Life in the Country

Last week we had great weather for being outside, so we took advantage of it!   December 1st and in the 70's?  We'll take it!

I am doing my best to come up with things for the girls to do, and on this particular day I decided that we would go on a little nature scavenger hunt of sorts.  I wasn't sure how the girls would do (FL in particular) rambling around the farm, but they both seemed to enjoy it.

 These pictures are from the first day that Sam was back at work, and we had a pretty good day!  He bought the little metal buckets for them at our local feed store hoping they would be something they could   "help" with during feeding time.  It turns out that we have used them for all sorts of things, including nature hunts!

They enjoyed collecting leaves, sticks, berries, little flowers, acorns and all sorts of things!

Charlotte especially got into it!  Her little bucket was so full of treasures that they kept falling out!  Flora Lin likes what C likes, so she went along with the whole thing.  I was curious to see how she would do with all of the different textures, dirt, bright sunshine, breezes, etc. and how she would physically handle getting around since her muscle tone is so low and she is a bit uncoordinated at times.  She followed C's lead most of the time, but I think she enjoyed it!  We are seeing little improvements with how she handles the sensory stimulation of being outside and her ability to get around.  She had no problem with the different textures, etc., though bright sunshine seems really new to her.  It makes it hard to get a picture of her face, though!

Yes, that is C's little pointer finger  in the corner of the picture telling us what to do and how to do it!

It was a really fun morning and I'm so glad they like being outside (C loves it!) because I certainly do!

About their bows - I've had some people comment on it, so I thought I'd explain.  I hoped that I would have at least one child that would tolerate a bow, but C has asked for one in her hair every day since the first one I put in and FL does what C does, so I have two girls that are adamant that they must have a bow in their hair!  If it starts to fall out for any reason they bring it to me and sign "help!" : )  Suits me just fine - I think they look precious!

Children don't need expensive toys, if you didn't already know.  We've finally found a use for all of our junk mail (no, we don't need anymore, thank you!)!

They played by themselves for a long time with the junk mail and some envelopes while I made lunch.

Then it just got too funny and I had to stop and watch!  They were pretending this rolled up piece of paper was a horn and "tooting" into it - it sent them into hysterics!

Life is good (not perfect, but good!) and they really do play well together most of the time.  They are sweet girls and I am enjoying getting to know who they are a little better every day.  And I think the sunsine, fresh air, wide open spaces and home grown eggs they are eating every day is agreeing with them!  I mean, who wouldn't want to grow up on a little farm like ours?!  ; )