Joining up with Amy of Love Made My Home and her Five on Friday!
One:
This week was Spring Break here in Ontario, and I had a house full of kids while they were off school. It's been a very rainy week, and after the first day of full rain, I could see we had to get everyone outside between the rain drops or they would be tearing each other apart by the end of the week! I packed them up and we tumbled into the woods for a few good hikes :) Nothing like fresh air in the woods where there are lots of sticks, water and MUD! to keep kids entertained and happy.
Two:
We visited two areas in two days. Lynde Marsh where we had lots of fun feeding the turkeys and seeing the beautiful Toms in their courtship display. More on the turkeys in this post.
Three:
The second place was Heber Downs where there are a few nice trails to meander around. Thankfully they are all toddler friendly (mostly). Of course you have to keep an eye on the kids at the top of steep hills sloping down from the trail, and the creek, which was running high.
Four:
Now yesterday, as you well know, was St. Patrick's Day. The woods we were in were swathed in a mist when we arrived yesterday, so we knew something magical was occurring. As we walked deeper into the forest, I wasn't too surprised to find that a little someone was peeking at us from behind the mossy green tree trunks! The kids, of course, were anxious to speak with him, but he would just giggle and then poof! he disappeared in a twinkling of green sparkles!
... turns out there was more than one in the forest ...
Five:
My own little leprechauns were most helpful with keeping this beautiful forest green. I took along a garbage bag and whenever they spied a paper coffee cup, beer can, plastic cups or bottles carelessly tossed onto the forest floor, they ran to collect it and we put them all in the garbage bag. In the end we counted TWENTY SEVEN cups/cans/bottles! Of course, my smart kids knew exactly where to throw these ... IN THE GARBAGE CAN PROVIDED. Well done guys! They were very proud of themselves and so was I!
Six for St. Patrick's Day ;)
And this is one of the crafts we worked on this week for St. Patrick's Day. I thought they were really cute. And just so you know ... once you put glitter on a craft it becomes magical!
Thanks for stopping by today!
Wendy ... and the leprechauns ;)
Oh the energy level of kids! Love the craft, might make one just for the fun of it.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun post! Loved it. Those Turkeys are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteLoved the leprechauns, both varieties. The Turkeys too were a great delight. Have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteGood job on the clean-up, kids!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed doing environmental ed programs for children years ago...so much fun, plus there's always the hope that what they experience will be part of who they become as adults.
love the last photo! great stuff
ReplyDeleteA walk in the woods is such a great way to entertain your little leprechauns. Sounds like a very fun day! Great craft - glitter makes everything a bit better (according to some little people I know.)
ReplyDeleteVery sweet post!! Love the craft. Those faces are precious!
ReplyDeleteSuch a fun and sweet post, my friend. Those turkeys are just too cute and your leprechauns are adorable :)
ReplyDeleteHappy weekend! Hugs!
What great times you have been having with the children! Looks as though they have enjoyed it a lot which is the most important thing. Such a shame that there was so much rubbish for you to gather up, but how great that you did the gathering! Thank you for taking part in Five On Friday, hope you have a good weekend and a good Easter! xx
ReplyDeleteSmart you to get everyone outside to burn off some of that excess energy! The turkey picture is terrific.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely fun post and great photos to .Good for you all picking up the garbage , I do the same thing when I walk our valley makes me angry that people just toss their garage out into our forests and wild life areas .I bet after all that fresh air they had a good sleep and you to kids really keep you on your toes don't they ? Thanks for sharing , have a good weekend !
ReplyDeleteGlad you got the little leprechauns out in the woods! Best thing for them.
ReplyDeleteGood for you and the kids for cleaning up the trails. Tomorrow is Earth Hour and I'll be turning off the lights at 8:30 pm!
ReplyDeleteGlad glad you could get everyone outside for fresh air and to learn about keeping the forest trails clean.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like lovely & fun time. I'm glad the kids enjoyed it xx
ReplyDeleteWhat a great week you had despite the weather. I can never understand why people don't take their rubbish away with them. Terrible. But well done all of you.
ReplyDeleteHello, cute post. I love the adorable leprechauns. The turkeys are cool too. Happy weekend!
ReplyDeleteThis is a perfect post: Beautiful woods, happy children, environmental education and some magic too! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing and have a lovely weekend!
Lovely photos from the woods. The creek is gorgeous. I always enjoy listening to the sound of running water.
ReplyDeleteLovely photos from the woods. The creek is gorgeous. I always enjoy listening to the sound of running water.
ReplyDeleteSometimes walks in the woods on a rainy or foggy day are even better than those on sunny days. Love your photos Wendy! You have one very lucky bunch of leprechauns!
ReplyDeleteI know I have said it before but how wonderful it must be to be a child in your care Wendy. It sounds as though they have so much fun with you.
ReplyDeleteBravo on the litter picking, the kids did a fine job. I love your leprechaun craft idea and the more glitter the better :-) xx
ReplyDeleteI hope you had a great St. Patrick's, Wendy. I love the craft and all the photos.
ReplyDeleteAmalia
xo
What a delightful post Wendy! Loved your pics and story!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great way to keep those kiddies busy!
Love Popsicle stick crafts....
Have a great week!
Cheers!
Linda :o)
Hiking in the great outdoors, crafting and doing your part to keep the environment clean ... all sounds great to me! Fun stuff!
ReplyDeleteWe were discussing rubbish at our dinner yesterday. What has changed the thinking since we were growing up, so that people feel no responsibility for dealing with their own trash? Gold stars to you and your children for picking up after the lazy self-centered slobs who drop their stuff for others to pick up. And black marks to the lazy slobs.
ReplyDeleteGold stars also to the countries in Europe where the people are more aware of a tidy environment. And here's hoping that here in the USA, after the election, regardless of which candidate is elected, that he/she, as president, will promote cleaning up our country.
Oh what lovely outings! Annie has Spring break here this week - so we have some keep busy plans as well. ;)
ReplyDeleteLOVE those adorable looking leprechauns...and the fact they were up to less mischief and more wonderful work for our lovely planet!! Nicely done.
Those magical crafts looked perfect for the holiday too. So fun!
Blessings xoxo
I may not be a toddler anymore, but I still enjoy walking in the rain and mud. The adventures of your little leprechauns made me smile the whole time I was reading this post. Mist and glitter makes everything magical. I am very proud of them too for cleaning up the trail. What a wonderful bunch :)
ReplyDelete-Soma