Storybook Sunday : Let's Go Outside!

The Great Outdoor Adventure Challenge : Storybook Sunday Edition!

I know that Storybook Sunday (although few and far between) is usually about storybooks, this one is for grown-ups. But for kids too. Well, written to grown-ups for the benefit of children. Sound good? How about sounds great?! This book is wonderful. I cannot sing it's praises enough.

I adored this book and all it had to offer. Wonderful quotes themed for play and nature. Wonderful activities from the simple Kick the Can, (Which by the way is not as simple as I though, I honestly learned how to play kick the can.) to the more complicated Personal backyard feild guide, there is something for all ages and all interests.

As I said before, I do not need a book to tell me how or why I need to go outside to play with Wednesday. We go outside almost every single day weather permitting. But, sometimes it is nice to do something more than watch her climb a jungle gym or walk the boardwalk at the local nature reserve. This book gave me just that. Each activity is enthusiastically described and there is a "Take it Further" feature for each activity. These are like 'extra credit' assignments. Great ideas for older kids, or even the more enlightened younger ones.

This is the second book of the same sort by Jennifer Ward. The first is called 'I Love Dirt: 52 Activities to Helt You and Your Child Discover the Wonder of Nature' I have yet to read it but you can bet it is on my Chapters wishlist! She also has a plethora of story books written with appreciating nature in mind. I have one (Forest Bright, Forest Night) reserved at my local library, the rest will come in time. I am excited though.

I think you could not ask for a better book when you are playing along with Lisa of 5 Orange Potatoes Great Outdoor Adventure Challenge. Although we missed out on outing on Friday, we made it out yesterday and today. On Saturday we rolled around in the grass and collected dandelion bouquets for Grandma and today we played hopscotch and went for a nice long walk in a green space ending with a romp on the jungle gym.

To celebrate so many things this month; my 100th post, 55th reader, The Great outdoor Adventure Challenge, the arrival of Spring, etc. etc. and so on and so forth...I am giving away a copy of this book. I love it so much and fee that more people should both read it and go outside more I feel the need to buy one and send it off! So, for sticking with me this far all you need do is leave a comment on this entry. You can Retweet this for a second entry (You must comment telling me so) but if that is too much effort just comment. PLEASE make sure you leave a way for me to contact you either a valid email address in the comment or attached to your profile! Contest closes midnight on the following Sunday, April 18th whereby I will use random.org to choose a number and the winner will be both posted and notified via email the Monday, April 19th after.

Can you see the yellow glow from the dandelions?

For more awesome pictures of our days outside you can to my flickr set here. For more entries in the challenge you can visit any of these wonderful blogs:
lisa, sanders, angelina, phyllis, sarah, christie, jennifer, debbie, dong dong, denise, luisa, joy, stephanie, cori, alex, dawn, kristen, catherine, tricia, becky, christy, ruth, kari, courtney, branflakes, jessica, haiku, brynn, amy, clemencia, sherry, leslie, lise, renee, anet, jenn, marina, amy, ella, marcia, karen, beth, julie, kyndale, kelly, lizzie, eileen, ag, mari-ann, cindy, robin, nicole, debbie, julia, renee, anita, lisa, jenn, montessori, marita, jeannie, hallie, mandy, kangaroo, andrea, lisa, carmen, teena, joey, stephinie, rosina, saminda, emma, elizabeth, gidget, melissa, katie, becca, barbara, atouria, missy, ariella, elizabeth, sarah, eileen, stacy, lisa, jennifer, tulsileaf, lisa c, morticia, angela, rana, jamie,  lisa c, luz, charley, heather, valerie, kirsten, rachel, annie, kendra, beth s, lindsey, michelle, megan, renee, korina, linda, kerrs, laura,  jen, jenni, gabby





All you have to do is go outside! And take a picture...but even that is optional.

After the Rain...

As I sit in bed with Wednesday, breathing in the steamy eucalyptus and peppermint vapours half watching Disney's Alice's Adventures In Wonderland I thought I might share with you our adventure from yesterday. Wednesday is ill today, her sinuses have her just a snorting and sniffling away and instead of taking her outside I thought I would just let her rest and I will share with you pictures from when we did go outside.

Like today, yesterday was particularly grey and even brought three separate down pours, one bringing the most brilliant bolt of lightening and a frighteningly loud clap of thunder. I was loving it (As almost every person in South Eastern Ontario does when a thunderstorm rolls in.) but Wednesday was admittedly afraid of the thunder. It will be a while before she learns to love it as well. But after the rain stopped and the skies began to clear just a little we went outside. Not for long as it was not just wet but cold and wet but we packed in quite a bit of wonderful in only forty five minutes.

My Creative Space - Practice makles Perfect...or at least passable

I can't seem to decide if it is a Craft Fail or not?

On Monday, I had a dinner to go to and even had a brand new top ensemble to wear. But, the outfit needed a necklace. A big chunky one. But alas, all my great accessories are in storage. So I thought, I am crafty, I have good taste, I can make one! Not so much.

Is it just me? Do I just have trouble getting used to the not-beaded-or-metal-but-is-still-real-jewelery look? Should i keep trying? This piece did inspire me to make a couple more. And I did learn some things. Like weight distribution both literally (As in the heaviest part of the piece will hang at the lowest point and drive you nuts if you didn't design it that way.) and aesthetically. As in asymmetrical is okay, but you are walking a fine line between it and just plain odd looking.

also, yo yos and buttons? As much as I like it, I just don't know if it is too cute. And cute was not what I was going for. Ah well, the important hings is I tried, and that lace is totally re-usable!

Have you been to My Creative Space @ Kirsty's aka Kootoyoo? Shame on you if you haven't!

Wednesday on Wednesday

Just a pre-note (is that even proper English?) For the rest of April, I will be using Wednesday on Wednesday posts to both show off my brilliant daughter and plugging the Great Outdoor Challenge. I will use Wednesday's posts to show my favourite photos from Wednesday through Tuesday. One each from each day. :) Since I showed my lot Monday today I'll show you my favourites from yesterday (Tuesday).


Hiding from Mommy.

Children and Nature Awareness Month

Good morning! I would love to say it is a beautiful one and the sun is shining but alas, it is a beautiful one with rains and grey skies. But that is ok, it is a good day for puddle jumping in bright yellow boots!

I know that I usually bring you a tutorial on Tuesdays (at least I have been trying to keep up that pace) but today I wanted to talk to you about something super important. Children and more importantly, children in nature. In today's hustle and bustling society with dance classes, homework and family dinner time it is hard to squeeze in that outdoors time. Doubly hard in colder, wetter climates like ours here in South Eastern Ontario. But it is so important! And to help us realize the importance, and to motivate us to get out more it is Children and Nature Awareness Month.



Who does not love honeybees?

My Crafty Weekend : Bunnies & Eggs & Cookies! Oh My!

Welcome to the Easter Wrap Up edition of My Crafty Weekend We had more fun this weekend than a barrel full of soft fuzzy bunnies. What with all the crafts, egg hunts and park going we didn't stop! I had hoped to have a photo of a field berry pie up there too, but alas I got caught up in some spring cleaning. Today though, I promised to bring one to a belated Easter dinner today.

But we did get messy! We dyed hard boiled eggs with food colouring. We tried different resist methods including stickers and crayons. Our stickers bled and the crayons only looked good on light coloured eggs like yellow. Hot glue does not work. (Just in case anyone thought they were brilliant like I did.) But Wednesday had a blast! It combine all her favourite things, colours, water and play. We'll be doing this again soon I am sure, for the price of a dozen eggs she'll get so much joy!

We made the cotton bud bunnies and cards for Wednesday's friends. She gave them to them at an Easter egg hunt they put on. It was awesome, and sunny and wonderful and I cannot wait until next year! I am going to start collecting things now to put in the eggs next year. The amount of candy we are giving away is crazy!

Lastly, on Easter eve I squeaked out some pretend sweets. I made Oreos that open up for pretend dipping and licking. I also made some chocolate bunnies. I have some patterns and tutes coming tomorrow. SO stay tuned!

Oh yes, and I just had to share my favourite link from last week!

Is this not the most adorable thing yo have ever seen? Polly from Helping Little Hands created this for her daughter's first birthday. Along with matching cake! The tutorial has been done and can be found here as well. Who does not love anything Eric Carle inspired? If you have yet to visit her blog I encourage you to do so. Currently she has a serious of refashions happening called Hand Me Down Rehab and if you love felt food you will adore the Felt Food Cook Along for an entire pantry full!

And what did you get up to this weekend amongst all the fancy dresswearing-family feeding-church going-egg hiding chaos? Maybe you hosted a brilliant feast? Do you have a photo or recipe to share? Did you start something? Finally finish something? You should share with us!And now I am off to bake the aforementioned field berry pie! Wish me luck on the lattice top! Happy crafting!





   
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Wow! 100th post!

Can you believe it? This is my 100th post! I am flabbergasted that in just a few short months I have gone from three readers and fifty posts to 52 readers and 100 posts! What a great ride this has been. I am not new to blogging by any means. I have had a love affair with sharing my innermost thoughts with (sometimes) select strangers at Livejournal for many years (I think this is year number six) but this sort of blogging, the kind that puts myself, my family and our accomplishments on display is a little bit new. And I must say, I rather enjoy it.

I think I do need to celebrate this milestone as well. I have decided to do a giveaway. I really want to do a giveaway. So in the next few days expect an announcement! Oh my goodness I am excited! For now though, you need just revel in my utmost gratitude for sticking with me thus far. I get so much inspiration from my fellow bloggers it is crazy! I also get the warm squishies whenever some one gives me the support I need, or the push or a simple "Way to go!". Love it, I mean I love it!

Another thing I love? Sleep. And Easter. And the look on Wednesday's face when she wakes up to a basketful of goodies! I made her a couple things that I cannot wait to share with you, but I think I will save that for My Crafty Weekend coming up on Monday! So for now, I bid you bonne nuit and Happy Easter.

How To : Cotton Bud Bunny Crafts

Yesterday, I managed to squeeze in some great Easter crafting with Wednesday. It started out as a card craft for her friends but that inspired me to tear apart a cotton bud and glue it to some foam balls. You still with me? Good. It turned out awesome, have a look.




I will warn you it is messy (well more sticky than messy) and Wednesday is not a fan of icky. So this might be more suited to older kids, but at the end of the post you will see Wednesday's version of it. And she loved it so much she would only talk to Bunny until nap time. Below is all the steps photographed. If you need directions there is written instructions below. Have fun!

Wednesday on Wednesday

Some cool spring day fun.

How To : Felt Flowered Papier Mache Easter Basket

Good morning! The sun is shining here today and it is slowly warming up. After I post this I am getting pretty and Wednesday and I are going out to play! But, before that I have a photo tutorial to share with you. I had it in my mind to make Wednesday's Easter basket this year, to go along with the eggs I made her and the soon-to-be-felt-food I am making her. I had a few issues though. It needed to be big enough to hold two dozen soft eggs, it needed to be light enough for her to carry and comfortable enough for her to want to carry it. I kept going back to papier mache for simplicity. I re-examined the mailbox I made her and found it to be light enough so, I went with it. The next snag was how to cover it. My head was not in the place to make a slip cover for it like the mailbox but I knew I wanted a nice soft look. Enter this tutorial from Love 2 Create. It was inspiring in both its simplicity and prettiness. Over the course of the weekend I think I made about 160 felt rosettes.