BIRD'S NEST AND BIRD BERRIES

Play outside everyday!

It's been a mantra... a promise... a reminder... a commitment to my little bird. Somedays, however, when the wind is gusting at 90mph it's hard to keep that commitment. Is a venture to the mailbox at the end of our short driveway considered outside play? But lately we've had these incredibly mild days (save the wind) when crocs without socks is acceptable.... and Avi and I have been spending our afternaps afternoons outside... drinking up the last bit of sunshine before she falls below the foothills.  On this day, I was cutting back the dead flowerbeds while Avi was following the chickens around. Then he noticed my pile and....

...came to inspect.

With a little bit of work, this pile turned into...

a nest. Suitable for my little Avi Bird.

But he soon realized the location was all wrong.

With a bit of effort...

and a couple of trips...

Avi made his own nest by the sandbox.

Then he danced about the yard flapping his "nest wings"

Bird Berries

aka hawthorn berries.

With our nests behind us, we continue our venture toward the compost pile.  On the way we pass these three hawthorn trees on the east side of our yard.  The thorns could take out an eye (I'm always trimming them back) but the berries are beautiful -- on the trees or when they have polka dotted an early snow. Today we discovered them peppering the ground as these mild temperatures have melted all our snow. What a discovery for Avi. I am looking forward to learning what I can do with hawthorn berries here and here. 

He played "chase" with Red for about five minutes trying to give her the berries. 

"Bird Berries" as he called them.

How grateful I am for these afternoons.

Colors

As a parent, I try to read a variety of books about raising kiddos. I don't feel that one rigid philosophy -- regardless of what it is -- is healthy for parents or children. Thus, my practice in reading parenting books is to glean from the pages what works for us and leave what doesn't. One book that I revisit again and again is Rahima Baldwin Dancy's, "You Are Your Child's First Teacher"  . I especially like what is written about "developing your child's artistic ability". Since reading this section when Avi was just a few months old, I've wanted to get some art supplies. From another reading, (which book exactly I can't recall... maybe from Amanda Blake Soule?), I gleaned that having higher quality art supplies and storing them with your own art supplies (where they are seen as equally important as your own art supplies) can have a tremendous impact on your child's creativity. This weekend while we were out and about, I came across some art supplies (you can find them here and here) that were on my list: Beeswax crayons, paint, water colors, watercolor pad, and brushes. Now that Avi is nearly 19 months, I'm enjoying offering more opportunities for him to create. Jen over at paintcutpaste is full of ideas for "inspiring young artists". 

Today, as we were getting ready to head to the library for storytime, Avi asked for his "colors" (he says and signs this). When I asked him if he wanted to go to storytime at the library, he said, "no." "Colors?", he persisted. So we stayed home and created with our "colors" instead.

 "the chosen palette"

 right hand: blue dog

 left hand: yellow cat

 dog and cat hugging?

 dog and cat running off paper onto table

Not just for drawing...

Avi loves to sort, stack, pick up, drop, pick up, stack and sort his colors. 

I'm so glad we skipped storytime! 

What have you skipped lately? What art projects do you offer your kidlets?

(this moment)

A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

Inspired by Soulemama

nine things....

for which I'm grateful...

...learning about sharing.

 ...a potato that screams of love.

 ...three girls in my kitchen!

 ...sharing Shabbat dinner with special friends.

 ...one more round of peanut heaven before dropping them off at the shipping store to be re-used.

 ...green smoothie moustache.

 ...mastering "knife" skills.

 ...Pant-less Farm's indoor fields are tilled.

 ...a reminder that love abounds

(a sweet sight after exchanging unpleasantries w/ Jenn).

Iron Chef Avi

One of Avi's friend's, Zinnia, got a beautiful kitchen remodel by her parents for Christmas. It was inspiring to see it come together, so much so that I want to make one for Avi. But in the meantime, we've created a little 'Farmer's Market' and 'Iron Chef Stadium' in our living room. I love to watch Avi shop, and sort, and cook up his creations. A favorite was onion banana soup - YUM! Iron Chef Zakarian, you've been warned! But his first competition in Iron Chef Stadium was with Chef Garces. Here are some highlights::

So America, with an open heart and an empty stomach, 

I say unto you in the words of my uncle: Allez Cuisine

The secret Ingredients.

Avi doing a little molecular gastronomy grafting the orange with the peach.

Who says you can't compare apples to oranges?

Chef Garces' side of kitchen stadium seems empty, huh?

Turning up the heat on his stove top

Turning up the heat on his competition - looks like cheese, strawberry, pear concoction.

I can't wait to taste his peach pie.

Gordon Ramsey would be proud! 

Chef Avi looks down right at ease in the kitchen.

A little potato to add to the.... could it be? Yes, the ice cream machine!

"Three, two, one, and step away!"

And the Winner is...