I had to break from the sensory camp updates to share the cutest thing. (But, actually it is related to sensory camp.) When all the children were sitting on the green carpet after their greeting and lesson when we were ready to head to the teaching garden the facilitator would say "If you're wearing red you may go and get ready........If you're wearing stripes you may go and get ready...." and so on and so forth.
Well yesterday after camp Ben was sitting over his open car box, with all his little cars saying "If you are yellow you can come out." then taking all the yellow cars out. "If you are green you can come out" and then taking out all the green ones.
He did this until the entire car box was empty. It was cuter than I can describe.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Sensory camp is awesome! - Day Four
Today we explored our sense of touch. We started out as per usual with the activities tables and Ben made a bee line for the Manatee with wheels in the bug bucket. Which lead to me having an interesting discussion with another Mother. (I thought Manatees were commonly known, but apparently they are not, well just in case you don't know what I mean when I say "Manatee on wheels" it's like this only with wheels.)
The sun was shinning brightly so off we went to the teaching garden. One of the little girls decided that she was going to hold Ben's hand, and they skipped a long full of care free youthful exuberance.
Ben was unfortunately a little too exuberant and he fell and cut his hand, but I was able to take care of it. with some disinfectant, polysporin, a Wall-E Bandaid, and a kiss.
Then we sang some songs in the teaching garden that involved jumping,
and next the children used their sense of touch to explore objects hidden in a sack to see if they could guess what they were just from touching. We had snack with a story about a spider and his textured web.
At free play time Ben went straight for the watering cans again, and even though I don't like to structure or influence his free play, I felt obligated to tell him that there was a sand pit with shovels.
So he was happily digging away until we were called back to circle. Then he was sad that he didn't have an opportunity to water any plants so we quickly ran over to the watering wheel barrow and quickly water a plant.
After free play my suspicions that the the facilitators at sensory camp are tree huggers was confirmed! ;)
The children had to feel a tree with their eyes closed and try to remember the feel of that particular tree, and then find it again later. It was really sweet and a great activity.
Ben helped tidy up the tube and hoops and we all headed back to the center to do a craft.
On the way back the children demanded to play follow the leader, and the facilatator concented provided that the children stayed behind her, which they did very well.
Then we found out why it is important to stay behind the leader when a little park buggy came zooming down the hill.
Back at the center we made touch paintings with different textured materals and glue.
When we were leaving Ben was sad that tomorrow would be the last day of sensory camp and he was telling me that he hopes school will be just like sensory camp. Sadly he was very disappointed to learn that there will be no teaching garden at school......
The sun was shinning brightly so off we went to the teaching garden. One of the little girls decided that she was going to hold Ben's hand, and they skipped a long full of care free youthful exuberance.
Ben was unfortunately a little too exuberant and he fell and cut his hand, but I was able to take care of it. with some disinfectant, polysporin, a Wall-E Bandaid, and a kiss.
Then we sang some songs in the teaching garden that involved jumping,
and next the children used their sense of touch to explore objects hidden in a sack to see if they could guess what they were just from touching. We had snack with a story about a spider and his textured web.
At free play time Ben went straight for the watering cans again, and even though I don't like to structure or influence his free play, I felt obligated to tell him that there was a sand pit with shovels.
So he was happily digging away until we were called back to circle. Then he was sad that he didn't have an opportunity to water any plants so we quickly ran over to the watering wheel barrow and quickly water a plant.
After free play my suspicions that the the facilitators at sensory camp are tree huggers was confirmed! ;)
The children had to feel a tree with their eyes closed and try to remember the feel of that particular tree, and then find it again later. It was really sweet and a great activity.
Ben helped tidy up the tube and hoops and we all headed back to the center to do a craft.
On the way back the children demanded to play follow the leader, and the facilatator concented provided that the children stayed behind her, which they did very well.
Then we found out why it is important to stay behind the leader when a little park buggy came zooming down the hill.
Back at the center we made touch paintings with different textured materals and glue.
When we were leaving Ben was sad that tomorrow would be the last day of sensory camp and he was telling me that he hopes school will be just like sensory camp. Sadly he was very disappointed to learn that there will be no teaching garden at school......
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Sensory Camp is awesome! Day Three
Even when it rains!
I was remiss in taking photos today, because things were a little different.
First of all we were a little late (well, we weren't but our bus was), and we didn't go to the teaching garden because of the rain.
The sense we focused on today was our sense of hearing.
We started off with the activities tables, and then went into a new room to play some hearing games. First the children had to try to be quite while "stealing" bugs from the "spider". The second game was a young child's version of the Farmer and the Thief. Each child got a card with an animal on it and the had to find their partner by making their animals noise. Unfortunately the other "wolf" was not participating, so Ben did not find his partner.
Then it was time for crafts so we made noise makers.
It is very, um, loud.
After crafts it was snack time. By then the sun had come out so we went into the court yard to play some more games.
Ben was a dog in the animal cracker game.
And they also played Red light Green light.
There are only two days of sensory camp left!
Oh dear, next week will certainly be boring.
I was remiss in taking photos today, because things were a little different.
First of all we were a little late (well, we weren't but our bus was), and we didn't go to the teaching garden because of the rain.
The sense we focused on today was our sense of hearing.
We started off with the activities tables, and then went into a new room to play some hearing games. First the children had to try to be quite while "stealing" bugs from the "spider". The second game was a young child's version of the Farmer and the Thief. Each child got a card with an animal on it and the had to find their partner by making their animals noise. Unfortunately the other "wolf" was not participating, so Ben did not find his partner.
Then it was time for crafts so we made noise makers.
It is very, um, loud.
After crafts it was snack time. By then the sun had come out so we went into the court yard to play some more games.
Ben was a dog in the animal cracker game.
And they also played Red light Green light.
There are only two days of sensory camp left!
Oh dear, next week will certainly be boring.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Sensory Camp is Awesome! Day 2
Day two at Sensory camp was just as awesome as day one!
We were much more excited on the way, because we had a better idea of what it was going to be like and we were pretty sure we were going to have lots of fun.
We started off in the Center again with the activities tables while the adults got organized, today Ben chose to explore the giant plastic bug bucket (In which he found a Manatee on wheels, which was obviously not a bug.) Then after reviewing what we learned yesterday about our senses, the children made special coloured glasses to wear on the walk over to the teaching garden.
When we reached the garden we sang some songs before snack and free play time. Once again Ben chose to water the vegetables, but he also chose to roll around in the tube for a bit.
One boy found a butterfly and a facilacator caught it to show us all. (And let it go again of course)
After that the children played a different kind of hide and seek where they were mice trying to camouflage themselves so that the hawk (one of the facilitators) could not find them. This game cause lots of giggles. We played follow the leader on the walk back to the center (All the children who wanted to got a chance to be the leader.)
Back at the center we made tissue paper butterflies, which all turned out beautiful!
We were much more excited on the way, because we had a better idea of what it was going to be like and we were pretty sure we were going to have lots of fun.
We started off in the Center again with the activities tables while the adults got organized, today Ben chose to explore the giant plastic bug bucket (In which he found a Manatee on wheels, which was obviously not a bug.) Then after reviewing what we learned yesterday about our senses, the children made special coloured glasses to wear on the walk over to the teaching garden.
When we reached the garden we sang some songs before snack and free play time. Once again Ben chose to water the vegetables, but he also chose to roll around in the tube for a bit.
One boy found a butterfly and a facilacator caught it to show us all. (And let it go again of course)
After that the children played a different kind of hide and seek where they were mice trying to camouflage themselves so that the hawk (one of the facilitators) could not find them. This game cause lots of giggles. We played follow the leader on the walk back to the center (All the children who wanted to got a chance to be the leader.)
Back at the center we made tissue paper butterflies, which all turned out beautiful!
Sensory Camp is awesome!- Day One
Ben and I are attending "Sensory Camp" at the Toronto Botanical Gardens this year. I may have been a little unsure that it was going to be worth it at first, because it seemed like a lot of money to me, but I'm glad to report that it was worth every penny!
(Can you even say that when you buy things on credit?)
The first day was really wonderful and fun.
We started off inside the center, and there were little activities tables set up for the children to use while the parents/caregivers/ facilitators got organized signing in and writing name tags.
Ben chose to play with play dough.
Then the children all sat on the carpet and learned a little bit about their five senses.
After that we all headed over to the teaching garden in Edwards Gardens to do a scavenger hunt. ( I don't know who this Edwards is but he sure has a lot of rules to follow in his gardens!)
Then it was time for snacks and free play, during which Ben chose to water the vegetables.
Lots of children decided to water their shoes and/or parents, but luckily for me Ben wasn't one of them.
Next there was some animal pretending games in which the children were Polar Bears, Lions and Fishes. 
Then it was time to head back to the center for the last activity of the day FINGER PAINTING.
I know, I know, it sounds totally awesome.
IT WAS!
(And I probably even forgot some of the stuff we did!)
(Can you even say that when you buy things on credit?)
The first day was really wonderful and fun.
We started off inside the center, and there were little activities tables set up for the children to use while the parents/caregivers/ facilitators got organized signing in and writing name tags.
Ben chose to play with play dough.
Then the children all sat on the carpet and learned a little bit about their five senses.
After that we all headed over to the teaching garden in Edwards Gardens to do a scavenger hunt. ( I don't know who this Edwards is but he sure has a lot of rules to follow in his gardens!)
Then it was time for snacks and free play, during which Ben chose to water the vegetables.
Lots of children decided to water their shoes and/or parents, but luckily for me Ben wasn't one of them.
Next there was some animal pretending games in which the children were Polar Bears, Lions and Fishes. 
Then it was time to head back to the center for the last activity of the day FINGER PAINTING.
I know, I know, it sounds totally awesome.
IT WAS!
(And I probably even forgot some of the stuff we did!)
Friday, August 21, 2009
At the fire fighters party...
So Ben and I are playing with all his little plastic fire fighters, (they are like little army guys only red and well, fire fighters) and we decided the fire fighters were going to have a party.
So there was lots of singing and dancing at the fire fighters party, there were several trips out to get more snacks, and one fire fighter went home to bake a cake. One of the fire fighters brought fish and chips ice cream which they all tried and enjoyed (except for one who did not like it at all). One had to go home because his shoe got broken.
Everything was going really great until,
one fire fighter got "out of control"
He was zooming around and yelling uncontrollable and knocking into everything and everyone.
So I says to Ben, "I guess he's had enough of the party"
And Ben says (I kid you not folks) "No Mummy, he's out of control because he's had too much alcohol. He drank the whole bottle without even sharing any of it at all!"
So I think for a minute and say;
"Why did the other fire fighters let him do that?"
And Ben says;
"Well, you see Mummy, he did it at home before he came to the party."
So I say;
"Well, that's not cool, he's kind of spoiling the party."
And Ben says "Yes Mummy, he is spoiling the party."
And then the rest of the fire fighters forcefully eject the drunken fire fighter from the party. Saying things like "You're out of control, go home and have a nap." "Yeah, go home and don't come back."
I was a little surprised by all this, and a little concerned.
We have all probably been at parties where guest have arrived full of just a little too much fun. I'm pretty sure I just didn't know Ben knew so much about Alcohol, and I wonder where he learned it from........
So there was lots of singing and dancing at the fire fighters party, there were several trips out to get more snacks, and one fire fighter went home to bake a cake. One of the fire fighters brought fish and chips ice cream which they all tried and enjoyed (except for one who did not like it at all). One had to go home because his shoe got broken.
Everything was going really great until,
one fire fighter got "out of control"
He was zooming around and yelling uncontrollable and knocking into everything and everyone.
So I says to Ben, "I guess he's had enough of the party"
And Ben says (I kid you not folks) "No Mummy, he's out of control because he's had too much alcohol. He drank the whole bottle without even sharing any of it at all!"
So I think for a minute and say;
"Why did the other fire fighters let him do that?"
And Ben says;
"Well, you see Mummy, he did it at home before he came to the party."
So I say;
"Well, that's not cool, he's kind of spoiling the party."
And Ben says "Yes Mummy, he is spoiling the party."
And then the rest of the fire fighters forcefully eject the drunken fire fighter from the party. Saying things like "You're out of control, go home and have a nap." "Yeah, go home and don't come back."
I was a little surprised by all this, and a little concerned.
We have all probably been at parties where guest have arrived full of just a little too much fun. I'm pretty sure I just didn't know Ben knew so much about Alcohol, and I wonder where he learned it from........
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Beach, Niagara Falls, Centerville, and other summer adventures
So it's been a while since I last updated. It's because we've been so busy having fun! There have been some amazing quotes (which will be posted in a later entry), some adventures, lots of rain, and lots of fun in the summer sun.......
First of all, let me just say that we are very pleased that the strike is over and that garbage pick up has resumed as of last week. Here is the sign we left out to show them how we felt about their return.
We have been visiting cherry beach regularly, and yes we do go in the water, and no we've not turned green or grown any extra appendages.
It's a great destination for young Benjamin seeing as he so enjoys digging, playing construction site, and going in the water.
Ben took his very first trip to Niagara Falls and he really liked the falls despite the fact that we got rained out and probably spent more time driving to and from than actually at the falls.
Also since you can't actually park at the falls we had to catch a shuttle bus called a "people mover" from the parking lot to the falls and back. Ben enjoyed the people mover and had a long conversation with a nice Grandma from Little Rock Arkansas. His favorite part of the trip? The gift shop of course!
Our soccer games have moved to a new (better?) location which just happens to be right under the subway bridge where it crosses the DVP.
It's pretty loud when the trains go over, but Ben loves to see them. Our first game there was rained out, and Ben had a misadventure with some fire ants whose nest he uncovered (see the rocks in the grass there?), infact, most of the team experienced some kind of insect bites. When they are not late start games Ben really enjoys coming to cheer our team on (Red).
And last but not least, we've been to Centerville on Center Island twice since the strike ended and ferry service resumed.
They will be extending our 2009 season passes into 2010 due to the extended park closure. I took Ben there on Tuesday and the line up to catch the ferry was the longest I've ever seen it.
And you'll never guess what happened! Go on guess.....Oh. I didn't think you'd guess right so quickly.
The thing is, we actually got much, much more rain last summer. Anyways it was still fun, especially since we brought appropriate rain gear.
Benjamin did not, however, believe me that they were closing the park due to the down pour. Which is why he looks so sad in that picture. He actually really enjoyed all the puddles and thought it was pretty cool taking the ferry back in the rain.
First of all, let me just say that we are very pleased that the strike is over and that garbage pick up has resumed as of last week. Here is the sign we left out to show them how we felt about their return.
We have been visiting cherry beach regularly, and yes we do go in the water, and no we've not turned green or grown any extra appendages.
It's a great destination for young Benjamin seeing as he so enjoys digging, playing construction site, and going in the water.
Ben took his very first trip to Niagara Falls and he really liked the falls despite the fact that we got rained out and probably spent more time driving to and from than actually at the falls.
Also since you can't actually park at the falls we had to catch a shuttle bus called a "people mover" from the parking lot to the falls and back. Ben enjoyed the people mover and had a long conversation with a nice Grandma from Little Rock Arkansas. His favorite part of the trip? The gift shop of course!
Our soccer games have moved to a new (better?) location which just happens to be right under the subway bridge where it crosses the DVP.
It's pretty loud when the trains go over, but Ben loves to see them. Our first game there was rained out, and Ben had a misadventure with some fire ants whose nest he uncovered (see the rocks in the grass there?), infact, most of the team experienced some kind of insect bites. When they are not late start games Ben really enjoys coming to cheer our team on (Red).
And last but not least, we've been to Centerville on Center Island twice since the strike ended and ferry service resumed.
They will be extending our 2009 season passes into 2010 due to the extended park closure. I took Ben there on Tuesday and the line up to catch the ferry was the longest I've ever seen it.
And you'll never guess what happened! Go on guess.....Oh. I didn't think you'd guess right so quickly.
The thing is, we actually got much, much more rain last summer. Anyways it was still fun, especially since we brought appropriate rain gear.
Benjamin did not, however, believe me that they were closing the park due to the down pour. Which is why he looks so sad in that picture. He actually really enjoyed all the puddles and thought it was pretty cool taking the ferry back in the rain.
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