This week we headed into the forest, now that most of the weeds and poison ivy have died back. It was exciting to watch the children's expressions as they figured out all the possibilities that the forest offered for play. A little log home was found, some ropes were used for climbing, and the hay bales were back there for climbing and sliding down. It's our "biodegradable playground". The hay bales will be used for making houses, climbing towers, and mazes among so many other things. Then by spring, they're ready to be composted or used as mulch.
We are attempting round two of our winter vegetables since the first ones didn't take. I had little fingers helping to plant beets, kale, lettuce, carrots and arugula. We will see if we have any luck! We will certainly have sweet potatoes to dig up in the next few weeks though. We continued with our garden songs at circle time, which include rolling, crawling and jumping movements. At the end of our circle, we make "Ala-mala-mink-monk stew", which is a delicious sounding Halloween stew that the children "sprinkle" in imaginary ingredients. There's quite a bit of chocolate, apple pie, and peanut butter in it. I think these guys could start a business here in Durham and call it something quaint. Maybe a food truck?
I told the story of the little mouse who finds his winter home in a pumpkin. Children love the ending with the mouse curling up in his pumpkin, safe and warm. It's a reassuring story. I love when I get to the part where the mouse has nibbled a hole and reveals "This is a house that is warm and bright, it shines for me both day and night, with a warm and golden light" and often the children can't contain themselves and shout out "He's going in there! He's curling up in it!"
Friendships are forming, and it's lovely to hear the children eagerly talking about how their friends will be coming soon. The favorite part of the day seems to be when the children hear the door open, rushing to see who has arrived and giving them an enthusiastic "hello".
Friendships are forming, and it's lovely to hear the children eagerly talking about how their friends will be coming soon. The favorite part of the day seems to be when the children hear the door open, rushing to see who has arrived and giving them an enthusiastic "hello".
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