A rock does not move when the wind comes or the rain falls. God is the rock under our family. Today Caleb is going to feel a rock, hold it, sort it, and watch water move around it. Logan is at school with Mrs. Pena, so this is Caleb's morning to lead the explorations at his own pace.
Monday's plan
Rocks and Reliance
A rock is steady. Water is gentle. We lean on God the way the river leans on the stone underneath it.
Verse
The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer.Psalm 18:2
Weather
Sunny, 83 F
Outside
Outdoor friendly until afternoon. Then in.
Gospel connection
Rock Sort and Stack
Rock Sort and Stack
20 minSame as Caleb's tab. Follow that plan.
Set out a shallow tray of clean river rocks in three sizes. Let Caleb pick them up, drop them, and stack them. Name each size as he handles it. "Big rock. Little rock. Small stone." Encourage him to put the big rocks in one bowl and the small rocks in another. The sorting does not need to be perfect. The point is the language and the feeling of the weight in his hand.
Materials
Words, tap for meaning
For Rachel
If Caleb wants to pile every rock in one bowl and ignore the sort, that is fine. Repeat the size words while he piles. He will sort on his own time.
Carlton, before you start
Rinse the river rocks the night before so they are dust-free and food-safe in case Caleb mouths one. Set the tray on the dining table at his height.
Water and Stone Pour
Water and Stone Pour
25 minSame as Caleb's tab. Follow that plan.
Set the water table on the back patio if the sun allows, or a large tub on a towel inside if not. Drop two big rocks in. Give Caleb a small pitcher and a measuring cup. Show him how to pour water from the pitcher and watch it move around the rocks. He will pour, splash, and dump. That is the lesson. Repeat "water moves, rock stays."
Materials
Words, tap for meaning
If the day goes sideways
Move the tub to the kitchen floor with a beach towel under it. If the tub is too messy, use a baking sheet with one inch of water and a single rock for a contained version.
For Rachel
Caleb is going to soak the front of his shirt. That is the sign it worked. Let him stay in the water as long as he is calm. Stop early if he tries to drink from the tub.
Carlton, before you start
Fill the pitcher and the cup before bringing Caleb out. Have a dry change of clothes near the back door. Confirm the patio is in shade, since the high is 83 today.
Rock Bath in the Sink
Rock Bath in the Sink
15 minSame as Caleb's tab. Follow that plan.
At the kitchen sink, hand Caleb the rocks one at a time and let him scrub them with a soft brush under a slow stream of warm water. Talk through what is happening. "The water is washing the rock. The rock is getting clean. The water is gentle but it can move dirt." Line the clean rocks on a towel for him to admire.
Materials
Words, tap for meaning
For Rachel
Caleb may want to drink from the spray. Keep your hand on the faucet. The whole point of this activity is the bridge from Activity 2 to a calmer, more focused water moment.
Carlton, before you start
Test the sink water temperature so it is warm, not hot. Set the step stool firm against the cabinet so it cannot slide.
Backyard Stone Walk
Backyard Stone Walk
15 minSame as Caleb's tab. Follow that plan.
Walk the perimeter of the backyard slowly, holding Caleb's hand or carrying him. Stop and pick up any small stones along the fence line or the patio edge. Let him hold each one. Drop it into a basket together. Bridge: "This stone has been here a long time. God is older and stronger than every stone."
Materials
Words, tap for meaning
If the day goes sideways
Move the walk indoors. Walk the hallway with three pre-placed stones along the baseboard. Caleb finds them one at a time. Same vocabulary, same prayer hook.
For Rachel
Keep this short. Caleb will get tired in the sun. Fifteen minutes max, less if he is fussy.
Carlton, before you start
Walk the yard at sunrise. Mark any fire-ant mounds with a flag. Top up Caleb's sun hat clip and the water bottle.
Wrap-Up and Prayer
Wrap-Up and Prayer
10 minSame as Caleb's tab. Follow that plan.
Sit on the rug with Caleb in your lap. Hand him one rock from the basket. Recite Psalm 18:2 once slowly with the hand motions. Let Caleb echo "rock" if he wants to. Pray a short two-line prayer: thank God for rocks, thank God for our family. Hold the rock together while you say amen.
Materials
Words, tap for meaning
For Rachel
Keep the prayer short. Caleb will not sit for more than a minute. The win is that he holds the rock and hears the verse one more time.
Carlton, before you start
Set the family photo where Caleb can see it from the rug. Have a cup of water nearby for after.
Carlton's Prep Checklist
- Wash and dry a small bowl of river rocks in three sizes. - Stage the water table on the back patio or a clean tub by the back door. - Confirm the step stool is wedged against the kitchen sink cabinet. - Pre-scout the backyard for fire-ant mounds and broken glass. - Top up Caleb's sun hat clip and a small water bottle. - Rinse the rocks again before Caleb touches them. - Fill the pitcher and the measuring cup with cool water. - Confirm Carrot weather is still showing high 83 with no afternoon storms before opening the back door. - Set Caleb's dry change of clothes in a basket by the back door. - Run through the verse hand motions in the mirror once. PIN: 0504 (MMDD).
Evening before: - Wash and dry a small bowl of river rocks in three sizes. - Stage the water table on the back patio or a clean tub by the back door. - Confirm the step stool is wedged against the kitchen sink cabinet. - Pre-scout the backyard for fire-ant mounds and broken glass. - Top up Caleb's sun hat clip and a small water bottle.
Morning of: - Rinse the rocks again before Caleb touches them. - Fill the pitcher and the measuring cup with cool water. - Confirm Carrot weather is still showing high 83 with no afternoon storms before opening the back door. - Set Caleb's dry change of clothes in a basket by the back door. - Run through the verse hand motions in the mirror once.
PIN: 0504 (MMDD).
Local Note
Pflugerville Public Library has Toddler Time on Tuesdays and a Move and Groove session most weekday mornings. Logan is at school today, so today is a home day for Caleb. If Caleb is still energetic by 11, the splash pad at Pfluger Park is a clean follow-on with the same water-moves-rock theme.
Pflugerville Public Library has Toddler Time on Tuesdays and a Move and Groove session most weekday mornings. Logan is at school today, so today is a home day for Caleb. If Caleb is still energetic by 11, the splash pad at Pfluger Park is a clean follow-on with the same water-moves-rock theme.
When the day is done
Send a photo from today.
I'll put the recap together tonight.
Open Messages