolutely LOVE it!!!

Our second investment is just as amazing and loved!

As well as being cute, this bike is AMAZING!! They love to get on and just ride...even if it is not hooked to the TV! Here is what Amazon says about it:

"Product Features

Smart Cycle is a Plug and Play (TV), Hardware/Software system
Games reinforce important preschool concepts like letters, numbers, shapes and colors
In Explore/ Encounter mode, the child pedals to drive through various environments, learning on the way
In Arcade Games mode, the child can take a pit stop into an arcade game that is played with the joystick
The toy comes with the Learning Journey software and other themes sold separately
Child's favorite character friends offer help and encouragement during game play
Include Dora's Jungle Safari, Sponge Bob's ocean adventures, Hotwheels, Barbie, Space and Dinoland
The child can customize his/her vehicle on screen (color/model etc.) and explore different themes (environments) that are sold separately"

Again, VERY worth the $17 investment!! I am very thankful for Goodwill!!

The Nap Room Success!

2012-01-14T18:51:00.002-05:00

Naptimes have always been a challenge at my house. Last week I finally decided to make a Nap Room. All 3 boys have their own beds with their own blankets, etc. They know whose beds are whose.

What I have been doing is sitting in the Nap Room with the boys, while Dad and Mark spend time with the older kids. I have been spending time reading my Bible and doing my Bible study book, which I am truly enjoying! It is a nice relaxing time for me too!!

I worried about whether or not it would work out....but it is amazing, most days!! Here's the proof:

Son Rays Preschool Curriculum

2012-01-14T18:50:00.000-05:00

The preschool curriculum has changed a few times, but the reason is, I always strive to make it better! I found an amazing book from Gospel Light called Exploring God's World. It has been amazing to shape my existing curriculum around this book! I highly recommend it!

January: God Made Everything in the World, Acts 17:24
• Animals and Plants (Z,1)
• Ocean Life (O,2)
• All About Me (M,3)
• Snow (S,4)
February: The Bible Helps Me Learn Good and Right Ways to Live, Luke 11:28
• Manners (P,5)
• Transportation (T,6)
• Valentine’s Day/Hearts (2 Weeks) (V,7)
March: God Loves Everyone, Psalm 31:7
• Environment (Taking Care of Our World) (E,8)
• Occupations (J,9)
• Water (W,10)
• Bugs (I,11)
April: Jesus Loves Me So Much That He Died on the Cross and Is Alive Today, Psalm 9:11
• Easter (2 Weeks) (C,12)
• Feelings (F,13)
• Gardening/Spring (G,14)
May: God Loves Me and Always Helps Me, Psalm 89:1
• Colors (2 Weeks) (X,15)
• Mother’s Day (M,16)
• Food (Y,17)
June: Jesus is My Friend and Helper, Hebrews 13:6
• Community Helpers (H,18)
• Father’s Day (D,19)
• Trees/Nature (2 Weeks) (N,20)
July: God Will Protect Me Wherever I Am, 1 Chronicles 12:18
• USA (U,1)
• Community Helpers (H,2)
• Safety (S,3)
• Sounds (L,4)
August: God Wants Me to Love and Care for Others, 1 John 4:7
• Family (2 Weeks) (F,5)
• Community (N,6)
• Dinosaurs (D,7)
September: God Helps Us Be Friends with Others, Proverbs 17:17
• Transportation (V,8)
• Friends (K,9)
• Seasons (P,10)
• Farms (B,11)
October: God Made Me So That I Can Do Good Things, Ephesians 2:10
• Apples (A,12)
• Pumpkins (G,13)
• Construction/Buildings (B,14)
• Weather/Rainbows (R,15)
November: I Can Pray to God and Thank Him for His Goodness, Genesis 33:11
• Feelings (K,16)
• Pets (C,17)
• Thanksgiving (2 Weeks) (T,18)
December: God Sent Jesus to Earth to Be Born as a Baby, Isaiah 9:6
• Senses (L,19)
• Favorite Christmas Stories (R,20)
• Christmas (O)
• Happy Birthday Jesus (Q)

Welcome!

2010-03-02T17:26:00.001-05:00

I have worked with children for as long as I can remember. God has brought many children in and out of my life, and I feel incredibly blessed by the 10 enrolled in my daycare right now. I have been really thinking about them as normal kids, but I have also been thinking how differently each one is, and how different I need to be with them sometimes. They all go through the same stages, but they all react to them differently. They also all seem to need a different form of the same discipline. For example, one child may cry if he/she is looked at with a stern look, and another child may look back and do it one more time!! It is very interesting to think about them and how different they really are.

Please let me introduce "my" kids(according to their age today):

Jeremiah, 6 months old.

I have truly enjoyed watching Jeremiah grow. I saw him the first time on the 2nd day of his life, and he has been a blessing to me ever since!! He loves cuddles, kisses and butterflies!!

Greyson, 20 months old

Greyson is a fun-loving, adorable and silly little man! He keeps me laughing!!! He loves Mickey Mouse, horses and music! Oh, and I can't forget art!! He does not like time-outs!! (Imagine that!!) He is growing and learning so fast! He was only 10 weeks old when he started coming to my daycare, and it has been a blast getting to know him and watching him grow.

Nickolas, almost 21 months

Nickolas is a very energetic and happy boy! He has been at the daycare since August, and has made tremendous steps physically, mentally and socially! He is growing by leaps and bounds and is even walking all over!! That is a huge step for him!! I feel so blessed to have Nick in my life, and I thank God for allowing me to help him succeed!

Braxton, 2 years old

Braxton is a hilarious kid!! There is not a day that goes by that he doesn't have me giggling!! He is very expressive, whether he is happy, confused, sad or tired! His facial expressions are priceless! He is also incredibly smart and learns new things every day that just blow my mind!! He has been with me since he was 6 months old, and I have loved watching him grow.

Israel, 2 1/2 years old

Intelligent?? VERY!! Israel never ceases to amaze me!! He has blown my mind over and over! His favorite thing is Thomas the Train, and he can tell you the name of EVERY train in the series! He also likes Lightning McQueen, but prefers his Thomas the Tank Pillow Pet! Israel has been coming to my house for just over a year, with his mom and his baby brother, Jeremiah.

Rylie, 3 1/2 years old

Rylie is one of my newest kids, but she acts like she has been here forever! She is incredibly smart and amazes me more and more!! She always has a smile for me, and hugs me SO tight that it melts my heart!! She has been a ray of sunshine in the months she has been here!!

Alizabeth, just over 4 years old

Ali Grace has been coming to my daycare since December 2008. It has been a huge joy watching her grow. She, as well as her brothers, have been a huge part of this daycare, and I love them to pieces! Ali is in preschool and is learning SO much! I love seeing how excited she is when she learns new things!

Alexis, 5 years old

Alexis is growing way too big way too fast! She was almost 2 when she started coming here. It's fun listening to her tell about kindergarten!! She loves to learn!! It has been an amazing three years with this beautiful little girl!!

Brendan, 7 years old

Brendan is an incredible boy!! He has been a part of my daycare since he was 1 1/2!! He was on bottles and wearing diapers when he started here! Now? He is in first grade and it amazes me!! He loves his legos, his PS2 and his Wii!! He also loves to go to church with me, and he loves to learn the Bible verses (especially since it earns him candy at church).

Tyler, 9 1/2 years old

Tyler is a very smart, loving and compassionate young man. He does not like to see anyone hurting, and he is always ready with hugs! He has grown so much and it has been amazing watching him learn his way in the world! He and his sister Lexi have been here for 3 years, I have loved them since the day they arrived!!

Welcome to our Online Journal!

Practicing Our Names

Welcome Owen!!

What's gonna work? TEAMWORK!!!

All About Me Theme

We Love Our Friends!!

Happy 2nd Birthday, Braxton!

Fine Motor Time

My Prayer (Mother's Prayer)

Thankful for GREAT Friends!

Ocean Life Theme Favorites

First Snow Day of 2011-2012 School Year!

Fun with "Plants and Animals" Theme

New Favorite Toys

"Product Features

"Product Features

The Nap Room Success!

Son Rays Preschool Curriculum

Welcome!

Please let me introduce "my" kids(according to their age today):

Jeremiah, 6 months old.

I have truly enjoyed watching Jeremiah grow. I saw him the first time on the 2nd day of his life, and he has been a blessing to me ever since!! He loves cuddles, kisses and butterflies!!

Greyson, 20 months old

Nickolas, almost 21 months

Braxton, 2 years old

Israel, 2 1/2 years old

Rylie, 3 1/2 years old

Rylie is one of my newest kids, but she acts like she has been here forever! She is incredibly smart and amazes me more and more!! She always has a smile for me, and hugs me SO tight that it melts my heart!! She has been a ray of sunshine in the months she has been here!!

Alizabeth, just over 4 years old

Alexis, 5 years old

Alexis is growing way too big way too fast! She was almost 2 when she started coming here. It's fun listening to her tell about kindergarten!! She loves to learn!! It has been an amazing three years with this beautiful little girl!!

Brendan, 7 years old

Tyler, 9 1/2 years old

That's the crew! 10 amazing children that God saw fit to put into my heart and life!!