Week 47: For The Kids

What's new?

I have no idea where Week 47 went, nor can I seem to do anything right now ('specially write) that does not include making up new voices for characters like dinosaurs, trolls, ogres, goats, slugs, or lichen. Bet you didn't know lichen had a voice? Bet some of you don't even know what lichen is :)

New children's fiction - Oh yes. Henry's Amma got him 2 very cute reads, Dinosailors (Lund and Pine) and Where Would I Be In An Evergreen Tree (Blomgren and Gabriel). Dinosailors is a fun, sing-songy rhyme with made up words and silly adventure, of which I am a huge fan. Where Would I Be In An Evergreen Tree is get-out-of-town-ridiculous-my-dream-of-writing-something-like-that-one-day, so I am obviously biased. It portrays the ecosystem of an old-growth tree on the coast of Washington/Oregon, is quite species-specific, and the artwork is stunning. I liked it because Blomgren doesn't just describe this ecosystem, she creates a living thing out of it. Henry loves it too, by the way. After all, these are for the kids, folks. Ahem.

The Three Billy Goats Gruff was one I got him a couple of weeks ago and forgot to include somewhere along the way. An age-old story of facing, outsmarting, and overcoming your fears, and in a time where my preschooler is constantly discovering new things to be afraid of, I thought it particularly appropriate. Plus, I do a wicked, mean troll voice, and when he gets pushed into the water, I flail around and splash and die dramatically. Again, for the kids.

What else?

Other Week 47 Newness:

• New glass salmon sculpture from my trip to the PNW. Because not only do I need more salmon art, I need more glass things since we move every 2 years.

• New concealer. Here's one I don't often write about: new makeup. Since my makeup typically consists of lotion, concealer, and blush, there isn't usually a lot to report on in the newness for this category. Neutrogena Skin Clearing concealer is a new product in this line, and since I am a sucker for trying new products and my Proactiv concealer just ran out, I picked this little goodie up. It is AMAZING!! 5/5 for covering up scars on your chin from years of picking your face. 

• New crochet projects. The little trinket above was a throw I finished for my Father-in-Law as a Christmas present using Lion Brand Thick n Chunky yarn. The oversized granny square pattern for a throw is always fun because you can finish it rather quickly.

• Henry randomly started singing Jingle Bells, which I am assuming he learned at preschool? I have also realized, now that I can understand him better, that he knows most song lyrics and cuss words. A listener, this one. 

Week 28: Climb Aboard, Explorers!

What's new? Photo cred for the hop tree, giant swallowtail, and milk snake go to Wikipedia, all others are my own.

This year has been so much fun, as my 2.5 year-old has become quite the little wilderness explorer and will actually stay near me/stay on the trail. It took quite a bit of training and hiking practice to get him to be able to do that, as he is a definite runner/anti-hand-holder :) Yesterday, as we were out walking, he pointed to a vine of poison ivy and said, "That's ivy. Dooooon't touch it; it'll bite ya!" I've had various people look at me strangely for pointing out things like poison ivy, stinging nettle, and wasps to my preschooler, I guess the thinking being that it is better to not bring these things to their attention at all. I couldn't disagree more, as bringing awareness and the ability to describe your surroundings is probably one of the most important things that you could teach a child this age. Compassion and respect are learned by observing nature. Don't even get me started on the nature deficit disorder hypothesis described by Richard Louv. For the record, we steer clear of most snake habitat. The milk snake (above) was one I saw out on a trail run, and other than that, all we have seen are garter snakes and brown snakes. Momma is good with that :) 

In Week 28, we began our KS/MO bug collection and compiled a species list of new things we have seen in KS/MO this year. I also discovered that I have a new favorite Scentsy, Apple Press (and you know how I am about favorites!). Also tried and loved a new gadget. Many of my British crochet buddies use ergonomic crochet hooks. I am not sure why I never have, considering the fact that I crushed my thumb joint years ago. It kind of took a bit of getting used to, as my "form" had to change (kind of like anytime you switch to an ergonomic version of anything)...Totally worth it though!

Eastern-tailed blue (most common butterfly that we see)
giant swallowtail
great spangled fritillary
gypsy moth
plume moth
milksnake
brown snake (Storeria dekayi)
plains garter snake (Thamnophis radix)
hop tree (Ptelea trifoliata): smells DELICIOUS, FYI!!!