Groggers Galore !!

So many groggers....how are they alike or different.

Same pattern....

same shape......

and here....they each have the same color handle.  What a great observation, Govind, and we loved how he zeroed in on something less obvious.

These have the same shape but a different pattern.

"That's just what I was going to say."

These are different in shape and pattern....

..different color and design.

As most of the more apparent differences were talked about, we could see Jake studying those groggers intently.    He came up and pulled out these 2 groggers  and said triumphantly, "One has a  handle and one does not!"  We always encourage the kids to keep thinking!

But we all know the best part of a grogger is making lots of noise to drown out Haman's name!

Then it was time to make our own groggers for the reading of the Magillah.

Each child could choose whichever character they wanted to recreate.

The children had to scoop beans into the cup and fill it halfway.  This was an easy and meaningful way to incorporate the concept  of 1/2 into conversation.  Next they called over a friend to help them hold open their grogger.

Daniel is ready to shake that grogger!!!

Purim Fun ! !

Here's our Purim obstacle course.  Jump over the arch blocks....

and crawl through the tunnel on the way to Shushon.

Jump on the X and say, "I won't bow down to Hamen."

Drop a  piece of (plastic) fruit in the shaloch manot basket.

Carefully walk across the blocks to the palace.

Jump up and high-five the King, keeping your hat on  your head! 

Grab the grogger and say HAPPY PURIM.  

In music we marched and sang.

We made hats and acted out the story.

We built palaces with many different manipulatives.

We had relay races where the children had to put on costumes and then take them off again....lots of laughter from this activity!

Making shaloch manot baskets for the residents of Legacy on Preston Hollow.

What would a Purim celebration be without hamantaschen!!!!

Our day ended on Friday with a visit to Vashti's Beauty Salon....body art and cool hair color spray.  We hope the children shared their excitement with you.  What a wonderful few days filled with so many great activities.

A Birthday and More !

What a great beginning to our week.  It was P week and also Amelia's turn for Show and Share.  She brought along big sister Ellie who told us all about the Presidents!

Happy 5th birthday Charlotte!  Charlotte chose to get 5 big hugs on her special day.

And we are on to Purim.....Saul and Emma starting a puzzle.

Patrick is working on it next.  

Our new sign in challenge is to look at the 2 pictures and determine what is different about them.  It is easy to spot some of the differences, while others are much more subtle.  This challenge requires the children to use their powers of observation  as well as be able to verbally explain the differences they see.  We love the fact that every child can spot at least one difference,  so they start off the day feeling very successful!

What would Purim be without puppets and masks?  We saw a good deal of creative storytelling and drama this week!

A bit of literacy too.  Use the cookie cutters and play dough to spell out the word Purim!

Here is some fine motor dexterity work going on.  Draw the Queen or King's face on the paper plate and then use  the  clothespins as parts of the crown.  

One of the nicest Purim commandments....deliver a shaloch manot basket to friends.  The "other side" was delighted with our PreK basket, and we appreciate everyone who sent in those snack packages.