For those who check back often....

Thanks for checking in even though I've been Miss Inconsistent lately. I have a few things that have been occupying my time this week... but I promise to get back on schedule next Monday. Promise promise.

But since you're here....
Here are some fun things to try with your kids

Drink to Caramel Corn! (Isn't this cute? 2 little girls dropped this off on our front porch last week...in knock and run fashion.)

(Thanks Steph!)

Make a windchime using a foil pie tin, utensils and some yarn! (Hole punch also required) It really does sound pretty!


Have an Egg Drop Contest! Hard boil some eggs...and make them into characters. Place them in different containers and pad each egg with something different. The ultimate test is to see which egg will survive being dropped (inside its container) from somewhere up high!
Take out a bit of padding each time the egg is dropped. The last one standing (without a crack) is the winner!

Lesson 22: Voice

Learning to use our voices to communicate effectively with others



For this lesson you will need:
Permananant marker
Balloon
Designated counting item/counting jar
Paper grocery bag
V items (4-5, small enough to fit in paper bag)
Homemade magic wand. (a simple pen or stick will do)
Paper (white or construction 5 pieces)
Phrases on slips of paper (see activity)
Popsicle sticks
Tape
Posterboard (1 large piece) cardstock or paper will do: 1 piece per child
Books: What’s wrong little Pookie? By Sandra Boynton
The Way I Feel by Janan Cain
Today I Feel Silly: And Other Moods that Make My Day by Jamie Lee Curtis
Mean Soup by Betsy Everett
Crayons/Stickers
Pancake mix
Toppings for pancakes

Welcome Song: (To tune of Old MacDonald):

Welcome, welcome everyone
So glad that you are here.
Today we’re gonna have some fun
So let’s give out a cheer
Woo hoo!!
Clap clap clap clap
Slap(legs) slap slap slap
Clap clap clap let’s go! (when you shout “let’s go!”, do a group high five in the center)

Question of the Day: What kind of things do you like to talk about with your moms and dads? Allow each child to share their answer. Share your answer with the children as well.

Number of the Day ‘22’: Blow up a balloon and write the number 22 on it with a permanent marker. Tell children you are going to see if they can tap the balloon to each other 22 times without letting it hit the ground. Start out by tapping it to one child and have them tap it back to you. Tap it to the next person, etc. (just to keep it organized and prevent bloody noses..) Have children count aloud every time the balloon is tapped into the air. If the balloon touches the ground before you reach the number 22, they must start all over again!

Have children work together to count 22 of the designated object (candy, coins, stickers etc) to put into the counting jar. Remind them of the fun reward they will get when the counting jar is full!

Letter of the Day ‘V’: Find a paper grocery bag to use in a (super sneaky) magic trick. Put a few ‘V’ items into the box and cover it up so the children can’t see what’s inside.

Ask children if they’d like to see some magic, and tell them you’ve been practicing all night. Say, “Joe, can I borrow your sock? I’m going to turn this sock into something else!”

Put the sock into the bag, twirl your homemade magic wand around a few times and say the magic word “Va Va Va VOOM!”

Reach into the bag and pull out an item that begins with the letter V (Vaseline, vase, vegetable, video, vanilla, vitamins, vinegar) and say “Ta Da!”

Ask each child to give you an item of theirs that you can change into something else. Do this until all V items have been taken out of the bag.

Do one last “Va Va Va VOOM!” to make all of their items reappear, and give them back to the children. Review the names of all of the V items and ask what they all have in common. Demonstrate how to write the letter Vv and allow them to practice in their writing notebooks.

Teach the ASL sign for the letter V as well as the signs for Vegetable and Voice.

Introduction to Topic
Raise your hand if you have a voice. What exactly is a voice?
A voice is the sound that comes out of our mouths! What kind of things do we use our voices for?”

Activity: Before preschool, write the following phrases on slips of paper and put them into a cup:
“Sing A Song”
“Laugh out loud!”
“Pretend like you’re crying!”
“Shout HELP!”
“Make noises like you’re sick.”
“Say Good Morning”

Have each child take a turn choosing a slip of paper out of the cup. Read the phrase to the class and have everyone do what it says. When all phrases have been read, explain that there are many ways to use our voices, and that we are born with voices to help us to communicate. To communicate means to let others know how we feel.

“How do you think someone is feeling when you hear them laugh? (HAPPY!)
What do you think someone might be feeling if they’re shouting for help. (SCARED…)
How do you think a person is feeling when they make these noises (make your best groan and ‘in pain’ noises) (SICK!)
How do you think a person might be feeling when you hear them cry? (SAD!)
What about when a baby is crying? (Hungry, Poopy, Tired)”

“We can learn and understand a lot of things about each other by the way we use our voices. One of the most important things we can do with our voices is to use our words and talk about the way we feel. This isn’t always easy to do.”

Tell a story from your childhood when you felt hurt or angry and instead of talking about it, you held it inside or expressed it in a negative way. For example: I remember a time when I was young…just about your age, when I was having a very bad day. My brother took one of my toys without asking me so I got very angry. I went into his room and took one of his favorite toys and threw it down the stairs…… and it broke!

“Do you think that was a good way to handle my angry feelings? Instead of talking and using my words, I chose to do something mean to my brother, which didn’t make either one of us feel very good. In fact we were both very upset. Not only were we upset, but our Mommy was upset too and told us we had to go to our rooms for being so unkind to each other. If I would have talked to my brother about how I felt when he took my toy, do you think things would have turned out better?”

Ask children if they can think of a time where they were upset about something and if they could explain how they handled it. Ask how things might have been handled better by using their words. Explain that our moms and dads and brothers and sisters can’t know what we’re feeling, or what we really need, unless we use our voices to tell them.

Activity: Before class, use popsicle sticks and paper faces to make ‘feelings puppets.’
On separate pieces of paper draw a scared face, angry face, confused face, sad face and a sick face (colored green) Cut the faces out and tape a large popsicle stick to the back of each one. Give each child one or two of these puppets depending on how many children are present.
One by one read the following scenarios. After each scenario has been read, have the child with the face that matches the scenario raise it up high. Then have the children think of a way that the person might use their voice to explain their feelings.

Scenario 1, Angry: Lucy loves to paint beautiful pictures. One day while she was painting, her little sister came over and spilled water all over her pretty picture!
(have child hold up appropriate face to match Lucy’s feelings) Explain that it is definitely okay to cry when you’re really sad or upset, but instead of hitting or yelling at her little sister, she should use her voice to say:

“Mom, I love painting and it makes me very mad when I paint a pretty picture and then ‘sister’ ruins it! Will you please keep her on the other side of the room until I’m done painting?”

Point out that explaining her feelings to her mom will help her understand why she is so upset and will make her more willing to help her. If Lucy would have hit her sister, she would have gotten in trouble and wouldn’t have been able to paint anymore!

Scenario 2 Sick: When Michael woke up from his nap his tummy hurt so he climbed in his mommy’s lap and cried and cried. Because he was crying, his mommy just thought he was still tired. How can Michael help his Mom know what he was really feeling?

Scenario 3, Scared: Mommy had asked Jenna to clean her room. When she started picking up her toys, she heard thunder outside. Jenna is very afraid of thunder and lightening. She stopped picking up her toys and hid under the covers on her bed. If her mom comes upstairs and sees that she’s not cleaning her toys, she might think Jenna hadn’t listened to what she had told her to do! How can Jenna tell her Mom why she had stopped cleaning her toys and was hiding under the covers?

Scenario 4, Sad: Parker woke up and couldn’t find his favorite teddy bear anywhere. Parker came into the kitchen crying. His Mom was very confused and thought he had been hurt!
How can Parker tell his mom how he’s really feeling?

Scenario 5, Confused: Whenever Veronica went outside to play, her mom told her not to go by the road. She just wanted to look at the pretty flowers next to the road and couldn’t understand why her mommy wouldn’t let her go look at them! How can she explain this to her Mom?

Continue the scenarios until they’ve grasped the concept and use additional feelings such as jealousy, excitement, nervous etc. Be sure to emphasize the fact that whatever feelings they have are OK. It’s just much more helpful if we can use our voices to explain how we’re feeling, rather than keeping it inside or showing our feelings in a hurtful way.

Story: What’s wrong little Pookie? By Sandra Boynton
The Way I Feel by Janan Cain
Today I Feel Silly: And Other Moods that Make My Day by Jamie Lee Curtis
Mean Soup by Betsy Everett

Craft: Make a Megaphone to help children understand that using their voices is important.

Step 1: Draw a large circle on to a piece of poster board, or piece of paper. Cut out. Cut the circle in half, making two half circles.

Step 2: Have children decorate their half circle with crayons, stickers, etc.

Step 3: Roll one half circle together at the straight edge to make a cone shape.

Step 4: Seal with tape, staples or glue. Cut the small end off for mouth end.
Have children practice talking, singing and shouting with their new megaphones.

Snack : Pancake faces. Make some pancakes and provide toppings for children to create their own faces on the top. Some toppings may include peach slices, chocolate chips, raisins, whipped topping, peanut butter, berries, etc. Tell children to create a face that matches what they’re feeling right now!

Service: Help children practice putting their feelings into words. Have each child choose someone they love, and help them write a short note to that person expressing how the child feels about them. Tell them you will write whatever they tell you to in this note.

Good bye song: To the tune of “If You’re Happy and you Know it”

If you’ve learned a lot today, clap your hands (clap clap)
Here’s the letter of the day (sign the letter V), clap your hands (clap clap)
Oh, we’ve had a lot of fun,
Now our preschool time is done (tap index finger to wrist)
See you next time (wave) and we’ll do it all again! (Clap clap.)

Lesson #21: Underground

Learning about the flurry of activity happening just beneath their feet

For this lesson you will need: (Brace yourselves...this is a long one :))
Paper
Pen
Play-doh
Plastic knife (or butter knife)
Counting item/counting jar
Spoons (one for each child)
Books (any will do, one for each child)
Hat
Bucket or large bowl
Dirt (a gallon or more)
Penny
Quarter, dime or nickel
Toy snake or picture of snake
Mouse/groundhog/fox (toy or picture)
Insects/Spiders (toys or pictures)
Worms (real or pictures)
Small potato
Small carrot
Books: The Ants go Marching by Mary Luders
Diary of a Worm by Doreen Cronin
Animals Under our Feet by Cindy McKay
Potatoes
Sharp knife
Paint
Object to stamp on (apron, t-shirt or paper bags)
Blankets (a few)
Ingredients for snack (baked potatoes/potato wedges or carrots)

Welcome Song: (To tune of Old MacDonald):

Welcome, welcome everyone
So glad that you are here.
Today we’re gonna have some fun
So let’s give out a cheer
Woo hoo!!
Clap clap clap clap
Slap(legs) slap slap slap
Clap clap clap let’s go! (when you shout “let’s go!”, do a group high five in the center)

Question of the Day: If you could build your own home, where would it be and what would it look like? Allow each child to give an answer. Share your answer with the children as well.

Number of the day ‘21’: This should be done at the table. Display the number 21 on a piece of paper or white board. Hand each child a chunk of play-doh and ask them to shape it into the number 21. Explain that anytime you see a 2 in front of another number you say ‘twenty’ first….and then you say the number that comes after it.

Point to the two and have the children say ‘twenty’
Point to the one and have the children say ‘one’
Ask what they think the number would be called if it had two 2’s. (write the number 22 and wait while they figure it out)

Explain that we’ll talk about the number 22 another time. Today we’re going to get some practice counting to the number 21!

Get an additional chunk of playdoh and roll it so it is long and snake like.
Put it on a cutting board and tell the children they will cut 21 pieces from the playdoh. Hand the first child a plastic knife to make the first cut and then have them pass the knife to next child for the next cut. Have children count aloud each time a cut is made.

Have children work together to count 21 of a designated item and place it in the counting jar. Remind children of the fun reward they will get when the jar has been filled.

Letter of the Day ‘U’: Have one child go out of the room for a moment while you and the other children decide on a place to hide the letter U. Once it is hidden, give each child a spoon and a book, then call the other child back in. Explain that in order to find the letter U, the child must listen carefully to the others.
When he is getting close to the hidden U, the children will bang their spoons loudly on the books. When the child is not close to the letter U, the children will only tap their books softly.

When the letter is found, hold it up for the children to see and teach the sounds that the letter U makes. Pass the U to each child and ask if they can think of one word that begins with the letter U. If there’s time, allow each child a chance to go out of the room and be the ‘finder.’

Demonstrate how the letter U is written and allow children to practice in their writing notebooks (If children are well practiced in writing their letters, have them write two words that begin with the letter U.) Teach the ASL sign for U as well as the signs for Umbrella and Under.

Introduction to topic: Put a hat on your head and ask the following questions, each to a different child:
“What is under my hat?” (head)
“What is under my head?” (neck/body)
“What is under my feet?” (floor/carpet)
“What is under the floor?” (dirt/ground)

“Have you ever wondered what is under the ground? Would you like to find out?”

Activity: Before preschool, scoop about a gallon or more of dirt into a bucket, big bowl or box. Bury the following items in the dirt:

Penny
Quarter, dime or nickel
Toy snake or picture of snake
Mouse/groundhog/fox (toy or picture)
Insects/Spiders (toys or pictures)
Worms (real or pictures)
Small potato
Small carrot

Here are some pictures you may use if you are lacking! Just copy and paste images onto a Word document. Resize, print and cut them out!









If weather permits do this outside. Otherwise, bring the bucket into the tiled kitchen area and gather the children around it. Explain that today is a special day because you’re going to let them get dirty!

“I’ve always wondered what kind of things I could find underground if I started digging.” Hand each child a spoon and give them each a turn to dig in the dirt until they find something. Have them dig out the object and put it aside.



When all objects have been found, have children wash up and lead them back to the preschool area where you will talk about each of the items.

Hold up each of the items and tell a little about each one:

Penny: Pennies are made out of a mineral (or a special kind of rock) called Copper. Workers go down into big holes in the ground called mines, where it’s very cold. They use special tools for digging and collecting the copper. Then they send it to factories where they make different things out of it such as coins, cooking pots, and jewelry.

Dime/Nickel/Quarter: Silver is another mineral, or special type of rock that is found in mines under ground. People use silver to make many things. Ask children if they can think of anything that is made out of silver.
Ask if they can think of any other special rocks that might be found underground.
(Gold, coal)

Snake and other animals: Every animal has a home. Some of them live in trees, some of them live in the water, and some of them live with people in their homes……but these animals make their homes under the ground! (Show picture of underground tunnels) Many of them use their paws and tails to help them dig tunnels through the ground. Living underground helps to keep them safe from other animals that might want to eat them and it gives them a nice place to store their food.

Share a few facts about each of the animals. Examples:

Foxes eat small animals like mice, eggs, birds, insects, frogs, lizards, fish, grass, berries and nuts… and live in holes in the ground called dens! They’re known for being very sneaky.

Chipmunks hibernate during the cold winter months and eat seeds, nuts, grains, and fruit.

Groundhogs cannot move very quickly, so their best way of protecting themselves is to hide in their burrows. They have very good eyesight and hearing which helps them know when dangerous animals are nearby.

Snakes are sneaky, and sometimes like to eat other animals that live underground in burrows.


Worm: Helpful underground creatures because they make the soil healthy and strong and ready for fruits and vegetables to be planted!

Insects/Spiders: Insects and Spiders live underground too! Explain that insects have very important functions. Like worms, they help to keep the soil healthy, and help fruits, vegetables and flowers to grow. They also eat things that are bad for humans to eat, like moldy food, garbage, etc which keeps our world clean and healthy.

Potato/Carrot: Explain that all seeds start in the ground. Some of them grow up towards the sky such as corn, tomato, pepper, and squash plants. Others do all their growing under the ground. Potatoes and carrots grow under ground until they are big enough to eat. Then we dig them out and cook them up for dinner!

“Just think of all the things going on under the ground that we can’t even see!”
Explain how animals in their own habitats should be treated. (ex: we shouldn’t step on bugs if they’re outside where they belong…we should help keep their homes safe by not putting our garbage on the ground etc.)

Game: Burrows
Raid your linen closet for all the sheets and blankets you can find. Spread them out throughout the house. Have each child choose an ‘underground’ animal to be. One person will be ‘it’ and will act as the predator (coyote). Play some music and have the children walk around on all fours. When the music stops, everyone must get in a burrow (under a blanket) before the coyote touches them. Once a child is in their burrow, the coyote cannot touch them. Whoever gets tagged first will be the coyote in the next round.

Stories: Read and discuss the following stories
The Ants go Marching by Mary Luders
Diary of a Worm by Doreen Cronin
Animals Under our Feet by Cindy McKay (more informational than story-like)

Craft: Make your own potato stamps! Gather the following items:
• Potato
• Sharp knife
• Paint
• Paper
• A shallow dish

Wash the potato and cut it in half. Dry the wet surfaces of the halves. On the cut face of the potato, use the knife to carve a simple shape (e.g a star). Cut away the potato surrounding the shape, so that the shape sticks out about half a centimeter (1/5 inch). Dry it again. Children can now use this shape as a stamp. Put the paint in a shallow dish, so they can 'ink' the stamp in the paint.
Have children decorate t-shirts, aprons or paper bags (to be used as wrapping paper when needed).




Snack: Baked Potato with choice of topping
Potato Wedges (see recipe at end of lesson)
Or carrots with veggie dip.

Service: Lead children in quick yard cleanup making sure all trash is put in the proper containers. Have them be on the lookout for insects and other underground creatures.


Good bye song: To the tune of “If You’re Happy and you Know it”

If you’ve learned a lot today, clap your hands (clap clap)
Here’s the letter of the day (sign the letter U), clap your hands (clap clap)
Oh, we’ve had a lot of fun,
Now our preschool time is done (tap index finger to wrist)
See you next time (wave) and we’ll do it all again! (Clap clap.)


CRISPY POTATO WEDGES
1/4 c. olive oil
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/2 tsp. each: basil, thyme, oregano
1/4 tsp. paprika
4 to 6 potatoes, cut in wedges (quarters)
1/2 c. Parmesan cheese
Mix oil and seasonings together. Roll potato wedges in mixture. Lay flat on ungreased baking sheet. Bake at 450 degrees for 15 minutes. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese on potatoes. Bake 15 more minutes. Serve hot.

Field Trip #7: Garden Center

Take the kiddos to a nearby garden center and let them explore!
Introduce them to the many different kinds of plants on display and describe the care that is needed for them to grow.

Allow children to pick out a packet of seeds to be planted in their own containers at home! (Decorate cool whip or yogurt containers and poke some holes in the bottom for a pot)

Here are some fun stories that go along with the garden theme as well:

The Surprise Garden by Zoe Hall
The Carrot Seed by Ruth Kraus
Planting a Rainbow by Lois Ehlert
Harvey Potter's Balloon Farm by Jerdine Nolen

Cooking Day #6: Earth Month Lunch

Celebrate Earth Month by making an entire dish using ingredients that grow from the ground!



C's In-laws' Sister's Famous Vegetarian Chili :
Ingredients:
15 oz can tomato sauce
15 oz can diced tomatoes, slightly drained
15oz can kidney beans, slightly drained
15 oz can pinto beans (black and great northern beans are also delicious to add), undrained
1/2 c. diced Onion
1/4c. diced Celery
1/4 c. diced chilies
1/4 c. diced green pepper
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 t. cumin powder
1 1/2 t. chili powder
3/4 t. black pepper
1 t. salt
1/2 c. water mixed with 1 T. Cornstarch.

Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a pot and bring to boil. Turn heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 30 minutes or until veggies are tender. Serve with a garden salad.

Dessert: Earth Day Dirt Cups

Ingredients:
2 c. cold milk
1 pkg. instant chocolate pudding
8 oz. Cool Whip
16 oz. oreos, crushed
8 to 10 clear cups, goblets, etc.

Directions:
Mix pudding into milk until well blended. Let sit for 5 minutes. Stir in Cool Whip and 1/2 crushed cookies. Place 1 teaspoon cookies into cup. Fill 3/4 full with pudding. Top with remaining cookies. Refrigerate one hour. Garnish with gummy worms, frogs, candy flowers, or chopped nuts.



Earth Day Books: Earth Day Birthday by Pattie Schnetzler
It's Earth Day! (Little Critter) by Mercer Mayer

Lesson 20: Time

Understanding the basics of telling time



For this lesson you will need:
One Side of cardboard box or large piece of poster board
Tape
Bowl of mixed food items (crackers, marshmallows, carrot sticks, etc)
Counting item + counting jar
White Paper or white board (for pictionary)
Marker
Pajamas
Wall Clock
12 Pieces of paper with large #’s 1-12
2 good sized sticks (one will be shorter than the other)
Story: Telling Time with Big Mama Cat by Dan Harper
Bunny Day: Telling Time from Breakfast to Bedtime by Rick Walton
Flour tortilla
Cheese, grated
Veggies or pepperoni, and thinly sliced carrots
Paper plate
Brass Brad
Construction paper
Glue
Scissors


Welcome Song: (To tune of Old MacDonald):

Welcome, welcome everyone
So glad that you are here.
Today we’re gonna have some fun
So let’s give out a cheer
Woo hoo!!
Clap clap clap clap
Slap(legs) slap slap slap
Clap clap clap let’s go! (when you shout “let’s go!”, do a group high five in the center)

Question of the Day: What is your favorite time of the day? Why? Allow each child to answer the question. Share your answer with the children as well.

Number of the Day ‘20’: Before Preschool, use the side of a cardboard box or a piece of poster board to create ‘Mr. Munchie’. Draw a face on the cardboard and cut out the mouth (it should leave a big enough hole for an object to be thrown through it)
Cut out 2 eyebrows from a piece of paper and place tape on the back of each eyebrow. Tape the eyebrows on Mr. Munchie to make him look grumpy.



Hold up the face for the children to see and say
“I want to introduce you to Mr. Munchie. Usually, Mr. Munchie is a really nice guy, but when he gets hungry, he gets really grumpy. When Mr. Munchie gets grumpy, he’s not a very nice face to be around.”

Ask children if they think Mr. Munchie looks happy or grumpy.
Ask children if they will help you make Mr. Munchie happy again by giving him a little snack.

Display the number 20 on a piece of paper and explain that in order to fill Mr. Munchie’s belly, they will need to give him 20 snacks. Present them with a bowl filled with different food items: animal crackers, marshmallows, candies, shredded wheat pieces, cheerios or whatever you have on hand.

Have each child take a turn choosing one item from the bowl and throwing the food through Mr. Munchies mouth. Have them count aloud each time the food goes through the mouth, until you reach the number 20. When Mr. Munchie has eaten 20 pieces of food, reposition the eyebrows to make Mr. Munchie look happy. Congratulate children on a counting job well done.

Have children work together to count 20 of a designated item to put into the counting jar. Remind children of the fun reward they will receive once the counting jar has been filled.

Letter of the Day ‘T’: Play a simple game of pictionary, using T items as the pictures. Draw only a little bit of the picture at a time. After each addition to the picture, allow children to guess what you are drawing. After you’ve drawn a few pictures, you may want to give the children a turn to draw as well. Examples of T words: Tiger, Telephone, Tennis shoe, Turkey, Tarantula, Top, and Tree.

Explain that all the things you drew started with the same letter. Review the words and ask if they know which letter it is. Demonstrate how to write the letter Tt and allow children to practice in their writing notebooks. If children are already well practiced in their letter writing, have them write 2 words that begin with the letter T.

Teach the ASL sign for the letter T as well as the signs for Tree and Time.

Introduction to Topic: With very exaggerated movements, feel around on your wrist for a watch that is not there. Act confused and say “Where in the world did I put my watch? Without my watch, I won’t know what time it is. I’ll just have to guess!”

Make an exaggerated yawn and start dressing in your pajamas. “Well, I’m very tired, so that must mean it’s late, and it’s time for bed, right?” After your pajamas are on, sit down and ask why everyone else isn’t putting their pajamas on. “Isn’t it bedtime?”

Go to the window and open the curtains, acting confused. “It’s so bright! It can’t be bed time yet! How am I ever going to really know what time it is?”

Hopefully (maybe with a little more prompting) the children will point at the clock on the wall. Act relieved and take the clock down from the wall so the children can see it up close. “What a fantastic tool! All I have to do is look at this, and I’ll always know what time it is!” Show the children the clock and ask if they can tell you what time it is.

Explain that you will be learning a little bit about telling time today.

Activity: Before preschool write the numbers 1-12, each on 12 different pieces of paper. Place the numbers on the floor in a large circle to resemble a clock. In the middle of the circle, place 2 sticks, one longer than the other, to resemble the hands on a clock.



Point at each number with your finger and have the children count to twelve with you.
Explain that whatever number the little hand is pointing to, we’ll say the number out loud. (Demonstrate this by pointing it at a number and having everyone say the number aloud. Do this a few times so they get the hang of identifying the numbers.) Explain that every time it’s pointing at a new number, it means another hour has gone by.

Explain that when the big hand is pointing straight up at the 12, we say “O’clock”

Practice this a few times by pointing the big hand at the 12 and the little hand at various numbers. Have them identify which number the little hand is pointing at, and then follow that with “O’clock” each time.

Game: Explain that different things happen at different times of the day. Tell children that you will point the big and little hands at different places on the clock, and see if they can tell you what time it is. You will also give them hints about what goes on at that time of day.

For instance:
Keep the big hand pointed at the 12 position and move the little hand to point at the 7.
Say “This is the time of day that you wake up from a long night’s sleep. Do you know what time it is?” Have child look at the position of the hands and identify the time.

You may also use these phrases:
“This is the time of day we eat breakfast.”
“This is the time of day that we do preschool.”
"This is the time of day that the mail comes."
“This is the time of day that Daddy comes home from work!”
“This is the time of day you kiddos go to bed!”
And so on.

If they catch on quickly, you may want to introduce the half-hour as well (9:30, 12:30 etc) Draw a dot on the white board every time the children answer the time correctly without your help. Play this until you think they’ve had enough!
(You may give the children a few turns to move the hands of the clock as well.)

Song: Hickory Dickory Dock

Hickory Dickory Dock,
The mouse ran up the clock.
The clock struck one,
The mouse ran down!
Hickory Dickory Dock.

Hickory Dickory Dock,
The bird looked at the clock,
The clock struck two 2,
Away she flew,
Hickory Dickory Dock

Hickory Dickory Dock,
The dog barked at the clock,
The clock struck three 3,
Fiddle-de-dee,
Hickory Dickory Dock!

Hickory Dickory Dock,
The bear slept by the clock,
The clock struck four 4,
He ran out the door,
Hickory Dickory Dock!

Hickory Dickory Dock,
The bee buzzed round the clock,
The clock struck five 5,
She went to her hive,
Hickory Dickory Dock!

Hickory Dickory Dock,
The hen pecked at the clock,
The clock struck six 6,
Oh, fiddle-sticks,
Hickory Dickory Dock!

Story: Telling Time with Big Mama Cat by Dan Harper
Bunny Day: Telling Time from Breakfast to Bedtime by Rick Walton

Craft: Make your own clock. Go to this site for instructions.
Color and cut out a little mouse to go along with it.

Snack: Tortilla clocks. Sprinkle a flour tortilla with a light layer of grated cheese. Place 12 veggies or pepperoni slices around the tortilla. Use thinly sliced carrots for the hands. Heat for 20 seconds, then……..TIME to eat!

Service: Explain that since the letter of the day is T, they get to help you Take out the TRASH. Allow each child to take a part in trash collection and ‘take out’ process.

Good bye song: To the tune of “If You’re Happy and you Know it”

If you’ve learned a lot today, clap your hands (clap clap)
Here’s the letter of the day (sign the letter T), clap your hands (clap clap)
Oh, we’ve had a lot of fun,
Now our preschool time is done (tap index finger to wrist)
See you next time (wave) and we’ll do it all again! (Clap clap.)

Field Trip #6: Fire Station

Since we're on the subject of safety.....


Get a group of children together and arrange a tour of the firestation. Ask the firechief if he'd be willing to explain what goes on there, and perhaps offer some safety advice to the children. Often times they are prepared with booklets and other handouts for groups like these. They also may let the children explore the insides of the fire engine...so don't pass up this photo opportunity...Pack those cameras!!

Lesson 19: Safety

Understanding how to avoid dangerous situations and live safely


For this lesson you will need:
2 bowls
cheerios (marshmallows or other small food item will work too)
Spoon
Counting item/Counting jar
A few stuffed Animals
A few ‘S’ items
Book: Please Be Safe: A penguin’s guide to playground safety by Cuyler Margery
Matches
Spray cleaner
Baggies (one for each child)
Bandaids (at least one for each child)
Candies (one for each child)
Q-tips (one for each child)
Antibacterial wipes (sample sized. One for each child)
Antibiotic ointment (sample sized. One for each child)
Cardstock or plain paper
Graham crackers
M&M’s
Peanut butter

Welcome Song: (To tune of Old MacDonald):
Welcome, welcome everyone
So glad that you are here.
Today we’re gonna have some fun
So let’s give out a cheer
Woo hoo!!
Clap clap clap clap
Slap(legs) slap slap slap
Clap clap clap let’s go! (when you shout “let’s go!”, do a group high five in the center)

Question of the Day: Can you think of any rules that your parents have given you to keep you safe?

Number of the Day ‘19’: Display the #19 on a white board or window.
Give each child a bowl and a spoon. Place a bowl full of cheerios (or marshmallows, shredded wheat etc) in front of them. Tell children you are going to test their speed counting skills. Using a stop watch or clock, time each child and see how fast they are able to spoon 19 cheerios into their bowl, while counting aloud. Congratulate each child on their super speedy counting!

Have children work together to count 19 of any designated item and place it in the counting jar. Remind them of the fun reward they will receive when the jar has been filled.

Letter of the Day ‘S’: Have an ‘S’ Show and Tell with stuffed animals. Line up a few stuffed animals next to where you will be sitting. Place an item that begins with the letter S in each of their laps (Sock, Sack, Sunglasses, Soap, and Salt for example)

Introduce the stuffed animals as special guests to preschool today. “Did you notice that each of our guests brought something special with them? They’re excited to show us what they brought.” Have each child take a turn picking one of the stuffed animals to show their item. When you hold the item up, have children say what it is. Put extra emphasis on the beginning letter S. When all items have been shown, ask what was special about all of the items they brought. (All begin with the letter S!!)
Thank the special guests for coming and invite them to stay for the remainder of preschool. :)

Demonstrate how the letter Ss is written and allow children to practice in their writing notebooks. Teach the ASL sign for the letter S, as well as the signs for Snake and Safe.

Introduction to Topic: Choose a room in the house (preferably the kitchen) to set up as a danger scene, filled with unsafe situations:
Put knives on the counter top
Place pans on the stove with the handles hanging over the edge
Place a hot pad on the burner (unlit burner, of course )
Light a candle
Place toys and other objects on the floor
Leave a wet spot on the floor
Leave a few cupboard doors open

Have children stand at the entrance of the designated room (with plenty of space between them and the danger zone) and one at a time, point out the things that look unsafe. Once all of the unsafe items have been identified, ask children what we should do to make the room a safe place to be. Have them watch you correct each situation, making the room safe again.

Explain that many things we do each day can be dangerous if we’re not careful. Use stuffed animals to act out various situations and ask children what they would do in each situation.

Examples:
Hippo wants to cross the street to get to the ice cream truck. What should he do? (Get an adult to cross with him and be sure to look both ways!)

Tiger needs something that’s on top of the counter. It’s too high for him to reach. What should he do? (Ask an adult to help)

Puppy wants to ride his bike but doesn’t know where his helmet is. Should he ride his bike anyway?

Use more scenarios to address things such as staying away from outlets, matches and chemicals in their homes. Use props(cleaning spray and matches) to explain how each of these things could be very dangerous if played with.

Story: Please Be Safe: Penguin’s guide to playground safety By Cuyler Margery

Explain that another part of being safe is knowing who it’s ok to talk to. Explain that there are many very kind people in the world, but if we don’t know them, we should make sure it’s okay with our parents before we talk to them. Discuss the importance of always staying close by their parents (or the adult that is taking care of them at the time) when they go places.

Emphasize the importance of never taking anything (candy, toys etc) from anyone you don’t know well, and never going anywhere with someone, unless your mom and dad say it’s ok.

Activity/craft: Help children assemble and decorate their very own first aid kits. Be sure to explain what all the items in the kit are used for.

Q tips
2 Band-aids
Handwipes
Antibiotic ointment (sample size)
Piece of Candy (aka: happy pill)

Use a piece of cardstock to make a label: "Tommy's First Aid Kit" and have them use crayons and stickers to decorate it. On the back of the label, write down the child's name, parents' names, address, phone number and the emergency phone #:911
Place the label inside of the plastic baggie and help them to find a safe place for their kits so they will know where they are in case of an emergency.

Snack: Edible traffic lights. Explain the importance of traffic lights in keeping people safe when they are driving.

Hand each child 1 graham cracker split into 4 rectangles. Help them spread each rectangle with peanut butter and then place a green, yellow and red m&m on each one to resemble a traffic light.
They’ll never look at a traffic light the same again.

This snack idea was borrowed from Donna who posted it on perpetualpreschool.com
Thanks Donna!

Service: While munching on snack, have children think of ways that they can help others to be safe.

Examples:

Next time when you’re at the grocery store, they can help find a shopping cart that has been left in the parking lot, and return it to it’s proper location (with your help of course)

If something has been left on the sidewalk that shouldn’t be there, they may pick it up and put it where it is supposed to go.

If someone else gets in the car and forgets to put on their seat belt, they may remind them.

Additional Activity: Lead children in a game of red light green light. Have them stand at the opposite side of the room as you. When your back is facing them, it is a 'green light,' which means they must walk toward you. When you turn around to face the children, it is a red light, which means they must stop immediately where they are. If you see any movement, the child must go back to the very start. The first person to touch you, is the winner, and becomes 'it'.

Good bye song: To the tune of “If You’re Happy and you Know it”
If you’ve learned a lot today, clap your hands (clap clap)
Here’s the letter of the day (sign the letter S), clap your hands (clap clap)
Oh, we’ve had a lot of fun,
Now our preschool time is done (tap index finger to wrist)
See you next time (wave) and we’ll do it all again! (Clap clap.)

Cooking Day #5: April fools treats

Explain that on April fools day (a little late, I know, but it's still April!) it's a tradition to play silly tricks on family and friends. Today we're going to play a really silly trick with food!

Introducing the Meat Loaf Cupcake (borrowed from Familyfun.com).


RECIPE INGREDIENTS:
1 pound lean ground beef
1/2 cup seasoned bread crumbs
1 cup grated Monterey Jack cheese
3 tablespoons ketchup
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon celery salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
Potato Frosting
3 cups mashed potatoes
Food coloring

1. Heat the oven to 375 degrees. Line 12 muffin tin cups with foil bake cups.

2. In a large bowl, mix together all of the meat loaf ingredients until well combined. Divide the mixture evenly among the lined cups (the liners should be about three quarters full).

3. Place the filled muffin tins on cookie sheets and bake the cupcakes for about 15 minutes or until cooked through.

4. Divide the mashed potatoes among three small bowls and stir a few drops of food coloring into each batch to create blue, yellow, and pink pastel frostings. Spread a generous dollop on each cupcake. Makes 12 cupcakes.


And for the REAL dessert: Faux Fishticks and Peas! (Also borrowed from Family Fun) Love it!!


RECIPE INGREDIENTS:
Cornflakes
Sugar wafer cookies
Peanut butter
Green taffy candy (we used green apple AirHeads)
Seedless strawberry jam

1. For the fish sticks, place a couple of handfuls of cornflakes in a ziplock bag and crush them with a rolling pin. Cover 2 sugar wafer cookies with peanut butter, then toss them in the cornflake crumbs to coat.

2. For the peas, tear off and roll small pieces of the taffy candy into balls. If the taffy is too stiff to work with, microwave it for about 6 seconds.

3. For the ketchup, use a fork to stir a few teaspoons of the jam until it's smooth.


Test your trick out on a friend or neighbor (or Dad when he comes home)!!

Lesson 18: Recycling

Understanding the positive impact recycling has on the Earth

For this lesson you will need:
Colored Paper ( 1 piece cut into several 3 inch squares)
Pictures (real or drawn) of the following: Earth, Food and clothing, Fire, Brick, Drinking glass, vegetable or fruit, tree and a garbage Truck
Toilet Paper
Pen/marker
Plastic soda/water bottle
Books: Dear Children of the Earth: A Letter from Home by Schimmel
The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
Empty cereal boxes and/or newspapers
Scissors
Glue/Tape
Fruit and veggie for snack
Designated recycling container

Welcome Song: (To tune of Old MacDonald):
Welcome, welcome everyone
So glad that you are here.
Today we’re gonna have some fun
So let’s give out a cheer
Woo hoo!!
Clap clap clap clap
Slap(legs) slap slap slap
Clap clap clap let’s go! (when you shout “let’s go!”, do a group high five in the center)

Question of the Day: Do you enjoy going on walks with your family? Tell me about some of the things you see on your walks.

Number of the Day ‘18’: Display a large #18 on a white board, window, or piece of paper and tell children they’re going to help you make a picture out of it. Draw something small on the number 18 (like a hat on top of the number 8 to make it look like a snowman) and then hand the pen to the next person. Allow each child to make one or a few additions.

Explain that ‘18’ is a very special number, because in our country, when someone turns 18 that means they are old enough to vote! This means they get to help the leaders of our country make some pretty big decisions. Ask children what decisions they would like to make if they were old enough to vote.

Have children work together to count 18 of any designated item, and place it into the counting jar. Remind children of the reward they will get when the counting jar is full!

Letter of the Day ‘R’: Before Preschool, cut out a few squares (all same size) of colored paper and write the letter R on one side of each square. Stack the squares and hold them, letter side down, in your hands. Ask children if they would like to see a magic trick.

Have one child choose any ‘card’ from the deck and show the letter to the other children (but not you!)
Ask children if they think you can guess what card they are holding without looking.
Close your eyes as if you’re concentrating very hard, and say:

“Radishes, rings, rosy, race-car
I think you’re holding the letter R!”

Have children attempt the magic trick on you. Tell them this time you will choose a card, and they will guess which letter you’re holding in your hand.
After they make their guesses, say:

Rectangle, red, rhino and rot,
Restaurant, rackets, ready, robot
Ribbon, ride, read , recess
Do you think you know it? What is your guess? (R!!!)
Can you guess what the letter of the day is?? (R!!!)

Display the letter Rr and demonstrate how it is written. Allow children to practice in their writing notebooks. Teach the ASL sign for ‘R’ as well as for Rattlesnake and Recycle!

Introduction to Topic: Hold up a picture of the world for everyone to see. “We live in a beautiful world don’t we? Can you tell me about some of the things in this world you think are beautiful?” Possible answers include trees, flowers, rivers, oceans, animals, rainbows, etc.

“People have lived on this earth for thousands of years and have figured out many ways to use things found on the earth to help make life a little easier. For example, people who lived long ago figured out how to:

Use animals for food and clothing.
Use wood to make fires, so they were able to cook food, and stay warm.
Make mud into bricks so they could build homes.
Use water for cleaning, swimming, cooking and drinking and
Use soil and seeds for growing fruits and vegetables
(hold up pictures to illustrate each of these phrases)

“As the years have passed by, people have discovered more and more ways to use the earth to help them.”

Show a picture of a tree. Ask children if they can help you think of all the ways a tree can be used. (for climbing, for shade, for decoration, for fruit, for bees, birds and insects to live in…) Explain that not only are trees used for all of these things, but they are also used to make paper (hold up a piece of paper)

Explain that all over the world, many trees are cut down every year and taken to factories where they are made into paper for us to use at home, work, and school! “Paper gives us something to practice our letters on, and a place to color our pictures. Paper is also used to make boxes that our cereal comes in (hold up a cereal box) and to make bathroom tissue! We use paper every day don’t we?”

“What happens when we’re done using a piece of paper or a cereal box? Many times when we’re done using things like that, we just throw them in the garbage can. Then what happens to the garbage? (Hold up picture of garbage truck). The people who drive big garbage trucks come and pick it up for us, and take it to a big place called a landfill, where the garbage is dumped. The garbage sits outside in piles of other garbage for a very very long time. The landfill is a very stinky place to be!

“The special thing about paper is that it doesn’t need to be thrown in the garbage when we’re done using it. Paper can be used over and over again for many different things. When you use something over and over again, it is called recycling.”

Demonstrate this by using a piece of paper with a picture on it (used previously in the lesson) to make a grocery list on the back. When you’re finished with your grocery list, make it into a paper airplane. Explain that when you recycle, it makes it so not as many trees need to be cut down to make paper, and that in turn, makes it so we can have more beautiful trees in the forest!

Explain that after you’ve used the paper as much as you can, you will put it into a container that is different from the garbage. This container will be picked up by people who drive the Recycling Truck, and will take the paper to a place where it will be cleaned and made into paper that looks just like new again!

Explain that things other than paper can be recycled too. (Hold up a water/soda bottle) Explain that by recycling paper and plastics around our house, we are helping the earth to be a better, healthier and more beautiful place to live. Discuss other possible ways of taking good care of the earth.

Story: Dear Children of the Earth: A Letter from Home by Schimmel
The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

Snack: Any fruit and veggie of choice. Point out that this is another way we use the earth; to grow yummy foods to eat.

Craft: Make something new out of something old. Create a dog house out of empty cereal boxes/ make an umbrella, sandals, or hats out of old newspapers. Take whatever you have around the house and allow children to use their imaginations.

Go here for instructions to make News Sandals! Family Fun


Optional Activity: Roll newspaper up into tube and stick a spoon, handle first, into one side. Tape to make sure tube stays together and spoon won't fall out. Make one of these for each player. Sit at opposite sides of a table and place a bowl of food in the middle. While holding on to the very end of your spoon tube, see how much of the food you can scoop and drop into your own bowl in one minute. Whoever ends up with the most wins!



Service: Help make the world a better place by actively participating in a recycling program. Have children help decorate a designated recycling container, and place it in an area of the house where they will remember to use it!

Good bye song: To the tune of “If You’re Happy and you Know it”
If you’ve learned a lot today, clap your hands (clap clap)
Here’s the letter of the day (sign the letter R), clap your hands (clap clap)
Oh, we’ve had a lot of fun,
Now our preschool time is done (tap index finger to wrist)
See you next time (wave) and we’ll do it all again! (Clap clap.)

Lesson 17: Questions

Recognizing questions as an important part of learning



For this lesson you will need:
Q words written on slips of paper
Cut outs of body parts
Pen/Marker
Large Glass Bowl
Small objects (See ‘Activity’ below)
Piece of paper
Paper towel tubes (or paper) One for each child.
Items to decorate paper towel tubes (pom poms, stickers, beads, etc.)
Glue
Crackers
Various toppings for crackers (jam, cheese, chocolate chips, pickles, etc.)
Books: How Things Work (A Child’s First Library of Learning)
What Stinks? By Marilyn Singer

Welcome Song: (To tune of Old MacDonald):
Welcome, welcome everyone
So glad that you are here.
Today we’re gonna have some fun
So let’s give out a cheer
Woo hoo!!
Clap clap clap clap
Slap(legs) slap slap slap
Clap clap clap let’s go! (when you shout “let’s go!”, do a group high five in the center

Question of the Day: N/A today…as there will be plenty of questions later in the lesson

Number of the Day ‘17’: Draw and cut out the 17 body parts listed below.
Head
Eye (x2)
Ear (x2)
Nose
Eyebrow (x2)
Freckle
Lips
Hair
Neck
Torso
Arm w/hand attached (x2)
Legs (x2)

Hide body parts around the room (before preschool). Display the number 17 on a piece of paper. Have children search for the 17 body parts and place them in a line on the floor. Count the body parts aloud before having children put them together to form a body. Congratulate them on a counting job well done.

Have children work together to count out 17 of a designated object (coins, pom poms, candies, etc.) and have them place the objects in the counting jar. Remind them of the reward they will get when the counting jar is full!

Letter of the Day ‘Q’: Ask children if they have a friend that they like to do everything with.
“I bet you didn’t know that letters can have friends too!”
Display the letter Q.

“The letter Q is a little different than the rest of the letters because it never likes to be alone. The letter Q almost ALWAYS has to have its best friend, the letter ‘U’ by its side. Without the U standing next to it, a Q doesn’t have much of a sound. But when Q and U are together it makes a nice, strong ‘Kwa’ sound. Can you make this sound with me?”
Have them repeat the Qu sound with you.

Write the following words on slips of paper (before preschool), fold them up and put them on the floor in front of you: Quail, Quake, Quack, Queen, Quarter, Quick and Quest. Allow each child to pick a word.

Each time a word is chosen, read it aloud and take a moment to explain its meaning. Point out that in each of these words, the letter 'u' is standing next to the Q.

Demonstrate how to write the letter Qq and allow children to practice in their writing notebooks. Teach the ASL sign for the letter Q as well as the signs for Quiet and Question.

Introduction of topic: Ask each child a different question from the following list:

Where do you live?
What is the first thing you do when you get up in the morning?
Why do you eat breakfast?
What would happen if you didn’t eat breakfast.?
What would happen if you didn’t wear a coat outside when it was snowing?
Have you ever had an “owie”? Why can’t you see the ‘owie’ that used to be t here?

“Do you ever have questions for your moms and dads? Asking questions is a wonderful way to learn about the world around us. When we ask questions, it shows that our brains are thinking, and that we love to learn."

"We ask questions to get to know people; to find out where they come from and what kind of things they like to do.

"We ask questions to find out how to get to where we want to go.

"We ask questions to help us understand how things work.

"We ask questions to help us understand why things happen.

"There are many many things to learn about, which means there are many many questions to ask. Do you have any questions you'd like to ask?"
Allow each child to ask a question if they wish.

Activity: “There is something I have been wondering about, so here is a question I have for you: Which things sink in water, and Which things float? Do any of you have any ideas? (you may need to explain what ‘sink’ and ‘float’ mean.) The only way for us to really know the answer to this question , is to do a little experiment. An experiment is a way of trying something out, in order to find answers to our questions."

Gather children around a table. Fill a big glass bowl with water and place it in the middle of the table. Tell children you are going to find a few (small) objects from around the house to put into this bowl of water and test them to see if they will sink to the bottom, or float on top. Have children help gather a few items, and then make a list of the items on a piece of paper. Draw 2 boxes next to each item on the list (one for the hypothesis, and one for the actual result)

Have children take turns choosing one item from the table. Have them guess whether it will sink or float. If they guess that it will sink have them write an ‘S’ in the first box by the item on the list. If they guess that it will float, have them write the letter ‘F’ in the box. Then have them drop the object into the bowl and observe what happens.



Record the results! If the object sinks, write an ‘S’ in the second box next to the item on the list. If it floats, write an ‘F’. At the end of the experiment, have the children count how many times they guessed correctly.

Explain that if you hadn’t asked the question, we probably never would have known which objects sink in water and which ones float. Now we know.
Emphasize that ALL questions are good questions.

Story: How Things Work (A Child’s First Library of Learning) This is not a story, but a book written in more of a question/answer format. Some of the Answers are a bit complex for little minds, but some of them will work great in this lesson.

What Stinks? By Marilyn Singer

Or read "Questions for Mommy" found at the end of this lesson.

Craft: Provide markers, glue, beads, and anything else you have in your craft box for children to decorate their own telescopes (paper towel tubes). Explain that people created telescopes to help answer some of their questions about space. They wanted to know what the stars really looked like, and where all of the planets were located. Tell them they will use their telescopes later tonight when it’s dark, to see the stars.

Snack: Place a few Crackers on each plate and a few choices of toppings in the middle of the table (jam, pickles, chocolate chips, salsa, and cheese) Ask: “How do you think a pickle cracker would taste?” Explain that you all are going to do an experiment to see which one of the toppings tastes the best with the crackers. Enjoy!

Service: Explain that questions can be used to help people as well.
Have each child ask the person sitting next to them “Can I clear your plate for you?” and then bring it to the sink.

Good bye song: To the tune of “If You’re Happy and you Know it”
If you’ve learned a lot today, clap your hands (clap clap)
Here’s the letter of the day (sign the letter Q), clap your hands (clap clap)
Oh, we’ve had a lot of fun,
Now our preschool time is done (tap index finger to wrist)
See you next time (wave) and we’ll do it all again! (Clap clap.)


Here are some questions my girls have asked me over the years...

Mommy, why do we toot?


We toot so we always have something to laugh about…and to help us be more thankful for the good smells in life.


Mommy, why do I have a belly button?

Belly buttons are for collecting fuzzies and for giving daddies something really cute to tickle

Mommy, why do we sometimes have bad dreams?


If we only had good dreams all of the time, some little girls would never get out of bed!


And sometimes Mamas just need another reason to give their little girls extra long hugs and extra big kisses.


Mommy, why do we get snow in the winter time?


We get snow so we can see how big our feet have grown each year,

…and so we have something to throw at Daddies!


Mommy, why do flowers have so many different colors?


So we can wake up to a beautiful rainbow every morning without having to wait for the rain

and, of course, so little girls can decorate their hair.

Mommy why do you kiss my cheeks so much?

Because your cheeks are as smooth as silk, and as soft as pillows…. And sometimes they smell like yummy peanut butter and jelly.

Now I have a question for you.
Why don’t you give those little dancing feet a break,
Close those beautiful curious eyes,
And rest that busy busy mind of yours until the morning?

(But only after one last yummy peanut butter and jelly kiss!)