Imagine Childhood : Magic & Memories That Last a Lifetime

... cloud spotting

There's something about looking up at clouds that is almost mesmerizing.  Yes, they are nothing new, they're always up in the sky just floating around, and we all have our moments of wishing they weren't, but if you have ever watched one form out of thin air and slowly turn into a gigantic thunderhead, you know what we're talking about. A tiny wisp can become anything given the right conditions.  Some days it might just linger and float around, others it might disappear completely, and some days it will grow to cover the whole sky and send sheets of rain to the ground.  That's the beauty of it.  There is no telling what will happen when a cloud begins to form, and even after it has, where it will end up.  Clouds can go anywhere at any time, and be everywhere at once, and when you stare up at them... you can too.


For all the cloud appreciators out there, this book is amazing!

... nature walk: orcas island, san juan islands, washington state

This week's lovely Nature Walk comes to us from the Orcas and San Juan islands in Washington state, where Elizabeth and her family took a cross country trip to enjoy the beautiful northwest coast.  Over the course of their stay there they had a lot of fun exploring the woods and the sea shore. Thank you Elizabeth for sharing this gorgeous nature walk with us!

If you would like to contribute to our weekly Nature Walk series, you can learn more about submitting photos here.

Thanks again Elizabeth!

... equal

After months of long nights and short days we are finally at a balance... every minute tipping the scales towards more sunlight and the height of the growing season.


Flowers and plants are timidly making their first advances.   Buds still sheathed in their hearty warm coats are slowly growing larger, hinting at what they might become.


In these early spring days when small shoots of green and tight buds are the only signs of the changing season, it can be a fun activity to imagine what everything will look like once it finally arrives.  Taking children on nature walks at this time of year, whether in the woods, the park, or in your own backyard,  can be a great opportunity to do just that. Try guessing the shape of the leaves that will appear on different trees, the color and type of flowers that will bloom, and the species of birds that will come from the different nests that are visible in the bare branches. You could draw pictures of your projections in a nature journal, or even write stories about the adventures of the little leaves and flowers as they make their journey through the seasons of the year.  After you have finished, try visiting these spots daily to see how they measure up to your projections...


... and watch as the flowers bloom.
Happy Spring!! For some inspiring narrative picture books about journeys through the seasons and nature try here, and here, and here.

... giveaway forum: yellow chick and organic garden kits

THE WINNER for last week’s giveaway (chosen by random number) is: Brooke who wrote: “It’s one more hour of feeling good, for one. As for activities, I can bring the kids outside after dinner which can make a really big difference for everyone’s moods!” Many thanks to all of you for sharing your experiences of the changing light in the spring!
This Week, we are giving away a sweet little plush chick, and three organic seed kits!  If you win you can choose which seed varieties you would like for your garden.
To enter the giveaway, simply respond to this week’s forum topic in the comments for this post. If you ever have a question that you would like answered in this space feel free to send us your suggestions at [email protected].

This week’s topic is: How does your garden grow... what are your favorite plants and flowers?
The giveaway will close next Wednesday March 25th at 11:59pm MST and the winner (picked by a random number generator) will be announced Thursday March 26th! Good Luck!

... barn stories: growing rambunctious

This is one of  the very first pictures taken of Mistletoe born 12/05/08.


At birth and over the last few months he has been very sweet and attentive to his mom... always making sure to check in with her.


But now?  Going on 4 months old, his attention is on what he can get into!  Here he is in the feed trough, not in his stall but the neighboring stall!  His mom and I cannot figure out how he got in there.


He is now sprouting his horns, but they are going in the wrong direction (down instead of up). Mistletoe will be great for wool... he has such a wonderful coat... but not for breading. Since I took these pictures he has continued to escape and join the herd next door at night leaving Mom behind. I think he can jump stalls in a single leap like superman!!
This week is National Wildlife week! Check here for great wildlife activities from the National Wildlife Foundation!