Lovely Children's Books

We recently discovered children's books by Elsa Beskow and love them!  While I had seen her artwork before, I had never actually read one of her books until I began research in the Waldorf theories of education.  One of her most famous books is  The Story of the Root Children, which tells about the little flower "children" waking for another spring and sleeping in the autumn. Our favorite is  Peter In Blueberry Land, in which Peter has adventures while searching for blueberries and cranberries for his mother's birthday.  I think Aidan enjoys it especially because he had so much fun picking blueberries last month. I look forward to reading more of her magical, imaginative books to the boys and loosing ourselves in her artwork.

Shucking corn

On Fridays we tend to go to a nearby fruit/vegetable market where the boys enjoying picking out their favorite foods.  Yesterday, to Aidan's delight, we bought locally grown corn. This afternoon, I put the boys to work shucking.  When he pealed back the husk and silk to reveal the plump yellow corn, Aidan was thrilled to see the corn, in his words, "coming out."

After a few minutes, Shane grew frustrated at his struggle with the husk and began throwing his corn on the floor, but Aidan kept on and was even disappointed when there was no more corn to shuck.  

At dinner, Aidan quickly ate his corn with his hands.  Or as he says, "like a farmer!" (Shane just stared at his.)

Time to buy more corn...

    

Dancing with Wind Wands

One of my favorite books for creative Waldorf toys is Creative Play for Your Toddler.

Today we made Wind Wands. We didn't have cane to wind into a circle so I used 2.5" rings that we had from making ring slings. I pulled out my ribbon tub and the boys picked out the colors they wanted.

After I cut the ribbon at three feet, the boys were anxious to have the wands in hand so I quickly tied on the ribbons and the fun began.

They danced and danced! (to VeggieTales music, of course)

Berry Picking

One of the great things about Lancaster County is all the opportunities we have to teach our children about rural life.  Although our home is in a small development, we live within walking distance of several farms including ones that raise cows, corn and even peaches.  A few weeks ago, I began taking the boys to pick berries at a local berry farm.  First came strawberries, last week was red raspberries and yesterday evening, we picked blueberries.  Each time we finish picking berries, Aidan, who is 5, declares that it is the most fun he has had!  His enthusiasm always encourages me initiate hands-on learning-in-nature activities.

Happy Birthday little man!

For my son's birthday last week, I made a birthday banner. No more buying the paper banners anymore.

Each triangle is 8"x8" and made of felt. I fused cotton letters on to the felt. They are 3 1/'4" long x 2 3/4" wide. Last I hand-sewed the felt triangles on to white cord.

He is such a joy-filled child and the expression on his face when he saw the banner was priceless!

May you have many more happy birthdays my sweet boy.

Bring Home the Beach

We so enjoyed our time at the beach, that we wanted to bring some home.

We used 2 of their plastic vitamin bottles to do just that...

In the first bottle we put sand and small shells to make a kind of i-spy beach bottle.

In the second bottle we put beach glass and colorful rocks in water.

Now the boys enjoy remembering our fun times while they play with the bottles.

Fun at the beach

We kicked off the summer by spending a week at the beach last month.  Our days were spent watching the crabs run across the sand, collecting shells and building dribble castles.  What a great time!