Seed Sock Update

Today we pulled down our bags of Seed Socks from the window.
          
First we noticed that the socks felt dry.
        
Then we noticed that nothing had changed, nothing was sprouting.
       
If we were do to this again we may choose a different area to walk, choose to go later in the Spring and we would add a lot more water to the bag before closing it and hanging it in the window.

A New Fairy Woods

One of our former parents is a teacher at a neighbouring school.  Her class created fairy doors to put in the forest beside their school.  Today we went in search of the doors.
  
It was a beautiful day to run through the forest checking behind
                       all the trees and stomps.

      
This woods has lots of trails to wander and big stumps to climb on, a natural playground.  The children searched and searched and some reported they found 9 doors while others found 11.

 
After counting we gathered in an opening beside a big stump so I could
                     introduce our project for the day. 
           
       Each child could make their own fairy garden to take home. 
Provided were a small bowls of soil, sliced pieces of cork, bottle caps, jewels
                                        and moss.
    
   The children also collected sticks, stones, and pine cones off the ground.
       
                  Then they began to put their gardens together.
         
                       Getting more items as they created.
                   
      Each garden is unique according to what attracted the child.
              
Because we used live moss they gave their a spray of water when they
                                   were finished.

But we weren’t finished yet.
 
                  I introduced Fairy Wishes to the children. 
If you blow just a few Wishes over your gardens then maybe fairies will move in.
  
I demonstrated blowing the wishes and as the dandelion fluff separated and
they spiraled done to the ground they kind of look like little fairies.
     
         A good blow and lots of wishes all over his garden.

Fairies didn’t arrive but I did have a little gnome for each garden.
     
           
                    A wee little home for the gnome.
Hopefully the fairies and the gnomes will be comfortable in their new gardens.

Building, Creating, Having Fun

We just finished a three day weekend and I had a great time.  We didn't go anywhere but did lots of walking, cycling, visiting with friends, sitting in the sunshine reading and had some time to be creative.  Look what I made!
                            
If you’ve been following my blog for a while you know I like fairies and that we have created a variety of environments for them; doors, gardens, tree houses.
                             
Last December my husband created a wonderful tree house for the centre.  I helped design it but I really wanted to get my hands on the tools and make one myself.
              
I started by gathering materials from school and the forest.  Laying it out helped envision how it could go together. I didn't use a lot so it will be available for another project.
                           
          (Yes I know I shouldn’t be wearing slippers while using power tools.  I did change soon after this picture.)
My husband showed me how to use a jigsaw, hand saws, a drill and different drill bits.  Electric screw driver and how to counter sink so the screws will be flat.  
                            
I made the ladder by drilling holes through each rung and the poles so I could tie them together. I added a bit of hot glue on the back of each knot in hopes they will stay tied.  The ladder is attached with little screws to the base.
                                  
For shingles on the little house I used pieces of a pinecone, I found in the forest, that a squirrel had taken apart.  I had hoped to add little rocks on the sides of the house then realized that I wouldn't have space to screw it to the tree top.
                         
The circular base was leftover from the sensory table my husband created last weekend.  The toad stool knobs were found at a thrift store.
                             
Adding these steps was a part that my husband did.  I wasn’t quite ready to handle the circular saw yet but I know I will someday.  But I did attach them.
                                 
It was so exhilarating creating this fairy home.  As soon as it was together my mind was already thinking of the next project.  I’m thinking that I may do a bit of painting on this one first.

Feeding Caterpillars

              We raise Painted Lady butterflies every year. 
Every year I follow the instructions and mix up the food that is supplied.    
          
   It’s a light brown substance that smells slightly like oatmeal. 
       We never see them eat it as it always looks the same.
                    
This year when the caterpillars arrived, I posted pictures on our
Facebook page.  A StrongStart facilitator from down island commented
that they feed their Painted Lady caterpillars leaves from the Lupin plant.
         
I really liked the idea of using a plant to feed them.  Actually to see
them eat and see the leaves disappear would be more meaningful.
          
On Monday I added a plant.  At first the caterpillars didn’t climb up the plant so I picked some leaves and brought them down.  As you can see it didn’t take them
long to find and devour them.
 
  
We added some sticks and they began to climb.  It was amazing to watch
them move around the plant and hang from the leaves.
 
         
       By Thursday most of the leaves were looking skeletal.
      
This morning I added a second plant, knowing that we will be closed
for three days, so worried they wouldn’t run out of food.
           
          They still have their dry food and they are still eating it. 
                
I’m looking forward to seeing where they will form their chrysalis. 
If it will be on the plant, under the remaining leaves or on the sticks
we’ve provided.