Snow Day

We attempted making a snowman earlier in the day with little success. But we had great fun making a snow head on top on a snowy rock. Clay requested a nose, eyes, hat and eyebrows. He was very proud of his creation. We found a quiet area away from the snow pack and sleds where he happily played with snow. He made lots of snow balls and then became very determined to wipe away all the snow on top of the rocks as fast as he could. Giggles erupted. We went to Pinecrest Lake to play in the snow. It is a summer recreational area that closes in the winter but you are still able to drive into it. Free snow play! Clayton had not seen snow since he was 6 months old. He was a bit overwhelmed at first, having just woke from a car nap to be surrounded by cold white stuff and kids sledding down hills. I held him while he finished waking up and we watched the kids sled. He would point and say, 'I go down'. Next time we will have to bring a sled for him. As stylish and snow appropriate as my old Levi's, rain boots and corduroy jacket where Chris and I will be looking for powder pants on craigslist for next year! It was a wonderful day, I hope we go back again this winter.

Winter Nature Table er...Bowl

The wind blew hard and invited us to create our new nature table (bowl) setting. We gathered the tree pieces that had fallen on the ground and built our forest. Then we found some wooden animals that live in the forest and finished it off with a couple more trees. This time the nature bowl rests on top of his book shelf. We take it down upon request. This is working much better than our first attempt! But the preschool teacher in me could just not settle with a nature scene that could not be played with so we made another one. The next forest we built was inside of a cardboard box. We found lots of different debris to build with. He added his animals which included a sheep, lamb, horse, giraffe and dinosaur. We pulled brown weeds to feed the animals. He happily looked around for other things to add and then settled in to play. We toted this box over to his Lita's when I had to go to work and even took it on wagon rides around the neighborhood where we found some really big leaves to add to it. I think I found my balance! I am enjoying the serene scene we created and the pine smells it brings into his room. And I am also enjoying the interactive nature box that changes with his play. Happy Winter!