Rainy day at NaturePLAY

I could've sworn M's rain boots were in the car. I opened the lift-gate and soon realized, they were not where they should've been! C'est la vie, there were other boots and they would just have to do.

There was a light rain as we walked over to the amphitheater. M (3.5yr) and A (4.5yr) walked hand in hand. Once under the amphitheater, Ms. Ali pulls out the parachute and we all help to shake it out and it falls back to the ground. She set out water beads and the littles immediately gravitate towards them and are fully engaged at the work that needed to be done; dumping, refilling the containers, and squishing!

We started off with a science experiment, to see at the end of class where we could gather the most rain water in three glass jars placed in various locations. One under the roof, one under a tree, and one in the field.: Mrs. Ali asked, why is it dry under the amphitheater? The kids didn't really have an answer. She then asked, "do birds have roofs or umbrellas"? The big kids resounded a loud "NO!" Next, where do birds take shelter and they said "trees".

We hadn't been to NaturePlay, since the summer and when it came time for the story, I wasn't sure if M would sit still for it, but she did. One of the many ways she has grown in such a short time. The story was The Blue Coat, the part that spoke to the most was the end:

"She put the blue button onto a table and she set to work. All day she worked and worked, cutting out the best bits and shaping them together, fitting one part to another part, and she made him a beautiful story. She made him the story of the Blue Coat and I've just told it to you."

It made me think of life. Carefully putting together all the best bits and shaping the story our lives.

Mrs. Ali, then said "ah! look around, what's happening to the plants?" We saw the trees, plants and grass are all "waking up". I noticed all the flowering trees and the birds chirping.

Onto the next adventure! Starting a "wander", today in search of puddles and "rain drains". We walked around and found the holy grail of puddles. Mrs. Ali's boots got stuck in the mud. She explained how it creates suction, as one of the kids got stuck, too!

We continued to explore, more rain drains and lots of water! We came to a patch of dandelions and Mrs. Ali, described how dandelions are seed flyers and that's why there are usually so many of them! I noticed the violets, which are also growing in our yard. I asked if they were considered weeds or flowers and her response was that the term 'weeds' is subjective. Native species are meant to be here. So many people want the perfect yard of just grass, but its so much prettier with all the clover and wildflowers!

Onto observe Camp Creek and all the mud!

It started to rain a little harder and M exclaimed " I caught rain in my mouth! "

Next, we headed back under the amphitheater to explore with watercolors. Mrs. Ali divvied the plates, paint, glue, straws and q-tips. Everyone began quietly working. She came around to where each of the littles were working and poured some salt on their plates. "Wows" and "woahs" echoed a little under the roof.

NaturePLAY was coming to a close, so we checked the rain collection jars: its amazingly dry under a little tree! We sang our good-bye song with swaying ribbons and rings, M loves the songs as a call-to-transition and asked for an encore.

Until next time!