Archive for the ‘Field Notes’ Category

Check out my post Exploring the Ocean State over on Go Explore Nature-  one of my favs maintained by blogger extraordinaire Debi!

Heading outside! ~The Backyard Mama

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Snow suits after a successful day of winter outdoor play!

 I know many of my readers live in beautiful, sunny places around the country and the world but here in Rhode Island, the weather is bleak, grey and a little chilly. It’s also unpredictable. Some mornings start off cold and then the weather turns warmer, other days start warmer and turn chilly- we need to be prepared for whatever Mother Nature throws our way!

Outdoor adventures are much more enjoyable when everyone is prepared for the temperatures. So, as The Backyard Mama, who spends most days outside all year round, I want to offer you some tips on making outside time enjoyable, even when it’s cold.

The key to happiness  is layering. When I get my son ready for school each morning, I skip removing the pajamas and leave on this warming under layer. Over top the PJ’s, he wears a long sleeve shirt and usually a sweater or vest, on the bottom he’s got pants.

Then we head downstairs for breakfast… and this is the inner fuel to warm him all day long. Lately, he has been asking for tuna fish for breakfast (go figure) but whatever he eats, I like to make sure he has some good savory protein to kindle his fire.

Once lunch is packed and his face washed, we head to get on outside clothes; the final layer! Today is a grey, drizzly day, so he has a fleece jacket underneath his rain suit. The rain suit will provide protection from the rain and it’s also rather warming. Just in case, I packed his snow suit in his backpack. Then, instead of rain boots, he wore winter boots- they have extra lining. I had to spend a good 5 minutes looking for his hat and mittens, but once he was fully dressed, we headed out the door.

And me? I wear silk long underwear under everything this time of year. They are so thin yet warm and fit right under my yoga pants (and you wouldn’t even know!) and I always wear a sweater, hat and gloves or mittens. Not being a big fan of the winter but being a big fan of NATURE, I have to be prepared just like my son, ’cause being warm is being happy.

So layer, layer, layer- that’s three 1) under layer 2) middle layer (inside clothes) and 3) outer shell. Remember the inner layer and eat a good meal before heading outside and bring some snacks!

Take some pictures of your backyard play and send them to me! I want to know how being warm kept you outside and happy!

Your Friend, ~The Backyard Mama

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This weekend I attended that RI Families in Nature hike in Cumberland, RI. About 50 or so families came together to stroll Diamond Hill; my family, consisting of my mom, son and me, enjoyed hearing the voices and laughter of others as we clambered along the trail.

I heard Jeanine, founder and fearless leader, explain to my mother that, “when I started this group I thought it would be nice for me and my kids to spend time outside; it didn’t matter if others showed up or not.”

I was overjoyed by the turn out. (I think she was too).

Halfway up the trail, I encountered a mother with three school aged girls investigating pine needles to determine whether these trees were red or white pines. “Five”, one girl exclaimed,” there are five needles so it’s a white pine.” Her mother smiled encouragingly.

On the way down, I chatted with a former Girl Scout leader who had brought her usually-home-bound-and-inside niece and nephew. She explained that bringing these loved ones is important for her because, “when they see others outside they realize it’s cool.”

As a geologist, I was in heaven. See, Diamond Hill is a massive quartz vein- and as I picked up rocks along the way I remembered learning about these minerals many years ago in my mineralogy class. (I even carried a big chunk home to display as a “pet rock”.)

My point being: we all had fun. We got to see extraordinary leaves, rocks, and people. So next time Jeanine is leading folks out into the wilderness; I suggest you come along too! I, for one, would love to meet you.

Please read my interview with Jeanine to learn more about her vision for RI Families in Nature.

Next time I promise to take pictures… but then again, if I take pictures you might not be as motivated to go see for yourself. Maybe I need to have a photo contest instead (I get outside all the time, do you?)

Now I am heading outside! Take care, ~ The Backyard Mama

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1) Brush your teeth. I think it does the world a lot of good when everyone can eat carrots raw all through life… so brush daily to preserve those pearly whites!

2) Replace the word “should” with another more helpful word like could or would- because should inspires guilt and shame- which aren’t very helpful.

3) Pause at first light. Waking early in the morning to greet the day is really fun. So next time that annoying rooster crows at the crack of dawn… get up… look outside and just feel the peaceful stillness of morning. Then crawl back into bed- or fix yourself a hot cup o’ joe.

4) Give and receive hugs. I heard that we need something like 15 or so hugs a day just to get by. They are a delightful way of sharing with someone. (No bum squeezing!)

5) Laugh. We all need friends and loved ones that help us experience joy; look for people that make you laugh through the tough stuff and the fun stuff of life. Laughter nourishes the brain, helps regulate hormones and even helps us live longer. Full belly laughter strengthens the abdominal muscles (no more sit ups!).

6) Spend time outside. Last week I went on a morning walk and got to see the beaver that I have been looking for for two years. I am so glad I never gave up. Nature is full of magic and mystery- spending time outside everyday, even for just a few minutes, brightens life and remind us that we are part of a vast ecosystem.

7) Listen: to the rain, to the crickets, to the children in the park, to the music, to the voice of a friend. All these messages keep us real, present, growing and becoming.

Move: dance, walk, run, play ball, take out the trash… doesn’t matter what you do, but get up off the couch or move away from the computer and do something to invigorate your body and mind.

9) Eat nourishing foods. Cook foods that you enjoy, that taste good, that put a smile on your face… and at least most days… know where this food came from. 

10) Smile often, smile proudly, smile boldly, smile at yourself.

And since I am curious and always wanting to learn…What would you add to this list?

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Three weeks ago, I closed down my home child care program and two weeks ago Jeremiah started school.

The first day of school was a little rainy, so I was very excited that we had a full rain suit as his class spends about 3 hours outside each day. He was so thrilled to pose with his chicken friends. 

Overall the first school morning went very smoothly; I got up early to make his lunch and have his special breakfast waiting for him when he came down in the morning. He was totally cooperative until we were 10 feet from the door- then he hesitated. 

The hesitation was brief, and then we took the plunge together.

And crossed the threshold into the vast, mysterious, creative world of early childhood education.

After hanging up his backpack, Jeremiah gave his dad and me kisses and walked over to sit down with the other children. He never once looked back or shed a tear.

On his first day of school he:

Visited Grandfather tree- where he and his classmates play for the first hour of school.

Then, he made bread- delicious bread that he brought home for us.

Two weeks into school he knows that Monday is bread day; Tuesday is soup day; and Wednesday is porridge day.

And he loves it!

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Today I honor my mother for it’s her birthday and she has spent a lifetime planting seeds of encouragement, faith, joy, wonder, peas, carrots, broccoli and more… so:

Happy Birthday Mom!

It doesn’t surprise me that her birthday is right after the Great Backyard Campout…. she is a top of the line “nature nut”.

Today we removed some of our “old” peas- the ones that have turned yellow and wilted- and we’re ready to plant more beans!

Here’s our garden last week:

The flowers are stunning! 

The lavender is in full bloom and smells wonderful!

 Butterfly weed- a butterfly attractor that has such a wonderful orange color!

Echinacea, a beautiful medicinal herb and delightful flower for any backyard garden!

Gardening with kids is a great way to teach colors, textures, shapes, responsibility, and even some physics.

Here’s our cucumber tipi we’ll see if it’s strong enough for all these cukes!

Gardening isn’t just about results.

It’s about spending time outside, sharing food, getting excited about the colors, shapes, and sizes of the seeds, being careful and caring and remembering to water the seeds so they will grow.

There’s an African proverb:

If you can talk you can sing and if you can walk you can dance.

I believe, if you can eat you can grow food.

Head out today and plant some beans or chard or kale. Then get a bucket or a watering can or an old milk jug and show your child any age, how to water those seeds-  have faith and trust and encouragement- and let that child and those seeds GROW.

Good luck and let me know how your garden’s going! ~ The Backyard Mama

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A few weeks ago I loaded the kids in the car, filled the trunk with seeds, seed potatoes, and seed starts and my trusty rototiller road “shotgun”.

We headed off to my dear friend Nadine’s house. 

A little side family history: Nadine is married to Jori, one of my brother’s best friends growing up. Our families were very close and we spent tons of time together. (Playing outside!)

Well, our families are still friends and when I am in a bind for childcare or my laundry just piles up too high or my son needs a place to stay the night- I call them up and off he goes backpack-in-hand ready to visit his best friends. (Much like my brother and I when we were young.)

When we arrived we had a great lunch and then we went to work on the garden; I had offered to put in veggies, since they are always so helpful to me.

The kids helped digging and making raised beds.

We planted peas, onions sets, lettuce, carrots, beets, spinach, kale and potatos. The day was filled with team work, and laughter and a little heavy lifting.

In the end, we made a beautiful garden. 

To another generation of friendship. Thanks!

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Welcome back the the Backyard Mama Children and Nature Blog Carnival. Shared between the kids, the house, the chickens and creating a business, my time has been in short supply. I look forward to sharing ideas and inspiration with you in whatever form you can today.

And I promise, no matter how enticing it is to play outside, next week I’ll be back to continue creating this community of awesome explorers.

Please link- up, remember to follow the rules and include the line “this is part of the Backyard Mama blog carnival” with a link back to this post.

Thank you for your support and participation! Now unplug and head outside from some Nature Play! ~ The Backyard Mama

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I turn 33 today.

I was born to two phenomenal people who lived in the Renaissance Community, a hippy commune in Western Massachusetts.  I made my grand entry into the world at 5:35 am and when my parents brought me home from the hospital, their friends had filled the room with lilacs. That’s still my favorite smell.

Growing up we moved a lot- to Rhode Island, Chicago, Michigan, and New York, but we always planted a garden and spent our free time playing outside.

My parents tell stories of our our outdoor adventures when I was little, and I remember camping trips, hikes, nature walks, backyard play, gardening, kayaking, canoeing… all sorts of fun.

I went to Waldorf School, spurred by my parents love of nature and keeping us close to the earth and experiencing the changing seasons.

It’s not surprising that I have decided to commit my life to spreading the word about the importance of nature play.

I am so grateful for my life… for my family… for all the life that continues to sustain me.

Here are 11 things I want to do today on my birthday:

1. call my parents and say thank you!
2. run barefoot in the grass.
3. smell the lilacs.
4. practice yoga.
5. laugh with children.
6. drink a latte.
7. snuggle with my son.
8. pray.
9. listen to the wind.
10.  feel the sun.
11.  plant.

Here are 11 things I want to do this year:

1. grow a large garden and give food away.
2. start a business.
3. get my community excited about nature play.
4. encourage more unstructured play.
5. visit New Mexico.
6. go on an overnight backpacking trip.
7. sleep outside under the stars.
8. find treasures in the forest.
9. read books.
10.  teach yoga.
11.  grow.

And 11 things I want to do in this lifetime:

1. go to Australia (again).
2. deliver a baby.
3. hike (part of) the Appalachian trail.
4. live off the grid for an extended time.
5. be self-sufficient.
6. write at least one book.
7. learn to ride a horse.
8. travel.
9. always serve the highest good.
10.  spend time everyday with children.
11.  blossom.

And I’m off to reflect on what I’ve learned this year… and then snuggle on the couch with a book and some hot cocoa.

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Taken a few weeks ago as we played in the mud.

We spent the whole weekend outside:  playing in a homemade mud puddle, racking leaves, climbing trees, and digging in the garden.

We left home for groceries (bummer we needed to do that!)

It was so delightful.

At a time in my life, I might have thought I didn’t “do” anything. Now, feel good unplugging from the craze of “doing” for long enough to really feel the joy of this moment.

Note to parents: in order for kids to connect with nature, we need to show them how… we need to get dirty, play joyfully in the mud, kick a ball, dance in the sunshine, and sing with the birds.

Kids learn through imitation.

What did you do this weekend worth imitating?

Come over and play at the Childhood 101 We Play link up

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Rainbows occur when sunlight bounces off water- it’s a dance of water fairies and sun (fire) fairies. (Highly technical here!)

The sun rays (light) split as they enter the water and are refracted creating all the colors of the rainbow.

On Earth Day, we were blessed with perfect weather all day and then an evening rain storm just as the sun was setting.

We snuck out for a pizza dinner at our favorite local dive and on our way home we saw a full arching rainbow.

And this one was REALLY special because it was Jeremiah’s first memorable rainbow and I want to share it with you.

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