What is happening with our weather? A few weeks ago we had some glorious warmth that made the bulbs begin to sprout and put a smile on the face and a spring in the step. Then suddenly, literally overnight, the temperature dropped about 30 degrees and it became cold again.
This morning, after a restless night spent listening to a loud coyote party in my backyard, I awoke to…a dusting of snow! What? Where did spring go? Big sigh.
Sorry for the dull meteorological post, but I just needed to vent.
Thanks to morguefile.com and photographer George Bosela for this fitting photo.
Spring is in the air which means that seeds of all kinds will soon be sprouting: flower seeds, tree seeds…weed seeds. (Big sigh.)
Now is a good time to teach your little ones a bit more about seeds. I can’t think of a more lovely book for this purpose, than A Seed Is Sleepy
by Dianna Hutts Aston and Sylvia Long.
This book is packed with interesting facts about seeds. Each two page-spread presents a one sentence fact, followed by a short explanation. For example the first page says: “A seed is sleepy.” Followed by: “It lies there, tucked inside its flower, on its cone, or beneath the soil. Snug. Still.” The information is presented in a sweet, almost poetic way that makes it easily accessible and enjoyable for a variety of ages.
What really makes this book truly wonderful though, are Sylvia Long’s amazing illustrations reminiscent of old, botanical prints. Her colorful paintings are incredibly rich and detailed. Ms. Long has a real eye for seeing and reproducing the beauty and wonder of even the simplest natural objects.
We love this book so much, that next on my wish list is Ms. Aston and Ms. Long’s other collaboration: An Egg Is Quiet
Book Recommendations, Everything Else!, children's books, educational, exceptional illustrations, gardening, kids' books, nature, nature, older children, picture books, young children
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A Seed is Sleepy, Book Recommendations, children's books, Dianna Hutts Aston, educational, educational books, educational/homeschool, nature, nature books, science, science books, seeds, Sylvia Long
This week’s Unplugged Project was anything related to “nature,” or for those who wanted a little more guidance: “Collect objects from outside and create a seasonal nature tray or nature table.”
I had thought we might do the collection and display idea, but then the snow came making it hard to spend time outside, or even find things to collect. The kids went outside on Saturday morning to play, and made this “sledding snowman.” That is an unplugged idea, and it involves nature…so I guess it counts!
When I went out this morning to take this picture I noticed that the snowman was wearing (unbeknownst to me) my favorite black velvet hat. I must say that I do think it looks better on me!
That hat has had some adventures. Once it flew off my head in the London Underground and landed on the rails. It spent the night down there and during the nightly maintenance, a worker kindly retrieved it for me. Despite a cleaning, it smelled like “The Tube” for months after that, bringing me a happy little whiff of London every time I wore it. Now it has spent the night outside making a snowman look chic.
What was your project this week for “nature?” Please put your link in Mr. Linky so that we can find you.
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Next Monday’s project:
Yarn or string
(a little “string theory” Andree? I look forward to it!)
Have fun!
Most people don’t associate Arizona with snow, but here in Arizona’s mountains, we have “real winters.” Yesterday we got our promised snow (about 6 inches with a chance for more today), and here it is!
(I took these photos this morning in our yard)
…a 60% chance this weekend. Hooray!
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