Catching Snowflakes Revisited

Last winter, I wrote a post about catching snowflakes and when the latest snowstorm came through this morning, I couldn't resist catching them again.  The results were beautiful.

Want to catch snowflakes? Pick a dark fabric, we use navy blue cotton, and a piece of cardboard to set the cloth on so it will stay flat.  Five minutes before you go out, set the cloth outside so it can reach the outdoor temperature, otherwise the flakes will melt when they hit the cloth.

Once you are ready to go out let you little ones hold the cloth on the cardboard letting snow fall on the cloth.  After 30 seconds, go under shelter and look up close.  Among the clumps of flakes, you should see some individual snow crystals

Have fun!



Catching Snowflakes

Christmas is past, and with our two sons, it was a wonderful time to reflect on the Christ child and enjoy gift-giving.  The spirit will linger and our decorations will remain for the week.  What could be better?  SNOW... and it is coming our way.

I remember as a child walking home from school on cold winter days in our little town of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho watching huge snowflakes fall from a crisp white sky.  I would slowly meander and frequently stop to look skyward, catching flakes on my tongue and blinking away flakes that landed on my lashes.

As I type, it has begun to swirl outdoors, promising several inches.  Inside we watch and wait.  We are waiting for the afternoon when there will be several inches and we will break out the snowpants and sleds and the special dark cloth.  Yes, you read right. The Special Dark Cloth.

I keep an 8 inches by 11 inches cloth swatch specifically for snowy days so we can catch snowflakes and see them up close.  All you have to do is pick a dark fabric, we use navy blue cotton, and a piece of cardboard to set the cloth on so it will stay flat.  Five minutes before you go out, set the cloth outside so it can reach the outdoor temperature, otherwise the flakes will melt when they hit the cloth.

Once you are ready to go out let you little ones hold the cloth on the cardboard letting snow fall on the cloth.  After 30 seconds, go under shelter and look up close.  Among the clumps of flakes, you should see some individual snow crystals.

 

 

 



A wonderful books to learn about snowflakes and see them up close.

The beautiful enlarged photographs of snow crystals in this book put it at the top of my winter science reading list. It explores the science of snowflakes showing how they are formed and the different kinds of crystals. The authors, Jon Nelson and Mark Cassino, created a blog for the book where you will find photos, illustrations, videos, and a teacher's guide. Snowflake study is a wonderful way to use science to explore the beauty and order of creation. 

May you have time this week to enjoy nature and the beauty it holds.

One More Time

Last week we had one lovely spring-like day with a high of 65! Last night it snowed...one more time. It was 6 inches, but felt like more since we have been inundated with snow this winter. I know we have had alot of snow when the boys don't want to play in it. Nevertheless, I do love a fresh dusting of snow. It makes the landscape look so clean and pure! Here are a few pictures...

Views from the bus stop:

Back home:

Happy not-quite-spring to you.

Exploring after a New England snow storm

Last weekend, we visited my husband's parents in Connecticut just hours after several inches of snow had fallen on top of the 18 inches they received a week ago. It reminded me of my childhood in north Idaho.

We took the boys outside to play in the igloo that Papa and 2 cousins built. It was great! There was a slide entrance and a tunnel exit. Even Tug the dog enjoyed it.

While the boys, Papa and Daddy played, I explored as much as the snow would allow. Their home is settled on several wooded acres that I could explore for hours on end. It was noontime and the little birds were singing and raiding the bird feeders. Every once in a while, the wind would pick up and blow snow off the trees and into my face.

On a little walk down the long wooded driveway, we found some little mouse tracks climbing over a mound of snow.

Because the sun was straight overhead, it's beams hit the untouched flat snow just right to make each snowflake its own sparkling prism shining a rainbow of colors. It was beautiful and so hard to look away. (A photo just doesn't do it justice.)

Later that day, we went on a drive to see my husband's grandma On the side of the road were ice cicles that reached over 15 feet long and a scening creek pushing through the frozen ice.

The next time we go up, the snow will be gone and flowers will be pushing through the dirt (thanks to The Root Children, of course.) I look forward to more exploring.

Who knows what we will find!

Winter Mural

As we enter a new year, I want to continue to foster a love of nature in my boys. Part of that is helping the boys understand the change of the seasons, especially for little Shane who seems a bit bewildered by the cold weather. To get us started in talking about the seasons, we made a wall mural.

First we painted a blue sky, trees and grass.

Once the paint dried we used wool roving for clouds.

Next, we added snowflakes & animal stickers,

a foil frozen pond & snowmen that Aidan made.

They are so proud of their creation. We will use it in the weeks ahead to talk about what makes snow, how each snowflake is different and what animals do in the winter.

A Little Indoor Snowman

While we wished for a white Christmas, we missed it by one day. (I grew up in north Idaho and will always feel less giddy on Christmas without snow.) The day after Christmas we got slightly more than a dusting, while 60 miles east of us got a foot or more.

Anyway, Aidan begged and begged to go out and make a snowman, but he was very sick, so instead I brought in a big bowl of snow, cut up some pipecleaners for the nose, eyes, mouth and the necessary top hat, and let him have at it.

The result was a pitifully puny snowman and a very happy sniffly son.