Archive for April 6th, 2010
Blog Carnival: A Favorite Nature Place (from Childhood)
April 6th, 2010 | Author: Shannon
I’ve been having computor trouble and lots of kids to attend to. So sorry if this was a drag for you today! Hope it will work itself out. Now I have written and re-written this post so many times.. I am off to my favorite nature place to recover from getting this together! Thanks for joining!.
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This past week we have had a lot of rain here in Rhode Island… and as I went walking down the street with my mother and son, looking for puddles to splash in and run off streams by the edge of the road to dam- up, I remembered the Spring rains of my childhood.
We lived in an incredibly unique community- as a child I rarely had adult supervision- we played in the creeks and forests, meadows and up and down the roads. In the Spring we headed to the creek, inner-tube in hand, and floated the rapids, splashed, made mud pies and laughed.
The creek we played in was about 3 feet wide on a normal day, but doubled in size in April. There were a few pretty wild rapids that were just daring enough for a young adventurer to experiment with white water.
When we were worn out from being cold and wet, we’d head over the a big hill ;with tons of small run-off streams and we’d build dams and re-direct the water flow to make little ponds and float boats. Eventually the dam would break, and boats float away; of course we’d start over- this took hours of focused excitement!
This deluge of 2010 brought back so many wonderful memories- I had a great time digging trenches to keep the rain from pooling next to our foundation. I watched as my garden became completely submerged in water. I splashed in a puddle got soaked, then heard a saturated tree crumble in the woods.
As I sat down to write about my favorite outdoor place of childhood- I realized that this special place was where ever I was outside, breathing fresh air, experiencing the elements, and enjoying the excitement of company.
Thanks for participating once again in the Nature and Children Blog Carnival. So many wonderful people joined in last week, I encourage newcomers to read the entries.
Welcome to the second Nature and Children blog carnival with the theme: favorite place in nature from your childhood.
Please remember to link back to this post and follow the rules.
April 14 theme: Writer’s Choice (must have to do with children and nature generally)
April 21st Kids and Earth Day!
Off to play! ~Shannon
Earth Day: Building Blocks for a Better World
April 6th, 2010 | Author: Shannon
I love the innocence of children.
Today I watched as my little ones ran through our flower garden, full of blooming daffodils they planted in the Fall. Jumping and singing and being totally present in their play.
A few weeks ago my son wrapped up blocks and gave them to me as presents. Then built me a “sink” (not sure why he picked a sink maybe it’s where I spend most of my day) but this is what he created:
He loves to craft and create and listens eagerly to us as we discuss modifications to the house or the yard.
Then in his play (like with his sink) he imitates everything he has heard (learned) from us adults.
I’ll admit, when I see him in the garden digging holes and “planting”; or building houses; or planning yard projects like adding compost to one side of the yard and moving rocks from one place to another; or when he gathers his tools to get some dirt from the forest.. I really smiles inside and out- because I know that as he imitates me, he is learning to care for the Earth.
We’re planning to pick up garbage for Earth Day, what’s your plan?
This is part of the Steady Mom Blog Challenge- dare I tell you the truth? Start to finish post time- 12 minutes.
