Park with Friends

Friends, Friends and more Friends

To enjoy a day at the park with friends is like no other fun.  You run, laugh, socialize, develop relationships, and just enjoy all that a good park has to offer.

 

We enjoy swings, both traditional and fun tire swings. 

More than play structures and fresh air, we get to enjoy our time with our new friends.  Watch us as we play "Clap-Clap Come-Back".

They run out into the field and when they hear Clap-Clap Come-Back, they immediately turn and run back to the beginning of the line. 

We wrap up our day with lunch, spring rides, and wiggle poles. 
Then we depart and head home with the biggest smiles on their faces. 

Just another great day with Pattykakes Kidz.

Concert in Santana Row with Friends

ANDY Z. in SANTANA ROW

What a great day with Sun, Friends, Music and Andy Z.   

 Andy Z. is a singer/songwriter and performer for young children.  He held a concert in Santana Row where he delighted all our children as they sang, danced and expressed themselves through music.  

  

 








We met with our friends from another preschool and we arrived a bit early to get good seats right up front.  Andy was setting up and tuning his guitar when we struck up a conversation with him and before we knew it, he was willing to pose in a picture with our group.  After our picture opportunity, the kids enjoyed a good hour of music and dancing.  We then wrapped up our adventure with an autographed book by Andy.  

After all the fun, we had our lunch in the middle of Santana Row, met up with Piper's mama then we set off for home.  Just another great day with our friends here at PattyKakes Kidz.

A Pumpkin's Journey in Preschool

First we respect them, then, we beat them, next, we humiliate them, last we set them to rest.  Follow this blog and it will be sure to make you smile.

If you've been following our blogs, you will remember our trip last week to Uesugi Farms.  The kids picked their very own pumpkins after a full day of fun, but the new fun begins. 

We spent this past week putting our pumpkins to the test.  The kids spent their first day using one of the pumpkins as a model during group art.  They observed the bright colors, the texture, the shape, the stem and talked about how a pumpkin came to be. This is just the beginning.....

The hammers, golf-Ts and eager children started day two with the pounding of our pumpkins.  This was an opportunity to learn about hand-eye coordination, dexterity, their strength, balance, and team work.  We call this the "beating" of our pumpkins and boy was it a hit. No pun intended!  This table was left for 2 days so everyone had multiple chances to hammer away.  Those pumpkins took a beating.....

Take a look at our preschoolers as they beat, pound and explore our pumpkins.....

Bam, bam, bam, clank, clank, clank, the noise didn't end for a couple of days.... I loved it!

Now to humiliate our pumpkins.  Truly, we made our pumpkins dress up like a Mr. Potato Head. 

Next, we set our pumpkins to rest.  We did this by chopping them up, removing the seeds, cooking the seeds, then using the remaining pumpkin for science. 

See the children here explore the science and nature of a pumpkin. 

So what do you get when you place a pumpkin into a container over the weekend?  Lots of fuzzy mold. Now to document what we see.

  This was a full learning cycle on what happens to a pumpkin when put into the hands of our babes. 

   Take every opportunity to learn and explore.

October Field Trip

Uesugi Farms in Morgan Hill

As far as the eye can see, there are rows of pumpkins, gourds, fall flowers and haybales.  As we get closer we come to view the train ride and the many scarecrows.  It is such a wonderful way to celebrate the coming of fall with our friends.  Join our PattyKake's Kidz on their adventures here at Uesugi Farms.

First on the agenda, must do train ride.  The kids all ran to the steam engine train that takes them around the property, showing off the many beautiful areas exposed in fall colors.  From flowers to pumpkins and so much more.  The conductor announced there were 5 missing golden pumpkins and needed their help finding them.  The kids kept their eyes open and shouted each time they found a golden pumpkin.

After the train ride, we viewed a 10 minute video made just for kids.  It explained how pumpkins are grown, their stages and the many ways you can use a pumpkin.

Then the kids were led to a hands-on garden so they could experience what they just learned in the video.

The children were then led to BEES.  Yes, BEES.  They were encased in a boxed beehive.  Everyone leaned their heads against the case and listened to the buzzing of the bees.  They talked about how the bees were very important to the pollination of the pumpkins. 

Now on to the Dora the Explorer Pumpkin Patch.  The kids ran all around searching for that oh so perfect pumpkin to take home to their families.  The search was on. 

  

  

 

After loading up on some lunch and cold milk, the kids laughed, ran, and played while I decided to take advantage of the freedom too and took lots of pictures.  

The children found a huge hay bale mountain and decided to explore and climb it.  They had so much fun running, climbing and giggling.  As we neared our field trip, we were very tired, but totally content.

I hope you have a chance to return to our blog.  We promise to add a panoramic photo soon.

Until November's field trip with PattyKakes Kidz.

Happy Birthday Ethan

Our morning begins with another birthday celebration for one of our friends.  He is two years old today and all the children know what that means.  It means baking for our friends and hosting a mini birthday party.  The kids anxiously plan who gets to stand where, who gets to add the eggs, the oil, the cake mix, and the water.  Ethan, our birthday boy, gets to go first.  

After all the ingredients are added, the mixer comes out.  The kids each wait their turn to hold and use the mixer. 

One by one, they each get their turn.  I remember a time when the kids were afraid to use the mixer, but now, its like any other tool I offer to make their experiences enjoyable.

They take their job of making cupcakes, very seriously.  We talk about getting all the dry incredients blended in with the wet ones so we can make a yummy treat.

Everyone is respectful of each other, waiting their turns and passing the mixer on to the next in line.  They discuss the smells in the air and say they can't wait to frost and eat their creations.

After the last child blends the mixture, we are ready to put the cupcakes into the oven.  Now, on to our traditional Happy Birthday song to our friend Ethan.

Blow out your candles my friend.

    And now for that first bite. YUM
          Happy Birthday Ethan

  



I enjoyed going to Ethans home and celebrating his birthday there too.  Here I am getting a big hug from the birthday boy and his big brother Max.

September Field Trip

 

Join us as we reflect on our Happy Hollow Zoo and Amusement Park Field Trip.

The kids laughed, giggled, climbed, rode, and explored.  By the end of the day, we were all ready for a nap LOL
 

First, we headed over to the carousel as the kids ran around choosing the perfect spot to ride on. 

We then headed over to Hollow Zoo to the right.  The kids explored Meerkats and bees and found a hidden Sulcata Tortoise. 

Next a quick run to the Crazy Twisted house for a photo opp.

  

Up the hill we ran as it unfolded upon many rides.  The first to be had was a wild roller coaster, which only Piper and her mother were daring enough to try.

Than, as promised, we sought out Danny the Dragon for a train ride.

The kids then tackled the Car Ride, the Lady Bug Ride, the Swing Ride, and we found ourselves in the Redwood Play Structure that was enormous.  It was filled with slides, rock climbing and lots of rope climbing. 

  

   

Before we knew it, 10am turned to 12:30pm and we were hungry and tired.  All the kids saw Riley in the stroller and were wondering why they couldn't all just hitch a ride!

We went back to the car for a picnic lunch and then went back for some more fun.

We ended our day at the Maze and Petting Zoo.  We did manage to squeeze in a ride on floor bikes. 

It was hot, exhausting but totally amazing.  I loved spending my day with my preschoolers.  They were awesome and helpful. 

I can't wait to see what October has in store for us.