Valentines for the Birds

The other day (when there was still snow on the ground) we decided to make Valentines for the birds.  I cut out hearts from some cardboard and Eva turned them into treats by spreading shortening on them and then sprinkling on bird seed.

We added some ribbon for hanging and then went out to decorate a tree with them.

Eva helped by sprinkling some of the extra seed around the tree for the birds (and squirrels).

Seeing as they disappeared from the tree that night, either we have some very hungry (and strong) birds or some other critters got a little treat.  All that matters is there are a few less hungry animals in our neighborhood!

Outdoor Play Every Day

We have joined up with our friends at Greening Sam and Avery and pledged to get outside every day this year.  The weather has definitely been working in our favor!  The first half of January was extremely mild for us (especially since we live in the city that ranked number 2 in the nation for most snowfall each year!).  Eva has been riding her tricycle and even having snack outside.

We knew we couldn't avoid the snow forever and now that it's here, we are still out playing!  We've been taking hikes in our neighborhood park, sledding, and making tons of snow angels.

We even built a fire in our fire pit one night and toasted marshmallows by the light of the moon.

Want to join us in our pledge to get outside every day?  Stop by Greening Sam and Avery (today Abbie is hosting a link-up if you have some outdoor fun to share) and let's play outside every day!

Good Bye Summer!

Labor Day is the unofficial end of summer and Mother Nature is following course. Today is cool and rainy with that whisper of Fall in the air.  We have been cramming as much summer as we can in these last few weeks.
We've hit the beach:

the amusement park (for roller coasters big and small):

gone swimming:

and played in the backyard:

(Eva's lawn furniture sculture)

And done all we can to keep cool:

Today we whipped up a batch of play dough and I dug out some of our fun fall activities from last year.  While Eva's been playing, I'm been coming up with new ideas to share with all of you over the next few weeks.  I hope you are enjoying the last bits of summer!

Bird's Nest Art

Throughout the spring we watched a momma robin build a nest in our lilac bush.  She laid four eggs and guarded them day and night.  Soon little baby robins hatched and we watched as they grew and learned to fly.  No one has been back to the nest for a while now so decided it was safe to take it down and examine it.  Eva loved looking at it but decided it was lacking- it needed eggs and a bird!  "Let's make a sculpture!" she shouted and Daddy was game for helping her do so.  First they gathered some rocks to use as eggs.

Then they used a pinecone, some bark, a leaf and two little berries to form their bird.

They needed to use some wood glue to hold everything together but soon had a bird to rest in the nest.

I think it turned out adorable and I love how creative kids can be when we let them do their own thing!

Sponge Balls

It seems like everyone is making these this summer so we couldn't be left out of the fun!  They are so easy to make- cut two or more sponges into 4 strips each and then tie tightly in the middle.  I bought 3 four packs of basic sponges and we made 6 balls.  Then we came up with fun things to do with them.  First I placed a hula hoop on the driveway and Eva tried to throw the balls into the hoop.

After doing that for a while, we played catch with them- be sure to soak them first for more fun!  We also threw them up as high as we could to see what kinds of splats they would make.  Eva came up with another fun thing to do them- squeezing them over your head.

Have you made sponge balls yet?  If so, what have you done with them?

Garden News

A while back I posted about the beginning of our garden for the year.  Since then, seeds have been sprouting and other veggies and herbs have been planted.

Our peas have shot up and have blooms.  We can't wait for the pods to appear.  Last year not many peas made it out of the garden.  Eva would pick them as soon as they appeared and eat them right in the yard!

The carrots have also been growing away and we should soon have a harvest.

Here are a few of the other plants we have growing in our kitchen garden:

Tomatoes- Roma and cherry with lemongrass and dill in the planter

Eggplant (with two little guys starting to grow!)

Zucchinis

Cucumbers

Peppers- jalapenos, poblanos, habaneros, cubanelles and cayennes

Lettuce

Parsley and cilantro

Basil and purple basil

Oregano and rosemary

Sage and marjoram

Kale

Butternut squash

Watermelon

Pumpkin

And for the first time, we are trying an upside down tomato plant.

Our roses are also blooming beautifully!

And my favorite flower- peonies!

What do you have growing in your garden?