tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75542539053047720332024-03-19T00:20:34.051-07:00and the carrot came upRay-Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15594970436640261782noreply@blogger.comBlogger259125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7554253905304772033.post-48523002874695780692024-03-14T18:16:00.000-07:002024-03-14T19:36:57.524-07:00A Pot of Gourd Soup - A Learning Story<p style="text-align: center;"> "As children engage with the world, they delve into inquiries, generate new ideas, solve problems, and build theories of people, places and materials. These engagements can be vibrant, exhilarating and noisy, or they can be quiet, focused and solitary. Providing time, space and materials, rich with possibilities for experimenting, imagining and transforming allows children to create and explore in diverse ways based on their interests. Creating contexts for each child's engagement and participation is perhaps the most important way to inspire meaningful learning experiences."</p><p style="text-align: center;"> Early Learning Framework, page 75</p><p style="text-align: center;"> There are several large pots with lids, several large ladles and a platter of fabric vegetables and some small dried gourds. There is also a small stove top placed on a white cupboard. All of these items are tucked in a area under our kitchen counter. On the other side of the plexiglass is the 3-5 room.</p><p style="text-align: center;">One of the reasons I decided to set up this invitation to play was because I know that quite a few little ones are attracted to "kitchen" set ups and engage in play of this nature and we haven't played kitchen for a while. My adult brain is thinking, maybe they will make vegetable soup. I wonder what the children will do?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7tekJZaktLPirLFLMLz3fEDs6asfqNNoH08oxhH0UUc06GcI8TKHsoCDSvSc5xZEOD4P-O5HLab0QQ0MIXlo4GnDCJhFp2OjpJLhYkd6WTX-4xnAoKOT0nxKN11ZXz5xVUGKDPXUjvGJVfAmPawvpmuZOIlwK8v6DT5hMRDT2vZaTpRAUdgjL2JOOwINk/s4032/IMG_7019%20Amara%206.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7tekJZaktLPirLFLMLz3fEDs6asfqNNoH08oxhH0UUc06GcI8TKHsoCDSvSc5xZEOD4P-O5HLab0QQ0MIXlo4GnDCJhFp2OjpJLhYkd6WTX-4xnAoKOT0nxKN11ZXz5xVUGKDPXUjvGJVfAmPawvpmuZOIlwK8v6DT5hMRDT2vZaTpRAUdgjL2JOOwINk/s320/IMG_7019%20Amara%206.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This little one is the first to notice a new play area. I notice, in general, that she uses the whole room to explore and is very curious when new items are available. I watch as she takes a dried gourd from the platter of vegetables and places it into a pot. She uses the large ladle to give it a stir. It seems like she might have had some experience with cooking and helping in the kitchen at home. She seems proficient with this play. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh465-4WqaYVkYLCFDQOdkqUBLFzXpmGphEGKKkzxRHqkUlnWQGavO8UadC86t7aXRRYAGsV3nz9c9JV0-EBDKFNeutC9Z3DE7EH3DpOCysciEV02sZUfTrLZEdRoWRju34Rbr2X8odcxmtle1KwofU805Tl7vqTHO688CogT20zcR27yJ0hwZ6F5wTW-vK/s2100/IMG_7008%20Amara%204.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2100" data-original-width="1576" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh465-4WqaYVkYLCFDQOdkqUBLFzXpmGphEGKKkzxRHqkUlnWQGavO8UadC86t7aXRRYAGsV3nz9c9JV0-EBDKFNeutC9Z3DE7EH3DpOCysciEV02sZUfTrLZEdRoWRju34Rbr2X8odcxmtle1KwofU805Tl7vqTHO688CogT20zcR27yJ0hwZ6F5wTW-vK/s320/IMG_7008%20Amara%204.jpg" width="240" /></a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I notice she transfers the gourd using the ladle from one pot to another pot that was placed on a wood stump. She then gives it a stir. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4rYztcqjAcydvP6eDFj1Q3bRX8TiRGvQpTfIdyN2Ezd1MU_vnQUG59rC6NOV5wnJhvG9E8Kc7an6jXQavPl5g5WTRQW-AKieCyTUfmt_zABCgF1ntKflX6RwORoN8ghwjJO2nb3E-vaV1jyFNmpGpSdGINwi7r4uGYtb1_oLrTWgivh4cC07vkEh-T81G/s2100/IMG_7009%20Amara%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2100" data-original-width="1576" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4rYztcqjAcydvP6eDFj1Q3bRX8TiRGvQpTfIdyN2Ezd1MU_vnQUG59rC6NOV5wnJhvG9E8Kc7an6jXQavPl5g5WTRQW-AKieCyTUfmt_zABCgF1ntKflX6RwORoN8ghwjJO2nb3E-vaV1jyFNmpGpSdGINwi7r4uGYtb1_oLrTWgivh4cC07vkEh-T81G/s320/IMG_7009%20Amara%202.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It takes dexterity and fine motor skill to preform the tasks she is doing. She is using planning skills. As I watch her, I realize she is passing the ladle over to me as if to indicate that I should take a bite. "Yummy!" I exclaim to her. I remember there have been other times when she has offered something to someone. It seems like a gesture of hospitality and I wonder if she has seen her family serving others. It seems to be a very kind action that she extends to others.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Then I notice a little friend beside me holding out a fabric mushroom to her. Does he want her to have it? I wonder. She does not take the mushroom. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This little exchange is non verbal for both children. It makes me think about all of the ways that we communicate with others. Actions and gestures have meaning and are used long before young children use words.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> As I continue to observe and tune into her body language, I realize that she stills her actions. She seems to be waiting. I shift my body over to the side a bit more and the little friend beside moves over too. That creates an opening from the little cubby where she has been cooking.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaJJwDWt0dYFZ_uETiwjoM-4MtcAevUI9mYwS22FwYMqvi4_zP59M_8gpA55RXQRAqSzY5bDyuGMbMkkedXTNkLBizH42M6timSDhTH_iMwmWId65FpnQcZianCKq-F0SRYUREwNP-8GuzPez7-CkQSO6NlV3wARJfXEhXp66dWQyFyaxCWJIqz5VjGVWE/s2100/IMG_7010%20Amara%201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2100" data-original-width="1576" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaJJwDWt0dYFZ_uETiwjoM-4MtcAevUI9mYwS22FwYMqvi4_zP59M_8gpA55RXQRAqSzY5bDyuGMbMkkedXTNkLBizH42M6timSDhTH_iMwmWId65FpnQcZianCKq-F0SRYUREwNP-8GuzPez7-CkQSO6NlV3wARJfXEhXp66dWQyFyaxCWJIqz5VjGVWE/s320/IMG_7010%20Amara%201.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">She quickly picks up her ladle and pot with the gourd still inside and moves to the far side of the room. I wonder if she is preferring solitary play at this moment?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7NfUsENOvGqpyhviGIgJ7r8tMYhTFxssTXJ5M93gbevhzzq386aXthzdK786PyukCq_tV-zsgt5y4o7TATHi6srJZzhfxLSv5lQ98zYqHmmFS-2jS2wQ6AY606nlkH11Ab_Tnyyf7RkoT32-k3IB1SVbVCFxDujIIKAW0E21z5XVUSvr2gfQLvQBnNrYA/s4032/IMG_7011%20Amara%208.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7NfUsENOvGqpyhviGIgJ7r8tMYhTFxssTXJ5M93gbevhzzq386aXthzdK786PyukCq_tV-zsgt5y4o7TATHi6srJZzhfxLSv5lQ98zYqHmmFS-2jS2wQ6AY606nlkH11Ab_Tnyyf7RkoT32-k3IB1SVbVCFxDujIIKAW0E21z5XVUSvr2gfQLvQBnNrYA/s320/IMG_7011%20Amara%208.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">She sets the pot up on the window sill beside some other toy items that are lined up there. I thought she might put some of those items into her pot but she seems content with just the gourd.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiroBbavxVha27iu6wIjUtSbJVepDyzeSG5nqOgLmBKAkPrLszMVT0XqsH-gXMsU43NbZzU86JqQVkeKTgiqzhf-zn5PfqLbJb_qCrXGcE2HvuPI0UrRESxXCwq55iw270Z6yYCAXp6dSAnfHaUeWHx9ZnGz-lOPyqNbZwSv7JwyjYcJeBgEP1Pw8NSnYv_/s2100/IMG_7013%20Amara%203.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2100" data-original-width="1576" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiroBbavxVha27iu6wIjUtSbJVepDyzeSG5nqOgLmBKAkPrLszMVT0XqsH-gXMsU43NbZzU86JqQVkeKTgiqzhf-zn5PfqLbJb_qCrXGcE2HvuPI0UrRESxXCwq55iw270Z6yYCAXp6dSAnfHaUeWHx9ZnGz-lOPyqNbZwSv7JwyjYcJeBgEP1Pw8NSnYv_/s320/IMG_7013%20Amara%203.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">She climbs up onto the saddle, backwards, and notices something out the window. Did the light catch her eye or was it something else? Once she is balanced on the saddle she reaches for the pot and ladle and gives it another vigorous stir.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKehY6Dj7pxuXU7FSTyz1JYCduWGNk52HCb6b4RtzU1FooLzx6Cyfca-L9dbp-SKObLoakVqRRiHW4lyXVPJ92j8e2uKxWd25pqJXRiQbuHKJgM7jOvxlyDOOs39IHvF57IC4rgUtCxsds94LABcUCu_UAuP9Dhgu5Mr57t1-qZ39b-lDkBXNQPTOX9-y5/s2100/IMG_7014%20Amara%205.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2100" data-original-width="1576" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKehY6Dj7pxuXU7FSTyz1JYCduWGNk52HCb6b4RtzU1FooLzx6Cyfca-L9dbp-SKObLoakVqRRiHW4lyXVPJ92j8e2uKxWd25pqJXRiQbuHKJgM7jOvxlyDOOs39IHvF57IC4rgUtCxsds94LABcUCu_UAuP9Dhgu5Mr57t1-qZ39b-lDkBXNQPTOX9-y5/s320/IMG_7014%20Amara%205.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">When she is done stirring, she slips down off the saddle and places her pot and ladle on the window sill.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkr-8dCcQMND0cEYZrEKcyPQnpy1Bi1ZavXTxu-BNYNLoJn_ZmClLQ3UNL77kBM5naIu7F8RjgA_oGD-_GOEyqHb2LHiN71J2_gMSv11FWaFsAUuTq4t_TOcg_M5OdRVFxUf8WPeNluXXLtTfAhyphenhyphen3m4jUlRo6_jen9w6jPlcROeRbAlULsTtOava63NcI2/s4032/IMG_7015%20Amara%207.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkr-8dCcQMND0cEYZrEKcyPQnpy1Bi1ZavXTxu-BNYNLoJn_ZmClLQ3UNL77kBM5naIu7F8RjgA_oGD-_GOEyqHb2LHiN71J2_gMSv11FWaFsAUuTq4t_TOcg_M5OdRVFxUf8WPeNluXXLtTfAhyphenhyphen3m4jUlRo6_jen9w6jPlcROeRbAlULsTtOava63NcI2/s320/IMG_7015%20Amara%207.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And that is the end of this play for the moment. I see her run over to the magnet toys.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Children are given permission, in our room, to move materials around as they need too. We believe that this allows them to exercise their creativity and imagination and therefore supports their learning. Early childhood educators who design spaces with care, understand the significance of having a variety of play spaces and a variety of play materials.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's okay for the pot to stay there. She will either come back to it or else it will provoke play for someone else.</div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Ray-Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15594970436640261782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7554253905304772033.post-53698868143613639692024-02-22T15:36:00.000-08:002024-02-22T21:16:30.550-08:00A Boy and his Tractor and Trailer - A Learning Story.<p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">This is a Pedagogical Narration, also known as a Learning Story. It is the process of noticing and collecting moments from daily practice and sharing these with colleagues, children and families to make children's learning processes and inquiries as well as educator's pedagogical choices visible and open to interpretation and reflection.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Simply put, pedagogical narration may be thought of this way:</p><p style="text-align: center;">Listen deeply</p><p style="text-align: center;">Be curious</p><p style="text-align: center;">Embrace wonder</p><p style="text-align: center;">Share the story</p><p style="text-align: center;"> Early Learning Framework, p.51</p><p style="text-align: center;">Here is the story of a little boy in our infant and toddler room.</p><p style="text-align: center;"> I become aware of it slowly but surely. I watch, and see repetition in his play. I watch some more to be sure. I am intrigued, yes, he has caught my attention. </p><p style="text-align: center;">He is sitting on the wooden tractor, his legs pumping up and down, propelling it forward. He circles around the room with the trailer loaded to the brim behind him.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Everyday, for many days I have seen him driving around the room with his load. The load is different from day to day. The play is similar.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWO0SfFAvv2eHxXt5T59Ajrw1igc8SmfqH2W7WLoBTXC9aUT84OAWtxcWKa_5pH7rJyogKvqXS3ooqQBRdMb3j8qYhvxV17no_hfVWJjl5IWLEspWOvvbPNYgF17yFL7KV8dVD733hwclBnY12QjPls3UE8i6RGdwgYqPi2GEPp7XIag2XLu5sO1wOimw0/s2100/IMG_6773%20transporting%201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2100" data-original-width="1576" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWO0SfFAvv2eHxXt5T59Ajrw1igc8SmfqH2W7WLoBTXC9aUT84OAWtxcWKa_5pH7rJyogKvqXS3ooqQBRdMb3j8qYhvxV17no_hfVWJjl5IWLEspWOvvbPNYgF17yFL7KV8dVD733hwclBnY12QjPls3UE8i6RGdwgYqPi2GEPp7XIag2XLu5sO1wOimw0/s320/IMG_6773%20transporting%201.jpg" width="240" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A loaded trailer.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhauySr6UCcbxS-RpVo7S6PV9Z3_68lbO5zivVV7j7dvL5dlYLX25EfPBbnhnb5T9ffQHd3Bz4DYloN8vaHywDuqfYrI0_5nVGTmgtDf3GFwoEEkd2yWLPWbKTwY-E9e8juskB7EGIuWJkYWzwk7k-DjpdbcmSGYp28tiNkiIp5V3H8pcY7RnHev82fSk54/s4032/IMG_6725%20transporting%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhauySr6UCcbxS-RpVo7S6PV9Z3_68lbO5zivVV7j7dvL5dlYLX25EfPBbnhnb5T9ffQHd3Bz4DYloN8vaHywDuqfYrI0_5nVGTmgtDf3GFwoEEkd2yWLPWbKTwY-E9e8juskB7EGIuWJkYWzwk7k-DjpdbcmSGYp28tiNkiIp5V3H8pcY7RnHev82fSk54/s320/IMG_6725%20transporting%202.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And again.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixlpgpMzhqb3NHfYp2ed947h9m_Z7EtwTu1Ia99XpwN7PXtnmpYu0vGmcS2k1s8AJaArC-x7u7q1ro04SBQAthKGTO3kBwhbliR6iofStUOK9E5HKweRxtLoPcI4gJtp3WqqLfaMceAgiFuzJiUVPpWt2Mb41K7pYjrgshGspSPt85T-zOoP-Z88ki0md-/s2100/IMG_6687%20(1)%20transporting%203.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2100" data-original-width="1576" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixlpgpMzhqb3NHfYp2ed947h9m_Z7EtwTu1Ia99XpwN7PXtnmpYu0vGmcS2k1s8AJaArC-x7u7q1ro04SBQAthKGTO3kBwhbliR6iofStUOK9E5HKweRxtLoPcI4gJtp3WqqLfaMceAgiFuzJiUVPpWt2Mb41K7pYjrgshGspSPt85T-zOoP-Z88ki0md-/s320/IMG_6687%20(1)%20transporting%203.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And again.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A transporting schema. And an overlapping positioning schema. That's what I think might be happening in his play. I check in with my co-workers to see and hear what they think. We talk about Schemas, what they are and why children use schemas in their play. We would like to learn more about Schemas so I borrow some books.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Jean Piaget (1896-1980), a Swiss Psychologist, known for his work on child development, described a Schema as "a thread of thought that is demonstrated by repeated pattern's in children's play, meaning that children's play is a reflection of deeper internally and specifically directed thoughts. When children are exploring schemas, they are building understanding or abstract ideas, patterns and concepts."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> I like how Alexis Ralphs describes a schema in his blog, onehundredtoys.com.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"Schemas are mental models. They are representations we have in our minds of how objects move, for how they can be connected and transformed. In fact, there is no end to the ways we can conceptualize the world, but we tend to group them into around a dozen main categories, positioning and transporting are a few of these."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I learn that there are about ten common schemas but there could be up to forty. Children engage in schema play daily. As educators, we can observe their play and learn along side them by providing materials and experiences that might support their interests and needs.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Transporting: Picking things up, moving them, and putting them down or dumping them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Positioning and Ordering: A desire and drive to line items up and position objects in space, like sorting things by category or stacking them one on top of the other. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Every day for many days now, he loads his tractor.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I realize, as I think about it, that I have been seeing him do this for several weeks at least. But I've only really noticed when the trailer is full.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As I watch him, I begin to wonder about a few things such as how does he pick what he wants to transport? Where is he going? What seems important about what he is learning?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I continue to observe. I begin to work harder at noticing the beginning and end of his play. In a busy toddler room its challenging to stay in one spot for an extended length of time because other little ones need you, so I ask my co-workers for support so I could focus on him. I also ask them to contribute their observations as we collaboratively observe his play.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">He keeps at it, day by day and I keep watching. I see him circling the room on his tractor and picking up items from each area. He takes food items from the kitchen, or animals from where they are set up, cars from where they are set up near the car ramp. Are these things he likes? Or are they random items? He tosses a book in the back after he notices it has an ambulance on it. He has a toy ambulance in the back of his trailer. "Same, same", he says, as he shows me both.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I begin to notice how he loads items and that's when I see the positioning schema that he is incorporating into his play.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggsw14ks4lenso75hUp2NLVHqCUjEMPSkrrc4cRQg8aphyphenhyphenS07NSK4jt5yVHB7alCO72arfhcH59FeLbw8o7X90inTlCBlOtlzjVuWMhz32bNrHpYfpCCQ7Q698pGnufLbCU_-8H955uWbZPYNTOP-TlnkgN0BEmWbU02xte2l-BOxpyoaoBBsTI1SONj5j/s3776/IMG_6791%20patterning%201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3776" data-original-width="2290" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggsw14ks4lenso75hUp2NLVHqCUjEMPSkrrc4cRQg8aphyphenhyphenS07NSK4jt5yVHB7alCO72arfhcH59FeLbw8o7X90inTlCBlOtlzjVuWMhz32bNrHpYfpCCQ7Q698pGnufLbCU_-8H955uWbZPYNTOP-TlnkgN0BEmWbU02xte2l-BOxpyoaoBBsTI1SONj5j/s320/IMG_6791%20patterning%201.jpg" width="194" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7XDFm_KEHYCJcED10XWHRY9cvOP2WLYYOZ31OAB1j5LxZbW2-I0rDP9xu1q2G3kFRd8zZUwkQ1SVkHSGv6Ke3rEMPO4fuRb7Wwj72cCTMGTjQGmJ_5gZgA9khvU8Fd03AFNISLqvwJ2jRDMZuQUJ81yTnaVRAwW8rkF3tlgOcGIbwjAiLBrV2MODsJGsm/s4032/IMG_6792%20patterning%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7XDFm_KEHYCJcED10XWHRY9cvOP2WLYYOZ31OAB1j5LxZbW2-I0rDP9xu1q2G3kFRd8zZUwkQ1SVkHSGv6Ke3rEMPO4fuRb7Wwj72cCTMGTjQGmJ_5gZgA9khvU8Fd03AFNISLqvwJ2jRDMZuQUJ81yTnaVRAwW8rkF3tlgOcGIbwjAiLBrV2MODsJGsm/s320/IMG_6792%20patterning%202.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">See how carefully he places the houses in the back. Some things are randomly loaded and some form a pattern.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwTMGEFT3lG_doWE3jBt2HhdC5Cjqw3ZRW1o6OOEkDWTCJ_Pxu4Rik8WrD2RreF08AgIBwvD8mAHxLCVqvg8G_5s5bfnlADSvS3NhLdp4G7ECPHB9ypBP6O53ZQ9vkw_rJVMqP2JgwHXMNVLdQPMz5UYHUi1iJINyNZR0JIfPMc768OSPQG4XzrBsH3nAo/s4032/IMG_6762%20patterning%203.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2744" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwTMGEFT3lG_doWE3jBt2HhdC5Cjqw3ZRW1o6OOEkDWTCJ_Pxu4Rik8WrD2RreF08AgIBwvD8mAHxLCVqvg8G_5s5bfnlADSvS3NhLdp4G7ECPHB9ypBP6O53ZQ9vkw_rJVMqP2JgwHXMNVLdQPMz5UYHUi1iJINyNZR0JIfPMc768OSPQG4XzrBsH3nAo/s320/IMG_6762%20patterning%203.jpg" width="218" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The cars are carefully placed in a pattern.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGs7xkXPgFZ0KhKL42OQJ0n99cwzIixzFH9pcJ3QplBAFUpG-n34Fi8IdUX_a9kZVzLREElR1iKoG1BgSRDhfz0XEyUGuaK2xPQ-fCqVQD3p3F54Rd7b9y3lxvDKAuGO10YzuV6nqzz1sV6T4kEc2mzNDFjQESaDnlI2hGZ8pQwTzHe98AshFnypdsisN8/s2176/IMG_6783%20(1)%20blocks%20positioning.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1607" data-original-width="2176" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGs7xkXPgFZ0KhKL42OQJ0n99cwzIixzFH9pcJ3QplBAFUpG-n34Fi8IdUX_a9kZVzLREElR1iKoG1BgSRDhfz0XEyUGuaK2xPQ-fCqVQD3p3F54Rd7b9y3lxvDKAuGO10YzuV6nqzz1sV6T4kEc2mzNDFjQESaDnlI2hGZ8pQwTzHe98AshFnypdsisN8/s320/IMG_6783%20(1)%20blocks%20positioning.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">He uses these covered blocks over the course of many days. I begin to notice that he picks ones that fit nicely together in the back. I realize as I think about the last couple of weeks of this play that he has been practicing and experimenting with some items repetitively. The blocks are one of these items.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqlwQcjzsYTOSHLjqwvbf7pBGxz2Cqq8-rPNOlsOwoDrWvcb1xYfSgQGqtC86OXvShlDYpg7psEfzGrLAy3aPzaGJMh_0GxipHZFrWhgrIxGBE_6PpppTzLYR44FBVND29xff-MQUdjFrVAw8ZAvwGe8BCOPdn1PEBc8CVbibEMWqmM4BHryQxoHij7cHO/s1016/IMG_6687%20patterning%205.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1016" data-original-width="626" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqlwQcjzsYTOSHLjqwvbf7pBGxz2Cqq8-rPNOlsOwoDrWvcb1xYfSgQGqtC86OXvShlDYpg7psEfzGrLAy3aPzaGJMh_0GxipHZFrWhgrIxGBE_6PpppTzLYR44FBVND29xff-MQUdjFrVAw8ZAvwGe8BCOPdn1PEBc8CVbibEMWqmM4BHryQxoHij7cHO/s320/IMG_6687%20patterning%205.jpg" width="197" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The three smaller penguins fit in the back together and the bigger one sits in the front with him.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA0SBzk3GQYbfawo0imAxuW1N1xiVNdXcV5GeZUGvB_OPQdRJCfI-kdN7gSUeIAvJLnEBFTFsVtGbe6GHX6QifNxIkCdyAl_29y5ndHrN7sOFxrJKrR2NPjd9NzhKQdEYYy9Xdx9BdruzCENbh0Hc5ly8WO3MomukUMRbfwrCx7Psogi0BcYXJmILMrtE_/s4032/IMG_6677%20patterning%206.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="1838" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA0SBzk3GQYbfawo0imAxuW1N1xiVNdXcV5GeZUGvB_OPQdRJCfI-kdN7gSUeIAvJLnEBFTFsVtGbe6GHX6QifNxIkCdyAl_29y5ndHrN7sOFxrJKrR2NPjd9NzhKQdEYYy9Xdx9BdruzCENbh0Hc5ly8WO3MomukUMRbfwrCx7Psogi0BcYXJmILMrtE_/s320/IMG_6677%20patterning%206.jpg" width="146" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here is an interesting way that he uses the positioning schema with the wood pieces. He loads the back with random shaped pieces of wood and notices some gaps where he can stand up some of these longer bits.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNLI7HTa6zbsLNwYcs9y4kjql4Cj597_ML2bc6GL2dus101i8okv9h52UQFPexmSiSyt64-j4RUMkVv9kJftake7UfcyzjkQarztEp0O3bbiDSvZEmD26eoB3Q21QGUbgZ-To3WSXtGC32FU3eRKPer5-xsBHaUk6XvtHxIW6mQ06yul01W2fQxWIMnoLy/s3024/IMG_6675%20unloading1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2533" data-original-width="3024" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNLI7HTa6zbsLNwYcs9y4kjql4Cj597_ML2bc6GL2dus101i8okv9h52UQFPexmSiSyt64-j4RUMkVv9kJftake7UfcyzjkQarztEp0O3bbiDSvZEmD26eoB3Q21QGUbgZ-To3WSXtGC32FU3eRKPer5-xsBHaUk6XvtHxIW6mQ06yul01W2fQxWIMnoLy/s320/IMG_6675%20unloading1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Loading and them immediately unloading. And then re-loading using a different method.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Part of transporting, logically, is going from A to B. Sometimes I will ask him as he drives his loaded tractor and trailer around the room, "Where are you going?" He usually doesn't say, but will look at me with a big smile on his face. I wonder what that smile means? It seems to me that he is happy doing what he is doing. I wonder if actually going somewhere isn't the important part of his play or perhaps it means he will find out when he gets there.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">He usually takes his load of items somewhere in the room and unloads them. This load of wood however, is loaded and unloaded in the same place. As he unloads he makes a "zzzzzt" sound as each piece of wood is dropped out.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">One day, I have a chance to talk to his mom about what I am seeing in his play. She tells me that when he was between 12 and 18 months, he watched his Grandpa build their house. I wonder if he saw vehicles loaded with materials coming to his house and dropping things off. I wonder if he is now building on that previously gained knowledge.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyx5iwCKr6S1YrNZn9ryI-EiH9DkttcaxxoM30HAqKMQ3_tMg223QsS3-hYNBq3zkEzVC_PeZ0Xsw2-t4NUqH8e5kogycSNM-WOGF9-aJCOWR_-rmM__16niHb6Q9gBkO4GNJSmzGOsUYvuGWFfTK6BDjaQItFgmQtZakZh68CGU5H_KzmhRWbcEsVNdWE/s4032/IMG_6761%20unloading%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyx5iwCKr6S1YrNZn9ryI-EiH9DkttcaxxoM30HAqKMQ3_tMg223QsS3-hYNBq3zkEzVC_PeZ0Xsw2-t4NUqH8e5kogycSNM-WOGF9-aJCOWR_-rmM__16niHb6Q9gBkO4GNJSmzGOsUYvuGWFfTK6BDjaQItFgmQtZakZh68CGU5H_KzmhRWbcEsVNdWE/s320/IMG_6761%20unloading%202.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">These blocks get unloaded onto this shelf.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFxqSOuOszUywB1afVpqgK8H6tgFQw0NhBGQ5d2x5IaEplEAJYFXp9AQz6lzz3oQOLKJdhAmwwBI70yzRCd_RkmF7YYDHtiRehAg5xT9lBHzDR9MFAskI2yCvnQN00QScZAyb2xBxrtOSgYGjjgMr5S0MXGt4YYLkYAFr4CWSpNrjtV2dod8KEvjs57sFz/s4032/IMG_6774%20unloading%201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFxqSOuOszUywB1afVpqgK8H6tgFQw0NhBGQ5d2x5IaEplEAJYFXp9AQz6lzz3oQOLKJdhAmwwBI70yzRCd_RkmF7YYDHtiRehAg5xT9lBHzDR9MFAskI2yCvnQN00QScZAyb2xBxrtOSgYGjjgMr5S0MXGt4YYLkYAFr4CWSpNrjtV2dod8KEvjs57sFz/s320/IMG_6774%20unloading%201.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We find one load left here.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOpWzWrgeW_kiTb-HamTZFfE4QU0U0STjY9YH0aBzsSwQOQEX0AkZMMZ36Gatm0kVnQy5P1PGY_FGj32tYP5GZjucRjWJgT2iWzm7Z-n22UsCFWPOLJ5T26xjng3N_hiFW5NrmR7bniXozknIc_toJXuWLi33oNuPcmQxGO39nsfBD_3v1nViPE9LTPsnM/s4032/IMG_6798%20unloading%203.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOpWzWrgeW_kiTb-HamTZFfE4QU0U0STjY9YH0aBzsSwQOQEX0AkZMMZ36Gatm0kVnQy5P1PGY_FGj32tYP5GZjucRjWJgT2iWzm7Z-n22UsCFWPOLJ5T26xjng3N_hiFW5NrmR7bniXozknIc_toJXuWLi33oNuPcmQxGO39nsfBD_3v1nViPE9LTPsnM/s320/IMG_6798%20unloading%203.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And a load of books is piled here.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I notice him experimenting with oversized loads also.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjruFroXu-4JXrG0Aeft4fEeA0bzwfEPWQr85FGeY98WJTZ1FNTJE-v8AUmthuzTqSSQGg4AAT0Wjsk7gPoYp3IIS-vAi7eVkHmBCbS5C6q-s4zGO5Wn80C1SE4Tj0fvsN9iwnHmLQ0I5b_PeNuDhF5DlDLNqfWzKjmf7HjLSMRzjElkNzO9C1rt5rfBGci/s4032/IMG_6707%20oversize%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjruFroXu-4JXrG0Aeft4fEeA0bzwfEPWQr85FGeY98WJTZ1FNTJE-v8AUmthuzTqSSQGg4AAT0Wjsk7gPoYp3IIS-vAi7eVkHmBCbS5C6q-s4zGO5Wn80C1SE4Tj0fvsN9iwnHmLQ0I5b_PeNuDhF5DlDLNqfWzKjmf7HjLSMRzjElkNzO9C1rt5rfBGci/s320/IMG_6707%20oversize%202.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">An oversized floor seat.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjCSq_zZmb305ViuLk49p6Dq3dDmjEJFY4DWYLnGLY6z1LqZO6sSTGC1lPzuNYVMZQpm6z3R1mvZFw0mxZ4dhTTY2IF0bXAOuhxsyNq_Cf4A0IuMEJsxWInyeI74Gwl6F93T-qmd4-3eckP5bLbv3WuqVs5dyw4wcR8v7MgWPUCJRq-zBlz0IKjPLXvmEc/s1986/IMG_6787%20oversize%203.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1986" data-original-width="1666" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjCSq_zZmb305ViuLk49p6Dq3dDmjEJFY4DWYLnGLY6z1LqZO6sSTGC1lPzuNYVMZQpm6z3R1mvZFw0mxZ4dhTTY2IF0bXAOuhxsyNq_Cf4A0IuMEJsxWInyeI74Gwl6F93T-qmd4-3eckP5bLbv3WuqVs5dyw4wcR8v7MgWPUCJRq-zBlz0IKjPLXvmEc/s320/IMG_6787%20oversize%203.jpg" width="268" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Some oversized blocks.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCX3vSv4T57R84mb7cXUMa-F-37-w3n4UUUPtX4EPbpUE0HdbHBEwVxIYPaLXPI9EjvXHiilAKoSzGrZFXsKuAk7VdOeDvtyTV87qCaYgvTPuZiJcXEJWYn4T4DNLWcotF4nrOpRNzjfNxAOv6YzBdDYdJvNTbAAuPXozNsi8CokNocXlh5NlPU_gVgc7O/s2100/IMG_6765%20oversize%204.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2100" data-original-width="1576" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCX3vSv4T57R84mb7cXUMa-F-37-w3n4UUUPtX4EPbpUE0HdbHBEwVxIYPaLXPI9EjvXHiilAKoSzGrZFXsKuAk7VdOeDvtyTV87qCaYgvTPuZiJcXEJWYn4T4DNLWcotF4nrOpRNzjfNxAOv6YzBdDYdJvNTbAAuPXozNsi8CokNocXlh5NlPU_gVgc7O/s320/IMG_6765%20oversize%204.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And an oversized bead maze.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> I am astounded at all the ways he thinks of using materials in the room. I chuckle to myself in amazement because of his persistence and commitment to learning. I'm glad we try to offer a space for children to play in where they are free to use materials how they need to and can move them around from place to place. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I find it interesting to see all the ways he has been challenging himself. At times I have heard screams or cries of frustration when an item doesn't fit the way he wants it to. I have also heard protesting sounds if another child gets too close to the tractor or tries to take something out of the back. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As I continue to watch him day by day I see him becoming more proficient in loading the white blocks just so, positioning them in the way that he is practicing. I also see him beginning to allow friends to interact with his play. I support these interactions by giving ideas of words that can be used to communicate his needs. I realize he is screaming less. Is he more confident in his play and more familiar with the outcome because he repeats the narrative in some form, daily?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyifVeC3_v-k3XL1QWBnN16XQtlDqRxk5_jJMXVtfm4faRiLvf97whWLlq-ghPEDpSz4k_XnbKJMhZVVktP0Zg3KpUmXdrqvQXsSv9H0jm6i21FkfpF2XIL9np-4scxhDEXPuFEomPW1iag5xh_QQcBZQ-YXkiUDOzjqlgsgGqgzXsKvZ3sMuJ7aOrlzcB/s2100/IMG_6758%20myles%201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2100" data-original-width="1576" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyifVeC3_v-k3XL1QWBnN16XQtlDqRxk5_jJMXVtfm4faRiLvf97whWLlq-ghPEDpSz4k_XnbKJMhZVVktP0Zg3KpUmXdrqvQXsSv9H0jm6i21FkfpF2XIL9np-4scxhDEXPuFEomPW1iag5xh_QQcBZQ-YXkiUDOzjqlgsgGqgzXsKvZ3sMuJ7aOrlzcB/s320/IMG_6758%20myles%201.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzkoI2n5eZTY3Zi6dmxfjFAROkelhiXiqXdG9iFG-qtg-YupB1dU11aaR5PbX7xHmCK1jCc3wtG4MvWVygKkm3N5OJq0qZB12pgVRR_55G_T2DcWGqPWVpPMJ0TUlI3bMn74dG2hp-OU4P2lezK8uvY67-i3dytbJaLWP-io89UAmM_L-_7B7wZxbrI09t/s2100/IMG_6759%20(1)%20myles%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2100" data-original-width="1576" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzkoI2n5eZTY3Zi6dmxfjFAROkelhiXiqXdG9iFG-qtg-YupB1dU11aaR5PbX7xHmCK1jCc3wtG4MvWVygKkm3N5OJq0qZB12pgVRR_55G_T2DcWGqPWVpPMJ0TUlI3bMn74dG2hp-OU4P2lezK8uvY67-i3dytbJaLWP-io89UAmM_L-_7B7wZxbrI09t/s320/IMG_6759%20(1)%20myles%202.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">He accepts the block from a friend and inserts it into the trailer. I wonder what his younger friend is thinking and learning from being able to participate in this play.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuMlTG8lhRnHtbbmpRkk8qU1weUKpwtYYp_sEyBdf-nHeCEWD4xl8oA3LvAN9YPY4rJWca1Vi6o5VolouKM7LkOEHUu7LEK7NyLxEkyNXxgbaYZ-iNNesFUprjyIPr0lvbKOXbDshkF62kGqNULnmqsndQlxWXHIIhN3vAOqNGW_dpUQlHH5eA3R2BerV1/s2100/IMG_6795%20friends%201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2100" data-original-width="1576" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuMlTG8lhRnHtbbmpRkk8qU1weUKpwtYYp_sEyBdf-nHeCEWD4xl8oA3LvAN9YPY4rJWca1Vi6o5VolouKM7LkOEHUu7LEK7NyLxEkyNXxgbaYZ-iNNesFUprjyIPr0lvbKOXbDshkF62kGqNULnmqsndQlxWXHIIhN3vAOqNGW_dpUQlHH5eA3R2BerV1/s320/IMG_6795%20friends%201.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In this case, he not only allows friends to help load the trailer with books, he actually asks them to help him unload, saying, "L, I need help, there's too many books". They look around together to find a place to unload and choose the couch. I recently heard a TED talk where the speaker was explaining how we use words to transmit thoughts. I wonder if his actions (repetitive play) and his words that transmit his thoughts are now leading into collaborative play.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I have learned that it is important to continue to have a variety of loose parts available in our room for him to load. I wonder if we can add in any other transporting materials. He primarily uses the tractor and trailer, but will also load up a back pack and wear that while riding the tractor. What other items could we put out for him to explore?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"To enter into a style of teaching which is based on questioning what we're doing and why, on listening to children, on thinking about how theory is translated into practice and how practice informs theory, is to enter into a way of working where professional development takes place day after day in the classroom."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sophia Shoptauph</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm interested to see what he will do tomorrow and tomorrow after that. I will continue to observe and learn alongside him.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Ray-Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15594970436640261782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7554253905304772033.post-56772108050203502162024-01-21T16:31:00.000-08:002024-01-21T16:35:38.125-08:00Playing With an "Un-toy"<p style="text-align: center;"> It was Friday! Finally Friday! The unusual thing about this particular Friday was that we only had 3 little ones in the afternoon. In a 12 kid center, that doesn't happen very often, but we embraced it! We decided to use our time to clean the dreaded under the sink cupboard. The cupboard where things get tossed when we don't have time to put them away properly or when we don't know where else they belong. So we hauled everything out of that cupboard and truth be told, got rid of lots of the items. We get a lot of donations, which we appreciate of course, but due to having very limited storage space, we have to be ruthless with items we are not using. Under the sink I found these two goodies though. I'm not sure where they came from or how we got them. We realized that the 3-5's would use them for painting but we would not likely use them that way with the toddlers. However, I wondered if the mechanisms would be interesting to them? I taped the lids on and placed them in their kitchen area.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7phs2XnC7MKMoaiD2vIUfcI0oTYOK2PvUYMt84OGCUHAphzeyJ59vUkEz4t8y5U7e3bJoV_rFFnxuy8h78jh-Y7dtW6wmC3audN5gOZrNXGsrsVVoCLg_UeEKTWTRPW-NyPj1nmqhoJPhWPoirJ2s_Q4IjQvkhx62Rzn71foSquyc3pOqDjhxQceLzND4/s4032/IMG_6594%20untoy%201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2286" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7phs2XnC7MKMoaiD2vIUfcI0oTYOK2PvUYMt84OGCUHAphzeyJ59vUkEz4t8y5U7e3bJoV_rFFnxuy8h78jh-Y7dtW6wmC3audN5gOZrNXGsrsVVoCLg_UeEKTWTRPW-NyPj1nmqhoJPhWPoirJ2s_Q4IjQvkhx62Rzn71foSquyc3pOqDjhxQceLzND4/s320/IMG_6594%20untoy%201.jpg" width="181" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The white one has a pumping action and the yellow one has a handle that needs to be turned. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4GJZ7v9e6pf2DSHOfyHq-RjmHFC515NIHGbf258EAtAfc2cVHPDBT3NpqJzXK_xyAdmX3ZUZFfvxams8X_lImXeJEd7K0MN4GnFeyxVtZKO_9Tfq3Urxpp2nWtCZFDJSuLrtRdlzBW131n7uSA0yiDaJT0qlrR9ZLbYmW1DXBB1WCcg-PzyDHzy_tsRRu/s4032/IMG_6595%20untoy%203.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4GJZ7v9e6pf2DSHOfyHq-RjmHFC515NIHGbf258EAtAfc2cVHPDBT3NpqJzXK_xyAdmX3ZUZFfvxams8X_lImXeJEd7K0MN4GnFeyxVtZKO_9Tfq3Urxpp2nWtCZFDJSuLrtRdlzBW131n7uSA0yiDaJT0qlrR9ZLbYmW1DXBB1WCcg-PzyDHzy_tsRRu/s320/IMG_6595%20untoy%203.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">They have been used all week! The white one is the most popular perhaps because as they press down they can feel the spinning action vibrating inside. They can also see the inner cannister moving. Plus, it has a few buttons to press.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNQLmqjq-BsdZlRTtlJhT6BnlgmqxpSTIe1NzYQPhnGTiK8uZYTRBEzGdZnguVK767SVFchVF6KTo_iHqBW9FD9zxAMjYRbfRdkZzT0ZuyJV_HQ8BI-R4DD_RBSPBFHtZ731BUuN_sNWW6ecGKtnVZKtQw1-ssNxNo35Fm-DD9Cws5QKtqjyMLdhh7KwSj/s4032/IMG_6596%20untoy%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNQLmqjq-BsdZlRTtlJhT6BnlgmqxpSTIe1NzYQPhnGTiK8uZYTRBEzGdZnguVK767SVFchVF6KTo_iHqBW9FD9zxAMjYRbfRdkZzT0ZuyJV_HQ8BI-R4DD_RBSPBFHtZ731BUuN_sNWW6ecGKtnVZKtQw1-ssNxNo35Fm-DD9Cws5QKtqjyMLdhh7KwSj/s320/IMG_6596%20untoy%202.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The yellow one is a slightly more challenging action to figure out. I think it's great that the toddlers are challenged by it though and keep trying.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="hthttp://www.andthecarrotcameup.ca/2014/09/un-toys-are-most-fun.htmltps://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMfNClRr39scFMzHyvmpJAvrhISSsbAiU7NNSYrIzjf1uS049sVVm7qsJSpqd57gNbjvt88ErQreX5lfzOzfivnhijIQIBdHXazqNsM-ax4OgG1dF5JfanagGs5YH3oky5QUThoFB3rgd3G8aYHCi2a1m69CcWMddS8SuUANsmuNRLAsgr1FjVEx6IBUtw/s4032/IMG_6597%20untoy4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMfNClRr39scFMzHyvmpJAvrhISSsbAiU7NNSYrIzjf1uS049sVVm7qsJSpqd57gNbjvt88ErQreX5lfzOzfivnhijIQIBdHXazqNsM-ax4OgG1dF5JfanagGs5YH3oky5QUThoFB3rgd3G8aYHCi2a1m69CcWMddS8SuUANsmuNRLAsgr1FjVEx6IBUtw/s320/IMG_6597%20untoy4.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I think it's even more awesome that we rescued items from going to the landfill and have provided something thought provoking and stimulating to the toddlers.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A long time ago I wrote another blog post about a different un-toy in a different daycare center. You can read about it <a href="http://www.andthecarrotcameup.ca/2014/09/un-toys-are-most-fun.html">here</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Do you have any un-toys in your center? </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>Ray-Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15594970436640261782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7554253905304772033.post-39813358886420720352024-01-15T19:23:00.000-08:002024-01-16T20:14:20.031-08:00Room Design Change. In the blink of an eye.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This morning I was on early shift. I thought I would take a few pictures of our room for those who are interested in room design. I take room design pictures regularly because I'm inspired to move things around to meet the needs of our little group of young learners. Sometimes we move things to clean, or because an area is not being used as much. I'm proud of how our team work together to reflect and </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">creatively use materials, equipment, and furniture in new and innovative ways. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhe1bQHgsB37keubT_HJZFU3Ukqu4FqPdT3-6N4fC4vWVAxAxA2FzkBlR95h9Sv9Zl8EhP56-xcrjpznL3U3BMsXkwsK_7o3Y0nSNc78kQ4yy1O91B3bMi3lkJyFpaQb61rfM0Im8qblRrvObnF4RPsHf9TNp6n-POm8eT5PhfhUtlhasDb3QFZ5GW2Knz/s4032/IMG_6550%20room%203.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhe1bQHgsB37keubT_HJZFU3Ukqu4FqPdT3-6N4fC4vWVAxAxA2FzkBlR95h9Sv9Zl8EhP56-xcrjpznL3U3BMsXkwsK_7o3Y0nSNc78kQ4yy1O91B3bMi3lkJyFpaQb61rfM0Im8qblRrvObnF4RPsHf9TNp6n-POm8eT5PhfhUtlhasDb3QFZ5GW2Knz/s320/IMG_6550%20room%203.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The aquarium on top of this shelving unit was recently housing a group of woodland animals.. There were animals, fake greenery, a uniquely shaped piece of wood and some tree cookies. And then it snowed. So we created a scene inside that reflects the changing world outside. We brought in our winter tree before Christmas break and painted it. All of the children in our room celebrate Christmas. We didn't promote Christmas before or after the event. However, after the holiday, I hung twinkly lights and a penguin banner on our wooden tree. Another day, I placed three gift bags by the tree with a few of their toys in them. They really haven't talked about presents much but rather use the bags to go shopping. I wanted to see what their play might be like after Christmas when they had a fresh reference point for decorated trees and gifts. I did not see Christmas play happening which is just fine as the materials are there to support individual learning and the children are free to move items around the room and use as they wish.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSC84qA3CXBNt-qSx1GgwZqxSOZxdetukl4z9X7HraVKCJLtfSdNIBJy36NRuuwWMPj0rdCoj3z2-OUTWITdPyoVVIjJYxFf0w2rxBj4L-VT5vGJzz1uispdYJo0oVGW54sHNnczbok-OXtOhnPi754qeaUZcdh-quJ2lqly_r3N3VGhjWXediUEktMAFd/s4032/IMG_6549%20room%204.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSC84qA3CXBNt-qSx1GgwZqxSOZxdetukl4z9X7HraVKCJLtfSdNIBJy36NRuuwWMPj0rdCoj3z2-OUTWITdPyoVVIjJYxFf0w2rxBj4L-VT5vGJzz1uispdYJo0oVGW54sHNnczbok-OXtOhnPi754qeaUZcdh-quJ2lqly_r3N3VGhjWXediUEktMAFd/s320/IMG_6549%20room%204.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Now the woodland animals are on the window ledge!</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5i4M9z06VsMP5CNXGszg2v9GbwowPyy5QH4c32NaJI26Dn-1pCR73WnOpVbEgigAvOpLQma8ZBiZVvI9xT3AncG8RiXQvT2Mx4Iru6Vmcp0ktzbUo_7pSGpmi44OaKNLg4qwRpWJUrdUb9m3gchLaVh8JYhlt__WtCT7Y7UOz4KwAVxVWG_ETs6ciYNiE/s4032/IMG_6548%20room%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5i4M9z06VsMP5CNXGszg2v9GbwowPyy5QH4c32NaJI26Dn-1pCR73WnOpVbEgigAvOpLQma8ZBiZVvI9xT3AncG8RiXQvT2Mx4Iru6Vmcp0ktzbUo_7pSGpmi44OaKNLg4qwRpWJUrdUb9m3gchLaVh8JYhlt__WtCT7Y7UOz4KwAVxVWG_ETs6ciYNiE/s320/IMG_6548%20room%202.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I seldom use the main lights in the morning. Even when it's winter and there is not a lot of natural light coming in the window. I personally, really like the calm ambience that is provided with our floor lamps that we have placed around room. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2NvOJtBbcsvngh_0Cas5F7PvtlmFv_zSTBTwC-k6pwFBBjqKUK5EIA1zl-Cd5RSx0AoMKSDQEWmq6ZQP0t6o8uaB5Ku_CLErWuk6nJzRw9fW_pa22Y7I3WYn_eHRFD6IbfJ64nnmrKbBumiHwnLCd9ybkjbJUTYshN9lng8mxWgUe4MIKcgLjM2oRC_Di/s4032/IMG_6551room%201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2NvOJtBbcsvngh_0Cas5F7PvtlmFv_zSTBTwC-k6pwFBBjqKUK5EIA1zl-Cd5RSx0AoMKSDQEWmq6ZQP0t6o8uaB5Ku_CLErWuk6nJzRw9fW_pa22Y7I3WYn_eHRFD6IbfJ64nnmrKbBumiHwnLCd9ybkjbJUTYshN9lng8mxWgUe4MIKcgLjM2oRC_Di/s320/IMG_6551room%201.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There is almost always an interest in playing with cars. I put away the construction vehicles and set up a parking lot similar to the one below our daycare. We see school buses there and a variety of vehicles in the parking lot.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So these were some of the areas available to play in, in the morning and then, guess what? The light table we asked to borrow from the local CCRR arrived! ( we love you CCRR!) For those of you not familiar with the CCRR, it is a program called the Childcare Resource and Referral. One of it's features is a toy lending library. I thought our littles would enjoy a light table and some materials to use on it. Heather brought us magna tiles, colored and translucent duplo blocks and some see-through wood blocks with interesting item inside to explore. We are excited to use these materials in the next month or so.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Well, wouldn't you know it. A room change happened. We wanted the light table to go where we had our penguin play set up. But the children are still using the penguins and instead of putting them away we needed to find a new area in the room to put the penguins. And one thing led to another. Our whole room was changed! Does that ever happen to you?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We cleaned, moved items here and there, and creatively set up our room differently but using all of the same things, just rearranged. The really great thing is that the toddlers respond enthusiastically and their play is refreshed and inspired again.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5WCP2LRvLLwGYobHQvoZysMTzSbAvhULtNi0iJ3CWv2BHHY4yI0PDQZDNQoPvTWvKXBBXbNSzbCtgbfqU3g9AO-nkwSD-3Jm0IcuDOMbLqZ72uSktQCjKL4I5dV6uFc1nrpWZ1biAxMVrx1xEkAsPvg0DeddCoD_1el22sv8iDhJZ44FSQ-jl_eAjcVNc/s4032/IMG_6557%20room%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5WCP2LRvLLwGYobHQvoZysMTzSbAvhULtNi0iJ3CWv2BHHY4yI0PDQZDNQoPvTWvKXBBXbNSzbCtgbfqU3g9AO-nkwSD-3Jm0IcuDOMbLqZ72uSktQCjKL4I5dV6uFc1nrpWZ1biAxMVrx1xEkAsPvg0DeddCoD_1el22sv8iDhJZ44FSQ-jl_eAjcVNc/s320/IMG_6557%20room%202.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here is the light table with the magna tiles. We have several competent builders in our group so some of the tiles are on the light table and the rest are in the bin under the table in case we need more as building happens.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRdeZeAQrVTDIURoZQEZn2lgn5XHYqNHlI4XdaanafQGP8Vz787iqS3UgNHb5Kr9jT8rB00mTDbj4rTb9l-Lkw1JhaTH8GbTr8P8FEVbAJf-34PpZ8BZN7djgQcna6M3JXNSh5bGBk80AtMKC-j2YmKvR7AX0YmPK8HFpAwYE0X6xo-lKAcZGgB6wl08Cq/s4032/IMG_6558%20room%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRdeZeAQrVTDIURoZQEZn2lgn5XHYqNHlI4XdaanafQGP8Vz787iqS3UgNHb5Kr9jT8rB00mTDbj4rTb9l-Lkw1JhaTH8GbTr8P8FEVbAJf-34PpZ8BZN7djgQcna6M3JXNSh5bGBk80AtMKC-j2YmKvR7AX0YmPK8HFpAwYE0X6xo-lKAcZGgB6wl08Cq/s320/IMG_6558%20room%202.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We moved the kitchen area in the space that previously we had the cars in the the tuff tray table.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNCChtqkI1ycYji5PuiJhzx0UZLPBryNg2KfLZpsaCtM3RnxUg-rVBOzYy4ypyh2tn0xY5ETO1_0jMq_MhuFYf6CDSQ-SP89umuNvX4TQrQElsFgG_nLclgaC6eAuSmXAKJS4TlgMFI3JcqCydQzutg_2QgBQmACCBpyKz_F06gyb3AzNfgS-O58HpWCPc/s4032/IMG_6559%20room%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNCChtqkI1ycYji5PuiJhzx0UZLPBryNg2KfLZpsaCtM3RnxUg-rVBOzYy4ypyh2tn0xY5ETO1_0jMq_MhuFYf6CDSQ-SP89umuNvX4TQrQElsFgG_nLclgaC6eAuSmXAKJS4TlgMFI3JcqCydQzutg_2QgBQmACCBpyKz_F06gyb3AzNfgS-O58HpWCPc/s320/IMG_6559%20room%202.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We moved the couch where this cupboard had been and this is where the couch was! </div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVyupyocgBFw2bo1ktlfufwc-VlZEuA9ouHw8Rm4tfshxyByAY4xLekviMXR27iS2HBQYvwoduJNNWnGXEQjAksyodX-3mDuAwjMTxMDcL_a_mYhAq6PJfmBjNa5TJRSO_NJ9qufuCvaYKRknTNs7BnwxASqyQqI_WA8uGyMhqWMERN5FNgFF1oMrKMIDN/s4032/IMG_6555%20rom%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVyupyocgBFw2bo1ktlfufwc-VlZEuA9ouHw8Rm4tfshxyByAY4xLekviMXR27iS2HBQYvwoduJNNWnGXEQjAksyodX-3mDuAwjMTxMDcL_a_mYhAq6PJfmBjNa5TJRSO_NJ9qufuCvaYKRknTNs7BnwxASqyQqI_WA8uGyMhqWMERN5FNgFF1oMrKMIDN/s320/IMG_6555%20rom%202.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And here is the car area which turned into a train area as well! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXNhPBSFI256eqBrFRVh47-caCBx7NAkp-CdAWVAAFGkiM8ivkjDYJlUwcY1B2b_Y2DsT6yM6QutrdxBufsMSIQGpHs3Xoj1bdRdHnn3phpAhIbfwCe2eFmk6E-7-IE6oFTUPB_og2bebq_lDAWDNGU5v7EVrx1vHXMSgaPcWWuJgEFihqDqcbpOwKeIZD/s4032/IMG_6556%20%20room%203.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXNhPBSFI256eqBrFRVh47-caCBx7NAkp-CdAWVAAFGkiM8ivkjDYJlUwcY1B2b_Y2DsT6yM6QutrdxBufsMSIQGpHs3Xoj1bdRdHnn3phpAhIbfwCe2eFmk6E-7-IE6oFTUPB_og2bebq_lDAWDNGU5v7EVrx1vHXMSgaPcWWuJgEFihqDqcbpOwKeIZD/s320/IMG_6556%20%20room%203.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And where the kitchen area was is now the penguin habitat! We incorporated our wooden cube to make a kind of snow cave. The mural on the wall was found in a cupboard and we thought it was so lovely and wintery.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There you have it, a tour of our room and some of the things we have going on. Are you interested in room design? Leave a comment and let's dialogue.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /> <p></p>Ray-Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15594970436640261782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7554253905304772033.post-17111768823790331952023-12-15T14:43:00.000-08:002023-12-15T21:07:42.546-08:0040 Years Together.<p style="text-align: center;"> We are celebrating our 40th wedding anniversary this week-end. This occasion has given me reason to ponder. How did we actually make it this long together? </p><p style="text-align: center;"> When we got married in 1983, I was 21 and he was 24. So young!! We have 3 children, all grown now. They were born when I was 22, 24 and 29. In the gap were 2 losses. </p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD1lnZdSbdxpgFneXOqhAbzGsFgcOe23Gfk1RaiEgsNoTw4aKM2o82MH3BC2f4YZbOZpoik38MN_8ua5mxWt1kuxXMpX4XkcIJi9vfOVntDznAei2Tm_FqeDlEhPsJvzUglXGA2MC4RlGCHQv6TceoItvZk7AG6FOoCq2hId2qVuEjgajB8BAa7AXCB-9d/s955/IMG_6134%20young%20d%20and%20r.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="955" data-original-width="828" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD1lnZdSbdxpgFneXOqhAbzGsFgcOe23Gfk1RaiEgsNoTw4aKM2o82MH3BC2f4YZbOZpoik38MN_8ua5mxWt1kuxXMpX4XkcIJi9vfOVntDznAei2Tm_FqeDlEhPsJvzUglXGA2MC4RlGCHQv6TceoItvZk7AG6FOoCq2hId2qVuEjgajB8BAa7AXCB-9d/s320/IMG_6134%20young%20d%20and%20r.jpg" width="277" /></a></div><br /> We met in Victoria and married there but soon moved to the Kootenays. I was raised in the Nelson area so it was already home to me. We have lived at 49 Creek for most of our marriage. Darrell built us a home on this property. <p></p><p style="text-align: center;">I guess like many other families our lives have been full of raising children, figuring out where to live and work, paying bills and in between all of that having some fun. I feel like, in some ways, the first half of our marriage was so busy managing all of these things that we just got up each day, worked hard and did our best. There were times when we didn't really see each other or understand one another's personal needs, and we had to take time to work through some difficulties that arose because of that. We had to learn to communicate and be able to walk through the door of resolution. That was especially hard for me. In fact, I'm pretty sure Darrell has some PTSD from living with me as I work through my early trauma and triggers and continue to do so. There were days and months sometimes that were not easy by any means. Loyalty is his middle name, however, and he has stuck by me, reassured me, loved me, comforted me and built me up continuously. </p><p style="text-align: center;">Life is hard. Life is hard together, life would be hard apart. We picked our hard. Together. And so it has been, sometimes bumbling through and sometimes smooth sailing. Always hard work. Choosing to be kind, choosing to be respectful, learning to apologize, learning to say thank you and appreciate each other's efforts. Doing our best to lay down selfishness. Choosing to see the best and forgive the faults. Choosing to remember what we fell in love with at the beginning. Laughing together. And crying, yes, definitely tears. Teamwork. That word is important to us.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZau4OwRnVRH8pj_vg_3fwqnwZywp1o6a0Z6nkYydi1lCZxsE5I0YCBU4RshXSYMDWX89fUrQemdV7ehrJDXepCLw00wPA5wF-_gJJQMtqPwiHEXubwrx8Gl8QX3KxDH6UdH-vQQUIjb1ersaiAC2eiQqwkiQvS1txu5eT9i1iqxiljjALK5BSt_npxvS5/s2048/IMG_5944%20Dand%20R.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZau4OwRnVRH8pj_vg_3fwqnwZywp1o6a0Z6nkYydi1lCZxsE5I0YCBU4RshXSYMDWX89fUrQemdV7ehrJDXepCLw00wPA5wF-_gJJQMtqPwiHEXubwrx8Gl8QX3KxDH6UdH-vQQUIjb1ersaiAC2eiQqwkiQvS1txu5eT9i1iqxiljjALK5BSt_npxvS5/s320/IMG_5944%20Dand%20R.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">We have not done this alone. Our other choice has been Jesus. From the start, trusting His guidance and provision in our lives, asking Him for help always, doing our best to follow His way. Praying everyday. We do not always trust well. We forget, and carry on in our own strength and have to be reminded over and over to hang on to God's hand. To wake up and try again the next day. Learning to take all our worries and cares to Him who loves us most. He has helped us, no doubt about it. </p><p style="text-align: center;">So here we are, 40 years together despite everything. Moving forward one day at a time, one step at a time.</p><p style="text-align: center;">I love you D. Forever. Thank you for our life together.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPxeFOSGb-TnTNkbTyOzee4GDclOEtvsMnJYWnLTanvnRvTsmG3NHl_w1tqC0A9uDLyK69QgSfoQGtWIH_0GKEofBvsUk4HEyXLJ3Fk-_AqHP5-tEafEpaSZuz_La-bHSyKVmhPWKqd1MedkhtEQhBn2-MxusOWti98QKn603PrfEuMEhaVbYTzLcWq_vV/s835/IMG_6310%20felt%20seniors.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="835" data-original-width="828" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPxeFOSGb-TnTNkbTyOzee4GDclOEtvsMnJYWnLTanvnRvTsmG3NHl_w1tqC0A9uDLyK69QgSfoQGtWIH_0GKEofBvsUk4HEyXLJ3Fk-_AqHP5-tEafEpaSZuz_La-bHSyKVmhPWKqd1MedkhtEQhBn2-MxusOWti98QKn603PrfEuMEhaVbYTzLcWq_vV/s320/IMG_6310%20felt%20seniors.jpg" width="317" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p> </p>Ray-Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15594970436640261782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7554253905304772033.post-35615252577381317392023-08-23T18:02:00.002-07:002023-08-23T18:09:21.270-07:00An African Savannah - small world play<p> I recently created a wet felted play mat inspired by an African province called Kwa-zulu Natal for a friend of mine and her two lovely boys. When I looked up the area on the internet I saw a variety of beautiful images. As the design of this play mat brewed in my mind, I was reminded of a favorite story from our toddler room called Lazy Lion by Mwenye Hadithi and Adrienne Kennaway. This story sparked creative inspiration for me as I wanted the play mat to be interactive for a 3 and 5 year old. I felt that having this story as a basis would begin the imaginative play and more play could arise from it.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn3N0JiJRhc-IQ02e4GGSumiluztcHOdIO-Wb9-A_3vnzEWVnGEh6NO1LKdDuUGnBkZ2f1YdIkJR8dAkerear7qw7y_BjvHbnoleGrDA_3wXXOKRSZCpfSie2FRAli0Z5Q3CZT_BkvkRlfUSsIGIeeHtn0kGM7vFWozaFAWUwdV7iEFd5aQfd4Ul4zZrjo/s828/IMG-5715%20africa%201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="594" data-original-width="828" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn3N0JiJRhc-IQ02e4GGSumiluztcHOdIO-Wb9-A_3vnzEWVnGEh6NO1LKdDuUGnBkZ2f1YdIkJR8dAkerear7qw7y_BjvHbnoleGrDA_3wXXOKRSZCpfSie2FRAli0Z5Q3CZT_BkvkRlfUSsIGIeeHtn0kGM7vFWozaFAWUwdV7iEFd5aQfd4Ul4zZrjo/s320/IMG-5715%20africa%201.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ7kMzE6Cp2Xd4xnRCl58Jv9axuNA6RB9tW2xxwbraiyqdZwzCIw1i09lXVdYgbFGKqRbTXaPPhSTcn-5KAIjV2C7z3B3T7wrYXcoPC8zaZmjWcF6yc82zjdHTMD3mGj5heSTIJ6LrP1BItV4sz7LzhftCsVcVRGIBzPWedESZnENBz5C2KsD9SZ4ahKr8/s1099/IMG-5714%20africa%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1099" data-original-width="828" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ7kMzE6Cp2Xd4xnRCl58Jv9axuNA6RB9tW2xxwbraiyqdZwzCIw1i09lXVdYgbFGKqRbTXaPPhSTcn-5KAIjV2C7z3B3T7wrYXcoPC8zaZmjWcF6yc82zjdHTMD3mGj5heSTIJ6LrP1BItV4sz7LzhftCsVcVRGIBzPWedESZnENBz5C2KsD9SZ4ahKr8/s320/IMG-5714%20africa%202.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9B3eA3VnM-0_vhjwbHVaZJlTOhOpE-duOE9QhLVImzrNDszr9ocCIrHxJWuWHJVVfviF1CAAd5ecRBtTqM91lBlJ4HF1Wh9GYHHm_z9uFjd848JT-_seHDVbcFKErPnMYhkvPcKMTGwb2c8T1nHp6-EwLv4apCpW-JeIhw_aMmYwA2XS2F34L3r5TzppH/s4032/IMG-5690%20africa%209.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9B3eA3VnM-0_vhjwbHVaZJlTOhOpE-duOE9QhLVImzrNDszr9ocCIrHxJWuWHJVVfviF1CAAd5ecRBtTqM91lBlJ4HF1Wh9GYHHm_z9uFjd848JT-_seHDVbcFKErPnMYhkvPcKMTGwb2c8T1nHp6-EwLv4apCpW-JeIhw_aMmYwA2XS2F34L3r5TzppH/s320/IMG-5690%20africa%209.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As you can see from these pictures, the terrain is gold, green, brown, bronze, blue. I also went with color from the story as I love the illustrations. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhngFG9rrI65RIZXh1jcJi0zusL7hEyH9x3QyeOKWo3JfvJ7kVShLlCzzdb8dtRguepGhoF8TXYa6XVEJs415w7NBrF1RcLaXOLKz3DWrrXO1nqnKcHpa_XxwIijNBCrzJFD7Ly7YS8iW7qjB5LpCWRw9-lQntfSLKb4I7y6ZKnuhMGI66nJHIVV8cZ11_m/s4032/IMG-5681%20africa%203.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhngFG9rrI65RIZXh1jcJi0zusL7hEyH9x3QyeOKWo3JfvJ7kVShLlCzzdb8dtRguepGhoF8TXYa6XVEJs415w7NBrF1RcLaXOLKz3DWrrXO1nqnKcHpa_XxwIijNBCrzJFD7Ly7YS8iW7qjB5LpCWRw9-lQntfSLKb4I7y6ZKnuhMGI66nJHIVV8cZ11_m/s320/IMG-5681%20africa%203.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I didn't want to make the water all brown as in the pic above but at the same time wanted to honor the fact that not all water is blue. So I mixed colors depicted in the story and also from the images I saw on the internet. I added in just a bit of blue so the water could be distinguished from the land.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnii20jKhvtfDc5dNe6A_9-HFwthpVJNunh-aFuZ0KRR4tW7HXYx48bexGg0oER75TdOFx7Tm08srOzOw8162lQU8FE1iEoC5dkAJ9xsKZ6zCOxHI4SYae7q5eN6_6LwsW0SyTibtMLMe4ryuip2Jc18UFk14-UOquDvI4AXLhah6vRFUcgzcZDAcUkCkQ/s4032/IMG-5682%20africa%204.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnii20jKhvtfDc5dNe6A_9-HFwthpVJNunh-aFuZ0KRR4tW7HXYx48bexGg0oER75TdOFx7Tm08srOzOw8162lQU8FE1iEoC5dkAJ9xsKZ6zCOxHI4SYae7q5eN6_6LwsW0SyTibtMLMe4ryuip2Jc18UFk14-UOquDvI4AXLhah6vRFUcgzcZDAcUkCkQ/s320/IMG-5682%20africa%204.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuDa6Tktf-0XAiLPhcns9y5UCSDFCx-HbZWw5jYXGoHVFAL4uJQUX8XCSFQpOA_k9jTchB0IhDSc__cHX_04F486gMDlJx05i1m5WabNy4JOhp2zfcynxzFEeuKyIeHi4gGSiGUf1VaCsCQ0BITrtYoDYhTqz04D5Tt20AwbsABN9W2-IEngiIgkzUDeT8/s4032/IMG-5684%20africa%205.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuDa6Tktf-0XAiLPhcns9y5UCSDFCx-HbZWw5jYXGoHVFAL4uJQUX8XCSFQpOA_k9jTchB0IhDSc__cHX_04F486gMDlJx05i1m5WabNy4JOhp2zfcynxzFEeuKyIeHi4gGSiGUf1VaCsCQ0BITrtYoDYhTqz04D5Tt20AwbsABN9W2-IEngiIgkzUDeT8/s320/IMG-5684%20africa%205.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Once I had designed the play mat, the wet felting begins.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVd7aH5Bjm_kCuVCB6Bd2wSwvOk7d4d9vwcvsmh9d9RMksepaKFDKscc5CIyr03qc1AIJ0J3aJab0A4QNUILiaLZxJwlphhbXFOGjCJesr7gh7S1GSngjcwZFjVQvtyUpPCOsUadhVajVYA2VyzaHFo7TdiczNKlNt0s-lcskBjl5bikTp_-X3oEqFJUB_/s4032/IMG-5683%20africa%206.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVd7aH5Bjm_kCuVCB6Bd2wSwvOk7d4d9vwcvsmh9d9RMksepaKFDKscc5CIyr03qc1AIJ0J3aJab0A4QNUILiaLZxJwlphhbXFOGjCJesr7gh7S1GSngjcwZFjVQvtyUpPCOsUadhVajVYA2VyzaHFo7TdiczNKlNt0s-lcskBjl5bikTp_-X3oEqFJUB_/s320/IMG-5683%20africa%206.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">One of my favorite parts is cutting the openings in the caves. I have found this method of making caves very effective. <a href="http://www.andthecarrotcameup.ca/2020/05/wet-felting-cave-creating-play-mat-6.html">http://www.andthecarrotcameup.ca/2020/05/wet-felting-cave-creating-play-mat-6.html</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9uHbRmhDhTV53Jv3xsepqsPZkXqsMUzBB6orpoqe_vD_L7qee31WU34X8IDdQuF5HDgA8Tr3xNAVPgiwPmsGdGAnSOE4OktO1F1agSGJdbCjagDRl40RTe3Mq6YRvscgA6MXntAWOtx1DoQK8yqI_VD3LtSCD25f2_Yk8cJ19_CL8caLQ3qQ0CEp-Ybmy/s3423/IMG-5686%20africa%207.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3423" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9uHbRmhDhTV53Jv3xsepqsPZkXqsMUzBB6orpoqe_vD_L7qee31WU34X8IDdQuF5HDgA8Tr3xNAVPgiwPmsGdGAnSOE4OktO1F1agSGJdbCjagDRl40RTe3Mq6YRvscgA6MXntAWOtx1DoQK8yqI_VD3LtSCD25f2_Yk8cJ19_CL8caLQ3qQ0CEp-Ybmy/s320/IMG-5686%20africa%207.jpg" width="283" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I love using scarves and doilies to embellish the play scene. You could also add in something behind the scene to create another dimension. That could be a mirror, a picture or poster, or fabric.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtW8cswCxPYdzq1BBRFzNIfqVxK5Au3YYqDLKVPqyzL73agArnkvPJhG9urJqC2kirTv8Knyb_JiOwiNSZmGEmcq7ddHkn7VYHyydI5vPA6dXzTUUOV78FwUFo3Xq_UkA1MOTw0xHVoZ5b1vNj4zIth6q682U1zQUbC90VcDYaJiL5LHiAmUwlD_gF-F3B/s4032/IMG-5687%20africa%208.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtW8cswCxPYdzq1BBRFzNIfqVxK5Au3YYqDLKVPqyzL73agArnkvPJhG9urJqC2kirTv8Knyb_JiOwiNSZmGEmcq7ddHkn7VYHyydI5vPA6dXzTUUOV78FwUFo3Xq_UkA1MOTw0xHVoZ5b1vNj4zIth6q682U1zQUbC90VcDYaJiL5LHiAmUwlD_gF-F3B/s320/IMG-5687%20africa%208.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I added in some flat stones and some unique stones I had in my collection (thank-you Ken) that I thought were a perfect match for this African scene.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisuw8e7tg_pSUzm8zCKo0XnwB421eAPW59uvCTtffHffe5fJ8N7BhtHjWpQpmbbvi_b1-2JEUIB0T6Y9ntG_uuzaX7K5UBmDBa0C3rbOftIBg4ahK5-CFzRK45l--ZHLnOTuDsJOSvUtDlWUOkBa1QttwTX8jDd75ok_L765OUvXl_O3s7t6kL5pgn_tb0/s3545/IMG-5691%20africa%2010.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3545" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisuw8e7tg_pSUzm8zCKo0XnwB421eAPW59uvCTtffHffe5fJ8N7BhtHjWpQpmbbvi_b1-2JEUIB0T6Y9ntG_uuzaX7K5UBmDBa0C3rbOftIBg4ahK5-CFzRK45l--ZHLnOTuDsJOSvUtDlWUOkBa1QttwTX8jDd75ok_L765OUvXl_O3s7t6kL5pgn_tb0/s320/IMG-5691%20africa%2010.jpg" width="273" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And welcome to the cast of characters. First off, The King of the Beasts, the Lion.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0-1wi6wD-WzsLFKGGQTsIz11qtaYwF95h1rmuUDOUsHbhrf46rS2onc6iUGL5Zb3_xIz6itvMlesWv6-k8zsFv5an4v0dWMYOYOMH6ftPz02tqtD6n9zvpouyPHPPpX7pzmWEsvhQnZT3zHEel4klF8askTlvbOXMxJaKpZ4e3garD--UmrH9xjcsqVhM/s4032/IMG-5692%20africa%2011.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0-1wi6wD-WzsLFKGGQTsIz11qtaYwF95h1rmuUDOUsHbhrf46rS2onc6iUGL5Zb3_xIz6itvMlesWv6-k8zsFv5an4v0dWMYOYOMH6ftPz02tqtD6n9zvpouyPHPPpX7pzmWEsvhQnZT3zHEel4klF8askTlvbOXMxJaKpZ4e3garD--UmrH9xjcsqVhM/s320/IMG-5692%20africa%2011.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Isn't this guy just awesome? I found him in a thrift store, one of my favorite places to forage for play mat accessories. He's definitely bigger than all of the other animals but he is the King afterall.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgddhMn9sb_bEB2wulFMHYWoFcCczMgGAKKiZ9POz7jJeWiWVpyxgctNXb7u4ZH-I6h0P8EYkozfJ4ZR_o1kr9NCa4KZYa0OYHnTNPHPdqnXkphsjo-Sb6dVQMLP2ETtOop5htUWYrMpOVuFRYxPIaFR1ataDhB_V-hfz236HCiJdF_vY_ueJC8xJXaFqP-/s4032/IMG-5693%20africa%2012.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgddhMn9sb_bEB2wulFMHYWoFcCczMgGAKKiZ9POz7jJeWiWVpyxgctNXb7u4ZH-I6h0P8EYkozfJ4ZR_o1kr9NCa4KZYa0OYHnTNPHPdqnXkphsjo-Sb6dVQMLP2ETtOop5htUWYrMpOVuFRYxPIaFR1ataDhB_V-hfz236HCiJdF_vY_ueJC8xJXaFqP-/s320/IMG-5693%20africa%2012.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">He orders the other animals to build him a house to shelter him from the the Big Rains. They all do their best but nothing seems to work.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT-iR-rlXbYwNGqlysx3Z_6jZyEIMmtkSFyj_u-QXpVEJBRYiwVcuFnvksV20movWeWnn-XUdq_Et3i0RrMKKbIhlFbjLCQnBnjeu6C5aojdXaaqe9Jo8yEwMDt9G2gFZpt82E8N-skGLdu-Y5CmdoL4Dma-3vhxCWy_3mRVfeVoJYHD3bhIImesfBLOYp/s4032/IMG-5694%20africa%2013.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT-iR-rlXbYwNGqlysx3Z_6jZyEIMmtkSFyj_u-QXpVEJBRYiwVcuFnvksV20movWeWnn-XUdq_Et3i0RrMKKbIhlFbjLCQnBnjeu6C5aojdXaaqe9Jo8yEwMDt9G2gFZpt82E8N-skGLdu-Y5CmdoL4Dma-3vhxCWy_3mRVfeVoJYHD3bhIImesfBLOYp/s320/IMG-5694%20africa%2013.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The White Ants. Yes, painted on stone. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLa4kqSa-WT90HFZfdBZ9amGCspF8Ax3pRom77yQQhWu0pQwroF2lAAYokJmOUopqGQa4aDhlaVvjhNd1vvYcBpIJToq1SLn4LoMi-_WXb453TCiPJZgTm84G0aTbq9aKGvTygDCGZuYiKYT8atogPAGHaqZPnc3vK5WC9M_cK-cSODxLq63FloZ_nBY-0/s4032/IMG-5695%20africa%2014.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLa4kqSa-WT90HFZfdBZ9amGCspF8Ax3pRom77yQQhWu0pQwroF2lAAYokJmOUopqGQa4aDhlaVvjhNd1vvYcBpIJToq1SLn4LoMi-_WXb453TCiPJZgTm84G0aTbq9aKGvTygDCGZuYiKYT8atogPAGHaqZPnc3vK5WC9M_cK-cSODxLq63FloZ_nBY-0/s320/IMG-5695%20africa%2014.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Weaver Birds</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikNPLjC_u6dyTxymRNi3hjxSUOCzoTGwrJ0h-KDYyMFtngDGR7ToP1v1tIaCoPr_pKQQXBJ1JIDrMAorPzE_2_kM5ZyQPa3NffPaYY2t1eWWAhKJ3OeS65T0fRKyJvc4K37_O3PtjR1pxaQlqrkLj8i7mVIsfA5mjx9lZm9W6HqwxxvEGrDwgqVpnJ-gK1/s4032/IMG-5696%20africa%2015.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikNPLjC_u6dyTxymRNi3hjxSUOCzoTGwrJ0h-KDYyMFtngDGR7ToP1v1tIaCoPr_pKQQXBJ1JIDrMAorPzE_2_kM5ZyQPa3NffPaYY2t1eWWAhKJ3OeS65T0fRKyJvc4K37_O3PtjR1pxaQlqrkLj8i7mVIsfA5mjx9lZm9W6HqwxxvEGrDwgqVpnJ-gK1/s320/IMG-5696%20africa%2015.jpg" width="240" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0S7goiSeZUoP2MWbzj6tByC0a2rCC4ClIGRCe-hVnssV28eMKjeda4IXbJkSV5R62THqUlmb5-kLxPvUc3GwoSiSlVTox4c6wtg-DJeYDGCb5GH2avdjohF1jYwt3_ShmDsZ3yMHG8drGyGy1i9IfnSVUJmgYwf8Og0uMtzw82a2eCa6tImH-wzSF8U55/s4032/IMG-5697%20africa%2016.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0S7goiSeZUoP2MWbzj6tByC0a2rCC4ClIGRCe-hVnssV28eMKjeda4IXbJkSV5R62THqUlmb5-kLxPvUc3GwoSiSlVTox4c6wtg-DJeYDGCb5GH2avdjohF1jYwt3_ShmDsZ3yMHG8drGyGy1i9IfnSVUJmgYwf8Og0uMtzw82a2eCa6tImH-wzSF8U55/s320/IMG-5697%20africa%2016.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I needle felted the thorn tree with an armature so that it could bend and so the children could move it around the scene. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBCxHLF7463SeWx51mdjjGrK3kImToN0qlwD-1uvPRRZhO9lSJTNayLsTHm9ikWgD4eKdxyiES97xh-BWnp5iPv7TToenOEeoYkL4gUZnvjMo2QGgqdL9lFJiPxppgz6lUIoQ73JntQp6LnjNfe0dNu_Ut93tzPxvELPvrWVSwKgPT7wK9AzyV58Q4Vj1p/s2775/IMG-5699%20africa%2018.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2757" data-original-width="2775" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBCxHLF7463SeWx51mdjjGrK3kImToN0qlwD-1uvPRRZhO9lSJTNayLsTHm9ikWgD4eKdxyiES97xh-BWnp5iPv7TToenOEeoYkL4gUZnvjMo2QGgqdL9lFJiPxppgz6lUIoQ73JntQp6LnjNfe0dNu_Ut93tzPxvELPvrWVSwKgPT7wK9AzyV58Q4Vj1p/s320/IMG-5699%20africa%2018.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Aardvarks. Aren't they funny creatures? Kind of like bunny pigs that like to live underground.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj3O55CwVMxb1YhXDXxlDLZQ5B2CHUY7UWEvxpMpb-QKqsNZggBDrwJxNZzgq7WWH33CMtlZGTaJ4diSW7XDhEZG6DVVK2lJOif_FG3T_TJw-R3zQB6kv-wvNnQUTnjfm6mgu8SZ9GcNyAAtYCxd9MZik72SXRlXOatIgx-pAM53sFw2t-LaWoTGIlgtlt/s4032/IMG-5700%20africa%2019.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj3O55CwVMxb1YhXDXxlDLZQ5B2CHUY7UWEvxpMpb-QKqsNZggBDrwJxNZzgq7WWH33CMtlZGTaJ4diSW7XDhEZG6DVVK2lJOif_FG3T_TJw-R3zQB6kv-wvNnQUTnjfm6mgu8SZ9GcNyAAtYCxd9MZik72SXRlXOatIgx-pAM53sFw2t-LaWoTGIlgtlt/s320/IMG-5700%20africa%2019.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTEnlKuIe5VMIM0toWs-hriNN_9Pbo8chuuDGA7y6XgvN6HWlSdQXthJtm8s2gcuQw51EMggVxmqsw4PV95q4Zukdjh1NOGLjIO8iq1zlPYVsa72Kg4EHI96oMep7vLQFMyDdnAvV6r2CYo20oW4gAkhh_3lq4q8An85rX7CNgdqheCr4YAqQMYfz3S1ku/s4032/IMG-5703%20africa%2020.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTEnlKuIe5VMIM0toWs-hriNN_9Pbo8chuuDGA7y6XgvN6HWlSdQXthJtm8s2gcuQw51EMggVxmqsw4PV95q4Zukdjh1NOGLjIO8iq1zlPYVsa72Kg4EHI96oMep7vLQFMyDdnAvV6r2CYo20oW4gAkhh_3lq4q8An85rX7CNgdqheCr4YAqQMYfz3S1ku/s320/IMG-5703%20africa%2020.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Honey Badger</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ap-nnl-vK_8BQy-P7WhHDQxetExoW10FqgilCzDlu4Aj8mW1DQAZQAw-YC8QvNCV5cCcPxCwda2_bNAt5amErDJ0U9a0OfUlv4H4NTaVf67tlS39zdhKQlajHzvl7530Gtz4H55zbL4KHlYJFVY4ZkG01ZeCuoSXWuKqnqHSXjAgG_Va3tna0rbpKDeo/s4032/IMG-5701%20africa%2025.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ap-nnl-vK_8BQy-P7WhHDQxetExoW10FqgilCzDlu4Aj8mW1DQAZQAw-YC8QvNCV5cCcPxCwda2_bNAt5amErDJ0U9a0OfUlv4H4NTaVf67tlS39zdhKQlajHzvl7530Gtz4H55zbL4KHlYJFVY4ZkG01ZeCuoSXWuKqnqHSXjAgG_Va3tna0rbpKDeo/s320/IMG-5701%20africa%2025.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And the crocodile.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibjyDgpdvi00267d_TyT5WireXnGK65iTkeiIew3BImCcRB03NkyAx171JIIZssxWsSlQh4KacvSvI0ipgGHU5nSl4RqW4MJopfLHhSluId1BmLe_PlRuvejCrqqKZcM9GO9si9RUgiT8ZeuttB5nH3VRkrS9dCdtrOfzVvJS9lBgJJwrJR1W4cAWRRbyl/s4032/IMG-5705%20africa%2021.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibjyDgpdvi00267d_TyT5WireXnGK65iTkeiIew3BImCcRB03NkyAx171JIIZssxWsSlQh4KacvSvI0ipgGHU5nSl4RqW4MJopfLHhSluId1BmLe_PlRuvejCrqqKZcM9GO9si9RUgiT8ZeuttB5nH3VRkrS9dCdtrOfzVvJS9lBgJJwrJR1W4cAWRRbyl/s320/IMG-5705%20africa%2021.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKy32CSKrYaVZfifPXXZ8pdC4oYD5PvmfGc_dCo3u2k-nFcVx--p0XxjbpV-cNFY5Lqg2W9pUs4gLrZiMwfu-n-a6-lVbnTLoDLVWAGE6kFZN99t_lIcAX4iMUwuOZE0MTtfOqjv4dDKrCxGs64HjVi_g6ml2rQ5ealFg-E8__tLYzA5k73rDEWTYEgq8T/s4032/IMG-5704%20africa%2024.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2323" data-original-width="4032" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKy32CSKrYaVZfifPXXZ8pdC4oYD5PvmfGc_dCo3u2k-nFcVx--p0XxjbpV-cNFY5Lqg2W9pUs4gLrZiMwfu-n-a6-lVbnTLoDLVWAGE6kFZN99t_lIcAX4iMUwuOZE0MTtfOqjv4dDKrCxGs64HjVi_g6ml2rQ5ealFg-E8__tLYzA5k73rDEWTYEgq8T/s320/IMG-5704%20africa%2024.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In the end, none of these houses will do and the Lion is left to wander the African plain no matter the weather and even in the Big Rains.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihTE07YHyGmcoLvy9fCkEyxVggoSldN3aH3IbCGKoB5ZRFRC54ZoHSR4TkcWPm3gNo_l6oi1exEBcfRgtkWfLlf8RHxxkOMDw6TkPayeBVCSvtmx__DZ275e9B2Vej8ArPYrcGvH8pTSJMv56WtIHIwmzisES8tMtlCBaQS1tYjUKEfcc1Kpur9FpBvb6Y/s4032/IMG-5706%20africa%2022.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihTE07YHyGmcoLvy9fCkEyxVggoSldN3aH3IbCGKoB5ZRFRC54ZoHSR4TkcWPm3gNo_l6oi1exEBcfRgtkWfLlf8RHxxkOMDw6TkPayeBVCSvtmx__DZ275e9B2Vej8ArPYrcGvH8pTSJMv56WtIHIwmzisES8tMtlCBaQS1tYjUKEfcc1Kpur9FpBvb6Y/s320/IMG-5706%20africa%2022.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Q96do_GqemO9uNrFy8YmLGMvXv8sYYqNf82bC6NfpTAuSx2i6veZAjLi2g3sd8XWvD67zyKTjlT0YWt3TlnX-xIbeQKmEbznLe-fdg2GiMeMmIlVKX_33hKE2D6gsV5TG9190LYcWGhS5u8XgXpzF4bEpYBWBvMsSKQ7AgRfxV0WZ4J1Wv0OwzETNTlJ/s4032/IMG-5707%20africa%2023.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Q96do_GqemO9uNrFy8YmLGMvXv8sYYqNf82bC6NfpTAuSx2i6veZAjLi2g3sd8XWvD67zyKTjlT0YWt3TlnX-xIbeQKmEbznLe-fdg2GiMeMmIlVKX_33hKE2D6gsV5TG9190LYcWGhS5u8XgXpzF4bEpYBWBvMsSKQ7AgRfxV0WZ4J1Wv0OwzETNTlJ/s320/IMG-5707%20africa%2023.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Add in more animals from your collection. I even have some wooden African animal napkin rings that I would make available to the children.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And that is the end of this story. If you don't know it, check it out, it's fun. There are other titles in the same genre from this author. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I hope you enjoyed this safari through Kwa-zulu Natal. I wish the little boys who play with this mat, many hours of creative fun and also a chance to learn more about a land far away that is different than the land where we live.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /> <p></p>Ray-Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15594970436640261782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7554253905304772033.post-74037623920010199042023-06-24T17:21:00.013-07:002023-06-30T19:38:07.273-07:00Watching A Play.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I have had the privilege of having this sweet four year old little girl at my home a few times lately. I knew her really well when she was two and in my Infant and Toddler room. We became friends. Then she graduated into the 3-5 year old room and we adopted a secret wave and now and then we get to visit a little or have a chat over the fence. Sometimes she joins me at the end of the day when I'm on late shift. It's pretty special.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The second day when she came over to my place, we played in the garden for a long time and she wandered all about picking flowers that she knew her Mimi would like. We walked to the mailbox and then on the way back we cut through the forest on our way to the treehouse. She really loved the moss we found and she lay on it and brushed her hands over it. </div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvQJWXBjcrjyFkFzeYNa_o2Xjughv6dtjDxePm5KYdEKE46tm4I54rv2yb_j8GtLq3O48TKKin6pVYEWWzKRiIDDJjRMYg1TXo-tJUgh1xZlOwvA7_idXz17YRpzJPMBFVNYb8PnIEmKQQCYx68RgrFIUrVJZ2oxhYE6aS1-6o7LE8ktfkRfWjqzeG6wQZ/s4032/IMG-5184%20flory%204.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvQJWXBjcrjyFkFzeYNa_o2Xjughv6dtjDxePm5KYdEKE46tm4I54rv2yb_j8GtLq3O48TKKin6pVYEWWzKRiIDDJjRMYg1TXo-tJUgh1xZlOwvA7_idXz17YRpzJPMBFVNYb8PnIEmKQQCYx68RgrFIUrVJZ2oxhYE6aS1-6o7LE8ktfkRfWjqzeG6wQZ/s320/IMG-5184%20flory%204.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In the treehouse.</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUl1xUlIRqtXM0ltbEpg-Qc26nnez99qBnk64ls6YpEzhGN7TYvlibCmSJ4CEIacwayBNG14qmNjTnc_gR7NpQMRsK17s4ckoLUIRWRsKIvLuWoIkc7y3lPHBL1lp5yilVsSoD7Dhyolgn7iirrGJRsUQ01zflBwGh44jnW1iUnhybbhsFV6oZsFTIfO88/s4032/IMG-5186%20flory%203.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUl1xUlIRqtXM0ltbEpg-Qc26nnez99qBnk64ls6YpEzhGN7TYvlibCmSJ4CEIacwayBNG14qmNjTnc_gR7NpQMRsK17s4ckoLUIRWRsKIvLuWoIkc7y3lPHBL1lp5yilVsSoD7Dhyolgn7iirrGJRsUQ01zflBwGh44jnW1iUnhybbhsFV6oZsFTIfO88/s320/IMG-5186%20flory%203.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We read stories and ate snack and lunch. I got a chuckle when she opened both my fridge doors and said, "I want to eat your food!" So a few slices of honey toast were made and enjoyed. During the day we had some pretend play with two dolls. She named hers Hazel and mine was named Molly. There were three other dolls that were integrated into play near the end of the day. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Some of you may know that I have a little side gig, making children's play materials. It's my hope that these items can spark imaginative and creative play for young children. At one point little girl said, "Let's go upstairs" She knows my craft room is up there and my Carrot Came Up shop items are there. She got busy and shopped! I found it super interesting what she picked out. A few of these and a few of those, sometimes chosen because of color. She just seemed so decisive and knew what she liked instantly. I found that ability enviable! I got her a basket because she had too many things to carry and she had the idea to take these things to the patio. The dolls came along too. I wonder if an idea was brewing in her mind and even though I wasn't sure what her plan was, there did seem to be a plan.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">First of all, the five dolls were flung under the picnic table. Then I realized the plan was unfolding so I retreated onto a chair over in the corner and watched.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTexvroV5nbwgZ0cYG2_3NLvDrZKuDONwJbPv-l-pNB4rHyVQhBi9NDwPnG7UVVd6ALlddviIIVj95G-GFr_QQ8xXuhVCCm4GxJPbSFZDcdBXC65W7pwbPd-9UokNXxg4JY53WYg6iaFf2EozG2n8F5riiZawHzIHivbsuyKy43232ao2zoU5Vw2pLguGD/s4032/IMG-5194%20flory%206.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTexvroV5nbwgZ0cYG2_3NLvDrZKuDONwJbPv-l-pNB4rHyVQhBi9NDwPnG7UVVd6ALlddviIIVj95G-GFr_QQ8xXuhVCCm4GxJPbSFZDcdBXC65W7pwbPd-9UokNXxg4JY53WYg6iaFf2EozG2n8F5riiZawHzIHivbsuyKy43232ao2zoU5Vw2pLguGD/s320/IMG-5194%20flory%206.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">She selected different items and set them up in various places on the patio. Again, I was so intrigued with her selection and set ups. It was so very artistic, I thought.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKDTHsUXlscSkD5LnVf5LKJKOFopcQLqmlj8KgZHzqIYkwNKFAizTpf0hMau6Sf_mGxh6XeG0GXdhGbopaErAVq_duBCWgKa3ScOILhjjusUh0jOx-3jKyn1H2cSAMIWVNCc0ylAJvzJk5NouIRJ3Th28d_xkjYdSyuVSSlkmERCAHJNmZtbjXsAq67t9h/s4032/IMG-5189%20flory%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKDTHsUXlscSkD5LnVf5LKJKOFopcQLqmlj8KgZHzqIYkwNKFAizTpf0hMau6Sf_mGxh6XeG0GXdhGbopaErAVq_duBCWgKa3ScOILhjjusUh0jOx-3jKyn1H2cSAMIWVNCc0ylAJvzJk5NouIRJ3Th28d_xkjYdSyuVSSlkmERCAHJNmZtbjXsAq67t9h/s320/IMG-5189%20flory%202.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3LSrcNVbiOcgud5kAo4Pc-WGE6CkdiqSAOnfyPokX2Q1_13w-Ia-v2pwuMhYoCYw0afwB6ZZWJK9lK5NRFZ7K7v9kj37q7sstnZc7vd8FSjArm6dDStGHM0WZERJoTxibbNP7PbpSBk-C5gDsJ_YnJop_sLOTcXHx7A95Vfl6FNBIchpfF78bTLWs_YTd/s4032/IMG-5193%20flory%207.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3LSrcNVbiOcgud5kAo4Pc-WGE6CkdiqSAOnfyPokX2Q1_13w-Ia-v2pwuMhYoCYw0afwB6ZZWJK9lK5NRFZ7K7v9kj37q7sstnZc7vd8FSjArm6dDStGHM0WZERJoTxibbNP7PbpSBk-C5gDsJ_YnJop_sLOTcXHx7A95Vfl6FNBIchpfF78bTLWs_YTd/s320/IMG-5193%20flory%207.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwIp6Y0iy_l7H4v2lOh0RCwjaDIDvb_CH-KGhSxZVkABAlLJRHgdXgh6VNmFt0Lzvzkh9V3uxBLxhGJoAofCn-JLrJtjG4IIndx3Nm0Hn5793OpLmZIKXHg01q4n8x3w7c1VFJZqRR6O7nCmcpUWZPluC6g-7_7DYuLuV6xu7cruQWRepdgTqzE4Ijbbtm/s4032/IMG-5197%20flory%209.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; 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text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxCZjPk0DPVYkQh4dDVAerwOkxoBsZEFIkpCHVKx18A9XyCVvnCd31oYjznIXmfGQ70dL_Aid5tU_TDe6yvnDSmKAINXdhijSINBadCLUAUb0UIOAM-OyyqfErmz6PbeQ8TlFi_Fl8VmJh3Mp9EOxw9IpEpfS-utDL4aoGVAlrTZKuTrSkgslMcusc0UGj/s4032/IMG-5190%20flory%201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxCZjPk0DPVYkQh4dDVAerwOkxoBsZEFIkpCHVKx18A9XyCVvnCd31oYjznIXmfGQ70dL_Aid5tU_TDe6yvnDSmKAINXdhijSINBadCLUAUb0UIOAM-OyyqfErmz6PbeQ8TlFi_Fl8VmJh3Mp9EOxw9IpEpfS-utDL4aoGVAlrTZKuTrSkgslMcusc0UGj/s320/IMG-5190%20flory%201.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiBwD332puPUFBMcCaGDSA-cxXETG5LhE_fuwEabo7nEg2xSmqd86L1W-xob32k-HEB4NI101t8e7cxFwd3CzGVT-bWwk000DnbjN82VE8vhuZuIvemt-ZbkjfSJyq0wBUV-DMGOV_z7zfa_gNDrd5_thgkRvAukiXyNuyh08WrXlBBcZXhsCGsdonOram/s4032/IMG-5199%20flory%2011.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiBwD332puPUFBMcCaGDSA-cxXETG5LhE_fuwEabo7nEg2xSmqd86L1W-xob32k-HEB4NI101t8e7cxFwd3CzGVT-bWwk000DnbjN82VE8vhuZuIvemt-ZbkjfSJyq0wBUV-DMGOV_z7zfa_gNDrd5_thgkRvAukiXyNuyh08WrXlBBcZXhsCGsdonOram/s320/IMG-5199%20flory%2011.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Oh, I heard her say to herself, "This is beautiful". I thought how wonderful it was, that she was pleased with her work and didn't need any validation from me.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqb3mkY7ng3NGIGHkc4IjJNUAcX9H6YqDj4WpA1r_pkD0SGgE4KKvwR2IipcGX7vEPLR3W02BU8jn3asqJHch_bL19qHndaEpkSWJ7FIbBnytjnyXvd41uTLMjQ_wSo-30cAhf3YNv9Ne02Cu_ghKsHKn4mBiWMPkontj0YRG13ulaCOAD72z2-oNmHsCs/s4032/IMG-5200%20flory%2012.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqb3mkY7ng3NGIGHkc4IjJNUAcX9H6YqDj4WpA1r_pkD0SGgE4KKvwR2IipcGX7vEPLR3W02BU8jn3asqJHch_bL19qHndaEpkSWJ7FIbBnytjnyXvd41uTLMjQ_wSo-30cAhf3YNv9Ne02Cu_ghKsHKn4mBiWMPkontj0YRG13ulaCOAD72z2-oNmHsCs/s320/IMG-5200%20flory%2012.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">At one point I did ask her about the dolls under the table and she said, "Oh they are getting ready for school!" That was when she invited me into her play to be the mom and bring the kids to school. So all the kids went to school. She found all of the dolls a station to play at.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkoVFsEwZVbZFnxZyMYh1RfROWBpMdMtcsNnjw0DGTOhUbG38BaYWUTRCendSuDFlbN0hmawaia4bhIJC0zw99Lt6MoZrfG5b8eiLD_lXO6083uyFzdHU8nSc24Sh2XwXtH7RMXlJwxAOW7t72M2Vn2m8riYcYnSsA6RtrQY710Sl9hsxw6DWVE6Py8Ptl/s4032/IMG-5201%20flory%2014.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkoVFsEwZVbZFnxZyMYh1RfROWBpMdMtcsNnjw0DGTOhUbG38BaYWUTRCendSuDFlbN0hmawaia4bhIJC0zw99Lt6MoZrfG5b8eiLD_lXO6083uyFzdHU8nSc24Sh2XwXtH7RMXlJwxAOW7t72M2Vn2m8riYcYnSsA6RtrQY710Sl9hsxw6DWVE6Py8Ptl/s320/IMG-5201%20flory%2014.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjpVCxt3ZYXZV9Hba_PdHLXn4VVTOovgX0hdDBt3272aN5CgNiYsQsoKtDSlGNx2xHqkGB2q_DRpRDUPRC2kesMhi3sC3VV9zpIbkTq-ZCZBV2_QxxLdHigIPM_GhwRop468PwsAxArsgKiM-tUGlYNGmU0lkZ69HQNbf0Dsrmhq46EbLVt0vQJwaYvLKt/s4032/IMG-5202%20flory%2015.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjpVCxt3ZYXZV9Hba_PdHLXn4VVTOovgX0hdDBt3272aN5CgNiYsQsoKtDSlGNx2xHqkGB2q_DRpRDUPRC2kesMhi3sC3VV9zpIbkTq-ZCZBV2_QxxLdHigIPM_GhwRop468PwsAxArsgKiM-tUGlYNGmU0lkZ69HQNbf0Dsrmhq46EbLVt0vQJwaYvLKt/s320/IMG-5202%20flory%2015.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After they played, they had snack of course.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9uwhPhKpM3z3nPtlg5-Tl-0ZM9_b-EEosSIhED8ipIg5e_oPWFtmlpPg1FGQpokdz3eaZ-D9aks3ue1UGn53NS9o5lCdB5E98szvsY0quI-G5p-gUzYIasJTzTbgRJo7jHSSaO1EMVFY4Z6zS0vR-gIpzW0J8Rad8mH3ewWtPFl1oEga_w0GLTCrGn1GU/s4032/IMG-5203%20flory%2013.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9uwhPhKpM3z3nPtlg5-Tl-0ZM9_b-EEosSIhED8ipIg5e_oPWFtmlpPg1FGQpokdz3eaZ-D9aks3ue1UGn53NS9o5lCdB5E98szvsY0quI-G5p-gUzYIasJTzTbgRJo7jHSSaO1EMVFY4Z6zS0vR-gIpzW0J8Rad8mH3ewWtPFl1oEga_w0GLTCrGn1GU/s320/IMG-5203%20flory%2013.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And just like that we felt a few rain drops and her amazing play ended quickly as we gathered up all the items. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This play was a privilege to witness. Someone's incredible learning and narrative. Play that comes so naturally to small children and is indeed their work. Yeah! Inspiring imaginative and creative play evolved!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Ray-Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15594970436640261782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7554253905304772033.post-12606162757405182542022-11-30T19:44:00.005-08:002022-11-30T20:06:02.270-08:00The Baffling Thing About Play.<p> </p><p style="text-align: center;">Play is a funny thing sometimes in that it doesn't always look like play. Sometimes it looks like a mess. I have to admit, I've been fooled many times. Rarely is a mess, a mess in the toddler room. It's usually more accurately, play residue, or a play in progress. </p><p style="text-align: center;"> I know lots of toddlers who love nothing more than dumping out a basket of items just for the sake of dumping. To see what happens, maybe, or to hear what happens? Such was the case a few days ago when I was cleaning up the room and re-setting it while the toddlers were sleeping. I came across a lot of dumped baskets. One was all of the wooden train tracks and one was a basket of small blocks. </p><p style="text-align: center;">In our center we never seem to have quite enough storage space. We have a bank of cupboards some with doors and some without. Some of the cupboards are accessible to the toddlers but if we push the baskets to the back of the shelf they usually can't reach them. So I was a bit surprised when I found all the dumped out baskets. I cleaned everything up and pushed the baskets to the back of the shelf again.</p><p style="text-align: center;">I was even more surprised when my co-worker said she picked up all the same items at the end of the day. Hmmmm, now I am intrigued. The next day I looked a little closer. Sure enough, I witnessed a play happening. At first I wasn't sure what was going on. We do have an interest in construction at the moment so we have some tools and pieces of wood available. We also, almost always have wood pieces in various shapes and sizes for the children to use as loose parts. I wondered if the play was construction themed. As I continued to observe I realized it was something else.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXUcMtQ_k2RZfGBinz5DlrjmJS61kkAH_GkF9AKnPes9vv62Q7IY06djUmVWMeE1EYkWWAQBIU44WYF45Vraf4yll6OQoY17QPdVySzVX2AFSMU1it3kMjw_BegIyKjann7jnV4OPkw_l5CS1cKvF5LgG6jD-_eRKvpIQ4R6hZViJbALbiqcezu_USag/s4032/IMG-3869%20fire.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXUcMtQ_k2RZfGBinz5DlrjmJS61kkAH_GkF9AKnPes9vv62Q7IY06djUmVWMeE1EYkWWAQBIU44WYF45Vraf4yll6OQoY17QPdVySzVX2AFSMU1it3kMjw_BegIyKjann7jnV4OPkw_l5CS1cKvF5LgG6jD-_eRKvpIQ4R6hZViJbALbiqcezu_USag/s320/IMG-3869%20fire.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A small child was working here, in quite a methodical manner. Placing wood and adding more. Searching in the room for more pieces and adding them as well.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXkF6RABWco2p3noLGzjfbEf2ZrANF5-RxcKIjeHrlgCpXe_g4wP8HsnNge0C4ecDoiuJap3Q_tnOXKEXxK05lOWhYMXEzPtCptK7LK84edoUheXkxaEPkfOz4HInyAgRHWKtnB9cGPjU-f3aIEsTJm-OUxT98xO5I8ybqIdyis8Oq5CyFBB484LcUBw/s4032/IMG-3870fire.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXkF6RABWco2p3noLGzjfbEf2ZrANF5-RxcKIjeHrlgCpXe_g4wP8HsnNge0C4ecDoiuJap3Q_tnOXKEXxK05lOWhYMXEzPtCptK7LK84edoUheXkxaEPkfOz4HInyAgRHWKtnB9cGPjU-f3aIEsTJm-OUxT98xO5I8ybqIdyis8Oq5CyFBB484LcUBw/s320/IMG-3870fire.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Our little friend was loading his wood stove. My co-worker thought that he might like some red and orange fabric to use as "fire". He told her though, "I'm not ready for fire, I need more firewood." And later he said to her, "I want to make this room warm."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiC4XzFfkMkiR093co079LSAcluWbTlDeGNBN8yQGdXXGHnrwg9RscNg6BTVWcof_Fub5K9fftOSSqzZyCPTx0WxSGr1ICm4H8KIcmF4tph2qt8hGkfhRUOHVRYwRO9axh0oXCVUIeh4cYch7LwYU6ljh78HIXEZfUmnu_CH0WMBi_lqodEWeCbajGmw/s4032/IMG-3911%20(1)%20fire.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiC4XzFfkMkiR093co079LSAcluWbTlDeGNBN8yQGdXXGHnrwg9RscNg6BTVWcof_Fub5K9fftOSSqzZyCPTx0WxSGr1ICm4H8KIcmF4tph2qt8hGkfhRUOHVRYwRO9axh0oXCVUIeh4cYch7LwYU6ljh78HIXEZfUmnu_CH0WMBi_lqodEWeCbajGmw/s320/IMG-3911%20(1)%20fire.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Needless to say, I have not been cleaning this up. It's important play and work.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiblnlP3Ru4lbyvnnM4GFEmA9cMfBEZ3X7QoVt-CdzISUIz68zgOqTOy2Vl7jfpJZwvDqLZrxaomxu1q4hXRIeGiLF2Xl49uv4NYG3uSr4HiVNNkrgDVb8rHL-8VZxsTpObTzE_7iz4Sd2kw-rm-Q5Rv0ilG__TpVwEvVMX7A-5Wa4jUR5nYn-fULXPVA/s4032/IMG-3912%20fire.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiblnlP3Ru4lbyvnnM4GFEmA9cMfBEZ3X7QoVt-CdzISUIz68zgOqTOy2Vl7jfpJZwvDqLZrxaomxu1q4hXRIeGiLF2Xl49uv4NYG3uSr4HiVNNkrgDVb8rHL-8VZxsTpObTzE_7iz4Sd2kw-rm-Q5Rv0ilG__TpVwEvVMX7A-5Wa4jUR5nYn-fULXPVA/s320/IMG-3912%20fire.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I brought in a long piece of yellow ribbon on Monday, wondering how the toddlers might use it. I had no agenda, I just wondered if it was something interesting for them to use.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It didn't take this one long to find a use for it. He added it into his wood stove as paper. "I need a lot of paper to start my fire". He rolled it between his hands and then he blew on it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Children make sense of their world through play.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuHYmncTBryQpOTPAEqbvqfyLHzlrxtZzG5BGcBkArwgomUNYmzKveRayenJnJ8YennBwWW5Dztl_OTBWIc214EFgiezCMf7SDG6cv9dDxyMkJ5rv_-zRSapqosjsWJg31btrJ4BPEzEJB0Uv29cd_j5FebYQ7jL4MPbzuXyEyP276xAhiM83Vn7MAYg/s4032/IMG-3913%20fire.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuHYmncTBryQpOTPAEqbvqfyLHzlrxtZzG5BGcBkArwgomUNYmzKveRayenJnJ8YennBwWW5Dztl_OTBWIc214EFgiezCMf7SDG6cv9dDxyMkJ5rv_-zRSapqosjsWJg31btrJ4BPEzEJB0Uv29cd_j5FebYQ7jL4MPbzuXyEyP276xAhiM83Vn7MAYg/s320/IMG-3913%20fire.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">He's been warming up our room for many days now. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">THE TRUE SIGN OF INTELLIGENCE</div><div style="text-align: center;">IS NOT KNOWLEDGE</div><div style="text-align: center;">BUT IMAGINATION</div><div style="text-align: center;">Albert Einstein</div><div><br /></div>Ray-Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15594970436640261782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7554253905304772033.post-33183053303405479952021-04-24T16:10:00.007-07:002021-04-24T16:12:11.501-07:00Stop The Car....I need that sink!<p style="text-align: center;">I have to admit I am the one in the family who most likely yells, "STOP" when driving by someone's Trash to Treasure!</p><p style="text-align: center;">My accommodating and tolerant husband stops, usually shaking his head.</p><p style="text-align: center;">This happened four times (at least) and each time I've nabbed a double stainless steel sink. Because, you know, we can use it for something for sure. He nods and smiles some more because he knows that the something will require his amazing carpentry skills.</p><p style="text-align: center;">As an Early Childhood Educator I know that sensory tables and mud kitchens are staples in a daycare environment, especially one that can withstand varying weather conditions and stand up to general wear and tear and heavy use by curious little learners.</p><p style="text-align: center;">I endorse these furniture pieces that support open-ended learning and exploration. Children can literally play with water for hours and add in some dirt or wood chips and the time is extended. Most children have some experience with helping a parent with baking or cooking a meal and they just love to play out that narrative if given a chance with some spoons, ladles, pots and dishes. Add in a clip board with a menu or a grocery list and their play could go in different directions.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Sensory tables can also support and promote incredible learning. Cool water, warm water, bubbly water, colored water. Water that is shiny and reflective as it moves in the sun and when it is poured and splashed.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Our tables are simple, very well constructed and not quite finished, but I couldn't wait to show you!</p><p style="text-align: center;">They will still get some knobs and hooks and hangers. Each will be unique in design depending on the availability of wood and accessories.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Here is the frame of the sensory table. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFDBShIeoEOGJkpMG8XnUIquYqoUd5hW0pp07bnTioekHL2ZKqdyfX6mmMIcAin0SSwlUfXtswkhpEh6-ACJsMhE7muFhkwyNW8eR4KgabP9fNquxen4kRBanEVzqLjJ2DMOI_ayy3J6rU/s2048/IMG-0186+sensory+table+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFDBShIeoEOGJkpMG8XnUIquYqoUd5hW0pp07bnTioekHL2ZKqdyfX6mmMIcAin0SSwlUfXtswkhpEh6-ACJsMhE7muFhkwyNW8eR4KgabP9fNquxen4kRBanEVzqLjJ2DMOI_ayy3J6rU/s320/IMG-0186+sensory+table+2.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sturdy and strong construction. Mortise and Tenon joinery. What is that you ask?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #4d5156; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">A mortise and tenon joint connects two pieces of wood or of material. Woodworkers around the world have used it for thousands of years to join pieces of wood, mainly when the adjoining pieces connect at right angles. Mortise and tenon joints are strong and stable joints that can be used in many projects.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #4d5156; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;"> <a class="ruhjFe NJLBac fl" data-ved="2ahUKEwi4xpH2_ZfwAhVyFDQIHXiXDt0QmhMwJ3oECCUQAg" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mortise_and_tenon" ping="/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mortise_and_tenon&ved=2ahUKEwi4xpH2_ZfwAhVyFDQIHXiXDt0QmhMwJ3oECCUQAg" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1); color: #1a0dab; outline: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; white-space: nowrap;">Wikipedia</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Not all of the tables will have mortise and tenon construction but they are all well made.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihnZQ1zpFAHXRKbobsl7FDblCbjalY49P1K7VBkP6-w4XbJX62qxZWfTQT_JBfHaUPyvGf2-tAsx0hJ1nwWNtEN9L-NTeSWQpbKdDQnp3wbXf04LP-JYmpCh5HLAP6EKP2tCk8xz3MrGmo/s2048/IMG-0187+sensory+table+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihnZQ1zpFAHXRKbobsl7FDblCbjalY49P1K7VBkP6-w4XbJX62qxZWfTQT_JBfHaUPyvGf2-tAsx0hJ1nwWNtEN9L-NTeSWQpbKdDQnp3wbXf04LP-JYmpCh5HLAP6EKP2tCk8xz3MrGmo/s320/IMG-0187+sensory+table+3.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Wouldn't it be fun to include a tap that could be connected to your lawn hose and that the children can turn off and on? It will come with sink plugs also and with a bucket underneath you can recycle that water into your garden!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdEbgbA4HnpVfFrEj_Rf_DydI_oPmbernySWBXujhfY-40BRU4eDX63RDF8aCEAOVGKGtm_BUJ6rOu3y8M8y45YpYG9sopbkqGKgcYC8fdRRdJtapTnbI6iDssVpRzwiExt33Ak3gEYnke/s2048/IMG-0190+sensory+table.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdEbgbA4HnpVfFrEj_Rf_DydI_oPmbernySWBXujhfY-40BRU4eDX63RDF8aCEAOVGKGtm_BUJ6rOu3y8M8y45YpYG9sopbkqGKgcYC8fdRRdJtapTnbI6iDssVpRzwiExt33Ak3gEYnke/s320/IMG-0190+sensory+table.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And here is the cutest mud kitchen ever!! I'm so excited!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKb3_5YwuQLhx8ABbEGsLzhBp5x76mo76qtEkpcRxEUA6kXbHuXvRzVCUP2OdubtxpdCb2jPtMwmGvJmVmQMKODbb1gwAskQrt6wnkEU4y3KVY3NvwwRbM0CVAU9KaG8fET45eSUiMY1Zu/s2048/IMG-0234+mud+kitchen+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1952" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKb3_5YwuQLhx8ABbEGsLzhBp5x76mo76qtEkpcRxEUA6kXbHuXvRzVCUP2OdubtxpdCb2jPtMwmGvJmVmQMKODbb1gwAskQrt6wnkEU4y3KVY3NvwwRbM0CVAU9KaG8fET45eSUiMY1Zu/s320/IMG-0234+mud+kitchen+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">More details to finish it up before it's available for sale.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIJUU6QLKOz3tKl_vcLya8VC5Ppq4GWSHyLA5Mo87C7S5kz7PbhNMNfiD9HXQMjIiONq7Rv3OG8DeO6XN7WvPDKYWWPhRibZeRk775VkKxiH8pKCbQJthVFWsfI_aPu0Kyuu9qVnAUGEmK/s2048/IMG-0235+mud+kitchen+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1514" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIJUU6QLKOz3tKl_vcLya8VC5Ppq4GWSHyLA5Mo87C7S5kz7PbhNMNfiD9HXQMjIiONq7Rv3OG8DeO6XN7WvPDKYWWPhRibZeRk775VkKxiH8pKCbQJthVFWsfI_aPu0Kyuu9qVnAUGEmK/s320/IMG-0235+mud+kitchen+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Ray-Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15594970436640261782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7554253905304772033.post-21784926756754750082021-03-18T13:03:00.014-07:002021-03-18T13:26:50.979-07:00Small World Play Provocation <p style="text-align: center;"> I haven't been here for a while! However, I'm here now. Hasn't life just been so full and interesting and kind of hard this past year? As I reflect, I realize that all I can do is to do my best at my four days of work with under 3's, run my small business on the side, and keep my house somewhat together, thankfully with a helpful partner. That kind of sums up my last year. It's been super hard to not see family up close but oh, so thankful for the technology of Face Time that brings us closer.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Here we all are a year in to this Covid-19 pandemic and all that it has brought to our world. I think we are all coping as best as we can with the information we have.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Covid aside, I thought I would share something that is going on in our Infant/Toddler room that I hope is going to be super interesting and fun.</p><p style="text-align: center;">We are just on the cusp of starting a Project which is an integral part of the Reggio Emilia approach. We talked together as staff and realized that our group of children is quite interested in the world beyond our daycare yard. Our daycare yard is located part way up a mountain and so we have a great vantage point and a wide scope. </p><p style="text-align: center;">One day I wrote down some ideas of things that we have already seen the children show interest in. I wrote the list on behalf of all of our team and invited everyone to contribute more ideas as they think of them. One person added sounds! What a great observation as the children are very aware of the different sounds around them and will often run to the fence to see vehicles drive by or point to airplanes flying by.</p><p style="text-align: center;">*vehicles = construction vehicles, vehicle in the parking lot, city buses, rescue vehicles, school buses</p><p style="text-align: center;">*nature = mountains, lake, trees, birds, rodents, weather changes</p><p style="text-align: center;">*walks = going to parks, yellow line walk (around the parking lot), around our center, walk to the tennis courts, walks around the neighborhood</p><p style="text-align: center;">*garbage truck = taking garbage to the dumpster, picking up garbage we see</p><p style="text-align: center;">*Sounds = airplanes, helicopters, vehicles, people, birds and more</p><p style="text-align: center;">Because infants and toddlers are still so young, what they are interested in is not always evident. So our challenge as a staff of starting a project with this age group is to observe what they are saying, playing and what piques their interests. We can also try some different things to see what they are into. All of the things listed above are things they have shown interest in so far.</p><p style="text-align: center;">We have a little one that has a very strong interest in birds. He shown this interest for quite a while and lots of his favorite books have birds in them. One of my co-workers had the idea to hang up some simple bird feeders created out of egg cartons. Some of the toddlers spooned seeds into them and they were hung up in our trees. We have been watching for the birds to come and some of us having been calling the birds! We didn't see any visitors for a while and then one day a co-worker saw a lovely little bird stop by and she got a picture! I think it was a chickadee. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioOlllgj6PCnkqiTkDJs4ChpPxk24tcxeOHfIQn3dMSTa9_0krbSE3ce9zQVmcxN-pL968OERhgn9TB4TzpW1owt_eF-LeyE6w4QcYsvew8io1qdbMQa5uzoFKKbhRlogiV4-bxl8a4BVW/s2048/IMG-9958.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioOlllgj6PCnkqiTkDJs4ChpPxk24tcxeOHfIQn3dMSTa9_0krbSE3ce9zQVmcxN-pL968OERhgn9TB4TzpW1owt_eF-LeyE6w4QcYsvew8io1qdbMQa5uzoFKKbhRlogiV4-bxl8a4BVW/s320/IMG-9958.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"> I thought that it might be a fun idea for all of the children to set up a provocation. A bird provocation. I gathered all of the resources around my home and our center and made a display. We like to support imaginative and creative play in our room, so the pieces are meant to be moved around and handled. The children can take them around the room and use them how the want to. I'm hoping to get some video of some of their play. Yesterday, when they first discovered this scene they were very interested in all of the different birds and the nests. They picked up the birds and moved them around into the various nests.</p><p style="text-align: center;">I wonder what will happen next. I'm hoping to be able to document some of the things we see them doing with this small world play and decide if we want to continue on this interest of birds.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU6e4GIMiDbZpFQ5ehKhkiboeLQmOybj1cd0qB2GaA8lSpqEbmj31jXM8cE3mU6JXzfXss8hWHFov0oGPO5BqaUJoQjsR1h7VEnR2PSaLqve9MKUqa7t4mKvh3KfZ4pF_LFUVYKZ_uyAjR/s2048/IMG-9949.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU6e4GIMiDbZpFQ5ehKhkiboeLQmOybj1cd0qB2GaA8lSpqEbmj31jXM8cE3mU6JXzfXss8hWHFov0oGPO5BqaUJoQjsR1h7VEnR2PSaLqve9MKUqa7t4mKvh3KfZ4pF_LFUVYKZ_uyAjR/s320/IMG-9949.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I added in a lot of natural materials such as bark and wood pieces. I placed some white fabric on purpose, as we still have snow in some places and I was trying to make the scene correspond with our nature outside. Some of the other fabric was gold and brown and black as we have mud and dirt galore. The grass hasn't come back to life yet. I did add green even though our trees have not leafed out yet but we do live on a mountain and have a lot of evergreens.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmhCpTsQzN22fhkgxU9-KSGl4M2mlepHZywKeauIJf0ftTbN7RR8Gz9np0giTpeun22MnZYcknfANHY_oCApZyYMUihmi2QlKbDyE22iYGimqPkOIlzRGVyc6p36nMgRQJ_h5VjN_ZFqYO/s2048/IMG-9950.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmhCpTsQzN22fhkgxU9-KSGl4M2mlepHZywKeauIJf0ftTbN7RR8Gz9np0giTpeun22MnZYcknfANHY_oCApZyYMUihmi2QlKbDyE22iYGimqPkOIlzRGVyc6p36nMgRQJ_h5VjN_ZFqYO/s320/IMG-9950.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The painting in the background is a collaborative art project that a co-worker did with the children. It took quite a few sessions to complete and is quite beautiful in my opinion.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5rmGAI-X0uXCjnjaIyFgvf9l6dn0shNy8l0FFNzHNI8irFJpUqCpyEMhznj_fB0vfJIslmYzOBaN67QpFtZMVy-6D5rmeR4EWNgccXpPTj290AxKD_PAta9eBVrgf4a9Qp6mxSgqDIGgt/s2048/IMG-9951.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5rmGAI-X0uXCjnjaIyFgvf9l6dn0shNy8l0FFNzHNI8irFJpUqCpyEMhznj_fB0vfJIslmYzOBaN67QpFtZMVy-6D5rmeR4EWNgccXpPTj290AxKD_PAta9eBVrgf4a9Qp6mxSgqDIGgt/s320/IMG-9951.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The little small world scene in the middle, created by one of our staff, is a mix of nature bits such as stones, branches, bark and fake flowers and a few nests. The pieces are mostly glued in place. The children are very attracted to the little nests.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Have you done any projects with children? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Ray-Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15594970436640261782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7554253905304772033.post-61113162682183892352020-10-04T15:01:00.003-07:002020-10-04T15:42:43.113-07:00Welcoming the Hygge. An indoor room design for Infants and Toddlers.<p></p><div style="text-align: center;"> I was sweeping the floor, changing the sheets in the nap room and doing the laundry the other day and happened to look up and take a closer look around our room. I thought to myself, it's really beautiful in here. Sometimes the sun shines in at just the right moment and we get a glow of light in our setting that is refreshing and lovely. I didn't have much to do with this particular room arrangement, I just happen to work with some talented and committed young women who want to create a stimulating and interesting learning space for our infants and toddlers, and keep the environment calm and welcoming. I think they nailed it here.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq6O2PMwZhattUbZuLvobzXJI63kG3v0lD1DQuZf1FQOkTRKiU0tkS5WACoae9xv7bCPRzZirO7etZ4t0s1vG1ih6uvtwCdNyq_wZpVp_3oyCQ8-EH-KWBHTwDkZABP-uROjODwxRlcsLL/s2048/IMG-8829+inside+space.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq6O2PMwZhattUbZuLvobzXJI63kG3v0lD1DQuZf1FQOkTRKiU0tkS5WACoae9xv7bCPRzZirO7etZ4t0s1vG1ih6uvtwCdNyq_wZpVp_3oyCQ8-EH-KWBHTwDkZABP-uROjODwxRlcsLL/s320/IMG-8829+inside+space.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9wXAGJCx4HCbgNOQjIKoOkJAnstNPZlWVgh0Ud4wyRpVDQ6LyPv2UKHbQ2TM4r9mGoc_fpdkTnqoYd8mzDuct7sf-PLKJfB3yJLfnnCynp98oX-klvTGX5YEOxGLj-6f38H45tkYHhHlh/s2048/IMG-8830+inside+space.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9wXAGJCx4HCbgNOQjIKoOkJAnstNPZlWVgh0Ud4wyRpVDQ6LyPv2UKHbQ2TM4r9mGoc_fpdkTnqoYd8mzDuct7sf-PLKJfB3yJLfnnCynp98oX-klvTGX5YEOxGLj-6f38H45tkYHhHlh/s320/IMG-8830+inside+space.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We have been almost exclusively outside all summer except for nap time and bath room routines. That has one redeeming quality of this Covid chapter. We are learning that is safer for everyone to be outside. Being outside is something we know is really the best environment for young children to play in anyway. The research is out. So we have been creating and developing a great system to play and eat outside and that has been beneficial for everyone. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT381rxnpq2UoJk64VtQRwB6u3v-aIAI3NwB3S0NK8vuRj2DNtGmg6p1XijwidyTZmOr-uRW0n6Zru_Ua7CxuHmNjlpcNsYa9o5TRjOr9Zp3W2ClF6v0ma3ZBXUTVGxmwv6SwCM_ZFaaYX/s2048/IMG-8828+inside+space.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT381rxnpq2UoJk64VtQRwB6u3v-aIAI3NwB3S0NK8vuRj2DNtGmg6p1XijwidyTZmOr-uRW0n6Zru_Ua7CxuHmNjlpcNsYa9o5TRjOr9Zp3W2ClF6v0ma3ZBXUTVGxmwv6SwCM_ZFaaYX/s320/IMG-8828+inside+space.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhviTmcNukqcnTz2fxJqjkQj_lcHL-tbHxltsPDMHQzlue5Ayq_UVUq9sOlqAxB3CXxNcnjtgv2Rxxu9IiduwGh212XVXQgFuNjZv-H0_oWgCC9wRxvBFYlF9XdExvxqWv7SkEkXNz1QRvD/s2048/IMG-8831+Inside+space.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhviTmcNukqcnTz2fxJqjkQj_lcHL-tbHxltsPDMHQzlue5Ayq_UVUq9sOlqAxB3CXxNcnjtgv2Rxxu9IiduwGh212XVXQgFuNjZv-H0_oWgCC9wRxvBFYlF9XdExvxqWv7SkEkXNz1QRvD/s320/IMG-8831+Inside+space.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Days are coming as the weather turns colder when we will have to come in a little more than we have been. How nice it will be for the staff and children to enjoy a lovely Hygge setting such as this to play, learn and grow.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><div class="WI9k4c" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: table; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; word-break: break-word;"><div class="GgmXif jY7QFf" style="font-size: 28px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; min-height: 36px;"><div class="DgZBFd XcVN5d" style="line-height: 36px; vertical-align: top;"><span data-dobid="hdw">hyg·ge</span></div></div><div class="S23sjd" style="color: #70757a; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16px;"><span class="XpoqFe">/ˈh(y)o͞oɡə,ˈho͝oɡə/</span></div><div aria-hidden="true" class="K6GhFd" data-is-bilingual="false" jsaction="BtuVOb:V46pce" jscontroller="AImii" style="max-height: 0px; opacity: 0; pointer-events: none; transition: max-height 0.3s ease 0s, opacity 0.3s ease 0s;"><div class="b8aKlc" style="padding: 8px 0px 6px;"><a href="https://www.google.com/search?sxsrf=ALeKk01EpggUjX8wmZk_cwYFrpIhND9i3g:1601848566188&q=how+to+pronounce+hygge&stick=H4sIAAAAAAAAAOMIfcRozi3w8sc9YSm9SWtOXmPU4OINKMrPK81LzkwsyczPExLkYglJLcoV4pRi52LNqExPT7ViUWJKzeNZxCqWkV-uUJKvUADUkA_UkaoAlgcAMK7L4FUAAAA&pron_lang=en&pron_country=us&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiGy5X29pvsAhURIDQIHS14AjsQ3eEDMAB6BAgDEAg" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1); color: #660099; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;" tabindex="-1"><div class="S5TwIf" style="border-radius: 6px; box-shadow: rgb(218, 220, 224) 0px 0px 0px 1px inset; display: inline-block; overflow: hidden; padding-right: 12px; vertical-align: top;"><g-img class="FamOtd" style="display: inline-block; vertical-align: middle;"><img alt="" class="rISBZc M4dUYb" data-atf="1" height="32" id="dimg_19" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,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" style="border: 0px; display: block; position: relative;" width="32" /></g-img><span class="fe69if" style="color: #3c4043; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 0px; margin-left: 10px; vertical-align: middle;">Learn to pronounce</span></div></a></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="ABgcGb vmod" jsname="p0q1Sd" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: left;"></div><div class="vmod" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: left;"><div class="vmod" data-topic="" jsname="r5Nvmf"><div class="lW8rQd" style="display: flex;"><div class="vpx4Fd" style="font-size: 14px;"><div class="pgRvse vdBwhd" style="min-height: 20px; padding-top: 10px;"><i>noun</i></div><div aria-hidden="true" class="xpdxpnd vk_gy" data-mh="-1" jsname="jUIvqc" style="color: #878787; max-height: 0px; overflow: hidden; transition: max-height 0.3s ease 0s;"><b></b></div></div></div><ol class="eQJLDd" style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 20px;"><li jsname="gskXhf" style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="vmod"><div class="thODed Uekwlc XpoqFe" style="font-size: 14px; font-weight: lighter; padding-top: 10px;"><div data-topic="" jsname="cJAsRb"><div style="margin-left: 20px;"><div class="QIclbb XpoqFe" style="font-size: small; margin-left: -20px;"><div data-dobid="dfn" style="display: inline;">a quality of coziness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being (regarded as a defining characteristic of Danish culture).</div></div></div></div></div></div></li></ol></div></div></div><p><br /></p>Ray-Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15594970436640261782noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7554253905304772033.post-85933250945058045572020-09-06T11:18:00.016-07:002020-10-04T15:03:53.952-07:00A Year in Pictures<p style="text-align: center;"> Our special grand-son is two years old today. We had a nice visit via Face Time this morning and we know that he is going to have a lovely day. He can say, "Happy Day!" and so it is for him, as he celebrates two amazing years of life and tremendous growth. As I was thinking about him, I went back in my pictures and decided to post some of my favorites. I went back through time and the growth and maturity is so clear. Any parent knows, some days are long and difficult and it's hard to see definitive growth but when you get a chance to step back, so to speak, it is so clear. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg32LiANmwSoyZoOtgCKNkzXy3cQB2frsc3uORM8gcE0nc2HIVCCpW7GtkJNxxBTttwKnCGYcEgjJmNcyevwJvnelkI0kvJ9kPN_ORozyUXPf-4ioADzLBiiDEkwUcvObNISliCLi8isjxj/s2048/Myles+1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg32LiANmwSoyZoOtgCKNkzXy3cQB2frsc3uORM8gcE0nc2HIVCCpW7GtkJNxxBTttwKnCGYcEgjJmNcyevwJvnelkI0kvJ9kPN_ORozyUXPf-4ioADzLBiiDEkwUcvObNISliCLi8isjxj/s320/Myles+1.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We started a new tradition of a Waldorf birthday ring on his first birthday.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoOriXNtcgQV66a6K1PUmKXAYrQjblw-YZ6YbZyfAtZwXkoAnhY2KTlAgwUededHkgmW6wE9snVKKbk90C4MYbwSyI6Mekyt1h1XFgQDmhlDCiQ-sC_eWsEAeLWNR2SVzbxxOiFK8liK6E/s2048/IMG-6655+2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1185" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoOriXNtcgQV66a6K1PUmKXAYrQjblw-YZ6YbZyfAtZwXkoAnhY2KTlAgwUededHkgmW6wE9snVKKbk90C4MYbwSyI6Mekyt1h1XFgQDmhlDCiQ-sC_eWsEAeLWNR2SVzbxxOiFK8liK6E/s320/IMG-6655+2.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">He has always loved wide, open spaces.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLXZMh8U03wJio-V8cChKGMMCv6Z_CofrVr5bnW17osJn9zd8BvpztLqSyGlKHQDkLrzpJbL_PrVpm5YlQjVnJaOtkKfYsMPr7QQBEwKQMCehi2ug8e-rNhviEtnSI-5o4tCCO0gEtUpX0/s2048/3.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLXZMh8U03wJio-V8cChKGMMCv6Z_CofrVr5bnW17osJn9zd8BvpztLqSyGlKHQDkLrzpJbL_PrVpm5YlQjVnJaOtkKfYsMPr7QQBEwKQMCehi2ug8e-rNhviEtnSI-5o4tCCO0gEtUpX0/s320/3.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">He loves sticks.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdfuhUmJiK5gGO9WgEpB7aXAbLOHP-3COo00rNiMmGsqnf1LieI0YVa7ahYONGPhTPzyWrQy5tPyB67aqeSRfvSxciNDNTJGBGy4x2A_XRluR7EuZGzXqWRSohUdM_L5myXmJbbIGk7OwO/s2048/IMG-7052+5.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdfuhUmJiK5gGO9WgEpB7aXAbLOHP-3COo00rNiMmGsqnf1LieI0YVa7ahYONGPhTPzyWrQy5tPyB67aqeSRfvSxciNDNTJGBGy4x2A_XRluR7EuZGzXqWRSohUdM_L5myXmJbbIGk7OwO/s320/IMG-7052+5.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">He loves books. He loves being read to and he loves reading on his own!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ8jpFtVY7d2QPROx4otMvgAWHqwRND2KJdGc4YdUT01Q2aQ5FK_GwmnbqPs2rp8QTB6ZRwtkNKCD63jxZWU0E-Kl88FNfYlYnE92RR5RhTEQvulNWc3FnW7rFy_UFHDckx2NZt3yoTtZL/s1536/4.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="1152" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ8jpFtVY7d2QPROx4otMvgAWHqwRND2KJdGc4YdUT01Q2aQ5FK_GwmnbqPs2rp8QTB6ZRwtkNKCD63jxZWU0E-Kl88FNfYlYnE92RR5RhTEQvulNWc3FnW7rFy_UFHDckx2NZt3yoTtZL/s320/4.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Always up for an adventure!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZY8USK_D7cf4sIjfIVQNCClG2-HsIiFNyAu712EUy9GvEGQ1fqOqPV24KD6EHv7v3OpyOLJ6kWfJnmJhmBjhvMXev2nm7eVyBRrD874q08NNUoMOT2luMBT4hmPgUNhrYewFaMvlwcRwx/s2048/6.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZY8USK_D7cf4sIjfIVQNCClG2-HsIiFNyAu712EUy9GvEGQ1fqOqPV24KD6EHv7v3OpyOLJ6kWfJnmJhmBjhvMXev2nm7eVyBRrD874q08NNUoMOT2luMBT4hmPgUNhrYewFaMvlwcRwx/s320/6.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Rare (sadly) cousin visits. He loves his big cousin and hopefully that relationship will continue in the future.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrphe4wYjl7012p6RYF4cBFWKnFklbFbbPqjekZ5qVx5oaCc9IS2DSEpEX7fsYkaWggI4DYLyCoZ_rMt-0lsBMeuj5Kr8eFjRETYEvICY-L-K5pg92xjAAuLZf7R44j5q6dm3OxslvOyQu/s2048/7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrphe4wYjl7012p6RYF4cBFWKnFklbFbbPqjekZ5qVx5oaCc9IS2DSEpEX7fsYkaWggI4DYLyCoZ_rMt-0lsBMeuj5Kr8eFjRETYEvICY-L-K5pg92xjAAuLZf7R44j5q6dm3OxslvOyQu/s320/7.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtJPhw9C2xeorCLp2Km6bOH1eDyLR2WPlwuS_Hkw7XttNJmZXjpn89hT59WEWWdXYzuBxvfS9X6UdbM3E7etA-IIta3Vb63uZne-0_NtSi3M4400_xAEP5gi8xFretqeB62xwaLiCLf4Qg/s2048/8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1873" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtJPhw9C2xeorCLp2Km6bOH1eDyLR2WPlwuS_Hkw7XttNJmZXjpn89hT59WEWWdXYzuBxvfS9X6UdbM3E7etA-IIta3Vb63uZne-0_NtSi3M4400_xAEP5gi8xFretqeB62xwaLiCLf4Qg/s320/8.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">He went through a stage where recycled materials were his favorite items. In and out.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbaHaYjV2OIpoUhwHsrMIEszq0QyWVwyIozRmWfFm_k_FPrOx35h4NuAx4o5dh4GqXWcq1Da1I2rnSrCL-st_WsrddEVQgLBfRBAqyNObDzNwaoOm_bEEMhQ1SnsLv4Tqv9e4x4QrKkFxB/s2742/9.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2742" data-original-width="1147" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbaHaYjV2OIpoUhwHsrMIEszq0QyWVwyIozRmWfFm_k_FPrOx35h4NuAx4o5dh4GqXWcq1Da1I2rnSrCL-st_WsrddEVQgLBfRBAqyNObDzNwaoOm_bEEMhQ1SnsLv4Tqv9e4x4QrKkFxB/s320/9.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1iO_CTPZW33xr9NfJgQX4Y9GCoRvv4FLb0RD-cI5T6-7zzkoerqVksZ_tilNYEBQLS3V33Qhovyn8zmXm8VopjsO9-8WSSXdssYaxU7hyqfmrBQ7H_wmZT5RyH97obfGNqmfwuhSb80zv/s2048/10.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1442" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1iO_CTPZW33xr9NfJgQX4Y9GCoRvv4FLb0RD-cI5T6-7zzkoerqVksZ_tilNYEBQLS3V33Qhovyn8zmXm8VopjsO9-8WSSXdssYaxU7hyqfmrBQ7H_wmZT5RyH97obfGNqmfwuhSb80zv/s320/10.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sleep has not always come easily to this little one. This family is fairly sleep deprived and are looking forward to more restful nights.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO-FbrnNbpaOWq0W2x9agMnyG8rJ5LQL5mFWeuaATaKd1Sof-k161ETZnQPPycGV4OE6V9rxEiVztEALFadKO3muG8liTOOPBfjwMroLySbiNj4rdIiKX3cI239wqwhcOhILka0AqlC6IZ/s1536/11.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="1152" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO-FbrnNbpaOWq0W2x9agMnyG8rJ5LQL5mFWeuaATaKd1Sof-k161ETZnQPPycGV4OE6V9rxEiVztEALFadKO3muG8liTOOPBfjwMroLySbiNj4rdIiKX3cI239wqwhcOhILka0AqlC6IZ/s320/11.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Growing up in a city where the winters are long and cold. From red snow suit to grey, depicting a lot of physical growth.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSnBX3eNKEpUVjci4yg4C7RMtB7tzGl4CeOCEmyktnAyBqsbx0T2XETnVrS4KLz4-VGLB7Fuwsde_q44zIo0XEqEnf4_A7l2_zZ0Lf5vgbgWa6atp31eElgGqhwvZfgagXrB0Sz-GWrcoJ/s2048/13.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSnBX3eNKEpUVjci4yg4C7RMtB7tzGl4CeOCEmyktnAyBqsbx0T2XETnVrS4KLz4-VGLB7Fuwsde_q44zIo0XEqEnf4_A7l2_zZ0Lf5vgbgWa6atp31eElgGqhwvZfgagXrB0Sz-GWrcoJ/s320/13.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The start of a cascade of communication including sounds, gestures, signs and words. He is not only learning English but Russian as well.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAhzkyJs3IClflgprZ0u3xSig436huXm0VRPSEEFBiItsOwRaNwpiu1XdNfm3vMj-HXgdKr9epVqnIRd8TFCle-DI2eRvcZGZ8iBjXWQFREqnINMa1ZxXCFDY1FQ2OmnVYIJCD_vRBEfCd/s2048/12.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1357" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAhzkyJs3IClflgprZ0u3xSig436huXm0VRPSEEFBiItsOwRaNwpiu1XdNfm3vMj-HXgdKr9epVqnIRd8TFCle-DI2eRvcZGZ8iBjXWQFREqnINMa1ZxXCFDY1FQ2OmnVYIJCD_vRBEfCd/s320/12.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBb39lZbmKdoI7VEtve7VUMNrJ9p_gEpfnY82Dc0lHwgxw2HN2oTTvuTi14lChi9UhzPQv2t9wN-KXd8-lPAedFDbctlmhjgeSoth3VEVEEEicaGipO8AsWexCEUcs1iAUy_oBzHgY1NpQ/s1067/14.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="798" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBb39lZbmKdoI7VEtve7VUMNrJ9p_gEpfnY82Dc0lHwgxw2HN2oTTvuTi14lChi9UhzPQv2t9wN-KXd8-lPAedFDbctlmhjgeSoth3VEVEEEicaGipO8AsWexCEUcs1iAUy_oBzHgY1NpQ/s320/14.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5nLHN0QloXR1jE20RC_9WQmsJpemfqHS_89Lhhkw0A7D0sPLolj1W2jjCyuGmkmSoVSL9FO4IRvawm9oSS5VZYkkeDnNHuki-41niiDUmeL4gH740DmSPLb0FnwdLUx6j0kBdtHHvUt6T/s1536/15.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="1536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5nLHN0QloXR1jE20RC_9WQmsJpemfqHS_89Lhhkw0A7D0sPLolj1W2jjCyuGmkmSoVSL9FO4IRvawm9oSS5VZYkkeDnNHuki-41niiDUmeL4gH740DmSPLb0FnwdLUx6j0kBdtHHvUt6T/s320/15.JPG" width="320" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">How many of us have felt during Covid-19. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM6FvGHxRjK5-MD2hJbZ3nk3w3pAPYb8KLpChGjAg0Ls0FEX5tSdnd20XKhCylWIdGbLHK_JoJ9WTABPkN-WqFixdvmbXP3zz8ztChGVE6fir6cSmWMUwWpajSdjdpOcsgq9fghlJL3-sc/s1536/16.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="1152" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM6FvGHxRjK5-MD2hJbZ3nk3w3pAPYb8KLpChGjAg0Ls0FEX5tSdnd20XKhCylWIdGbLHK_JoJ9WTABPkN-WqFixdvmbXP3zz8ztChGVE6fir6cSmWMUwWpajSdjdpOcsgq9fghlJL3-sc/s320/16.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN5po2ez_4vftpF0XIMAha3S6GYkMIH1VUFsonyZYQgsSYeV4GhLtRk9rpNxp6CWp6k-yuewna7EL8qr8WoWTD959AQwhXptI7FYELEiQmRQttvWy2gmy89eapQ-ORrd2QnVdRV2Q4VqOj/s2048/17.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN5po2ez_4vftpF0XIMAha3S6GYkMIH1VUFsonyZYQgsSYeV4GhLtRk9rpNxp6CWp6k-yuewna7EL8qr8WoWTD959AQwhXptI7FYELEiQmRQttvWy2gmy89eapQ-ORrd2QnVdRV2Q4VqOj/s320/17.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQDfHps8MpVpRfGt9pApX9G2i_T9105-vu-2X9PpT1-bwTpQWlexvQEFARpIHWCwWrnPiR15xnJWWrYBa94R5jx5uQaTUoxSFpD44l1Wo2K5F5XIe6ZsDaMOV_vKyvNbPrXLuCsmNXfDHV/s2048/18.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQDfHps8MpVpRfGt9pApX9G2i_T9105-vu-2X9PpT1-bwTpQWlexvQEFARpIHWCwWrnPiR15xnJWWrYBa94R5jx5uQaTUoxSFpD44l1Wo2K5F5XIe6ZsDaMOV_vKyvNbPrXLuCsmNXfDHV/s320/18.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The start of a strong interest in construction vehicles.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH2s2yJx7fU7X7hvnpN4UVK8YciJFvM15yMFVEWGll89psK2FkYf89SLu7_HdirUhNXAVcISevJwqhM3pkLwmZ9rT9-egEyV3YSq0EUIMGQEwbWHkxxz2R6oxkK23jOc4uJzLjwp2wyXfO/s1536/19.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="1152" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH2s2yJx7fU7X7hvnpN4UVK8YciJFvM15yMFVEWGll89psK2FkYf89SLu7_HdirUhNXAVcISevJwqhM3pkLwmZ9rT9-egEyV3YSq0EUIMGQEwbWHkxxz2R6oxkK23jOc4uJzLjwp2wyXfO/s320/19.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Officially a toddler with the bruises to prove it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihLn7JJZwaWC3NpS86Zfkk72Jsy_ITTSwg2Yp4VGC50-T4GOGf55-8B3ha1Xta5sxWmVKaVQadHDvFUzE3axSROI4Yr0Fnsr3SfIqwTDe-HD5Xh6IKZ67ReZYhvcORpHUBCqL-O5baMjo-/s2048/20.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1540" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihLn7JJZwaWC3NpS86Zfkk72Jsy_ITTSwg2Yp4VGC50-T4GOGf55-8B3ha1Xta5sxWmVKaVQadHDvFUzE3axSROI4Yr0Fnsr3SfIqwTDe-HD5Xh6IKZ67ReZYhvcORpHUBCqL-O5baMjo-/s320/20.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi5undNbGV7MWhLnvZlhoz7pSxGrnpOiWp78xu4Ty8TAHrRnZOZw7CepPJgc3-O34f8GOp40It3geTU9XBteR6vmilLURlFjpmtTUr5Kgn1hYbqVRTEXt_nT8x3mO-oKdsAfG2YqkkIO1k/s1536/21.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="1152" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi5undNbGV7MWhLnvZlhoz7pSxGrnpOiWp78xu4Ty8TAHrRnZOZw7CepPJgc3-O34f8GOp40It3geTU9XBteR6vmilLURlFjpmtTUr5Kgn1hYbqVRTEXt_nT8x3mO-oKdsAfG2YqkkIO1k/s320/21.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxIMopU8LYv3XA-dLMw1vS9hmfB1iLh6rTBqvmJTVfgg-k0gq_JAfrzM5JINQxQmpfaO3QsnbbwrZBYdhHQAsm2fcyJMMh_l6xsvl9s-28QTi5oUkHqA5o85v2O3hcbrJP50jvbpC_RxEZ/s2705/22.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2705" data-original-width="1163" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxIMopU8LYv3XA-dLMw1vS9hmfB1iLh6rTBqvmJTVfgg-k0gq_JAfrzM5JINQxQmpfaO3QsnbbwrZBYdhHQAsm2fcyJMMh_l6xsvl9s-28QTi5oUkHqA5o85v2O3hcbrJP50jvbpC_RxEZ/s320/22.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Getting taller.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIDh0CE5kno6T1i5dq3JidcgS2XExzOye17kMAS3EKhNaMTM65PiILHRPGH-2z9Z0SzQSN8lqv8aXES-acDH3uuM0AonQwfPHppSKDF1g5OmiOnPcjcX8PSYR1GcTa2lxwcU8Pa9Y3m1jD/s1536/23.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="1152" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIDh0CE5kno6T1i5dq3JidcgS2XExzOye17kMAS3EKhNaMTM65PiILHRPGH-2z9Z0SzQSN8lqv8aXES-acDH3uuM0AonQwfPHppSKDF1g5OmiOnPcjcX8PSYR1GcTa2lxwcU8Pa9Y3m1jD/s320/23.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOIxUcmYPrkDhnG9pDBN_IStOQx1PDEnGaUMmRvnKjx-ZTV-2QjixGrkUwmXZENx7gfDbRhE-PiWgOOMsX2SErBfkNooLwXOiwLBvAQzgWrbN_PjOjAylUUW_aS3mCeBxdeyhbKMAkgY4X/s2048/24.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOIxUcmYPrkDhnG9pDBN_IStOQx1PDEnGaUMmRvnKjx-ZTV-2QjixGrkUwmXZENx7gfDbRhE-PiWgOOMsX2SErBfkNooLwXOiwLBvAQzgWrbN_PjOjAylUUW_aS3mCeBxdeyhbKMAkgY4X/s320/24.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Loves his baby.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoDmWZ-foeh_3BKI7DPIpb6RiPIocgoGlspB54WNQfURJ8GsTR1hyUAgKcQEPp6wYk3nQkFkrGyXD_tYRKrAZLtAGhPUAQEey8cDkoq2cBKoJAwWCne0MCTxNQIv9oMRNkwTWcEgh0N2u6/s2048/25.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoDmWZ-foeh_3BKI7DPIpb6RiPIocgoGlspB54WNQfURJ8GsTR1hyUAgKcQEPp6wYk3nQkFkrGyXD_tYRKrAZLtAGhPUAQEey8cDkoq2cBKoJAwWCne0MCTxNQIv9oMRNkwTWcEgh0N2u6/s320/25.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD-2bz1LJeWTYG1S4gobVj_EICXYhbvXvWfRD9FxeVkWT0YnxBZls-iccZkK_3CJ2ynA3tT620DBQeEHbCJ0L28BrU92jTpCCZ4pfXszGq2X8BH_aM5Luvo7XijZ93ZbRAgGwUgF1kg2eR/s2048/IMG-6494.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD-2bz1LJeWTYG1S4gobVj_EICXYhbvXvWfRD9FxeVkWT0YnxBZls-iccZkK_3CJ2ynA3tT620DBQeEHbCJ0L28BrU92jTpCCZ4pfXszGq2X8BH_aM5Luvo7XijZ93ZbRAgGwUgF1kg2eR/s320/IMG-6494.jpeg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Happy 2nd Birthday Beautiful Boy!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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I learn a lot of life lessons in my garden. For vegetables and flower to flourish in my garden I have to do a lot of preparation. Feed the soil, plant the seeds, water and weed. To be honest, there are some days that I wonder if all the labor is worth it for the amount of produce I get. And then I taste those sweet, baby peas and I say, "Oh yeah!" Or when I pick that first tender zucchini, "Yum!" This year I planted a little before May long week-end. As a result, with the night temperatures being a bit on the cool side, some plants like the broccoli and cucumber got a bit stunted. And then the Army Cutworms marched in munching all the tender stems of peppers, marigolds, cucumbers and more. I had to get out there and dig them out by hand, as even though I tried different things, that was the most effective. Now I have something bothering my squash and tomatoes. Sheesh! I don't remember having bug problems like this in the past.</div>
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However, with all the things that are hard and destructive I have some beauty to counterbalance it all. This lovely begonia has been flowering since the moment I planted it. Through all the rain storms and shifts in spring temperatures it has not faltered.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9A0wUGJAHZwKYFSaYIOuRvg8LmT3LPAKVX7Hms_7oaTi5bbYYWCgyMq1E9_H-x5BgpVkFXSxIaOU6QXoOqdpwid013o54qwDycsONbaJlX8HIGI77jZSdX3INwMdaMu-s5P7sh05R-iBu/s1600/IMG-8197+begonia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9A0wUGJAHZwKYFSaYIOuRvg8LmT3LPAKVX7Hms_7oaTi5bbYYWCgyMq1E9_H-x5BgpVkFXSxIaOU6QXoOqdpwid013o54qwDycsONbaJlX8HIGI77jZSdX3INwMdaMu-s5P7sh05R-iBu/s320/IMG-8197+begonia.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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The same goes for my lilies and clematis. They have endured all that spring has thrown at them and are blooming gloriously.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXA53DUOF4atKnf4xZHvQk0CvkxjynWeXuB2cybxTMOCbEUpCZnzsbpQ0cJW8UJfg9bdRZwf7024odXlBevoFBoUsd73AFayAm74ANun8WHR9Qo9SszjtDHtpKbt1yS3RxyRXb-TsPa-8F/s1600/IMG-8196+lillies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXA53DUOF4atKnf4xZHvQk0CvkxjynWeXuB2cybxTMOCbEUpCZnzsbpQ0cJW8UJfg9bdRZwf7024odXlBevoFBoUsd73AFayAm74ANun8WHR9Qo9SszjtDHtpKbt1yS3RxyRXb-TsPa-8F/s320/IMG-8196+lillies.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Not so much my sick squash. I haven't figured out what pest is eating it but I'm hoping to soon so that I can save it.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYlbcabQhBOuvRP5JsNe9oWbuI8CnBaGC8swSZkjbx0wMtuYa0-tZs1mziAte05KAaYZw5gNFXjzCS5is96f3oFM9FQw3GpcOiDI9IvE9-mwCzJdHLP0qdha8_ih2eDEWvDbFSpznHjP6Z/s1600/IMG-8199+sick+squash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYlbcabQhBOuvRP5JsNe9oWbuI8CnBaGC8swSZkjbx0wMtuYa0-tZs1mziAte05KAaYZw5gNFXjzCS5is96f3oFM9FQw3GpcOiDI9IvE9-mwCzJdHLP0qdha8_ih2eDEWvDbFSpznHjP6Z/s320/IMG-8199+sick+squash.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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What do plants have to do with life? Some days we flourish and are able to share our strengths and beauty with the world. Everything is going well and the troubles of the world don't faze us. And then there are times when we get down mentally, physically, emotionally, spiritually and we struggle to keep our head up. </div>
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I feel like that has been me this spring. Covid-19 came along and life as I knew it, changed. For the most part I have been able to work through all the changes and the anxieties, but it came at a time when I was doing some deep emotional work in my mind and heart. The timing was a bit challenging. </div>
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So just like with my garden, I have had to tend to my needs. Rooting out the bugs; the lies and old, bad habits, and nourishing myself. For me that is the Bible, prayer, edifying music, deep, cleansing, healing talks with my husband, and learning to balance how I spend my time and energy. As well as eating healthy food, exercising and getting sufficient rest. It's been hard work. </div>
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Hopefully though, just like with my garden, the hard work will be worth it and my light will shine in my corner of the world once again.</div>
<br />Ray-Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15594970436640261782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7554253905304772033.post-74512049424095468682020-06-30T17:22:00.000-07:002020-07-01T14:07:43.567-07:00Diggin' Dirt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Sometimes little ones develop really strong interests. In a way, that makes things easier in terms of how to plan the day or plan the room or plan the outside space. I think our job as Educators or parents is to be a co-facilitator of our children's play. They are very capable of choosing what they are interested in doing and what they want to play with. It is our job to be observant and provide things that might support their play. A co-facilitator communicates, collaborates and helps keep things running smoothly. When a child is able take a deep dive into their area of interest so much learning and brain development takes place. Not all of it is visible to us as big people but it's amazing to watch different things mature and emerge. Like language for example. This little fellow, who happens to be my grandson, is almost 22 months old. (Wait, what?! how did that happen?) His most frequently used words right now are "digging dirt." </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVa-lzUGyWS2r9jgTZTdzSfyZbEipcfc4qP0zcfsGCSrFAr3gfoI2zsMBEz-8_ctAu0Cak34nwAgwUdOfAr5B5IWN1OPfpLn0rXJYNjUblnphtF-ZTwCrrt6u84kKBJFW_dBba3Baw2Wal/s1600/IMG-8136+Myles.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVa-lzUGyWS2r9jgTZTdzSfyZbEipcfc4qP0zcfsGCSrFAr3gfoI2zsMBEz-8_ctAu0Cak34nwAgwUdOfAr5B5IWN1OPfpLn0rXJYNjUblnphtF-ZTwCrrt6u84kKBJFW_dBba3Baw2Wal/s320/IMG-8136+Myles.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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As his parents watch his strong interest in construction vehicles they are attempting to support his learning in many different ways to allow for rich play and opportunities for his interests to develop. Rule number one! Take digger everywhere you go. To the park, in the car, to the lake, inside and outside. One day on their daily walk they found a marvelous dirt pile.What a perfect place for a digger to dig!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNc8PKJp66WQc-dO6Z_5jyhpZ5bqxJg5z3_54HspqVw8C0_9yv8wmQFQwNRroD6qTgvWtJcc47ZnNGRPTTdRH8d5o0LpOYVjzU918DTsTF_eDSPb5gejra1mrSJkJ8zsmHBqQn-ITkUbuR/s1600/IMG-8134+Myles.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNc8PKJp66WQc-dO6Z_5jyhpZ5bqxJg5z3_54HspqVw8C0_9yv8wmQFQwNRroD6qTgvWtJcc47ZnNGRPTTdRH8d5o0LpOYVjzU918DTsTF_eDSPb5gejra1mrSJkJ8zsmHBqQn-ITkUbuR/s320/IMG-8134+Myles.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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And how awesome for an active, strong little boy to be able to climb to the top. I wonder how empowered he felt up there!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq2PSPWwilACtvOp18ZgTgMMEVYZkcjRWJtqWPKLkwCVtqupL7Lf8DVLa_BDFDdw06rvBxNLP0tlpNGgqPQmmX7feZ2x0A55yi0o7bBsoI_YW6ewupaWmeVmDeySfy1c8lU6udy2S-JZYO/s1600/IMG-8135+Myles.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq2PSPWwilACtvOp18ZgTgMMEVYZkcjRWJtqWPKLkwCVtqupL7Lf8DVLa_BDFDdw06rvBxNLP0tlpNGgqPQmmX7feZ2x0A55yi0o7bBsoI_YW6ewupaWmeVmDeySfy1c8lU6udy2S-JZYO/s320/IMG-8135+Myles.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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His Daddy had the ability to build him a little sand box in their garden. Lots of scooping and digging, loading and driving. Back and forth, dumping and filling. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2G176LkvySAbVATmpNinpB0Bp4yP2HItp7-xaJAxlz99hFFNX1_xkObJ8U0KyOw7D5bwXkM8_FY9SGr-Cwb6qmx2sNHKsCph5LVGUNBe4AQSmwuf7xisUsrBxhXGl-pKQf0ekICFKXDd0/s1600/Myles.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2G176LkvySAbVATmpNinpB0Bp4yP2HItp7-xaJAxlz99hFFNX1_xkObJ8U0KyOw7D5bwXkM8_FY9SGr-Cwb6qmx2sNHKsCph5LVGUNBe4AQSmwuf7xisUsrBxhXGl-pKQf0ekICFKXDd0/s320/Myles.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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They happen to have lots of construction going on in their neighbor hood so they spend lots of time watching the machines at work. It's great if parents and educators can learn the proper names and functions of the different machines to support the children's language development. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVayhN6KYsyiOe_mZMS3u6PvhkSWlyA1BO012cmjsur8hqy0ChpBc385-sX5bQhAwOe-hdMiDfQ1Oto7woXglc74JW-d4hBk9OtRHv7U2cEET_j2Gr-BnO_ys7kkY7jAiTswvnlwhIvjQB/s1600/IMG-8133+Myles.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVayhN6KYsyiOe_mZMS3u6PvhkSWlyA1BO012cmjsur8hqy0ChpBc385-sX5bQhAwOe-hdMiDfQ1Oto7woXglc74JW-d4hBk9OtRHv7U2cEET_j2Gr-BnO_ys7kkY7jAiTswvnlwhIvjQB/s320/IMG-8133+Myles.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Diggers in the dirt, diggers in the water, diggers in the rocks and stones. All provide a different sensory experience. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6edebjCSHXaElXE8D-cIX2THuQ8YypsAZK4gdPYcqcPCfHaZHD2wAxK-MVhSetDN7Tn_JPuNpQxotfZijrnyH9YjLWpeXWA7h2eSv1VCOP2AzA2nGuOlD-ZPM5ZzUWvAYP5VHZoBgPYpK/s1600/IMG-8132+Myles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1204" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6edebjCSHXaElXE8D-cIX2THuQ8YypsAZK4gdPYcqcPCfHaZHD2wAxK-MVhSetDN7Tn_JPuNpQxotfZijrnyH9YjLWpeXWA7h2eSv1VCOP2AzA2nGuOlD-ZPM5ZzUWvAYP5VHZoBgPYpK/s320/IMG-8132+Myles.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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His mom often sets up a play invitation when she cleans up in the evening. How nice for him to wake up and see an inviting shelf like this. This is such an nice way of providing opportunities and probe his interests. Does he like loading the dump truck or is he most interested in watching wheels turn? Does he like to load the bucket on the skid steer or does he like to push dirt with the blade of his bulldozer?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjol9PxuD_MYgBdhuHOaqF0U8CzmgaA0sWLrze-rKgVgxNDCJwQ3pE3xmIykcNohkElRc9DLx9maj7QjMoCWymLy9IXF38lw4_A5AIlNu323wdP8QmJknY5efVaSU1ZR2SlrJsu9G_hjcG4/s1600/IMG-8130+Myles.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjol9PxuD_MYgBdhuHOaqF0U8CzmgaA0sWLrze-rKgVgxNDCJwQ3pE3xmIykcNohkElRc9DLx9maj7QjMoCWymLy9IXF38lw4_A5AIlNu323wdP8QmJknY5efVaSU1ZR2SlrJsu9G_hjcG4/s320/IMG-8130+Myles.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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It's so hard to live so far away from this little family and COVID 19 has put a lot of crimps in any travel plans but I can support any way I can. This is a book I sent him in the mail that I thought he would like. He turned to this page and said, "diggin' dirt, diggin' dirt." Yeah! Road Builders was a hit!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGnqz2eSCKXDocxuZTO3eIYo2q0NiE48LSJ2XWBXGt0qwwomVIIZZpYJq0Ac5gbMUP7yN5A157ZlU41YuSab18y9W_7_Kl7SHsonjOoobxnr5y3ts7ZHV45BT9tAwmXuC8B9h89w5HuHk7/s1600/IMG-8127+Myles.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1432" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGnqz2eSCKXDocxuZTO3eIYo2q0NiE48LSJ2XWBXGt0qwwomVIIZZpYJq0Ac5gbMUP7yN5A157ZlU41YuSab18y9W_7_Kl7SHsonjOoobxnr5y3ts7ZHV45BT9tAwmXuC8B9h89w5HuHk7/s320/IMG-8127+Myles.JPG" width="286" /></a></div>
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A long time ago in another city, in another toddler room, I realized there was a strong interest in construction vehicles that was borne out of reading this book to the toddlers. I wrote about some of the things we did as a staff to facilitate their interest. You can read more <a href="http://www.andthecarrotcameup.ca/2015/07/programming-made-easy.html">here</a>.</div>
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What are the children interested in, in your home or classroom? How can you support their play? Have fun coming up with ideas but try not to be disappointed if they reject some of the things you offer, it just means they don't need that yet. They might another day though. Keep observing and things will become clear. It can stay simple. Use what you have at hand and watch and wait. </div>
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Trust them to lead the way!</div>
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<br />Ray-Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15594970436640261782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7554253905304772033.post-72278452744410614912020-05-22T16:09:00.000-07:002020-05-22T16:10:39.345-07:00The Pixies Escape.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
You would not believe what happened today! I went into my craft room to finish working on my little pixies and they weren't there! Seriously! I had no idea where they went. So I went looking. Sure enough, I found them in their favorite place. The forest. I followed along behind them really quietly to see what they were up to. I'm so glad I managed to snap a few pics of them.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoVFMbCVB6C6ElPGkXHWY1Kal8RByQPv0kQgwLwAaKQx3tHa7B5E3Otk8CNOxYKXae9k-LOJaMXI2HlZ0LHM8XUNEEUMcEs0dqXCGOEglSKYnT5ze64B5f8ihNgpQX5-hxKDym76FgZHrA/s1600/IMG-7935+pixie+stump+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoVFMbCVB6C6ElPGkXHWY1Kal8RByQPv0kQgwLwAaKQx3tHa7B5E3Otk8CNOxYKXae9k-LOJaMXI2HlZ0LHM8XUNEEUMcEs0dqXCGOEglSKYnT5ze64B5f8ihNgpQX5-hxKDym76FgZHrA/s320/IMG-7935+pixie+stump+1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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They love stumps just as much as me! In their magical way they managed to clamber up. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_8g4oHaUE1T7nG3vfB3_qy7MpySchdtCyyaFoFtUpSCofaJ0y-RbaqUs6b801QlqMQ-ybcNKYhUgLrB4IdHaQrwxW6pST1X7sYZOEscV4zreFK2Tv1QPfyf7bIVGA5ZnONNBFcDGSIJ17/s1600/pixie+stump+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_8g4oHaUE1T7nG3vfB3_qy7MpySchdtCyyaFoFtUpSCofaJ0y-RbaqUs6b801QlqMQ-ybcNKYhUgLrB4IdHaQrwxW6pST1X7sYZOEscV4zreFK2Tv1QPfyf7bIVGA5ZnONNBFcDGSIJ17/s320/pixie+stump+2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Wait! What? I see they picked a lovely bouquet of tiny wild for-get-me nots.</div>
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They didn't seem to be bothered at all when they saw mama bear and her cub walk by. I did notice they were super quiet for a minute though and so was I. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKjPIZksYZe29ITstP_kvTfpsI0qCMWbdWDNuZBatcWSdmC-9CdFWS598jLjRrJyMTv5Pszt-6BqHcqNOb0M9GWCjMoN05I-7xOSt3pqmTPX8taAk7QukqA61Oi2NrP3ZD28ZF_bjWZJsM/s1600/pixie+lady+bugs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKjPIZksYZe29ITstP_kvTfpsI0qCMWbdWDNuZBatcWSdmC-9CdFWS598jLjRrJyMTv5Pszt-6BqHcqNOb0M9GWCjMoN05I-7xOSt3pqmTPX8taAk7QukqA61Oi2NrP3ZD28ZF_bjWZJsM/s320/pixie+lady+bugs.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Little pixie had so much fun counting the friendly lady bugs. </div>
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They even found a couple cute bunnies to ramble through the moss with.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik9mu2Y03Who29xAXloHjvZwozFIq6t78q2JBIXHoFgbZXgBPMBajqaWwNBAJOWxw_z0wk0egEM07IycF-hEiCfLgFdrL5XaHcCvO2OfoZpfPU7oESQTlkrWHkpcKPqpzUuUVy8OLHQvTt/s1600/IMG-7941+pixie+strawberries.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik9mu2Y03Who29xAXloHjvZwozFIq6t78q2JBIXHoFgbZXgBPMBajqaWwNBAJOWxw_z0wk0egEM07IycF-hEiCfLgFdrL5XaHcCvO2OfoZpfPU7oESQTlkrWHkpcKPqpzUuUVy8OLHQvTt/s320/IMG-7941+pixie+strawberries.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Their last stop was to sit in a patch of wild strawberries. I just know they were imagining the sweet taste of lovely tiny strawberries. It won't be long until they are ready!</div>
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Then I had to put a stop to all their fun and drag them back to the craft room for finishing details.</div>
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Silly little pixies.</div>
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<br />Ray-Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15594970436640261782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7554253905304772033.post-10149481471747822812020-05-05T14:10:00.002-07:002020-05-05T19:23:33.352-07:00Wet-Felting a Cave: Creating a Play Mat - Part 6<div style="text-align: center;">
I recently had a really lovely email conversation with Julie, from the UK. She found my website and was inquiring as to how I make my wet-felted caves that would be part of a play mat small world scene. She was interested in creating a cave because she thought it made a play mat more interactive. She is right! In my experience young children love putting small animals in and out of caves and it adds more scope for their imaginative play.</div>
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She said she was having trouble finding a source for how to create a cave on the internet so she inspired me to add to my series of how to create a play mat. </div>
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Here is how I create a cave attached to a play mat.</div>
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To start the process of making a cave for your play mat you first need to create the base. The base is your unfinished (as in, not wet felted yet) play mat! Below is the first stages of a local park I am designing. Decide where on your play mat you want your cave and what size it is going to be. A smaller cave will be more compact and less likely cave in! Excuse the pun!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzv6KZMxTiv2dP-hn1xALarxscayaVMkN1ayQvhIWZnPyfKn4EE5mcKBmaDFOipp-GDP9X9WjntiY6utZ0SDpUiUjG_n1MFjtCl_MdPg7M20Jg6KY3yJzPpN_cJLPpcGqi6eA8uIpliqNh/s1600/IMG-7696+making+a+cave.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzv6KZMxTiv2dP-hn1xALarxscayaVMkN1ayQvhIWZnPyfKn4EE5mcKBmaDFOipp-GDP9X9WjntiY6utZ0SDpUiUjG_n1MFjtCl_MdPg7M20Jg6KY3yJzPpN_cJLPpcGqi6eA8uIpliqNh/s320/IMG-7696+making+a+cave.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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I'm going to place my cave in the corner of the grassy area of the park. To make a cave you need a resist. My resist is a piece of foam, completely wrapped in bubble wrap and taped together. The resist gives the cave it's form and is easy to remove during the process as it is soft and pliable.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-UDOCnLfT5p85h-8I5GdLLJzClwWGnH7oxSKxde4DisFr_ohTD9U3RHV35cra1IuuFjv2QWwPmy3_MOyh628TQ4NqazJ-fZi1UQ7Gd7SFn-V6IpE6r1YUl21gnP_x_P39MB2zukmCHBWt/s1600/IMG-7697+making+a+cave.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-UDOCnLfT5p85h-8I5GdLLJzClwWGnH7oxSKxde4DisFr_ohTD9U3RHV35cra1IuuFjv2QWwPmy3_MOyh628TQ4NqazJ-fZi1UQ7Gd7SFn-V6IpE6r1YUl21gnP_x_P39MB2zukmCHBWt/s320/IMG-7697+making+a+cave.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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If you have followed the process of creating a play mat up to this point (#1-5), you will remember that when you are making a play mat you need 2-3 layers of batting to make it thick and durable. You will need the same for your cave. Cover your cave with 2-3 layers of batting and with your needle, secure the edges to your play mat. Make sure the edges are smooth and flair out at the bottom onto the play mat. You want a nice, neat edge there so that you can felt the cave securely to your play mat. I would say at least an inch all the way around is good. If you do too much, you will be felting 6 layers of batting and that is a lot and can leave your mat bumpy in that area as well as it being hard to thoroughly felt that much wool. If you don't overlap it enough, however, you risk having a hole at the base of your cave.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOq1fbqREvj8omInoVOxtbn6_XKTaVDHdDRIPUmujCxsGuq52p3WhV4pIki2JQWpoNKZp06v3SzVPMV-HBCOe417RWmOOXOEwTkyDJ8EMu8Uxtkli7tbauWF_-4Qzj2KUnf_hwzSf0voNW/s1600/IMG-7700+making+a+cave.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOq1fbqREvj8omInoVOxtbn6_XKTaVDHdDRIPUmujCxsGuq52p3WhV4pIki2JQWpoNKZp06v3SzVPMV-HBCOe417RWmOOXOEwTkyDJ8EMu8Uxtkli7tbauWF_-4Qzj2KUnf_hwzSf0voNW/s320/IMG-7700+making+a+cave.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgebCmqATcYReG1waOgX7nFz-O87WW_Gh7AQBZIWoL7epHTOEiZWleCmeZOOzLLCus-EOqg_fWRibFwpm33k6hed7jg59WUKyIumgt9nO5dSvWNyCN2Or0aHrZoO2TGYDxcFx0iy4pIBaF8/s1600/IMG-7702+making+a+cave.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgebCmqATcYReG1waOgX7nFz-O87WW_Gh7AQBZIWoL7epHTOEiZWleCmeZOOzLLCus-EOqg_fWRibFwpm33k6hed7jg59WUKyIumgt9nO5dSvWNyCN2Or0aHrZoO2TGYDxcFx0iy4pIBaF8/s320/IMG-7702+making+a+cave.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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When your cave is covered and secured to the play mat you can begin the wet-felting process. This is the same as when you felt your play mat. Hot water, soap and friction. Use plastic over top of the wool until you can feel the felting process beginning and the wool is shrinking. You will want to be gentle at first as it is easy to create wrinkles. Continue to smooth the cave with your hands.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigKbaZ-98AhDBB9DAFJjghu9-AH-Jorp-gq0G0ZXtmO-KKWmrKgJp72Kh6EvCle1bUqB1fMTjq2mkem9XsCbAUOaWkvCMkjxsUIARK0H4ieL5eEbmFybpkrGPhTGmmFmgSC-6ar2Fz9xwZ/s1600/IMG-7735+making+a+cave.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigKbaZ-98AhDBB9DAFJjghu9-AH-Jorp-gq0G0ZXtmO-KKWmrKgJp72Kh6EvCle1bUqB1fMTjq2mkem9XsCbAUOaWkvCMkjxsUIARK0H4ieL5eEbmFybpkrGPhTGmmFmgSC-6ar2Fz9xwZ/s320/IMG-7735+making+a+cave.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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I like to use the side of my hand to define the edge of my cave and ensure that it is felting well at the base.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-lwr0Cqt9dg06wGXrs0QLNpih4cbBE2Q-Ko0417dPwfaGxXrROuHfiHbyZIVD8N05wlYgU9v43v-2xXp9R1BTRHcUunc3LALqQ4T9OGDi2FuwH6ehbjoDx2BTKF0FTYyuhFNtTSDgNv7f/s1600/IMG-7734+making+a+cave.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-lwr0Cqt9dg06wGXrs0QLNpih4cbBE2Q-Ko0417dPwfaGxXrROuHfiHbyZIVD8N05wlYgU9v43v-2xXp9R1BTRHcUunc3LALqQ4T9OGDi2FuwH6ehbjoDx2BTKF0FTYyuhFNtTSDgNv7f/s320/IMG-7734+making+a+cave.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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When the cave is firm and the wool is not fuzzy you can plan where you want the door of your cave. You are going to cut a small hole. You will want to cut a smaller hole then you think you want as the wool can stretch and the opening gets bigger. Be careful not to cut into the base of the cave and into the actual play mat. That happened to me once and is, of course, disappointing.</div>
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Your opening might look like this.</div>
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Then you can go ahead and gently pull out the resist. </div>
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You can now continue with your wet felting process and felt the opening until it is smooth. Check the inside of the cave to make sure it has been well felted. If you feel it needs more, you can use your fingers to felt it inside. The more it is felted the sturdier your cave will be. </div>
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Who is going to live in your cave? As soon as someone moves in it makes all the difference! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirBe7F6T09c4GLuU4yPirOyzb3EgzJgFVwRlSRWnsRFt5DPtTPcDRb7d04XN86lOHbzsmAhMDYNTkGihw9lGqNl2CFBY5jPIaEQaWLCgQswX-HF1lHkYFhB70hnJgof3iPzftz5prRL2xS/s1600/IMG-7760+making+a+cave+with+bunny.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirBe7F6T09c4GLuU4yPirOyzb3EgzJgFVwRlSRWnsRFt5DPtTPcDRb7d04XN86lOHbzsmAhMDYNTkGihw9lGqNl2CFBY5jPIaEQaWLCgQswX-HF1lHkYFhB70hnJgof3iPzftz5prRL2xS/s320/IMG-7760+making+a+cave+with+bunny.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Have fun with this process. Let me know if you have any questions. I love to do workshops and when we get clear of this virus I will definitely be planning some.</div>
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Ray-Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15594970436640261782noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7554253905304772033.post-66427677898411681502019-11-20T15:33:00.001-08:002019-11-23T18:30:32.105-08:00Learning New Skills.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My most recently created play mat, the one featured in the series of blog posts I wrote to share how I design and fabricate a play mat, has sold. I couldn't be more thrilled as I got to meet the lovely April who purchased it and hear about her Family Childcare business. I love when I know the play mats are going to a good home and I hope that much story telling and imaginative play will happen with it.</div>
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I am super excited that my small business has expanded somewhat with the purchase of a few key tools. A scroll saw, a belt sander and a dremel sander. With these new tools I can start cutting out my own wooden animals and finishing them easily with the various sanding tools.</div>
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I am learning to cut wood and can't wait for my days off work to spend a little time in my husband's workshop to cut a few more little critter's. At this point I'm experimenting with different kinds and thicknesses of wood and also with different patterns.</div>
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I recently met Oana Nistor on Instagram. You can find her @story_baskets and she is being mentored by Susan Munzer and sharing Susan's work with story telling. Through Oana I got permission from Susan to use her patterns from one of her books, Learn to Play, Play to Learn. </div>
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Susan said, I could use the patterns with the condition that they would, "honor and develop young minds." That is something I definitely hope to contribute too through my work.</div>
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Susan also said, "A good idea is only a good idea if it is shared with others."</div>
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I'm excited to launch out to learn a new skill that I think will lend itself well with the felted play mats and small worlds I like to create.</div>
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I'm experimenting with different types of finish as well and have tried acrylic paint, mod podge, water color and bees wax. Please comment if you have experience to share with me. I would appreciate hearing from you.</div>
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This is one little girl who thinks that cutting out wooden animals and painting them is a good idea! My sweet little grand-daughter who is getting big way to quickly, worked so hard on all her pieces to give away as Christmas presents.</div>
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<br />Ray-Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15594970436640261782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7554253905304772033.post-47270093931330593582019-11-02T16:15:00.000-07:002019-11-02T16:23:52.539-07:00Using your Play Mat: Creating a Play Mat - Part 5<br />
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Hi Everyone!</div>
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Here we are for the final post where I will share various ways that you can use your completed play mat!</div>
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Being as this one was a forest play mat you might like to think of ways that you can incorporate real nature pieces onto it such as leaves, pine cones, chestnuts, and wood or anything that you can forage. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhOZJ7gepxCY_G4SE3PmU83a4UmKJyydkPZf1NRbh0kee5fEWh0aGH80mPJZkmIY0FB_yZ572h_T8w6T3FRjfR4qhHgpMIc7MEWKyf2culMvD71FpqXsF2PF-Etm1nTYwwcJD3t_Y0mAlm/s1600/IMG-6930.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhOZJ7gepxCY_G4SE3PmU83a4UmKJyydkPZf1NRbh0kee5fEWh0aGH80mPJZkmIY0FB_yZ572h_T8w6T3FRjfR4qhHgpMIc7MEWKyf2culMvD71FpqXsF2PF-Etm1nTYwwcJD3t_Y0mAlm/s320/IMG-6930.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Looking closely at leaves can lead to discussions on color, shape, species, and parts such as veins and stems. Maybe the children would then like to use leaves on the art table to trace, rub, paint, draw or color.</div>
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You could hid an insect under neath and talk about how they are looking for a warm place to spend the winter. This could lead into a greater discussion on hibernation. Maybe you would like to add some white wool or cotton batten for the children to add as the snow comes. </div>
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Play a memory game. Place 2-4 insects under the leaf, ask the children to close their eyes and remove one. Can they figure out which one is missing?</div>
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Add in a set of forest story stones.</div>
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Study and learn about pond/stream habitat. Who lives there? Add a bridge and a troll and tell the story of the billy goats gruff. </div>
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Add in some peg dolls and tell a make up story of some of their adventures in the forest. Could that piece of drift wood be a boat and add some excitement to their outing?</div>
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Add in forest animals such as bear, fox, deer, raccoons, skunks, moose, elk etc.</div>
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Add in real or hand made flowers and other foliage like bracken or dried grasses and offer those in various places in your home or daycare room.</div>
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Add in tree cookies.</div>
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Provide fences, take away the woodland animals and add farm animals.</div>
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Is winter coming on near you? Add in snowy mountain blocks. Or add a back drop that could be as simple as fabric or a fall/winter scene from a calendar. A mirror is also stunning as a backdrop and really adds depth and reflection to the small world play scene.</div>
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Go for a walk through the forest or if you don't live near one plan to go to a park and especially look for chestnut trees or acorns and leaves and cones to bring back.</div>
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You can plan specific story telling times like a gathering/circle time and incorporate the same animals or characters from the story. You can make up a story. Once upon a time their was a beautiful forest and in the forest lived a.......and so on.</div>
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Observe how the children play and what they are interested in and extend their play by providing props and other items that can keep the play going strong. Let them lead! They know what they want and need to learn about. They will likely inspire you with their own fabulous ideas!</div>
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Depending on the age of the children they can have full use of a small world like this, however keep in mind that young learners might still be mouthing toys so provide bigger materials for them. Your play mat could be used on a nature table for display/observation purposes. Add in all those lovely nature pieces and hang a branch above for some birds to hang on or maybe you make a nest!</div>
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I hope that you have found this tutorial on creating and using your play mat helpful. Please message me if you have any questions! I love facilitating workshops where we could make a play mat together and even some accessories! As well I sell lots of the items above at market tables or you can contact me about that as well. I am working on setting up my own online shop but have some items in my Etsy shop. </div>
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/andthecarrotcameup">https://www.etsy.com/shop/andthecarrotcameup</a></div>
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Have a happy week-end!</div>
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Ray-Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15594970436640261782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7554253905304772033.post-18169301951520473852019-10-23T13:42:00.001-07:002019-10-23T13:47:00.160-07:00Embellishing your Play Mat: Creating a Play Mat - Part 4<div style="text-align: center;">
Hi everyone! </div>
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Today I am going to share with you some of the ways that I embellish my play mats. To be honest, the sky's the limit with how you finish your play mat because creativity is unique and personal. </div>
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I like to think about what inspired me in the first place and also how I think the play mat might be used and by whom.</div>
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In this case I was going for a forest and autumn inspired mat and so I will continue on with that in mind.</div>
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One of the things I love as I walk through my woods is the little surprising splashes of color that happen as leaves and bushes begin to change.</div>
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Using my needle I add simple tiny bits of merino roving. </div>
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Here I was loving the last of my marigolds before the frost.</div>
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I needled in some curly mohair locks and added some wool. The wool is hand sewn on and reinforced on the back with some batting. In my experience, young learners can be very curious and like to try and pull on bits that stick up!</div>
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That's all I added. It is possible to wet-felt a bit more if you really want those colorful bits to stay on but I have found needling is pretty durable. I am working in a toy library and am discovering some play mats that I made about 12 years ago and other than some pilling they are in pretty great shape. I did re-felt one and it come out like new! So they can endure a lot of handling if felted well in the first place.</div>
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While I was taking these pics I realized I need to do one more blog post on ways that you can use your new play mat. I couldn't resist adding in a few animals right away.</div>
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Watch how the small world becomes alive!</div>
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Add in nature. Rocks, wood, leaves, pine cones. Add peg dolls. Add movable flowers.</div>
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Have fun! Take time to play!</div>
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Ray-Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15594970436640261782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7554253905304772033.post-3709591218244670042019-10-18T13:11:00.000-07:002019-10-23T13:46:42.666-07:00Wet-Felting a Play Mat: Creating a Play Mat - Part 3<div style="text-align: center;">
I am in my happy place at last! In my art studio. I had a good work week but I was dreaming about finishing this play mat and have been looking forward to getting back to it.</div>
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I have to apologize on the outset for less than stellar pictures of the process I use to wet-felt my play mats. My kitchen causes shadows and it's hard to get great lighting, there was only me and selfies are not my strong suit!</div>
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I hope you can follow along though, and we will get right into this next stage of the tutorial. I am assuming that you are happy with the layout of your raw wool and committing to the design so far. </div>
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Layout your plastic and place your project onto it. You will want to get some very hot water ready. I usually boil the kettle and mix it with hot water from the tap so that it's hot but not too hot to handle. </div>
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This is the soap I am going to be using and I cut off a piece to put into my watering can and also a piece for me to use for rubbing.</div>
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Sprinkle your play mat liberally with the hot water, keeping in mind that wool naturally resists water. It does take some experience to know how much water to use to thoroughly wet your project. I usually know that when it is pooling on the plastic around the edges that I have too much and I just drain that off. So the idea is enough water, but not too much. It's a tricky part but comes more clear with practice. Really there is no harm done with too much water but what can happen is the fibers can't join together as they are floating apart so you may notice that your mat is not felting. The reason I use a watering can is for the sprinkle feature. It distributes the water nicely.</div>
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Once the wool is wet cover the whole piece with your plastic and gently, but not tightly, tuck in the edges to help contain your water.</div>
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Make a puddle of water for yourself on top of the plastic, soap up your hands and press firmly onto the wool. I like to press down to release air and to help move the water around to make sure the whole project is wet.</div>
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Using both hands begin rubbing. I like using circular, inward motions so that I'm not stretching the wool away from itself. Apply as much pressure as you can as the friction is necessary. Some people use a rolling pin and others use bubble wrap all things that cause friction and help the process of felting along. You will find what works for you.</div>
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I will usually rub until the water is cool. You don't want to be lifting the plastic at this point as it can disturb the fibers that are just beginning to felt together. When your water is cool or after about half an hour of rubbing you can roll up your mat including the plastic and drain off the cold water. Make sure you just squeeze the water out and don't twist or wring the wool.</div>
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Maybe you can see in the next picture that my wool mat is starting to felt and looks fuzzy. It's all good! Add some more hot water and repeat with more soap and rubbing. I suggest it's good to think happy thoughts, listen to music or a podcast at this point as you have to put the time in for wool to transform to felt.</div>
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It's coming along nicely I think. Less fuzzy now and starting to ripple. Some people do not love the feeling of rubbing directly onto the wool. You can felt the entire project with the plastic covering. I like to eventually remove the plastic and work right on the wool itself. It helps me see the areas that need a bit more work. You can also turn your piece over and felt on the backside which helps that felting process also.</div>
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I changed the water several times and probably worked on it for an hour to an hour and a half. When you think it is done, you can rinse it in the sink running it under hot water, then cold water, then hot water again. You can knead it as you rinse it as that helps to continue the felting process.</div>
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This was the final result after laying it flat to dry overnight.</div>
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The next stage of this project is to embellish my play mat and add details using my needle. </div>
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Stay tuned!</div>
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Ray-Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15594970436640261782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7554253905304772033.post-72335458431552350602019-10-13T17:39:00.000-07:002019-10-23T13:47:10.674-07:00Designing a Play Mat: Creating a Play Mat - Part 2<div style="text-align: center;">
Hi everyone! Happy Thanksgiving!<br />
I am thankful for many things today. It's been a reflective, quiet day at our house and some of my thoughts have been heavy and sad and then I got working on this project. I feel more balanced again. It's nice to keep the hands busy and be able to process thoughts at the same time!</div>
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I am here on the blog today, to share how I design a felted play mat. Some of you have seen my playmats/small worlds on "and the carrot came up" facebook page and many of you have bought them through my Etsy shop or at a market table. I am so thankful for the encouragement that gives me to keep putting my art out there and I am beyond thrilled that there are small children benefiting from using these natural "toys" for stories and play.</div>
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Many of you have taken a workshop with me and the feedback I received from you is that you would like a tutorial. While I am not comfortable, at this time, to go "live" I can share the steps in written form.<br />
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First, I gather the materials I need.</div>
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1) I use a red or burgundy felting needle. I use the WizPik brand and will give my sources for all the materials I buy, at the bottom of this post. This needle is carbon steel and is about 3-3.5 inches in length. It is perfect for this kind of felting. You can also purchase tools that have multiple needles in them. I have one that holds three needles and a punch tool that holds five.</div>
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2) I have a piece of foam to needle felt into. There are eco-friendly options out there. If you like to sew you can make your own bag from burlap and fill it with rice. I use foam because when I first learned to felt that is what was presented at the time and I am still using the same one almost 10 years later. I would probably like to try the rice method at some point.</div>
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3) I use <b>batting</b> for the base of my play mats. Because children are often using them I use 3 layers. That makes the play mats really strong, thick and durable.</div>
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4) I have a wide range of colorful<b> roving</b> for the surface of the play mat, that I use for detailing. This is where your creative juices can flow!</div>
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5) For the wet-felting part, I use a large plastic garbage bag that has been cut in half, some lovely goat's milk or aloe vera soap, and a watering can.</div>
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In my last blog, I talked about being inspired by an idea before you start your play mat. I am usually inspired by nature and that is evident by the playmats I make which are usually a patch of earth, depicting farmland or forest and often including ponds or streams. I love creating ocean playmats too. </div>
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I am going to share some pictures of a simple playmat that is in progress and hopefully you will see the steps I take clearly enough to make your own!</div>
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I want to share that while felting a play mat there are often "ugly duckling" stages that the wool creation goes through while in the designing process. What I have learned after making many, many playmats is the felt is very REPAIRABLE. Even after you have felted your mat you can fix little things that didn't turn out quite how you imagined. As I took pictures of this "in progress" play mat, I saw things that I went in and changed. I am going to share the picture before I changed it though, to show a bit of my thinking and creative process.</div>
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First, the inspiration. On one of my walks through my forest, I was yet again amazed by all the shades of green. As it is fall, there are also gorgeous splashes of yellow, reds, and golds.</div>
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Building my playmat. Three layers of batting, with the top layer being the color of the forest. I usually pull the batting off the role and go with a fairly random shape. Some people like their edges to flow out, I like to tuck mine in with my needle. </div>
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Adding splashes of color.</div>
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Adding the different wool colors is like watercolor painting. I like it best when they flow together, meld and complement each other. Again, I look to nature for inspiration and try to have a combination of random and organized beauty!</div>
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The picture below is the whole mat in very rough, beginning stages. While I liked the colors on the edges, I ended up taking off the colors in the middle because I decided to go back to my initial inspiration which was all of the shades of green I was seeing on my forest walk. So, I took off those bits of yellow and rust and added in more shades of green. I will probably make more changes still.</div>
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Still working on it, but showing you how you can change things along the way. I can tell you that I will also blend those yellow bits on the left so that they flow better. Sometimes it helps to walk away and then come back at it with fresh eyes.</div>
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Here are a few really close up shots of the colors together.</div>
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Some people just lay out their colors and felt them as is. I like to use my needle and join the fibers somewhat before I wet felt. I find this gives me a better idea of what is going to happen to the final product. I am almost always surprised anyway and that's always fun for me.</div>
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I hope you have been able to follow the process to this point! I will continue to tweak my piece until I am satisfied with it. </div>
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Mine is one version. The internet being what it is, has many sources and ways to felt. There are lots of ways to be successful in this process. I want to encourage you to try!</div>
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Next time on the blog we will wet felt the playmat!</div>
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Please comment with any questions! </div>
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P.S. Look who showed up while I was taking pictures outside. More inspiration for when the playmat is finished!</div>
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Ray-Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15594970436640261782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7554253905304772033.post-853216531457230022019-09-27T16:35:00.000-07:002019-10-23T13:47:25.033-07:00Dipping My Brush: Creating a Play Mat - Part 1<div style="text-align: center;">
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"The process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something, especially to do something creative."<br />
<br />
INSPIRATION.<br />
<br />
Where does it come from and where does it go? Sometimes I have heaps of it and my brain bursts with ideas and then sometimes there is nothing. With me, it probably means life got a bit too busy and heavy.<br />
<br />
For fun, I thought I would take a trip down memory lane and look at some of the ways that nature has inspired my creative process.<br />
<br />
Below I have compiled a few of my wet-felted creations along with a picture that may have influenced my work.<br />
<br />
I hope you enjoy and feel inspired to go do some art yourself, whether felting, painting or coloring or whatever you like best. I have read that no matter the skill level engaging in art lowers stress hormone levels and that's good for all of us!<br />
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Ray-Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15594970436640261782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7554253905304772033.post-28546192658170547242019-09-22T16:10:00.000-07:002019-09-22T20:52:52.374-07:00In the Blink of an Eye.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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In the blink of an eye, our little grand-son is one! </div>
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From one Fall season to the next so much life change.</div>
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Waiting for the guests to arrive for his special celebration.</div>
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Like his Dada says, "When the cake's got your number on it."</div>
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No words needed. Experiencing cake for the first time.</div>
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Satisfaction.</div>
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Papa and I sent along a Waldorf Birthday ring. Papa hand-carved a baby bear and a number one to start this simple but beautiful tradition of honoring a child's special events. I hand dipped the beeswax candles. As that took some time, I thought about his birth story and how he came to us all. So special, so loved, so wanted.</div>
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His Dada brought all the pieces of these Pikler climbers with him this summer to finish them in Papa's workshop. Together they crafted these beautiful wooden structures that will be used well in the future. Lovely, thoughtful, home-made gifts.</div>
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Happy Birthday, Baby Bear. We love you forever.</div>
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*photo credit: Yuri Minenkov, aka Dada</div>
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Ray-Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15594970436640261782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7554253905304772033.post-89905916983706619942019-09-14T19:46:00.004-07:002019-09-14T19:53:57.309-07:00End of Summer is still Summer.<div style="text-align: center;">
I've decided to take a break from Face Book. I removed the app from my phone which really helped me as I was developing a bit of a habit that wasn't feeling balanced. I realized my introverted personality was getting rubbed the wrong way a bit. However, I still use the buy and sell pages now and then and I check my newsfeed once in the evening to scan for interesting work articles for my And the carrot came up work page. So, not completely done with it but way better.</div>
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One of the interesting things I've been noticing on the pages I follow is that many fellow educators who live in the northern hemisphere like I do think it is fall already. They are pulling out the fall loose parts and activities, pinecones and leaves. I decided for me, nope, not doing that. Why?</div>
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Summer is still here until September 23. Even then nature may or may not look like fall. I want to savor the golden days of summer and enjoy the harvest. </div>
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A dear friend of mine who was trained in Waldorf education taught me that it's important to slow down time for little ones. Let them actually see and experience the new season before bringing it indoors. Each season is long and there is lots of time for all the activities. Noticing how the temperature has changed in the early mornings, eating donated plums by the fistful, saying good-bye to our big friends going off to kindergarten are all good ways to transition from the end of the summer season to the beginning of fall. Watching our garden squash ripen and its leaves die-off is another way. Slowing it down, watching it happen bit by bit.</div>
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A splash of end of summer color in our daycare yard. I was rocking a little one in my arms on the patio one day. She said in a sleepy voice, " I like your tags (flags) Ray-Ann".</div>
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Here are some ways I enjoy end of summer at home.</div>
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We celebrated a few birthdays in our family in early September. Mine, and my grandson who just turned one. You will hear more about that in the next post. Darrell, my son and my two sons-in-law put a lot of thought and work into a wind chime for me. I'm just so pleased. It's exactly what I wanted for my patio.</div>
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This little girl and her Papa worked very hard on another gift for me. They put together a water feature. She knows all about the inner workings as she helped until it was done. She thinks it needs some color and so do I. I'm not sure what that will look like yet but meanwhile, it sure sounds lovely.</div>
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Harvest. Yummy offerings from our small garden and some fruit from the market.</div>
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Late summer garden bouquet. </div>
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I hope as September ramps up with school and work and maybe a faster pace for many families that we can all find ways to savor time, slow down and find a calmer rhythm for ourselves.</div>
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Children need as much unstructured time as possible to play, ponder and perhaps do nothing. It gives them time to process. It's healthy. It has helped me to check in with myself and figure out ways to slow down. I haven't had time to do "nothing" yet but I'm working on it. Goals.</div>
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Ray-Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15594970436640261782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7554253905304772033.post-59021474055849083392019-08-31T15:45:00.002-07:002019-08-31T15:55:54.516-07:00Forest paths, forest safety.<div style="text-align: center;">
For those of you who don't know already, I live in a forest. Well, not really. I live in a house that is situated in a clearing and around the clearing is a forest. Almost 8 acres of forest. That's a lot of forest. It's too much in some ways for D and me, but we enjoy doing what we can to care for it and be responsible owners of this bit of land. As we were away living in a different town for 6 years we were not able to do as much, unfortunately. Now, it's catch up time. </div>
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It's been my goal for a long time to create paths through the forest and I've been working away at that for the past few years. I can really see the progress which is so encouraging. I was able to enjoy forest time with my grand-kids this summer and we loved walking through. But 8 acres is 8 acres and there is always chopping, cutting, snipping, gathering, and piling to do. In the past, we piled and then later in the fall when the rains started we burned the piles. </div>
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This year, however, we invested in a Chipper. We found a used one on the local Buy and Sell. Man, I love the Buy and Sell's! It's big enough to chip our piles into mulch and then the mulch is defining my pathways!</div>
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First, cut and snip. He cuts and I snip.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy7fzR2L-IKxU6vRJBf1-YajYd-r922IZXCU2Np_ktV3K0bfuOgZuF6RU12BxNTny0v7o-_UPuI3NzIp2hffxCrfyWO-DZ0vyM53u2GUkxCbCezLpk3pY-Bi6b4TEHJ9fOQC7QHY-h7PHk/s1600/IMG-6559.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy7fzR2L-IKxU6vRJBf1-YajYd-r922IZXCU2Np_ktV3K0bfuOgZuF6RU12BxNTny0v7o-_UPuI3NzIp2hffxCrfyWO-DZ0vyM53u2GUkxCbCezLpk3pY-Bi6b4TEHJ9fOQC7QHY-h7PHk/s320/IMG-6559.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Then gather and pile. We both do that.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi18TLCBKe72-E2eKtbjP4qQSYNonh4hyBKRPNjaBOqL_vTOhGAXS_hmO8M3BAt6Q0EPBt11VDCPLSGqbw3Y5mV6zLZ5UEmAcdovucl6WHwuvmHx_bmW_94kOZQo2aeQeRHVFpppK1dd0eC/s1600/IMG-6567.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi18TLCBKe72-E2eKtbjP4qQSYNonh4hyBKRPNjaBOqL_vTOhGAXS_hmO8M3BAt6Q0EPBt11VDCPLSGqbw3Y5mV6zLZ5UEmAcdovucl6WHwuvmHx_bmW_94kOZQo2aeQeRHVFpppK1dd0eC/s320/IMG-6567.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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And mulch.</div>
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In the above picture, you can see the cleared section on the right and the section for another day on the left.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6IHVm57aB2As9s1N28WaZE_Y_leoPL4DWBOTmjaj8FzpsFXkKL4PQyMfHpGuZIobj9sf0qGi_MEpHYR_X5sreYuntQvD0WJh9dn3dUf45-lCT7OOX3unr97Cl8R3bPtI9fWnHsymNggwe/s1600/IMG-6558.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1201" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6IHVm57aB2As9s1N28WaZE_Y_leoPL4DWBOTmjaj8FzpsFXkKL4PQyMfHpGuZIobj9sf0qGi_MEpHYR_X5sreYuntQvD0WJh9dn3dUf45-lCT7OOX3unr97Cl8R3bPtI9fWnHsymNggwe/s320/IMG-6558.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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He does the mulching, I do the shoveling.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLui0670BxyVU-Qo4Vv4uBsC6xzJFL7x8cNdtWnUkELfnhDFFM0Pct_lxDhEey-DGKV4WgLOeijRa2NVM7g5sVPY1_qhk22nKpcphz1LoabETsgqon4PaZf2TAOjr4s2gedXOzNCSGhgmn/s1600/IMG-6557.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLui0670BxyVU-Qo4Vv4uBsC6xzJFL7x8cNdtWnUkELfnhDFFM0Pct_lxDhEey-DGKV4WgLOeijRa2NVM7g5sVPY1_qhk22nKpcphz1LoabETsgqon4PaZf2TAOjr4s2gedXOzNCSGhgmn/s320/IMG-6557.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Then rake the mulch onto the path. That was me. He kept on throwing those branches in the Chipper.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCD4WBLghFz9QYK0wSQVXZ-3kJHGKWihgV1XIGyPjGBOGDvJZt0PWWHOSDv90MOcbA7Wqq0Xfxe7quNiT83dD2854fy-ETo5-fZEix-p8oENJjlxAnm8nwnxeY3C9Eyt2gsK7s4eIIJT3l/s1600/IMG-6566.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCD4WBLghFz9QYK0wSQVXZ-3kJHGKWihgV1XIGyPjGBOGDvJZt0PWWHOSDv90MOcbA7Wqq0Xfxe7quNiT83dD2854fy-ETo5-fZEix-p8oENJjlxAnm8nwnxeY3C9Eyt2gsK7s4eIIJT3l/s320/IMG-6566.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Then place old, mossy rocks just so. That was me too. I just love old mossy rocks.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCIUjJXqy2mkL19jj-ylt_4VzIreQwPm9cA_ToEvuqaaqdmoYNzJpi5tpLvkmOqnb9DBwpNVfJvLcgI92QByidl3M3S4617OgD-Zrh_yqrY2X7uEnm9UJsRrS4cABu9w64tdNwlfUlLR5t/s1600/IMG-6565.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCIUjJXqy2mkL19jj-ylt_4VzIreQwPm9cA_ToEvuqaaqdmoYNzJpi5tpLvkmOqnb9DBwpNVfJvLcgI92QByidl3M3S4617OgD-Zrh_yqrY2X7uEnm9UJsRrS4cABu9w64tdNwlfUlLR5t/s320/IMG-6565.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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The good thing about this job is that it smelled like Christmas the whole time. </div>
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This picture makes me happy.</div>
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Ray-Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15594970436640261782noreply@blogger.com0