More Color...and Lots of Dirt!

We had a busy day today with day 2 of our planting extravaganza. The boys were excited by all the DIRT so we got a bunch done.

We finished our pots -- the tiny shells the boys chose themselves to glue on did some gloopy running down the sides, but after it dried they look nice. As the glue was drying we worked on our Root-Vue Farm project which the boys received as a Christmas gift. They really enjoyed hydrating the peat pellets that came with the kit. From there we filled up the base with the soil, sprinkled seeds on top, covered with soil, and took upstairs to a sunny window. That will grow carrots, onions, and radishes.


When that was done our pots were about dry and ready!

We went into the garage to make a potting mix. We mixed some of our good potting soil with a few handfuls of cocoa bean mulch to lighten it up...since the boys will probably over water in their enthusiasm. We used our own saved seeds from last summer and planted cilantro and dill.



The boys scooped and sprinkled and watered. Very exciting.


After that, A wanted me to read one of the library books we had picked up from the library related to seeds/planting. He picked:

Plant Plumbing: A Book About Roots and Stems

by Susan Blackaby






After that they still had energy and we made honey oatmeal cookies. Good day!

Blue & Green.

This week is planting week. We have been wanting to start some window herbs and the quiet of January is a good time. A was excited to see the books arrive from the library -- is it time? Yes! So this week we have plans to paint pots, plant seeds, read books about growing seeds, grow sprouts, and do a few other fun things.



Today was painting day. They each painted 2 pot/saucer sets. We used smaller ceramic pots which will hold a small herb plant each. They each also painted 1 small ceramic watering can. We used terra cotta/ceramic paint. The colors they chose were pretty bold!





We did the base layer today, and plan to coat them with a gold opalescent layer after the boys add a cool embellishment they selected. More tomorrow!

Color.

G's sun drawing from today

All of this dark gray foggy crazy weather (tornadoes! in january! in wisconsin!) makes the inside color even more vibrant. Color and light affect mood, so lets bring in some color. Here are colors from our home today.




I think I'll keep an eye out for color themes this month - I have a feeling some color posts are coming. I always like a little boost during the dark cloudy days of January. How about you?

Bugs'n'Bones.

Today we visited the Milwaukee Public Museum. If there is a choice between a kids museum or a science museum, A will take science every time. He loves information. Details. Minutiae. For years, this is who he is, how he is.


Now, G, is very different. He was not particularly interested in many of the exhibits (not even the butterflies!) and wanted to ride up and down the escalator instead. I know, he is just 3, but when A visited the museum at 3 he already knew the names of most of the beetles and butterflies, and identified many ocean creatures and dinosaurs. Because he is that kind of kid.


G is a smart little guy, but he isn't into information in the same way. He likes tactile colors, texture, images, art. G grumbled though parts of the museum as A wanted each and every plaque read aloud to him - but we did find a few spots just right for him. He LOVED an interactive kiosk about DNA sequencing. Who knew? And geology? He surprised us by remembering and identifying some rocks and gazed at their facets and colors. And the American Indian bead work and silver? Yep, loved it.


I love being able to see their differences and notice what makes them tick, what they like, what drives and interests them, and where they are lead by their explorations. They are so alike, these brothers, in many ways, but they are also such complete individuals, it is amazing to watch them as they go.

Definitely a fun day.

Fog.

We didn't mean to be driving in something like this. The morning forecast before we left said starting to clear around noon, fog advisory expires at noon. It opened at noon, we should be OK. They changed the forecast after we left, I guess, but we didn't know. More fog.

As we carefully drove home, hands on wheel, at attention, lights on, slow enough to stop in what we could see, spaced back, quiet, all focus on the wall of white - vehicles zipped past us at full speed (65mph). Drivers talking on cell phones. NO headlights. Eating. Not using blinkers to pass. Tailing each other at less than one car length - car 1, car 2, car 3, car 4, car 5, all so close (too close!) quickly disappearing one after another into the fog.


It was scary to see that something this horrific happened close to home at the very same time.


I was so relieved to arrive home safely with my two little beautiful boys and my husband.