April Showers Bring May Flowers

MAY DAY

 

May Day is a traditional Spring holiday celebrated on May first by many people in our world. 

The history is long and diverse. 

We had just moved to a new state and my children's school had May Day activities.  I was so surprised, as this had not been observed in our prior two home locations in other states. What fun we had that year!  The children made May baskets, danced around the May Pole and we started a new family tradition of taking flowers to our friends and neighbors.

May Baskets are small baskets usually filled with flowers and/or treats and left at someone's doorstep. The giver rings the bell and runs away.  It is an anonymous gift to brighten someone's day. What a great activity to teach sharing, giving, empathy and caring to children.

Here are some basic instructions for a simple May Day Basket that you might have fun making with your children this year.

May Day Basket 

www.gather.com

Materials: 

a piece of paper (your choice), glue, scissors, something to decorate with, candies and flowers

Instructions:

• Using the paper of your choice, cut out a semi-circle.

• Decorate as desired.  Ideas:  crayons, markers or colored pencils; sponge painting or finger paint (maybe you would like to add a handprint and draw flowers at the end of each finger after the paint dries for a flower "bouquet", glitter glue, stencils or cookie cutters to add shapes, stickers,  ribbon, lace or rick-rack etc.  Your imagination is your only boundary. 

• When dry (if needed)  fold the paper into a cone shape.  Glue together.  If you look at the bottom of the half circle (the straight part), you'll see the "glue here". Glue the side to the right to the glue here section.  This step is an activity in itself as children see the "magic" of folding a flat piece of paper into a cone!

• Attach a paper,ribbon or colored chenille wire handle.

• Fill with real flowers or candies and hang on the door of a friend (or the bedroom door of a family member!). 

 

Alternative Ideas:

1.  Cut a paper plate in half and stapling it into a basket. Decorate with flowers/stickers. Fill with
     whatever you desire.
                                                                          
                                                          crafts.kaboose.com

2.  Add a colored chenille wire handle to a plastic or paper cup; or, a clean empty tin can that has a
     smooth edge.   Any clean empty food container would work as well, like yogurt or fruit cups. 

     Decorate the outside and fill with flowers.

     A fun flower idea is to insert a tootsie pop in the center of a construction paper flower.
                                                                      

www.bestbuytoday.com

www.thetaylor-house.com

www.makinglearningfun.com

farside.areavoices.com

                  

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 



                                                   alphamom.com

This May Day basket created a butterfly with a sucker  and construction paper and a gum ball worm on a paper leaf.
                                                         

These are just a few ideas to get you started.

Let your imagination and creativity go wild!

Outdoor "Safari"

The sun shone brightly and the yard called me outdoors.  The ground was wet due to recent rain and all the plants were washed clean and turning a delightful shade of Spring green. Unexpected, delightful discoveries were found as I pulled weeds.

Under one bush, two large eyes peeked out at me.  Only the slightest movement was detected as a clump of grass was removed.  Mr. Toad stuck his head out of the ground just far enough to investigate the weather to determine if he was ready to come out and play.


 The interstate of roots revealed hiding earthworms.  Many more hid under leaves and dense plant growth as they had come to the surface so as to not get wet in their underground tunnels.



I noticed the trees just starting to show a hint of color as the buds shed their coats to release the protected new leaves.

Early Spring flowers had raised their graceful necks and displayed the latest fashion of colors.



Birds sang a glorious concert. 

It was a delightful afternoon!

Spring is the perfect time to go exploring with children! 

They often see so much more than adults. 

Optional equipment for a "yard safari":

*  An empty plastic peanut butter jar with holes in the lid or a plastic fruit box (like strawberries or
    blueberries come in) make great observation containers. 

Remember to catch, watch and then release back to the place you found your critter.

*  Magnifying glass

*  Binoculars ( smaller children could rubber band together two toilet paper cardboard tubes for
   "binoculars" or use a paper towel tube as a "spy scope".  This helps children focus on small areas.

*  Journal -for the child that likes to write or one that you are encouraging their written skills.    
              Record observations, findings and reactions of your exploration.
             
*  Sketch book - for the child that likes to draw

Parent's role:

Listen closely to what your children say during this time together.  Their comments and conversation  will give you clues to the activities you may want to try once you return indoors and for the coming days. 

For example:  If your child is particularly interested in earthworms:

     * look up information on what they eat, how long they live, how they digest food, why they are
        good for the soil etc.

     *read a book about earthworms

     *make up a story about earthworms

     *draw a picture of an earthworm

     *depending on the age of the child, you may want to start a compost bin and watch earthworms in
       action

     *make a desert with gummy worms

     *make a worm magnet with a Styrofoam packing "peanut"

You get the idea. 

These are only a few things you can do to foster interest and gain knowledge about earthworms.

Whatever your child is particularly interested in, find supporting activities and learning that can take place after you explore.  This correlation will increase learning, promote communication  and develop stronger personal relationships.

Most of all, interact with your children, the environment and have fun!


 Fun source for great animal facts.
http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/animals/creaturefeature/earthworms/

Building Stronger Families...One Moment at a Time

Strong families are essential for a healthy society.

Strong societies build a better world.

 

You can make a difference in our world by focusing on the importance of your family unit.

Strong families are built with effective communication and strong relationships.

Strong families do not just happen... they have to be built.

It is the strong family that survives and grows stronger, binding together

 in life's turbulence and storms.

You can build a strong family by DAILY positive interaction and communication.

Make it a priority to spend time with your family every day having FUN!

 

Quality time together does not have to cost a lot of money or take huge amounts of time.

 

 

Resources to help you achieve this goal:

Check out the pinterest site below.

http://pinterest.com/hiddensplendor/

 

On this site you will find thousands of ideas focused on building stronger families.

 

 

Another resource is the book: 

Miraculous, Magical Moments in Minutes: 

Over 500 Quick, Easy Activities for Adults and Children to Share.  by Becky B. Baxa 

180 pages of family fun that cost little to nothing. 

Available at Amazon.com and Etsy.com

 

Remember... it is not the big trip you take or the expensive gifts

 that build life long memories and strong families. 

It is the daily interaction and communication that builds

a beautiful lifetime "quilt" of memories and strong family ties.

 

 

Wishing you many magical moments!

 

Crafty Eggs

Easter is over and baskets with half eaten chocolate bunnies and cracked open plastic eggs adorn your child's room.  You are still finding pieces of plastic green grass stuck to your sock as you walk around the house.  Spring is getting closer, but is not quite here.  So, what can you do to make this week a little more eggciting?

Plastic Egg Crafts

 

WORM/SNAKE

 

This is a great way to reuse Easter eggs, especially for the eggs that one side is broken.  This cute guy would make a great "bookworm" or snake to play with. 

 

 

www.childcentralstation.com
 

Materials Needed:

Lacing Cord or twine

Newer Style Plastic Easter Eggs with two holes on the top and bottom OR

                                 carefully poke a hole in the center of each half of the older plastic eggs. 

                                Try using a thumb tack to make holes.

Googly Eyes (or can be drawn on with permanent marker)

Red felt tongue (or draw on a smile with a permanent marker)

 

Instructions:

 

1.  Measure and cut a cord about 30-36 inches long.

2.  Make a know on the end of your cord.

3.  Thread lacing through on of the egg half shell holes

4.  Continue threading the cord through the top shells alternating the left and right holes as you go, if

     you are using the newer eggs with pre-made holes.

5.  When your cord is full, knot the cord on the end to hold the egg shells together.

6.  Decorate the worm/snake's head using the bottom of one of the eggs.

7.  Attach the googly eggs with glue

8.  Make a tongue or smile.

9.  Snap the bottom onto the last shell top.

 

You are ready to play!

 

Photo source and additional ideas: 

http://sewingcraftingsarah.blogspot.com/2011/03/how-to-make-plastic-snake-kids-toy.html

 

 

 

LIGHT UP A FIREFLY

 

Photo Source:  http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/make-fireflies-that-really-lig-147918

 

Insert a flameless LED tea light into on end of a plastic Easter egg. No glue is needed.

Poke holes through the egg with a thumbtack to insert  pipe cleaners to create two antenae.

Eyes can be directly drawn on the egg with permanent marker or onto white dot labels and stuck to the egg.

Wings can be made with any color duct tape.

Quick, easy, and adorable!