We LOVE birthdays!
We made Don a card that is covered with his favorite creature – butterflies!
Does butter fly? 😉
Rubber Duckie, You’re the One!
We had wanted to swim in the fountain on Friday, but the cloudy sky spoke “not today”. So we thought of something else to do! Instead, we gathered our buckets, paint brushes and rubber ducks and headed to the fountain.
We held a “rubber duckie” race. Needless to say, EVERYONE tied for first place!
We took our buckets, filled them with water and proceeded to give the exterior of the Mansion a makeover. Our paint pallet consisted of only happy colors on such a gray day.
The air was filled with chatter as busy little hands went about their work.
Anyone need their house painted?
Eventually, we made our way back to the daycare for macaroons and a story. We didn’t forget to write in our journals this week! Nothing better than sticking to a schedule. 😉
Homemade Veggie Dip behind the Mansion
Our peas were ready to be harvested. We used scissors to snip them from the vine and also pulled radishes to add to our veggie dip.
There are so many things to check out on a walk. First stop, the garden across the road. Everything looks a okay.
A run up the hill is what we need on a warm summer day.
Oh my, the gardens behind the Mansion are coming alive with interesting beds punctuated with Tropical Plants.
Our snack today was so yummy that I almost ate my plate! That’s okay ‘ cause Ditty hosed us off.
Oh my goodness, we were so busy that we forgot to draw in our journals! But Curious George was read to us.
Meeting the Wrens and Tasting Radishes
Wow, what a glorious day for checking out nature! We headed to the garden, picked a few radishes, and had a ‘taste’ after wiping off the dirt (not to everyone’s liking I might add). Then we headed up the path to our apple orchard and, much to our joy, a family of wrens had taken up residence in a bird house we had hung on an apple tree limb.
We headed towards the fountain and all the while just looking and observing nature. Our journey took us to the front of the lab where we finally ended up under our “Reading Tree” to snack, chat and be read to.
We later wrote in our journals indoors about our busy day.
“Chitty Chatty” with Grace and Pistachios
Preparing for our walk. High white socks help us detect ticks.
We always find time to pick flowers on our way to the bridge.
We hung out on the bridge and had “chitty chatty”. A pleasant pursuit on a warm and muggy day.
We were joined by Grace, an Australian Shepherd. The feelings of admiration were mutual.
Building “Scary-Crow” and More Garden Prep
Grampa Eddie secured the stakes. Thank you, Grampa! The next step is to secure the mesh fencing onto the wooden stakes with staples. I will be able to use it for growing vegetables that need support. Then, all done!
I planted potatoes and will plant cucumbers too. Inside the framework I have made, nature will be able to produce a piece of living art.
I will make a bamboo gate, signage, and sunflowers.
The children worked diligently gathering hay to stuff our “scary-crow”. They planted pumpkin seeds, watered plants, dug in the dirt and enjoyed a veggie dip. I read two books and left them ready for their naps!
Thank you, June, for painting such a great face on “Scary-Crow”!
For the Love of Asparagus
Today we covered the bare ground with salt marsh hay. It smothers weeds and tracks less mud and dirt into the building. Peas, radishes and Swiss chard have sprouted. I cut 1 stalk of asparagus, broke off the woody end, and sliced the softer part for the kids to sample. Guess what! They ate my whole tiny asparagus patch! I think a family of bunnies would have left me at least one stalk. I LOVE IT!
Step by Step: How to Put in a Vegetable Garden
Yesterday morning, I built a fence around our vegetable garden. I put in a couple of rows of asparagus and one row of rhubarb last weekend. I just can’t wait. Therefore, the BIG toto-tiller could not be used. This forced me to use a small hand roto-tiller and I did the whole garden.
Step by Step: How to Put in a Vegetable Garden
- Find a sunny spot which you know can be reached with a hose.
- Have it tilled first. Guess what! I did NOT do this due to my impatience. I planted asparagus and rhubarb. I then had to till the rest of the garden with a small hand tiller. But actually, I enjoyed it as I then “own” the space.
- DAY 1
DAY 2
- I purchased 4′ tall stakes and used string and a stake to mark out pretty straight lines. I then hammered the stakes in approximately 4′ apart. The stakes then measure 3′ up from the soil. Why so short you ask? This is a garden for children to enjoy as well as critters, too. I also put up some bamboo teepees and tied them with purple plastic gloves. Only thing I could find.
- My next step will be to spread salt marsh hay between the rows.
I will keep you updated and PLEASE get those thumbs GREEN!
TIP: The BEST time to work in the garden is early morning. Start around 7:00 as the light is beautiful, the air fresh, and the sun not so hot.
Lunch with Two Red-winged Blackbirds
What a great day for a walk! We headed for the bridge by the soccer field where we rested and had a snack of grapes and crackers. We spotted two red-winged blackbirds who were enjoying the day just as much as we were.
All of a sudden the wind “kicked up” and along our merry way we went.
After reading two books to the kids while they ate their lunches, I did notice a lot of “sleepy little heads”.
Winnie the Pooh Would Approve
We have been so busy indoors with projects. I built and painted houses (12 to be exact; one for each child). Each child then decorated the roof and windows. We set up a village with cars, roads, and yards. The little ones had a great time pretending and creating.
I can hardly wait for spring and to be outdoors. The very first thing we are going to do is take the longest walk ever. I will pack a picnic and we can walk where it is not too muddy underfoot. We will then find a spot, share chitty-chat and our snack. We will reacquaint ourselves with nature. This is a plan that I think Winnie the Pooh would approve of.
For all your support and participation (as if you can escape my requests) thank-you. After all doesn’t everyone deserve A DITTY DAY?