spring is in the air

...and in our case, also in the house :)

we started our spring nature table a little early
(with all the impromptu butterfly events!)

but thanks to the beautiful weather this week,
we were able to bring quite a few
outdoor things in.
the green cup contains a leaf j picked up under our rose bush.
it was still alive, and he decided it needed water because it was thirsty.
(he checks on it often.)
rocks, feathers, and pine cones are common occurrences on our nature tables.
the branches will soon hold some Easter "ornaments."

and we were finally able to finish this project,
a homemade bird's nest with painted acorns for bird eggs
we used leftover lint from the clothes dryer,
tacky glue,
and a lot of twigs and leaves.
i must say, birds are amazing creatures...

recycling our tree

...something new to climb on



a new table and chairs



and a new place to color...

oh happy day!

...happy first day of spring!

"Fear not, O land;
Be glad and rejoice.
For the Lord has done marvelous things!


Do not be afraid, you beasts of the field;
For the open pastures are springing up,
and the tree bears its fruit;
the fig tree and the vine yield their strength.



Be glad then, you children of Zion,
and rejoice in the Lord your God;
for He has given you the former rain faithfully."
Joel 2:21-23a

a three year old

...when I have said my evening prayer,
And my clothes are folded on my chair,
And Mother/Father switches off the light,
I’ll still be two years old tonight.
But from the very break of day,
Before the children rise and play,
Before the darkness turns to gold,
Tomorrow, I'll be three years old….
Three kisses when I wake,
Three candles on my cake...

more butterflies

...saw this activity on montessori beginnings

and knew the boys would love it :)
they did...

step 1: color on coffee filters with felt tip markers

step 2: spray with water (the more the merrier)

step 3: hang to dry

(i love the fact that the boys'
random scribbles turned out so much cooler
than my oh-so-carefully planned designs)
step 4: attach pipe cleaners around middle
and shape the "wings"
step 5: hang to enjoy!

i don't know how birds do it

...we're working on a little something for our nature table...

sorting beans

...a little tweezer work today...

remember this?

...i am getting my wish and work is under way! pictures soon...

beautiful butterflies

Butterflies

Butterflies go fluttering by
On colored wings that catch the eye.
On wings of orange, and silvery blue,
On wings of golden yellow, too.
Butterflies float in the air,
Making their homes most anywhere:
The rainforest, field, and prairie land,
On mountaintops, and desert sand.
If winter brings the cold and snow,
To warmer climates, off they go!
Returning home the following spring,
Beautiful butterflies on the wing!

Author Unknown

...a daunting task turned into a very fun project this morning,
and we completed our wooden butterfly!
personally, i thought it was beautiful in the simple wooden "color,"
but of course, j and t wanted to paint it.
i guess a butterfly wouldn't really be a butterfly
if not arrayed in all its beautiful colors.




we read our new book about the life cycle of a butterfly
and took an impromptu trip to the ft. worth botanical gardens...

making a snack and dessert

...we spent awhile in the kitchen today doing 3 different projects.
one of these projects was a snack
granola, baby goldfish, peanuts, and honey nut chex

great practice with pouring, measuring,
serving ourselves and others,
and being self-sufficient

it was enjoyed by all 3 boys...and me!!
(surprisingly very yummy!)
sometimes, things just taste better when you get
to make them yourself ;)

we also made some "easy as pie" fudge
it WAS easy to make, but it didn't harden as fudge should
i won't bother posting the recipe as i don't have much faith in it,
but j and t had fun making it!

i am also not sure about our 3rd project.
we took a stab at making our own sun catchers,
and i am so hoping they turn out.
they were very fun to make, and if they do dry properly,
they will be beautiful.
we'll have to be patient and wait a few days to see...