Curly Birds

Welcome Spring

Image: Jennifer McCord

Where Wool Comes From

A few weeks ago we headed west to Three Creeks Farm for shearing day. It was a beautiful yet chilly spring day on the small farm.

While it was a busy day, I felt relaxed being in the countryside and I loved the sense of community with the other folks who came to help.

We all brought food to share and the girls ran free as we watched the sheep being sheared and then picked the fleece. 

Dear Spring...

(from my instagram feed - you can follow me @curlybirds)

Dear Spring, 

You bring such warmth and growth, and you fill our house with light and happiness. When you're around we want to run, skip, jump and stay up all night just to be with you.  

Why then, Spring, do you taunt me so? Your pretty chirping birds and beautiful flowers tempt me outside only to make my eyes water. You attack my sinuses with pollen and make my lungs work over-time. 

I love you anyway.

Lemonade?

 

Just like Christmas or Easter, the girls’ lemonade stand has become an ‘event’ at our house. 

Feed the Birds: One Blue Jay and Two Peanuts

Easiest way to feed the birds? Sprinkle some peanuts on a picnic table and watch the Blue Jays have a feast!

Can you believe this little bird figured out how carry two peanuts!?

Fairy House Kits

I've been meaning to share these pictures with you. Do you remember my Crafty Christmas posts? I included an idea to create a Fairy House Kit from momfluential. I loved the idea so much I made four Fairy House Kits for my girls and their cousins. It was a perfect gift for four fairy-loving cousins. 

When You Take Your Kids Outside...

and let them be free,

and when your kids lead the way,

you slow down to their pace,

and something happens.

Without needing you to teach them, your kids will naturally and happily...

observe the world around them,

think outside of the box,

work together,

and get dirty.

Let's all go!

 

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A Simple Tent

Rhythm of the Home is a seasonal online magazine full of Waldorf and Montessori inspired ideas for families. Being a Waldorf family, I have found it to be a wonderful resource to help bring Waldorf traditions into our home.

For the summer issue the girls and I made a sheet tent. It is a little shade on a hot day, a place for the girls to call their own, and a perfect location for impromptu tea parties.

Visit Rhythm of the Home to see our tent, as well as other summer projects like Bubble Wands and storytelling. 

Creating a Kids' Picking Garden

This is one spot to call their own.

Full of herbs, favorite veggies and flowers.

For busy hands and feet to stomp, water, pick, and eat.

 

Edible Flowers

Poisonous Flowers 

We included rosemary, mint, thyme, basil, sage, carrots, cherry tomatoes, marigolds, lavender, chamomile, daisies, hollyhocks, and sunflowers. It only took one sunny afternoon to choose, buy, and plant. Phew!

 

25 Tips for Hosting a Lemonade Stand

This weekend the girls held their first lemonade stand. It was a family memory to be cherished forever, another event that makes our house a home, and great fun. We are all looking forward to doing it again next year...

Here are our family tips for hosting a lemonade stand:

1.  Involve your kids in the process – planning, buying, making, and setting up

2.  Plan ahead, make signs a few days before, and make lemonade/cookies the day before

3.  Let kids help make the lemonade/cookies

4.  Price it right – we made lemonade 50 cents and $1, and cookies 50 cents for two

 

5.  Waiting for the first customer is tough