Who Took the Cookie from the Cookie Jar?

Our cookie unit provides a lot of fun for our three year olds. The first day, we looked at all kinds of cookies and compared and contrasted them (an important skill). Okay, we tasted them, too. This year, we made cookies! We had a good time cooking. A super easy cookie recipe you can bake at home with your child.

Cake Mix Cookies

1 box cake mix (we used dark chocolate)

2 eggs

1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup chocolate chips
Mix the cake mix, eggs and oil. Add chocolate chips. Drop by spoonfuls on a cookie sheet. Bake at 350* for about 12 minutes.

It couldn't be easier.

The chocolate chocolate cookies were just so yummy warm out of the oven.

Today we made gingerbread man ornaments, played a cookie memory game and 'Who Took the Cookie...' That kept us pretty busy. We also did some dictation about cookies. For the recipe and additional information, you can check out http://metamoracommunityprek.blogspot.com/2009/12/c-is-for-cookie.html

Santa's Workshop

Our room is filled with reindeers, elves and an occasional Santa Claus. For the holidays, our dramatic play is 'Santa's Workshop.' Christmas vacation is just around the corner. The children will be home for two weeks and this would be easy enough to do at home (especially if you additional little ones coming to visit). The children absolutely have a blast with this center.

We set up our little play kitchen table, an old computer keyboard (for Santa's online orders, of course), old cameras, cell phones, notepads, pens and pencils.

Get a large box for Santa's sleigh. You don't need to decorate. Your child's imagination will fill in the blanks. I just love glitter!

I also wrapped small boxes. After I wrapped them, I wrapped clear packing tape over them so they would last a little longer. The kids know they are pretend but every once in awhile someone tries to open one. It's pretty funny.

Dress ups are a must for Santa's workshop. Get a Santa hat (or two), some reindeer ears (warning: these are pretty cheaply made and don't last too long) and for the elves? Get some bright green t-shirts large enough for the children to pull over regular clothes and bright green knit hats.

Put some Christmas music on and watch the fun!

Peppermint Pudding, Patterns and more!

The MWF classes have so much fun when we count, sort and create patterns. This week, we used lots and lots of red and white peppermints. We started off the week comparing and contrasting the candy. How are they the same? How are they different? Ask your child to tell you the similarities and differences.

The children are doing a great job with counting, sorting and patterns. You can reinforce these skills at home. Your child should be able to sort (putting similar objects together), create an AB pattern (some of the children are able to create more complex patterns) and count out ten items. For more ideas http://metamoracommunityprek.blogspot.com/2009/10/counting-sorting-and-patterns.html

On Friday, we ate Peppermint Pudding for snack. Yummy! We tallied who liked and didn't like the pudding. This year, I gave each child a candy cane and they were to color the candy cane pattern. After they colored the candy cane, they cut out the oval shape. Not all children use our art center freely so we try to incorporate cutting simple objects into our activities. For the recipe http://metamoracommunityprek.blogspot.com/2009/12/candy-canes.html

Clean Plate Club!

The TTh class agree 'bubblegum pizza' is delicious. We have had a lot of fun with pizza this week. Ask your child what they chose for their favorite pizza. Cheese seems to be consistently a favorite with preschoolers.

The children had a lot of fun making the pizza today. This is a snack we allow seconds and thirds and just eat it until it is gone! After snack, we graphed if we liked or did not like the pizza. We only had one student who did not try the pizza. Everyone who tried really really (I mean really) liked it.

This is a such an easy recipe for you and child to make together. http://metamoracommunityprek.blogspot.com/2009/12/pizza-pizza.htmlHave some fun with your child in the kitchen!

Pizza!

We have had a pizza unit for a few years and it is always good times with our TTH class. On Tuesday, we made pizza with the children...out of paper. When we do a craft, we talk about shapes, colors, position. The children put the 'sauce' on the 'crust' and then created their own special pizza. They are getting quite good at gluing after three months!

Tomorrow we are going to make bubblegum pizza. We will also graph our favorite pizza. My guess is cheese is going to be the favorite. If you would like to make bubblegum pizza, click on

http://metamoracommunityprek.blogspot.com/2009/12/pizza-pizza.html

The Christmas Puzzle

Christian Union Church will be presenting a family musical on Friday, December 10th and Sunday, December 12th at 7 p.m. It promises to be a fun filled show with dessert served after the performance. The cost is FREE but CUC will be accepting donations that will be used to serve families in need this holiday season.

If you do not have a church family and are looking for services on Christmas Eve, CUC will have services at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. The early service will be a simple Christmas celebration to share with your family. The evening service will be a quieter service. CUC is our biggest supporter. Without their generosity, MCP would not exist.

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

There is a lot to do in the Peoria area this weekend if you know where to look!

On Saturday, December 4th from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. several local and regional artists will be hosting the "One-of-Kind Holiday Artisan Market." There will be jewelry, glass, ceramics and wearable art plus much more. An ornament auction will benefit the Susan G. Komen for the Cure. The market will be held at the Cornerstone Building. Don't know where the Cornerstone Building is? Sure you do-it's that beautiful building across from the old "Spalding/Academy" high school on Northeast Madison. Facebook fans check out the market at http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/One-of-a-Kind-Holiday-Artisan-Market/167671959924511

If you would prefer breakfast with Santa at the zoo on Saturday, go to http://www.peoriazoo.org/index-1.html for time and cost.

The Gospelfest Singers will be performing at Five Points on Tuesday, December 7th at 7 p.m. Shawn and Anne Degenhart are MCP parents. If you would like to attend this family friendly event go to

http://www.peoria.com/events/event_details.php?event_id=1402&event_date_id=4446

Find some time for fun with your family this holiday season!