We tilled the soil and began planting our tiny backyard garden this week. And as I surveyed our hard work, looking like a barren patch of brown dirt, it hit me how much gardening exemplifies our work as parents. All we can do is plant and water the seeds, Mama. We’re gifted these tiny onesContinue reading “Sowing Seeds”
Category Archives: Backyard Ideas
The Barren Places
Sometimes it’s the barren places that hold the most promise, friend. For days, my kids have been clearing the leaves from this patch of dirt in our backyard. Taking and turning the soil again and again. Carefully lining the outside with stones, to mark it’s borders to anyone who might not see it’s potential. TheyContinue reading “The Barren Places”
What They Really Need…is a Mud Kitchen?
You don’t need that fancy mud kitchen, Mama. They can love playing outside just as much with some old pots and pans. It’s true, we might someday purchase a mud kitchen. But right now, it’s not in the budget. Nor is a bigger backyard, or many of the other beautiful outdoor toys I see hearContinue reading “What They Really Need…is a Mud Kitchen?”
Out of the Box Ideas for Getting Kids Outside
Hey Mama. Today is a “take your watercolors outside and paint rocks” type of day around here. How’s the weather where you live? While we’re all for active play outside, there are some breathtakingly beautiful days (like today!) that my kids have absolutely no desire to go outside. And I’ve come to realize that itContinue reading “Out of the Box Ideas for Getting Kids Outside”
Forge Your Own Path
Sometimes, Mama, you have to forgo the typical way of doing things and forge your own path. Maybe that’s doing schoolwork outside (or up a tree). Maybe it’s leaning on frozen food or paper plates instead of choosing between takeout and homemade. Maybe it’s napping on a Sunday afternoon—or sleeping late on a Saturday morning.Continue reading “Forge Your Own Path”
Embracing the Less Than Perfect
Shout out to all the Mama’s embracing the less than perfect. To the ones whose backyards are far from Instagram worthy (hello, fellow city dwellers!), but get daily use, making mud pies and staining knees, patchy grass and all. To the ones who don’t have the dreamiest toys, but whose kids’ imaginations have the freedomContinue reading “Embracing the Less Than Perfect”
Little Birdwatchers: A Nature Basket for Kids
Caught evidence of a little birdwatcher while tidying up yesterday afternoon. For years we’ve kept a “nature basket” (a “nature capsule”) easily accessible to any child (or adult!) who wants to observe, learn or sketch about nature. It holds a small assortment of field guides purchased used (birds, mammals, trees and rocks & minerals); someContinue reading “Little Birdwatchers: A Nature Basket for Kids”
Purchases and Your Values
Good Morning, Mama. It’s Cyber Monday, and we’re just past Black Friday. What are you investing in? We have been saving gift cards for awhile now, and just purchased some patio furniture and a gas fire table. In November. In New Jersey. What might seem like a waste of our precious little resources to someContinue reading “Purchases and Your Values”
Good Enough
Hey, Mama. Have you ever wanted something that’s simply beyond your means? For years, I’ve wanted a mud kitchen for our backyard. A little wooden stand with a basin and a counter, and metal pots and pans for making mud pies. It’s simply beyond our means. It’s not something we will budget or even saveContinue reading “Good Enough”
Content Where You’re At
We don’t have a huge backyard. But we sure are thankful for the little green space behind our house. We play out there daily. We planted a little garden. We drag our picnic benches back there and paint with watercolors. We search for earthworms and play card games on a blanket. It’s a small spaceContinue reading “Content Where You’re At”
Next Door Hope 