Jack-O

Jack-O

(a poem Aidan learned in kindergarten)

This is Jack-O happy.

This is Jack-O sad.

This is Jack-O sleepy.

This is Jack-O mad.

This is Jack-O broken

into pieces small.

Make it into pumpkin pie

which I like best of all.

(Have a happy Halloween.)

this moment -kid-made nature Halloween decor

A Friday ritual inspired by Soulemama.

A single photo.

A moment to treasure.

An Autumn Indoor Tree

Last week we created our autumn tree, as we have for the last two years. Previously, we used real leaves, but this year we made our own, so we could write on them on Thanksgiving. More on that in a future post.

To start, the boys did wet-on-wet painting with yellow, red, and orange (yellow+red). A great explanation of wet-on-wet painting is found at Our Big Earth.

Next, I used a leaf cookie cutter to outline our leaves and cut them out.

Using butcher paper, we drew the tree trunk, which proved challenging for the 5 year old to cut out.

Then came time to put the leaves on. (Notice some are falling to the ground.)

The boys are very proud of their new tree.

Baked Acorn Squash

With Autumn, comes comfort food. One of my favorite comfort foods is Baked Acorn Squash. It is so tasty and makes the whole house smell good. (Now if only I could get the boys to eat it!)

Baked Acorn Squash

2 acorn squashes

4 tbs water

4 tbsp butter

1/4 cup brown sugar

1 medium apple - diced

Preheat oven to 350

Cut acorn squash in half vertically. Spoon out the seeds and place halves in a baking dish, hollowed side up. If you put 4 tablespoons of water in the baking dish, it helps the squash stay moist while it bakes.

In a glass measuring cup or bowl, melt 4 tablespoons of butter, stir in 1/4 cup of brown sugar. After the sugar is well stirred in, add 1 medium apple, diced. (You may want to peel the skin off as some varieties have a thick skin that does not soften much during cooking.)

Spoon the butter/sugar/apple mixture in the halves of the squash. Cover with foil, leaving an opening for a vent. Bake for 45 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 15 minutes. (To test the squash, your fork should slide in easily.)

Enjoy!

Autumn Leaves -( finger play)

This autumn, I look forward to long walks in the woods with the boys, listening to their little feet swish through the leaves. While I wait for the leaves to fall, I will teach them our new finger play.

Autumn Leaves - sung to the tune of" Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star"

Red leaves,

Orange leaves,

Yellow ones too.

Float hands from high above your head slowly to the ground.

I like autumn.

Point to self

How about you?

Point away from self

Leaves fall softly to the ground.

Gently pat the ground around you

Crisp wind blows them all around.

Twirl hands in the air as leaves blowing

Red leaves,

Orange leaves,

Yellow ones too.

Float hands from high above your head slowly to the ground.

I like autumn.

Point to self

How about you?

Point away from self

Simple Pleasures - Weeping Willow in the Wind

One of my favorite simple pleasures is listening to the wind blowing through the trees. Yesterday, while Shane and I played outside, the wind picked up and we couldn't help but notice the blustery noise of our willow tree as the wind blew through. It was so loud and wonderful! (My dad planted the tree in 2003 and it is already a wonderful shade tree that lends a dreamy quality to our backyard. A friend who brought her children over recently said our play house under the tree looked so quaint that she expected the 3 bears to walk out any minute!)

Oh, how I wanted to spread out a blanket in the shade and fall asleep listening to the wind blow, one of my favorite childhood memories. But alas, a little boy wanted to play ball with mama instead. I happily accommodated.

this moment

A Friday ritual inspired by Soulemama.

A single photo.

A moment to treasure.

The Newest Addition

Meet our family's newest addition: my nephew, Henry Alistair. He is so adorable!