Display Table with Sample Framed Images

On a sunny Tuesday morning, earlier this month, the Cascade infants were at their absolute best for an extensive photo session. Parents can now order any of the images from this session as prints or in archival, museum quality frames (several choices are on display in the lobby). In addition, a DVD is available with the still images set to music in a "Ken Burns" film style. Order forms with price lists may be found on the lobby display. All proceeds from this sale will go to Cascade to help purchase a much needed computer.

To identify specific images for reproduction, you may view the session's photo album here.If you are interested in having a similar photo session for your child's classroom before the end of the academic year, please let Peggy know.

If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact Craig.

Infant Photos - DVD Orders

I hope some or all of you have had a chance to see the photos shown on the television in the lobby. As you may know, we are accepting DVD orders. All proceeds from the DVDs will go directly towards a badly needed new computer for Cascade. If you are able to get orders to me by noon on Friday (May 11th) I will try to deliver by the end of the day. You can order by filling out an order form in the infant room, or by writing me directly here.

The Infant Room Insider 05.10.2007

What can we Infant Room Parents and Staff say, but "WOW!!!" I think many of us have spent hours in front of the little television in the hallway outside of the Infant Room.

How can we thank you enough, Craig, for the wonderful photography work you did with our babies on Tuesday?

You captured so much of their beautiful characters. You took the time to create lovely compositions and interesting angles to accentuate their activities. You used the wonderful natural light of the room to show off everyone's best features. The teachers are gorgeous!

These are portraits to be proud of, and we parents thank you so very much from the bottom of our hearts for your care and artistry.

Thank you, too, Peggy, for listening and "making it right" for us.

The Insider on the Floor files this report:

Two milestones have occured -- Maja and Elise turned 1! They're working on indicating they're one year old with their index fingers.

Conor is turning from a baby into a little boy right before our very eyes.

Luke is crawling around and loves to laugh loud! He was pulling up on the toy table the other day and letting everybody know about it.

Albert loves to have people play with him. Elise was teasing him a couple of weeks ago by pushing the popper toward him and pulling it away when he reached for it. He giggled and giggled!

A bunch of the southsiders were gathered around the big blocks placed near the door to talk to passersby. A few of the older kids and their parents looked in for a chat. Polly spotted her mommy passing by and had some things to say!

The babies on the northside are continuing to develop marvelous social and play skills. They're all so willing to smile at a friend.

Well, that's all the news for now. Keep smiling, everyone, and enjoy the sunshine!

--Claire

New Album - Cascade Infant Photos

Another morning in the Cascade Infant room. The infants ate, they played, they smiled, laughed, and napped, and a small percentage of their morning was caught on camera. What a bunch of characters! See for yourself in their new album located under Photo Albums in the "Friends and Family" section of the main Cascade web site.

Spring Fling Photos

We couldn't have possibly had better weather for the Spring Fling! Many thanks to the staff and parents whose hard work paid off in a truly wonderful celebration of Spring at Cascade.

An album of Spring Fling photos have been posted in the "Friends and Family" section of the Cascade web site. Email Craig if you have forgotten the password.

If you would like to learn how to post your own photos to the Cascade web site using Google's Picasa photo editing tool, please contact me.

The Infant Room Insider 4.13.2007

Welcome to the third edition of The Infant Room Insider. I hope you’re having as much fun reading as I am posting.

Our Insider on the Floor files this report:

The little folks on the north side of the room are very personable!

Ben loves his bouncy seat and has a smile for everybody. He had a hoodie on that he was playing with.

Milo is rolling over a lot and is also quite the smiler.

Josie was spotted playing with hanging toys. She had a smiley greeting for me, too.

Maggie is very vocal and knows what she wants, which is to move! She spent some time over with the big kids on the south side of the room.

Olivia spends her mornings on the south side of the room. When she’s delighted, she smiles real big and moves her head from side to side in a little dance.

And on the south side of the room . . .

Luke is really working on making those first crawling moves. He’s up on all fours, rocking and moving backwards. He had a big cheer for Elise the other day as she was taking her first steps without help!

Jackie is crawling around, playing with toys. She had on fancy flowered shorts yesterday.

Elise loves playing with a ball and has a curious mind, asking Mom “What’s That?!” Elise was spotted walking down the hall in the Infant Room through the door of the Young Toddler room all by herself!

Conor is crawling around like a pro. He loves school and protests when he has to leave. I think I heard him say “Mama” yesterday.

Maja now says “Mama” and points to items of interest. When she wakes from napping, she makes sure to wave at everyone in greeting. She also loves waving to parents as they come in. Her theme song du jour is “Bonanza!”

Polly is all over the floor and enjoys it when Mom comes to pick her up.

Albert now has his crib with the older infants. He seems so calm!

Thank you again, Teachers, for giving your time, care, and love to our little ones. We appreciate you!

--Claire

Infant Room Insider 3.30.2007

Ah, Spring! The time of year when a young infant’s fancy turns to thoughts of . . .

Coughing, Sneezing, Runny Nose, Goopy Eyes, High Fever, Sore Ears

. . . and the accompanying unpleasant unmentionables.

Yes, we’ve had our share of the ick pass through the Infant Room the past couple of weeks, but that doesn’t seem to stop our little ones!

Our Insider on the Floor files this report:

Maggie is a Mover! She’s been rolling around quite a bit, and now she’s starting to army-crawl. She does a great job sitting up without a positioner, as well.

Luke is such a smiler and has a charming laugh. He and Susan enjoyed a joke together at the changing table the other day.

Jackie is having great fun on the south side of the room. She is gorgeous in a flowery shirt and polka-dotted pants, and lovely hair is really coming in!

Elise and Conor worked together to solve the mystery of how the plastic rings fit on the stand. They were really concentrating! Elise is also having fun playing in the positioners.

Maja enjoys imitating people coughing. She’s taking a few steps with help and moving to music!

Polly is engaging with her friends on the south side of the room and practicing naps. She has the biggest eyes!

Our Ada is preparing to transition to the Young Toddler room. She’ll be quite a success!

Olivia is sitting up and taking a few little steps with help. She’s nearly ready to move over to the south side of the room.

Albert is enjoying his friends and toys on the south side of the room. He was spotted the other day trying to help Conor with his bottle!

Thank you, Teachers, for helping us through the ick these past couple of weeks! Theresia, we hope your tendonitis gets better soon. Theresia says the kids are more interested in the laces of her tennis shoe than the orthopedic boot!

That’s all the news that fits! ‘Til next time . . .

--Claire

The Infant Room Insider 3.16.07

Welcome to the first edition of the Infant Room Insider.

This week in the Infant Room, we had our pictures taken! We're all amazingly cute in everyday life, but just mention the words "photo shoot" and we're gorgeous, dahling! We had a lot of fun taking pictures and we're excited to see the prints in a few weeks.

Our Insider on the Floor files this report:

On the north side of the room, our new friends Milo, Ben, and Josie are enjoying rolling around, batting things in bouncy seats, and chillin' in the swings. Music and cuddles are what these beautiful babies are all about.

Olivia was spotted looking elegant in fabulous sweater sets this week. She's sitting up with support like a pro and can even sit without support for a few minutes with a teacher to spot her!

On the south side of the room, Albert was visiting and enjoying some fun with the older kids.

Elise was spotted walking with only one of Mommy's hands to support her! Elise is making lots of sounds and calls for her friend Ada. She's giving the cat at home something to worry about.

Ada can be seen cruising the room at an amazing speed. She has mastered the art of giving and receiving, and she even says the word, "Yes!" You always know when Ada wants a hug, as she holds her arms a certain way. Our Ada is now 1 year old!

Conor is crawling!! Last Friday, he was putting it together at school by making a run at his bottle. Now there's no stopping him!

Jackie, Luke, and Polly are working on crawling and standing. Jackie was spotted standing at the toy table and holding on as if she's done it all her life.

Maja has mastered the pincer grasp and can sit in a high chair for an hour as long as there's finger food. She's waving and pointing at everybody! Maja and her friend Elise had fun frolicking in the pool on Tuesday.

We thank our Infant Room teachers for a wonderful week -- Picture Day was very busy for them. We missed Theresia for a couple of days but we're glad she's back. We wish the best to Pattie as her daughter recovers from having her wisdom teeth out. Susan and Dina, thanks for holding down the fort and being so great to work and be with.

Sadly, we have to say goodbye to Meredith. The youngsters took to her like ducks to water, but as Meredith says, "It's time for a new adventure." She's excited about the idea of traveling. Who knows, but you may meet Meredith in Ireland someday if your luck is in! Good luck, Meredith, and keep in touch!

That's it for this edition of the Infant Room Insider! If you have a scoop for the next edition, please feel free to post it in the comments. Enjoy!

--Claire

Particulars of Picture Day

School Picture Day . . . brings back so many memories! Being a newbie at CCC, I wasn't sure what to expect on Picture Day for my infant daughter, so I grabbed Peggy for an e-mail chat. She gave me the scoop on what are probably some frequently asked questions for newbies like me. Here's what I found out:

Q: Do I need to be there when pictures are being taken?
A: It's not necessary for parents to be present at picture time.

Q: Where do I turn in my photo order envelope?
A: You can give it to one of the teachers, or put it with your baby's chart and a teacher will make sure it gets to the right place.

Q: (Super Important) What should my baby wear?
A: Whatever you like. If you'd like to bring a nicer outfit for your baby to be changed into, just let the teachers know.

Q: I see an option for "class photo" on the envelope. Does that apply to the infants, as well?
A: Yep -- we'll be doing class photos with each side of the infant room and their teachers. Challenging, but fun!

I hope this is helpful for all of you first-timers out there. I'll be posting more infant news to the blog, soon, so if you have ideas for content you'd like to see, please let me know. You can reach me through comments on this blog, or you can leave me a note on Maja's chart if I don't see you in the infant room.

Have a great week!

--Claire

Blogger Wanted!

The CCC web team is looking for someone to help keep the infant room blog content updated! If you are intrested in helping out please contact Craig at craigfmitchell@gmail.com

It is as easy as sending e-mail to post to the blog!

Thank you!

The Infant Room is Open

Happy Birthday Teacher Theresia!

Saturday, February 3rd was teacher Theresia's birthday!